Chris Daugherty, the 34-year-old highway construction worker from South Vienna, Ohio, sent the womens alliance reeling by becoming the sole survivor and winning the million dollars. Chris was on the chopping block in EP 1 when his inability to get across a balance beam cost the men their first challenge. He was again on the chopping block when he found himself the sole man amongst a strong womens alliance. In both cases he managed to stay in the game and capped off his win with two straight immunity wins in the end. In an emotionally charged tribal council Chris admitted his lying ways and won the million from the jury in a 5-2 vote.

Congratulations to Jason, Sue L., and Jeff you're all in the money but Libbie gets the biggest congrats as she is the Sole Survivor of AL's Survivor Pool! Thanks to everyone for playing I hope you enjoyed the season. The next Survivor has already started filming in Palau and will consist of 20 survivors. I'll put together a new web site as information becomes available.

We'll find out tonight as the last episode of Survivor Vanuatu plays out.

Read Al's recaps and spoilers on the Vanuatu Forum. Please feel free to jump right in.

Julie Berry, the 23-year-old youth mentor from Gorham, Maine, was sent packing last night in a 3-2 vote. After campaigning for her life she thought she was safe with Eliza and Chris on her side. Chris, although admitting friendship with Julie, ultimately decided it was in his best interest to continue to vote with Twila and Scout. Chris's choice had the added benefit of painting more of a target on Eliza as she voted against the Scout/Twila/Chris alliance. Sorry Nicole, you came >< that close to being in the money, grab your stuff and head over to Al's Loosers Lodge. Jason, Sue, Jeff, and Libby, congratulations you are all in the money!

Read Al's recaps and spoilers on the Vanuatu Forum. Please feel free to jump right in.

• "One Survivor is alienated from the tribe after an outburst that jeopardizes any chance of being in the Final Four."
• "Tempers flare when one tribemate refuses to tell another the whereabouts of some buried provisions."
• "When a tribemate catches two Survivors talking strategy, an altercation erupts that makes everyone realize what's at stake."
• "Working both sides of a divided camp, one Survivor makes conflicting promises going into Tribal Council. Which way will the tribe member vote? And who will make it to the Final Four?"

Read Al's recaps and spoilers on the Vanuatu Forum. Please feel free to jump right in. See Al's predicted Bootie on the bottom left of this page.

Ami Cusack, the 31-year-old barista from Lakewood, Colorado, was de-throned in a 4-2 vote. After spending the majority of the game sitting on the throne Ami made the mistake that has de-throned many before her... She let the pecking order be known. I can't say it any better then Twila did at tribal council... "Get over it, grow up, get on with it, you’ve been had! Screw you!" Sorry Elaine, you had to know it was going to well for a while, grab your stuff and head over to Al's Loosers Lodge.

Read Al's recaps and spoilers on the Vanuatu Forum. Please feel free to jump right in.

• "One tribe member accosts another for breaking a pact."
• "The tribe is irritated by two tribemates who show little desire to contribute to routine camp life."
• "A suddenly powerless castaway attempts to sway an undecided tribe member going into a crucial Tribal Council."

Read Al's recaps and spoilers on the Vanuatu Forum. Please feel free to jump right in. See Al's predicted Bootie on the bottom left of this page.

Leann Slaby, the 35-year-old research assistant from Kansasville, Wisconsin, was voted out of the tribe in an unexpected 4-3 vote. Leann, along with Ami, were running the show but slipped up when they decided to get rid of Eliza instead of Chris. Twila and Scout finally saw their opportunity to increase their status by aligning with Chris and using the upcoming fate of Eliza to get her to join up with them. In the immortal words of Richard Hatch "Leann was Bamboozled" Sorry Jaynce, it looked like you would go far but alas, grab your stuff and head over to Al's Loosers Lodge.

Read Al's recaps and spoilers on the Vanuatu Forum. Please feel free to jump right in.

