The Slug

"Survivor: China" Cover-Up

(AP Photo/HO/CBS)

Looks like we no longer have to wonder why undies are being blurred out by CBS on "Survivor: China." Jeff Probst didn't mention it, but the castaways showed up to last night's immunity challenge —  the first swimming competition of the season — wearing previously unseen swim wear. The Slug guesses the producers simply tossed the contestants their suits to put on before the challenge. Do you think that's fair? And what about the tribal switcheroo? Was it right to force the teams to trade their strongest players? Poor Aaron and James!

"Survivor: China" Head Games

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Is sneaky editing to blame? Or are the "Survivor: China" castaways who've been privy to the Hidden Immunity Idol clues — Jamie, Todd and booted Leslie — just big dumb-dumbs for not realizing the Hidden Immunity Idol is that plaque hanging above their heads? It looked like smarty-pants Todd was staring right at it during last night's episode, but we never saw the flight attendant go up in the air for it.

"Survivor: China" Goes Below the Belt

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The most shocking thing about the premiere of "Survivor: China" last Thursday wasn't the Buddhist welcoming ceremony, Chicken's dismissal, the fact that this season is set in China or that the castaways were stranded in just the clothes they had on. No, The Slug was most alarmed that CBS blurred the underwear of Zhan Hu tribe member Erik Huffman, the curly-haired musician from Nashville. What gives? None of the other skivvy-wearing castaways received a blur.

Sure, "Survivor" has censored plenty of butt cracks and nipple slips from scantily clad contestants over the years, but this incident didn't seem to fall into either category. When The Slug asked a CBS spokeswoman why they blur his shorts, she said, "I don’t know for sure but probably a wardrobe malfunction." Really? Judging from the publicity photo above, Huffman's undies don't even have a trapdoor. First reward challenge should probably feature pants as a prize.

"Survivor" and "Real World" Stand-Ins

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CBS has been posting some pretty cool YouTube videos shot by "Survivor: China" host Jeff Probst. The new season debuts Sept. 20. This one is about the Dream Team, a group of twentysomethings who test out the physical challenges and assist in other departments. They're like cast members, but they compete for beer instead of $1 million. Nice. The Dream Team members even sit at Tribal Council so the set can be lit properly for television. CBS says upcoming videos will be about walking to the challenges and a day in the life of Probst.

"Survivor" isn't the only reality TV show to have a Dream Team. When we visited "The Real World" house in Austin, Texas, a few years back for the AP, the producers also employed seven look-a-likes. Before the actual cast moved in, the look-a-likes — they were just called production assistants, not Dream Teamers — had to just hang out around the house so the camera operators could practice following folks around. They also helped confuse on-lookers who wanted to know who was in the cast before the show aired. Sneaky!

Jeff Probst Talks "Survivor: Fiji"

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Nineteen castaways?! Two Hidden Immunity Idols?! Luxurious campsite?! What the heck is going on with the next season of "Survivor"!? (At least they're not dividing the tribes by race again.) The Slug called Jeff Probst for every detail we could squeeze out of him about the Fiji-set edition of the CBS show, premiereing Feb. 8. (And if you want to find out where those two Hidden Immunity Idols are hidden, you'll have to listen to our asap podcast.) The Q&A, after the jump. Unless you don't want to be spoiled. At all.

Sundra to Blame for Ozzy's Loss?

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Poor Ozzy. All that swimming, jumping, fishing, coconut tree climbing and puzzle solving for nothing! Well, not nothing. Lusth does go home with a $100,000 check and a 2008 Mercury Mariner. Listen in on our conversation with the "Survivor" runner-up about his soft porn past, Jeff Probst's infatuation with him and why Sundra Oakley may be to blame for his loss.

The Slug: Hey Ozzy. Congratulations on winning the car. Did you get to check it out?

Ozzy Lusth: I don't get to see the car until March.

The Slug: Whaaa?!

Ozzy Lusth: I know. Talk about buzzkill.

The Slug: It could have been a very merry Christmas!

Ozzy Lusth: I know. I wanted to take all my homies down to Baja for a big surf trip, but that ain't happenin' now.

