Survivor: Game Changers - Who will outwit, outplay, and outlast?

We're only one week in to the new season of Survivor, and I have heart palpitations already.

The show is in its 34th season and features all former players who made some sort of impact that changed the tone of the game. In an intense two hour premiere, we already said goodbye to *SPOILER ALERT* Sierra and sadly, Tony, one of the best players and biggest goofballs on the island. He should've waited until at least day two to start hunting idols and spying on his tribe mates.

It's super early in the season and alliances will change hundreds of times over the coming episodes, but I'm already set on who I think deserves to be sitting in that final three at the live finale in May...

Caleb Reynolds

This guy got completely robbed the first time he attempted to play. After going too hard in one of the challenges, he was medically evacuated and was unable to return to the game. Caleb will be a dark horse this season because no one really knows his playing style. We could have the next Russell on our hands for all we know. Fingers are crossed that this southern boy makes it far and his tattoos grace our televisions for many weeks to come.

Tai Trang

Everything this little man does just makes me smile. He always forms a deep and meaningful bond with the tribe's chickens, and shies away (for the most part) from any sort of backstabbing and confrontation. Even though I could probably pick Tai up with one arm, he kicks a** in challenges, outlasting men twice his size by sheer inner strength and will. Tai came SO close the last time he played, coming in second on season 32, which will give him all the more drive to get the title of sole survivor this time around.




Ozzy Lusth

Don't let the pigtail braids fool you. Ozzy was born to battle the elements on Survivor, climbing trees, diving off ships for tools, all the while being extremely humble about his awesomeness. I was pretty young when Ozzy appeared for the first time on Survivor: Cook Islands, and took the liberty of drawing one of my first TV crushes, which can be appreciated below....not too shabby for a kid, right? If Ozzy can make the merge and still has a bit of jungle boy left in him to win immunity challenges, his fourth time around might be the charm.

Survivor: Game Changers airs every Wednesday on CBS at 8pm EST, which is when you can find me casually shouting at the television while stress eating ice cream.

From Not to Hot, Mama June is BACK

Let's all take a second to reminisce.

Throughout history, there have been some reality TV series that definitely killed a brain cell or two, yet we just COULDN'T look away. From Mike "The Situation" ramming his head into a wall on Jersey Shore, to Frankie Gotti stomping up the stairs because he's "got a life!" on Growing Up Gotti.

Still, the one that caused a void in my heart since its cancellation a few years ago is TLC's Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. Television just hasn't been the same without mud fights and homemade "sketti." Never fear - Mama June is back on WE tv with her new show From Not to Hot, which chronicles her revenge weight loss surgery to slim down before attending ex-husband Sugar Bear's wedding in 44 days.

The first episode aired on Friday, 2/24, and picked up right where Honey Boo Boo left off. It opens with Honey Boo Boo aka Alana attempting to pack her own school lunch - a entire box of snack cakes and a full quart of ice cream, surely a nutritious lunch for a growing kid.

Sugar Bear then visits Mama June with some exciting news - he's getting married. To whom, we have no idea, but June figures if he can get back in the game after their divorce, so can she. With the help of her sister Doe Doe, June gets herself on some dating apps, and quickly snags a date to a local all-you-can-eat buffet with, quite frankly, the dullest guy on earth.

As we know from Honey Boo Boo, June is a straight shooter who tells it like it is and doesn't give a damn what people think. Seconds after sitting down, she lays it all on the line, asking if he's been married and other questions most would save until at the least the third date. Long story short, June's date bails half way through, leaving the show's producer to chase him down in the parking lot.

Even though June's body transformation isn't rumored to take place until the end of the season, we still get to experience all the familiar wonders of Honey Boo Boo, and maybe even a healthier recipe for the infamous ketchup and pasta combo know as "sketti."

American Idol Finale: Best Moments

"We say goodbye...for now."

Ryan Seacrest closed the finale of American Idol with those few simple words, causing every household in the country to question what the heck he meant. After months of build up of how this was the last season EVER, he left us hanging just like before every commercial break for 15 years.

As an avid fan since day one, I was thrilled this might not be the end. January just wouldn't be the same without the enjoyment of horrible auditions. But whether the show comes back in one year or ten, they ended this season with a bang.

First off, this was a better final two than they've had in years. Trent Harmon and LaPorsha could sing circles around some contestants from recent seasons. I have to say, I was pretty bitter that Dalton Rapattoni finished third. His elimination was happening just as I walked in the door last Wednesday, so it took about 10 minutes of screaming at the TV before I even took my jacket off. Hands down, he was best performer of the season, and not bad to look at either.

