CBS makes it official today: Rodger Bingham of Crittenden will be introduced as one of CBS' 16 Survivor 2 participants on The Early Show at 7:30 a.m. (Channel 12).

        Mr. Bingham, an industrial arts teacher at Grant County High School in Dry Ridge, took an unpaid professional leave in October, just before Survivor 2 filming started in the Australian Outback.

        Grant County Principal Joyce Doyle refused to confirm Mr. Bingham's participation in the CBS program because of the secrecy about the Survivor sequel.

        “He's a teacher here, and a wonderful one,” Ms. Doyle says. “That's all I can say right now because everything is so confidential.”

        The Enquirer reported that Mr. Bingham was a Survivor contestant in October. He has returned to work, though Ms. Doyle won't say exactly when he came back.

        All 16 castaways will appear on The Early Show and explain why they “think they have what it takes” to win the $1-million prize, says Kori Hughes, CBS publicist.

        Survivor: The Australian Outback premieres after the CBS' Super Bowl telecast on Jan. 28 (Channels 12, 7). Weekly episodes start 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1.
        — John Kiesewetter

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