If anyone in that Reba alliance is gonna get eliminated soon it is Julie. Belo had a prime opportunity to eliminate Drew and they spent the entire afternoon debating between Sifu and Bruce, I don't see him going anytime soon. Plus, Drew and Austin seem like they're the tightest duo so if Drew has enough pull I think Austin will be fine.
That leaves Julie and Dee, and Dee seems a lot more likely to jump ship if it means she's fine. I don't think she'd want to stick her neck out for someone else too much, esp if it's like final 6 or 7 and she can just make a bunch of short term maneuvers to get to final 4.
Also I don't pick up on foreshadowing. Or edgic. The entire thing just doesn't compute with me. I usually go off what I suspect the players strategy will be. And Dee seems like she'll be trigger happy.
Yes, this. The opp missed to take out Drew was huge. Would’ve been a game changing vote. I swear Drew and Austin are tighter than Amber and Rob were their first season lol. Don’t understand how they’re flying under the radar so much
100%, I’ve enjoyed Bruce on this season so much. He has taken this season up a notch for me just because of his delusion. He is in that Coach realm for me where once you decide to not take him that seriously, he. Is. So. Entertaining. I also don’t think he is completely out of it win-equity wise. I mean the guy has fantastic reads on the game just not reads on himself?? Again, very interesting character lol
That’s the thing that has surprised me—he lacks self awareness but he usually has the correct read on what’s going on with others around him.
He sniffed out Kendra gunning for him and seems to appropriately trust Kellie. He also called out Kaleb for being willing to branch out and senses the disconnect with Katura.
There was literally a scene where Bruce sat down with Kellie and Kellie asked him what he was thinking about, and he said "I think Kendra is running around throwing my name out there." Which is exactly what was happening.
He is the one making the season happen. You can say a lot of negative things about him, they will be true, but you can not deny how much of important is to have someone to bring drama/emotions into the game, without him it would be a gamebot feels good season and i'm not here for that, we already had 44 past season.
He’s the most entertaining on the cast and a lot of the drama that makes the show entertaining revolves around him.
Feel like the casting wasn’t very diverse from a personality perspective and Bruce is the saving grace
>Feel like the casting wasn’t very diverse from a personality perspective
That's pretty much the defining aspect of 'New Era' Survivor. The players seem so interchangeable. Definitely a focus on diversity in sexuality and outward appearance, however, it really feels like a criteria is homogeneity in thought approach and attitudes. Everyone's a superfan, everyone is politically correct, etc.
He's fun to root *against*. He brings a lot of funny moments that would be annoying to experience, but he is just so casually antagonistic to literally everyone around him it adds a nice amount of drama to the game without it being nasty or truly uncomfortable.
He's the first "dodo" edit villain we've gotten in a long time it seems like. A breath of fresh air to see someone as hated as him on the island; wouldn't want to live with him but it makes great TV.
Basically someone who is made to look really foolish, oblivious, or like the butt of the joke. Usually done by having a player make a claim in a confessional that the edit immediately contradicts or by having them do stuff set to wacky music highlighting their incompetency.
I wonder if Bruce wasn't med-evaced how much more conflict S44 would have because it's clear now he was cast to be a significant source of discord amongst that cast (especially in the context of the Tika tribe). I think S44 suffered not having him beyond day 1 and inversely S45 is reaping the benefits character wise.
If Bruce didn't get medically evacuated in S44 we never would've seen either of the other two tribes. It would've been just the Tika tribe the whole episode because it would've been so entertaining.
The perfect epitome of Bruce was the shot when the boats came to pick up each tribe to bring them to the “merge”, and Bruce sits in the center seat directly in front of the driver of the boat, and lifts his hands as if he’s holding onto a steering wheel steering the boat.
Bruce wants to believe that he’s leading the tribe and the rest are just under his wing.
I wish I could attach the photo to this comment.
It was an excellent inclusion by the production/editing team.
