NEWS AND NOTES....

-The new "Survivor" cast was revealed today for "Survivor Panama: Exile Island" which premieres Thursday, Feb. 2nd. Go to cbs.com if you want to see this season's cast and read all about their diverse backgrounds. Whatever. All of these people have already tried out for probably the last four or five shows and were just put on hold. Funny thing is, the cast looks no different than previous ones: good looking younger girls, mixed in with a couple handsome men, then your older mothers, and one real old guy. Some things never change. Anyway, the big news to come out of the release of the cast today was that in the premiere show, they'll be broken up into four tribes of four: young women, young men, older women, older men. But by the 2nd episode, it'll be back to two tribes battling it out. And whoever gets sent to "Exile Island", will have a chance to find an Immunity Idol similar to Gary's from last season, where they can somehow save themselves in the game. I'll see how this plays out before making any rash judgments on it. It's either going to be a genius, innovative idea that's eleven seasons old, or it's gonna be all hype with no substance and I'll be pissed. Stay tuned.

-"Lost" star Naveen Andrews, who plays Sayid, apparently fathered a child while he was separated from his girlfriend, Barbara Hershey, last year. Can I ask a question: Is there anyone on this "Lost" cast that DOESN'T get in trouble? I mean, if I were auditioning for a part on that show, I think I might pass based on what happens to those people. Michelle Rodriguez and Cynthia Watros, "Ana Lucia" and "Libby" respectively, can't keep their lips off the bottle long enough before getting in a car and driving around town, "Sayid" is a bastard father, Josh Holloway ("Sawyer") gets his condo robbed. I think people might want to start avoiding that cast. Seems like crazy s**t keeps happening to those people. Much like the "Poltergeist" cast. "Poltergeist" was officially the first movie that scared the holy bejesus out of me. Then I saw the "E! True Hollywood Story" on it, and I almost hid under the covers. Do you realize all the crazy stuff that happened on that set? Yikes.

-Simon Cowell has inked a deal with Fox to develop a show called "Duets" where a professional singer will be paired with a celebrity to sing a duet, which will then in turn be judged by voters. Hey, I'm sure the show will be a train wreck, but I say the more Simon Cowell the better. People can say what they want about him, but if he didn't judge "American Idol", it wouldn't get half the audience it does. People tune in to see what he has to say, whether they want to admit it or not. Oh wait. He's not going to be a judge on "Duets"? Forget it then. It'll bomb. Only eight more days til' "Idol". That means eight more days til' Randy says someone's performance was very "pitchy", Paula starts banging another one of the contestants, and Simon and Paula have fake arguments with each other to create tension. Can't wait.

-News came out today that Hilary Swank and husband Chad Lowe have separated, but they're going to continue working on their relationship. Sure they are. I guarantee the divorce papers are being written up as we speak. I'm not one to trample on someone's marriage, but c'mon, who didn't see this one coming? I mean, she's Hilary Swank. And she's married to Chad Lowe. Chad Lowe was popular when I was in high school watching teen suicide "ABC After School Specials" in health class. I think he was in every one of them. And she's a two-time Oscar winner. Yeah, didn't see that one coming. Within a month I'm guessing we'll be seeing pictures of her and Ian Ziering popping up on the internet as they rekindle their flame from their "90210" days. Hilary and Chad was very much along the lines of the ol' Jennifer Garner/Scott Foley relationship. Once she became too big, he was gonzo. Plus, he was still in love with "Felicity" and just wouldn't admit it.

-We're only six days away from the return of "24" back to television. For those that don't understand, I've waited 7 1/2 months for this Sunday. I frankly can't control myself and I'm more than pissed off that "24" had their 100th episode party this past weekend in Hollywood, and somehow I was left off the guest list. What, we're not boys anymore Kiefer? Carlos couldn't sneak me in the backdoor? Not even an invitation guys? That hurts. A lot. But I'll get over it. Not. I have a feeling this season is going to blow doors on the previous four, which I never thought would be possible. Let's hope I'm right. I'm going to go hyperventilate now.

-Email of the day: Since I haven't written in a while, no one's really sent in any emails. There's a couple old ones, but are mostly outdated questions now. So if you need any questions answered, have any comments on any shows, want to know about the latest gossip, have a sick "24" obsession like me, or just feel like finding out the answers to life's most difficult questions, feel free to email me at steve@realitysteve.com, and maybe your email will get posted in the next "News and Notes".

-"Reality Steve Fact": I always have my cellphone on vibrate. I can't stand ringing cellphones. For women, it's understandable because it's usually in your purse. But for guys, there's nothing more annoying considering it's on you all the time.

-Back tomorrow with the first "Bachelor" column of the season.

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