• 'Survivor: Caramoan' star Malcolm: Reuniting with Phillip was worse than being voted out

    CBS

    Malcolm Freberg on "Survivor."

    By Drusilla Moorhouse, TODAY contributor

    Don't lie: Your heart sank when Malcolm Freberg was voted out Wednesday night on "Survivor: Caramoan -- Fans vs. Favorites."

    Athletic, easygoing (and easy on the eyes), friendly but fiercely intelligent, it's no wonder Malcolm was invited back as a Favorite before viewers and his fellow competitors had even seen him dominate "Survivor: Philippines."

    After repeatedly using immunity idols to wreak havoc at tribal council, his inability to locate the last one sent him packing. Still, on his way out, he said he was so sure of his alliance that he wouldn't have played the idol anyway.

    "I don't know what the hell I was talking about," he clarified to TODAY.com. "I want to completely distance myself from that comment. I saw that (on the broadcast) and I was in shock. If I had had it, it would've been a very different situation. That (idol) was getting played."


    Malcolm didn't just give up on his search just because Andrea discovered him, either. "I dug under all these trees for hours and hours, and when Andrea came down I was already about to give up," he admitted. "My hands were bloody and blistered, so I was like, that's it. I'm over it. I'll just fake like I have it."

    When asked which was worse -- being voted out or reuniting with Phillip Sheppard in the post-elimination Ponderosa camp -- Malcolm didn't miss a beat.

    "Reuniting with Phillip. Hands down. No hesitation. I didn't realize it at first. It took me a second, to piece it together: 'So I just used all my immunity idols to get rid of a guy because I couldn't stand him, and then I have to go see him three days later, and spend the rest of the time with him?' ('Survivor') is a cruel, cruel mistress."

    Phillip wasn't the only one who marred what was mostly "a very young, fun vibe." Malcolm noted that Brandon Hantz was "very unstable" long before his ignominious exit.

    "He'd have mood swings and his lows were so low… At the end he was ready to go home and it felt like a quit to me, a trashy reality TV throwaway."

    He also had to endure another tribemate's emotional roller-coaster. "Dawn cried so, so much, like manic highs and lows," he said, adding that even her "dead whale scream" when she lost her dental prosthesis didn't elicit a reaction. Erik goes, 'Oh, that's just Dawn crying,' (and we said), 'Oh. You stir the rice recently?' We didn't even react to it anymore."

    Monty Brinton/CBS

    Another woman's tears touched his heart, though: His mom, when she found out his merged tribe, Enil Edam, was named after her. ("Madeline" spelled backwards.)

    "She lives in Dallas, so I went out there for that episode. She threw a big party, (and) when it happened the entire room goes, 'Oooooh,' and she started crying. It was sweet. She was touched. I hadn't told anybody else. Nobody on the show even knew."

    Speaking of "new beginnings" (Malcolm's hilariously convincing translation of "enil edam"), how many times would the 25-year-old be willing to play "Survivor" before winning a million? (Hey, it took even Boston Rob four tries.)

    He rephrased the question, laughing: "How many times would I have to lose to finally just call it a lost cause? It would take a lot -- a lot of trying. (Both times) I was out there to win that stinking game. If they ever ask it's really going to be hard to say no."

    Do you hope Malcolm returns again to "Survivor"? Tell us on our Facebook page!

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  • Reality TV's 9 biggest tragedies

    AP (2), Getty Images

    Anna Nicole Smith, Steve Irwin and Mindy McCready.

    By Drusilla Moorhouse, TODAY contributor

    Almost since its inception, modern reality television has been plagued by tragedy.

    In recent weeks, three people linked to hit series have died. "Buckwild" star Shain Gandee died April 1, the same day Thierry Costa, staff physician for the French version of "Survivor," killed himself. In his suicide note, Costa said "unjust accusations and assumptions" about his medical treatment of contestant Gerald Babin, who suffered a fatal heart attack on the first day of filming, harmed his reputation.

