Survivor host Jeff Probst, via TVGuide, spoke at length this morning about the upcoming season of Survivor, Survivor: China, the first US reality show filmed in the world's most populous nation.  Aside from the details and insights into Survivor: China, the full cast list was officially revealed, and we get our first look at the two tribes.  CBS was granted almost unheard of access to some of China's most heralded cultural landmarks for filming, including the Shaolin Temple and the Great Wall.  CBS and Survivor seem to have dived full-bore into the rich history of China.  For instance, the season will begin with the the castaways attending a traditional Buddhist ceremony.

Probst admits that Survivor: China was one of the show's most difficult and demanding seasons to film, but despite the ridiculous heat and humidity, deadly snakes, and intense locations, it has also been incredibly rewarding.  Discussing the filming, which took place at the man-made Zhelin Lake, Probst said, “Usually I want to go home. But if somebody said, ‘You have to stay another two weeks,' I'd say, ‘All right.' “

Continuing with the China theme, each contestant was given their own copy of Sun Tzu's The Art of War, the famed military strategy guide written in the sixth century B.C.  Probst explained, "Survivor is a war. The book deals with leadership and how you defeat the other tribe. It's interesting how much it plays into the game all the way through."

The full cast list was revealed by CBS for the first time, as well as the make-up of the two tribes.  Here's a quick look at who Survivor fans can look forward to seeing come Thursday, September 20, when Survivor: China premieres on CBS.


The Fei Long (Flying Dragon) Tribe  

Aaron Reisberger: 32, Venice, California; surfing instructor, bartender, restaurant manager

Courtney Yates: 26, New York City; waitress

Amanda Kimmel: 23, Kalispell, Montana; hiking tour guide, beauty pageant winner

Jean-Robert “Bobby” Bellande: 36; Las Vegas; professional poker player

Leslie Nease: 38, Tega Cay, South Carolina; Christian-radio host, fitness instructor

Denise Martin: 40, Douglas, Massachusetts; school lunch lady, black belt in karate

Todd Herzog: 22, Pleasant Grove, Utah; flight attendant

James Clement: 30, Lafayette, Louisiana; burial service owner, grave digger


The Zhan Hu (Fighter Tiger) Tribe

Peih-Gee Law: 29, Marina Del Rey, California; music-video dancer turned jeweler

Dave Cruser: 37, Simi Valley, California; model/actor turned bartender

Erik Huffman: 26, Nashville, Tennessee; musician, model

Ashley Massaro: 28, East Northport, New York; WWE SmackDown Diva, beauty queen, reality-show host

Michael “Frosti” Zernow: 20, Chicago; film student, parkour expert

Sherea Lloyd: 26, Atlanta; fourth-grade teacher

Jaime Dugan: 22, Columbia, South Carolina; college student

Steve “Chicken” Morris: 48, Marion, Virginia; former bouncer/fish breeder/logger turned chicken-farmer


-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer
Source: CBS, TVGuide
(Image Courtesy of CBS)