Survivor: Nicaragua

[Maxim Oleksyn]

It seems like we just crowned a winner of "Survivor" - Fayetteville resident Sandra Diaz-Twine. Well,  folks, get ready for a new season of manipulation in the wilderness. And yet again, we have a   contestant with ties to the Cape Fear region. Jane Hammett-Bright is a dog trainer and breeder who  lives in the Moore County town of Jackson Springs. She's feisty and competitive, and she's not  letting  the fact that she's the oldest female castaway deter her from playing the game hard. She told me in a  pre-show interview that she's used to the elements, running around and dealing with different  personalities. At least that's what it's like in the world of dog shows. This season's twists feature tribes  divided by age and a "medallion of power." The medallion, as you would imagine, is something teams  will fight for to get an edge in immunity challenges. 8 p.m. CBS Wednesdays

The Espada tribe (over 40s) and the La Flor tribe (under 30s) will compete:

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

[WS]

Yup, there seem to be quite a few loonies this time around!

[Earende]

Kinda looks like Shannon waxes his chest, no? (Not that I'm implying anything. heeheehee) Good riddance, and boy it's gonna be a lot of gay people waiting for you...and NYers!

(What's up with everyone going all Russell Hantz with the shoe and sock swiping?)

Interesting how Sassy McSass Sass NaOnka chose to sit out the challenge, even though she is a PE teacher. Even more interesting how Kelly Bruno tore through the mud and the hay. She promised the artificial leg wouldn’t be a hindrance, and she backed it up. Big Time.

[Assassin]

Note to Jimmy T: – the reason nobody is asking you what you think is because you’re always telling everybody what you think. God gave you ears for a reason – try listening for a change. Man. I have a lot of patience but I will be honest, I’d be hard pressed not to vote out Jimmy T – regardless if he was in my alliance and he had six idols!

[Zen Elipsys]

Hey Marty, don’t start patting yourself on the back. You’re not out of the doghouse either. Granted, you are much more controlled, much more subdued and a far better listener than Jimmy T. But your determination to get rid of Jimmy Johnson is irrational. It’s envy. Pure envy, brotha. You know I’m speaking the truth. You should rethink it… the man can lead. He’s calm.

Did you see the way he talked Holly back into the game. He was very comforting and he did it without judgment. That’s leadership. He understands that people have ups and downs. No big deal. He knows the key is to simply get your head back in the game and everything will be okay.

Marty and Jimmy T – I’m gonna say it – ease up on Jimmy J. There’s a time and a place for everything but don’t vote him out based on spite. You two should give “The New Earth” a read.

[Maxim Oleksyn]

Do you want to know the most shocking part of tribal? Fabio may be the smartest male on the team. Think about it. During the meltdown Fabio was trying to get Shannon, who I assume was in his alliance, to calm down. He also chose his words carefully when he was being called out by NaOnka. He seemed very aware of the social aspect of this game. He may be a dumb blonde, but last night, he is the tribal MVP.

[WS]

Well, Shannon's "41 year old" childishness certainly did his team a disfavor (of course we don't know what was cut out before and during the discussion, but Shannon just looked really pathetic!) Kudos to Fabio for appraising the situation.

When we saw the shot of the monkey, did it have Naonka's sock, or was that just me wanting to jump to conclusions? What a fireball!

[Rush24a]

this season has so far been one of the better one's in my opinion. I don't think there's been this much discord among within their tribes this early on. Usually the first few votes are pretty much uneventful. It's seems the theme of this season will be the one that talks most at tribal is going home. haha

fabio was doing a good job at tribal trying to get Shannon to settle down, knowing that the more he spoke the more likely he was going to lose votes rather than turn people onto others.