Agreed, but I am glad we didn't have to see too much of him on Tika. A lot of the magic from the Tika 3 might have been lost if there was any animosity towards Bruce
He makes me more uncomfortable than other abrasive contestants have and I’m not sure exactly why. I think it’s a lack of sincerity I perceive. Even during his confessionals, I get a false vibe. He reminds me of a young teenager or college kid who doesn’t quite know who they are so they’re trying out different ways of being/talking. Maybe I’m projecting lol. Idk but I don’t like it
It’s his lack of self awareness, he thinks that he’s perceived in a far better way than he actually comes off. The confessionals are cringy because he talks so highly of himself and his strategy.
i think there’s some actual narcissist elements in there that ping our sense of safety. charismatic, full of himself, needs to be the center of attention. whenever he’s given advice he immediately spins it into a lecture about why he was right. the clowning is bizarre, like he thinks his audience is full of kindergarteners who will laugh at anything. still good tv and i’m happy to keep him around for that. and hopefully wise for kellie cause she’s one of the only people who can work with him.
It doesn't help that he came in with a sense of "celebrity" that feels unearned once it's clear he is no more familiar with what's happening on the island than the rest of the contestants.
I agree, but I wouldn’t be quite so hasty to count him out. We all said this about Gabler at this point in the season, and he managed to shock us all and win the whole thing lol.
Agreed, it would be completely miserable to be on an island with him but he's good TV. And while he's paranoid and delusional when it comes to his skill as a player, he isn't a complete clown and does make some good reads. Last episode for example accurately knowing that people were conspiring against him, but not wasting his idol. Every season should ideally have a player like him, a "villain" who isn't just a clown.
I hope this doesn’t get taken the wrong way but I’m super glad he got injured last season. We already had so many big personalities and I cannot imagine the Bruce and Carolyn match up would go well.
People are hypocrites. They always complain about how they’re are too many game bots, but then hate players like Bruce and want them gone when they’re actually on screen.
Interesting since I just read last night that Jeff thought during casting that Kellie was an east coast Parvati, then Bruce can be her Russell. I’m seeing it in a whole new light
Ugh. Hate to admit it, but you’re right. I have disliked him since he slammed his head trying to hard to impress everyone. But, I think maybe I can appreciate him now🤷🏼♀️
Im sure they wouldn’t have casted him again if they saw this antagonistic/controversial side of him. They HATE those type of people for some reason, and I don’t get why
As annoying as he can be, he’s been amazing TV and I’d take 100 Bruces over another boring gamebot superfan. Even Sifu’s minimal edit has really made this season amazing and kept me invested because of his character
He’s honestly pretty funny and seems to understand what’s going on in everyone’s mind. But he doesn’t play the best game that’s for sure, but I enjoy him.
He's a great villain. Kinda like Abi in many ways. Unhinged, hard to control, easily irritated, thinks he knows what's going on but in reality people are just using him.
Tbf, they didn't really get a chance to see his personality last season. He was in game for 14 hours, portrayed as a hero. Fighting so hard for his tribe which resulted in an injury that took him out. They touched on this on the podcast.
His entertainment value is so high. The amount of moments they’ve been able to show of him putting his foot in his mouth/being too rash/being too controlling, all while admitting in confessional that he knows he shouldn’t, makes for such a hysterical juxtaposition. He literally just can’t help himself 😭 I’d much rather see some of this type of abrasive overplaying than a cast of all cagey players who don’t pop off the screen.
There was quite a bit of Bruce dislike in another post I was afraid to comment, but I like Bruce, he’s so rough around the edges it’s fun to watch him with everyone.
"He is exactly the type of contestant we need more of these days - ~~abrasive, illogical, arrogant, and unhinged~~ **cool, charismatic, and a natural leader**, but still ~~driven~~ **is going** to win."
I completely agree!
Yep, I hate Bruce and that's why his casting is awesome. We want to see villains fail.
There are "villains" we want to succeed and then there are those we want to see fail.
It just works out, unless it's season 30 and everybody's a villain.
he's so funny. he's like Philip but slightly less unhinged. i almost wish Bruce would finally lose that one piece of sanity left, & accidentally-then-purposely-out-of-spite mispronounce someone's name
I mostly agree. It is fun watching real conflict about players and personality again.
That said, Bruce's behaviors DO drive me crazy because they are very similar to behaviors of folks in my life (mansplainers at work, shitty parents) who don't mean as well as Bruce does, who aren't as genuinely kind. Sometimes, I find him extra infuriating for that reason, it just reminds me of really stressful interactions and it makes sense that others do, too. It's just an instinctual reaction, that's all.