The Slug: Too bad. So tell me how you feel about being the runner-up to Mr. Kwon.

Ozzy Lusth: It's bittersweet. I'm disappointed because I didn't win. Obviously. But if there's anybody to be runner-up to, it's Yul. He's an incredible guy, a lot of integrity. I respect him deeply as a friend and as a competitor. I think we both played an amazing game. He was able to convince one more person more than I was. That's a fact that might haunt me for the rest of my life but probably not.

The Slug: Jeff Probst seemed really upset you didn't win. What was up with that?

The Slug Talks to Yul Kwon

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The Slug just got off the phone with "Survivor: Cook Islands" winner Yul Kwon. He is more modest, intelligent and endearing than he comes off on TV, if you can believe that. We asked him all about crafting his undulating strategy, taming Jonathan Penner, teaming with Becky Lee and what he's looking for in a mate. Grannies will want to hear this.

LISTEN: Yul Kwon on his newfound sex symbol status and being single.

The Slug: Congratulations, Yul. How are you feeling?

Yul Kwon: A mixture of elation and sleep deprivation. I think I only slept for an hour because we had to get up early for an "Early Show" interview. Since we're matched to the East Coast, we got up at 3:30 a.m.

The Slug: Did you get to enjoy the after-party at all?

Yul Kwon: I did. It was wonderful having my family there. I think a lot of people were out partying. I didn't want to sound too stupid in my interviews so I thought I should probably take it easy.

The Slug: Doubt that'll happen. Walk us through your strategy. How did you go from Day One to Day 39?

Yul Kwon: I think my strategy changed a number of times over the course of the season. I think the thing that helps you the most in this game — besides sheer luck — is the ability to adapt to different situations. I came in with the strategy or trying to play a clean game. I realized early on that is completely naive. Unless you're incredibly lucky, you can't be successful at "Survivor" without manipulating or deceiving to some extent. I wasn't comfortable with that role, but it's something I had to get used to.

The Slug: At what point did you think you could really win?

Yul Kwon: Up until the mutiny, I was pretty comfortable in my position. I felt I'd done a good job deflecting attention away from me. In a strategic sense, I was able to play up Jonathan being the major strategic threat that everyone distrusted. Ozzy was the main threat in terms of challenges and physicality. When the mutiny happened, I thought we would be wiped out. I didn't think there was a possibility we would make it all the way through until the end. At that point, I pretty much gave up my individual game. I just wanted any of us from the Aitu four to make it through to the end. I realized that we might get to the end, and I might get to the end once we started winning the first couple of immunity challenges. I realized even though we were down in numbers, we worked much better as a team.

The Slug: Obviously, you were going to take Becky to the final two. Had there been a final two instead of final three, what did you think would've happened? Did you think in the back of your mind you could win against her?

Yul Kwon Is the Ultimate "Survivor"

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Don't you just love a happy ending? Smartypants —  make that smartyshorts —  Yul Kwon beat Ozzy Lusth on "Survivor: Cook Islands" with just one vote while Kwon's sidekick Becky Lee received zero, making that whole final three instead of final two thing feel totally awkward. And despite the highly controversial segregated tribes at the beginning of the game, a member of each racial group was present in the final five. Later today, we'll be talking to Kwon, Lusth and Lee. Send your questions into The Slug at theslug@ap.org.

Hats Off to Jonathan on "Survivor"

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Boo. Evil Jonathan Penner was sent to the jury — without his hat! —  on "Survivor: Cook Islands" last night. Other than Yul Kwon, he was probably the smartest person on the island (and least loyal). He took the chicken. He mutinied. He turned on his alliance. And he didn't give them any fish! We decided to find out if Adam Gentry was right and see if Penner is a cancerous rat in our cast-off interview. Reserve your judgment, Jonathan haters.

Jonathan Penner: Hi, Derrik. I'm not excited to be talking to you.

The Slug: Hi, Jonathan. I'm very excited to be talking to you. I'm more excited to talk to you than anybody else. Why do you think they voted for you?

Jonathan Penner: 'Cause they're not stupid. They knew I was the last potential threat of them going all the way to the final four.

