Category: reality tv

Stephen Fishbach
Age: 29
Hometown: New York, NY
Occupation: Corporate Consultant

CBS Bio
Stephen Fishbach believes he’s a cutthroat player who can manipulate his way to SURVIVOR success, though you couldn’t tell that by looking at his non-threatening appearance. The first one to tell you he resembles a Muppet, Stephen plans to sidetrack his competition with his goofy charm and quirky sense of humor.

Aided by his quick wit and prankster personality, this Internet marketing director could very well be a major player behind the scenes. A Yale graduate, Stephen certainly has the right mix of brains and charisma to disarm his fellow castaways. This New Yorker believes people will be inclined to trust him but claims “that would be their mistake, because then I strike!”

Described by his friends as wild, smart and ambitious, Stephen’s biggest pet peeve is when somebody is “overconfident or cocky.” He plans to use that type of person to his advantage by forming a bond and then subtly prompting them to carry out his decisions. A strategist, Stephen prides himself on being able to pretend to agree with someone’s idea while replacing it with his own.

In his free time, Stephen keeps himself active and fit by boxing and lifting weights. He also takes part in urban combat activities, namely the Idiotarod, which he describes as a great event where “five idiots drag a shopping cart from Brooklyn to Manhattan.” Among his reasons for why he believes he will excel at SURVIVOR, Stephen lists “he’s strategic and devious.”

Stephen is single and currently resides in New York, N.Y. His birth date is January 24.

Spencer Duhm
Age: 19
Hometown: Lakeland, FL
Occupation: Student

CBS Bio
Soon to see his teenage years in the rear-view mirror, Spencer Duhm is ready to look forward to the journey ahead of him. A fan of SURVIVOR since day one, which began when he was still in grade school, Spencer can practically do a Castaway roll-call all the way from SURVIVOR: Borneo. His fanaticism will give him a built-in edge that can make a direct contribution to how far he goes in this game.

Born and raised in Lakeland, Florida and currently a student at the University of Florida, Spencer majors in telecommunications and minors in business and European union studies. Aside from being the recruitment chair for his UF crew team, where he also rows competitively, Spencer is a huge sports fan. Involved in myriad athletic activities since age 7, Spencer has developed a strong competitive streak and determination to achieve success. Rooting for his college Gators or beloved Cubs familiarized him with all of the peaks and valleys associated with being a contender, which may help him navigate the ups and downs associated with castaway life.

With a resume like his, it’s no surprise that this self-professed lover of “water cooler gossip” can’t stand slow-talkers or laziness and is very ambitious and very outgoing. He is even willing to face his fear of heights for one million dollars but there is one fear that he refuses to face. When asked what he would not do for a million dollars he responded, “Snakes in general, I just don’t do snakes.” This young, goal-oriented man has been presented with his childhood dream of competing on his favorite reality show and truly feels that he has what it takes to become the next sole SURVIVOR .

Spencer is a gay, single man and currently resides in Gainesville, Fla. His birthday is December 20.

Sierra Reed
Age: 23
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: Model

CBS Bio
Sierra Reed wants to make it clear right off the bat that she has the ability to find her place in any situation, anywhere in the world, through her perseverance and strength. Despite the fact that she is strong-willed and determined, she is one who will wear her heart on her sleeve. Not intimidated by age, (“I’m 25 and if you’re 45 that’s great, but if we have differences, I’m going to let you know”), Reed will speak her mind, yet she does it with purpose and passion. She hopes that her tenacity will balance out her “strong nature.”

This fashion student and model is no stranger to roughing it. After moving to Taiwan by herself at a very young age, Sierra is used to living in places with no running water and filled with grime and bugs. Sierra is a self-proclaimed adventure junkie who “loves to experience new things all the time” and she believes that those experiences make her a prime candidate for SURVIVOR.

Sierra claims she isn’t a “very stereotypical model,” because she doesn’t do it for the notoriety; she does it because modeling can help facilitate new experiences and allows for travel to amazing locations which is something she enjoys tremendously.

Her modeling background has helped to shape her strategy for the game. Forced to deal with a variety of personalities all competing for the same goal is nothing new to her, having lived with five catty models vying for one spot. This experience will be to her advantage when forming alliances and making her way through the twists of the game.

Sierra is single and currently resides in Los Angeles, Calif. Her birth date is September 29.

Sandy Burgin
Age: 53
Hometown: Louisville, KY
Occupation: Bus Driver

CBS Bio
A country girl through and through, Sandy Burgin grew up and still lives in Kentucky, where she takes pride in being the state champion of the School Bus Rodeo. A night owl by occupation, Sandy works the graveyard shift transporting construction workers to their work sites. As a professional driver for 30 years, she isn’t a stranger to cat calls, especially since she is the one doing it. On one occasion she called out to a tall thin man, commenting on his physique when, to her surprise, he turned around and was clearly a priest!

She likes to unwind by crocheting or listening to country, oldies or some good old fashioned rock and roll. Her penchant for reading “do it yourself” magazines in addition to her fishing skills just might make her a valuable member of her tribe.

