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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

So, was Michelle Yeoh watching Probst flip it around on #Survivor Game Changers recently, or...? #Wicked

Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

A while since I've been on mic, but it was fascinating to join @goforgrace.bsky.social on her @crylaughpod.bsky.social countdown of the NYT Top 100 to discuss The Act of Killing: a heavy watch, but a compelling and remarkably unique documentary worth seeing. open.spotify.com/episode/2Dgu...

open.spotify.com

This Century In Cinema #82 - 'The Act of Killing'

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

My #SurvivorAU #AUvWorld E5 #Chissy 3️⃣ Parvati. I mean, come on, incredible ep. Commanded the power, had Kirby & Shonee flipping to work with her specifically, and has the Idol Steal! Plus, won out the even tribe numbers decisively & read K+S were honest in wanting to throw Sarah under the bus.

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

My #SurvivorAU #AUvWorld E4 #Chissy, belated post but decided before E5! 3️⃣ Kass. Proactive play to pull Cirie over & break the tie in the women's alliance, winning the battle for Tommi & the int'ls. Plus, great challenge performance & caught Parv's sneaky Idol grab.

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

My #SurvivorAU #AUvWorld E3 #Chissy 3️⃣ Luke. Flipped from the bottom of the numbers & losing his #1 to the top, all with a secret Idol still in his pocket. He also pulled the trigger on the George plan. 2️⃣ Janine. Trajectory like Luke, and the contingency votes were a very smart defensive play.

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

My #SurvivorAU #AUvWorld E2 #Chissy 3️⃣ Kirby. No contest, of course it's the God-Killer. Even in spite of George's chaos, she commanded the vote, pulled Sarah in so tightly that she could force her hand, and her unflappability had the egos scrambling. Iconic.

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

My #SurvivorAU #AUvWorld E1 #Chissy 3️⃣ Cirie. Never put a foot wrong & omes out of the episode on top, with the US numbers, keeping Parvati and locked-in with Lisa. Booting Rob, who has no interest in working with her, is also a great outcome.

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

What a festive evening it is whenever I get a chance to talk about #StarWars! I joined @dmfilly.bsky.social to break down this week's #Andor batch on @screenpagepod.bsky.social - pull a Kleya, and have a listen!

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

My #SurvivorAU BvB2 E24 #Chissy 3️⃣ Myles. Dynamic, record-breaking win, capped off with a phenomenal Final Tribal Council performance that filled with confidence, self-awareness and artful storytelling. A truly great addition to the roster of AU Sole Survivors.

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

#SurvivorAU Huge congrats to Myles - one of the most bombastic roller coasters of a winning game. Absolutely deserved victory, and an instant icon. And big ups to Kaelan too - a beautifully well-rounded game, and I was so glad to see it rewarded with a vote.

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

#SurvivorAU FTC Cardinal Sin: the non-answer. It's hard to be cornered and you don't want to give a dishonest answer, but I feel like you've got to find a way to address the heart of the inquiry. Somehow.

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

I'm loving that Kaelan & Myles are both interjecting & battling on each others' answers but are both doing it with respect. Quality stuff. #SurvivorAU

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

#SurvivorAU These FTC speeches are INSTANTLY ICONIC. Phenomenal pitches from both.

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

I LOOOOOVE this secret mastermind montage for Kaelan. 🤩 #SurvivorAU

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

7 frickin' Individual Immunities. INSANE. #SurvivorAU

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

#SurvivorAU This opening act is really making me feel like Kaelan wins Immunity, cuts AJ, but then loses to Myles at the end... 🤔

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 13/04/2025

My #SurvivorAU BvB E23 #Chissy 3️⃣ Myles. Won a clutch Immunity to save himself, and hopping on board the Zara vote was way better than leaving it to the chance of fire. It gives him the better chance to win the FIC, & Zara's explicitly shown that she's willing to hang him out to dry anyway.

