TV Guide Channel is going to air a special about the winners of Survivor. It’s going to find out where they each are and what they are up to these days, after winning a million dollars on the show.

Here’s a bit of a preview of the special. It’s a short interview with Jenna Morasca, the winner of Survivor: Amazon.

She talks about being with Ethan Zohn, winner of Survivor: Africa for six years now, but this clip doesn’t mention that Ethan is suffering from non-Hodgkins lymphoma. He’s a great guy and I hope you’ll all join with me in sending thoughts and prayers to him.

It’s part of the promotion for CBS’ new show called I Get That a Lot.

CBS just released this video clip of Survivor’s Emmy-winning host, Jeff Probst checking groceries. He’s having a conversation with a customer and asking her how he could break into the entertainment industry. He even shows her a page from CBS Watch Magazine and says that he wishes he could open a magazine like that and see his own picture. It’s hilarious!!

This time of the year, the prime-time shows go into a repeat pattern and a lot of reality shows wind down. It’s because people tend to be very caught up in the holidays and end of year activities and don’t watch TV as much. Yes, we just started a new season of Secret Millionaire and Top Chef 5, but not much else is happening in the world of reality TV for the next couple of weeks.

But not to worry, there’s a whole new batch of reality series heading our way and here’s the line-up that I have so far:

2008-2009 - Premiere Dates Announced:

• Intervention [A&E, Dec. 15 at 10, Mondays at 9]
• Momma’s Boys [NBC, Dec. 16 at 10, Mondays at 9 but 10 p.m. as of Jan. 5]
• Smile You’re Under Arrest [Fox Reality, Dec. 27, Saturdays at 7]
• Bromance [MTV, Dec. 29, Mondays at 9] - watch for coverage at MTVRealityWorld.com
• Countdown to the Crown [TLC, Jan. 2, Fridays at 10]
• Confessions of a Teen Idol [VH1, Jan. 4, Sundays at 8] - I’ll Cover this on VH1RealityWorld.com
• Rock of Love Bus with Bret Michaels [VH1, Jan. 4, Sundays at 9] - I’ll Cover this on VH1RealityWorld.com
• Superstar Dancers of the World/Superstars of Dance [NBC, Sunday, Jan. 4 at 9, Mondays at 8] - I’ll be covering this on DanceWatcher.com
• The Bachelor 13 [ABC, Jan. 5, Mondays at 8]
• True Beauty [ABC, Jan. 5, Mondays at 10]
• DietTribe [Lifetime, Jan. 5, Mondays at 10] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• The Biggest Loser 6 [NBC, Jan. 6, Tuesdays at 8] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• Homeland Security USA [ABC, Jan. 6, Tuesdays at 8]
• 13: Fear is Real [The CW, Jan. 7, Wednesdays at 8] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• The Real World Brooklyn [MTV, Jan. 7, Wednesdays at 10] - watch for coverage at MTVRealityWorld.com
• Tool Academy [VH1, Jan. 11, Sundays at 10] - I’ll Cover this on VH1RealityWorld.com
• High School Reunion 5 [TV Land, Feb. 18, Wednesdays at 10] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• Greg Behrendt’s Wake-Up Call [SoapNet, Jan. 8, Thursdays at 11]
• American Idol 8 [Fox, Jan. 13, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8]
• I Love Money 2 [VH1, Jan. 26, Mondays at 9] - I’ll Cover this on VH1RealityWorld.com
• Eddie Griffin: Going for Broke [VH1, Jan. 26, Mondays at 10] - I’ll Cover this on VH1RealityWorld.com
• Hell’s Kitchen 5 [Fox, Jan. 29, Thursdays at 9] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• Around the World for Free [WGN America, January]
• Chris & John to the Rescue! [Logo, January]
• Gone Country 3 [CMT, January 2009]
• Project Runway 6 [Lifetime, January 2009] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• The Exterminators [A&E, Feb. 4, Wednesdays at 10:30]
• Jockeys [Animal Planet, Feb. 6]
• Wingman [Fine Living, Feb. 10, Tuesdays at 9]
• Survivor 18 [CBS, Feb. 12, Thursdays at 8] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• The Millionaire Matchmaker [Bravo, Feb. 12, Thursdays at 10] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• The Amazing Race 14 [CBS, Feb. 15, Sundays at 8] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• Celebrity Apprentice 2 [NBC, March 1, Sundays at 9] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• Dancing with the Stars 8 [ABC, March 9, Mondays at 8, Tuesdays at 9] - I’ll be covering this on DanceWatcher.com
• Running in Heels [Style, March 2009]