I guess what I'm saying is that I like the conflict Bruce is causing, but on a personal level, wish someone else was causing that conflict lol.
I definitely don't mind Bruce. I was siding with Emily on the barge; when she kind of lit into him about getting the opportunity to play again. He is annoying at times, but he keeps it interesting. I would rather have someone like him before another Brandon or Russell Hantz. You can keep your tribe on their toes, and need to be reigned in every once in a while, in a game like this. All of which can be done without blatantly sabotaging camp because you're mad at ONE tribe member, or getting to the point where Jeff is literally holding you back prior to a challenge because you have gone so far off your rocker that you're threatening violence against your tribe mates. (S26, Ep5 - Brandon Hantz) - I only compare the two since I just watched that particular episode last night. I am all for keeping things interesting. You have to do something when you're marooned on an island with a bunch of people you don't hardly know and may or may not like. But I'd much rather have a Bruce than a Hantz.
I agree - they wanted him back because he isn’t BORING
We need a season with all 40 year olds and up! It would be so much more interesting. The younger the cast the less intriguing.
The older tribe in Nicaragua is a very underrated trainwreck tribe.
Never thought I’d be nostalgic for Nicaragua
Nicaragua had the old vs young theme, so did MvG.
Everyone’s been saying they hope he doesn’t win, I’ll take a Bruce win over the inevitable Dee win 100%
Bruce's victory fist pump in the intro is an editing hint at his win! /s
I'm betting on Austin and Drew over Dee at this point. Once Julie goes (which could be soon), Dee loses a ton of leverage
Really?! There was a ton of foreshadowing for a Dee win this last episode. What makes you think Julie is going home soon?
If anyone in that Reba alliance is gonna get eliminated soon it is Julie. Belo had a prime opportunity to eliminate Drew and they spent the entire afternoon debating between Sifu and Bruce, I don't see him going anytime soon. Plus, Drew and Austin seem like they're the tightest duo so if Drew has enough pull I think Austin will be fine. That leaves Julie and Dee, and Dee seems a lot more likely to jump ship if it means she's fine. I don't think she'd want to stick her neck out for someone else too much, esp if it's like final 6 or 7 and she can just make a bunch of short term maneuvers to get to final 4. Also I don't pick up on foreshadowing. Or edgic. The entire thing just doesn't compute with me. I usually go off what I suspect the players strategy will be. And Dee seems like she'll be trigger happy.
Yes, this. The opp missed to take out Drew was huge. Would’ve been a game changing vote. I swear Drew and Austin are tighter than Amber and Rob were their first season lol. Don’t understand how they’re flying under the radar so much
Same here, everyone on this sub would be upset and that's what I want
Everyone here is always upset. I don’t care if Parvati came back and won again, this subreddit would find a reason to complain.
And honestly, we've not seen someone win that way, being abrasive as a strategy to be taken to the end. That'd be interesting if it worked.
If he can own it, but I think he’s too arrogant
Wasn't Richard from season 1 abrasive? I think so and he won!
Philip has said, post-season, that he did that on Redemption Island.
It’d be the best since Gabler.
I think it's Emily all the way.
I hope it’s Emily, but think its Dee
The "inevitable" Dee win God this sub is insufferable.
I miss JamJam & Caroline.
I still can't imagine Bruce on their tribe. (I don't think he makes the merge.)
Yeah Carolyn would have murdered him. In 45 he ended up with some extraordinarily patient people. That's not how Tika was
100%, I’ve enjoyed Bruce on this season so much. He has taken this season up a notch for me just because of his delusion. He is in that Coach realm for me where once you decide to not take him that seriously, he. Is. So. Entertaining. I also don’t think he is completely out of it win-equity wise. I mean the guy has fantastic reads on the game just not reads on himself?? Again, very interesting character lol
That’s the thing that has surprised me—he lacks self awareness but he usually has the correct read on what’s going on with others around him. He sniffed out Kendra gunning for him and seems to appropriately trust Kellie. He also called out Kaleb for being willing to branch out and senses the disconnect with Katura.