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

My #SurvivorAU BvB E22 #Chissy 3️⃣ AJ. While he didn't see Myles' plan coming - and probably should have gone home - this is top score for not only getting his target out, but also his positioning where Zara thought keeping him was better for her game. It really is his game to lose now.

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

My #SurvivorAU BvB2 E21 #Chissy 3️⃣ Kaelan. 6. Six! SIX!!! A global record-breaking Immunity run is a phenomenal accomplishment. Plus, the win saved him again from a risky spot. While a 3-2-1 on Myles would have been smart, that plan went out the window with the 2nd challenge, so good to hold fast.

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

Thank goodness JLP immediately followed up the "something a little bit different" with "someone's still going home." I was about to flip tables. #SurvivorAU

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

My #SurvivorAU BvB2 E20 #Chissy 3️⃣ Myles. Phenomenal breakdown of why nobody should flip for a lateral move at best,. Had the right read of Zara despite the whispers, saving his Idol. While blocking AJ's cautious plan was blunt, it also backed AJ into a corner that weakened his Kate relationship.

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

My #SurvivorAU BvB2 E19 #Chissy 3️⃣ Myles. Comfortable floating in and out of power, he pepped up Zara and seized upon the Postgraduates as a new opportunity. He & AJ stonewalled the Rocks conversation to force the Logan vote. Plus, a record 4th Idol in a single season.

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

My #SurvivorAU BvB2 E18 #Chissy 3️⃣ Kaelan. Fantastic spotlight episode. Despite the mess, he still got his prime target out without the heat, he crushed the Immunity challenge (+ JLP collusion!) and he continues to strengthen good bonds with the other Barren Singles Logan & Kristin.

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

If Karin truly had 5 votes, why would it be Russian Roulette? That's just... a majority. #SurvivorAU

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

My #SurvivorAU BvB2 E17 #Chissy 3️⃣ Logan. Good work from the bottom. Her bond w/ Karin paid off & she leveraged the knowledge Myles gave her to protect herself AND Kirstin. Her approach also gets a boost compared to Paulie's spiralling, making peace with being on the outs & working to just survive.

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

My #SurvivorAU BvB2 E16 #Chissy 3️⃣ Myles. Incredibly well-insulated, with strong relationships on both sides of the growing divide. He's also actively working to let others be the driving forces so he can recover his game camouflage, and conserving his bond with Karin.

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

My #SurvivorAU BvB2 E15 #Chissy 3️⃣ Karin. Like Myles w/ Paulie, Karin locks in Logan's SOLE loyalty by warning her to play the Idol while still allowing Laura to take the fall. Not overextending the move to try to take out AJ at the same time was also good - it doesn't betray Zara & has deniability.

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Reposted by Austin Smith

Kellie @kjmorse.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

Kate with the most grown up answer about receiving votes #SurvivorAU

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

Kate's answer at Tribal - we're all adults and we signed up to play a game, so don't be petty about it - is something I find myself thinking every season when people get upset about others making moves against them. Love to see it! 🙌 #SurvivorAU

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

The WHOLE tribe siding with Myles/AJ tonight over Logan/Laura is a nice bit of vindication that Myles' move last night wasn't the game-ending disaster I've seen posited so much. #SurvivorAU

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

It bums me out to see the discourse so down on Myles' #SurvivorAU move strategically. It's flawed & flashy, but I feel like gaining Paulie is worth more than the disruption - and half the women were happy with PD going anyway!

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

My #SurvivorAU BvB2 E14 #Chissy 3️⃣ Myles. Not a perfect move & a bit worried about what's next, but this was unquestionably his Tribal. Taking Kristin's Idol to leave PD exposed, gaining Paulie's allegiance, and still giving Laura what she wanted. Also loved bringing AJ in so it wasn't all solo.

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 16/03/2025

My #SurvivorAU BvB2 E13 #Chissy 3️⃣ Logan. Reunited with Laura & in a strong position within the new women's coalition. While AJ still has a target on her, tonight consolidated a lot of influence for her, including setting up a reciprocal shot against him. Plus, Immunity, and a brokered Reward.