2009 - Premiere Date TBD

• Blonde Charity Mafia [Lifetime]
• The City [MTV, first quarter 2009] - watch for coverage at MTVRealityWorld.com
• The Cougar [TV Land, spring]
• Creature [Animal Planet]
• Dance Your Ass Off [Oxygen] - I’ll be covering this on DanceWatcher.com
• Ghost Hunters [Sci Fi]
• How’d You Get So Rich? [TV Land]
• Jingles [CBS]
• Untitled Larry Birkhead series [E!, 2009]
• Lock ‘N Load [Showtime, 2009]
• Make Me a Supermodel 2 [Bravo] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• Make My Day [TV Land]
• The Phone [MTV] - watch for coverage at MTVRealityWorld.com
• The Real Housewives of New York City [Bravo] - watch for coverage on BravoFan.com
• RuPaul’s Drag Race [Logo]
• Shark Taggers [NBC]
• Solitary 3 [FOX Reality] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• Southern Belles [SoapNet]
• Swords [NBC, summer]
• Toddlers and Tiaras [TLC]
• Tough Love [VH1] - I’ll Cover this on VH1RealityWorld.com
• Untitled Megan Houserman dating show - [VH1] - I’ll Cover this on VH1RealityWorld.com
• When Women Rule the World [FOX, future uncertain]

Keep coming back here for all the reality TV news!

[Image: © The Serpentine Project]

There’s another reality star who is giving back, but we don’t as often hear about him. That’s because it’s Jeff Probst, host of the Survivor series. Now that he’s an Emmy Award-winning star, he is finally being taken seriously, as he should have been all along. And he’s obviously feeling the need to give back after all of his success. He’s founded a charity for foster kids aging out of the system called The Serpentine Project. Here’s the official press description for you:

The Serpentine Project, founded by Jeff Probst, is a non-profit organization that empowers youth transitioning out of foster care by providing personalized mentorship, life skills training, job shadowing and financial support thereby opening the door to a world of possibilities and the means to reach for their dreams. Learn more about The Serpentine Project at theserpentineproject.org and keep on reading to get a little taste of what will be offered in the coming weeks.

And to get awareness out as well as to raise funds for the organization, he’s teaming up with CBS to hold an auction starting tomorrow. It’s just the first of what may be a series of auctions for the cause, but the first two packages are identical. They will each be auctioned off at eBay and here is what each prize package will contain:

• strong>Two tickets to the Survivor: Gabon live finale taking place at CBS Television City in Los Angeles on December 14, 2008
• A meet and greet session with Emmy Award-winning Survivor host, Jeff Probst
• Lunch with the Survivor contestants where you will have the opportunity to take pictures and get autographs from your favorite Castaways
• An opportunity to take an exclusive backstage tour

[Photo: ® CBS Broadcasting Inc.]

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know a number of reality stars, and have even met four of the Gabon cast members. They are all very animated, outgoing and interesting people. You will have the time of your life at a lunch with them!

These auctions take place from November 20 – 30, 2008 at www.ebay.com/survivorgabon. Good luck with the auction!!!

[Jeff Probst Photo: ® CBS Broadcasting Inc.]

One of the great people I met last year and again this year at the Survivor Charity weekends was Mike. He is a super-fan of Survivor and also a really intersting and nice guy. And you really have to see his collection of Survivor buffs to believe it. He has every single buff from every tribe on every season…except one. And all of the buffs he has have been autographed by the Survivors from that tribe. He’s got them all very organized and it’s impressive to see.

Mike Survivor Super-Fan
[Photo: Reality Exploits - DO NOT repost without permission]

But then I talked to him a bit about the one missing buff. It’s the one from season 1, from Richard Hatch’s tribe before the merge, and it’s never been for sale. (Except that he’s seen one on eBay once for $800!!! - Yikes!)

So I decided to take this on as one of my new missions. A super-fan like Mike deserves a complete set, don’t you think? So I’m making an appeal to anyone out there that may have one and would be willing to offer it to Mike to complete his set. You would be making a great guy truly happy. If you have a lead on where Mike can get one, just drop me an email and I’ll let him know. I want to see him with a complete set. It will make me feel good too.

Last year I met Chad Crittenden and was able to tell him that I had admired him since I first saw him on the show. As a cancer survivor, he now has a prosthetic leg and and a whole new mission. To inspire and help other amputees adjust to their changed abilities. I definitely do not say dis-abilities, because anyone who has met Chad knows that he is not disabled, he’s differently-abled. He told me that he has been competing in triathons (heck, how many of us can say we do that and have no challenges to use as an excuse?)

