'Survivor' season finale recap: Guilty Plea

Not surprisingly, Denise got dumped at tribal, but not before Todd made a funky facial expression at Amanda's expense, putting her in a tizzy that she apparently never recovered from. She started out at the final TC apologizing for voting out James, Jean-Robert, and Frosti, and it was all downhill from there. You shouldn't be apologizing, woman, you should be taking credit! The questions themselves were kind of weak, with James proclaiming that he didn't want to be a ''Bitter Betty.'' (Negative Nancy on Thursday and Bitter Betty on Sunday. We could almost fill a jury box with all these alliterated nicknames.) But it didn't matter that the questions were lame and tame — Denise didn't even ask a question, merely standing up to remind people that she is, yes, a lunch lady and that ''I believe the jury would have voted for me'' — because Todd was providing all the entertainment in putting on a clinic for how to present yourself as a deserving winner. He may not have played the best game, but he did the best job of convincing everyone he played the best game.

As for the reunion show, I thought it was pretty good. Probst reminded James that ''you've got fans, in spite of making the biggest blunder in the history of the game.'' The host with the most had several good one-liners throughout the hour, although his asking Erik if he was still a virgin now that he's dating Jaime was a bit OK magazine for my taste. Denise scored herself a $50,000 check by informing us that ''I'm a janitor now. I clean the toilets....I wash the floors in the bathroom. I miss dinner with family. I haven't been to a field hockey game yet.'' (Oh! Oh! Guess what, Mark Burnett! I haven't been to a field hockey game, either! Now send me some freakin' money.) Finally, Courtney told us she hates kids, James was named the Sprint Speed Player of the Season, worth $100,000 (take that, Denise!), and it was revealed that the next season will be back in Micronesia (Palau, if you want to get specific) and will feature fans versus favorites. I was actually there at the start of filming, so hopefully I can share some on-location insights when that season rolls around in February. But first we have to put a cap on Survivor: China. As I wrote the other day, a solid if unspectacular season. A true gamer won, and for that we should be thankful. Even if no one gave us $50,000. Thanks for reading, guys. Happy holidays and all that jazz. See you in 2008!

What do you think? Did the right person win? Did Amanda blow it at tribal council? How does China stack up as a season on the whole? Post away!

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