Hey Folks

We are only days away from the premier episode of Survivor 18 ( Tocantins ). If you want you may go to the official CBS website to acquaint yourself with the cast for their short text bios. For Video interviews of the castaways: CLICK HERE

Jeff Probst gives an excellent rundown of the castaways and his impression of them. CLICK HERE

CBS has published the tribe names and the members of each tribe. They are as follows:

Jalapão Red Tribe :


Sandy Burgin, 53, bus driver from Louisville - This hyper, tattooed grandmother knew she was perfect for Survivor, so she flew to Seattle to be the first to audition. "My willpower is phenomenal," she says. "On a scale of one to 10, it's a 12."

Stephen Fishbach, 29, corporate consultant from New York City- Call him a speechwriter, a spam master or a Muppet. (He thinks he looks like Kermit.) But don't call him "Fish." "That's my nickname at home," he says. "I can't [use it] here because when I can't fish, I'm going to look like an idiot."

James Thomas Jr., 24, cattle rancher from Samson, Ala.- Warning: This cowboy knows how to take down prey. "Deer, turkey, wild hog, coyote-everything you're allowed to hunt in Alabama I've hunted," he says. "I'm a country boy."

Spencer Duhm, 19, college sophomore from Lakeland, Fla.- Survivor fan Duhm has been studying the game since he was 11. That's why he plans to trust no one, saying, "You have to assume they're going to screw you before you screw them over."

Sydney Wheeler, 24, model/interior designer from San Diego.- How will she outlast the competition? "I plan to make alliances with the athletic guys," she say. "They are cute and they'll be good at the challenges." And plan B? :If I've gotta flirt, I'm gonna flirt. Work with what you've got. Right?"

Carolina Eastwood, 26, bartender from Los Angeles - How did this fire-spitting Panamanian-American prep for Survivor? "I got lasered from head to toe," she says. "Because I'm ethnic in the hairiest sense of the word. And I did not want to scare people with my overgrown armpits."

Taj Johnson-George, 37, former member of the Grammy-nominated R&B group SWV from Nashville- "There's a stigma that comes with being married to an NFL player," says the wife of former Tennessee Titan Eddie George. "People think we're pampered. But I'm not. I'm a 5'9", 190-pound tomboy. I'm gonna tear 'em up when I get out there."

Joe Dowdle,  26, commercial real-estate broker from Austin- Dowdle's strategy? Persuade and evade. "If it works, I will have pulled off something miraculous. If not, I'll get pretty far anyway. I told my mom before I left. "I'll see you out there.

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Timbira Tribe -Purple :

Jerry Sims, 49, U.S. Army sergeant from Rock Hill, S.C.- First Sergeant Sims may have charmed his 100 soldier Army Reserves company "with a smile and a little manipulation," but things will be different on Survivor. "I don't want to be the boss," he says. "The leader gets axed too early."

Candace Smith, 31, lawyer-turned-actress/event planner from Los Angeles- Fertilized eggs? Insects? "I'll swallow it," says Smith. "Having to eat something [weird] for a chance to win a million dollars is nothing to me. I grew up eating chitlins."

Tyson Apostol, 29, bike-shop manager from Lindon, Utah- Why do Survivor? "Because I'd be good at it. May as well go and win," says the former pro cyclist, who rides 31 mph. "And $1 million in two months isn't a bad paycheck." All he has to do now is perfect his strategy of "pushing people's buttons."

Sierra Reed, 23, model from Los Angeles- Not only did this beauty not have to try out to get on Survivor ("I was at a taco stand when the recruiters came up to me," she says), she doesn't need the prize. "Money comes and goes," says Reed, who turned down a Tommy Hilfiger campaign to do the show. "If I'd saved when I was just starting out, I'd be a multimillionaire by now.

Erinn Lobdell, 26, hairstylist from Waukesha, Wis.- Lobdell says she can get a stranger to trust her within five minutes. It's a gift she hopes will pay off. "I work at a nice salon, so if this works out for me, I'll be the new owner when I get home."

