Hey, it’s Cho! It’s already time for Survivor 38: Edge of Extinction! I can’t believe this is already my third season recapping Survivor for the lovely folks here at TamaraTattles! Time has flown, and I’ve been busy making lots of fun videos on my youtube channel. Speaking of videos, the CBS bios are literal trash this year. I think they’ve decided to move most of their pre-season content to video in the form of press interviews, so this post took much longer than I wanted it to. Thank you to ET Canada for doing the work for me! Do check their channel out. Anyway, let’s get to the assessment!
Manu Tribe
Wendy Diaz
Age: 25
Current residence: Bell, California
Occupation: Swap Meet Vendor
Wendy was definitely cast purely for her personality. She is super cute, bubbly and plans on playing dumb in the beginning. She has trouble containing her body language which I TOTALLY relate to. Comment below if you know what a “swap meet vendor” is. I think her chances of winning are slim to none but the chance of me liking her character on the show is pretty much 100%.
Tamara’s Thoughts: I like her and I need her to last a long time because I have four cute photos of her.
Dan “The Wardog” DaSilva
Age: 38
Current residence: LA
Occupation: Law Student/Former Military
He says that he brings sex appeal that most men his age haven’t had for over a decade or never had at all. I think he’s a 6/10 at best judging by his CBS photo. He’s definitely no Michael. Outside of his overconfidence in the looks department, he’s planning to work hard at diminishing the inherent target he might have on his back coming into the game. Going by the nickname “Wardog” won’t help.
Tamara’s Thoughts: I found “scaling his photos” pleasurable; however, based on Cho’s intel, he sounds like a dick.
Kelley Wentworth
Age: 31
Current residence: Seattle
Occupation: Marketing Manager
Returning from seasons 29 San Juan del Sur where she played with her dad and 31 Second Chance where she really played a super strong game, I think Kelley will come in with many super fans being extremely starstruck by her. Her threat level in comparison to the other returning players will be much smaller, but she’s arguably the scrappiest and most dangerous. She is pretty hilarious to boot as she describes coming back to Survivor like coming back to an ex-boyfriend. I look forward to watching her play a 3rd time, and if any returning player can win, he’s her.
Tamara’s Thoughts: I seem to remember her as a brunette and looking completely different but my memory doesn’t really work. Jeff Probst picked her to win. He was right last season. I presume these picks are done right before they start the game and not after the game has been filmed. He is generally wrong but got Wendall right last season.
Chris Underwood
Age: 25
Current residence: Greenville, South Carolina
Occupation: District Sales Manager
He’s so goofy and I love him already! The excitement he has for the game is infectious. He’s definitely the token hot guy that happens to also be a super fan and somewhat easy to relate to. Total package really. He’ll be a threat to others, but I see him making it to the merge.
Tamara’s Thoughts: This is he only photo I have of him right now and it is one of my favorites. He’s not shown much in the opening. Does that mean something either good or bad? Who knows. These or the sorts of things I used to ponder back when I spent 24 hours a day thinking about and working on a Survivor site. Chris is on the good list of names for guys. Probable showmance with Lauren.
David Wright
Age: 44
Current residence: Sherman Oaks, California
Occupation: Television Writer
Our second returning castaway is David from season 33 Millennials vs GenX, and he is SO charming! He’s a bit worried about coming back out and leaving family & friends behind. Especially because he now has a girlfriend! No one saw that coming! He’s planning on creating a fake advantage that could have disastrous consequences. He’s going to have fun and be super strategic. If people remember who he is, then he should be a major threat, but if he slips through, I think he has a good shot at getting far once again.
Tamara’s Thoughts: He is only vaguely familiar. When was he voted out on his first season? The four returning players will be added to the teams by Jeff Probst. After the tribes are determined, One guy and one girl will join the two teams. So Manu will know that Kelly and David are vets.
