CBS ANNOUNCES THE 20 CASTAWAYS TO COMPETE ON "SURVIVOR: SAMOA"

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.