Survivor: Spencer's double outing

Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS

Survivor's Spencer (above) got the spotlight shone on him for the first time on the March 13 episode -- and it was a bright spotlight. He came out to the audience at home but stated explicitly that he didn’t think there was anything to gain by being open with his tribemates. He seemed to fear both a perceived lack of masculinity and the emasculation that comes with being mocked for a perceived lack of masculinity.

It's surprising that when discussing how being openly gay could cause others to think he’s weak he namechecks J.T. as a possible homophobe based on his being a southern boy. For as much as he fears being stereotyped a sissy, Spencer ends up stereotype-ing J.T. (You just know Jeff's gonna ask J.T. if it’s true at the reunion show.)

Then, based upon how much he blows at the immunity challenge, you gotta wonder if Spencer set in motion a self-fulfilling prophecy. Because J.T. is winning the challenge for their team, and then Spencer single-handedly loses it for them. J.T. goes all alpha male on his ass, as he would have if Joe or Stephen had been letting the team down. But for Spencer it appears to revert to that shameful feeling of not doing well in 7th grade gym class and having the school jock yell at you.

And he indeed ended up on the chopping block, along with former girl group SWV member Taj, who goes off the rails after losing the challenge and excoriates her teammates. A particularly bad move after she’s built one of the best alliances in the history of the show and after she’s found the immunity Idol and stupidly entrusted it to Stephen.

In the end, Spencer’s perceived insecurity leads to his ousting, and another gay boy's dreams are snuffed by Probst. (I can think of worse fates.)

In brighter news, rumor has it Spencer’s dating Survivor: China winner Todd Herzog, who, if I remember correctly, was forthright about his sexuality while playing. And, hey, Spencer,  if you gotta lose, at least you get to go home to a cute millionaire.

-- HARKER JONES

Previously > More tribal tantrums on survivor

Comments

[reviewer]

Remind me (1) who still watches this show and (2) who cares...

[Benji]

It's still a Top 20 show and ratings are actually UP this season, so just because it doesn't have the watercooler buzz it used to doesn't mean it's not still a successful show with a lot of loyal viewers. 30 Rock has a lot of buzz but no one's watching… So a snarky comment like that would be better suited for that show. No offense to 30 Rock! Just making a comparison!