This morning, CBS released details about the upcoming 21st installment of “Survivor,” taking place near San Juan de Sur, on the Pacific side of Nicaragua.
As previously reported, the season will pit “old” (those over 40) vs. “young” (30 and younger — thirtysomethings will have pretty much no representation), and the most recognizable face will be former Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson. At 67, Johnson will be “Survivor’s” second-oldest competitor ever (behind Season 1’s Rudy). Sadly, Johnson has cut his famous helmet hair, so we won’t be able to see it melt in the humidity of the jungle.
There’ll be a Bay Area connection: Marty Piombo, 48, a tech executive from Mill Valley (he’s a VP at Sococo and used to be a VP at Yahoo). Other notable cast members include a former Miami Dolphins cheerleader (hmmm, was she there when Johnson coached the Dolphins?), a 25-year-old med student with an artificial leg, and a Massachusetts fisherman who won an online contest to become a Survivor.
Here are some brief bios, broken down by teams. Click here to see a more detailed cast list.
La Flor Tribe
Jud Birza, 21, student
Kelly Bruno, 25, medical student, amputee triathlete
Shannon Elkins, 30, pest-control company ownerBen “Benry” Henry, 24, club promoter
Matthew “Sash” Lenahan, 30, real estate broker
Brenda Lowe, 27, business owner/model, former Miami Dolphins cheerleader
NaOnka Mixon, 27, P.E. teacher
Chase Rice, 24, NASCAR jackman
Kelly Shinn, 20, nursing student
Alina Wilson, 23, art student/model
Espada Tribe
Jillian Behm, 43, ER doctor
Jane Bright, 56, dog trainer
Tyrone Davis, 42, firefighter
Wendy Jo DeSmidt-Kohlhoff, 48, goat rancher
Holly Hoffman, 44, swim coach
Jimmy Johnson, 67, former NFL coach/TV sports broadcaster
Dan Lembo, 63, real estate executive
Marty Piombo, 48, tech executive
Yve Rojas, 41, homemaker
Jimmy “Jimmy T” Tarantino, 48, fisherman
Expect more brain-teasers and fewer hardcore physical challenges in an effort to level the playing field and negate the youngsters’ physical advantage. There’ll also be a new twist to immunity challenges: A Medallion of Power, which, if played, will give one team a decided advantage.
The new season starts at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15, on CBS. Check out a preview:
