Survivor Samoa

Survivor Samoa is the nineteenth installment of the very successful Survivor franchise. This CBS reality TV show is considered the "granddaddy of reality television," as it's the show that pioneered the way for future reality programs on the major networks.

Survivor Samoa takes place in the South Pacific

This season of Survivor was filmed on West Samoa, an island in the South Pacific. Weather conditions there can be harsh, including torrential rain and intense heat. The weather and overall conditions on the island were responsible for the medical evacuation of at least one contestant on the show.

In episode two, Mike Borassi was removed from the game due to dizzy spells brought on by high blood pressure. The Survivor medical team believed that Borassi risked a heart attack if he stayed in the game.

Survivor Samoa follows the traditional format of two tribes, reward and immunity challenges, and a tribal council at the end of each episode, in which one person is voted out of the game.

Survivor Samoa starts out with twenty castaways, including:

• Ashley Trainer – 22, Spa Salesperson, from Maple Grove, Minnesota
• Ben Browning – 28, Mixologist, from Los Angeles, California
• Betsy Bolan – 48, Police Officer, from Campton, New Hampshire
• Brett Clouser – 23, T-shirt Designer, from Los Angeles, California
• "Danger" Dave Ball – 38, Fitness Instructor, from Los Angeles, California
• Elizabeth Kim – 33, Attorney, from New York City, New York
• Erik Cardona – 28, Bartender, from Ontario, California
• Jaison Robinson – 28, Law Student, from Chicago, Illinois
• John Fincher – 25, Rocket Scientist, from Los Angeles, California
• Kelly Sharbaugh – 25, Hairstylist, from San Diego, California
• Laura Morett – 39, Office Manager, from Salem, Oregon
• Marisa Callihan – 26, Student, from Cincinnati, Ohio
• Mick Trimming – 33, Doctor, from Los Angeles, California
• Mike Borassi – 62, Personal Chef, from Marina Del Ray, California
• Monica Padilla – 25, Law Student, from San Diego, California
• Natalie White – 26, Pharmaceutical Rep, from Van Buren, Arkansas
• Russell Hantz – 36, Oil Company Owner, from Dayton, Texas
• Russell Swan – 42, Attorney, from Glenside, Philadelphia
• Shannon "Shambo" Waters – 45, Sales Rep, from Renton, Washington
• Yasmin Giles – 33, Hairstylist, from Los Angeles, California

Russell Hantz has been labeled the biggest villain in the history of the show. With competition such as Richard Hatch and Jonny Fairplay, it's clear that Russell must be extremely devious to warrant such a label.

Russell's strategy involves making everyone around him miserable. From instigating fights to burning Jaison's socks while he sleeps, Russell kicked off his game by creating havoc and trouble, while trying to build alliances with all of the females on his tribe.

To kick off the season, the castaways of Survivor Samoa were divided into two tribes of ten, which were predetermined before they arrived on the island. Without having spoken to each other, the tribes were then asked to choose a leader.

As a result of this blind vote, the Foa Foa tribe, which wears yellow buffs, is led by Mick Trimming. The Galu tribe, in purple, selected Russell Swan as their leader.

There was a hidden immunity idol at each tribe's camp, and in an interesting turn of events, Russell Hantz discovered the location of the Foa Foa idol without any clues. Knowing that this hidden idol has been placed at camp for the past several seasons, Russell set out on a search. This search ultimately led him to the location of the idol, which was hidden inside the trunk of a hollow tree. This was a first for the show, as no castaway has ever discovered the idol without clues, either intentionally or by accident.

In another first for Survivor, contestant Ben Browning was thrown out of an immunity challenge, leaving his tribe at a disadvantage. The challenge involved lots of physical contact, but Ben took things too far when he intentionally sideswiped a castaway from the other tribe.

To learn more about the show, watch full episodes, and read blogs written by former Survivors, visit the official Survivor Samoa website at CBS.com.

• Kelly Osbourne Pics
• Kourtney Kardashian Pics
• Lauren Conrad Pics

• What Couples are Still Together from The Bachelor
• Rock of Love Bus
• CBS Survivor Application
• Kate Gosselin
• Jon and Kate Plus Eight