Two ‘Survivor’ heavyweights return for upcoming season, ‘Redemption Island’
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Did anyone see this coming, or were y’all just hoping against hope that you’d never see the two faces to the right ever again?
Either way, get ready for ‘Survivor: Redemption Island,’ with veterans Boston Rob Mariano and Russell Hantz competing alongside 16 brand-new players. This will be Boston Rob’s fourth time playing the game, and Russell’s third.
I linked to host Jeff Probst’s description of the new season when covering the ‘Nicaragua’ finale, but Entertainment Weekly’s all-knowing ‘Survivor’ man, Dalton Ross, has reported a bunch more since then, quashing some Internet gossip. For one, Boston Rob and Russell will not be given immunity. So, yes, they can be voted out first after blindly choosing buffs to see which tribe they’ll join.
Besides the two returning players, the new cast includes a lot of Southern Californians -- 10 of the 16 are from the area. For more on them, Boston Rob and Russell, head on after the jump for two videos and a complete cast list.
Photo: Two contestants both loved and hated, Boston Rob and Russell Hantz, return for ‘Survivor: Redemption Island.’ Credit: Monty Brinton / CBS.
Full cast list (Name, age; current residence; previous seasons or occupation)
Russell Hantz, 38
Dayton, Texas
Previous seasons: ‘Survivor: Samoa’ and ‘Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains’
Rob Mariano, 33
Pensacola, Fla.
Previous seasons: ‘Survivor: Marquesas,’ ‘Survivor: All-Stars’ and ‘Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains’
Andrea Boehlke, 21
Random Lake, Wis.
Student (University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point)
Mike Chiesl, 31
Del Mar
Former Marine
Matthew Elrod, 22
Nashville
Pre-med student
Francesca Hogi, 36
Washington, D.C.
Attorney
Kristina Kell, 46
Malibu
Law student (University of La Verne College of Law)
Ralph Kiser, 45
Lebanon, Va.
Farmer
Krista Klumpp, 25
Columbia, S.C.
Pharmaceutical representative
Grant Mattos, 29
West Hollywood
Yoga instructor
David Murphy, 31
West Hollywood
Defense attorney
Phillip Sheppard, 52
Santa Monica
Technology executive
Natalie Tenerelli, 19
Acton, Calif.
Professional dancer
Ashley Underwood, 25
Benton, Maine
Nurse
Stephanie Valencia, 26
Long Beach
Waitress
Sarita White, 36
Santa Monica
Visual effects producer
Julie Wolfe, 50
Oceanside, Calif.
Firefighter
Steve Wright, 51
Huntington Beach
Former NFL player
— Anthony Williams
twitter.com/anthonyw_ent