    "Survivor" was haunted since its inception. The first contestant voted out of Sweden's "Expedition Robinson," which Mark Burnett adapted for his U.S. "Survivor" franchise, committed suicide weeks after returning home from the Malaysian shoot. 

    Dozens of reality stars have passed away in the past few years, but here are nine of the most tragic deaths:

    1. Shain Gandee, 'Buckwild'
    MTV suspended production of the reality series hours after the body of its 21-year-old star was found, along with his uncle and another man, in his truck in Sissonville, W.Va, April 1. The men died from carbon monoxide poisoning when the Ford Bronco's exhaust pipe became submerged in mud during an off-roading excursion. Gandee and many of his spirited co-stars were filmed "mudding" -- racing and spinning their four-wheelers in the mud -- during the first season of the controversial series, decried by some critics as the "Redneck Jersey Shore."

    2. Russell Armstrong, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills'
    Star Taylor Armstrong discovered the body of her estranged husband, 47, hanging in the bedroom of his Los Angeles home Aug. 15, 2011 -- weeks before the Bravo series' second-season premiere. The couple's marital problems -- including allegations that Armstrong assaulted his wife -- featured prominently in the series.


    3. Mindy McCready, 'Celebrity Rehab'
    The troubled country-music singer, who committed suicide in early 2013, became the fifth cast member to die after participating in Dr. Drew Pinsky's VH1 series. But Pinsky, an addiction specialist, said the show is not to blame for the deaths of McCready, Rodney King, Jeff Conaway, Mike Starr and Joey Kovar. "These diseases -- advanced addictions -- have the same prognosis as cancer," he said on "The View." "If you don't participate in treatment in an ongoing fashion, the prognosis is really bad." 

    4. Joey Kovar, 'The Real World: Hollywood'
    The 29-year-old bodybuilder (who also appeared on "Celebrity Rehab") was found dead of a suspected drug overdose in August 2012. He memorably left the 20th season of MTV's reality hit in the middle of filming to enter a 30-day treatment program for substance abuse and alcoholism.

    5. Steve Irwin, 'Crocodile Hunter'
    The beloved Australian wildlife expert was fatally wounded in 2006 while swimming with a stingray during filming in the Great Barrier Reef for another TV show. After the creature pierced him in the chest with its barbed spine, the 44-year-old Australian icon was pronounced dead at the scene.

    6. Phil Harris, 'Deadliest Catch'
    The 53-year-old salty sea captain suffered a massive stroke aboard his boat, the Cornelia Marie, Jan. 29, 2010, and died on Feb. 9. The Discovery Channel's hit series, which followed the dangerous exploits of crab fishermen, chronicled Harris' last days during its sixth season. The show suffered a second loss a year later when the body of deckhand Justin Tennison, 34, was found in his Alaska hotel room.

    7. Rachel Brown, 'Hell's Kitchen'
    The 41-year-old aspiring chef died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in 2007 after appearing on the second season of Gordon Ramsay's cooking contest. Three years later, Joseph Cerniglia, 39, who appeared on the harshly critical celebrity chef's "Kitchen Nightmares," leapt to his death from New York City's George Washington Bridge.

    8. Paula Goodspeed, 'American Idol'
    The Paula Abdul fan, who performed during "Idol's" Texas auditions in 2005, was found dead in her car from a suspected drug overdose near Abdul's home in November 2008. Goodspeed had legally changed her first name as a tribute to the judge. In addition to personalized license plates reading "ABL LV," a photo of Abdul was found hanging from her car's rearview mirror.

