& By MICHAEL BOYLAN

[email protected]

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

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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