CANOE -- JAM! Television - TV Shows - Survivor3: Africa: Africa finale: Ethan scores

The young lion has devoured the wise, old elephant. Ethan Zohn, the 27-year-old professional soccer player from New York City is the winner of 'Survivor: Africa'. Zohn, the odds-on favourite from the start of the series, bested Kim Johnson, the 57-year-old retired elementary school teacher by a final 'Survivor' jury vote of five to two. As the Ultimate Survivor, Zohn has claimed the million dollar prize as well as a new Chevy pick-up truck.

"Even though I am up here the winner, I couldn't have gotten here without everyone else," Zohn humbly admitted to host Bryant Gumbel during the 'Survivor: Africa' reunion show.

Portrayed as the kind and caring 'hero' throughout the series who didn't play a dirty or nasty game, Zohn also accredited his win to respecting others, working hard and having Lady Luck on his side while he was in Kenya.

"You don't have to be evil and backstabbing and a villain to do well in this game. You can be yourself. You can play yourself. You can play fair. You can try as hard as you can and just hope for the best," he said.

In an interesting twist, the producers recreated the 'Survivor: Africa' Tribal Council set in front of a live audience, had the Survivors don the same clothes they wore at that time and then seamlessly cut to the set from the footage shot in Africa months ago as host Jeff Probst read the final vote live.

Having never won a individual challenge previously, a streak of Immunity victories by Johnson resulted in a nail-biter of a jury vote with the booted Survivors having to choose between the gentle grandmother and the admirable athlete. Johnson's wins forced Ethan and Lex to vote off Tom Buchanan, the politically incorrect 46-year-old Virginian goat farmer and Johnson to choose Ethan over Lex. With the producers portraying Lex as the default 'villain' of 'Survivor: Africa' because of his 'aggressive' gameplay, Johnson explained to Gumble why she made the decision she did.

"It was the hardest decision that I have ever had to make because I really, really, respected and cared about them both. When you are out there as many hours as we were together, you get to know people pretty well. I guess what it finally came down to was I don't really think that I could have won against either one of them and so I had to make a decision," Johnson explained. "Lex was very well like amongst all of us. A lot of the comments that he made that seemed negative were not made to us. They were made without our being able to hear them."

During the final jury vote, Johnson expressed her pride at making it so far in the game despite her age. "If the truth must be known, I was scared out there a lot of the time. I may have not covered as well as I thought and I think I was scared of failing, scared of letting myself down, scared of letting you (the jury) think that maybe I didn't deserve to be there and at some point that kind of all changed for me," Johnson told host Jeff Probst. "I guess I would like to think I was proving it to them (the jury) but what I think I'll take away for the rest of my life is that I did it for me."

In a replay of the finale of the first 'Survivor' bitter and booted contestant Kelly Goldsmith interjected some fireworks into the jury vote by pulling a 'Susan Hawk' and lashing out at both Zohn and Johnson. Goldsmith was voted out of the game when her alliance members thought she had cast a vote against Lex when it was really former Samburu Tribe member Teresa Cooper.

"Kim, I was surprised and disappointed by your conduct my last few days at camp but you did some great things too. You've gave me something I have been wanting for awhile now and that was giving Lex the chance to take his own walk of shame. So, thank you for that. Though you totally sold me out, I admire you for everything you've done but I hope you know that part of your success tonight comes at my expense. If you think you did this with high integrity, don't flatter yourself," she told Johnson while reprimanding Zohn for not bothering to get to know her even though she was in his alliance.

After her diatribe, Goldsmith then proceeded to steal a page out of the book of original 'Survivor' Greg Buis' book and asked Zohn and Johnson to pick a number between one and a thousand. Whoever came the closest would get her vote. Zohn later admitted to host Jeff Probst that he regretted what happened to Goldsmith but said her actions were "silly" but wouldn't dispute her judgment call if it gave him the win.

Though it is certainly not the ratings juggernaught that it once was, 'Survivor: Africa' did hold its own again this season usually finishing in the top fifteen shows each week. Unfortunately, due to the fact that it was filmed on an African wildlife preserve where hunting and fishing are not allowed,'Survivor: Africa' the dullest adventure of the series thus far.

During the 'reunion' show, Gumble made public what 'Survivor' fans have known for months, that 'Survivor 4' has already been filmed on the Marquesas Islands in Tahiti. A unexpected piece of news that was revealed during the 'Survivor 5' promo was that in hopes of bringing true meaning to the title 'Ultimate Survivor', the producers did not give any food, water or fire to the new contestants during their stay. They will literally have to live off the land and any rewards they may win. CBS has announced that 'Survivor 4' will begin on February 28th.