    9. Anna Nicole Smith, 'The Anna Nicole Show'
    The former Playboy Playmate and octogenarian billionaire's widow died at age 39 on Feb. 8, 2007, from a prescription drug overdose. Just five months earlier, her 20-year-old son, Daniel, died from an accidental overdose -- just days after Smith gave birth to daughter Dannielynn. Her E! reality series, which aired for two seasons in 2002-2003, also featured her attorney boyfriend Howard K. Stern, who lost a paternity dispute with Larry Birkhead over Dannielynn and was prosecuted for conspiracy in obtaining illegal prescriptions for Smith. (His conviction was overturned.)

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  • French 'Survivor' contestant dies while on show

    By Rhonda Richford, The Hollywood Reporter

    Production on "Koh-Lanta," the French adaptation of "Survivor," has been stopped and the series canceled for the 2013 season following the death of a contestant during filming in Cambodia.

    Channel TF1 and production company Adventure Line Productions jointly made the decision to cancel the season. "It is not really a question,” said TF1 spokesman Alexander Petit following the death of Gerald Babin, 25. “Everyone is being flown back to France.”

    No decision has been made about the long-term continuation of the series.


    Gerald Babin died Friday after suffering cardiac arrest during the first day of filming. After the group jumped from a boat and participated in a tug of war, Babin complained of cramps in his arms and was given medical attention at the scene by the staff doctor before being airlifted by helicopter to a nearby hospital. He suffered a series of cardiac arrests during the transfer before reaching the facility, the companies said.

    “Adventure Line Productions, TF1 and [host] Denis Broginart are devastated and join in the profound sadness of Gerald’s family,” the channel said in a statement.  TF1 has flown Babin’s family to Cambodia to recover his body. 

    VIDEO: 'Survivor: Caramoan': Fan Laura on Being Blindsided by Her Alliance

    ALP said that all candidates had received extensive medical examinations and testing as part of the selection process. 

    The French version of Survivor has been a consistent hit for channel TF1, with a high of 8 million viewers and a 40 percent share in the 2007 season and an average of 7.4 million viewers and a 29.9 percent share in the 2012 season. Ad rates for the finale were $117,000 (€90,000) for a 30-second spot. After The Voice, the show is the biggest hit on TF1 and considered the flagship of the channel. Since its debut in 2001, TF1 has aired 12 series and two special “all star” editions.

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  • Is 'Survivor: Caramoan' better or worse without Brandon Hantz?

    Monty Brinton/CBS

    The new "Bold and Beautiful" Gota tribe.

    By Drusilla Moorhouse, TODAY contributor

    After Brandon Hantz's explosive exit from "Survivor: Caramoan" last week, it seemed like this "Fans vs. Favorites" edition of the reality granddaddy had nowhere to go but up.

    Instead: Zzzzz.

    Don't misunderstand: Brandon's brand of crazy was painful to watch. Possibly the only viewers who found his meltdown even remotely entertaining were Brandon and the rest of Hantz clan.

    Unfortunately, instead of really exploring the repercussions of his violent exodus and the advantages it gave the Favorites tribe, "Survivor" responded with a diversionary tactic: a tribe reshuffle.

    As the groups reconvened to compete in the same challenge that Brandon's premature boot made unnecessary, Jeff Probst announced the end of Fans vs. Favorites. Through a random selection, the tribes regrouped into the most lopsided contest since "Survivor: Fiji's" Haves vs. Have-Nots.


    Bikal reinvented itself as the Mostly Misfits, led by the wildly delusional Phillip: Corrine, Cochran, Dawn, Julia, Michael and Matt (RIP).

    Gota, on the other hand, formed Tribe Bold and the Beautiful (moniker courtesy of Lunch Table Eddie, who must have been insufferable in high school). Although anchored by powerhouses Malcolm and Reynold, the remaining new tribemates -- Eddie, Erik, Brenda, Andrea and Sherri -- are all athletic competitors who have proven themselves in the challenges.

    Inevitably, Gota railroaded Bikal for an easy immunity win -- a trend likely to continue unless we quickly see a merge, another reshuffle or the challenges consist solely of Sudoku and acrostic puzzles.