As people go, he’s one of the nice ones. After he and I chatted at the after party, I was ready to call it a night and Chad was a gentleman and walked me to the shuttle. He’s not only a role model, he’s a great person too. So anyone who is in need of information for amputees, be sure to visit Chad’s web site, and feel free to tell him I sent you.

Chad (Vanuatu)
[Photo: Reality Exploits - DO NOT repost without permission]

The Survivor Dodgeball Charity weekend raised money this year to go to breast cancer research in honor of Jen Lyon from Survivor: Palau. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 and is still battling it. It’s now in stage 4 and in her bones. But if you could meet her, you would know that with her bright and sparkling smile and her positive outlook she can beat it if anyone can. She is truly a wonderful spirit and my thoughts and prayers will continue to be with her. And she has promised to keep me updated on her progress so I can let you know too.

And her fellow Palau tribemate, Katie Gallagher is also very sick at the moment. She has congestive heart failure. She too has a positive attitude and a strong outlook. My thoughts are with her too.

The two were there for moral support last weekend, but neither was able to compete. Not a problem, though. They both brought their warmth and their great personalities and the weekend was so much better for having them there. I truly like them both very much and look forward to seeing them both at many future events.

Jen Lyon (Palau, L) & Katie Gallagher (Palau, R)
[Photo: Reality Exploits - DO NOT repost without permission]

One of my favorite former Survivors is Bruce Kanegai. He and I have talked on several occasions and have both attended the Dodgeball event twice. He’s sent me a number of exclusive items to post on Reality Exploits and has always been terrific to share things of interest to Survivor fans. He’s a wonderful guy!

Since retiring from being an art teacher, he says that he takes about two vacations each month. One of his most recent was to run with the bulls in Spain. Now, here’s the amazing part…he did it two days in a row! I got him to tell us what it was like to run with the bulls:

He has also promised me a couple of photos he took while he was there. I’ll post them as soon as I get them. He always comes through.

This is totally fun clip finds humor in the insane and nasty political ads we’ve all gotten sick of seeing. [Election day can't come soon enough!] And to get into the spirit of the election, Survivor castaways have decided to campaign against Jeff Probst. It’s cute! Enjoy:

Emmy Award winning host of Survivor, Jeff Probst, sat down to answer some questions that many of us have had for years about Survivor. I know a couple of these questions were things that I had wondered and I know you probably will enjoy some of these answers too. Check out what he had to say to MSNBC:

Can Survivor cast members bring or wear whatever they want?
No. While cast members bring their own clothes to the location, producers select what they take to camp, ensuring that the cast will be wearing camera-friendly colors. Among those prohibited items include shirts or caps with corporate logos. Selecting clothing also allows producers to make sure not everyone will be wearing, say, green T-shirts. They’re also searched to ensure that cast members are not smuggling food, matches, or other items to camp with them or in their belongings.

What do contestants do all day?
Not much. Periodically, on-site producers pull cast members away from the group to do their confessional interviews. And, of course, the contestants go to challenges on two out of every three days. But beyond that, it’s up for them to amuse themselves, whether that means foraging for food, strategizing, or just sitting around and talking.

Do Survivor cast members get personal hygiene items?
Yes and no. They have access to a container with necessary supplies, such as feminine products, birth control, vital medications, contact lens solution, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Otherwise, they’re on their own. Contestants don’t get razors, toothbrushes, or other conveniences, so if they have bright white teeth or aren’t growing body hair, it may be because of tooth whitening or laser hair removal they had done before they left for the show.

How long does Tribal Council last?
It varies, from 45 minutes to 90 minutes, but it’s a lot longer than what we see on TV. However, give thanks that it’s edited, since much of the conversation is also kind of boring.

What does Jeff Probst do when he goes to “tally the votes”?
After actually collecting the votes, Jeff consults with producers, who have been watching the voting confessional footage live in a production booth far away from Tribal Council. Based upon what they’ve seen and the actual outcome of the vote, they decide the order in which Jeff will read the votes aloud, organizing them for maximum drama and selecting which contestants’ votes will be shown on TV. That’s why the votes Jeff reveals first are the ones viewers have already seen.

Where do cast members go once they’re voted out?
To Ponderosa, a nearby camp or facility. Those who don’t make the jury typically leave together and stay elsewhere until the end of the game, while those who are on the jury remain at Ponderosa and on location, so they can attend Tribal Council every third day. CBS now airs an online-only series that follows life at Ponderosa, if you’re curious about what happens there.

These are just a few of the secrets. You really should go read the entire list. It’s fascinating for Survivor fans!