The Slug: What was your strategy out there? Obviously it wasn't to be under the radar.

Jonathan Penner: I'm not an under-the-radar kind of person. I wasn't an under-the-radar kind of person within the first two minutes of the game because I stole the chicken and Yul saw me do it and then Jeff asked him about the chicken and I was outed in front of everybody. My role was established within a day. I'm not blaming them. That's who I am, and that's how I played the game. My strategy was to stay ahead of everyone. If there was a move to be made, make it before anyone else could make it.

The Slug: I thought you were going home every week you were at Tribal Council.

Jonathan Penner: We all knew. You can put this in is or not. It's edited. I think I was edited fairly, but the show is edited to generate suspense at the Tribal Council. I knew how every vote was going to go down.

The Slug: Except last night?

Jonathan Penner: No. Including last night. I knew was going home.

The Slug: Then what were your parting words all about? You said you wish you had been told.

Jonathan Penner: Nah, come on. Sure, one wishes one gets told because one's feelings get hurt when one is talked about behind one's back. I think what I was talking about was I understood why they didn't talk to me. The only reason you say that is because you're prepared to have a dialogue with the person you're talking to. And that's why the person who gets voted off never — or rarely — gets told because you give them an opportunity to say, "Don't make it me. Make it them!!!"

The Slug: Right. Why were you the villain? Were you the villain?

Jonathan Penner: I don't see it that way. Maybe I'm stupid. I think the moves that I made were antagonistic, but I think I was cut more like the comic relief or the narrator. I'm the Phil Silvers or something. Honestly, I don't think I was being mean. Yeah, I talk a lot — as you now know. But I was not a liar out there. I'm a pretty straightforward person.

The Slug: You have some acting experience. Were you playing a role or being yourself out there?

Three is the Magic Number

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Not sure what we think about this. According to TV Guide's Dec. 11 issue, Mark Burnett says the "Survivor: Cook Islands" finale on Dec. 17 will feature three finalists instead of the usual two. That'll totally mess up the "you and me, final two" deals so typically made toward the end of the game.

And with nine jury members this season, that means there could be a three-way tie for the $1 million prize (which would totally make for the blahest ending ever). But first: Parvati Shallow slices her hand open and the castaways' loved ones show up on this Thursday's episode. Come back on Friday for our cast-off interview.

Candice Gets the Kiss Off on "Survivor"

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The riveting "Survivor: Cook Islands" episodes keep on coming. Last night, a vengeful Jonathan kept his fishy bounty from the kissy Raro kids. Yul shocked everyone by revealing he had the Hidden Immunity Idol. And Adam Gentry and Candice Woodcock had their final kiss right there at Tribal Council in front of everyone after she was voted off the island. Let's see what mutinious Candice has to say for herself.

The Slug: Why do you think they voted for you?

Candice Woodcock: Because they were smart. I saw it coming. I pretty much knew it was going to happen. The Aitu four didn't want to give me any chance to change anyone's mind.

The Slug: At least you didn't have to go Exile Island anymore. How many times did you go? What was it like?

Candice Woodcock: Four times. Five nights. I started calling Exile Island my summer home. One out of every six nights I was on "Survivor," I was on Exile Island. I was able to start fire. That was the only thing that kept me sane. When it started raining, you had no shelter.

The Slug: You couldn't get in that ship?

Candice Woodcock: No. That's production. So you were outside the entire time. If it started raining, you were soaked. It was rough. It was very emotional, knowing the game was going on without you.

The Slug: How do you feel about Jonathan? He followed you when you mutinied. He flipped and voted out Nate. And then he didn't give you any fish, which really set you off.

Candice Woodcock: I was surprised Jonathan followed me. I was surprised he flipped. I was surprised he didn't give me fish. Jonathan was playing a game. I was playing a game. I understand that. I did give him a hard time about it, but that was me trying to save myself at that point. There were some bad feelings, but I don't feel that way anymore. He's a good person. He did what he had to do.

The Slug: So let's talk about the love of your island life, Adam. When did that start?

