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‘Amazing Race’ Host Phil Keoghan – “(It’s) The Most Extreme Blind Date on Earth”

February 25, 2015

"The Amazing Race" (CBS)

“The Amazing Race” is coming back for its 26th season tonight with a pair of Olympic medalists, a New Kid on the Block, and an intriguing twist…

What if half of the teams were made up of couples on a blind date?

I had a chance to speak to “The Amazing Race” host Phil Keoghan and ask him if the blind date teams were at a disadvantage, where the Race is headed, and if he has any early favorites…

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Gordon Holmes: I’ve been on some bad blind dates in my day…
Phil Keoghan: I think a lot of people have. (Laughs)
Holmes: But I’ve never been on one that’ll take me through a series of high-stress situations and dozens of countries. This sounds horrible. What are you doing to these poor people?
Keoghan: Well, let’s remember they signed up for this.
Holmes: Fair enough.
Keoghan: These are people who will do anything to find love. They’ll try anything. It just so happens that they’re about to try the most extreme blind date on Earth.
Holmes: Is that what you guys are calling it?
Keoghan: That’s what I say to them on the starting line. It’s the most extreme blind date, period.
Holmes: Match.com has nothing on this.
Keoghan: This makes Match.com look like a cup of coffee.
Holmes: I’m trying to imagine how bad a date would have to be to get me to walk away from a shot at a million dollars.
Keoghan: Yeah. But think of your worse date, then think that even though it’s terrible that you have to hang with that person for 21 days and 35,000 miles around the world.
Holmes: How did we end up with this twist?
Keoghan: Some people were worried that we were becoming a dating show. That we were changing formats. We had a format change when we tried the family edition. We did it because people wanted us to try something different. We did, and it didn’t work. Fans told us to stick with what we do well. We’ve listened to our fans. It’s not a format change. We’re not a dating show. It’s “The Amazing Race” as you know it, but we’ve said, “What would happen if we put single people into the race.” The idea for that really came from our fans. For years and years we’ve had singles come to us, this idea is not new. The fans have been talking to us about it for years. They’ve said, “Why don’t you try bringing people who don’t know each other to the starting line to switch it up.” Ultimately this was the fans’ idea.

Holmes: If I were to do “The Amazing Race,” I’d partner with my fiancée. She knows my strengths and weaknesses, she knows when I’m on edge. I’ve got to think these blind date couples have a serious disadvantage.
Keoghan: You’d think that, but sometimes when you first meet someone and you like them, you’re on your best behavior.
Holmes: They say you’re the best version of yourself.
Keoghan: Maybe you’re a better listener. Maybe you’re more trusting. Maybe you’re so naïve about what you don’t know about that person that you allow them to take more control. You fall into patterns with relationships where one person does one thing and the other one doesn’t.

Holmes: Who are our early favorites this season?
Keoghan: I never picked the Sweet Scientists to be the favorites to win considering who they were up against, including the Dentists who were the winningest couple last season. So, it’s impossible to have an early favorite. Do you pick Matt and Ashley because they’re super fit and strong and from New York? Do you pick Jenny and Jelani who are both very bright and also very fit and quite worldly?  It’s impossible. That’s why the race works. You’d think a professional athlete who is fit and an ultra competitor would just blitz the field. And that hasn’t always been the case.

Holmes: Where are we going this year?
Keoghan: One of the things we really pride ourselves on is always going to new locations and always having new and interesting challenges. Right out of the gate they go over the Pacific Ocean and fly to Japan. Japan is just a wealth of great opportunities to try new and interesting things. Then they go to Thailand, and it’s so rich with ideas. We go to Europe…we have three or four new locations that we’ve never been to. The cool thing is we’re 26 seasons in and we still have places we’ve never been to. We get down to Namibia and the southern part of Africa.
Holmes: Oh wow.
Keoghan: We were actually there in season two. Haven’t been back there for a long time.

Holmes: Are we going to see more of those shots where you’re standing there as the contestants run by?
Keoghan: Oh yeah. The fans loved that. They thought it was like a sideline report. It’s difficult to do when you’re shooting 12 shows in 21 days as I have to stay ahead of them. It’s hard to be there when they’re there. And if they do run in, we’re not sure which direction they’re coming from. And you get one shot at doing it. We can’t stop them. In the last episode this season, every piece I shot was shot live. And I was barely ahead of them. It was a tight finish.

Holmes: “Survivor” is your lead in tonight. It’s their 30th season. You’re on your 26th season. What is it about these formats that lends itself to still being fun after so many iterations?
Keoghan: It’s fresh because the locations, people, and challenges are all fresh. This is not the same people singing the same songs on the same stage. What I love about it is we have a diversity with our cast. These are not singers, or dancers, or designers, or cooks who all have something in common. They couldn’t be more different. Having someone like Jonathan Knight, who’s a huge fan of this race, it’s been a dream for him.

Holmes: People from my generation in particular are probably very excited to have a New Kid on the Block on board. Do you have a particular favorite NKOTB jam?
Keoghan: (Laughs) I used to host a music show when I was 21, and I interviewed a lot of these guys. I did not interview New Kids on the Block. I interviewed all the bands that came to New Zealand. That whole boy band era was…how old are you?
Holmes: I’m 38.
Keoghan: OK, I’m a little older than you. But, that whole era was huge. It was what I grew up with. You had Marky Mark doing his whole thing.
Holmes: So you’re more of a “Good Vibrations” fan than a “Hanging Tough” guy.
Keoghan: (Laughs) Yeah, I actually loved Red Hot Chili Peppers. I liked stuff that was a little harder than the boy bands.
CBS Representative: Gordon was probably really into the boy bands.
Holmes: Quiet, you.
Keoghan: (Laughs) Gordon was probably eleven and he had all of their CDs. And you would’ve known all the songs. I was more about UB40 and Seal and KLM.
Holmes: It’s not every day that CBS outs your music tastes.
Keoghan: That’s true. But they were huge. It was global.

Don’t miss the 90-minute premiere of “The Amazing Race” on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 9:30 pm ET on CBS.

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Five Reasons to Be Excited for Tonight’s ‘Survivor: Worlds Apart’ Premiere

February 25, 2015

"Survivor: Worlds Apart" (CBS)

NOTE: XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your “Survivor: Worlds Apart” scoop! I delved deep into the Nicaraguan wilderness on a mission to bring you all kinds of stuff including behind-the-scenes tidbits, pre-game interviews with the cast, insights from “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and Challenge Producer John Kirhoffer, a look at the first Tribal Council, and much more. I’ll be cranking out this goodness daily in the weeks leading up to the premiere, so be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates on all of this season’s “Survivor” fun.

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It’s hard to believe, but tonight is the premiere of the 30th season of one of the most popular and influential reality shows of all time. I’ve been providing “Survivor” coverage for XFINITY since season seventeen (“Survivor: Gabon”) and have never felt the need to write an article like this before. That should tell you how impressed I was during the first three days of filming.

Best Original Cast Ever?
“We have, maybe the best collection of combined smarts and game savvy that we’ve ever had.” – Jeff Probst

Jeff and I don’t agree on everything, but I’d like to second that quote. As I sat to figure out the order to present my pregame interviews, I knew I wanted Shirin first and Max last. From there, I figured I’d alternate between the more interesting and least interesting interviews. But, as I started transcribing, I realized that the dull interviews were few and far between.
The First Challenge Will Have You Talking
As a way to show how the different Collars think, the first challenge was designed with several different choices. Will they unlock or untie the ladder? Which puzzle should they choose? This opens it up to a wide variety of strategies that you’re sure to be debating with your “Survivor” friends the next morning.
The Game Is Afoot
During my “Survivor” visits, we spend about an hour at each of the tribe camps. Of the eleven camp visits I’d done before “Worlds Apart,” only one of those resulted in seeing tribe members actually engaging in strategy conversations. (I watched “Coach” Wade and Sophie Clarke plotting their moves in “South Pacific.”) But this time? All three of the tribes were already heavily playing the game.
Water Challenges Are Back
Nicaragua is kind of awesome. The people are wonderful, it’s only a three-hour flight from the United States, and there’s delicious Tona beer. However, the surf tends to be too rough for Challenge Producer John Kirhoffer and his crew to host water challenges. They tried to work around this in “Survivor: Nicaragua” and “Survivor: Redemption Island” with a weird pool, but it just wasn’t the same. I’m happy to report that a pleasant little cove has been located that is perfect for their needs.