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

My #SurvivorAU BvB2 E12 #Chissy 3️⃣ Myles. An Idol AND a Knowledge-is-Power Idol Steal, when there's a very public Idol still in play? On the precipice of the merge, he's wonderfully poised and armed to the teeth.

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

#SurvivorAU giving up on naming the episodes halfway through the season for the second year in a row. It hurts me. 😭

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

It obviously didn't quite play out as the producers might have hoped, but I like the deployment of information about non-elimination mechanics as an Advantage. I wouldn't be opposed to seeing this approach used again in future seasons. #SurvivorAU

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

My #SurvivorAU BvB2 E11 #Chissy 3️⃣ Kate. Before the twist, she & Morgan orchestrated a great blindside to wrangle power from the Brawn boys & build a good foundation for merge. Raised great points in favour of sending Laura to snipe AJ, but even with not getting her way, she's still in a solid spot.

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 09/03/2025

My #SurvivorAU BvB2 E10 #Chissy 3️⃣ Karin. With AJ scrambling & Logan retaliatory, Karin & Kaelan kept the ship stable in bumpy waters. She was in on all possible plans & pushed to stick with the Paulie priority. Noonan's AJ exposé also gives her the freedom for a clean break going forward.

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

The more I think about it, the more I love the way Brawn split the vote last night on #SurvivorAU E9: If the non-Myles Brains vote with the Brawns, we get what happened. 4 on Myles, 4 on Max, 1 on Kate. (cont.)

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

Fun fact: Max is the first ever player to be Idolled out with an Idol in their own pocket. #SurvivorAU To my knowledge, this has never happened before in AU, US, SA or NZ history.

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

My #SurvivorAU BvB2 E9 #Chissy 3️⃣ Ben. Spokesperson for Brawn tonight, who all made the smart move. Kept his alliance locked on a Brawn-strong vote blindside to circumvent the vote. Perfect split to account for Max being a double agent.

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

My #SurvivorAU BvB2 E8 #Chissy 3️⃣ AJ. As much as I feel like he's peaking too early & doing way too much, it's undeniable he's at the crux of the tribe. He's the one with the side deal with Paulie/Noonan, & he got his preferred target out. Worried the hostage plan will backfire but that's tomorrow.

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 02/03/2025

My #SurvivorAU BvB2 E7 #Chissy 3️⃣ Paulie. Ran point on keeping the Brawns appearing as a solid group to leverage the Brains to fracture, & even though his efforts to peacekeep Ursula & Noonan didn't work, the vote played out in favour. Also - immediately seen as a potential ally for the Graduates.

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

My #SurvivorAU BvB2 #Chissy 3️⃣ Kaelan. So well positioned as the swing vote that half the tribe didn't even realise he was the swing vote. Siding with Myles & the Graduates is fantastic for him, and he can still keep his cover as the "vibes guy" due to the Bomb Squad! narrative.

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

What an absolute own goal from Max tonight. That advantage should have been foolproof. 😂 #SurvivorAU

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

My #SurvivorAU BvB2 E5 #Chissy Non-elims are tough to grade, but... 3️⃣ Zara. In an ep where there was a lot of bad play, she kept a level head, recognised the inflexibility of Laura's Coven & made great strides to build something more suited to a collaborative alliance with Myles & AJ.

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

This feels like a pretty fun advantage/twist - plenty of ways for it to be used, which makes it much more exciting than some of the straightforward twists we've had like the Saboteur. #SurvivorAU

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

Dangit! This was poised to be the most interesting vote of the season so far! 😂 #SurvivorAU

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Austin Smith @austinfsmith.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

Liking the way AJ was evaluating Myles' pitch to side with Zara & Karin & trying to look at it objectively. Though I'm not convinced it is the right move for *them* - big pros & cons on both sides. #SurvivorAU

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