Candice Woodcock: Well, let me correct you and say that it was not the love of my Cook Islands life. It was ... I don't know.

The Slug: How would you describe it then? I do not want to be inaccurate in the description of your relationship with Mr. Gentry.

Karma is a Bizzle

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We already told you what happened on the Thanksgiving edition of "Survivor: Cook Islands." Nathan Gonzalez, king of the mixed metaphor, will be missed. We were particularly impressed when he called Jonathan Penner a "dirty, stanky, whack fruitcake" in his final words. And just in time for the holiday season, too! But when we asked him why he didn't hatch a plan to vote evil Jonathan off when he had the chance, all Nate-Dog could do was attempt to justify voting off Brad, Rebecca and Jenny. Sigh. Here's what else he had to say.

The Slug: Do you regret calling Brad a nancy boy?

Nate Gonzalez: It has caused some controversy. I've heard some people saying I'm a homophobe. The honest truth: I love Brad. Brad's my boy. I think he took offense that I said that so I'm gonna apologize. But me calling him nancy boy had no direct connotation to his sexual preference. I knew he was gay when we merged as a tribe. I had no problem with him being gay. As you can see now, we had a little time together outside the game. So we were cool. I think he took offense because we were tight. We were homies.

The Slug: How did it feel to watch Jonathan stab you in the back?

Nate Gonzalez: I was hurt. It was the biggest sucker punch you have ever had. It just hurt. You go so far in a game. This isn't like a pickup game of basketball. This is a one-time game. You can't go back and redo. So it really hurts when somebody takes it away. I knew the second I saw my name come up at Tribal Council that Jonathan betrayed me.

LISTEN: Was Nate kissy kissy with Parvati?

This is Why We Watch "Survivor"

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The Slug is thankful for that knuckle-bitingly exciting episode of "Survivor: Cook Islands" last night. Seriously, did you watch? If not, you totally need to Innertube that bad boy. Wasn't it like the best episode ever? Why was it so good? Sit back, grab and turkey leg and we'll give you four reasons. Mark Burnett, get out your notepad.

1. Unpredictable. With the extreme possibility of the Hidden Immunity Idol being used and Jonathan Penner's deviously elastic loyalty, the episode provided some good ol' fashioned reality TV scheming that left us wondering, "Will he or won't he?"

2. Colorless. Despite the tribes (finally!) merging, there was no mention of race. Perhaps that means skin color doesn't really matter. Or perhaps the editors just left the race card on the cutting room floor. (Still more whites, if you're keeping track of that sorta thing.)

3. Lust. We don't think blonde hotties Candice Woodcock and Adam Gentry are going to "make babies." But watching the two of them makeout is fun because you know they'll eventually have to bid the other adieu — and maybe stab each other in the back.

4. Yul. "Survivor" is at its best when there are some smarties involved. Yul Kwon's physics lesson atop the endurance challenge pole was priceless — and a lil' sexy. With that, Yul solidified himself as the breakout star of "Cook Islands." (Cao Boi who?)

Anyway, no castoff interview with Nate Gonzalez today. Black Friday is apparently a holiday for survivors or something. You'll have to wait until Monday to find out if he's still harboring that grudge against Jonathan when we talk to him. As always, tell us what to ask at theslug@ap.org.

While We Were Out

(AP Photo/Robert Evans)

No, The Slug wasn't secretly attending the TomKat wedding in Italy. We really were on an Asian vacation in Malaysia, away from American pop culture. And then we attended the Nieman Conference on Narrative Journalism in Boston. (Shoutout to all the journalists-bloggers we met.) Besides the Cruise-Holmes wedding — someone tell us why Brooke Shields was there?!?! — here's what else we missed:

Gamers went absolutely nuts for the PS3 and Wii launches while The Slug's B.F.F. and asap reporter Ryan Pearson made himself sore with the Wii. Get jealous. We had a PS3 review unit waiting for us at our desk when we got back so we'll dish on the games, graphics and that ol' fashioned controller this week.

