[cuz_it_aint_their_money]

But 20 survivors? I've only been watching for a couple of seasons, but isn't that a lot?

Yes, it is more than they have had in the past.
When the show was first introduced, they had 16 survivors, split into 2 tribes of 8 each.
Since then, they have had as many as 18 players, split into 3 tribes of 6 each or 2 tribes of 9 each.

If they are keeping with the 39 day time frame, then they will need a couple of "double elimination" tribal councils or move the schedule around and have tribal councils closer to each other than every three days.

[tob2]

Thought three tribes at the beginning of last season was strange since it lasted only three days. This could be interesting as there would not be a merge so quickly.

[Right Cal Gal]

I thought they started out with 20 at Palau and kicked two off right away when they chose up sides - one was I think John and the second was that lady who had written 75 songs about Survivor and thankfully was booted off before she could sing all of them. Wanda, was it? I couldn't believe how pointless that first "pick teams for dodgeball" elimination was.

I just finished watching repeats of Vanuatu on OLN - man, but I hated that season.