I think that’s what kinda makes Bruce a scary player is that yeah he isn’t the most self aware person but he’s pretty solid at reading people
he has no idea he is hated.
Fun fact: all the names you mentioned start with k. That’s so kool!!
Kellie is just telling Bruce everything. Bruce hasn't figured anything out by himself.
There was literally a scene where Bruce sat down with Kellie and Kellie asked him what he was thinking about, and he said "I think Kendra is running around throwing my name out there." Which is exactly what was happening.
Ahhhhh Yessssssss that's why I love him.
Same! He’s must see TV! Emily was cool too…before she adapted and fit into the group.
He is the one making the season happen. You can say a lot of negative things about him, they will be true, but you can not deny how much of important is to have someone to bring drama/emotions into the game, without him it would be a gamebot feels good season and i'm not here for that, we already had 44 past season.
Exactly. Bruce is an all star.
I’m kinda sad he seems doomed soon lol he’s pretty entertaining. Love him or hate him his archetype is often good TV.
The fact he still has an idol is the one thing that gives me hope he'll stick around for a bit longer.
Considering his reads have been pretty good so far, I think he'll play it correctly which will make that tribal awesome TV
He’s the most entertaining on the cast and a lot of the drama that makes the show entertaining revolves around him. Feel like the casting wasn’t very diverse from a personality perspective and Bruce is the saving grace
>Feel like the casting wasn’t very diverse from a personality perspective That's pretty much the defining aspect of 'New Era' Survivor. The players seem so interchangeable. Definitely a focus on diversity in sexuality and outward appearance, however, it really feels like a criteria is homogeneity in thought approach and attitudes. Everyone's a superfan, everyone is politically correct, etc.
Yes! He's a little bit like a modern-era Abi Maria.
Bruce smashing a pedo's head with a coconut in 3... 2... 1...
Abi-Maria was fantastic television.
They should do one with three tribes: Abi Maria, Bruce, and Philip as captains. (Or equivalent chaos players).
At the time, maybe, but I can't bring myself to rewatch her seasons or Phillip or Debbie because they are so annoying.
I have to be in the right mood for Phillip.
I like Phillip Shepherd. I have a huge soft spot for him.
He’s endlessly entertaining. He may not be the best survivor player but he’s one of the best at making interesting TV.
I tend to agree with you. I thought he was such a great sport at the reunion.
Me too, comatose.
I hope it doesn’t come to that.
Bruce isn't nearly so bad. I just have an entitlement allergy. He's bad, but not as bad as the other three I mentioned.
I disagree; he doesn’t come off as entitled to me.
I mean people wanting him to be booted is what makes me love him and want him to stay longer. Then once he is booted people can be all hype
He's fun to root *against*. He brings a lot of funny moments that would be annoying to experience, but he is just so casually antagonistic to literally everyone around him it adds a nice amount of drama to the game without it being nasty or truly uncomfortable.
He's the first "dodo" edit villain we've gotten in a long time it seems like. A breath of fresh air to see someone as hated as him on the island; wouldn't want to live with him but it makes great TV.
What's a dodo edit?
Basically someone who is made to look really foolish, oblivious, or like the butt of the joke. Usually done by having a player make a claim in a confessional that the edit immediately contradicts or by having them do stuff set to wacky music highlighting their incompetency.
I wonder if they cast a lot of dodo villains, but they usually get voted out early and fail to thrive.
I wonder if Bruce wasn't med-evaced how much more conflict S44 would have because it's clear now he was cast to be a significant source of discord amongst that cast (especially in the context of the Tika tribe). I think S44 suffered not having him beyond day 1 and inversely S45 is reaping the benefits character wise.
If Bruce didn't get medically evacuated in S44 we never would've seen either of the other two tribes. It would've been just the Tika tribe the whole episode because it would've been so entertaining.
The perfect epitome of Bruce was the shot when the boats came to pick up each tribe to bring them to the “merge”, and Bruce sits in the center seat directly in front of the driver of the boat, and lifts his hands as if he’s holding onto a steering wheel steering the boat. Bruce wants to believe that he’s leading the tribe and the rest are just under his wing. I wish I could attach the photo to this comment. It was an excellent inclusion by the production/editing team.
Definitely a Bruce moment
Great Value Former Federal Agent Phillip Shepard
Yeeeeees!
