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A quirky cast of castaways

The newest installment of Survivor debuts tonight with "at least two of the most popular characters that we've ever had," host Jeff Probst promises.

By CHASE SQUIRES
Published February 2, 2006

[CBS photos]

The cast of Survivor: Panama — Exile Island are, back row from left, Ruth Marie Milliman, Melinda Hyder, Cirie Fields, Tina Scheer, Bruce Kanegai, Dan Barry, Shane Powers and Terry Deitz, and front row from left, Nick Stanbury, Austin Carty, Bobby Mason, Aras Baskauskas, Sally Schumann, Misty Giles, Courtney Marit and Danielle DiLorenzo.

	[Times photo: ]
	Survivor host Jeff Probst says the Exile cast is the best ever on the show.

The last time viewers heard from man-about-jungle Jeff Probst, he was proclaiming Survivor: Guatemala the toughest season ever of the CBS reality show.

This time, for Survivor: Exile Island, he's promoting the best cast ever.

That's just Jeff. A tireless pitchman, he exudes excitement about each and every adventure, from beach to savanna to jungle.

Exile Island premieres tonight: "We have more people with more life, more vitality, more enthusiasm. It was a fun group," Probst promised this week in a conference call with reporters. "What's going to emerge from this is at least two of the most popular characters that we've ever had."

Oh, and there's that big twist that sits around like the elephant at the campfire: Exile Island.

Sixteen castaways start out in four tribes: older men, older women, younger men, younger women. In addition to sending someone home, each week someone will get ejected from one of the tribes to "Exile Island," a separate isle where they are alone, without shelter or food, for a night. It's buggy at sunset, sweltering in the sunshine, chilly at night, and it rains a lot, Probst said.

But exile isn't all bad. Buried somewhere in the sand is an immunity idol. Whoever finds it can hoard the talisman until needed - such as when other Survivors vote to send him home.

Once played, the idol goes back to Exile Island, where it can be found again.

Heading into its 12th season, Survivor continues to succeed because of the personalities, the ethical challenges and the way the game makes viewers think about how they would meet those challenges, Probst said.

It's easy to get excited about each season, because each one is so different, he said. Looking back at the fall installment, Guatemala, Probst said it was draining because of how much the contestants bickered.

This time, the castaways are a cast of "characters," he said.

Probst's favorites:

- Shane Powers, 35, Los Angeles, marketer: "Shane's the guy if he walked in every season and looked different, we'd put him on every season. He opens his mouth and you just say, "Oh, what's he going to say next?' This is a guy who smoked for 20 years, three packs a day, and I think one of the reasons he came out here is he wants to quit."

- Cirie Fields, 35, Walterboro, S.C., nurse: "One of my probably top five people ever on the show is Cirie. Cirie represents every person that watches Survivor, sits on their couch, says "I could do that' but never got up. Cirie got up. She is the least likely person ever to be on Survivor."

- Bobby Mason, 32, Los Angeles, lawyer: "No lie, he refers to himself in the third person more than anyone I've ever seen: "Bob Dog likes to do this, Bob Dog likes to do that.' At some point, you're like, "You're talking about yourself, right?' The guy's huge. He's a funny guy."

- Tina Scheer, 45, Hayward, Wis., lumberjill: "Sentimental favorite. . . . She was going to be on Guatemala, and about six weeks before we left for the show, her son was killed in a car wreck. . . . We said, "You know, if next season you think it's appropriate and it feels right, we'll hold a spot for you.' "

- Bruce Kanegai, 58, Simi Valley, Calif., art teacher: "The most emotionally honest person that's ever played Survivor. He can't help himself. He's got to tell you how he feels. . . . It's a tricky thing, because that can be enjoyable for a while, (but) it can get annoying if it goes on too long."

Plus, there are space shuttle astronaut Dan Barry, 52, South Hadley, Mass.; rocket scientist/beauty queen Misty Giles, 24, Dallas; and Courtney Marit, a 31-year-old performance artist/firewalker with "issues" to work out: "She sees a dead fish, she's torn; should we eat it or give it a burial?"

Probst was typically mum about how it plays out, but he did let slip a hint, when asked about the best strategy.

"Hiding in the middle somewhere, I've always felt, was the best strategy if you can figure out how to do it."

Grab your torch.

- Chase Squires can be reached at 727 893-8739 or squires@sptimes.com His blog is www.sptimes.com/blogs/tv

Survivor: Exile Island premieres at 8 tonight on WTSP-Ch. 10. Can't wait? Check out www.cbs.com for some island secrets and a fun video tour of the Tribal Council stage.

[Last modified February 1, 2006, 09:05:07]