Episode 9

Before I get rolling knee deep into this week's episode ... I would like to take a brief moment to let you cats out there in Mole-ville know a few things:

1)   I am Jon Kelley... and I approve this blog. (It's an election year, so figured I'd get in on the act).

2)   Want to sincerely thank all of you for being so damn passionate about our show.  And when I say "our," I mean all of us:  those on the killer production team who busted their tails to put together a high quality show top to bottom AND all of you out there watching the show with fervor and enthusiasm each and every week.

3)   And I gotta give it to all you creative message board jockeys dialing in one of my all-time favorite Mole threads this week:  Camp JonFOMO.   Classic moment in my broadcast career -- I appreciate it rmarzull.  I'm humbled and flattered.  Of course I cannot reveal the accuracy (or inaccuracy) of your out of the box/unorthodox guess, but I can tell you I cracked up looking through it.  And I loved the ingenuity of reasons why I must be The Mole:  "never been a semi-black Mole" (I’ve been called swirl, but that's very funny), the full moon "O" in my name, the John Denver song clue -- Steinbeck -- semi-mouthing my initials to Craig on Swing Out (you went deep emk4226), strong pick up on the Leo DiCaprio reference (yes I am a Leo, Aug 5), Jon rhymes w/ "Con," Kell(e)y green, the freckle under my eye (i.e.  I lie w/my eyes clue), and magen3 letting me know she's "soooo on to" my dirty deeds as the resident saboteur.  Everyone who stepped up and in this one, thanks for the entertainment.  A brother digs it.

Back to the games we play...

So it all comes down to this, huh?  12 players, melted all the way to the final triple threat.  Nicole, Craig and Mark.  Helluva journey.  Big congrats to the last trio standing.  Since it's been a non-stop adventure, the final 2 missions HAD to come strong.

"Tick Tock Boom" was an intricate mission, testing our players craniums, sleuth skills and teamwork.  As it unfolded, everybody looked Moley -- or everybody was truly twisted up and running out of gas.  But like Kobe Bryant dropping that buzzer beating, game winning jumper, stumbling out of bounds and into the stands, Craig hit nothing but the bottom of the net.

Side note:  The leather jacket I sported in the mission was a local product.   Picked it up the day before on Florida St. at a cool shop called "Etiqueta Negra."  Why do I mention this?  If you ever get to Buenos Aires, I highly recommend you grab some leather goods.  In a word:  the Argentine goods are "butter."  And the price is just as smooth.

Ok, so back to the blog --

Not sure if you got the full vibe from the episode but I felt like a xylophone player subbing as an AT&T operator.  While I played musical phones all day, our dynamic trio raced around the city... solving clues, sharing ice cream and snacks, taking photos and visiting historic monuments.  Instead of soaking up the sights with them, I was resigned to juggling calls and enjoying their travels via cell phone snap shots.

Did anybody else notice Nicole getting a little salty with me?  Woman resorted to hanging up the phone in my grill.  She couldn't have blamed me for all the trouble she was having trying to complete her mission.  Luckily, I was in a good mood.  I let it slide.  Either that, or I decided I didn't want to risk not waking up with no physical evidence to explain my sudden condition. Yo, Nicole, you know I'm playin' ... right?

In the end, Mark rolled large, finishing numero uno.  Again.  Clearly my man does not like to finish 2nd.  So after Craig made his way over on his own accord and the cab I sent for Nicole finally got her back safe and sound ... it was the moment of truth:  Look inside the Mole's dossier OR put $75,000 into the pot.  Mark made it clear that he felt any edge was worth the price, so he basically bought a very expensive insurance policy.  No doubt a hefty price to pay, but I don't blame him.  But I'm also a gambler.  I would've gone all or nothing.  Mark maybe didn't consider that potential extra 75K could buy a lot of hair gel.  Maybe he already has an endorsement deal...

So it's in the books.  No more missions.  No more quizzes.  End of a long and winding road full of twists, turns, highs, lows, laughs, tears, possibly televisions first ever "drive-by fruiting" (I can't take credit, lifted it off the message boards), free flowing pisco sours and wine... and of course eternal good vibrations.

It's been my pleasure to be your host for season 5 of this phenomenal show. 

I sincerely appreciate you welcoming me in to your tight knit crew.  Saying I had a blast would be a bold understatement.  I loved every step of the way.  Bar none the most unique and dynamic experience I've had in this wonderful world of broadcasting.  It's my sincere hope you enjoyed watching this ride... as much as I did being a part of it.

All that's left to do is answer one question:  "Who … is The Mole?"