Keith Sowell
Age: 19
Current residence: Durham, North Carolina
Occupation: Pre-Med Duke University
He’s not like many of our other younger contestants, because he’s planning on actually revealing his young age and using it as an advantage in the hopes that people will underestimate him. He’s not afraid to embody what a young player looks like with his energy and ability to go out on a limb and try new things. I like his energy, but I’m afraid of him potentially overplaying and being exposed for being a big player!
Tamara’s Thoughts: This kid needs the women to feel maternal toward him. I am not sure that will happen. I haven’t seen any of the video interviews, so I am not sure what to think. Okay,he’s sort of a spastic gay kid. He’ll have trouble making allies with the alpha males but David might pair up with him. I remember David now. Girlfriend?
Reem Daly
Age: 46
Current residence: Ashburn, Virginia
Occupation: Sales Rep at Oracle
Funny story, but I almost became a sales rep at Oracle. There’s a really dramatic reason why I ended up not working for them, one reason that I won’t be putting in print! Reem is a bad liar and has a reckless mouth. She will rub people the wrong way. Also, she will get annoyed by the snakelike behavior of other players. For example, she joined a gym in preparation for Survivor and then got kicked out, because she argued with her trainer. She’s kind of a wreck, and I love her. She’ll be out in less than a week.
Tamara’s Thoughts: I have three photos of her, two opening sequences, one of first episode. I won’t have time to use all three. First boot.
Rick Devens
Age: 33
Current residence: Macon, Georgia
Occupation: Morning News Anchor
I think it’s so funny that he’s a morning news anchor. Could you imagine watching YOUR morning news anchor on Survivor? I still remember my favorite news anchor, Chrys Peterson, from Toledo Ohio. She looks like the type of woman who wants to speak to your manager, but I promise she’s awesome! Anyway, Rick won’t last long at all. Despite him being hilarious to talk to, I don’t think he has enough redeeming qualities to overcome his inherent physical weaknesses.
Tamara’s Thoughts: I’ll be pulling for homeboy to make some smart alliances and fly under the radar. First jury boot.
Lauren O’Connell
Age: 21
Current residence: Waco, Texas
Occupation: Student at Baylor University
I’m always happy to see contestants that are genuinely excited and can barely contain themselves. She seems to understand how to work on a team and the varying roles people must take within them. I think people will underestimate her. They key for her success will be ensuring that she doesn’t fall into the follower role for too long. She’s here for the long-haul if she can adapt and fly under the radar.
Tamara’s Thoughts: Probable Showmance with Chris. This will make Chris a target and leave her floating alone unless she makes some ties with the females. It she can ally herself with Wendy and Kelley early on those three will go far with or without a vitamin D injection
Kama Tribe
Julie Rosenberg
Age: 46
Current residence: New York City
Occupation: Etsy Shop owner
She’s applied to be on the show for 17 years, so she’s definitely a super fan! I think she’ll have a big challenge with the physical part of the game. She also has no strategy whatsoever. She seems awfully boring. I wonder what she sells. Expect her to either coast throughout the game or be voted out early for being a weak link.
Tamara’s Thoughts: I’ve only seen photos but she seems cool and fit to me. I see her winning immunity in a balance challenge.
Gavin Whitson
Age: 23
Current residence: Erin, Tennessee
Occupation: YMCA Program Director
Okay, Gavin is definitely a cutie patootie! He’s a southern gent and plans on being a strategic threat unlike some of the other past southern contestants. He got married two days before leaving for Survivor. They moved the date earlier so that he could go onto the show. Survivor is basically his solo honeymoon. I think he has a lot of potential to go far.
Tamara’s Thoughts: Oh, look. Another stereotypical hillbilly from Tennessee, I can hardly wait to hear about his dying Papaw and how he grew up living with his seven siblings in a one bedroom shack with no running water until Ma and Paw died and they all went to different foster homes.