    If not, the terrible aftermath of Brandon's exit might have doomed this season of "Survivor" for one team -- and for viewers.

    What do you think? Is "Survivor" better or worse now that Brandon Hantz is out of the game? Sound off on our Facebook page!

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  • Brandon Hantz launches into epic meltdown on 'Survivor: Caramoan'

    By Drusilla Moorhouse, TODAY contributor

    Monty Brinton/CBS

    Jeff Probst and Brandon Hantz.

    Former "Survivor: Caramoan" contestant Brandon Hantz may be unstable and volatile, but he's also predictable.

    Sabotaging his tribe was something he considered well before the game began, telling reporters about his plans to one-up his infamous uncle Russell Hantz's sock burning by messing with his fellow castaways' food supply.

    Maybe everyone should be grateful his outburst was limited to dumping out his fellow Favorites' rice and beans? After all, he also threatened to burn down their shelter several episodes ago.

    At first, no one really took his threats that seriously. Sure, his volatility and wild mood swings were a concern, but his tribemates were initially most concerned about how it would affect the competition and camp morale. By the end of Wednesday's episode, some might have worried about their own safety.

    At the beginning of this week's episode, he told his tribe he wanted to quit the game and volunteered to be voted out at the next Tribal Council because he desperately missed his wife and "two precious babies."

    But the next morning, he predictably changed his mind: He wanted to stay to do right by his family.

    Unfortunately, instead of celebrating his tribe's Reward Challenge prize, he became upset when Phillip took credit for the win. (In fact, both of them did an amazing job, but Brandon, targeted first by his opponents, let go of his ever-growing net of coconuts while Phillip held on for the win.)

    As Malcolm pointed out, "Phillip caught Brandon in one of his downward (mood) swings" when the younger man-child confronted the Specialist about his dictatorship.

    When Brandon got wind of Phillip's proposal to throw the Immunity Challenge to rid the tribe of Brandon's toxicity, he finally let loose. "Here's a reason to vote me out," he said as he scattered his horrified tribemates' food supply across the beach.


    Only the Fans tribe was surprised that the Immunity Challenge would never take place. Instead, Jeff Probst gave Brandon permission to address his tribe, wisely asking the angry young man to stand beside him on the "neutral" mat.

    While Jeff simultaneously restrained him and massaged his shoulders, Brandon unleashed his fury on his tribe and Phillip. For a terrifying moment -- when Phillip mentioned his children -- it seemed like Jeff's gentle touch would not be enough to prevent Brandon from physically attacking his opponent.

    In the end, Jeff might have just earned another Emmy by instructing the Favorites to vote on the spot rather than waiting for Tribal Council. Unsurprisingly, Bikal's decision to send home Brandon was unanimous (Brandon of course voted for Phillip), and he walked away without a ceremonial torch-snuffing.

    It was an agonizing episode to watch, with only Reynold's wide-eyed, slack-jawed reaction providing the only comic relief. (If Reynold is voted out -- which may not happen, considering he found the second Immunity Idol hours after playing the first one -- he might be the game's most entertaining jury member.)

    As for Brandon, he's responsible for one of the darkest chapters in "Survivor" history.

    What did you think of the outrageous action? Sound off on our Facebook page!

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  • 'Survivor' hero quitting the game? Yes! Er, no. Maybe later

    Monty Brinton / CBS

    Shamar.

    By Drusilla Moorhouse, TODAY contributor

    Have the Fans of "Survivor: Caramoan" actually watched the show before? Just days into season 26, the fab four are failing arithmetic and Shamar is thinking of quitting the game.

    After their first Tribal Council, Reynold is reeling from the "revenge of the nerds," who voted out his snuggle bunny Allie.  It suddenly dawns on him, Eddie and Hope that their alliance is a "vast minority." (Maybe these kids were too busy admiring themselves during math class, but four versus six was a significant minority from the outset.)