To read the latest 'Survivor 5' gossip (which may or may not contain spoilers) check out 'Casting call starts for 'Survivor 5' (http://www.canoe.ca/JamSurvivorAfrica
/jan9_surv-can.html) in Jam!

The remaining Survivors at the start of the broadcast were:

Moto Maji Tribe

Moto Maji Tribal Happenings (Night 36)

Ethan congratulates everyone. Lex conveys to us (in case we missed the last episode) and Ethan what Teresa said about Tom telling her to vote for him when the tribes merged. Ethan and Tom chat about Tom being untrustworthy. Lex tells Ethan that he is going to confront Tom about Teresa's revelation and that if he won't shake on their alliance, he might cut him out of it. Lex tells Ethan he won't be "led to the slaughter" after all his hard work.

Moto Maji Tribal Happenings (Day 37)

On their way to collect firewood, Lex confronts Tom. Tom denies ever advising Teresa to vote for Lex. Tom says to us that Lex's question was inappropriate. Lex has always ridden on a white horse at the front of the pack so he should expect to be shot at. Tom does admit to Lex that he did mention to Kim Johnson that he wouldn't mind getting Lex voted out but didn't want to be the one who initiated the plan. The news doesn't make Lex a happy man. He blows a headpipe. Tom accuses Lex of using Brandon to "save" his "own ass". Lex says that Tom couldn't be more wrong about that. Tom ruffles Lex's feathers when he states that if he wanted Lex gone he had many opportunities to vote him off but didn't. Lex throws that comment right back in Tom's face. He could've easily done the same thing and he doesn't owe Tom anything. Tom won't shake on the deal saying he has already made a pledge to Lex and Ethan.

Back in camp Ethan tells Lex that they are "gambling" if they take Tom into the finals. Lex and Ethan agree not to dissolve the alliance no matter what Tom has done. To quell the mood, the Survivors trek up to a rocky outlook and stare down at their camp from above. Kim tells us that she is honoured to be the last woman left in the game. Lex says to us that he is in Africa for one thing: to win the million dollars.

Immunity Challenge

The Survivor must answer trivia questions about the other Survivors. The challenge takes place at the Tribal Council area and in front of the jury.

Reward

Immunity from Tribal Council.

Result

Kim answers the most questions right.

Winner: Kim Johnson.

Tribal Council

No chit chat by host Jeff Probst. It is time to vote.

Kim votes for Tom. His manipulation in the game just doesn't cut it with her. We can't see who Ethan votes for but he comments that the person was a good friend and carried him along. He appreciates that. Tom votes for Lex. It has been a bunch of fun and good luck.

Final Voting

Parting Comments

"Whew! It has been a journey. I do want to say a special thanks to Lex and Ethan for making an alliance with me and being men enough to stay with their alliance. Without you, I wouldn't have made it this far. Hey, love, peace and higher grace. Big Tom will talk to you later. " - Tom Buchanan.

Moto Maji Tribal Happenings (Day 38)

Host Jeff Probst wakes the Survivors up even before the sun rises. Lex complains he is feeling sick and has had diarrhea the whole night long. He feels weak and tired. Probst takes the Survivors on a "rite of passage" and "cleansing". They participate in a Samburu Tribe ritual where their "sins are forgiven".

Immunity Challenge

The Survivors must stand with one foot on a pole and the other hand on an idol. First one to take either off the supports is out.

Reward

Immunity from Tribal Council.

Result

Ethan loses his concentration and falters at 2 hours and 26 minutes. He is bitterly disappointed. Ethan encourages the others to give all they've got. Lex falls at 3 hours and 21 minutes.

Winner: Kim Johnson.

Moto Maji Tribal Happenings (Day 38)

Back at camp, Kim says that it is a "dream come true" for her to have won so big near the end. She is "stunned" to be in the final two. Talking to everyone over supper, Lex is glad that the three of them made it. Lex says to Ethan that he has been proud to play the game with him. They shake hands. Ethan and Lex both talk to Kim about her decision. Not trying to influence her but sympathizing with the tough call she has to make. Kim confides in them both that she "loves" them "equally".