Aurora McCreary
Age: 32
Current residence: Orlando Florida
Occupation: Divorce Lawyer
I already question her decision to go onto Survivor, Because, that time could have been spent trying to saddle up with Wendy Williams. Aurora admits to having a loud mouth and getting into arguments out of nowhere but always takes accountability for being wrong. She says she divorces people every day. So, she knows how to work typical Survivor relationships. She will be the villain of the season, and y’all know I love Angelina a good Survivor villain!
Tamara’s Thoughts; I would probably get along well with Aurora. Most of the time I randomly meet someone I like they turn out to be an attorney. I like trial attorneys who go after each other in trial and then when the case is over the go out for cocktails. Most trial lawyer are very slow to get their feelings hurt so that works well for me. Aubrey is her best choice of ally. She’s smart and a vet. This could be a final four or an early boot depending on where and how she fits in.
Ron Clark
Age: 46
Current residence: Atlanta, Georgia
Occupation: Teacher At Ron Clark Academy
He seems like a very wholesome person, but he admits to not knowing how to turn down his aggressiveness when it comes to everything he does in life. I love his slight accent. My gut doesn’t bode well for him as he might have trouble with the physical part of the game and he may put people off with his hustler type mentality when it comes to getting what he wants. He is afraid of being labeled a villain and it impacting his school life.
Tamara’s Thoughts: Holy shit! One of our countries most brilliant educators. He will slay this game and this white boy has the moves, baby. He’s wicked smart, good with difficult people (middle schoolers) on tops of what’s cool in pop culture and can relate to everyone. He’s my pick to win. He has certainly won at the game of life. GO HOMEBOY GO! I hope I like him in the game.
Victoria Baamonde
Age: 23
Current residence: Bronx, New York
Occupation: Waitress
Victoria and her red hair seems super cool! She’s laid back and really easy to relate to. She takes her points from “Chaos Kass”, an epic survivor villain, who recommends people read how to Win Friends & Influence People. The only problem with subscribing to that thought is that Kass didn’t win friends. She just influenced people. I actually think Victoria can do both, because she’s really studied the game from the perspective of different players that were successful.
Tamara’s Thoughts: I LOVE HER! Look at that photo! She’s my spirit animal. So,I will be rooting for her all the way.
Eric Hafemann
Age: 34
Current residence: Livermore California
Occupation: Firefighter
I love a juicy firefighter! He seems a bit shy and under the radar. This could be good for his game as he’ll blend in better than most alpha males typically do. He reminds me of gentle giant John of Slamtown from last season except infinitely less interesting. I don’t have high hopes for his strategic thinking, but I think his strength will carry him into at least a switch or merge situation.
Tamara’s Thoughts: I love me a firefighter. I am going to have to get to know him before making much of a call. I think we have time. It’s usually old women and obnoxious children who are the first few boots.
Aubry Brocco
Age: 32
Current residence: Los Angeles
Occupation: Marketing Director
Hailing from previous seasons 32 Kaoh Rong and 34 Gamechangers, we can expect a lot of fire from her! She’s actually hailed as one of the most robbed 2nd placers of all time. So, the pressure is on for her to do well. This is a double edged sword as people will definitely view her as a threat to be taken out earlier. Especially if there are better puzzle players on her team. Regardless, she’s going to be an amazing player to watch for the third time.
Tamara’s Thoughts: I like Aubry. I’m not sure we needed to see her three times. I hope the newbies all band together and get the vets out first. Except for Joe.
Joe Anglim
Age: 29
Current residence: Ogden, Utah
Occupation: Multimedia Artist
I have no idea where Ogden Utah is, but it makes perfect sense for Survivor’s modern dream boat guy. He DOES have a girlfriend coming into this season, so calm down ladies. There’s 0 shot at him winning game, but I could watch him play as many times as possible, because he is actually fascinating as a character. He comes from season 30 Worlds Apart and 31 Second Chance. On his third chance, I think he’ll do well, but as it stands, he has the biggest threat level right out of the gate.