    Meanwhile, Shamar is lunging around camp like an injured Godzilla, breathing fire at everyone and making absolutely no sense. Everyone is appalled except businesswoman Sherri, whose entire staff at home consists of Shamars: "All I do is deal with snotty teenage brats all day."

    Shamar then starts threatening to quit the game, revealing that after his first tour in Iraq he suffered from alcoholism and "anger issues." But it's his genuine belief that he's "trying to uplift everybody" that makes us wonder how he ever passed his CBS psych eval.

    Just as we're tasting bile at the thought of another NaOnka and Purple Kelly desertion, Shamar agrees to stay a few more days out of loyalty to Sherri, Laura & Co.


    "He made himself a hero for unquitting the game of 'Survivor,'" said Reynold. Bravo!

    Over at Bikal, Phillip is channeling his inner Richard Simmons, while Corrine and Malcolm team up to look for the Hidden Immunity Idol. He finds it in about five seconds, they do a celebratory Snoopy dance/pinky pact, and bury it in another spot. (He doesn't tell Corrine that he was burned by Laundry Lady Lisa.)

    Andrea, who is playing this game harder than anyone, notices that Corrine and Mal are "intensely talking" and tries to sway Cochran and Phillip to swap out Corrine's spot with Brandon and oust the "Gabon" vet instead. Fortunately for Corrine, the Favorites win both immunity and reward (including chairs, pillows, blankets and a tarp).

    It's another spectacular challenge, proving that "Survivor" should never, ever have another landlubber season.

    Although Laura flounders during the swim, it's a tight race. Both tribes, even at 9-9, must swim to a cage, climb it and jump into water, release and drag a submerged chest to shore, and then push it to a platform after assembling a series of tracks obtained via grappling hook.

    While Eddie struggles, Brandon nails the last hook for Favorites victory.

    Monty Brinton/CBS

    Shamar continues his unique version of "uplifting" the tribe, calling Reynold "disgusting" and revealing to Hope the majority's plan to split the vote between her and Eddie. She shares his revelation with Julia, who for a hot minute considers aligning with the Pretty People to vote out the insufferable Marine.

    At Tribal Council, Shamar continues his Pity Party of One, accusing everyone of lying -- including the guys on his "No-Talking List" -- and throwing him under the bus. (Where, in fact, he really threw himself. He's much too huge for anyone else to toss him into traffic.)

    With Reynold again holding onto his immunity idol, Eddie, Hope and Shamar are tied with three votes apiece. As planned, Shamar, Michael and Matt switch their votes to Hope, and her torch is summarily snuffed.  

    Eddie and Reynold's lunch table is sure getting lonely. Aw.

    Did Gota do the right thing, or should they have taken out their loose cannon before he quits them? Tell us on our Facebook page!

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  • 'Survivor: Caramoan' alliance devastated by early blindside

    Monty Brinton/CBS

    Sherri Biethman, Reynold Toepfer, Edward "Eddie" Fox and Hope Driskill of the Gota tribe.

    By Drusilla Moorhouse, TODAY contributor

    Is it too soon in our relationship to say "I love you" to "Survivor: Caramoan"? Its second installment was even more amazing than the premiere, with a thrilling Tribal Council, an epic blindside and all manner of crazy courtesy of Brandon Hantz, Shamar and Phillip.  Also: Hello, Hidden Immunity Idol!

    First congratulations are in order: Dawn made it all the way to episode two before bursting into tears! With Brandon yelling "explicatives" (see: "The Specialist's Guide to Malapropism"), we might turn on the waterworks too.  

    L'il Hantz, you see, is "feeling revengeful" after finding himself outside The Specialist's alliance of six. With madness in his eyes, he says he plans to go "Russell Hantz-style" on his tribe and feels his "uncle's blood coursing through" him, driving him to play "dir-ty to the core."

    But overnight, Brandon manages to exorcise his uncle's evil spirit, with the 180 flip frightening Cochran.

