This was a CBS Tweet from today:


CBS ANNOUNCES 16 OF THE 18 CASTAWAYS FOR "SURVIVOR: REDEMPTION ISLAND"
Two Former Castaways (to Be Announced Later this Week) Will Return to Seek Redemption I think we all know who they are by now

Hit Television Series, Hosted by Emmy Award Winner Jeff Probst, will Feature a New Format Twist



Click Here to Meet the Cast (EPK)



CBS today announced 16 of 18 castaways who will compete against each other on SURVIVOR: REDEMPTION ISLAND, when the Emmy Award-winning series returns for its 22nd season, Wednesday, Feb. 16 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Two of the 18 castaways, to be revealed later this week, are former castaways who will return to seek redemption.



This edition of SURVIVOR will feature a new twist when, for the first time, castaways who have been eliminated from the game will have an opportunity to seek redemption and return for a chance to win the million dollar prize. Each week at Tribal Council when a castaway is voted off, they will be sent to an isolated island called "Redemption Island," where they will live alone in exile. To stay on Redemption Island, they will need to compete in a duel against the next person eliminated at Tribal Council and sent to the Island. The winner of each duel earns the right to continue fighting for an opportunity to return to the game and the chance to compete for the title of Sole Survivor; the loser is sent home.



The battle unfolds in Nicaragua where the 18 castaways will be divided into two Tribes of nine: the Ometepe Tribe and the Zapatera Tribe. The tribes are comprised of individuals from all different backgrounds with the same ultimate goal: to be the Sole Survivor. While 16 of the contestants are new to the competition, two are former castaways who will be given another chance to compete for the million dollar prize and one last shot at redemption.



Castaways competing on SURVIVOR: REDEMPTION ISLAND (in alphabetical order):



OMETEPE: ZAPATERA:



Andrea Boehlke Mike Chiesl

Age: 21 Age: 31

Current Residence: Random Lake, Wis. Current Residence: Del Mar, Calif. Occupation: Student

Occupation: Former Marine



Matt Elrod Ralph Kiser

Age: 22 Age: 44

Current Residence: Nashville, Tenn. Current Residence: Lebanon, Va.

Occupation: Pre-Med Student Occupation: Farmer



Francesca Hogi Krista Klumpp

Age: 36 Age: 25

Current Residence: Washington D.C. Current Residence: Columbia, S.C.

Occupation: Attorney Occupation: Pharmaceutical Rep.



Kristina Kell David Murphy

Age: 46 Age: 31

Current Residence: Malibu, Calif. Current Residence: West Hollywood, Calif.

Occupation: Law Student Occupation: Defense Attorney



Grant Mattos Stephanie Valencia

Age: 29 Age: 25

Current Residence: West Hollywood, Calif. Current Residence: Long Beach, Calif.

Occupation: Yoga Instructor Occupation: Waitress



Phillip Sheppard Sarita White

Age: 52 Age: 36

Current Residence: Santa Monica, Calif. Current Residence: Santa Monica, Calif.

Occupation: Technology Executive Occupation: Visual Effects Producer



Natalie Tenerelli Julie Wolfe

Age: 19 Age: 50

Current Residence: Acton, Calif. Current Residence: Oceanside, Calif.

Occupation: Professional Dancer Occupation: Firefighter



Ashley Underwood Steve Wright

Age: 25 Age: 51

Current Residence: Benton, Maine Current Residence: Huntington Beach, Calif.

Occupation: Nurse Occupation: Former NFL Player



Former Castaway (TBA) Former Castaway (TBA)

Age: ?? Age: ??

Current Residence: ?? Current Residence: ??

Occupation: ?? Occupation: ??

Breaking! Shocking! Rob Mariano and Russell Hantz returning to Survivor for “one last shot”

Survivor Redemption Island »
by Andy Dehnart / January 13, 2011, 7:01


The worst-kept secret in reality TV casting has finally been announced by CBS: Rob Mariano and Russell Hantz are cast members on Survivor Redemption Island, playing for a fourth and third time, respectively. It’s too bad CBS and the show’s producers couldn’t just trust that their big, smart, and interesting new twist wouldn’t be enough of a draw.
Jeff Probst has been practically orgasmic at the possibility Rob and Russell would return, which served as further confirmation that it was, in fact, happening. In a press release—I mean, sorry, in Entertainment Weekly—he said, “I’m not concerned at all about any Russell fatigue — that people have had too much. If you’ve had too much of Russell, I dare say you’re not really a Survivor fan. He embodies Survivor. He’s polarizing. You hate him or you love him.” Probst says a version of the same thing in the video below.
Why did the announcement come today? I have no idea. While I understand that not all of the show’s viewers follow news online, delaying the announcement made little sense except to drag out this season’s announcements. You’d think CBS would have wanted to distract us from the cast that, at least on paper and in the preview video, seems kind of lackluster, and thus announced Rob and Russell’s return earlier this week. But instead it’s been a huge secret; Mark Burnett even lied to me last week by saying “no” when I mentioned that two former cast members were returning this season, though he quickly segued into an unrelated answer to change the subject.
The actual CBS press release offers no information other that they have been cast, and that this is their “one last shot at redemption.” (I think it’s Rob’s third last shot, but who’s counting?) As the network said earlier this week when the cast was announced, each “will join a separate tribe of new castaways at the start of the game, but it’s up to the tribe to decide if they will welcome the knowledge of an experienced veteran, or view these former castaways as a threat.”

