A dream comes true for the first ever winner of Surviving Barstool, Tom Scibelli. You couldn’t not be happy for Smokes when the tie-breaking ballot for him was read. You may not have liked the style of game Tommy played, but he played the only style that would even allow him to sniff the final 3 and it worked. Nick and Bri absolutely played a phenomenal game in their own right, but never had the target on their back like Tommy started off with. Not voting off Tommy on night one was the biggest mistake that all of the other competitors made (besides Donnies text maybe) and after he survived the first night it was his competition to lose. Keep in mind Tommy never won a challenge to give him immunity. The chances to vote Tommy off were there every single night and they just never voted for him. Keeping Tommy in the game was like continuing to pitch to Barry Bonds. It is so easy to armchair quarterback when you’re watching a show like this. Thinking you know exactly what to do ever though you aren’t in the situation and probably have no clue. Yelling SHOOT at the guys on the power play. Well every episode that went on where votes for Tommy didn’t come flowing was more and more frustrating. Not because I personally didn’t want Tommy, I didn’t care who won, but because not getting rid of the literal Survivor Guy was something I couldn’t understand. But I guess that’s even more credit to Smokes, had everyone in his back pocket from before the cameras were even rolling. Coming to the final vote looking like Ross Gellar is why Tommy is sneaky hilarious.
Well that was a well earned stroke session for Tommy, but everyone from top to bottom of this show deserves love after the week of TV they concocted. It was hilarious, it was intense, it was shocking, it was emotional, it was Barstool. So here is a much deserved “Review” for everyone in #SurvivingBarstool.
The Production Team:
This whole series was a legitimate primetime network programming quality of a reality show and that is NUTS when you think back to original KFC radios and rundowns. This thing was absolutely perfect from start to finish. Shooting, editing, branding, planning, execution. Everyone involved in putting it together should be extremely proud.
The Host:
All show I was wracking my brain trying to think of another Barstool personality that would have nailed hosting this show like KFC did and I really can’t think of one. Big Cat or PFT telling you to pack your bags and get the fuck out just wouldn’t have hit as hard. Rone would be better for a fun game show. Biz can’t read. The only person I think that would even hold a candle to Kevin in this role was Pres and even then I think KFC is still a better fit. He crushed it all week in moments that had to be super awkward and tense. He crushed the aftershows. I said it in ep. 1s review, he was born to host.
The Runner Up:
Nick is one of the funniest personalities at Barstool and Surviving Barstool put that on full display. Nick went into a competition meant to be ruthless and grueling and dominated it being hilarious. Nicks venmo getting flooded after the final vote showed how beloved he had become. It also shows that stoolies are absolute sickos. Stoolies love the Barstool personalities so much and that is why Barstool will never be stopped. I’m bummed that Nick lost but I’m sure while he simultaneously shit and beat off upon arriving home he felt like a true winner.
Brianna Chickenfry:
Brianna came in as a relative unknown. She didn’t say too much throughout. She was everyone’s friend, no one’s enemy. Played the most coy game of the bunch. She won immunity to ensure she made the final vote. There was no reason to not think Brianna didn’t have a legit shot at winning come the jury vote. Losing and then having to go place the deciding vote after being buddy buddy with Nick and Tommy while slurping up some spaghetti and meatball just had to be BRUTAL. To have that play out was everyone except Briannas dream.
Kelly Keegs-
Kelly was the most outspoken in how badly she wanted to win. She is one competitive gal. It is why she voted for Tommy. Kelly would have done anything that Tommy did to win and she respected that. I think if Kelly has the Survivor knowledge that Tommy had she is an even greater adversary. She also brought the HEAT in the final vote. Cruelly Deville. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kelly wanted a shot at redemption.
Donnie-
Donnie just fit the survivor look. The hair, the shades, the scuzz. He was the barstool veteran of the bunch and a perfect character to have in the opening season. He is on par with Nick’s comedy. He played the game but also had fun with the game. Which is why his vote went to Nick. They are kindred spirits.
Zah-
Zah had the toughest of the breaks in this series. Winning an absolutely disgusting challenge just to get voted out 24 hours later still has to hurt. He was the least conniving of all of the contestants. He didn’t deserve the fate he got the night he was voted out. Hold the fuck you grudge is warranted. Zah came through the final vote drippin btw.
Trysta-
Trysta had the most emotional exit of the show and I think it stayed with her through the jury as well. She is just as competitive as Keegs and I think just wanted to show to be over with since she had lost. Her voting for Brianna ended up adding a massive twist into the finale so that was great.
Cowboy-
There is planned comedy. Bits and scripts and jokes. Then there is White Sox Dave. He could not be more unintentionally funny if he tried. Actually when he tries it almost makes his unintentional comedy even more funny. Cowboy was the first to go but he will be in our hearts forever.
What a week of television. I have been watching barstool videos since the Treadmill Challenge. Those types of videos will always be loved by stoolies. But what Barstool put on this week represented the endless possibilities of what the company can do. They take the collars off their employees and let them create and what comes after is ALWAYS gold. This was just the start of what will be a whole new lane that Barstool steers the pirate ship down.