The First Tribal Is a Doozy
You only see five minutes of Tribal during an episode of “Survivor,” but the whole process usually takes about two hours. I’d seen five Tribals in person before “Worlds Apart,” and they were all pretty tame affairs where the person being sent home was never in doubt. That is not the case this time around. I’m not sure what they’ll show tonight, but if they ever decide to use a full Tribal as a DVD extra, this would be a good one to start with.

Don’t miss the 90-minute premiere of “Survivor: Worlds Apart” on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 8 pm ET on CBS.

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‘Survivor’s’ Josh and Reed Accept the ‘Worlds Apart’ Power Ranking Challenge

February 24, 2015

"Survivor" (CBS)

NOTE: XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your “Survivor: Worlds Apart” scoop! I delved deep into the Nicaraguan wilderness on a mission to bring you all kinds of stuff including behind-the-scenes tidbits, pre-game interviews with the cast, insights from “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and Challenge Producer John Kirhoffer, a look at the first Tribal Council, and much more. I’ll be cranking out this goodness daily in the weeks leading up to the premiere, so be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates on all of this season’s “Survivor” fun.

[xfinity-record-button id=”7116600190773202112″ program_type=”series”]

 Over the years, the XFINITY “Survivor” Power Rankings has featured one-on-one battles between former champions, Hall of Famers, a Dragon Slayer, a Mr. Survivor, a Miss Survivor, and a member of S.W.V. Now we’re proud to announce that for the first time ever, three competitors will square off in a Power Rankings triple-threat match!

And, who knows more about being a triple threat than San Juan del Sur’s Broadway Boyfriends (now Broadway Betrothed) Josh Canfield and Reed Kelly?

The first round of the Josh vs. Reed vs. Gordon showdown will take place next week. But to hold you over, we’ve asked Josh and Reed to give us their pregame thoughts on the eighteen new players…

Any questions for Josh? Drop him a line on Twitter: @joshuacanfield
 Any questions for Reed? Drop him a line on Twitter: @thereedkelly
 1. Joe: Pros:  Pre-game favorite male.  How do you not like Joe?  Capable, athletic, smart, fun, sweet.  This guy could go all the way.
Cons: Becoming a threat after the merge because everyone likes him, and he’ll have the potential to go on an immunity streak.		  1. Joe: What’s not to like?  Looks sturdy, speaks well, sounds clever, is cute and comes across as the very personable boy-next-door.  Things look good on paper.  My only concern is that if he gets deep into the game people will cut him loose because he seems like too much of an all-around threat.
  2. Lindsey: Pros:  My favorite pre-game female.  She seems fun, flirty, smart, and willing to do what it takes to actually win this game.  
Cons:  She may irritate some of the other females, and the elements plus lack of sustenance may wear her down.
  2. Shirin: Bright, articulate, and oddly eager to put random things in her mouth.  All are qualities that come in useful in this game.  Can see her getting into numbers and doing very well. I hope her quirkiness works for her and not against her out of the gate.
  3. Shirin: Pros:  She is fun, likable, and seemingly easy-going.  I think she has amazing potential to go all the way.  Her alliance won’t see her as a threat until it’s too late.
Cons:  She could be a first or second boot on her tribe based on her physicality and the fact that the rest of the white collars seem extremely fit.
  3. Lindsey: I want to see her come onto the beach and break stereotypes.  May she show the world that not all tatted-up hairdressers named Lindsey quit “Survivor.”  I love a redemption story.  I hope she uses her open personality, physicality, and her “quieter, more grounded, sneaky side” to her advantage as she has planned in pre-game.

 4. Hali: Pros:  I don’t see any good reason to vote out Hali.  She has her southern charm and seems to be prepared for the rough challenges, and intense strategic game.
Cons: Will she be able to make moves that will win her votes at the FTC?  Not sure if she will be able to manipulate an alliance.		  4. Max: I would really like to see this fan, who has spent so much time studying/appreciating the game, do well.  He seems like a smart, clear thinker who I’d be willing to work with.  If he doesn’t make too big a deal about his extra “Survivor” knowledge back at camp, ruffling feathers of other aficionados in the process, it may serve him better.
 5. Max: Pros:  Well, he obviously knows “Survivor.”  He is ready, eager, intelligent, and someone I would definitely want as an ally. He will be great at challenges, whether physical or mental.
Cons:  He may know too much (if that’s possible) and over-think every decision. After the merge will he be the biggest target?		  5. Sierra: She appears agile and athletic, two nice qualities to have in a tribe-mate to keep you out of Tribal at the beginning.  She has potential to fit in well if some of the other girls aren’t threatened by her stature.

 6. Carolyn: Pros:  I think she will be able to slip into the dominant alliance as a female who is strong but doesn’t seem to pose a huge threat.  She seems strong and able to discern where she should place herself in the game.
Cons: Her age may become a factor.  The cold nights in Nicaragua will be difficult for her to handle.		  6. Kelly: I like her energy and her attitude.  She has already talked about maybe playing too hard pre-game, which has me a bit uneasy about her playing too aggressively too soon.  This season feels replete with gamers with their heads already in the game however, so it may all be fine.  Hoping her over-emphasis on trust doesn’t become a stumbling block for her.

 7. Sierra: Pros:  I think Sierra will stay in the game for awhile based on her athleticism and that she won’t be perceived as a threat.  She will make a great #2 for someone who is more dominant.
Cons:  She may lack drive to make the moves that will need to be made to keep herself on top.
  7. Jenn: All this talk about wine reminds me of Jon!  I’m looking forward to seeing what happens with Jenn though.  I think she’ll either click with others or she won’t, not sure how much in-between there is for her because of her big personality. My goal for her would be to not alienate the other girls by doing too bro-focused.
 8. Vince: Pros: I would want to work with Vince because he would take the focus off of my gameplay.  If Vince is self-aware enough to realize how tribemates perceive him, he could do wonders.
Cons:  He may rub people the wrong way in the long run, and be a little too unpredictable.		  8. Carolyn: Seems like a cool chick who has now grown up and had kids.  This may lend to being able to relate to people well, but will she be able to keep her opinions in check?  I’m not sure … and neither is she.  If she’s able to keep her tongue tame until her confessionals, I could see her being ensconced in numbers quite easily.
 9. Tyler: Pros:  If Tyler plays his cards correctly he could do very well in this game.  He doesn’t seem like he will make too many enemies, and potentially be an underestimated strategic mind.
Cons:  He may become a threat in challenges, and I can see him trusting the wrong person, that will ultimately be his downfall.
  9. Tyler: Appears physically capable and smart.  We like those qualities in tribe mates early on because they keep us out of Tribal, plus later you can point to them as bigger threats.  Wonder though if his quest to be a “difference maker” will backfire by overcomplicating things for himself.  As with most agents, I’m hoping he’s not too slick for his own good.
 10. Jenn: Pros:  Easy-going, athletic, and probably really great to hang out with.  I think she can easily make allies, and can use the trust everyone will give her for her own advantage.
Cons:  She may become a target from other girls who will find her connection with the guys an issue.
  10. Hali: I think people may underestimate her, which could work to her advantage.  If there really is more under the surface, to which she hints, I’d love to see that come into play.  Having a harder time seeing her running the game though.  My fear for her is that she may get too caught up in her attempt to bond with one person to the end and pay the ultimate price for it.
 11. Rodney: Pros:  Will most likely be great in challenges and be someone who is useful around camp.
Cons: May be too alpha male for his own good.  Later in the game his alliance will want to take him out when he tries to make all the decisions.
  11. Dan: This is the second Gorham, Maine contestant to be on the show.  Will he flirt as hard with Jeff Probst as the first one did?  Fingers crossed that he spent some time thinking through some game strategies between making all those audition videos, because he may be staring off with a bit of a handicap because of the age difference.

