Surprise, Surprise: Samantha Who & Survivor

I abandoned Survivor several seasons ago because the contestants had become predictable and the challenges repetitive. This season I tuned in because the theme is Fans vs. Favorites, although I was hesitant at first because I wasn’t familiar with most of the returning cast from recent seasons. It has turned out to be very entertaining. Without giving too much away, I will say that last night’s Tribal Council was the best since Season 1 (when Sue verbally assaulted Richard Hatch for being a snake). The alliances and the twists keep me glued to the screen, and my money would be on Cirie to win it all. She may not be super athletic, but her mental game is strong and smart.

I find myself laughing out loud at Samantha Who, and that is a rare feat these days (the only other sitcoms I watch regularly are 30 Rock and The Office; both are fantastic but Arrested Development was the best). The show is very cleverly written and I am very impressed with Christina Applegate’s comedic chops (high marks for facial expressions and physical comedy).

The supporting cast of Samantha Who is stellar as well. Jean Smart is brilliant and needs her own show…again (Designing Women, for the young and uninitiated).  Jennifer Esposito plays over-the-top and inebriated quite well, and Melissa McCarthy is becoming one of my favorite new actresses. I never watched Gilmore Girls (I know, shame on me; I would love it), but I loved her in the film The Nines.