Dish Of Salt: Thursday TV Round Up (February 11, 2010)

The 20th installment of the top-rated reality franchise “Survivor” kicks off tonight with “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains.” And I have the low down on what made some infamous past contestants want to return (for more torture).

Plus, I’ll tell you why Alex O’Loughlin is hoping the third time is a charm… in today’s Dish of Salt.

“Survivor: Heroes Vs. Villains” Debuts
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of “Survivor,” the show brought back together 20 former cast members, for what is essentially a third version of an All-Star game. The twist here is that they will divide the teams into good guys versus bad guys.

One of the heroes will be Colby Donaldson, the runner-up in the show’s second season: “Survivor: The Australian Outback.” He told me last month, at a party celebrating the show’s 10th anniversary, that playing the game ten years later was harder than he thought it would be. “I’ll tell you what, when I went out there and played the game, it felt like 10 years! I’m not nearly as young as I used to be,” he admitted to me. “I was in my mid 20’s when I played my game the first time. It’s one of these games where opportunity meets ability. I felt as though I still had the ability to still be competitive. Man! This game is fast. It’s difficult and the players are unbelievable. I was humbled.”

Another hero will be Rupert Boneham, a fan favorite originally from “Survivor: Pearl Islands” who is best known for his tie-dyed t-shirts. Rupert told me it didn’t take much to get him to return. “Any time they want me, just give me three days notice. I’ll be out there to play the game!” In true Rupert fashion he admitted that he didn’t put himself through this again for the money, “The winner is the one that plays with respect and takes their honor out of the game. Who cares about the million dollars? It’s going and proving that.”

On the villains’ side, could the winner be curly-haired beauty Jerri Manthey, who famously stirred up all kinds of trouble on “Survivor: The Australian Outback”? “I knew I would end up on the ‘villains’ team, ” she told me. “This time, I’ve gone on record already saying, I’m going to embrace my inner villain.”

Jerri famously walked off the “Survivor: All-Star” reunion special set after she attempted to speak about the distorted image that viewers sometimes have of reality show contestants. She was booed by the studio audience and left in a huff during a commercial break. “I was very hurt actually,” she said of the experience. “And coming back a third time was a very difficult decision but I knew me, being the adventuress that I am, if I didn’t go I would spend the rest of my life wondering what could have been. So, I had to do it.”

Joining Jerri on the villains’ team is the guy known as ‘Boston Rob’, Rob Mariano. Rob competed on “Survivor: Marquesas” in 2002 and met his wife, Amber Brkich, during 2004’s “Survivor: All-Stars.” The couple had their first child, Lucia, back in August, which made the decision to return for a third show much more difficult. “It was so tough,” he revealed to me. “But you know I have such an amazing wife. She looked at me and she just said ‘You know everything we have is because of this show. How can you not go back?’ So, it was tough, but I’m glad I went.”

On the flip side, Rob told me Amber was asked to return, as well, but turned down the opportunity because of the baby, “They did [ask] but it was just too close.”

“Survivor: Heroes vs.. Villains” premieres tonight on CBS.

Alex O’Loughlin Joins “Hawaii Five-O”
CBS is not giving up on Alex O’Loughlin as a TV star. And why should they? The guy is a major hottie. After two failed attempts at a hit CBS show (“Moonlight” and “Three Rivers”), Alex gets a third chance at TV hotness. CBS confirms he has been cast in the lead role of Detective Steve McGarrett in a remake of “Hawaii Five-O.” The role was originated by Jack Lord, who was the head of an elite branch of the Hawaii State Police Department in charge of fighting crime in the underworld. Hey, Hawaii is not all vacation time people! At least in 1960’s (and now 2010) TV terms.

It had been announced earlier this week that “Lost’s” Daniel Dae Kim would also be joining the cast. The move keeps Daniel in Hawaii where they film “Lost.” Last month, he told me he was hoping to find a way to keep his family in Hawaii after “Lost” wrapped up production. “I’m actually thinking about staying,” he told me. “Yeah. I like it that much and my family loves it there. So we are trying to work that out.”

He got his wish. Let’s hope the third time really is a charm for Alex so Daniel can stay in Hawaii permanently.

MTV Award Shows Hit Hollywood
MTV announced today that both the 2010 “MTV Movie Awards” and the “MTV Video Music Awards” would air live from Los Angeles. You know what that means. Snooki, The Situation, Pauly D and the rest of the “Jersey Shore” partiers will be descending again upon Hollywood. The “MTV Movie Awards” take place June 6 from the Gibson Amphitheater at Universal City Walk. Reality TV Producer Mark Burnett will Executive Produce. Note to MTV – Hire Andy Samberg again. He was brilliant last year. The VMAs will take place on Sunday, September 12 this year, at a venue TBD.

“Gossip” Guy Hits Broadway
“Gossip Girl” star Matthew Settle, who plays Rufus, father to Dan and Jenny Humphrey, will make his Broadway debut beginning March 29 at the Ambassador Theater in New York City. Matthew takes on the role of slick criminal lawyer Billy Flynn in the musical “Chicago.” Settle follows in the well-heeled footsteps of other celebrities who have played the role on the Great White Way, including R&B singers Usher and Brian McKnight and actors (as well as “Dancing with the Stars” alums) Harry Hamlin and John O’Hurley. Now, I don’t know if the guy can actually sing but he sure looks good in the publicity photos for the show. I’m sure he will give it a good go at that old razzle dazzle! ‘Gossip’ fans get your tickets soon at www.chicagothemusical.com. It’s a quick ten-week engagement.