Survivor China: The castaways and the tribes

While I see that others here in the TV Squad offices have their Early Looks screeners, I chose to review two shows which haven't issued advance copies of the premieres -- Kid Nation and Survivor: China. So I couldn't take the easy route. I had to do research; woe is me. Indeed.

The season premiere is this Thursday at 8 PM ET/PT in most viewing areas. But here I am without a real preview, so I'll dance around a bit. Or, better yet, I've read through all the content at the CBS website, watched all the videos on site, and I come to you with the tribes and my quick take on the castaways. The latter could be very off and I reserve the right to change my mind if my early favorites aren't what they seem on first impression.

I made my could-be-wrong first impressions by using the CBS website, but it was TVGuide.com where I got the skinny on the tribes. They give Jeff Probst's thoughts on the castaways; I'll give you mine. After all, I picked Richard Hatch as the winner of the first season during the first episode! (I won't mention all of the seasons I've been wrong, but I'm writing this -- Jeff Probst isn't!) And, I'd like to hear if you have any early favorites coming out of the gate ... or, more appropriately, dumped off the ship.

Zhan Hu Tribe

1. Peih-Gee Law - 29 years old, ex-music video dancer turned jeweler in family business. My first impression: I think she's going to be the all-around strongest woman on the show. She's athletic, well-traveled, intelligent, and has made personal roughing it sort of adventures on her own. If she doesn't alienate others, she'll go far.
2. Dave Cruser - 37 years old, former model currently into bartending and construction. My first impression: When I saw his work history, I thought "typical reality show contestant." But then, upon reading his bio and watching his video, I'm impressed! I think he should do well and he's going to be very entertaining. He also boasts woodsy-like experiences.
3. Erik Huffman - 26 years old, model and musician. My first impression: He's good-looking and he knows it. Now, I have nothing against eye-candy, but I'm leery of those who think they are such. He's a Christian, but seems to have a bad boy edge to him. I think he'll rub the others wrong by coming across as arrogant, could be perceived as a threat, and won't make it past mid-pack.
4. Ashley Massaro - 28 years old and she's a WWE wrestler. My first impression: Eek. Sure, she's going to be tough in the physical aspects of Survivor, but I think she's really going to have problems getting along with the others. Out before the merge, I say!
5. Frosti Zernow - 20 years old, Parkour athlete and college student. My first impression: I'd love to hear how he got on a show where the minimum age is 21. He turns 21 in February, 2008. Getting beyond that, this Parkour athlete stuff is amazing -- it's sort of the ability to do acrobatic/gymnastic moves by bouncing off of or using objects in the environment. If he gets off the "I'm the youngest ever" kick, he'll do very well. I definitely think he'll make it beyond the merge.
6. Sherea Lloyd - 26 years old, elementary school teacher. My first impression: Alas, I think she's too nice of a person to succeed in a show where devious ways often play a role in getting to the end. I hope she proves me wrong or her fellow castaways don't think she's a threat because I think I'd like her as a person. She'll either fly under the radar into after the merge or the sharks will eat her early on.
7. Jaime Dugan - 22 years old, a college student. My first impression: She'll be eye candy for the male viewers, but she turned me right off by going on about women being catty about her. Meow! I don't like her attitude and ... hey, let her prove me wrong, but I don't think she'll get anywhere near the merge. Well, unless she flirts her way there. Meow.
8. Chicken Morris - 47 years old, he's a chicken farmer whose real first name is Steve. My first impression: He'll be a character reminiscent of Big Tom, but smaller. I think he'll be amusing to watch, but he could be a chicken out of the coop flying with the eagles ... or something to that effect. I believe I'm really going to like him, but don't see him making it to the end with stronger competitors all around him.

Fei Long Tribe

1. Aaron Reisberger - 32 years old, surfing instructor and ex-bartender. My first impression: Here's another one going on about how good-looking and "hunky" he is. Meow! He thinks a flaw is that he's just too nice, yet plans to play everyone. He succeeded in kind of creeping me out, not to the extent of "Boston" James, but nonetheless. He might be a strong competitor, but I don't want him to win. (Meow)
2. Courtney Yates - 26 years old, waitress near Union Square, Manhattan. My first impression: Like, dudes, we're talkin' East Village or, like maybe Lower East Side, like, anti-diva here with Gwen Stefani hair. She could survive Washington Square Park, but I don't think she'll fare all that well on Survivor: China. She'll be amusing to watch, but I don't think she'll make it to the merge.
3. Amanda Kimmel - 23 years old and she's a hiking guide. My first impression: I think she's going to be a strong competitor and one of the more all-around (including people skills) women this season. She's also a huge fan of the show and has studied all 15 seasons. I think she could make it well beyond the merge.
4. Jean-Robert Bellande - 36 years old and we have a professional poker player on the cast. My first impression: Although he says he's out of shape and won't do well in the physical aspects, I find him very intriguing. He plans to play the show like it's a poker tournament. In a way, I'm getting some Richard Hatch strategic moves from season one sort of feelings about him. If he can make it through the physical bits, I think he's the player to watch. I call final four and possibly the winner of it all. Mind you, I could be very wrong here.
5. Leslie Nease - 38 years old and she's a Christian radio host. My first impression: She's applied to be on the show 10 times. What's wrong with this picture? She thinks niceness may shed a light in her game and that the force of faith is with her. Um, okay. If memory serves, Vecepia was the only one who touted her faith and went far. Feel free to prove me wrong, Leslie, but unless you fly under the radar you'll be gone by merge time.
6. Denise Martin - 40 years old and a school lunchlady. My first impression: What a mullet! Although she's the only one who made me chuckle while watching her video, I'm not sure how well she'll do. How'd she make me laugh? "When my hair grows too long, it hurts!" Maybe you had to be there, huh? Anyway, I feel if she can make it through the physical aspects and doesn't try to boss others, she could make it to well past the merge.
7. Todd Herzog - 22 years old and a flight attendant. My first impression: Holy Osmonds, Batman! He's an openly gay Mormon! While he thinks he's amazing, fantastic, awesome and so much more ... I think he's so not a contender even though he's wanted to be on it for years. May he go away soon even though he might be amusing to watch.
8. James Clement - 30 years old, he's a gravedigger and nightclub security. My first impression: This guy is HUGE. I like him and would like to see him go far. My two concerns would be others seeing him as a threat due to his size and weakening without food. I don't think he'll make it to the end, but I want to see him go for it!

Each castaway will be given a copy of The Art of War -- Sun Tzu's sixth-century B.C. treatise on military strategy. According to Jeff Probst, the book will play a role throughout the season as it deals with leadership and how you defeat the other tribe or opponent. Exile Island will be used in a different way and once again there will be hidden Immunity Idol(s). I think we have a very interesting season ahead of us, don't you?