    "He has these moments of extreme rage and they're almost immediately followed by unbelievable pleasantness --  the sort of behavior befitting a murderer who is sociopathic," notes the candidate for SPF 1,500.

    But Brandon's mood sours again after being rebuffed by Special Agent Pink Panther, who calls him a "narcist." (He may garble his diagnosis, but at least the Specialist pronounced his name correctly. "Coreen" wasn't so lucky.)

    At Camp Gota, the fans are exasperated by Shamar's indolence. With ominous foreshadowing, Allie says if they go to Tribal Council, voting out the Marine sergeant is "non-negotiable."

    Sherri, however, encourages Shamar to keep up the aggro, welcoming him into her alliance with Julia, Laura, Michael and Matt. "Shamar is my Phillip," she crows, "but I get along with my Phillip."

    Too bad the rest of her Gota tribe couldn't get along at the challenge for both immunity and reward (a fishing kit).


    Owing to their teamwork and smart division of labor, the Favorites took a huge lead in the three-part contest. The favorites retrieved all nine of their submerged rings and had them ashore while Sherri, Hope and Julia has only released two.

    But Reynold nearly overcame their deficit in the final ring toss. While Malcolm landed two, The Specialist earned the win -- and more PSI in his already overinflated ego.

    The Stealth R Us CEO celebrated their victory by awarding more nicknames -- the Enforcer for Malcolm and True Grit for Dawn -- and then performing a terrifying dance.

    Gota weren't dancing or  celebrating, unless you count Vote for Shamar Day. Reynold called out Sgt. Boo Boo the Fool  for his "unacceptable" behavior, and the Foxy Four expected that his ouster would be unanimous.

    Actually Matt was on the fence (it was not love at first sight between the pogonophile and the Iraq War vet), and makes a case for voting out Shamar so that the Cool Kids wouldn't feel betrayed.

    Cut to Reynold, who also must be channeling Russell Hantz, because he finds the Hidden Immunity Idol after a brief search of likely hiding places. He's better at finding than concealing, however, and Laura spots the tell-tale bulge in his pocket -- just as the group is departing for their rendezvous with Jeff Probst.

    Will she follow the lead of the "Survivor: Philippines" truth vomiters and spill all at Tribal? Our hearts were racing with anticipation while Reynold and Eddie vented about Shamar.  

    But if Matt and Mike really considered voting out the big man, they changed their minds when Laura revealed what she witnessed.

    Obviously Probst is dousing his council members with sodium pentothal, because Reynold immediately fessed up to his "pocketful of Kryptonite" -- and announced that he'd play it immediately.

    But he didn't play it at all, and he was crushed when Allie, his snuggle bunny, was voted out 6-4. Eddie's slack-jawed shock is priceless. Aw, the purty people has the sads!  

    Next time, on "Survivor": More Shamantics from the 300-pound sloth, and Brandon threatens to burn down the shelter and pee in the rice and beans. Hey, it could be worse.

    What do you think of the drama so far this season? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

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  • 'Survivor's' Lisa Whelchel tweets diagnosis of West Nile virus

    CBS

    Lisa Whelchel.

    By Randee Dawn, TODAY contributor

    She's still out there fighting (and scheming) on "Survivor: Philippines," but former "Facts of Life" star Lisa Whelchel recently tweeted that she's got a different sort of battle on her hands now: West Nile virus.

    Whelchel's "Survivor" stint is still airing on CBS, but she's been home for some time, having taped those episodes this spring. As Andy Dehnart of "Reality Blurred" noted, WebMD indicates that symptoms for West Nile occur within 14 days after being bitten by a mosquito, so it is unlikely that she contracted the virus during the course of the show.

    According to researchers, West Nile is a virus transmitted after a mosquito bites an infected bird, then bites a human. It can weaken the immune system and symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, sore throat and rash. More severe versions can lead to a change in ability to think clearly and coma, according to the National Institute of Health's PubMed Health site.


