Big doings today on Survivor. After six weeks of sniping at each other, the Kucha and Ogakor tribes merge — five survivors from each tribe.

Pahls

        New alliances will form. New rivalries develop. New back-biting, new strategies, new tests in what essentially becomes a whole new show tonight. New dynamics or not, it will probably remain hugely popular in Cincinnati; we remain the No. 1 market for the reality TV show.

        Kate Pahls knows about reality TV. The 55-year-old Columbia Township grandmother and real estate investor applied for Survivor II but didn't make it. But she was one of the contestants on Mole — the sixth eliminated (out of 10, including the Mole).

        But even more important, she had the Mole pegged from day one.

        So then, who better to ask for the lowdown on the chances of the last 10 than someone who has been there done that?

Kucha Tribe

        Alicia: “If any of her tribe (Kucha) goes tonight, she's most likely. She's a personal trainer and a strong person, maybe too strong. She reminds me of Susan from the first Survivor.”

        Jeff: “He'll be second from this tribe. He's just not savvy enough, and he hasn't contributed anything. He's not irritating, but if they have to pick someone, it's him.”

        Elisabeth: “She's the next most likely. She has a close bond with Rodger, but in the new group, who knows what will form? She's very sweet, maybe too sweet, and not very good at playing people.”

        Rodger: “I'd love to see him win, being from the area and all (Crittenden, Ky.), but I don't think so. He'll make the final four because he's so popular with all the others, but when it shakes out, I don't think he'll be in the final two.”

        Nick: “The last one standing from this tribe. He's smart, he's got that army background and even though he's extremely young, I see him going all the way, the overall winner as long as he doesn't do anything really stupid.”

Ogakor Tribe

        Jerri: “She was close to going when they were separate tribes. Now, when they merge, unless she gets immunity, she's a goner. I expect her to be the first to go tonight. She's just too irritating.”

        Keith: “He's a little too egotistical, trying to look larger than life. His problem is that he doesn't understand it's a popularity contest. He doesn't even try to be popular and that's going to hurt him.”

        Amber: “To me, she's like Elisabeth — really sweet and not good at playing people. There's nothing you can say bad about her, so that'll keep her awhile, then she's history.”

        Tina: “She's savvy and smart and that will take her far. She's strong, she has good people skills and she has that nurse's background. I think she'll definitely make the final four.”

        Colby: “He'll be the last of this tribe left, making him and Nick the final two. He's a sales rep, used to working with people, kind of entrepreneurial, like Richard, and that will carry him. But in the end, I think Nick's lawyer training will be the deciding factor.”

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