Tribal Council

Probst informs the jury that Kim's is the only vote that counts (as Lex's and Ethan's cancel each other out) so Kim is only one who will cast a ballot. Probst asks Kim about how a 56 year-old grandmother feels about "kicking the ass" of the younger men in the Immunity Challenge. She answers that she has no idea where the stamina came from. That she went "beyond the game". Probst questions Ethan about losing the challenge. He says it will "bug" him for a long time. Lex is asked why he lost. Lex says it wasn't his willpower or spirit. His body just gave out.

Lex and Ethan are permitted to state their case to Kim about why they should be in the final two. Lex asks Kim to "vote her heart" and not to regret her decision. Ethan just wants Kim to do what makes her "feel good". We don't see who Kim votes for. She states that it was the hardest decision of her life and that she will always be friends with whomever it was.

Final Voting

Parting Comments

"I can honestly say I spent 38 days here, I played as hard as I could, I played straight and honest and true. Momma Cat, I don't have any ill feelings. I've got no problem with the vote you cast tonight. You had to vote for somebody. It was a tough call." - Lex van den Berghe. Moto Maji Tribal Happenings (Day 39)

Kim and Ethan are all smiles as they greet their final day. They congratulate each other. Kim tells Ethan that she couldn't have picked a better person to be with in the end. Ethan thanks her. Kim says to us that the reason she selected Ethan was because Lex felt that he "deserved" to win. Kim and Ethan cross off the final day on the calendar and sign their initials to it. They hug. Take one last look at their camp and head off to Tribal Council.

Tribal Council

Probst reminds Ethan and Kim of the changes to the way this final Tribal Council will work. Ethan and Kim won't be voting and the jury will be casting their ballots for who they want to win not who they think should lose.

The jury is permitted to ask their questions of the Survivors.

Brandon asks who on the jury Ethan and Kim wish were sitting there with them and who they wouldn't. Ethan responds that it would be Lex because he was confident. It also would have been a pleasure to beat Lex in the finals. Kim also says Lex. He was very supportive of her even when she stumbled. For least, Ethan selects Brandon. Kim chooses Tom because he "favoured men over women".

Lex asks what is the first selfless act they will perform when they arrive back home. Kim responds that she will look into the situation at the Wamba Hospital that Lex visited. Ethan states that playing with those children touched him and that he wants to get involved in some inner-city soccer league so he can work with kids.

Frank asks what five qualities they think a person needs to win Survivor. Ethan answers willpower, strength, integrity, intelligence and luck. For Kim, it is respect, thoughtfulness, flexibility, love and understanding.

Kelly spouts off. She accuses both of betraying her and that they sold her out. She asks them to choose a number between one and a thousand. Kim picks three. Ethan picks 888. Kelly then says she is very proud of them both.

Kim Powers wants to know who they learned the most and least from. Kim says it was Kim Powers. She admires that Powers called off her wedding and was able to forgive Brandon. Tom is the person she learned least from. She had a lot of laughs with Tom but that's about it. Ethan learned the most from Teresa. She was his "safe place". She inspired him to do his best. Ethan admitted that it was his own fault that he learned the least from Kelly. He didn't get to know her and he should have.

Tom proposes a hypothetical situation in jest. If a hyena came into the camp and ate their "mush" then licked its behind afterwards, was it because of the taste of the mush or was it just cleaning itself. Ethan says it was licking its rear. Since Kim cooked most of the food, she says that like anything else in such a harsh environment, a hyena would have to eat whatever it could. The taste of the "mush" had to be sacrificed.

Teresa asks if there is anything they have said or done that they regret? Kim states that she didn't sell Kelly out though she didn't really investigate the situation as she should have. Ethan claims it was thinking that Frank was the one who cast the mystery vote.

During the jury vote: Brandon was going to select Ethan to win then he dissed him on his own question. He calls Ethan's actions "stupid" and "dumb". He votes for Kim instead. Lex's vote is not shown. Kim Powers was going to pick Ethan as the winner but Kim impressed her so much. She votes Kim. Frank's vote isn't shown. Tom selects Ethan. He says that Kim reminds him of a woman in his hometown who stabbed him in the back. What goes around comes around. "Shut up. You're done. The best man won," he says. Teresa's vote is not displayed. Kelly quotes a line from 'The Graduate' and in it is the room number 568. Ethan got the closest so she votes for him.

With the voting done, Probst asks Kim if she has anything she wishes to admit to. Kim confesses that she was really scared out there but proved to herself that she could do it. Probst questions Ethan on whether anything at the Tribal Council surprised him. He says Kelly asking them to choose a number. Since everyone worked so hard, he thought it was really "silly".

Final Voting

Ultimate Survivor: Ethan Zohn.