 12. Mike: Pros:  Will be of great use in the challenges at the beginning.
Cons:  Uncertainty of how he will play the game may lead to unpredictability.  His stature will make people immediately think that he is a threat, and after his alliance has used his strength, they will say “bye, bye.”		  12. Mike: Whenever someone says they’re a hero in their real life but wants to come out and be a villain on “Survivor,” it always makes me always wonder why. I don’t trust it, but it’ll likely make for some interesting TV.  He could be useful brawn in strength challenges and heavy lifting around camp early on, but not sure just yet where his place is after that.
 13. Kelly: Pros: Strong and willing to play hard.  The elements won’t bother her.
Cons: Don’t feel like she will connect to the other players, and probably will find herself outside of the numbers fairly quickly.		  13. Rodney: He’s another who would be good muscle to have in challenges and around camp, but comes across a bit less worldly than many of the other players out there. Wondering if he’ll be out of his depth with these self-proclaimed strategic thinkers due to his prevalent posturing and alpha-male attitude. GTL for life, baby.

 14. Will: Pros: The rest of the tribe won’t expect him to get very far, so he could potentially fly under the radar.
Cons:  I don’t expect him to get very far.  He may be a little lost out there once the game begins, and if the strongest thing you have going for you is that you are nice and a people-person, then I fear for your torch.		  14. Nina: Seems sweet, nonthreatening and says she’s great at manipulating.  I like all of those things for her game.  Could be a solid vote to count on if she’s not taken out right away.  I worry that her need to have people talk one at a time may hinder her game play or alienate her, but it could actually endear her even closer to some tribe-mates – time will tell.

 15. Dan: Pros:  Eager, eager, eager.  He really wants to be here, which I love.  He’s going to try really hard.
Cons:  Unless something crazy happens, he would be first boot on his tribe.  He may not fit in with the rest of his tribe who will see him as a liability.		  15. Vince: Holy feathers, Batman.  This guy looks physically capable.  Wondering who is going to fall for his guru magic because apparently some do in real life.  Curious to see how this Icarus’ personality will integrate with other tribe mates because it could honestly go either way.

 16. Joaquin: Pros:  Has potential to charm the ladies who are blinded by his physique. Great goat to take with you to the end. Athletic.
Cons: Cocky, Brash, and doesn’t seem to be self-aware.  “Basically a bad-ass.”
  16. Joaquin: He’s clearly amazing … just ask him.  Everything about Joaquin screams basically a badass. It’ll be interesting to see which girl gets swept off her feet by his megalomania, because there’s always one.  I’m shocked he’s still single.
 17. Nina: Pros:  Sweet, confident, and unassuming.  She could play under the radar the whole game if she wanted to, and suddenly end up in the final 3.
Cons: But can she make it past the first few votes?  She may be an easy target for her tribe to take out.		  17. Will: He said he was going to use his Spidey-senses, so he wins points there with me, lol. Doesn’t feel too threatening, which could make him most useful as a vote, but worries me when he says he’s “trusting to a fault.”  Could fall victim to being picked off in the as-long-as-it’s-not-me first few days.
  18. So: Pros:  She’s pretty, smart, and athletic.  She understands the game and could be very dangerous.
Cons:  I think her tribe will see her as a threat because she won’t be able to hide that she is playing the game hard.
  18. So: She comes across as pretty and smart and others will pick up on it.  This can cut both ways depending on your tribe.  She touts that she is strategic and looking to “stir up some trouble” which could spell disaster if she gets things too complicated too quickly.

Don’t miss the 90-minute premiere of “Survivor: Worlds Apart” on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 8 pm ET on CBS.

Special thanks to Tim Cabiah for the Power Rankings graphics.

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‘Survivor’ Strategy Roundtable: Jeff Probst, Parvati Shallow Take on the All-Stars

February 23, 2015

"Survivor" (CBS)

NOTE: XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your “Survivor: Worlds Apart” scoop! I delved deep into the Nicaraguan wilderness on a mission to bring you all kinds of stuff including behind-the-scenes tidbits, pre-game interviews with the cast, insights from “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and Challenge Producer John Kirhoffer, a look at the first Tribal Council, and much more. I’ll be cranking out this goodness daily in the weeks leading up to the premiere, so be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates on all of this season’s “Survivor” fun.

[xfinity-record-button id=”7116600190773202112″ program_type=”series”]

This past week, I thought it’d be fun to see how “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and “Survivor” champion Parvati Shallow would work with the White Collars, Blue Collars, and No Collars if they were in the game together.

For a special bonus round, I asked them the same question about a variety of characters from “Survivor” history…

 

“Boston” Rob Mariano
Jeff Probst: Oh dude, I’m playing with “Boston” Rob until the end! Are you kidding? This is a dream come true. The only thing that bugs me is I’m pretty sure that he’d vote me out before I’d realize I should vote him out. And that would hurt. I’d wonder for years in therapy whether he ever really liked me or if he was just using me.
Parvati Shallow: I would get rid of “Boston” Rob real quick, only because Jeff loves him so much and everyone knows a couple’s alliance is a real threat.
Gordon Holmes: (Laughs) I can’t follow that. Parv’s right though, I’d lose “Boston” Rob before he had a chance to break out his rulebook. He doesn’t seem to miss any angles.

Rupert Boneham
Shallow: Ohhhhh…hell no. I’ve played with Rupert once, and I will never do it again. Anyone who goes to war over bananas is straight up cray.
Probst: OK, here’s the truth about Rupert. The fans love Rupert. They love him. He is the most adored player in the history of “Survivor.” And that surprises me. But, Rupert is not the best player by a longshot. I don’t think he knows that. So, with all due respect, I think Rupert is easily played and I would keep him at arm’s length for a while. There’s no reason to get rid of him because he is a worker. I don’t mind his complaining. And, I’d see how I could utilize him. But he’s absolutely no threat.
Holmes: My understanding of Rupert has always been; the fans love him while the players don’t. I’m not out there to get the fans to love me, I just want five or six jurors to give me their vote in the end. So, I’d happily work with Rupert. I’d build him up, tell him I’ve been a fan of his since Cooks (EDIT: er…Pearl Islands),  and I’d happily take him to the end.
RC Saint-Amour
Holmes: RC just didn’t have anyone to trust her last time around. I’d go out of my way to prove she could trust me. We clicked when we chatted in the Philippines, I’m hoping we’d click again. We could pair up and run the whole show.
Shallow: RC and I would be the best of friends and the fiercest of allies. I think I could trust her to do my bidding and she’d be able to play some of the others easily with her cute little smile and a dagger in her bikini bottoms.
Probst: I liked RC…we wanted to bring her back and it didn’t work out. We were going to have her on “Blood vs. Water.” She just needs a little love. Somebody to say, “I think you’re good enough, just as you are.” If I said that to her, I’d have her in my pocket, then we could do some damage.
Gordon Holmes
Holmes: Yeah, I know I’m not a “Survivor” All-Star, but I open everyone else up to this scrutiny, so I might as well take some shots myself.
Probst: Gordon…you have a much darker side than I first knew when I first met you. I think you’re a bit of a contrarian. You like to mix it up. I like that in my normal life, I’d love to go to dinner because you would be challenging me all (expletive deleted) night. “Yeah, but that’s not…” But in terms of the game, that scares me. I want someone I can get into the sand with and go “A or B?” And they say “B” and I trust it. And with you, you would love nothing more than to say, “I voted Probst out.”
Holmes: Get out of my head. Stop describing my dreams.
Probst: (Laughs)  I think I’d approach you and say, “This is real life, you know me, I know you. I think I’m better at this game than you are. You may challenge me on that. But I’m better at reading people than you are. And I think I know you better that you think I do. So, if you want it, come get it. Cause if not, look out for that knife cause I will take you out and I won’t miss you at all.”
Holmes: That part at the end was hurtful.
Probst: That’s what I want! And if you come to me and say, “I’m not that bad.” I’ll say, “Good, now you have to prove that every (expletive deleted) day.” And I would keep you wanting to please me. Parent/lover/friend. That’s how I’d play the game. I’m either going to be a parent to you, a lover to you, or a friend. Depends who you are.
Shallow: I would get Gordon on my side by letting him win some challenges and making him feel really good about himself. He thinks he knows everything so it would be fun to mess with him by really feeding his ego and giving him an opportunity to be the teacher. At some point I’d gather the girls and we would have him wear tribal paint and chase a fake wild boar with a spear made out of a stick. Then, I would get Sierra and RC and we’d slit his throat and watch him hobble away with two idols in his pocket. Ouch.
Holmes: Ouch, indeed.
Russell Hantz
Holmes: Russell doesn’t have a history of working with guys like me, and I doubt there’s much I could do to change his mind. If he approached me, I’d be open to it because it’d be a fun ride and he has a history of coming out on the right side of crazy votes, but otherwise, I’d probably do my best to get rid of him early.
Shallow: I would burn all of his clothes. Every last one of them. And then I would laugh when Sandra burns his hat.
Probst: (Laughs) Well, the showdown that “Survivor” fans will want to see is either Russell destroying me, and they’ll take absolute joy in that. And others will want to see me destroy Russell. I don’t like to lose, but I’m enough of a storyteller to want Russell around for a while. So, I’m going to go to Russell and say, “You and I are the story this season. We can both blow it, cause I’m not going to win and you’re not going to win. So, you can vote me out and you’ll be out a couple of weeks later. Or, we can make a devil’s pact and say, let’s go to the merge. And from then on, if we can get each other out, we got for it.” And then every night I would lie awake wondering.

