Only Seven Days!

The award-winning reality show, Survivor is making a move to Wednesday nights and premiers one week from tonight. That’s right, in only seven days Survivor is back! In less than 168 hours from when I posted this blog it will be a battle of the ages as Survivor heads into its 21st season. Taking place on the shores of Nicaragua, it will pit ten castaways age 30 and younger versus ten players 40 and older. The Young Tribe is called La Flor Tribe and the Old tribe is called Espada Tribe.

Here is a quick rundown of the competitors.


The young tribe will wear yellow buffs. THE LA FLOR TRIBE:

Alina Wilson – 23 – Los Angeles, CA – Swimsuit Model. Reason for being on Survivor: “I want to prove I’m not just a pretty face.” The early skinny: “Very strong worker and competitive”

Ben Henry – 24 – Los Angeles, CA – Club promoter, Starlet chaser, previously dated Holly Montag. The early skinny: “Likes to compete, great around camp”

Brenda Lowe – 27 – Miami, FL – Ex-cheerleader, Paddle boarder. Brenda won local and national beauty pageants. She was a Miami Dolphins Cheerleader for two years. The early skinny: “Strong worker and competitor”

Chase Rice – 24 – Nashville, TN Occupation: Hendrick Motorsports, Musician, and former UNC linebacker. The early skinny: “Strong competitor, soft and quiet”

Judson "Jud" Birza – 21 – Santa Monica, CA – Model/Actor. Referred to as 'Fabio' after the first challenge. The early skinny: “Not very strong but hilarious at camp”

Kelly Bruno – 26 – Durham, NC – Medical Student. She had her leg amputated at 6 months old due to a birth defect. Is a world champion Triathlon and Ironman athlete. The early skinny: “Strong worker and competitor and very smart”

Kelly Shinn – 22 – Honolulu, HI – College Student. She looks at winning homecoming queen as one of her greatest accomplishments. The early skinny: “Lazy, wants to quit, useless at camp”

Matt Lenahan – 30 – New York, NY – Luxury real estate sales, marathoner. Nickname: 'Sash O' Frash'. The early skinny: “Weak, useless at camp”

Na Onka Mixon – 27 – Los Angeles, CA – Personal Trainer, Gym Teacher, NAIA Track and Field Triple Jumper. The early skinny: “Lazy at camp but likes to compete”

Shannon Elkins – 30 – Lafayette, LA – Sales Rep for a Mosquito Max pest control company. His pet peeve is dumb people. Married with 3 kids. The early skinny: “Strong competitor, comical, straight forward”


The old tribe will sport blue buffs. THE ESPADA TRIBE:

Dan Lembo – 63 – Brooklyn, NY – Man about town. Commercial Real Estate Sales. Spends his days drinking martinis and hanging out. The early skinny: “Weak competitor but loves Playboy bunnies!”

Holly Hoffman – 44 – Eureka, South Dakota – Rancher/pageant director. Married to a state legislator. The early skinny: “Good competitor, weak minded, loose cannon - tick, tick, tick”

Jane Bright – 56 – Jackson Springs, NC – Dog breeder. Her pet peeve is lazy people. The early skinny: “Great competitor and worker”

Dr. Jill Behm – 43 – Erie, PA – ER physician, Master cyclist. Went to Kent State University on a Track and Field scholarship and was a 4 year varsity letterman. The early skinny: “Great competitor and strongest female”

Jimmy Johnson – 67 – Islamorada, FL – Former NFL Coach of Dallas Cowboys; Current Sportscaster on FOX TV's NFL Sunday Pregame Show. The early skinny: “Unexpected fisherman, nice guy”

“Jimmy T” Tarantino – 48 – Gloucester, MA – Seafood inspector for NOAA, previous Gloucester fisherman. The early skinny: “Too competitive for older tribe”

Marty Piombo – 48 – Mill Valley, CA – High-tech executive. Speaks fluent Spanish; Attended Pepperdine University and Swarthmore College. The early skinny: “Good competitor, good at camp, loves to dig”

Tyrone Davis – 43 – Los Angeles, CA – L.A. Fire captain, completed the Malibu Triathlon. The early skinny: “Strong competitor, socially weak”

Wendy Jo Kohlhoff – 48 – Billings, Montana – Former Army RN, current goat farmer. Enjoys singing and tap dancing. The early skinny: “Still getting the hang of planet Earth”

Yve Rojas – 41 – Chicago, IL/Kansas City, MO – Actress. Movie credits include: “Last Will”, “Hope” and “Change of Life”. The early skinny: “Dynamite comes in small packages!”


The age divide is not the only twist viewers can expect this season. Before the tribes even reach their camps, host Jeff Probst introduces the Medallion of Power, which if played at an immunity competition gives one tribe a distinct advantage that varies depending on the challenge.



"The Medallion of Power gives you a dilemma and a choice in every challenge," says Probst, who hopes the decision of whether or not to use the medallion will cause discourse in the tribe. "Somebody will be right and somebody will be wrong, but once you decide to play it, then the other tribe gets it and can play it in the next challenge."

This is going to be some good stuff. The only real disappointment will be the absence of Russell Hantz. It will be the first time in three seasons that “The Hall-of-Famer” won’t be competing for $1,000,000 and the title of Sole Survivor. Oh well, I can still hardly wait.

Until next time…from the booth.