I will never understand why this wasnt announced at the finale when they had such a HUGE audience unless they were afraid of the boos. I am a die hard Survivor fan but I am just not really looking forward to the season. I mean enough is enough. I truly think they prolonged announcing the Rob vs Russell thing because of the negative feedback from the fans. This season would have been fine as JUST redemption island with an all new cast.
Here is a sneak peak of the upcoming season.

oh Fabio....

'Survivor' Winner Jailed - Under the Influence



60 minutes ago by TMZ Staff

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Judson Birza, the winner of "Survivor," season 21 in Nicaragua, was arrested Wednesday afternoon on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance ... TMZ has learned.




Law enforcement sources tell us cops noticed Birza at around noon. It appears he was not driving, but cops noticed he was acting strangely.

Santa Monica police arrested Birza and took him to the station, where he was booked (see mugshot above) and jailed.

Birza was also booked for an unrelated DUI warrant as well as a probation violation.

He's currently being held on $37,000 bail.

Jeff Probst gives us his take on the new cast of Survivor

I absolutely loved this episode!

Phillip brings the crazy train comedic drama!

I actually had to re-watch some of the episode again it was THAT funny!

Between him telling everyone he's a former federal agent, arguing with Kristina and Francesca in his red droopy underwear, and then my favorite....tribal council clusterfuck!

I did love him blowing up Kristina and Francesca's plans as if they even had the numbers...idiots! Phillip telling everyone that they wanted him to vote out Rob and that Kristina had the hidden immunity idol was music to my ears....loved it! And then my very favorite Boston Rob taking over from there and asking Kristina to see the idol and subsequently to give him the idol to keep her there hahaha loved it! WOW Kristina has got to be a fucking idiot if she thinks that idol is going to be of ANY use to her at this point. She might as well have given it to him at that point. There is noway they won't be voting her out very soon.

Phillip butchering up Francesca's name had nothing to do with him having dry mouth and getting treatment for it because I had to laugh when Jeff showed the final vote that on who was going to be going to Redemption Island and it was this vote


obviously his dry mouth that he's getting (haha) "treatment" for would be hard to explain why he even spelled her name wrong

Oh this guy is Suvrvivor contestant gold! Love the crazy that he brings!

FRANCESQUA!!!!

I loved the episode too. The tribal council was hilarious. I was so happy Boston Rob wasn't voted out!

2 episodes into the season and I am enjoying it way more than I thought I would. Of course it still IS Survivor and how can you not love it?
A few thoughts.....ummm ok...I think that I really like Phillip!!!!! Is that wrong? LOL!!!! He cracks me up and he certainly brings the entertainment. It would benefit Boston Rob to keep Phillip around as long as possible because at this point, he might give up his first born for him. I think Boston Rob might have overplayed his hand last night and made a fatal error. Getting rid of Matt at this point was probably not the best idea. They arent winning challenges and they need him. There is time enough later to target Matt...this just wasnt the time. If you are worried about the pairing of him and, (is her name Natalie?) then get rid of the girl. So what if he shook the other tribes hands after the challenge....you have to get to the end to get those votes and BR said it himself...it was ONLY DAY 5. I also think that Matt was completely loyal to BR. Not the best move but we'll see how it plays out if Matt comes back from Redemption Island. Definitely puts a whole new dynamic on the game. Will Matt be bitter, paranoid, target BR? Probably all 3....I am looking forward to seeing how it plays out when a player re-enters the game.
As for the other tribe...I find it interesting that they are winning challenges but seem more at odds then the tribe that is losing. Russell is obviously their main target at this point and I can't say that I blame them. On the other hand, once again, no one will award Russell the money so why get him out? I see him leaving after the first immunity challenge that they lose. If he stays, I will be impressed..lol. What happens if he comes back from redemption island?
ummmmm words that I hope I never hear again on Survivor?? "It was as easy as wiping your hiney with toilet paper." Wow...just wow.