Rachel’s journey to “Survivor” glory actually began on season 46.
CBS
First things first.
Happy birthday, Sue!
Teeny Chirichillo, Sue Smey, Rachel LaMont, Sam Phalen and Jeff Probst on ‘Survivor 47’ finale.Credit:CBS
I mean… 59 years old!
Still working my way out of the doghouse for that one.
Where you at,Gabe?
Rachel LaMont as an alternate for ‘Survivor 46’.Dalton Ross
Explain yourself,Caroline!
You totally left my girl hanging!
Heres a fun story, and it has to do with the picture below.
Rachel LaMont on ‘Survivor 47’.CBS
Dalton Ross
So, that photo above of Rachel was taken out atSurvivor, except it wasnottaken atSurvivor 47.
Instead, it was taken atSurvivor 46.
Rachel was an alternate for that season, so we met out in Fiji in 2023.
Sam Phalen, Rachel LaMont, Teeny Chirichillo, Jeff Probst, and Sue Smey on ‘Survivor 47’.CBS
Which is why I interviewed Rachel for 46 out in Fiji (and also interviewedTiyanabeforeSurvivor 45.).
So I told her we should take her photo, just in case.
Little did I know then that I was snapping the pic of a futureSurvivorchampion.
Sam Phalen on ‘Survivor 47’.CBS
A year later, that is exactly what she became.
But she did everything well and was a terrifically well-rounded player with no apparent weakness.
She was respected both socially and strategically.
Teeny Chirichillo on ‘Survivor 47’.CBS
She won lots of challenges (Jeff Probstmay have mentioned something about that).
She didnt only acquire idols and advantages, but maximized how and when they were used.
So whats not to like?
Jeff Probst and Rachel LaMont on ‘Survivor 47’.CBS
A very deserving winner, to be sure.
Andthe jury agreed, handing her a 7-1-0 win, with onlyKylevoting otherwise, for Sam.
And lets talk about Sam.
In fact, he got smoked.
Thats not a surprise judging by the way players were talking about Rachel for the past few weeks.
But man, did he kill it at that final Tribal Council.
They aired a clip of jury memberSierratalking up Sams game.
But it all felt like a feint.
Then, Tribal Council started.
It was a strong line, but in the end, the stronger all-around game won out.
Maybe it was just skillful editing, but it worked.
I actually started to wonder, if only a bit.
Make of that what you will.
Secondly, it’s too bad the finale kind of fell victim to CBS' scheduling whims.
That surely sapped some of the drama from the endgame, which is a shame.
But none of it mattered, of course.
Because the second we saw the puzzle at the end, we knew who was winning.
I speak from experience.)
And unlike two of those women, she had just won the game.
That was the face of victory.
She knew it, too.
To fire or not to fire?
I dont think knocking Sam out directly is going to elevate me in any substantial way, Rachel explained.
And thankfully, the jury clearly agreed.
I have no choice.
Now, look Ill be the first to admit that was not Teenys strongest Sam impersonation.
You would think it would get better the more they did them, but this one somehow got worse!
Plus, this impersonation took place while 90 percent submerged in water.
Lets cut them some slack, is what Im saying.
I understand the waySurvivorworks.
But to never try even once?
But could he do it when it counted?
(I dont care.
I still dont like it, LOL.)
This one was crazy, and as far as I can tell, Teeny did not lose to Sam.
Instead, they lost to wind.
And this is not the first time that has happened.
I did have the higher, most consistent flame,Heather told me then.
But I don’t know if you could see it, but the wind was blowing so hard.
I felt like I was in a little wind tunnel, and it was pushing the flames back.
It was actually blowing in at me!
I had to keep backing up because it was gonna burn my face.
(What else is new?)
But I want to say something else about Teeny.
Yet, here was Teeny doing exactly that and explaining their issues through a much larger prism.
That is a rare display of self-awareness on a show that often lacks it.
Can we take a second to acknowledgeSolbusting out yet another shirtless vest look?
Check outMike HollowayandBen Driebergencatching strays at aSurvivor 47Tribal Council!
This was actually a fantastic question byAndy.
Thankfully for her, the move did not backfire.
After-Show afterthoughts
You all know my feelings on the After-Ahow.
Plus, not all the players are even there!
Okay, enough ranting.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… RELEASE THE DRUNK TEENY TAPES!
I also thought Teeny articulated really well what a unique experience playingSurvivoris.
But there was no real high drama or high comedy in those final 20 minutes.
However, how amazing does thisSurvivor 48promo look?!
So freakin' good!
Check out some intel on the season, as well as the teaser and the logoright over here.
Thanks to everyone for playing along, for yet another season ofSurvivorrecap shenanigans.
Your patronage and your kind words are much appreciated.
Let’s do it all over again on Feb. 26, shall we?
I’ll see you then with a piping hot scoop of the crispy
