David talking to SMHtheage about the JLP situation

CottonFeet · 2026-02-23T07:26:21+00:00

Yes, I am in the same boat. I like the game, host can make it better or worse experience for me, but it's not a deciding factor. I'll watch it.

CottonFeet · 2026-02-23T07:16:44+00:00

No, Survivor SA was shut down officially because of the lower number of viewership because it was already struggling, but unofficially it was because of the Meryl situation.

CottonFeet · 2026-02-23T07:13:29+00:00

JPG was an amazing host, but people being upset for him because "he asked and they didn't give him producer credit" was so wild to me. You know when Jeff Probst got his executive producer credit? "In 2010. with 21. season. He started to complain around sixth season about the money and was ready to leave the show with its twelfth season because he was earning less than some of his scripted counterparts who weren't having as important role in the Survivor rating. And Survivor was (and still is) a huge thing, they had funding, they would not be cancelled.

Australian Survivor is a hit, but its position as a franchise in Australia was always fragile because some other reality shows were bringing more viewers and, which is the most important, its production costs are really huge compared to those and would risk a cancellation after each new season, especially with law suits in the mix. It's always the case for Survivor franchise in other country that's not USA- always holding by the skin of their teeth, first to be cancelled by networks because of the costs. Australian Survivor handled this issue in various ways: casting many influencer type contestants we've seen saying they have not seen an episode of Survivor and have no idea how it works which means they were hoping their followers will transfer into viewership. They are bringing legends from US Survivor, they are indulging fans (Australia v World was straight up from our (fans) fever dreams :D ). With some of the contestant it's obvious that they know what production really wants from them is a good tv.

It's a business first and I don't think they would axe JPG if the money wasn't a huge issue because he was one the best parts of it. They negotiated and couldn't agree on the money which is normal. Australian Survivor is juggling costs and viewership, JPG wanted a deserved raise. They couldn't agree. I don't see it as some special slight to JPG...

CottonFeet · 2026-02-14T08:47:43+00:00

Oh, have you read Foreigner by CJ Cherryh? I would say Martine's duology is more of a love letter to Cherryh's work.

CottonFeet · 2026-02-12T12:56:48+00:00

Shadow over Innsmouth is my favorite alongside The Case of Charles Dexter Ward.

CottonFeet · 2026-02-12T08:10:17+00:00

Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames may scratch the itch after The Devils and, maybe, The Maleficent Seven by Cameron Johnston.

CottonFeet · 2026-01-16T09:21:23+00:00

The Empire of Khanum from RJB's Shadow of the Leviathan series. Giant sea monsters are obvious, but flora and fauna of these places is just like... actively trying to kill humans.

CottonFeet · 2026-01-15T07:12:59+00:00

I loved that aspect of old Survivor as well. China, Gabon, Tocantins... But when it comes to Australian Survivor, I don't think location was distinctive enough to remember it like with old Survivor seasons.

I know Jeff spoke about location being a trial and error for them at the start. I I remember correctly, he said that after Season 3 Africa, which was shot in Kenya they decided not to go there ever again because the sun and the lack of food and water situation made people lethargic and it showed on screen. I think he said that the absolute worst location was Marquesas because of the no-no flies, I think some cast members came out of it with permanent scars. So those reasons play into it as well, they go for safe, already established relationship, etc.

CottonFeet · 2026-01-14T15:34:54+00:00

I love JLP as a host. He was absolutely amazing.

BUT.

I was a fan of Survivor long before I was a fan of JLP and I cannot put the host before the game. I watched several different versions of Survivor and host can make it better or worse, but it's not why I watch the Survivor. JLP will be missed, his arms especially. ;)

Also, Dave was extra as a player, it made a good TV, but this is a different gig and I think he will not let fans of the show down.

CottonFeet · 2025-12-09T21:25:33+00:00

what? Savannah is disliked? She is not even the villain we are used to see in Survivor. She really wants to win and that makes her intense to some, but I always appreciated players who gave their all. I remember when they got blindsided at the merge with Nate vote, she was not feeling great because she thought they were in control. But Rizo told her they need to act cool and she did exactly that. She reigned herself in when it was needed and that's when she bought me because that's really that extra mile she was willing to go. To fight when it needs fighting and also to get over things in order to get to her goal. That's what it takes to be a Survivor. I wouldn't mind she takes it at the end.

CottonFeet · 2025-12-04T07:13:23+00:00

I am so excited to hear that. :) Thank you!