There were several shockers on "Survivor." First, there was that mutiny. Hello?! Doesn't anybody see that Jonathan Penner is sooo obviously this season's villain? Somebody vote him off already! Second, that mysterious bottle revealed a two-for-the-price-of-one Tribal Council. Buh-bye to Brad Virata, Rebecca Borman and Jenny Guzon-Bae. Now it's getting good!

Emmitt "Twinkle Toes" Smith won "Dancing with the Stars," and we couldn't be happier. While Mario Lopez looked hotter in ballroom garb than in A.C. Slater acid wash denim, we were rooting for Smith because he was having more fun. (And he's from our hometown of Pensacola, Fla. Holla.)

"Desperate Housewives" is back to its old self. After that amazing hostage episode — told you Laurie Metcalf was awesome — the show's latest two outings felt fresh, mysterious, sexy and sudsy. What do you think is going to happen with that alleged pedophile neighbor? We think the sister in the wheelchair has something to do with it.

"Casino Royale" opened with the blonde Bond — and it didn't even get the No. 1 spot at the box office. We weren't able to get to any preview screenings so we have zero thoughts on why an animated film about a tap-dancing penguin beat 007. This news has left The Slug shaken, not stirred.

Lights Out for Jessica on "Survivor"

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The Slug can't say we were sad to see indecisive roller derby diva Jessica "Flicka" Smith go on the latest "Survivor: Cook Islands." She was never as fun as tattooed bad girl Angie Jakusz from "Palau" or as crazy as fire dancer Courtney Marit from "Panama — Exile Island." Flicka was also no match for the evil Jonathan Penner or the cunning Yul Kwon. Let's see what she had to say for herself.

The Slug: Why were you voted out and not Jonathan or someone else?

Jessica "Flicka" Smith: That's a good question. I think the fact was someone was going to go and I was good friends with Cao Boi and they didn't really understand Cao Boi and his messages in his stories and I really did. I had a friendship with Cao Boi and Ozzy. I just really didn't connect with those girls because they were boring. They never did anything. They never escaped out of camp. I just really didn't connect with them.

The Slug: What was your reaction when you were originally told the tribes were going to be divided along racial lines? You seemed the most opposed to it.

Jessica "Flicka" Smith: I've just never been divided like that. I was looking around at the Caucasian people that I was with and I knew that I was going to be in trouble. I was like, "Awww, man." It's a numbers thing and there was only five people and I felt like I was gonna be the outsider looking in with that particular group. I thought it was an awkward way to start a show with all the controversy and publicity and all that stuff.

The Slug: At this point in the game, were people still talking about it out there?

"Survivor" is Better Off Drunk

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No "Survivor: Cook Islands" castoff interview today, folks, because last night was this season's dreaded clip show. But there's plenty classics to keep you busy. Our favorite "new scenes" from the episode were lightweight Stephannie Favor's drunken campfire moments. Who had any clue she couldn't handle her booze? We wish Mark Burnett would let the audience see more funny, human moments like that during normal episodes. (Speaking of drinking, what the heck is in that empty bottle from the previews?! We must be spoiled.)

Cristina and Cao Boi Cast Off "Survivor"

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After a grueling wrestling reward challenge — that probably wouldn't have been so bad if the survivors would've resorted to tickling — Cristina Coria from the Raro tribe and Anh-Tuan "Cao Boi" Bui from Aitu were both booted in the most recent episode of "Survivor: Cook Islands." This was particularly distressing since asap selected Cao Boi as one of our favorite characters of Fall TV. Boo hoo. And for those keeping track, members of every race have been cast off except Caucasian. Hmmmm. Time for interviews! Cristina is up first.

The Slug: Hey Cristina. Sorry you got voted off and your tribe had mean stuff to say about you. How did their Tribal Council criticism make you feel?

Cristina Coria: At first, I thought it was just part of the game. I think they thought being a police officer made me a bossy person. They weren't looking at Cristina the person. They were looking at Cristina the police officer. It was part of being in a game where you're in teams and have to win competitions together. Eventually, it becomes an individual game where you can voice your opinions.

The Slug: Your former tribemate J.P. was not happy you voted him off during last week's episode. Why'd you do it?

