Sunday, February 10, 2002
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Sunday, February 10, 2002 |
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Local judge tapped for reality TV series By JOHN MUNFORD & By MICHAEL BOYLAN
A popular reality television series will show local residents a side of Superior Court Judge Paschal English they have never seen. Most people meet English in court while he's dapperly dressed in a suit and judge's robe. But photos from the set of CBS's "Survivor: Marquesas" show a softer side of English, who's decked out in khaki shorts, a blue T-shirt and a fishing hat. English, 57, of Thomaston, was announced as one of the competitors on the show Wednesday morning on CBS's "The Early Show." Two weeks ago, English was approached by a Citizen reporter about a rumor that he would appear on the show. He replied by asking where the reporter got the information and said: "I'll tell you this: no comment." English is one of 16 Survivor contestants. Part popularity contest, the show is based on determining the winner by eliminating one contestant per week based on the popular vote of contestants at the end of each show. The show was taped in November and December on the island of Nuku Hiva in Marquesas, an island nation in the South Pacific. The first show is slated to air Thursday, Feb. 28, at 8 p.m. on CBS. English presides over criminal and civil cases in Fayette, Spalding, Pike and Upson counties. He was considered for a federal judgeship last year but was eventually turned down in favor of another candidate. Survivor spokesperson Colleen Sullivan said English was chosen from over 50,000 applicants who sent in a three-minute audition tape. "He's a very strong person with integrity and he has ideals," Sullivan said of the reasons why English was chosen to participate. "He also has personality and charisma and we just really find him fascinating." A confidentiality agreement keeps English from speaking about his experience with the show. After being chosen as one of the 50 semifinalists, English underwent a battery of physical and psychological testing in Los Angeles before being picked as one of the final contestants by production officials and CBS representatives. Officials in charge of the hit series keep details of the outcome closely guarded "because it's so huge for the viewers to see it for the first time at 8 o'clock," Sullivan said. In researching the original rumor, The Citizen was only able to confirm that English was absent for a scheduled Nov. 16 court date in Fayette during the time the show was being taped. Senior Superior Court Judge Andrew Whalen replaced English to hear motions that day. Several court officials have told The Citizen they wondered why they didn't see English during that period of time. Several rumors floated around the courthouse, including that he was reactivated in the military after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. The Citizen didn't run the story about the rumor because "it was not a life-or-death situation," said Citizen Publisher Cal Beverly. "We just couldn't get any on the record verification" Beverly said. "We decided to wait until we could verify the information." Contestants on "Survivor" live within one of the two tribes on the show. English is a member of the Rotu tribe, while the other tribe is called Maraamu. Rotu means "heavy rain" and Maraamu means a "southeasterly wind." The two tribes have challenges for rewards and immunity in each episode. Immunity forces the losing side to go to tribal council that evening and vote one of their members off the island. After the tribes merge the immunity idol grants immunity to the winner of the challenge. Immunity challenges on past shows have involved scavenger hunts and obstacle courses as well as the drinking of cow's blood and the eating of bugs. The rules have changed a little with the fourth installment of the hit series. Contestants will no longer be given any food, forcing them to hunt and gather for all their food and water. Survivor contestants are also allowed to bring one luxury item with them. English has chosen an American flag, which may win him favor with his other tribe members as the flag will undoubtedly become a part of their shelter. For more information on English and the other survivors, visit www.cbs.com, www.surviiivor.com or www.survivorfever.net.
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