Sandy describes herself as funny and fearless and can’t stand mean or greedy people. She is looking forward to interacting with new and interesting people and is thrilled at the opportunity to win a million dollars. With an outdoorsy nature (as reflected by her mouse tattoo) and a kooky personality, in combination with her determination to win, Sandy feels that she has what it takes to be the next SURVIVOR.

Sandy currently resides in Louisville, Ky. Her birthday is July 1.

James “JT” Thomas Jr
Age: 24
Hometown: Samson, AL
Occupation: Cattle Rancher

CBS Bio
A cattle manager raised in Samson, Alabama, JT operates a registered Angus Cattle Ranch. In addition to preparing the land and working the cattle, this southern charmer is responsible for all the paperwork and marketing associated with running the business.

This ambitious 24-year-old gets fired up when people insult his intelligence and says “I’m not a dumb hillbilly, so don’t think it!” However, this may be just the strategy that JT chooses to use and isn’t above playing the “dumb and innocent country boy role” in an effort to gain alliances with the women. JT attended Troy University and is the first in his family to earn a Bachelors Degree. His is in business administration.

A true family man, JT values his relationships and will work towards forming alliances that will take him very far in the game. This strong country boy is competitive and determined and will use manipulation in order to help him succeed and ultimately win SURVIVOR.

JT is single and currently resides in Mobile, Ala. His birthdate is June 23.

Joe Dowdle
Age: 26
Hometown: Austin, TX
Occupation: Real Estate Sales

CBS Bio
This 26-year-old southern gentleman and savvy businessman was raised in a single parent household along with his sister. Joe is eternally grateful to his mother for all the sacrifices she made while he was growing up. He currently works in real estate investment sales and enjoys spending his free time strumming his guitar, tossing around a football and hanging out with friends. He is definitely a man who takes pride in hard work and being a Texan.

Joe truly is a genuine Texas Cowboy. After a rigorous selection process in combination with a high GPA from the University of Texas at Austin, he was selected to join the Texas Cowboys, which is a service organization where members act as ambassadors for, according to Joe, “the greatest university in the world,” the University of Texas. When he is not working or volunteering his time, Joe enjoys playing basketball and golf in addition to spending time working out and running.

He feels that he will be the next person to win SURVIVOR because he is dedicated, goal oriented and plans to use a strategy he calls “persuade and evade.” He intends to constantly look for alliances and win challenges, all while staying just below the radar. He doesn’t like overly dramatic people and hates to lose. Unfortunately he may be faced with both in his attempt to become the next sole SURVIVOR.

Joe Dowdle is single and resides in Austin, Texas. His birthday is June 29.

Jerry Sims
Age: 49
Hometown: Rock Hill, SC
Occupation: US Army Sergeant

CBS Bio
Jerry Sims promises, “you’ve never seen anybody like me before.” Growing up in a poor family, he was one of 10 children who had to learn, very early on, the skills to help him survive in the real world. Jerry has been passing on those survival skills learned from his childhood to soldiers in the Army National Guard for the last 20 years.

A 1st Sergeant and specialist in Nuclear Operations, Sims just recently returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan. No stranger to being in a leadership position, Sims was in charge of 100 men and not only knew how to manage them, but also earned their respect. “With this big smile and this convincing attitude, I get them to do exactly what I want them to do!”

He’s always been a strong proponent of the team concept, a skill that came in handy growing up in such a large household, especially around dinner time “where you had to be on time!” Jerry is also a family man, who’s been married for 25 years and has both an adult son and daughter. He has no qualms about saying he’s doing this for the money. “The million is in my grasp! I’ve got to have it. I’m a competitor. I like to win. I like to win, win, win!”

Raised on a chicken farm in South Carolina, Jerry also knows how to live off the land and involve everyone in the daily chores. This self-proclaimed jokester says he will give his fellow castaways some much need entertainment, but nobody should misinterpret his cheery personality for weakness because Jerry proudly proclaims, “I am physically fit, I am mentally strong and I’m ready for the million.”

Jerry currently resides in Rock Hill, SC. His birth date is May 18.

Erinn Lobdell
Age: 26
Hometown: Waukesha, WI
Occupation: Hairstylist

CBS Bio
Erinn Lobdell is a hairstylist and make-up artist who is out to prove she’s not just another pretty face. After recently going through a very personal growing experience, Erinn is ready to prove that she can make it on her own and rise to the challenge SURVIVOR will bring.

“A lot of times I’ve found that people don’t think I’m smart enough to play games.” says Erinn. Although she’s fine with people thinking she’s dumb because, according to her, “she’ll be dumb like a fox.” Those people couldn’t be more wrong as she is ready to show off her strong people skills as well as her ability to read the faces of her competition. Through skills learned at her job, she’s been able to adjust her behavior depending on the situation which can serve as a great strategy in the game.

As a runner, Erinn is very athletic and is constantly training for the next big event. She recently completed training for a marathon and works out everyday to stay in great shape. To her, SURVIVOR will be a very enriching experience and she is certain she will excel.

Erinn currently resides in Milwaukee, Wis. Her birth date is October 21.