She Just Wanted Some Mashed Potatoes

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It all came down to some mashed potatoes for Stephannie Favor on "Survivor: Cook Islands" last night. The 35-year-old nursing student confided in her former Hiki tribemember (and fellow African-American) Nathan Gonzalez that she just wanted some mashed potatoes. (Apparently they don't make 'em in the Cook Islands. Who knew!) Then ol' Nate went behind her back and told the rest of the tribe, who unanimously sent the self-proclaimed "weakest link" packing. Goodbye. Let's find out if Steph got her taters in our post-castoff interview.

The Slug: First and most important question: Did you get some mashed potatoes?

Stephannie Favor: Yes I did. I should have. It's what cost me the game.

The Slug: Did you get mashed potatoes there? Did you have to wait until you got home to get mashed potatoes? What did the mashed potatoes taste like? I want to know everything about the mashed potatoes.

Stephannie Favor: I don't even remember anymore. I do know I had to wait until I got home. I just buttered them up real good. Lots of gravy with some type of meat, I think. But it was really good. Hindsight is 20/20. You just can't vocalize everything. Unfortunately, I thought I had a comfort level with Nate. It wasn't what I expected.

The Slug: How do you feel about that? You tell him something seemingly innocuous — that you wanted some mashed potatoes — and then he goes back and tells everyone and it becomes a reason to vote you off.

Stephannie Favor: I was really upset by that to be totally honest. We all talked about food everyday. We all had cravings. We all discussed those on a regular basis. For him to take one of those comments — one coming for me, in particular — it was a little frustrating for me and I was surprised it came from him.

The Slug: Once y'all merged, was there any talk for Hiki to stick together?

Stephannie Favor: No, we really didn't have that discussion per se. But from our original island, we had discussions about that. We all kind of felt like whoever went further along, we were gonna stick together. We probably should have gotten together once we got to the Raro tribe and reconfirmed our positions, but that never happened.

The Slug: So how do you feel about Nate stabbing you in the back?

J.P. is O-U-T on "Survivor"

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Volleyball player J.P. Calderon — one of the four hot buff dudes on the Raro tribe — was bounced off "Survivor: Cook Islands" last night despite Stephannie Favor asking to be voted out after failing to start a fire at the immunity challenge. Whatever! The Slug talked to J.P. this morning following his surprising seven-vote dismissal. (Even Cristina Coria, the only other Latino on his tribe, voted him out. Ouch!) Calderon was less ticked about getting the boot and more worried about how he was portrayed on the show. You'll see.

LISTEN: J.P. dicusses how he felt about the racial divide.

The Slug: Hey J.P. How's it going? What are you doing?

J.P. Calderon: Just sitting here signing some photos.

The Slug: Wow. You're famous now.

J.P. Calderon: I'm a full-fledged D-list celebrity now.

The Slug: Congratulations. So tell me what happened. Why did you get the boot last night?

J.P. Calderon: I don't really know why. I think it was insecurity by Rebecca and Stephannie and they roped some people into it. I don't see how strategically that will benefit them. I really don't know. The show portrayed me as some kind of bossy guy or whatever, but that's how the show portrayed it. I didn't feel I was. I don't see how that should be reason to vote somebody off.

The Slug: Well, defend yourself. What were you doing all sprawled out next to the fire telling the ladies what to do?

Billy Crushes on "Survivor"

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The Slug just hung up the phone with Billy Garcia, the heavy metal lovin' Latino who was booted from "Survivor: Cook Islands" last night, and we're totally stunned. For some reason, the poor guy still has a major crush on Candice Woodcock, the blonde cutie from the Caucasian tribe. Random! The Slug asked him all about a possible proposal and how he felt about his tribe throwing the immunity competition in order to rub him out.

LISTEN: What did Billy wish would've happened with Candice?

The Slug: Hey Billy. Did you know your tribe was throwing the challenge to get you out?

Billy Garcia: I had a suspicion. But in "Survivor," we all tend to get a little paranoid. So I just wrote it off as being paranoid. It wasn't until the competition that I realized they were throwing the competition. That was one of the all-time lows in reality TV. We're out there and we have to represent our ethnic group and to take a dishonest approach to playing the game like that? Not cool.