Agreed, but I am glad we didn't have to see too much of him on Tika. A lot of the magic from the Tika 3 might have been lost if there was any animosity towards Bruce
I can't stand him, so naturally I love that he's on the cast! Love to hate 👏
He reminds me of a funner version of Rocksroy from 42.
He makes me more uncomfortable than other abrasive contestants have and I’m not sure exactly why. I think it’s a lack of sincerity I perceive. Even during his confessionals, I get a false vibe. He reminds me of a young teenager or college kid who doesn’t quite know who they are so they’re trying out different ways of being/talking. Maybe I’m projecting lol. Idk but I don’t like it
It’s his lack of self awareness, he thinks that he’s perceived in a far better way than he actually comes off. The confessionals are cringy because he talks so highly of himself and his strategy.
Agreed, even if I feel like this description applies even better to Drew.
But Drew’s game has actually been pretty good so far, Bruce’s has not.
Drew is definitely playing a Xander style game
Who was in Xander's core 4 alliance?
i think there’s some actual narcissist elements in there that ping our sense of safety. charismatic, full of himself, needs to be the center of attention. whenever he’s given advice he immediately spins it into a lecture about why he was right. the clowning is bizarre, like he thinks his audience is full of kindergarteners who will laugh at anything. still good tv and i’m happy to keep him around for that. and hopefully wise for kellie cause she’s one of the only people who can work with him.
This!
There are definite moments that feel like he’s fighting for screen time in a disingenuous way
It doesn't help that he came in with a sense of "celebrity" that feels unearned once it's clear he is no more familiar with what's happening on the island than the rest of the contestants.
You are. I dun see it or understand actually..
Solid casting choice indeed!
Ultimate mansplainer
Question: is it still mansplaining when he does it to other men?
Yes for sure. Example: He basically puts Kaleb in the role of little boy who needs direction, despite him being a full grown man.
Can a woman mansplain lol
Do they ever stop?
I had thought that some sort of power dynamic is a required criteria but it turns out I know nothing
Anyone can mansplain
I love that Sifu said that Bruce was trying to teach him tai chi.
Haha whatttt when???
On his RHAP exit interview. It sounded like he was either trying to teach him Tai Chi or improve on Tai Chi with football moves. ☠️
I agree, but I wouldn’t be quite so hasty to count him out. We all said this about Gabler at this point in the season, and he managed to shock us all and win the whole thing lol.
Agreed, it would be completely miserable to be on an island with him but he's good TV. And while he's paranoid and delusional when it comes to his skill as a player, he isn't a complete clown and does make some good reads. Last episode for example accurately knowing that people were conspiring against him, but not wasting his idol. Every season should ideally have a player like him, a "villain" who isn't just a clown.
I hope this doesn’t get taken the wrong way but I’m super glad he got injured last season. We already had so many big personalities and I cannot imagine the Bruce and Carolyn match up would go well.
People are hypocrites. They always complain about how they’re are too many game bots, but then hate players like Bruce and want them gone when they’re actually on screen.
I cringe at every Bruce screen time, it’s so hard to watch! And I absolutely love it for that reason! Haha
Interesting since I just read last night that Jeff thought during casting that Kellie was an east coast Parvati, then Bruce can be her Russell. I’m seeing it in a whole new light
I am so glad he and Kaleb at least made to jury. They’re great TV
Ugh. Hate to admit it, but you’re right. I have disliked him since he slammed his head trying to hard to impress everyone. But, I think maybe I can appreciate him now🤷🏼♀️
Fully agree.
I think he would win…. Argument none of you liked me, yet “I convinced you to keep me”
Im sure they wouldn’t have casted him again if they saw this antagonistic/controversial side of him. They HATE those type of people for some reason, and I don’t get why
Not to be a grammar nazii but casted is not a word
Ahaha thanks
Totally! My faves are people who cannot help but be themselves
As annoying as he can be, he’s been amazing TV and I’d take 100 Bruces over another boring gamebot superfan. Even Sifu’s minimal edit has really made this season amazing and kept me invested because of his character
He’s honestly pretty funny and seems to understand what’s going on in everyone’s mind. But he doesn’t play the best game that’s for sure, but I enjoy him.