• "One Survivor tries to solidify a Final Four position, but is crushed to learn that things aren't always what they seem."
• "The Survivors are surprised by an emotional reunion with their loved ones. But only one castaway gets quality time with their loved one."
• "At the Immunity Challenge, castaways are surprised to get special help for the competition."
• "One Survivor approaches a tribemate with a plan for the upcoming Tribal Council vote. Caught off-guard, the tribemate tries to deflect the vote. How will the voting go down?"

Read Al's recaps and spoilers on the Vanuatu Forum. Please feel free to jump right in. See Al's predicted Bootie on the bottom left of this page.

Chad Crittenden, the 35-year-old teacher from Oakland, California, was voted out of the tribe in a 6-2 vote. The men tried in vain to cause problems in the womens alliance, but in the end the womens alliance held strong and they continued their quest to vote all the men out. Chad becomes the second member of the jury and Mary heads off the Al's loosers lodge to join the majority of us.

Read Al's recaps and spoilers on the Vanuatu Forum. Please feel free to jump right in.

• "Two Survivors become "sacrificial lambs" and are tied up by their tribe."
• "A surreal Reward drives one Survivor to overindulge and pay for it later."
• "After a tumultuous night in which one castaway struggles to keep the camp together, it is decided that the most useless tribemate should go."
• "One Survivor is torn between joining a new alliance or thwarting an existing one. A tribemate exploits this indecision to work a plan."
• "Before Tribal Council, one Survivor makes a last-ditch effort to sway a tribemate. Will it work?"

Read Al's recaps and spoilers on the Vanuatu Forum. Please feel free to jump right in. See Al's predicted Bootie on the bottom left of this page.

Lea "Sarge" Masters, the 40-year-old drill sergeant from Columbia, South Carolina, didn't stand a chance. Viewed as the strongest man in the tribe as well as a leader, Sarge became a target whom the women took out in a resounding seven-to-two decision. I'm hanging my head and heading over to loosers lodge. I hope you guys have cold beer over there for me.

Read Al's recaps and spoilers on the Vanuatu Forum. Please feel free to jump right in.

• "Fetching treemail, one Survivor is surprised to get more than just mail, but the meaning of the surprise remains a mystery."
• "One group of Survivors hatch a devilish plan to screw over their tribemates."
• "Hatred drives two Survivors to serious lobbying to get each other voted out."
• "One Survivor's guilt over aligning with a faction is exacerbated by a tribemate's words."

Read Al's recaps and spoilers on the Vanuatu Forum. Please feel free to jump right in. See Al's predicted Bootie on the bottom left of this page.

Rory Freeman, the 35-year-old housing case manager from Des Moines, Iowa, was overjoyed he no longer had to feel the heat with just the women of Yasur only to find out the weather was no better over at Alinta. After a merge the women proved their alliance was strong and Rory was voted out in a 6 to 4 vote. Sorry Joanne head on over to Al's Pool Looser Lodge where you'll find plenty of people to commiserate with. As for me, my spoiler couldn't have been more wrong. I'll do better next time, I really didn't think the women would stick together.

Read Al's recaps and spoilers on the Vanuatu Forum. Please feel free to jump right in.

• "A Survivor gets fed up with the tribe and is ready for a change."
• "One castaway uses charm, flirtation and cuddling in an attempt to get in good with a tribemate."
• "Anxiety about a possible tribal merge leads one Survivor to make one-on-one pacts with numerous others."
• "One castaway gets into a war of words with a tribemate after being told what to do."

Read Al's recaps and spoilers on the Vanuatu Forum. Please feel free to jump right in. See Al's predicted Bootie on the bottom left of this page.

John Kenney, the 22-year-old mechanical bull operator from Los Angeles, California, was voted out of the tribe in a unanimous decision. John was not only a physical threat he was perceived as being lazy around camp. As Jeff snuffed his torch he had these words of wisdom for his tribemates. "Chris, I hope you win. Sarge, I hope you come in second. Everyone else, I hope you lose." Sorry Ray and it was your birthday too. At least you get to enjoy the rest of survivor from looser lodge.

Read Al's recaps and spoilers on the Vanuatu Forum. Please feel free to jump right in.