Days before the finale, I was telling anyone who would listen that they should bring back as many past contestants as they could. Idol must have heard me because they didn't disappoint. This was the first season where they didn't do corny weekly group numbers, but they made up for this in one night. And I loved every second of it.

Past winners and Top 12 contestants all came together to create some interesting yet unforgettable performances. Guests included everyone from Justin Guarini and Ruben Studdard to David Cook and Jordan Sparks. William Hung even ran out on stage, much to the surprise of Ryan Seacrest, to sing his anthem "She Bangs."

One of the highlights of the show was a medley by the Idol who inspired all the rest, Kelly Clarkson. Her segment was filmed a few weeks earlier when she guest judged, since she was set to have her baby at the time of the finale. She sang hit after hit, and ended the performance with the Idol classic, "A Moment Like This." Absolute chills.

The dream team of the original three judges also made an appearance. If you've followed the show since the beginning, it was exciting and even emotional to see Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson together again on the Idol stage. Apparently, they weren't expecting Simon to make it, so that was a much welcomed surprise for everyone. Looking back, it's crazy to hear some of the harsh comments he said to contestants, but Idol would not be the same with him and his brutal honesty.

After 15 years of memories jam packed into two hours, Trent Harmon was crowned as the final American Idol (for now!). I think most people, including the judges, assumed that LaPorsha would win. She received constant positive feedback and her would-be single "Battles" had a much more Idol finale sound to it than Trent's "Falling." But Trent deserved it. He battled mono all through Hollywood week and improved his voice and performance every single round.

After Ryan's infamous "We say goodbye, for now," the Dolby Theater went pitch black. As someone who has so many childhood memories from the show - meeting the Season 10 contestants with my dad, screaming at the television when Chris Daughtry went home instead of Taylor Hicks - I hope Idol comes back soon, revamped and stronger than ever.

American Idol The Farewell Season: Contestants to Watch

"THIS...is American Idol!" For 15 seasons, we've gathered around the TV to hear the always energetic Ryan Seacrest say those four magical words. We've seen 15 years of ordinary people like Kelly Clarkson become worldwide superstars. And of course, 15 years of some "interesting" contestants...we all remember William Hung, right?

Sadly, this year is the Farewell Season, and we must say goodbye. I can't say I'm surprised the show is ending. For the past few years, the winners have been forgettable. When discussing with family and friends, we have to Google past contestants to even remember who competed ("that guy with the hair won right??").

However, I think this year will be different. Last week, the judges narrowed the contestants down to the Top 24, and a few are some of the best performers the show has had in years:


Dalton Rapattoni - Hands down, my absolute favorite from the second he walked into his audition. From the flowered boots to the eyeliner, I knew he was something special. Dalton is unlike anything the show has seen - he takes all types of songs (everything from "The Phantom of the Opera" to N*Sync) and makes them his own style of pop/punk. Keith Urban predicted he'll make it all the way to the end, and I completely agree.

Shelbie Z - This girl has one of the strongest voices the show has seen in a long time. In the Showcase round at the Dolby Theater, she crushed "Baracuda" by Heart, and sounded just as powerful as the original artist. Shelbie also has a great story - she used to work as a hairdresser, but decided to take a shot to achieve her dreams.

Trent Harmon - This poor guy went through all of Hollywood week, the hardest part of the whole competition, with mono. He could barely stand up, and had to perform during group round as a solo artist for the safety of other contestants. I was first intrigued by his dedication, but also ended up loving his voice. He'll definitely be one to watch. If he's that talented with mono, imagine what he sounds like healthy.

Thomas Stringfellow - I have to be honest...Thomas caught my attention because of his unique last name. I mean, it's just so fun to say. But when he performed "Story of My Life" by One Direction during the Showcase round, right after his girlfriend of one year broke up with him, I knew he was much more than just an interesting name.

Lee Jean - Lee is one of the few contestants I remember well from the auditions. For being so young with a guitar almost as big as him, I was very impressed by his talent as he sang "I See Fire" by Ed Sheeran. He was a force to be reckoned with all through Hollywood Week, singing another huge hit "Stitches" by Shawn Mendes. If Lee keeps up his energy and chooses youthful songs that showcase his voice, he'll go very far.

Will any of my favorites make it through? Hopefully. But if anyone needs me on Wednesday and Thursday, you can find me frantically voting for Mr. Rapattoni.