John Cochran
Probst: I would trust Cochran. I do think Cochran sees me as a mentor and there’s a part of him that says, “I can’t do that to Jeff. Even though I can do it to anyone else I can’t do it to Jeff.” I would play on that. And I would say, “Here is how you pay me back…and brother, you need to pay me back.” Even though he doesn’t have to pay me back for anything. I would just put that thought in his head. I’d try to play on his insecurities that he’s not quite as cool as he thinks he is. Then I would try to get rid of him in the end cause there is no chance I let Parvati, Cochran, or “Boston” Rob beat me in the finals.
Holmes: I’d work with Cochran, but I would always keep an eye on him. He’s too smart to think that the same strategy he tried last time would win it for him again. So, I don’t know what he’d be up to.
Shallow: Cochran is way too likable to let him get far. People underestimate him, and they want to see him succeed because he’s such a lovable nerd. I would really want to work with him, but I would have to get rid of him early on before everyone fell in love with him.
Dawn Meehan
Probst: Dawn’s tricky. I would say, “I think you’ve been underestimated. I think you’re smarter than people give you credit for that. And the reason is because you’re too emotional. So, I’m going to help you with your emotions. We’re going to develop some kind of hand system. When I go to my hand, you relax. I’m going to trust your instincts on how to play the game.” That’d be our quid pro quo.
Shallow: Dawn needs a pillar of strength. I would be the Cochran to her Meehan, calming her down in times of extreme anxiety by simply standing still within the storm. With a Meehan on your hands, you have to just relax, ground yourself and reel her in. She’s not winning in the end, so I’d be happy to make her my number 1.
Holmes: I feel like Dawn took all the heat in Caramoan. I’d team with her in a heartbeat, and I’d let her know that I was willing to take my fair share of bullets. Whether or not I actually did would be another story.

Parvati Shallow
Probst: Parvati is…
Holmes: She’s a nightmare.
Probst: Not a nightmare.
Holmes: Is she still behind me?
Shallow: I’m right behind you Gordon.
Probst: Parvati…is tricky.
Holmes: Not really, have you seen her in challenges recently?
Probst: (Laughs) Well, Parvati won and the reason she could win again is because the male/female dynamic is central in “Survivor.” It can be mother/son, it can be boyfriend/girlfriend, it can be “I just want to sleep with you.” With Parvati, she’s such a good flirt, I could never trust her, and I’d want to. Because she’d be fun to play with because she’s so good. Parvati and “Boston” Rob and Cochran are three people off the top who if they said, “I’ve got a plan.” I’d say, “Great.” And I’d trust it because I’d know they’d thought through it. But with Parvati I could catch myself thinking,  “She’d never do that to me.” And then I’d be super pissed. I’d never live it down. I’d have to move to one of these islands.
Shallow: This girl is really smart and seriously pigeon-holed by Jeff Probst. I would play with Parvati because I would think she’d already burned her flirt identity, played out her Black Widow persona, and outlasted as the underdog. What’s left? The lovable mother. I think Parvati would be a sweet little pussycat in round four.
Holmes: I’m going to second that. People always say Parvati is a flirt, and I just don’t see it. Parvati is more like Regina George from “Mean Girls.” And I’m referring specifically to the part where they say that you want her to like you. You just do. And it’s not exclusive to gender, everyone wants Parvati to like them.

Don’t miss the 90-minute premiere of “Survivor: Worlds Apart” on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 8 pm ET on CBS.

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‘Survivor’ Strategy Roundtable: Jeff Probst, Parvati Shallow Take on the White-Collars

February 20, 2015

"Survivor: Worlds Apart" (CBS)

NOTE: XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your “Survivor: Worlds Apart” scoop! I delved deep into the Nicaraguan wilderness on a mission to bring you all kinds of stuff including behind-the-scenes tidbits, pre-game interviews with the cast, insights from “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and Challenge Producer John Kirhoffer, a look at the first Tribal Council, and much more. I’ll be cranking out this goodness daily in the weeks leading up to the premiere, so be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates on all of this season’s “Survivor” fun.

[xfinity-record-button id=”7116600190773202112″ program_type=”series”]

The days before the launch of a new season of “Survivor” are full of fun little “what-ifs.” What if Corinne Kaplan and Ace Gordon team up to rule Gabon with a cruel, yet hilarious iron fist? What if Michael Skupin literally loses a limb? What if the young tribe tries to trade the Medallion of Power for some Fun Dip?

So, I thought it’d be a fun exercise and a chance to learn more about this season’s contestants if I asked; what if “Survivor” host Jeff Probst, “Survivor: Micronesia” champion Parvati Shallow, and some other random dude played with the “Worlds Apart” cast?

Jeff Probst: I’d align with Carolyn quickly. I think people won’t see her and she’ll blend quickly. She’s got that east-coast thing that I don’t have. I’d go straight up to her and say, “You’ve got something I don’t have. Let’s meet the coasts in the middle and run this game.”
Gordon Holmes: I’d really have to see how Carolyn interacts with others before teaming up with her. If she can stay cool, we’re in business. If she’s looking like a first boot, I don’t want to put my neck on the line to save her. I do think she’d be great to work with though because she has good enthusiasm and fun catchphrases.
Parvati Shallow: I like Carolyn, but for some reason I think she’s going to clash with some of the personalities in her tribe. She’s got strong opinions and is really loyal. I would keep her around because I think she’d stick with me and she’d take some of the heat off of me by rubbing some people the wrong way.


Probst: I’d want to align with him, but there isn’t room for him in my game. Only because I think he’ll beat me.
Shallow: This guy is so full of himself. I think he’ll just get on everyone’s nerves by trying to be the big shot know-it-all. I’d flirt with him but wouldn’t worry about pledging allegiance. He’s going to dig his own grave.
Holmes: How is this guy not a dream partner? He’s fit, he’s charismatic, he’s probably going to make a ton of enemies. Perfect person to team up with. He’s an alpha, I’d be a good lieutenant. And if it looked like he was becoming the jury’s fave, I’d lose him at final five.
Probst: I don’t trust Max. He probably knows the game as well as I do, and I don’t like that. So, simply by the fact that I see him as competition, I’m going to take that beard, I’m going to bury him in the sand, and let the scorpions have at him.
Shallow:  This guy knows too much. He’s been studying the game for years, and he’s incredibly manipulative. I would cut him day one, way before he saw it coming and could do any damage.
Holmes: I’m torn on Max. I could see us working together and having a grand old time, but I don’t want to go to the end with him and I don’t think he wants to go with me. It’d become a matter of who bounces who first. That’d probably make for some really tense Tribals. I think I’d rather partner with some lower-risk people.
Probst: Shirin is going to be too much for me. I’m going to ask for a recast. I’m going to ask to be put on a new tribe. They do that right?
Holmes: You could pull some strings. OK, here’s the thing with Shirin; she’s a great person to take to the end. She’s mega smart and she’ll probably be making some enemies along the way. However, most people have a “Just get me to the final three and I’ll figure it out from there” attitude. I’m sure Shirin is going to be thinking about who she wants to take to the end on day one. So, I’d have to pull a page from Sophie Clarke’s playbook and make an intentional enemy or two. In real life, I get along with most people. If it’s looking like I get along with everyone out there, I’d pick a fight with an unpopular future juror or two to make myself a more attractive finals partner.
Shallow: Shirin loves her some Parv. I would work with her because she’s freaking smart. We could put our heads together and pull off some badass moves that would make Jeff’s eyeballs bug out at Tribal.
Shallow: So is savvy. I think she would need to align with someone who needs her to play the protector. She reminds me a lot of Natalie from Micronesia. I would see who So was protective over and make sure she knew that I was also on board with keeping her “little sister” safe.  I would cut So right before the end of the road in a way that ensured I would get her vote at the final Tribal.
Probst: I would align with So. I would tell her, “I think you’re devilish. I think you’re super smart.  I think you can win this game and I’d like to go deep with you to the end. If you beat me, I’m OK with that. If you betray me, I’ll never let you forget it.” Then I would get rid of her three weeks before she’d ever see if coming.
Holmes: Devilish again? OK, with the year So has had, I think she has a lot banking on the next 39 days. Nobody wants to go home, but she realllly doesn’t want to go home. I’d make her feel as safe as possible. Also, it’s not enough for her to go far, she wants to do so in a way that stands out. I’d constantly be building her up and complimenting her moves. Then, I’d try to get rid of her at final seven or final five. No way I’d go to the end with her.

