Four times for Boston Rob, and three seasons in the last two years for Russell. Enough already.

This. Sick of them both.

They make for great television. Heroes Vs Villains was fantastic... and the world needs these two battling it out some more.

Not if the other rumor is true, and they get a free ride to the merge. It's an unfair advantage as it absolutely forces other contestants to align with them rather than just eliminating them. Russell would probably be toast right away if they could vote him out (he's not very good at the challenges). Rob...well he's really good at the puzzles he might find a way to worm his way in.

Don't know if this attempt to gain more viewers is going to work for them or not, but I've watched the show from the very beginning without fail, and I'm officially sitting this one out. Maybe next season I'll be back. (But not if Rob or Russell are back.)

Changing the day of the series had more to do with that.

Ratings wise every all star season has gotten about similiar numbers as non all star seasons that were before it.

Risking a series like this by overkilling with 1 contestant 3 times in 2 years to appease a host (who they to resign) who has a hard on for the 2 returning contestants and making stupid changes that just copy MTVs challenge series is akin to fixing something that was never broken.

I think Fall premiere vs. Winter premiere had a lot to do with those ratings as well. I'm sure a lot more people are sitting around watching TV in February than in September.

I don't mind them trying this once, Rob at least makes for entertaining TV. Russell, on the other hand, I can't stand.

Of course it is an attempt to boost ratings, and with the proposed format, to sustain those ratings through every episode to the merge.

They are bringing them back because in doing so the next season has already surpassed the last season in entertainment value.

That rationale doesn't mesh though. Most of the premerge episodes in Nicuaraga were pretty entertaining. It was the post merge that completely fizzled out and lacked compelling entertainment once Marty left.

The format seems a way to contrive air time for contestants of the Producers choosing even if they go out early. Assuming Rob and Russell dont get a free pass to the merge you can bet they will still get dozens of confessionals talking about what masterminds and threats they are.

It's official, we have Rob and Russell (and Russell has a new arm tat):

http://www.cbs.com/primetime/survivo...q1SrmxwRBGBXVk

With all the gimmicks they are using this season, seems like desperation to me. How many chances are they going to give these two douchebags? You know what? Maybe they aren't as good at the game as they think they are.

I'm in, I sat out this last seasons snoozefest, looking forward to this one....

Honestly, I don't think it's about how good they are. It's about their audience connection. People LOVE Boston Rob and HATE Russell. It's enough of a gimmick to get people to tune in for an episode or two, and that's what they need to kick off each season.

I noticed in one of the promos, most contestants seem to be coming in rival groups of twos--there are two former NFL players, two models, etc. I'm wondering if they're dividing them evenly and Rob and Russell are the two former survivors for the mix. Makes sense if they're building two similar teams of similar rivals.

they will NOT be receiving immunity until the merge

http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/01/13/su...mption-island/

Thanks for the link Nick.

I am not fully on board with this season!

I am on board and I'm glad they won't receive any special immunity.

Why give them Immunity until the merge when they can just "find" Hidden Idols every time they are in trouble.

This casting decision is no worse than having Jimmy Johnson on last season. Sure, he knows he can't win and would never be awarded $1M... so why in the world even have him on then???

This is what makes horse races. Your assumption would seem to be correct, but I ran the DVDTalk Survivor game last fall and I was surprised at the number of people that thought Jimmy Johnson had a real chance.

Oh you.

Ready for the Survivor Game!

Or the fact that the one person no one would take--even as a second choice--made it to the final 6 and at one point looked like she had the game. Everything is up in the air with Survivor.

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It looks like Jeff hands them something at the end of the video. I guess its not immunity.

What's never discussed is what they gave Rob and Russell to return. Certainly, they are in play for $1 Million, but they very easily could have been given $500,000 each just to appear. You would have to think they received something more than the standard appearance fee the normal contestants get, knowing full well that neither is likely to win with all the baggage they bring.