Benjamin Wade, 37, soccer coach/part-time orchestra conductor from Bolivar, Mo.- "I'm in this game because I want to change it," says Wade, who kayaked 6.132 miles from Baja, California, to Colombia-alone. "it's become survival of the weakest. I want the strongest to survive. I want to team up with worthy opponents. May the best man or woman win."

Debra Beebe, 46, middle school principal from Auburn, Ala.- "The potty thing is freaking me out," says the self-described adventure seeker, who left the comfort of her eight bedroom home to rough it. "Digging a hole and going Big Bathroom in the middle of nowhere...having to wipe with your hands...Is my body going to shut down because I can't do it?"

Brendan Synnot, 30, entrepreneur from NYC.- First he sold his Bear Naked Granola business to Kellogg's as part of a $122 million dollar deal. Now Synnott's got to test his mettle. "I think it's healthy to have everything taken from you and then have to rebuild" he says/ "That's good character building.

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This season, the castaways will be divided into two separate tribes from the very beginning and these diverse individuals must immediately begin their game based solely on their first impressions of each other.  In advance of any formal introduction and before the castaways speak their first words to each other, one person from each tribe will be chosen to remain behind and will not continue with their group on the journey that lies ahead.  Will this mean the end for these two individuals or will they get a second chance to make a first impression?


So there you have it for the upcoming premier. What say you? Which tribe is the strongest? Who do you like? Who is gonna go the distance and who will fade fast? So many questions, so much speculation with which to deal.

Post away --  enjoy the season and come back to this thread every week for the updates and discussion on: NEXT TIME ON SURVIVOR

Cheers

Having read all the bios and watched the videos, I think the Timbira tribe is the strongest. It could become a dysfunctional tribe very fast though if the 2 super egos, Tyson and Benjamin don't play nice with each other.

It looks as if both of these players could be as obnoxious or even more so than Ace in last season's Survivor Gabon.

There are a lot of "pretty people" in this cast so I'd be curious to know how many were recruited by the umbrella drink squad of the casting department. Seems to be the trend--recruit: Models,bartender/actors and quirky egomaniacs who have never seen the show. Ah well. It will be interesting to see how it all shakes down.

Cheers


(Message edited by turfjakey On 02/11/2009 11:53 AM)

This latest quote from Jeff Probst appeared on EW.com when asked why this season is Must Watch TV.

"The first thing is CAST, CAST, CAST. (Here's a tease: ''Dragon Slayer'' — just wait.) I'm putting my reputation on the line: If you don't love this cast, I'll offer to switch EW.com blogging jobs with The Bachelor's Chris Harrison. And get ready for a BIG TWIST in the first five minutes that has lasting repercussions. Hint: Can you ever change a first impression? We'll find out. As for THE BLINDSIDE, it is taken to a whole 'nother level. We set a new record this season. Beastly. And the TERRAIN? High desert, 120 degrees, snakes, injuries, and a stunning river oasis. Exile Island will totally destroy them. Tocantins is so good, it just may crack our top five seasons ever." —Jeff Probst

Source: EW.com

Well, that has my curiosity piqued.

I can't wait.....

I hope I'm wrong, but Debra Beebe already has me thinking of someone I couldn't stand on S2, TINA, and she was the 1st or 2nd voted off All Stars (thank god).   
I only got to watch a few videos so far and I like how Erinn Lobdell came across.   

Episode 2 title: "The Poison Apple Needs to Go"

This release comes from CBS:

WHEN ONE CASTAWAY REVEALS HER TRUE IDENTITY, HER TRIBEMATES QUESTION HER MOTIVES AND SECRETLY TARGET HER ON "SURVIVOR TOCANTINS -- THE BRAZILIAN HIGHLANDS," THURSDAY, FEB. 19

"The Poison Apple Needs To Go" - An Exile Island twist opens the door for the castaways to play the game like never before, meanwhile the quest for a hidden immunity idol goes terribly wrong leaving two castaways in a tight spot, on SURVIVOR: TOCANTINS - THE BRAZILIAN HIGHLANDS, Thursday, Feb. 19 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

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It also looks as if one of the challenges involves a water basketball competition. Check the link to see Video Captures from the CBS promo video: CLICK HERE-------for more Vid Caps CLICK HERE

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Interesting! So who is it? Taj?