Holmes: I think I could go all the way with Tyler. I think he’s a logical guy and I’d just have to keep giving him logical reasons to stick with me. It would just be a matter of making sure my resume was better than his at the end.
Shallow: Tyler is endearing. He’s strong and pretty self-aware. I think he’d be a great early alliance, but I wouldn’t keep him around for too long after the merge, only because I could see him roping in a few bottom dwellers and making it all the way to the end. Then again, I may just go to the end with him because he could be the Stephen Fishbach to my JT.
Probst: Tyler would be easy for me to work with because I do think he wants to be in my club. I would let him be in my club and I’d keep him because he’s strong and malleable. I’d rein him in, and then when it was time to get rid of somebody, Tyler would go.

Don’t miss the 90-minute premiere of “Survivor: Worlds Apart” on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 8 pm ET on CBS.

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‘Survivor’ Strategy Roundtable: Jeff Probst, Parvati Shallow Take on the Blue-Collars

February 19, 2015

"Survivor: Worlds Apart" (CBS)

NOTE: XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your “Survivor: Worlds Apart” scoop! I delved deep into the Nicaraguan wilderness on a mission to bring you all kinds of stuff including behind-the-scenes tidbits, pre-game interviews with the cast, insights from “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and Challenge Producer John Kirhoffer, a look at the first Tribal Council, and much more. I’ll be cranking out this goodness daily in the weeks leading up to the premiere, so be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates on all of this season’s “Survivor” fun.

[xfinity-record-button id=”7116600190773202112″ program_type=”series”]

The days before the launch of a new season of “Survivor” are full of fun little “what-ifs.” What if Corinne Kaplan and Ace Gordon team up to rule Gabon with a cruel, yet hilarious iron fist? What if Michael Skupin literally loses a limb? What if the young tribe tries to trade the Medallion of Power for some Fun Dip?

So, I thought it’d be a fun exercise and a chance to learn more about this season’s contestants if I asked; what if “Survivor” host Jeff Probst, “Survivor: Micronesia” champion Parvati Shallow, and some other random dude played with the “Worlds Apart” cast?

Jeff Probst: Dan I would say, “You’re right, dude…you’re right. Funny story!” And until he got in the way, he’s fine. I like Dan. He’s not a bad guy. He’s got a lot of stories. I’m alright with that.
Gordon Holmes: You’ve got to either work with Dan until the end, or cut him immediately. Dan has been dying to play “Survivor” forever. He’s going to want to get in there and make moves and stir things up. And if he’s on the outs, there’s no telling what he’ll do. He reminds me of Jimmy Tarantino in that he has a BIG personality that could rub some people the wrong way. That makes him a solid choice to take to the end. So, work with him or boot him first, nothing in between.
Parvati Shallow: Oh, this guy. No. He’s on par with Rupert for me. Outskies.


Shallow: I would want to work with Kelly. I think she’d easily make friends and allies and could be a valuable source for gathering intel.
Holmes: Kelly worries me because she isn’t going to tell people that she’s a State Trooper. That lie is going to be a tough lie to keep up, just ask Tony. I’m just not a fan of that strategy. It makes me worry what other questionable strategies she has lined up. I’d work with her if I had no other options, but otherwise I’d get rid of her early.
Probst: I’d keep Kelly at arm’s length. I know a lot of people in law enforcement. They’re savvy for a reason. They don’t trust people and they can read people. Kelly, I don’t feel like I could ever trust that she would trust me. I’d have to vote her out.
Probst: I don’t think Lindsey will trust me, so I’ll have to work hard to get her to trust me. I’ll say, “Lindsey, I want to work with you. I’m a lot more like you than you know. And I’m going to prove it to me. Anytime you want, give me a trust challenge and I will pass it.” And then I would do it. If she said we’re going to vote this person out, I’d say, “Sure.” “But they’re you’re best friend.” “I don’t care. I want to work with you.” You’ve got to get Lindsey, she doesn’t trust.
Shallow: Lindsey wants to be included but works hard on looking different. She’s sweet, but she’s also covered in tattoos and is a young mother — so she’s also tough and capable. I think she’s a little too unpredictable to keep around for too long. I could see her messing up one of my plans by wanting to do something her way.
Holmes: Lindsey, Lindsey, Lindsey…out of this cast, she could be first out or she could take the whole thing. I would wait a bit to see how well she gets along with everyone else before approaching her. Don’t get me wrong, I’d try my best to get on her good side, but I’d be wary to talk strategy at first. I guess I’d really need to make sure we clicked before moving forward with her.

Holmes: I love me some Mike. But, playing with him would depend on which Mike we see. If he’s a big bulldozer and he’s driving people crazy, I’d partner with him and let him take all the bullets. If he’s lovable Mike that’s everybody’s bestie, I’d probably have to cut him loose after the merge.
Shallow: He’s too easy. He thinks he’s hard and in control, and I could see him wanting to get rid of the cute girls right away just to prove a point.  
Probst: I’d align with Mike and I would trust Mike. I’d go straight up and say, “I’m from the Midwest, you’re from the Midwest. Let’s just get it done. And I’ll never betray you.” And all of these, it goes without saying, if I’ve got to betray someone? No problem.
Shallow: Yes. I would work with this one. He’s strong and rough and I would play him soft and flirty. He just wants a little affection and feminine sweetness to balance his rugged masculinity.
Probst: I want Rodney around because he’s so fun. If I had to work with him? Rodney’s used to being in charge. I guess I’d go to Rodney and say, “I trust you, man.” Then I’d slowly try to convince him of my ideas.
Holmes: Which sounds better; Team Roddon or Team Gorney? I wouldn’t even need a turkey sandwich and a couple of beers, me and this Boston bad boy are going to the end. He’s a good guy, I’d make him laugh. We’d have a blast. And when it came time to talk strategy I’d be like Jiminy Cricket, not telling him what to do, but offering sound advice.

Probst: I like Sierra, she’s a dark horse.  I think she can malleable enough that she’ll work with you. But, I think she’s got her own ideas, she’s just not used to showing them because she’s kind of a loner in terms of her job. So, I would approach her and say, “I don’t quite get you, but I’m interested.” I would try to get her to woo me.
Shallow: I would play with Sierra. She’s shown she’s capable of pulling off big heists, and I like her determination. She’s also a little nasty and you need that to go far in this game.
Holmes: As a person, Sierra seems awesome. As an alliance buddy, I feel like it would take a lot of time and effort to keep her from being wooed by other alliances. I think her unfamiliarity with the show is what’s giving me pause. But, if she seems solid and isn’t running off to get water and firewood with every other person, we could make a run of it.

Don’t miss the 90-minute premiere of “Survivor: Worlds Apart” on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 8 pm ET on CBS.

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‘Survivor’ Strategy Roundtable: Jeff Probst, Parvati Shallow Take on the No-Collars

February 18, 2015

"Survivor: Worlds Apart" (CBS)

NOTE: XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your “Survivor: Worlds Apart” scoop! I delved deep into the Nicaraguan wilderness on a mission to bring you all kinds of stuff including behind-the-scenes tidbits, pre-game interviews with the cast, insights from “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and Challenge Producer John Kirhoffer, a look at the first Tribal Council, and much more. I’ll be cranking out this goodness daily in the weeks leading up to the premiere, so be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates on all of this season’s “Survivor” fun.