Tamara’s Thoughts: Please be dumb enough to keep this guy all season. I love him. Plus, I have tons of photos of him ready to go!
Julia Carter
Age: 24
Current residence: Bethesda, Maryland
Occupation: Medical Assistant
She comes off as really grateful and motivated. Her story is really heartfelt as she’s inspired by her father dying from heart disease. She describes this journey as the pre-journey to her real journey in life! She seems like a really genuine person that will be really easy to connect with. While she’s prepared for the mental and emotional aspects of the game, she hasn’t really prepared for the physical part, which is her only limitation.
Tamara’s Thoughts: She has to go. I don’t want anyone staying who is playing for their dead relatives. The RHOA comments are open season right now because it is cancer central in there. This is not what I signed up for, bye.
That’s it for the cast assessment! Please please PLEASE let me know your thoughts down below. Who are you most excited to see play? Do you remember any of the 4 returning Survivors, and what are your thoughts on them? As always, don’t forget to follow me on my social media platforms to stay in touch with me throughout the entire week: Instagram, Twitter, Youtube and Twitch!
Survivor 38: Edge of Extinction Premieres Wednesday, February 20th at 8pm on CBS—WATCH WITH US!
I’m impressed with the casting so far! We have a couple of easy boots to start. And it will be interesting if the newbies play like a smart Big Brother cast and band together to kick off all the veterans in the first four evictions…. And if they try, can production convince them not to.
Oh my goodness I totally agree! I can’t wait until tomorrow to see how things shake out. I’m ready to see what happens after the easy boots leave. There’s no way they get rid of the vets!
Cho- Welcome back! I haven’t read your recap yet. I just wanted to tell you I’m so excited for the new Survivor season and for your amazing recaps. I don’t drink coffee or alcohol so you and TT are my morning caffeine and evening Corona. Thank you!
Thank you for the warm welcome back! I’m excited to chat with you on a weekly basis again! I’m jealous of your lack of caffeine and alcohol! Your body must be in amazing shape! haha
I’m so glad quite a few Survivors are older, 30’s and 40’s. The trend of some recent seasons has been
to way too many vapid kids barely out of their teens. I enjoy seeing people with some life experience
under their belt play this game. Really ready for a new season. Big Brother was so disappointing.
Were you unhappy with the winner in Tamar?
And yes, I think older people are actually more riveting to watch, because they tend to really be set in their ways. I think about some of the really iconic characters of Survivor and they tend to be people who are older such as Sandra Diaz the queen herself!
I’m happy to have you commenting this season!
Reem is my former “work spouse” at Oracle. We removed some panels in between our cubes to create a little window for private conversation. I love her to death!
I haven’t watched Survivor since it first season but I’ll be obsessed now watching her. VERY strong personality, and incredibly loving, generous, and trustworthy.
GO REEM!!!!!
Yay! I hope you will keep watching with us if she goes early. That is usually the fate of older women in early weeks when they need the strongest teams.If she makes it further in and doesn’t annoy everyone she will fly under the radar. I fear she will meet an early fate though. 🙁
Annoy … well, she DOES like to talk a lot!
Oh wow this is actually TEA! Thank you for the little report. I will be keeping my eyes glued on her! It’s so funny thinking about how I could have ended up working for Oracle. We could have known each other in real life! <3
She seems like she could cause a ruckus, and I like that!
Cho- Awesome intro to the players. Joe may be my Sea Bass this season. I remember his look got my attention but if he can have fun and play a strategic game without being cruel he will have my vote.
Oh Joe is even better than Sea Bass, because Joe is smart AND interesting to look at. haha
I am giving major side eye to TT for her lack of David knowledge (he was the absolute STAR of Mil v. Gen X!), the Joe love and the Mis-Characterisation of Kelly Wentworth. Girl, are you a fan or nah?! 😉
Don’t be too hard on my aunt. She has a lot more important things to keep track of such as the RABID Lisa Vanderpump fans all over her site. But yes, David is a true star and I’m so happy to see him coming back.
