The Americans type TV Show network FX

He’s one of the most colorful and controversial Survivor contestants ever. John Cochran burst upon the Survivor scene demanding Jeff Probst address him by his last name and then flipping on his tribe rather than pulling colored rocks in a tiebreaker. Fans either loved or loathed him. Now, as Cochran returns to play Survivor: Caramoan — Fans vs. Favorites (premiering Feb. 13 on CBS), we hear not only from the man himself, but from the woman behind the man. That’s right — Cochran’s mom! John and Arlene Cochran (as seen above) join us for our first ever Survivor Momcast!

Image credit: Monty Brinton/CBS[/caption]

Why was Arlene so petrified about her son signing up to play Survivor? How does she feel about all the mean things I wrote about little Johnny last time he played? Why was Mama Cochran against him returning to play again for Survivor: Caramoan? And since John insists on being called by his last name, what do people now call her? All will be revealed as the two Cochrans share their joint journey of Survivor neuroses for your listening pleasure. It is a must listen for any fan of Survivor or any fan of complex-yet-loving mother-and-son relationships. And how amazing is that picture above, by the way? [The Survivor Momcast starts at 18 minutes in.]

But first, Jessica Shaw and I break down the two big high-profile television debuts of winter — Fox’s The Following and FX’s The Americans. Why am I the only EW staffer that is not completely in love with the Kevin Bacon serial killer drama? And what do we think of Felicity now being a icy cold KGB spy? All will be revealed as we deep dive into both programs and name the one we consider to be the better of the two.

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