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  • Listen to 'Survivor's' Jeff Probst sing about his new talk show

    CBS Television Distribution

    Jeff Probst.

    By Ree Hines, TODAY contributor

    Jeff Probst is a man of many talents. In addition to snuffing out torches on "Survivor" for the last 24 seasons, he recently launched his own daytime talk show. And in a sneak peek for an upcoming episode of the "The Jeff Probst Show," he shows off yet another talent.

    As it turns out, the man can sing.

    With piano phenom Derek Amato on keys, Probst improvised lyrics -- all about his latest endeavor -- to go along with Amato's on-the-fly tune.

    "There's a brand new thing called the 'Jeff Probst Show,' " the host belted out. "If you haven't seen it yet, baby, mmm, you're out of the know."

    Check out the clip Probst's already calls "one of (his) favorite moments on the show."

    See what else Amato and Probst get up to when the episode airs Oct. 4.

    "The Jeff Probst Show" airs weekdays. Check local listings for time and channel.


    What do you think of the host's singing voice? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

     

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  • 'Survivor's' Lisa Whelchel divorced from husband of 24 years

    Monty Brinton / CBS

    Lisa Whelchel.

    By Natalie Finn, E! Online

    Lisa Whelchel is a survivor, no matter what happens on "Survivor: Philippines." 

    The former "Facts of Life" star turned reality-TV castaway divorced her husband of 24 years earlier this year, but they remain good friends, E! News confirmed Thursday.

    "Facts of Life" alum Geri Jewell came out as a lesbian last year

    "The divorce was final on March 1, and (I) went out to be on 'Survivor' on March 10," Whelchel told People about the split. "Going out to 'Survivor' was helpful for me, to divert my attention and not just dwell on the loss.... It was painful to realize that it wasn't going to work out."

    Whelchel, 49, and her pastor ex, Steve Cauble, 61, have three grown kids together -- and they all gathered to watch the "Survivor" season premiere Wednesday night, she said. 

    It's a fact of life: Lots of celebrity couples don't last

    Happily, Whelchel's Tandang tribe was totally safe!

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  • 'Survivor: Philippines' premiere packs alliances, injuries and backfired plans

    By Bruna Nessif, E! Online

    Monty Brinton/CBS

    The "Survivor: Philippines" premiere packed plenty of drama.

    Welcome back to the island, "Survivor" fans! (Cue crazy wilderness sounds.) The CBS reality series premiered Wednesday night, set in the Philippines. Viewers got introduced to the number of, um, interesting players--including veterans Russell Swan ("Samoa"), Jonathan Penner ("Fans vs. Favorites") and Michael Skupin ("Australia") -- which should promise an entertaining 25th season.

    The three tribes started their adventure by quickly grabbing whatever supplies they could get their hands on before having to jet off the boat and onto their rafts.

    Meet the cast of Survivor 25

    Matsing Tribe: Russell vowed he did not want to take any type of leadership role this time around, but it must just be in him, because he was acting like the head honcho, anyway. You can't get too mad at him, though, he helped start a fire right away. Meanwhile, Denise Stapley, a licensed sex therapist, became eager to know more about Zane Knight, a tatted up guy who "looked like trouble."

    Whether or not he's trouble, Zane's definitely smart by forming an alliance with everyone on the team. As for that bartender from Georgia, Malcolm Freberg -- hot!

    While cooking some rice, Russell came across a clue for the hidden Immunity Idol. Zane was on to him and asked him about it, but of course, Russell lied.

    All the Emmy news you need in one spot

    Kalabaw Tribe: People instantly started plotting on how to get returning player Jonathan out of the game. Retired baseball player, Jeff Kent (who was battling a possible knee injury already) hoped to maintain his career as a professional athlete under wraps, but someone paid attention to the MLB, and knew who he was. Sarah Dawson would be keeping that to herself, though, until it became of value to her.

