OMG David Samson - as a Montrealer, I have a serious hate on for that douche.

In his meet the castaways video, he talks about spending massive hours studying survivor strategy.

I'm liking hs chances, but how can he not be a massive post-merge target - looks like a physical beast too.

Overall, cast looks semi-promising.

Errr, former poker player who is now a personal trainer or something? Jesus dude.

My first thought was that it was dumb to use so much overlap in the tribes (beautiful people being brainy, brainy people being brawny, etc.), but I think it'll actually help. The big fear for me with this format is that it would give too much power to the beauty tribe because - let's be honest here - no one is going to say, "We have to get rid of X because he/she is too pretty." With three tribes, brains vs. brawn is the likely split, so it would just be a contest to see who pulled in beauty at the merge. However, with a lot of overlap in personality traits, it might not end up mattering because even some of the beauty people seem like potential threats (as opposed to what I pictured, which was six Angie Laytons who've never seen Survivor and have no clue how to play). This should help the brains, who I think would be 100% screwed without the trait overlap.

Also, giddy up:

Lol the first thing I noticed is that this is probably the most racially diverse cast since Fiji. 4 black people, an asian and a hispanic. That's crazy.

God damn post combo cock blocker.

Cliff Robinson on Survivor. That could be interesting. But the overall lack of nice looking chicks is disappointing.

I fear this will be edited following the "American way" whereby intelligence is a personality flaw and braun and folksiness are virtues.

At first glance (the 3 min promo) the casting people in charge of the male beauty contestants needs to be fired.

I've listened to Garrett on the Thinking Poker Podcast several times and I would never in a million years have guessed he looked like THAT!

Need a new thread.

I was thinking they didn't do a stellar job of the female beauties either. Far below Survivor average, in terms of beauty on a tribe named after that trait.

Asian Fabio

Super excited with cast, not just cuz of the poker player but also because of this chess expert Spencer (still one class below master, which I am...sick brag, etc). One of my co-workers knows him personally and played competitive chess on the collegiate level with him. Hopefully he'll turn in a decent performance because he's probably the closest person I've ever identified with going into a season

Might work on new thread tomorrow btw

poker, chess, math skills, a degree in nuclear engineering are not helpful in survivor. you need the kind of brains like kim had. it's about making people feel comfortable with you and have confidence in you.

This is among the most incorrect posts ever written itt.

Of course game theory skills are valuable in Survivor and there is obviously a correlation between intellect and empathy.

Hope you guys enjoy the season. Cool to have a forum where the poker and survivor worlds combine forces.

-Garrett

I saw your post and thought no way that's the same Garrett (but would've been pleasantly surprised if it was the case). Guy from the podcast is Gareth.

I'm very much looking forward to your insight during the season. It's probably common knowledge to most in here, but as the season goes on are you free to talk about what's been shown or are you supposed to keep quiet until the season's over?

Garrett, congratulations on being a part of Survivor Season 28

It's awesome to have a fellow 2p2er who got to experience something that's been a long time dream of many poker players who watch the show

Will you be participating in discussion (spoiler free ofc) during the airing of this season and perhaps answering some questions about your experience getting cast/preparing for the show/and the like, that I'm sure many posters will have?

I hope we don't overload Garrett with questions. What I'm hoping we'll get from him is more of a "this is what you didn't see in the episode" type of thing that really will bring it all together. Certainly nobody wishes to even know any spoilers here.

Garrett,

Did you win bro? How about Uncle Cliffy?

It's gonna be tough to give you guys much beyond what is shown, but I'll try my best. And I'll do my best to stay active around here throughout the season.

if i was on survivor i think the hardest part would be lack of sleep. no way i could get any sleep under those circumstances.

i'd probably lie about being a poker pro. i'd say i was a teacher, or maybe some blue collar job, cable guy or something