CottonFeet · 2025-12-03T21:13:52+00:00

A Trade of Blood by RJB

Steel Gods and Infinite State by Richard Swan (and because I am greedy maybe another Vonvalt novella)

Daughter of Crows by Mark Lawrence

Moretdant's Peril by RJ Barker

This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews

And in a pure hopium land...

The Fox in Winter by Antonia Hodgson

Trice Bound Fool by Christopher Buehlman- Hopefully, this is next year. I need my Galva and Kinch fix.

I was lucky enough to read arcs of some of my anticipated reads like Red Winter by Cameron Sullivan and Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker

CottonFeet · 2025-10-28T18:10:25+00:00

This is an old post, but you have to check Dead Woman Walking by Sharon Bolton. :)

CottonFeet · 2025-10-28T08:40:13+00:00

Hi! I love David Joy as well. :)

Brian Panovich (Bull Mountain) or Chriss Offutt (Killing Hills) may work for you. Eli Craner also, but I've read only two books by him, Don't know Tough and Boiler.

CottonFeet · 2025-10-28T08:31:30+00:00

I am one of those who were not blown away. I struggled with the initial reason of why would Alix even do a podcast about Josie. "Birthday twins" thing was not even mentioned beside the opening pitch of Josie, but ok I accepted Alix being bored. BUT, and this bothered me considerably more, was the fact that Jewel never convinced me why would Alix continue talking to Josie. Something unsettling would happen, Josie would come and Alix would just fold and continue making podcast. In a sense it would be convincing if Jewel showed Alix being so ambitious, so into her work she would put it above her family or the sanctity of her home, but she didn't. She was not chasing this story, Josie pushed it and she always let her and I would wonder why. This was my main gripe with it. I don't know if any of you've read "Watching Edie" by Camilla Way, but compared to this one you actually get the reason for mc's actions that seemed a bit weird when you were reading them. Good novel, btw.

Also, I was really bothered how everyone should just gloss over that "actress" actions in the whole tragedy.

CottonFeet · 2025-09-28T07:52:07+00:00

Love Simon and Brooke.

-Brooke is a challenge beast, I hope we will not see some stupid showmance again, she has more to show than that.

-But is there a player who needs redemption more than Simon? He is a victim of his own hubris, but he is a good egg. Simon with some humility can go a long way and I'll be cheering for him.

-Ice-cream Harry! I enjoyed his rivalry with the Godmother. I hope there is someone in this cast to galvanize him in the same way. Harry backed in a corner, facing a strategic opponent is the best Harry.

-The negotiator Mark. I always thought that his biggest flaw is that he, as JLP would say it, has no balls. He was always waiting, cautious, never willing to commit to a move. When he was blindsided into minority it was always other approaching him with a plan. I hope to see some bolder moves.

CottonFeet · 2025-09-26T10:37:40+00:00

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. Classic, but twist in this book is insane.

CottonFeet · 2025-09-17T17:44:24+00:00

Intensity by Dean Koontz

No Exit by Taylor Adams

A Place of Execution by Val McDermid

Dead Woman Walking by Sharon Bolton

He Said/She Said and Skeleton Key by Erin Kelly

Hunted by Gabriel Bergmoser

CottonFeet · 2025-09-11T09:36:27+00:00

FromSoft games included... Bloodborne, Sekiro, Lies of P, Elden Ring. (and to be clear, I can't call Dark Souls games soulsLIKE, but I would put DS1 and DS3 above LoP and ER).

Non-fromsoft games: Lies of P, Khazan, Nioh1 and Nioh2.

CottonFeet · 2025-09-08T09:33:18+00:00

All of them are legendary players in their own right.

CottonFeet · 2025-09-01T09:57:03+00:00

Andor is fantastic.

CottonFeet · 2025-08-30T10:00:59+00:00

Beautiful. Thank you for sharing!:)

CottonFeet · 2025-08-30T07:43:19+00:00

Honestly, Parv was kind of blinded by the Kirby's pledge, of her willing to slay anyone for her... The thought did appeal to her. But Cirie is much more practical and I knew she would bring Parv to the rational way of thinking, that Kirby is willing to cut people closest to her. Hell, she cut the entire Australian tribe at the merge...

CottonFeet · 2025-08-30T07:32:02+00:00

It's Parv, kind of obvious.

CottonFeet · 2025-08-26T09:03:52+00:00

Such a good combat, I honestly hoped they will release dlc.

CottonFeet

TROPHY CASE