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19th Installment of the Hit Television Series Premieres on Thursday, Sept. 17th

CBS announced today the 20 castaways who will compete on SURVIVOR: SAMOA, when the 19th installment of the Emmy Award-winning series premieres Thursday, Sept. 17 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.  

In one of the most beautiful Survivor locations yet, 20 castaways will be left to fend for themselves among Samoa's white sand beaches, lush green valleys and towering waterfalls. Despite the picturesque landscape, the castaways will face exposure to elements and wildlife living in the mysterious rainforests that cover rugged volcanic mountain peaks.  For 39 days, they will endeavor to outwit, outplay and outlast one another in order to win the title of Sole Survivor.   

Surrounded by coconut palms in a land steeped in tradition, the Samoans who inhabit this island have a proud history and strong sense of community that has enabled their own survival.  From the start of the game, Survivor embraces this Samoan culture by incorporating an ancient tradition of electing an individual leader of the village.  Without speaking, both tribes must immediately choose one member of their group to become their sole decision maker, their chief.  How important will the role of tribal chief be in determining the fate of each tribe?

Castaways competing on SURVIVOR: SAMOA (in alphabetical order):

DAVID BALL                                                 BETSY BOLAN

Age: 38                                                                        Age: 48

Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.                         Hometown: Campton, N.H.

Occupation: Fitness Instructor                           Occupation: Police Officer

MIKE BORASSI                                                         BEN BROWNING

Age: 62                                                                        Age: 28

Hometown: Marina del Rey, Calif.                                Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.

Occupation: Private Chef                                              Occupation: Mixologist

MARISA CALIHAN                                                   ERIK CARDONA                  

Age: 26                                                                        Age: 28           

Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio                                         Hometown: Ontario, Calif.

Occupation: Student                                                     Occupation: Bartender

BRETT CLOUSER                                                      JOHN FINCHER                               

Age: 23                                                                        Age: 25                       

Hometown: Los Angeles via Salem, Ore                       Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.

Occupation: T-shirt Designer                                         Occupation: Rocket Scientist   

YASMIN GILES                                                         RUSSELL HANTZ

Age: 33                                                                        Age: 36           

Hometown: Los Angeles via Detroit, Mich.                   Hometown: Dayton, Texas

Occupation: Hairstylist                                      Occupation: Oil Company Owner

ELIZABETH KIM                                                       LAURA MORETT

Age: 33                                                                        Age: 39

Hometown: New York, N.Y.                                       Hometown: Salem, Oregon

Occupation: Urban Planner                                           Occupation: Office Manager    

MONICA PADILLA                                                   JAISON ROBINSON

Age: 25                                                                        Age: 28

Hometown: San Diego, Calif.                            Hometown: Chicago, Ill.

Occupation: Law Student                                              Occupation: Law Student

KELLY SHARBAUGH                                               RUSSELL SWAN

Age: 25                                                                        Age: 42

Hometown: Los Angeles via Wilmington, Del.   Hometown: Glenside, Pa.

Occupation: Hairstylist                                      Occupation: Attorney   

ASHLEY TRAINER                                                    MICK TRIMMING

Age: 22                                                                        Age: 33

Hometown: Maple Grove, Minn.                                   Hometown: Los Angeles via Boise, Idaho

Occupation: Spa Sales                                      Occupation: Doctor

SHANNON WATERS                                                NATALIE WHITE

Age: 45                                                                        Age: 26

Hometown: Renton, Wash.                                           Hometown: Van Buren, Ark.

Occupation: Sales Rep.                                                 Occupation: Pharmaceutical Sales

SURVIVOR: SAMOA is hosted by Emmy Award-winning host Jeff Probst and produced by SEG, Inc.  Mark Burnett is executive producer and David Burris and Leisa Francis are co-executive producers.

For more detailed information on SURVIVOR: SAMOA and the 20 castaways, log on to www.cbs.com/survivor.  Photos available at http://www.cbs.pressexpress.com/.