This season, Mark Burnett’s tried and true formula for great reality television will be mixed up as, for the first time ever, ten loyal fans of the television show, Survivor, will be cast away alongside ten favorite contestants from seasons past. This is the sixteenth season of what many refer to as the original reality TV show.
“Now, a select few will get their chance at the adventure of a lifetime. What they don’t know is that they’ll be playing against the ultimate competitors, favorite castaways from the past,” show host Jeff Probst revealed during last season’s grand finale.
The Favorites Tribe
The Favorites tribe will consist of the following five men and five women:
- Amanda Kimmel, 23, a Fashion Designer who first appeared on Survivor: China
- Ami Cusack, 34, a Nanny from Survivor: Vanuatu
- Cirie Fields, 37, a Nurse from Survivor: Panama, Exile Island
- Eliza Orlins, 25, a Law Student from Survivor: Vanuatu
- James Clement, 30, a Grave Digger from Survivor: China
- Jonathan Penner, 45, a Writer and Producer from Survivor: Cook Islands
- Jon Dalton (also known as “Jonny Fairplay”), 33, a Professional Wrestler Reality TV Star, from Survivor: Pearl Islands
- Oscar “Ozzy” Lusth, 26, a Freelance Photographer and Writer from Survivor: Cook Islands
- Parvati Shallow, 25, a Non-Profit Organizer from Survivor: Cook Islands
- Yau-Man Chan, 55, a Computer Engineer from Survivor: Fiji
Unfortunately, none of the members of the “Favorites” tribe originate from one of the earlier seasons of the show, perhaps to ensure that fans watching the program at home will hold the tribe mates in recent memory.
The Fans Tribe
The Fans tribe mates will be:
- Alexis Jones, 24, a Motivational Speaker
- Chet Welch, 48, a Pharmacy Customer Service Representative and Pageant Coach
- Erik Reichenbach, 22, an Art Student
- Jason Siska, 22, a Gymnastics Coach and Student
- Joel Anderson, 32, a Firefighter
- Kathleen Sleckman, 45, a Golf Course Concession Worker
- Mary Sartain, 29, a Real Estate and Financial Company Owner
- Michael Bortone, 34, an Aspiring Actor and Writer
- Natalie Bolton, 32, a Bartender and Personal Trainer
- Tracy Hughes-Wolf, 43, a Commercial and Residential Builder
Palau Islands
The show will take place in the Micronesian Palau Islands, which was also the site of season ten’s Survivor: Palau. The islands are 500 miles east of the Philippines. The average temperature on Palau is a balmy 82°F, which will ensure plenty of bikini-wearing this season. The “Exile Island” concept will return this season, a practice that was first introduced to the show during season twelve’s Survivor: Panama.
Stay Tuned
For more gossip as the show unfolds, visit fan sites Survivor Fever, Reality Blurred and of course, Reality TV @ Suite101.com.
Survivor: Micronesia begins on CBS on Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 8:00 pm.
Amy Urquhart - Amy Urquhart is an editor, freelance writer, wife, mother and gardener living in Bowmanville, Ontario. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts ...