I also kind of STAN Kelley Wentworth. She has a lot of superfans in her corner.
I’m kind of excited David is dating women. That’s the kind of relationship I need.
Ren, I think you have been here long enough to know that everyday is pretty much like the movie Groundhog Day for me. 🙂 What did I say about Kelly that mischaracterized her’? I just picture a brunette when I hear her name. I know she is a big deal and Jeff expects her to win and I remember her name and know she is a good player. I could not tell you anything about last season except someone wanted to steal someone else’s jacket. That is literally all I remember. I didn’t remember that Wendell won until I saw it in a Jeff interview.I was trying to remember of the super couple where the girl won in the end and he came back on another season as something I remember from an old season, but I couldn’t tell you their names if my life depended on it.
I do remember Michael Scollnick burning his hands in the fire, because I spoiled that scene back in the day before the show aired.
Other than that, it’s all brand new to me every season. I did remember who David was went I went to watch a video.. I don’t remember if I loved him or hated him.
“Somebody asked me today… “Phil, if you could be anywhere, where would you like to be?” I said to him, probably right here.”
You remember Angelina wanting to steal Lyrsa’s jacket: PROOF THAT SHE NEEDS TO RETURN!
WE DO NOT NEED ANGELA BACK! You like the worst people! lol.
You’re not wrong. #TreHugger #TeamBrandi
I am such an edunerd, but I read this and exclaimed to myself (because no one else would care), “RON CLARK!?! Why is this not getting more publicity? I wonder if he will hide his identity (like the professional athletes do).” In my world, he’s a celebrity.
I KNOW!!!!! We can just sit by each other and be excited together. It’s a teacher thing. For all of us who were given the side eye making learning fun I once invited a first year teacher’s students to my class because we were playing math games that my kids loved and didn’t even thing it was “school” and she said she didn’t want to bring them because it was too close to testing time and they had to focus on math because they were struggling. I don’t have to tell you which students blew the test away and which… well… I had a couple of them the next year.
Ron Clark just said fuck it and opened his own school and now runs a non-profit off the money he and his teachers make giving seminars to other schools. It’s really incredible. Don’t get me started. 🙂 Ron has units on Hamilton and Black Panther that are amazing and pedagogically brilliant.
Okay, when you said Ron Clark has moves I had to look it up and found Ron Clark Academy Students Perform Viral Dance Moves on youtube. Is that HIM dancing with the students? That guy gets down, man! LOVE IT!
I totally need to do some stalking. He sounds incredible!
It’s great to hear how awesome he is and that he’s really making a difference in his community and paving his OWN way! Sounds inspirational tbh.
omg I never would have thought he’d have a girlfriend by now but I’m oh so happy for him! Him like being worried about leaving her back at home is just so touching to me.
Believe it or not, I have never watched an entire season of Survivor. In fact, I have only ever watched one or two episodes, and that was back in the day when Colby was on (so, forever ago!) But, I did hear David interviewed on the radio the other day, so I feel very knowledgeable and have to pipe up, lol. David has been spending his time rewatching old Survivor seasons and recreating all of the puzzles that have been presented. (don’t these people work?) He has taught himself how to master all of the puzzles and has worked on improving his time on all of them. It sounds like he has literally eaten, breathed and slept survivor and the puzzles over and over again ever since he was last on the show. With that being said, he’s worried that the producers might present a new kind of puzzle, in which case he will be screwed and all the prep will have been for naught. (Duh!) He also is concerned about the fact that swimming is his weakness, and in the locale where they are filming, swimming is likely to be a key component. He also talked about his strategy to team up with one of the female veterans early on, to try to protect each other, although whichever one it is that he said (I can’t remember), he saw her somewhere and she didn’t seem to recall who he was. So, good luck with that. And, why on earth would you reveal your strategy on a radio interview before the season begins? I don’t really understand the logic in that. Maybe someone can explain. He is also hoping that the superfan contestants like him enough to keep him. That’s about all he said. Oh, and he made sure to say that he does have a girlfriend now, so that is what makes this season different for him than the other times he was on the show. That’s all I know. Enjoy watching! I’ll read the recaps. : )
The show was filmed over a year ago. Survivor is not a live show. That is why every post ends with PLEASE NO SPOILERS! And also why I was hesitant to have the recaps here.