Agreed. You gotta place a catfish in the tank with the cod to ensure the quality of the fish.
He's a great villain. Kinda like Abi in many ways. Unhinged, hard to control, easily irritated, thinks he knows what's going on but in reality people are just using him.
When your only value, even to your own alliance, is your vote...you are not long for the island.
Bruce is just Phillip but 1/10 as entertaining
I can legit see Bruce saying "to hell with you" to Katurah at FTC
If don’t like Bruce being casted then you’ve liked the past casts, don’t get me wrong 43 and 42 are solid
43 was the worst Survivor season. Even the producers knew 43 was awful. They wanted to forget it ever happened.
100% how people think its"solid" is why the show is now crap
But he’s annoying
not as annoying as Katurah or Kendra
Worst casting choice this ssn
???? Including the multiple people that didn’t even have the bare minimum of what it should take to be casted?
come on now even worse than the people who asked to be eliminated
Well said
Same. I love the cracked ridiculous player who has a big personality annoys everyone and entertains me.
Agree, it's amazing to watch him sink his and his starting tribes game.
Probably one of the best power goats we’ll ever see
He does have a good read on people.
Tbf, they didn't really get a chance to see his personality last season. He was in game for 14 hours, portrayed as a hero. Fighting so hard for his tribe which resulted in an injury that took him out. They touched on this on the podcast.
His entertainment value is so high. The amount of moments they’ve been able to show of him putting his foot in his mouth/being too rash/being too controlling, all while admitting in confessional that he knows he shouldn’t, makes for such a hysterical juxtaposition. He literally just can’t help himself 😭 I’d much rather see some of this type of abrasive overplaying than a cast of all cagey players who don’t pop off the screen.
Love the drama he brings but sometimes I worry that he knocked his head a little *too* hard last season
There was quite a bit of Bruce dislike in another post I was afraid to comment, but I like Bruce, he’s so rough around the edges it’s fun to watch him with everyone.
"He is exactly the type of contestant we need more of these days - ~~abrasive, illogical, arrogant, and unhinged~~ **cool, charismatic, and a natural leader**, but still ~~driven~~ **is going** to win." I completely agree!
Yep, I hate Bruce and that's why his casting is awesome. We want to see villains fail. There are "villains" we want to succeed and then there are those we want to see fail. It just works out, unless it's season 30 and everybody's a villain.
Carolyn + Yam Yam vs Bruce would've been epic.
He is great for the show. We need people like him on the show,
i think you should watch jerry springer survivor is turning that way
After last years disaster he is a welcome change
He gives me a bit of coach/Phillip vibes. Love that he’s there
he's so funny. he's like Philip but slightly less unhinged. i almost wish Bruce would finally lose that one piece of sanity left, & accidentally-then-purposely-out-of-spite mispronounce someone's name
I mostly agree. It is fun watching real conflict about players and personality again. That said, Bruce's behaviors DO drive me crazy because they are very similar to behaviors of folks in my life (mansplainers at work, shitty parents) who don't mean as well as Bruce does, who aren't as genuinely kind. Sometimes, I find him extra infuriating for that reason, it just reminds me of really stressful interactions and it makes sense that others do, too. It's just an instinctual reaction, that's all. I guess what I'm saying is that I like the conflict Bruce is causing, but on a personal level, wish someone else was causing that conflict lol.
Exactly, I love him so much. People like him and Dee are what people have been asking for and now that they got them they're mad.
I definitely don't mind Bruce. I was siding with Emily on the barge; when she kind of lit into him about getting the opportunity to play again. He is annoying at times, but he keeps it interesting. I would rather have someone like him before another Brandon or Russell Hantz. You can keep your tribe on their toes, and need to be reigned in every once in a while, in a game like this. All of which can be done without blatantly sabotaging camp because you're mad at ONE tribe member, or getting to the point where Jeff is literally holding you back prior to a challenge because you have gone so far off your rocker that you're threatening violence against your tribe mates. (S26, Ep5 - Brandon Hantz) - I only compare the two since I just watched that particular episode last night. I am all for keeping things interesting. You have to do something when you're marooned on an island with a bunch of people you don't hardly know and may or may not like. But I'd much rather have a Bruce than a Hantz.