Will Psycho Sandy figure out what a pace is? What say you?


Cheers

Another title with APPLE in it!   lol 

I dunno - I'm gonna guess Taj.   She's in a band and she might reveal that she's promoting herself.  
Not that she'd be the first to ever try to on this show, but maybe the way she admits it annoys others.
She twitches and fusses quite a bit during TC...when she casts her vote.   Makes me wonder about her.

I think it's Taj.  They just showed a commercial where JT was saying that they have a lot more money than he does.  So I'm assuming that she must've spilled the beans about being married to an NFL player

Hey Folks

So here's the dirt on the upcoming Episode (3)

Episode Title:   Mama Said There'd Be Days Like This

One castaway begins to suspect that the company she has been keeping may have put her chances of winning the game in serious jeopardy and a devious plan is hatched on Exile Island, giving rise to what could prove to be a devastatingly powerful alliance.

 CBS Press Release 

A DEVIOUS PLAN IS HATCHED ON EXILE ISLAND, GIVING RISE TO WHAT COULD PROVE TO BE A DEVASTATINGLY POWERFUL ALLIANCE, ON "SURVIVOR TOCANTINS -- THE BRAZILIAN HIGHLANDS," THURSDAY, FEB. 26

"Mama Said There'd Be Days Like This" - One tribe struggles with a tough decision when they discover a weakness in their ranks, on SURVIVOR: TOCANTINS - THE BRAZILIAN HIGHLANDS, Thursday, Feb. 26 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

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See vid caps of Episode 3: CLICK HERE

More Vid caps:                         CLICK HERE

OK Folks--what say you ?

(Message edited by turfjakey On 02/22/2009 18:14 PM)

One castaway begins to suspect that the company she has been keeping may have put her chances of winning the game in serious jeopardy...

Sounds to me like Taj may be having more regret about telling her tribe who her husband is.


and a devious plan is hatched on Exile Island, giving rise to what could prove to be a devastatingly powerful alliance.

Taj and Brendan further an alliance that started last week on Exile?

Nice to see Jeff commenting on JT/Stephen bond - was def one of my fav scenes from last week. 
But did he have to say the C word so many times?  With such enthusiasm, too.  ROTFLOL   hmmm
                                                   Is it tomorrow yet?

                                        
Jeff Probst:  Episode 2, second blindside!  Do you see this smile?
Alright, in this episode now the personalities are starting to come out.  You see it in the nice friendship developing between JT and Stephen.  Country mouse and city boy, I like it.  
Also, Coach.  Coach, Coach, Coach, Coach, Coach.

Coach <talking to Tyson>:  People are just panicked in the challenges.  Are you see...did you see Sierra?
Tyson:  Yeah.
Coach:  She screamed.  She was like, "Ahhhhh, I can't hear, uhhhh!"  Everytime. 
Tyson:  It's true.
Coach:  I was just, oh my gosh, who is worse, is it umm, you know, Sierra.  I mean I always say I want to get Erinn out immediately. 
Tyson <in confessional>:  One word to describe Coach, I think that's it, "Coach". 

Jeff Probst:  One of my ALL TIME FAVORITE Survivor contestants, COACH!  I hope you're enjoying the season. 

survivorfever

LOL on the "c" word Becca.  I'm just not getting the love there.  Obviously Coach must be around for awhile for him to grow so enamored with him.

>>  Do you see this smile?  
There goes Jeff, showing off his dimples again. 

When Coach was mentioned in Jeff's blog a while ago, I thought he might be voted off soon.  I wanted him to stay only for the entertainment I thought was in store...but this was before what he did to Candace and before I read what she and others said about him.  At this moment, I want him gone.  But yea, after watching the video it seems like he's gonna be around a while.   

I think your right Beccka.  He may be someone we love to hate.

Ok Folks ! Here is some info on the upcoming Episode 4--air date Thursday March 5


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Episode Title:  "The Strongest Man Alive"

Jakey wrote:
The challenge is one of strength and if coach doesn't do well in this one could his days be numbered.


