MONDO EXTRAS

Jeff asks Rocky about being recognized on the street, and he confirms that indeed, he is recognized on the street. Rocky says that everyone realizes that he's an awesome guy as long as he's "had a sandwich that day." Jeff asks Rocky how he describes the experience to people, and he says "it was pretty rough, and I got to meet Jeff Probst," Jeff crinkles his nose affectionately, because this is exactly the kind of guy that is Jeff Probst's greatest weakness. When he sees a guy who's all, "I'm a man's man," Jeff cannot resist (1) wanting that guy to like him; and (2) desperately wanting to avoid coming off like he disapproves, lest people think he (Jeff) is girly. It's his Achilles' heel, and if you've watched him over the season, with his disdain for quitters and men who cry, you know it This weakness continues to play out as Jeff moves to Anthony, who was victimized by Rocky's bullying tactics to literally the point of tears, who was actually, literally accused of being inadequately manly with the use of the word "skirt," and who never once has indicated that he wanted any part of any battle with Rocky such that you could accuse him of picking part of the fight himself. In a montage, Anthony calls himself a nerd, and Rocky calls him "effeminate" and "a little girl." Jeff once again presents to Anthony his asinine, addlepated, nitwit theory that Rocky was a bully as a way of trying to help Anthony be a better and stronger person, which is right out of 101 Ways To Enable Abusers. I mean, are you shitting me, Jeff? People don't bully other people as a way of building them up; that's ridiculous. You can sympathize with Rocky as a figure more pathetic than malicious, but you certainly can't expect Anthony to thank him, which is practically what's being suggested. I think Jeff is generally a decent (though cheeseball) guy, but I cannot abide what happens to his personality when he sees an opportunity to weigh in on manliness. This is the part of him that became buddies with Colby Donaldson, because Colby was in razor commercials, because he was that much of a stud. Jeff has a thing about embracing this asshole "men who are real men" thing, and it makes me want to throw up every single time. Fortunately, Anthony is having none of it, and good-naturedly says that Rocky was "hungry" and "crazy," and he didn't really want to get in fights with people, so he handled it like he handled it, and fuck off, Jeff Probst.