[xfinity-record-button id=”7116600190773202112″ program_type=”series”]

The days before the launch of a new season of “Survivor” are full of fun little “what-ifs.” What if Corinne Kaplan and Ace Gordon team up to rule Gabon with a cruel, yet hilarious iron fist? What if Michael Skupin literally loses a limb? What if the young tribe tries to trade the Medallion of Power for some Fun Dip?

So, I thought it’d be a fun exercise and a chance to learn more about this season’s contestants if I asked; what if “Survivor” host Jeff Probst, “Survivor: Micronesia” champion Parvati Shallow, and some other random dude played with the “Worlds Apart” cast?

Parvati Shallow: Hali’s really cute, she’s smart. She has a good perception of other people. I would definitely work with her and trust her in my alliance. As far as getting to the end with her, I think she’d be a clear threat to win the game. So, I’d take her to the end, but not all the way to the end.
Gordon Holmes: I’m really on the fence about her. This cast wants to make moves and I’d have to convince her that the best moves for her would involve keeping me around. We’d need a common enemy instead of just picking off random people we’re not aligned with. I guess the fact that I’m so wary of her speaks to how much respect I have for her potential.
Jeff Probst: So much potential. She’s one of my favorites on this season. When she walked in the door I fell in love. I like the underdog. Me and her to the end.


Probst: My concern would be that she’s going to change her mind. She’s going to get a better offer. She might think it’s fun to vote me out even though it makes no sense. I wouldn’t mind stabbing her in the back. I like Jenn. I’d love to be on a boat that she’s sailing. She’s a blast.
Shallow: (Laughs) I agree with a lot of that. I think Jenn is a bit of a wild card. You want to trust her, you want to like her. She’s definitely incredibly likable. I’d like to play the game with her and hang with her on the beach. But, I think she could go whichever the wind blows. I could see her being manipulative and the kind of person who wants to make a big move. Make a big splash. Make a name for herself.
Holmes: I really like Jenn. She is a mega-ton of fun. But she is scary. I could see myself being very paranoid whenever she wanders off to get water. I’d work with her, but I wouldn’t make any long-term plans with her. Fortunately, I could see her being a juror that would respect and reward you if you cut their throat.
Probst: I’m not going to align with Joe. He’s just too young for me, I don’t trust his life experience. Way too likable and good-looking for me to give him a chance to go deep in the game. I’m going to use him until I can get rid of him.
Shallow: I disagree. I really like Joe and I don’t think he’d be able to beat me at a final jury. I’d take him all the way to the end. And I think that he and Hali would be a good combination. I’d work with those two. Something about Joe makes me really want to trust him.
Holmes: Joe is my dream alliance. Golden boy, challenge stallion, I’d be no threat in his eyes. He can take all of the attention off of me and what I’m doing. I’d just have to get rid of him in the final stages. No way I’m sitting next to this guy at the end. And if the tide does turn against us, him getting voted off would give me time to scramble.

Shallow: Nina reminds me of Kathleen Sleckman from “Micronesia.” She’s one of those people I think wants to be liked. So, if she feels comfortable, and liked, and valued, and included, then she can be an asset and a vote. But as far as relying on her for strategic plans? I wouldn’t do that. She’d be like Will to me. You’d tell them how to vote.
Holmes: Yeah, in a season that seems overrun with hardcore players, she’s going to be someone who’s happy not to be first and then happy not to be second. I think I’d try to do a thing where I’d make others think she’s on the outs like Monica Culpepper in “Blood vs. Water.”
Probst: Eh…Nina…it’s not happening. She’s not meant for this game long term. Nice woman, but I wouldn’t even consider aligning with her.
Holmes: Harsh.
Probst: Hey, it’s how I feel.
Holmes: I like Vince. I think I could definitely work with him. Let him take the lead, hang back. “Yeah Vince, you’re right Vince.” Then I’d have to get a gauge on how potential jury members were liking him before deciding when to make a move on him. If he was rubbing people the wrong way, I’d try to take him to the end.
Probst: He’s not going to be in my alliance. If I was on a tribe with him and I had to align with him, my approach would be, “Brother, just tell me what to do. You’re clearly the wise one. You’ve lived on the streets. I haven’t.” Then I’d follow his lead and hope for a switch or a merge.
Shallow: Yeah, I agree. This guy reminds me of Coach so much. I would appeal to his ego. I’d fan the ego, give him a lot of praise, a lot of compliments. I’d make him feel really comfortable, like he’s running the show. And then, get rid of him whenever you need to.

Probst: I would probably align with Will. And I’d make him want to please me. I’d say, “This is the way it’s going to go; my way. I know this game, you don’t. If you move left when I tell you to move right? You’re done.” And eventually I’d get rid of him because he’s super likable.
Shallow: He’s really likable. But, he could also be a liability. He doesn’t seem to really know the game much. I wouldn’t get that close to him. I’d think he’d go with the last person that told him what to do. I’d make sure I was that last person he spoke with before Tribal Council.
Holmes: Yeah, he’s my Edna Ma. If he’s loyal and listens, we can go a long way. If he wavers, he’s gone. I think this cast is a bunch of players and the jury will really appreciate gameplay. So, if I can get a coaster on my side, all the better for the final Tribal.

Don’t miss the 90-minute premiere of “Survivor: Worlds Apart” on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 8 pm ET on CBS.

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‘Survivor’ White Collar Max – “I Don’t Think There’s Any Filler on this Cast”

February 17, 2015

"Survivor: Worlds Apart" (CBS)

NOTE: XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your “Survivor: Worlds Apart” scoop! I delved deep into the Nicaraguan wilderness on a mission to bring you all kinds of stuff including behind-the-scenes tidbits, pre-game interviews with the cast, insights from “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and Challenge Producer John Kirhoffer, a look at the first Tribal Council, and much more. I’ll be cranking out this goodness daily in the weeks leading up to the premiere, so be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates on all of this season’s “Survivor” fun.

[xfinity-record-button id=”7116600190773202112″ program_type=”series”]

Name: Max Dawson, Ph.D.
Age: 37
Current Residence: Topanga, California
Occupation: Media Consultant

Gordon Holmes: Your pet peeve is waiting. You’ve been sitting around, not talking to anyone for days. How are you holding up?
Max Dawson: The last couple of days have really put my psyche to the test with all of the sitting around, all of the inactivity; physical inactivity, mental inactivity, social inactivity. I feel like they’re pushing us to the brink of snapping, and then right when we get there Probst is going to say, “Come on in guys!” and they’re going to turn the cameras on and let us go at each other. So, I recognize what they’re doing. It’s been really hard. I think it’s going to put me into a fine form for when the game gets underway.

Holmes: You’re a super fan. You even teach a course in “Survivor.” Is it better to come into the game knowing so much about the show or is it better to trust your gut?
Dawson: I think being a “Survivor” super fan is something that really only hurts people in the game. I see one of two things happening; people start to over-analyze everything through the lens of past seasons. Well, it’s been nine days and we’ve got three tribes, so we probably have a swap coming up so I should probably be making my decision on this vote based on…you can’t do that. They love to lull people into a sense of security and then flip the script on them. The other thing is if you’re identified as a superfan, your competitors, many of whom will have very little familiarity with the show might identify that as some sort of advantage and use it as a reason to target you. I feel like it’s not something I’m going to hide, but it’s not something that I feel gives me any sort of advantage in this game. Quite the contrary, I think it puts a target on me.
Holmes: So, if your background comes out, it comes out.
Dawson: There are a lot of lies I intend to tell. What I do for a living is not one of them. I’m not going to say that I’ve met a lot of people who’ve participated in the game. But, if it comes up and somebody knows my class or they saw me on Twitter, I’m not going to lie about it. I’m going to do my best to say, “I love ‘Survivor’, I’m so excited to be here. But when we’re out here it’s about what’s in our hearts, in our heads, and in our guts as opposed to how many episodes we’ve watched.”