• "One member's lack of work ethic prompts negative reactions in the tribe."
• "After winning a hard-fought Challenge, one tribe is rewarded with more than just sustenance."
• "One Survivor, in danger of being voted off, wins a Challenge for the tribe, thus buying more time on the island."
• "A potential target at Tribal Council, one Survivor tries to convince the rest that another tribemate should be next to go."

Read Al's recaps and spoilers on the Vanuatu Forum. Please feel free to jump right in. See Al's predicted Bootie on the bottom left of this page.

Lisa Keiffer, the 44-year-old real estate agent from New Orleans, Louisiana, was voted out of the tribe in a 4 -2 decision.. After an off the cuff remark and previous voting deception Ami questioned Lisa's loyalty. Showing the true leader of the Yasur tribe Ami convinced everyone, but Scout, to vote Lisa off. Scout knew Lisa was gone but gave Lisa a sympathy vote for Rory. Sorry Michael, you get to enjoy the rest of survivor from looser lodge.

Read Al's recaps and spoilers on the Vanuatu Forum. Please feel free to jump right in.

• Feeling vulnerable, one castaway gives an impassioned, persuasive speech in hopes of breaking the tribe's alliances.
• In a piglet-herding Reward Challenge, could one tribe's chance of winning be hurt by a member's fear of handling pigs?
• Things get very relaxed at one camp, where one castaway decides to do some nude sunbathing, and a walk to gather food fuels an alliance.
• Conflicted over how to vote in the upcoming Tribal Council, one castaway prays for a sign to guide the decision. POOF! The sign appears.

Read Al's recaps and spoilers on the Vanuatu Forum. Please feel free to jump right in.

Travis Sampson (aka Bubba), the 33-year-old loss prevention specialist from Blountville, Tennessee became the 6th survivor voted off the island. After a tribal reshuffling sent Bubba and Rory to Yasur, the women of Yasur kept their gender alliance together and moved one castaway closer to reverting back to an all-woman crew by voting out new male tribemate Bubba. Sorry Joan, you get to take your place in looser lodge.

Read Al's recaps and spoilers on the Vanuatu Forum. Please feel free to jump right in.

• Both tribes receive unexpected visits from Vanuatu natives bearing a message with consequences for all the castaways.
• A massive earthquake rocks the island, literally shaking things up for the tribes.
• A trip for one tribe leads to bonding and makes one castaway very happy.
• One castaway is caught by a tribemate while attempting to communicate secretly with a member of the opposing tribe.

Read Al's recaps and spoilers on the Vanuatu Forum. Please feel free to jump right in.

Brady Finta, the 31-year-old sales manager from Los Angeles, California became the 5th survivor booted out of the game in a 6-1 vote (John K. good try but it's not going to help). Brady's physical ability and age were his ultimate demise. Although he tried to reason with some of the 'Fat Five' I don't believe he could of done anything about it, with the exception of Lopevi winning immunity. Sorry Sue R. you join Darren and David in Al's pool looser lodge. Better luck next season.

Read Al's recaps and spoilers on the Vanuatu Forum. Please feel free to jump right in.

• Tempers flare at both camps after the double Tribal Council. Alliances seem clearly drawn and several Survivors have trouble holding back their frustration.
• The Tribe that wins Reward is surprised by a prize that sends a visitor to their camp for 24 hours.
• Homesickness plagues Bubba, who is comforted by a fellow tribe member and is advised to avoid being perceived as weak.
• One Survivor plays a puppet master of sorts in an attempt to pit one tribemate against another.

Read Al's recaps and spoilers on the Vanuatu Forum. Please feel free to jump right in.

I added a boot pick table in the lower left side of this page. It will be a convenient place to check my weekly boot picks and I'll also keep tally of how accurate my picks are.

John Palyok, the 31-year-old sales manager from Los Angeles, California and Mia Galeotalanza, the 30-year-old finance manager from Tom's River, New Jersey became the 3rd and 4th survivors voted off the island. The men's "older alliance" held strong and sent John P packing in a 5-3 vote. The women's "younger alliance" fell short again this week with yet another traitor (Lisa) jumping the bounds and sending Mia packing in a 5-3 vote. Our pool players Darren and David become the first real casualties of Al's Survivor Pool. Sorry guys, better luck next season.

