Survivor
News (Page 2)

Survivor: Gabon premieres this Thursday night.

But that's way too long for most fans to wait. Check out the opening few minutes of this Survivor season below:

Based on his last name alone, Marcus Lehman will have no success on Survivor: Gabon this year.

But investment banks jokes aside, the competitor is actually afraid that being a doctor won't make him an appealing candidate to fellow castaways.

Jeff Probst doesn't seem to agree, though. The host told Entertainment Weekly:

''Marcus is a physician, as he likes to remind people. And he is a true leader, an extremely bright guy. He's a hero. He is a huge threat to win the game, for sure. He has looks, he's got smarts, he's probably the fittest guy out there, so he's got a lot of things going for him."

As a hairdresser and part-time teacher, it's safe to assume Susie Smith will see her net worth increase tremendously if she conquers all on Survivor: Gabon.

Does host Jeff Probst give this 47-year old mom from Iowa a chance of accomplishing that feat?

''Susie is a mom, and she likes to talk. That's definitely her biggest obstacle to overcome, that she can't shut up. If I went in and played this game and got teamed up with Susie, I would be wary of her hanging in there with me, because she seems to go with the wind and doesn't even seem like she's paying attention at times.''

Sorry, Dan Kay. But you don't exactly look like an intimidating Survivor player.

Perhaps this innocent smile will bode well for you on this season, though.

Jeff Probst has other concerns about Kay:

''He's earnest, but he is his own worst enemy. He means well and does not know when to shut up. He's like a cocker spaniel, charming and annoying at the same time.''

Will Kay become a lovable island pet or one that is let outside, permanently, early on?

Jacque Berg is a 25-year old medical device sales rep from California.

She's also very good looking and knows this could lead to jeaously from other Survivor: Gabon women; Berg has said she has to temper her flirting on the show.

Jeff Probst, meanwhile, thinks this blonde has a decent show at winning it all.

''I think Jacque will be a bit of a dark horse. I don't think she'll be a leader," he said. "I think she'll use her looks and her charm to get in with the right guy and hope that she can ride with that guy as far as she can. If Jacque gets deep into the show, I think she's a legitimate threat at the challenges. She's pretty fit.''

Matty Whitmore is a personal trainer.

The 29-year old California resident believes such physical strength will help him conquer all on Survivor: Gabon, though it will also likely make him a prime candidate for elimination.

''I think Matty will be one of the favorites this season, someone people will absolutely love," host Jeff Probst said. "I find him to be one of the most endearing guys we've ever had on the show to the point where it could work against him because he can't hide anything. If he's confused, he says, 'I'm confused.' If he's happy, he's smiling. If he's sad, he's crying.''

Gillian Larson is a 61-year old retired nurse.

Those facts alone would make this Survivor: Gabon contestant a prime candidate to be voted out first, but Jeff Probst actually says it's her passion for South Africa - where Gillian was raised - that might give her the boot instead:

''Charm is her strength because she's likable in doses, and that's her liability," Probst told Entertainment Weekly. "Does she know when enough is enough? You can only hear someone say, 'I'm from South Africa,' so many times before you want to say, 'Why don't you go back to South Africa!'''

Why will Danny "G.C." Brown win Survivor: Gabon this season?

According to the contestant himself, it's because Danny needs the cash prize more than anyone else out there.

What does Jeff Probst think of Brown's chances?

''G.C. is a fish out of water. Does he have the fortitude to really do this? Because when I talked to him before the show, it seemed like a lot of nervous energy masquerading as confidence. But it was, really, I felt, fear, like 'What am I getting into?' And that's not a good place to be because what you're getting into is a big ol' headache.''

Paloma Soto-Castillo was born in Chile and resides in California. She's a student.

She's also a contestant on Survivor: Gabon. Here's what Jeff Probst had to say about her prospects on the show:

''Paloma is sassy, cute. My question for her is 'Is her attitude real, or is it a put on?' And if it is a put-on, how long will she be able to sustain it when she starts getting hungry? Paloma's going to have to pick the right alliance. Who you decide to team up with early on has such an impact on how you do in the game, because if you pick the wrong people, it can be hard to get out from under that.''

Charlie Herschel is a regular, mild-mannered, well-educated lawyer.

That may serve him well at his job in New York, but will it net him one million dollars on Survivor: Gabon? Host Jeff Probst isn't so sure.

"Charlie prides himself on being very bright and educated," Probst told Entertainment Weekly. "And the question I'd say for Charlie is 'Can he stand up for himself? Does he really have a voice?' Or is he just going to look for somebody to hang on to and see how far they'll pull him along?"

Guess we'll find out when Survivor premieres on September 25.