    Jonathan must know something's up, because the whole day he wandered off alone looking for the Immunity Idol, and to our surprise, he actually found the clue in the rice.

    Check out our Emmy predictions!

    Tandang Tribe: Abi-Maria Gomes and Roberta "R.C." Saint-Amour became BFFs right off the raft, and decided to start forming an alliance with young but "dumb" in their minds, Pete Yurkowski and veteran Michael. They didn't want the "old lady," on the tribe, who happened to be Lisa Whelchel aka Blair from "Facts of Life." Michael recognized her right away, but she told him that her child star past would probably hurt her in the game, so she's not saying anything.


    Michael may have the experience, but he is also accident-prone. Already, he gave himself cuts on the foot, fingers and head.

    Challenge: Each team was split into pairs. The first pair would have to race into the jungle while connected to their partner and climb up a cargo net to retrieve paddles that they handed off to the next pair, who would canoe out to a safe in the ocean that they had to bring back to the beach, so that the last pair could solve the puzzle inside to win.

    Have you seen this exclusive sneak peek from Glee?!

    Starting off last, Kalabaw shocked everyone by winning first, giving them immunity and a fire-starting kit. Tandang, who had the lead, got second, also getting immunity and flint. Unfortunately, Matsing had to go to Tribal Counsel.

    Tribal Counsel: Zane threw himself on the chopping block, which seemed strange, but it was all part of a tactic. He explained that he wanted to feel out his tribe and see if everyone would still love him enough to keep him and vote out Russell. It seemed to be working. Everyone begged Zane to stay.

    And then you remember that everyone lies in this game, because Zane got voted off.

    What do you think of the new contestants? Any early favorites or villains? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

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  • Jeff Probst ready to prove his daytime talk show is a survivor

    By Ree Hines, TODAY contributor

    After spending much of the last 12 years traveling the world and putting out torches on "Survivor," Emmy-winning host Jeff Probst is hoping to make his mark outside of the realm of reality TV with his very own daytime talk show.

    During a Thursday morning visit to TODAY, Probst revealed why he's making the move and just what he has to offer to the already crowded talk TV market.

    "When I got married and then became part of this family with these two kids that were calling me Dad, it all shifted, and I started realizing, 'Ah, I think I have something to connect with now,'" he said of his motivation.

    Of course, just having a talk show isn't enough to guarantee viewers -- even for a hosting pro like Probst. With new daytime talkers around the corner from Katie Couric, Steve Harvey, Ricki Lake and Marie Osmond, he needs a hook to draw eyes to his effort. For "The Jeff Probst Show," that hook is short stories for short attention spans.

    "I realized doing daytime that I have a very short attention span, so the show is really designed to check in on short stories every day that are all united by a theme," Probst explained. "It can be on the nose, it can be inspiring women working in television, or it could be stories having to do with banks -- a bank robber, a bank teller and a piggy bank. It's just three different types of stories relating to interesting, entertaining people. And then we have a couple of other segments on the show -- guys on the couch and some other stuff. "


    And he'll have a familiar face to turn to from time to time.

    "I've got my wife," he added. "She's working on the show as well. She'll pop in every so often and check me and tell me when I'm doing it right and when I'm doing it wrong."

    If "Survivor" fans worry Probst might be doing something wrong by moving to daytime in the first place, fear not. He plans to juggle both jobs. In fact, shortly after his talk effort launches, the next season of the reality TV competition will kick off.

    "'Survivor' premieres on (Sept. 19), the 25th season -- it is crazy," the tribal council vet announced. "I'm telling you, this next season, it's as good as anything we've ever done. I feel as good about it as ever."

    As for "The Jeff Probst Show," it premieres Monday, Sept. 10. Check your local listings for time and channel.

    Do you think Jeff Probst will be able to turn his "Survivor" success into talk show triumph? Will you tune in to "The Jeff Probst Show"? Tell us on our Facebook page.

     

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