BECAUSE NO SPOILERS PLEASE! There are people out there that already know how it turns out.
WE DO NOT WANT TO KNOW HERE.
THANKS.
This is not directed at you in particular, bc, just explaining the radio comments you heard.
Oooohhhh, I didn’t realize that it’s already done! Wow! Well, I didn’t hear any spoilers, so, Whew! I’ll just read Cho’s recaps and live vicariously through those who are watching! : )
I am so happy to have you on board for the season. Season 2 (the season you watched) is when I first started watching, and I’ve been a diehard fan ever since!
David is really entertaining, and I look forward to seeing him play again. There are always recycled puzzles and challenges in Survivor, which is why I recently stopped focusing on them so much in my writing. That being said, every once in a while they throw a twist in there and it’s really cool! I think David will once again be a huge asset to his team in terms of the puzzles. his dedication to the game is REAL.
Thanks for the great preview! I look forward to reading your recaps-thanks so much for giving us all the Tea! : )
Okay, I watched another video showcasing Ron Clark and his fabulous school & students. AMAZING!!!
Yep! I hope this gets him a TON of exposure. Ellen found out about him I think and donated a lot to his school. The tuition is 18K a year but most are on scholarships and pay $45 a month last I heard.
My HS costs around that right now. It’s a shame that this is what it costs, but for those with the privilege, access and need, I am THRILLED that people like him have made it possible to get an excellent education. I’m slowly becoming a big fan of him already no matter how he does on Survivor.
You know Sia usually donates a crap ton of money to contestants on Survivor who she loves. Most recently, she donated to Tai, the tiny Asian guy who was vegan, loved animals a lot and made a huge impact on his season (was on Aubry’s season).
We need ellen to watch Survivor. I might actually tweet her about it. lol
Omg, this is going to be the best season EVER! I mean, after last years snooze fest anything would be better, but this combo of contestants is going to ROCK IT! Cho, your recaps and our little community’s comments are better than watching the show for me.
I can’t believe Ron Clark is playing and nobody even noticed him! He’s like besties with Oprah! He made me want to be a teacher and then when I realized I sucked at it, took a different path. Anyhoo…
Thanks for all the time you put into your recaps, we really appreciate it!
(Did you ever get the Wunderlist app? We talked about it last Survivor season.)
Heidi, I think that most of Ron Clark’s superfans are other educators. You kind of have to be in the field to fully grasp what he has done and all the obstacles he overcame.
Ok so I didn’t get the wunderlist app, but it’s because I’ve been HORRIBLE about organizing myself. I did get a new calendar called Fantastical that I’m obsessed with.
I really appreciate you commenting, Heidi, and look forward to your contributions to the comment section this season! <3
Oohhh, I’ll have to go look at the calendar app, thanks for the tip! Seriously, I love your recaps so much, I’m kind of fangirling when you reply. ? Wish I could get all the Survivor info organized in my head and be a super fan but I get so excited and then mixed up with who was on what season, names and moves they made, and being naturally forgettable and kind of spacey just messes everything up, but I watch every episode. Seriously, I haven’t been this excited for a season since a few years ago, woot!!!!
omg Heidi that’s so funny that you say that, because I fangirl whenever I get a reply from you too, because you’re just super cool and interactive! This season is getting good. I liked the second episode! Looking forward to your comments!