Holmes: You said “the game deserves to be honored.” Which is (expletive deleted) poetry.
Dawson: (Laughs)
Holmes: However, I read that and I worry that someone might make less-than-strategic moves to entertain the audience. That usually comes off poorly.
Dawson: When I think of honoring the game, I think of the way Jonathan Penner plays. He plays hard, he play passionately, he does what is asked of him which is giving every ounce of blood and sweat on the challenge field, which is fighting hard for his life in the social game, which is giving amazing confessionals, and doing great Tribals. It’s really participating. It’s throwing yourself in there and not trying to play under the radar. It’s not using this as a platform to get famous. It’s recognizing that “Survivor” is bigger than the individuals that play it. That “Survivor” rewards those who honor it. Those who play hard, those that give to “Survivor” everything it deserves…I think things turn out pretty well for them.  They might not win, they might not be fan favorite, but they end up having really positive experiences.

Holmes: You’re very prominent in the “Survivor” online community. What happens if Probst drops you on a beach and three days later he’s snuffing your torch?
Dawson: Listen, there are certainly a lot of pressures that are on me that are not faced by the typical first-time player. In putting myself out here, I’m taking a big risk. Especially because I’m not just a young guy in his mid 20s who grew up watching this show. I’m a guy who actually stood up in front of a classroom and stood out in front of the world and expressed some kind of expertise about this show. So, I’m thinking there are probably a lot of people who would love to see me fall flat on my face. Some of them might be involved in production. I can’t imagine that someone like Jeff wouldn’t love to see this so-called expert go out there and be undercut by his own hubris. Well, the difference for me is that the appeal has never about the trivia. It’s not about the personalities. It’s about that primal fantasy, reconnecting with that core essential element of yourself, that reptilian instinctual person that lurks inside of us. That Robinson Crusoe fantasy, the Swiss Family Robinson, the thing that’s captured by “Lost,” by all of these pop culture texts that have tapped into that element of “what will happen to you when you are stripped of all of society’s trapping and are put into the wild.” In that case, I have a great deal of confidence that good things will come out of me. I will thrive in that environment.

Holmes: The first season I attended was “Survivor: Gabon.” I remember getting on this plane and being worried that this show I enjoyed was about to be ruined. What if Probst is a jerk? What if they have catering for the players? What if it’s really on a Hollywood backlot? Fortunately none of that was true. Are you worried about ruining something you’ve grown to love?
Dawson: There’s always the risk that when you find out how the sausage gets made that you’ll never be able to enjoy another cookout. That’s something that by nature of what I do for a living,  I’ve had to contend with for a long time. By profession, I’m someone who takes his passions and studies them for money. I watch TV for money. I think about TV and pop culture for a living.
Holmes: It’s an awesome job.
Dawson: Exactly! Take your passions and make them your life. And that’s sort of what I’ve done with “Survivor.” It’s been a part of my life over the last eight years where it’s something that people identify me with having not even played it. And I feel fortunate that I’ll meet someone and they’ll say, “I know you, you taught that class on ‘Survivor.’” To be in any way able to bask in the halo of such a storied, legendary entertainment franchise is great. There certainly is the risk that a negative experience out here could sour my perception of the game. But the way I’m going into it is very much the way Ian Terry went into “Big Brother.” I want to eat slop. I want to go to Exile Island. I want to be on a (expletive deleted) tribe that goes to Tribal all the time. I want the “Survivor” experience, including being there on day 39 and explaining to the jury why I deserve the million dollars.

Holmes: Any worries that you might have trouble communicating if you’re viewing the game up here and someone else is down here?
Dawson: Certainly. The appeal for me has many layers. There’s the primal layer that I mentioned before. I love the unintentional comedy of “Survivor.” Some of the moments that I talk  about the most are when Bruce Kanegai and Bob Dawg locked up in the (expletive deleted) and drank the wine and pissed everybody off. Those are the things that stick out for me. So, I certainly have that weird geeky appreciation for the show that might go over the heads of people who say, “I’m just like Parvati.” They were given “Heroes vs. Villains” and “Cagayan” on DVD and the three episodes they’ve watched are their entire exposure to the show. I recognize those people are going to be out here, and I don’t dismiss them. Those people are out here for a reason. And based on the casting of season 28, it seems like they’re moving away from putting in the human mannequins, the people who are just filling space. When you’ve got a season with returning players like “Philippines” and you’ve got Penner, you need a Katie and Dana. Because Penner is going to take up three times the screen time as a normal person. And they’re going to take up a third of the time of a normal player.
Holmes: So we can expect Max Dawson – Screentime Hog?
Dawson: I’m not one to be at a loss for words. Especially when I’m talking about my two favorite subjects; “Survivor” and myself.

Holmes: If there is a twist, what do you think it’ll be?
Dawson: I don’t think there’s any filler on this cast. They love the fact that people played hard on “Cagayan.” Jeff talked about it. You guys have talked about it. The fans have talked about it. I expect them to build on that success. My guess is eighteen people, divided into three tribes, and there are a lot of players. Either that or Malcolm and Reynold are at some off-site location waiting for the ultimate “Survivor” bro-down.
Holmes: “Survivor: Brodown.” That’s the subhead.
Dawson: (Laughs) “Survivor: Bro-back Island.”

Holmes: You mentioned lies you’re going to tell. Do you already have some brewing behind that beard?
Dawson: Not so much about myself. I tend to believe that people who go into the game prepared to tell lies about themselves…more often than not it goes wrong. Those interactions are the ones that build the trust that you later on will exploit when you blindside someone. So, they’re not identity-based lies. RC tried to tell people she was a receptionist as opposed to someone who worked in finance. That’s something you have to keep on your mind the entire time. I want to be keeping track of the fact that I told Dalton that I’m getting rid of Gordon and I told Gordon that we’re getting rid of Dalton.
Holmes: But you’d be keeping me right?
Dawson: We’ll see.
Holmes: (Expletive deleted)

Holmes: Women love, as a rule, “Survivor” super fans.
Dawson: Do they?
Holmes: They can’t get enough of them. So, will you be using flirtatious ways to get ahead?
Dawson: I don’t see that as being something. I’m comfortable with it, but I don’t anticipate it being a big part of my game. There are much cuter, younger guys with bigger muscles who I anticipate will attract that sort of attention. And I’m happy to let them too because we know any semblance of a showmance usually places a target on the backs of the people who are participating in it. If there’s someone out there who likes arrogant intellectuals with glorious beards, be they man or woman and they want to flirt with me to solidify an alliance? I’ll do anything to win this game.

Holmes: Any experience in the outdoors?
Dawson: I spend a lot of time camping, hiking, in the outdoors. In my early twenties I spent a couple of years living in Australia, most of it in the back of a van, doing the hippie/vagabond thing. I’ve never roughed it quite as hard as we’re about to in a few hours.

Holmes: If you could align with any past Survivor, who would it be and why?
Dawson: Wow…this is a loaded question for me. I think a lot of people will read this and be disappointed that I didn’t select them. I would pick Dawn Meehan. Not only because I find her to be a strong player, but I think she’s someone I can relate to on an intellectual level. I’ve just always loved Dawn. I’ve found her to be the ultimate wing woman. She’s trustworthy, loyal, tends to cry a little bit, but that’s endearing. I like that. Plus, I’m looking for a bread delivery in the near future.

Holmes: How do you do with extreme heat?
Dawson: I prefer extreme heat to extreme cold. I hated living in Chicago, I love living in LA.
Holmes: What about the sun?
Dawson: I’m a sun worshiper.
Holmes: Lack of food?
Dawson: That’s going to be tough. In preparing to play, when I was first contacted, and I was contacted, I’m not an applicant, I weighed 153 pounds. I’m 6’3”. I’d gotten so badly out of shape that I didn’t have anything on my bones. Between then and now, I fluctuate between 195 and 200. So, that required a lot of eating. Eating has become like my second job. The fact that I’m about to go cold turkey off of calories is a little daunting.
Holmes: What about extreme paranoia?
Dawson: I feel both positive and apprehensive about it. Positive because it suits my personality. I’m kind of a hyper vigilant person who can monitor three conversations at a restaurant while still being able to pretend to be interested in what the person across from me is saying. I tend to pick up on those subtle signs. I’m apprehensive because after 39 days and I’ve won and I have to go back to regular life, how do I reintegrate into society? It’s something that will come naturally, but I want to keep it in check.