Read Al's recaps and spoilers on the Vanuatu Forum. Please feel free to jump right in.

• Post-Tribal Council fallout leaves one castaway feeling the heat from fellow tribe members.
• At another tribe, differing work ethics and personalities lead to a clash between two castaways.
• Both tribes are shocked when they gather for a Challenge and are told at the end of the day there will be a double Tribal Council.
• A twist at the end of the Challenge puts one castaway in a very influential position.
• Tension and politicking run rabid at both camps as several vulnerable tribe members jockey to survive. Two will leave Vanuatu...who will it be?

Read Al's recaps and spoilers on the Vanuatu Forum. Please feel free to jump right in.

Dolly Neely, the 25-year-old sheep farmer from Mercer, Pennsylvania, Was sent packing in a 5-4 vote. Dolly found herself with the "power" only to discover she's to stupid to know what to do with it. Being the swing vote between the alliances of old and young, Dolly couldn't make up her mind what to do. The older alliance, fearing her control (or lack of it) decided she was to much of a risk and managed to persuade Eliza to vote with them. Sorry Tricia, you get your money back and have the distinction of having the hottest survivor chick yet!

Read Al's recaps and spoilers on the Vanuatu Forum. Please feel free to jump right in.

• A tribe deals with very grim conditions as one castaway has a tearful meltdown after finding maggots in the tribe's food.
• A wild chicken wanders into the Yasur camp and sends the hungry tribe into a frenzy as they try to catch the chicken with a machete.
• One Survivor tries to take advantage of tensions between two tribemates after a loss at the Reward Challenge.
• Two castaways think they are the swing vote, leading to a very unpredictable Tribal Council.

Read Al's recaps and spoilers on the Vanuatu Forum. Please feel free to jump right in.

Thirty-nine days, eighteen people, one Survivor! It's great to see survivor back! As usual this seasons looks to be a great one. Kerrie, new to our pool, gets to join a short list of us who have had their survivor voted out first.

Brook Geraghty, the 27-year-old project manager from Winthrop, Massachusetts, was voted out taking 5 of the possible 9 votes. Brook made the vital mistake of believing Chris Daughertys lack of ability in the balence beam would put a target on his head. John Kenney tried to convince Brook that they were a target due to their young age and ability but Brook unwisely decided to keep his hand and send Chris home. Sorry Kerrie, better luck next time.

Read Al's recaps and spoilers on the Vanuatu Forum. Please feel free to jump right in.

Vanuatu, an archipelago comprising some 80 islands in the southwest Pacific, is the location for the reality series' ninth edition. The area is known as the Pacific Rim of Fire, due to dozens of active volcanoes. It's here that 18 castaways, divided into a male tribe (Lopevi) and a female tribe (Yasur), will compete. A big twist this season is "a change in the frequency of tribal councils," according to Mark Burnett. They can occur at any time. This could affect the players ability to conspire before voting --- affecting alliances and strategy.

We also know that EP2's title will be "Burly Girls, Bowheads, Young Studs, and the Old Bunch" Sounds like the dividing lines will be drawn early!

Please participate with us on Al's Vanuatu Forum.

Survivors have been picked and your name is under them. You can click on your survivors picture to view the CBS bio of your survivor. If you're name is Red it means I think you haven't paid up yet. If you think you have please let me know, I was out of the mix for the All-Star season.

As always Tricia and I will host a get together here at our house every Thursday to watch Survivor, play some cards, go in the hot tub, and generally enjoy the company of friends! Everyone's welcome.

Feel free to jump in on Al's Vanuatu Forum.

In the remote waters of the South Pacific near the tumultuous "Ring of Fire," 18 castaways will compete once again for the million-dollar prize. Who will outwit, outplay and outlast all others in Vanuatu, the Islands of Fire?

Feel free to jump in on the Vanuatu Forum.