Survivor News - Old vs. Young on 'Survivor: Nicaragua'

[Maxim Oleksyn]

If the challenges in Survivor: Nicaragua are as physical as past seasons, we're going to have another very one-sided season. Today CBS revealed that the twist for this season of Survivor is that the 20 castaways will be divided into two tribes based on age. One tribe will feature members over 40 while the other will be all kids younger than 30.
This idea might sound interesting at first, but I have little doubt that the young whippersnappers will wipe the floor with the old timers on a rather consistent basis. Sure, Survivor has had a few great older competitors (Tom Westman topping that list), but the physical endurance and adaptability to harsh conditions that Survivor requires are much better suited to young people.
This could be especially true if most of the old people are like former Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson. He may be associated with football, but I doubt he's in top physical condition and I suspect he'd lose quickly to anyone under 30 in a physical competition.
On the bright side, while most reality shows cast nothing but young people (the current season of Big Brother's oldest contestant is 40), Survivor isn't afraid to have half its new cast over that age. It's refreshing that Survivor's casting department isn't so heavily obsessed with youth.

The Espada tribe (over 40s) and the La Flor tribe (under 30s) will compete starting Wednesday, September 15 at 8pm. That will be followed by the two-hour finale of Big Brother 12 where the winner will be decided.

ESPADA TRIBE
Jill Behm, Age: 43
Occupation: ER Doctor
Current Residence: Erie, Penn.

Jane Bright, Age: 56
Occupation: Dog Trainer
Current Residence: Jackson Spring, N.C.

Tyrone Davis Age: 42
Occupation: Fire Captain
Current Residence: Inglewood, Calif.

Wendy DeSmidt-Kohlhoff, Age: 48
Occupation: Goat Rancher/Retired Army Officer
Current Residence: Fromberg, Mont.

Holly Hoffman, Age: 44
Occupation: Swim Coach
Current Residence: Eureka, S.D.

Jimmy Johnson, Age: 67
Occupation: TV Sports Broadcaster/Former Football Coach
Current Residence: Islamorada, Fla

Dan Lembo, Age: 63
Occupation: Real Estate Executive
Current Residence: Water Mill, N.Y.

Marty Piombo, Age: 48
Occupation: Technology Executive
Current Residence: Mill Valley, Calif.

Yve Rojas, Age: 41
Occupation: Homemaker
Current Residence: Kansas City, Mo.

Jimmy Tarantino, Age: 48
Occupation: Commercial Fisherman
Current Residence: Gloucester, Mass.

LA FLOR TRIBE
Judson Birza, Age: 21
Occupation: Student
Current Residence: Venice, Calif.

Kelly Bruno, Age: 26
Occupation: Medical Student
Current Residence: Durham, N.C.

Shannon Elkins, Age: 30
Occupation: Pest Control Co. Owner
Current Residence: Lafayette, La.

Ben "Benry" Henry, Age: 24
Occupation: Club Promoter
Current residence: Los Angeles, Calif.

Matthew "Sash" Lenaham, Age: 30
Occupation: Real Estate Broker
Current Residence: New York, N.Y.

Brenda Lowe, Age: 27
Occupation: Paddleboard Co. Owner/Ex-NFL Cheerleader
Current Residence: Miami, Fla.

NaOnka Mixon, Age: 27
Occupation: Physical Education Teacher
Current Residence: Los Angeles, Calif.

Chase Rice, Age: 24
Occupation:  Pro Race Car Jackman/Singer
Current Residence: Charlotte, N.C.

Kelly Shinn, Age: 20
Occupation: Nursing Student
Current Residence: Mesa, Ariz.

Alina Wilson, Age: 23
Occupation: Art Student
Current residence: Downey, Calif

[Bruno]

Whoa, whoa, whoa...Jimmy Johnson??? Dallas Cowboys???? WTF????

Dude--hurry up and get us a list!!!! This is gonna be more interesting now...

[Zen Elipsys]

Well (hehehehe) he now has a second career as a spokesperson for Extenz, the male enhancement pill that makes you bigger "down there."

On the bright side, maybe eating cow testicles or falling into a pit of mud during a challenge will replace his job as a penis-enlargement pitchman as the new most embarrassing moment of his career...

[Assassin]

GTFOH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bruno]

WHA?????

[Earende]

No wonder he's on Survivor.

[Horace]

Ha! You said La Flor....

[Assassin]

Can Jimmy Johnson outwit, outplay and outlast the other castaways on Survivor: Nicaragua? Probably not, but with the show moving to Wednesday nights, adding a football legend to the cast is a surefire way to attract plenty of male viewers.

[Maxim Oleksyn]

I wasn't gonna mention that...

I knew you guys were gonna break his balls...um...pardon me...

Well, the New "Dork" Times already confirmed cast member Jimmy Johnson, the rest of the cast includes Brenda Lowe, a former Miami Dolphins cheerleader; Kelly Bruno, a triathlete who’s an amputee; Holly Hoffman, a rancher and pageant director; Na Onka Mixon, a long jumper; Alina Wilson, a swimsuit model; Yve Rojas; Wendy Jo Kohlhoff, a goat farmer and former Army nurse; Kelly Shinn, a college student; and “Jimmy T” Tarantino, who won the online Sears casting call contest.

There’s also Chase Rice, a country musician and former linebacker in the NCAA; Tyrone Davis, a fire captain and triathalete; Ben Henry, a club promoter; Shannon Elkins, identified as “a friend of Shaq” who’s from Lafayette like Russell Hantz; Jud Birza, a drummer, model, and actor; and Mary Piombo, an internet executive who used to be a VP at Yahoo.

[Bruno]

This looks pretty good. But Max, are there gonna be any changes in the rules this year? Give us a heads up when you hear anything--as always..

[Maxim Oleksyn]

Well a few thing have been pooping up and I try to get confirmation before posting it here...

One website revealed that one of the early challenges will resemble a Survivor version of Plinko where castaways will roll a ball up the left side of the inclined structure and other blindfolded tribe members may attempt to catch the ball on the right side. Another photo shows tribe-colored props that resemble water wheels, but their exact role during a challenge is currently unknown.

We also heard from host Jeff Probst revealed that the hidden Immunity Idol will once again return for Survivor: Nicaragua, but the way it is found by contestants will be different and more difficult for contestants. The reason for this change is the ease with which Survivor: Samoa and Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains contestant Russell Hantz found a combined total of 5 idols from both seasons, sometimes without any clues. The first time he did it was fun to watch, after that the rest of them became a pain in the ass...

One cool note, the dreaded Tribal Council is the one place that the castaways do not want to go. This season’s Tribal Council is located on Yankee Beach and reportedly resembles a Spanish mission.

[Earende]

This does look promising!

And please thank the lord Hantz ain't here!!!!

[Sistah Sixx]

It sounds a little more diverse than it has in the past. I don't like the old vs. young nonsense.

So Max, this location will be the site of both S21 and S22???