'Survivor' announces Rudy, Richard and other returning all-stars

NEW YORK (AP) _ Get ready to welcome Rudy, Richard, Tina and other favorite ``Survivor'' castaways for a rematch on the upcoming ``Survivor: All-Stars'' competition. <br><br>The chosen

Monday, January 12th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) _ Get ready to welcome Rudy, Richard, Tina and other favorite ``Survivor'' castaways for a rematch on the upcoming ``Survivor: All-Stars'' competition.

The chosen 18, representing all seven of CBS' past ``Survivor'' seasons, were announced Monday during the network's ``Early Show.'' They face off when the hit reality-challenge series returns for its new edition after the Super Bowl telecast on Feb. 1.

The contestants are:

_ Richard Hatch, winner of the original ``Survivor: Pulau Tiga,'' along with Rudy Boesch, Sue Hawk and Jenna Lewis.

_ Tina Wesson, winner of ``Survivor: The Australian Outback,'' as well as her runner-up, Colby Donaldson, and Amber Brkich, Jerri Manthey and Alicia Calaway.

_ Ethan Zohn, winner of ``Survivor: Africa,'' plus Lex van den Berghe and Tom Buchanan.

_ From ``Survivor: Marquesas,'' Kathy Vavrick-O'Brien and Rob Mariano.

_ From ``Survivor: Thailand,'' Shii Ann Huang.

_ Jenna Morasca, winner of ``Survivor: The Amazon,'' and Rob Cesternino.

_ Rupert Boneham, from ``Survivor: Pearl Islands.''

Breaking with tradition, the 18 contestants will be broken into three tribes, not the usual two.

For ``Survivor'' handicappers, the invited contestants represented little surprise. Indeed, the roster had been posted for weeks on at least one fan Web site.

``Survivor: All-Stars'' will represent another return: to the Pearl Islands off Panama, where the most recent ``Survivor'' was set.

Host Jeff Probst, of course, returns.

The first ``Survivor'' premiered in May 2000, and became a surprise hit, then a national phenomenon, before Hatch took the title in the finale that aired that August. Subsequent editions have continued to attract a strong audience.