TS: What was your reaction to the tribes being split along racial lines?

BG: My reaction was that it's great for "Survivor," but for me as a player, it meant I had little chance of winning. It turned out just like how I thought it would turn out. They saw me as heavy metal. And that's not a traditional Latino type of culture or way of being. Since I didn't have that traditional culture as part of my life -- and they all did -- they felt threatened I would jump to whatever culture I was taking as part of my life, which is heavy metal. So I knew for sure they thought I would jump tribes to the Caucasian side.

TS: Your tribe said you were lazy. How do you respond?

BG: I was in a similar situation as Adam. He had the same strategy that he wasn't going to exert a lot of physical energy out there. I was hoping to have exactly what Adam had. His tribe took the high road and just dealt with it. With my tribe, they took the low road, which is unexpected. You would think with the pressure to represent your ethnic group that you wouldn't go that route.

TS: Did you feel pressure to represent Latinos everywhere?

BG: I think it was evident all the time. I don't think a two-hour span went by where we didn't talk about that pressure to represent Latinos. Christina was the most vocal about it. I'm heavy metal. I don't consider myself Latino because I'm heavy metal. But even I had to admit, I have to represent.

TS: Let's talk about your top-secret love affair with Candice. Are you engaged? Married?

Sekou Says See Ya on "Survivor"

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Sekou Bunch of the black tribe, er, the Manihiki tribe was the first to get booted on the premiere of CBS' oh-so-controversial "Survivor: Cook Islands." His demise came down to gender — not race — when the three female tribe members voted out the shelter-building, break-taking jazz musician off the island. Read The Slug's post-booting Q&A after the jump.

LISTEN: How did the tribes find out about the racial divide? They didn't show it!

The Slug Talks to Mark Burnett

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Mark Burnett is a busy bee. The reality TV czar and stripe lover has a total of five projects ("Martha," "Gold Rush," "Survivor: Cook Islands," "The Contender" and "Rock Star: Supernova") either starting or stopping this week — not to mention the latest "Apprentice" that's wrapped but won't air until January. The Slug managed to get the executive producer on the phone to quickly ask him about all of them. Go!

The Slug: What can you tell me about tonight and tomorrow's "Rock Star: Supernova" finale?

Mark Burnett: Tonight's episode is fantastic. Really, really stellar performances. What you see is how over three months these performers have really matured and there's very little to criticize. Very little to criticize. Someone who's been previously dismissed gets brought back tonight to do an encore. That's interesting. The final four will perform. The public will vote. Wednesday night there'll be a bottom two. One of those is sent home and then we'll end up with the final three. From those, they'll sing one song each and then Supernova will chose their new lead singer and perform with them right there.

TS: I know you have no say in the decision, but who are you rooting for?

MB: All four of them could do a good job.

TS: How diplomatic of you. Are we gonna have "Rock Star" next summer?

MB: I'm hoping so. The ratings were great last week. It clearly won't be the No. 1 reality show of the week. I think that'll be "Survivor." But if I'm lucky, I could have the No. 1 and 2 reality shows of the week.

GM Drives Away from "Survivor"

(AP Photo/HO/CBS)

You know how toward the end of every season of "Survivor" someone wins a GM car in a challenge? And you know how the $1 million prize winner usually receives one, too? Yeah, well, that ain't happening during the upcoming "Cook Islands" season because — after sponsoring "Survivor" since Richard Hatch was trolling around the beach in his birthday suit — GM is pulling out. BUT IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT WHOLE RACE THING. That's what they're saying.

Jeff Probst Talks "Survivor" Segregation

(AP Photo/HO/CBS)

The Slug wanted to know if all those rumors about the upcoming "Survivor: Cook Islands" splitting the tribes by race were true. So we went to the Tribal Council master himself to find out. Hold onto your torches, survivors, because Jeff Probst says the rumors are 100 percent factual. At the beginning of the 13th season, the 20 castaways (pictured aboved) will be divided into four tribes of five by race — black, white, Hispanic and Asian — and then later, as always, merged. Read everything Probst had to say about the racial divide after the jump.