Oh please let it be so!!I can't stand him, he is so conceited and arrogant and creeps me out.Sorry I can't figure out how to use the quote thing without reprinting all of Jakey's thread,lol.

 

Not in any of those do I see Coach as the one trying to hold bags.  Once again he choses the easy way out.

But that won't stop Coach from blaming everyone else who does not do well. Perhaps, this is a defense mechanism?


Cindi

LOL right Cindi cast blame onto someone else before they start blaming you where the blame rightfully belongs!
BTW I love your avatar and quote! Very cute~

all time strength record challenged?   My money's on the country boy JT.

I don't think we've even begun to see what all he's about.


Jim

I agree Jim--I think the kid is far from through with the game. I guess Rupert is the current record holder re weight and endurance challenge?

OK Folks --here are some more promo images for episode 4:  CLICK HERE

Probst Preview ep 4     watch video here

Transcript:

Jeff Probst:  Episode 4 and sadly last week Jerry had to go home.  It caused a little bit of dissension on that tribe.  Timbira wasn't exactly sure he was the best choice.  And this week it's going to cause more dissension as leadership is now going to be discussed.  Who should be giving orders and who shouldn't be giving orders. 

Coach:  Who's the most experienced person out here as far as being out in the outdoors?  That would be me.  These people here are new kids on the block.  What they have been doing is not succeeding, not thriving, but existing.  If you look at me, you look at Brendan, who looks stronger?  I do?

Probst:  There's also a fascinating alliance that develops in this episode.  The kind of alliance that I don't know if we've ever seen especially this early in the show.  And can I just point out, Sierra and Sandy are still in the game.  Those horrible first impressions and they're still here.  Oh, I haven't mentioned him yet.  Coach...Coach, Coach, Coach.  Survivor: Tocantins continues.
survivorfever

(Message edited by Beccka On 03/05/2009 14:57 PM)

It will be interesting to see how well big, strong Coach does is in this challange.  I bet Taj outdoes him.

Ok Folks. Here is the low down for Episode 5:

Episode 5  Title:  Survivor: Tocantins
"You're Going to Want that Tooth""

CBS Press Release

AS THE EXILE ISLAND ALLIANCE GROWS STRONGER, THE CASTAWAYS INVOLVED START TO RUN THE RISK OF BEING DISCOVERED BY OUTSIDERS, ON "SURVIVOR: TOCANTINS -- THE BRAZILIAN HIGHLANDS," THURSDAY, MARCH 12

"You're Going To Want That Tooth" - An overzealous castaway risks it all in the immunity challenge and pays with a tooth, while another castaway finds himself in hot water for not performing during the challenge, on SURVIVOR: TOCANTINS - THE BRAZILIAN HIGHLANDS, Thursday, March 12 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television

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CBS Website Teasers

As the Exile Island alliance grows stronger, they start to run the risk of being discovered by outsiders, and a self-assured castaway lets her ego run away with her as she becomes convinced she's safe while her tribe contemplates voting her out.

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For Vid Caps of the promo for Episode 5: CLICK HERE

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Will Taj's house of cards come tumbling down? We all know what happens when people get too cocky on this show!

Cheers

WE have more promo vid caps available. Looks like a tough challenge coming up. Any bets Coach opts to sit it out?LOL

CLICK HERE

and CLICK HERE  and one more batch:  CLICK HERE

Apparently someone loses a tooth this episode. Maybe Sierra hauls off and punches el Coacho! We can only live and hope!

Cheers

I'll guess it's JT who loses a tooth.  
Does anyone else hear "Chef Boy-ar-dee" at the start of these videos?     

                
                                                 Probst Previews Ep 5        
                         

 


Thank's for that clip, becca!

I don't know WTH that is at the beginning of the clip. I've played it several times and still can't make it out.

wow--did I actually hear Jeff dis Coach a bit??? Looks like a stormy episode on several fronts coming up!

Cheers

I hope that the person that loses a tooth is not taken out of the game.  If they are then there will be no TC tonight