I am excited about another season of Survivor. This cast seems interesting, but it is going to have to really shine to even hold a candle to last season’s incredible cast.
A few quick-reaction takes on the cast.
BRANDON BELLINGER
22
Farmer/Rancher
Could be a fan fave around here. His “favorites” include RPGs, Family Guy, South Park, Playboy and Tolkein. Have we ever seen a “fanboy” on Survivor?
DANNI BOATWRIGHT
30
Sports Radio Talk Show Host
1996’s Runnerup in the Miss USA Pageant. But, she may be the perfect woman, because she is a freaking SPORTS Radio talk show host. I may love this woman! Wait. She lists Cranium as her favorite board game! WE HAVE A WINNER!
BRIAN CORRIDAN
22
Ivy League Student
Brian’s bio looks like he is applying for grad school instead of Survivor. He plans to use his new Ivy League Psych degree to play people. I’ll bet he rubs people wrong and is booted in the first four shows…COLLEGE BOY!
CINDY HALL
31
Zoo Keeper
Seems kinda “granola” at first appearance. She has applied to the show four times and finally got on it. But since it says she has no trouble expressing herself about any topic and her fuse is easily ignited, I expect her wait will not be rewarded.
GARY HOGEBOOM
46 (turns 47 on August 21)
Ex-NFL Quarterback/Real Estate Developer
Cool. A semi-celeb. I like that. He said somewhere that he wanted to keep his status a secret. Yet with a kid from Dallas (Blake) and a Miss USA/Sport Radio Host (Danni…oh DANNI!) on the show, will he be able to hide it? I’m calling this guy makes the merge.
RAFE JUDKINS
22
Ivy League Student
An Ivy Leaguer…if you count BROWN! I’ll bet he is the cliche “religious” guy. It is a Mormon this time around. His favorite cookie? Peanut Butter with a Hershey Kiss on top! Though he can play “Ode to Joy” on the Piano with his feet, I predict he will cry more than once and vote for the least deserving candidate if he makes the jury.
JIM LYNCH
63
Retired Fire Captain
An older player who was a firefighter. What is this? A sequel? I just hope it is better than the sequel to Love Story. Damn you Candace Bergen! He lost his true love! Let him mourn her! Bergen really was good in Murphy Brown though. Oh yeah. I am supposed to talk about Jim. Sorry. He’s 63. He’s not going to win.
MORGAN McDEVITT
21
Magician’s Assistant/Waitress
Oh, you’re a vixen aren’t you, Morgan? Kinda looks like Amy Poehler. A Magician’s Assistant? I’ll bet it sounds cooler than it is. Still, I’ll bet you could make my heart disappear!
JAMIE NEWTON
24
Water Ski Instructor
Don’t be confused. This guy is not Jack Black. He just looks like him. As a college wrestler, he may do well in physical challeneges…that’s all I got. Other than the fact that this guy could comfortably wear the nickname “Mungo.”
AMY O’HARA
39
Police Sergeant
An early boot. She’s a female police Sgt. She has to be tough. Tough women often get early boots. I am interested to see why she lists “Texas Tech Golf” as a favorite team despite living in Mass. her whole life.
JUDD SERGEANT
34 (turns 35 on September 13)
Hotel Doorman
A hotel doorman. Ain’t that some shit? He lists Candyland as his favorite game. Maybe that explains the lack of upward momentum in the old career track, eh? Interestingly, he is one of several players this season with a twin. He has a twin brother, yet he is named Judd Sergeant IV. This raises a question: what, as a newborn, did he do to get the legacy tag that the other brother didn’t? How do you choose which baby to give the name to when there are two of them. This question will stay with me for a while…
LYDIA MORALES
42
Fishmonger
- A fishmonger. Also another Candy Land fan. I see a pattern here. I could see her bonding with Jim. She is a Marine Brat. Jim was a Marine in the blockade of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Both are older players. *
MARGARET BOBONICH
43
Family Nurse Practitioner
Her favorite movie is Pearl Harbor. Let us never speak of her again.
BROOKE STRUCK
26
Law Student
- Actually, she is a recent graduate of law school. Has done the Americore volunteer program and gains points for liking the movie “Better Off Dead.” I’m calling sweetheart of the show. That’s right. A lawyer is the show’s sweetheart!*
BLAKE TOWSLEY
24
Commercial Real Estate Broker/Model
The token Texan. Nothing in his bio makes him sound like an interesting player. Sure, he could be a good frat brother, but he better have a good personality to draw us in. Also, he brags about how cutthroat he is going to be. The people who feel the need to say that pre-show tend to be the ones saying “I kept my integrity” from the jury in the final episode.
BRIANNA VARELA
21 (turns 22 on Oct. 29)
Retail Sales/Make-Up Artist
*Favorite colors are Hot Pink and Turquoise…TOGETHER! She and Ivy League Brian should have tons of “stuff” to talk about! Her cat’s name? KITTY! She DOES gain huge Rich Ratings points by listing “any hot chick” as her favorite actress. *
I reserve the right to be wrong.