Holmes: What are your thoughts on this cast?
Dawson: There are some interesting characters. There’s one guy who I think medical should take a look at. I think he was attacked by a seagull, there are feathers everywhere. It was quite tragic.
Holmes: I see what you did there.
Dawson: There are your requisite mom types, and it’s so funny to think an older woman on “Survivor” is 32. There is a guy who looks like he has a picture of Malcolm in his mirror and he looks at that picture every morning and he says, “You and me, bro. You and me.” He’s copied Malcolm down to the scrunchie.
Holmes: You can’t blame him.
Dawson: Listen, he is Malcolm. He is Mr. Survivor. There are a couple of bros. If you have a Malcolm you have to have a Reynold and Eddie, right? There’s going to be some broing down going on. There are some younger women who look like they could be in that vulnerable position where they’re looking to align themselves with a more experienced individual, be it male or female. But, who knows? They could be a Parvati-type and be extremely cunning and manipulative. There’s one guy who I know if going to be tough competition. Tall, well-built, blonde hair, clearly carries himself like someone who has accomplished a lot in life. He has an observant look and a self-assured gait. I’ve been keeping my eye on him. He’s either my top competition or my number-one ally. Either way I don’t want to be next to him at the end. I take every one of them seriously even though I might want to go off on their fashion sense. But, each one of them is here for a reason. Each one has a story. Even if their story is they’re a pageant girl who caught the eye of someone in casting. They’ve got something that made them stand out.

Holmes: So when you win…
Dawson: Right, when.
Holmes: First of all, I don’t think there will be any living with you anymore.
Dawson: Please.
Holmes: What’s the plan for the money?
Dawson: I just got a divorce. So, I have half a set of silverware, half a set of glassware. Me and the cats, we’re roughing it in a little 375-foot rental. It’d be to start building up my life again. I was with my high school sweetheart and I’m 37 now. It’s almost twenty years of a relationship that’s come to an end. I’m starting a new life. This is a great transitional moment for me. Get something crazy out of my system and then go back to life, hopefully a million dollars richer.

Don’t miss the 90-minute premiere of “Survivor: Worlds Apart” on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 8 pm ET on CBS.

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‘Survivor’ No Collar Nina – “Sometimes You Have to Destroy Relationships to Win”

February 16, 2015

'Survivor: Worlds Apart' (CBS)

NOTE: XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your “Survivor: Worlds Apart” scoop! I delved deep into the Nicaraguan wilderness on a mission to bring you all kinds of stuff including behind-the-scenes tidbits, pre-game interviews with the cast, insights from “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and Challenge Producer John Kirhoffer, a look at the first Tribal Council, and much more. I’ll be cranking out this goodness daily in the weeks leading up to the premiere, so be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates on all of this season’s “Survivor” fun.

[xfinity-record-button id=”7116600190773202112″ program_type=”series”]

Name: Nina Poersch
Age: 51
Current Residence: Palmdale, California
Occupation: Hearing Advocate

Gordon Holmes: You are a huge “Survivor” fan.
Nina Poersch: Huge! I used to have “Survivor” parties with my girlfriends. You bring a dish, but it has to be rice. And her dish has to be beans.
Holmes: What’s it like to sit on a beach in Nicaragua in the days before the game?
Poersch: It’s very exciting…very surreal. I still don’t believe it. I think I’ll believe it for real as soon as I get out there and start playing. But, I’ve watched every season since the first, but don’t ask me a lot of questions about it, because I can’t remember.
Holmes: I won’t, I don’t have that kind of memory either.

Holmes: And you used to live in St. Louis.
Poersch: Yes.
Holmes: But you’re not a Cardinals fan.
Poersch: I should be, but I can’t watch baseball. It’s so boring.
Holmes: Booo…
Poersch: It’s like, is someone ever going to hit the ball and not catch it?
Holmes: This interview is not going well.
Poersch: (Laughs)
Holmes: And you’re into violent, full-contact rugby.
Poersch: I know. Rugby is an awesome sport. It never has timeout. It just goes and it never stops.

Holmes: You’re hearing impaired.
Poersch: I’m deaf. I have a Cochlear Implant, so I wear these little things on my ears and they’re speech processors. They have little microphones. Your sound goes in the microphone, travels up this cord, the magnet attaches to my head that communicates with the computer chip that’s inside my head. And there’s an electrode that goes into your cochlea and that’s what shoots off all of the…I don’t know what they’re called…
Holmes: You were doing an awesome job up until there.
Poersch: (Laughs) Well, it shoots off all of that stuff so I can hear.
Holmes: That’s amazing. I read your bio last night.  I knew there was a deaf person in this cast. I picked you up at the holding tent. We talked the whole way over here. And just now I’m realizing you’re the player with the Cochlear Implant. How long have you been deaf?
Poersch: I didn’t lose my hearing until seven years ago. That’s why my speech is fine. I was only deaf for six months before I got the implant.
Holmes: And what made you lose your hearing?
Poersch: They really don’t know. They call it unexplainable hearing loss. Nobody in my family has lost their hearing. I personally think it was from taking too many over-the-counter pain meds. There was a study that came out that said prolonged use of over-the-counter pain meds in your twenties, by the time you’re  in your forties you have a 90-something-percent chance of losing your hearing. And that was me, I had rebound headaches, which no doctor ever told me that‘s what it was. But I was taking over-the-counter pain meds at least five days a week and more than two a day. So, when I run across young people, I try to educate them. Because losing your hearing is not something you want to go through.
Holmes: Can you take the Cochlear Implant into the game?
Poersch: Yes. I talked to the doctor that’s going to be seeing us before the challenges. And we’ve worked out a thing for me in case I have water challenges or anything like that. These are running off of disposable batteries, and then I have a little container that takes the moisture out of my processor at night. I take them off at night and stick them in there. Otherwise I wouldn’t be able to play.
Holmes: There was a deaf contestant in “Amazon.”
Poersch: I can’t read lips. So, the only way I can understand people is to hear them.
Holmes: Are you going to let your tribemates know?
Poersch: Yes, I have to. It’s so hot I’m going to have to wear my hair in a ponytail. They’re going to see this. Before challenges, they just came up with this rubber sleeve, so it can be submerged completely in the water. So, I have to put that on. And really, it’s just too hard to hide so I might as well tell them.
Holmes: Are there any issues when many people talk at the same time?
Poersch: Yes, it’s difficult for me to hear.

Holmes: As far as the game goes, do you have any issues lying?
Poersch: I’m ready to lie. My mom said to me, “You’re going to have to lie and stuff, just don’t be nasty about it. Don’t be a nasty person.” I know I’ll have to lie, that’s not my nature. But, I want to win that million dollars. It’s lying, but really it’s gameplay. When you play poker you don’t show your hand. It’s going to be tough because people build relationships. Sometimes you have to destroy relationships to win the game. Hopefully those people will realize it’s just a game. If somebody did it to me, I would say, “It’s just a game. You got me.”

Holmes: Do the kids know about mom’s big adventure?
Poersch: They do. My older son is excited, he said, “Whatever you do, don’t let anyone beat you down.”
Holmes: What show does he think you’re going on that allows beatdowns?
Poersch: (Laughs) Verbally.
Holmes: That does happen.
Poersch: He knows me, I’m kindhearted. So, I have to make sure I have that tough skin. I was bullied as a young person. You grew up in St. Louis.
Holmes: Oh, I was definitely bullied in St. Louis.
Poersch: If you’re different than anyone else, then people made fun of you. But, I’ve always stood up for myself. I see myself being tough out there. Whether or not that happens, we’ll have to wait and see.

Holmes: Any first impressions of these folks?
Poersch: They all look like they’re probably nice. There’s one person I’m not too sure about. I don’t think I’d get along with her, but she’s a lot younger than me. So, we wouldn’t have a whole lot in common. I’ve been trying to guess what they do for a living. There might be someone who might be in the military. Just the way he carries himself. There was one guy who laid on the table and took up the entire table so nobody could sit at it. I hope he’s not on my tribe. There are some eccentric people, and those are the kinds I love. I love people who are different. The cast seems a little young. That seems a little intimidating. Hopefully they won’t do a lot of asking ages. I’m not going to lie about it.
Holmes: Doesn’t seem worth it.
Poersch: Right.
Holmes: Some lies are worth it.
Poersch: Exactly. But then I’d have to lie about how old my kids are. It’d be too much to keep track of. If I say my kid is thirty and I’ve already said I’m forty, they’ll be like. “What?!”
Holmes: I was a preteen mom.
Poersch: (Laughs) I had him when I was ten! The problem with all these young kids is that I am kind of bossy.
Holmes: That doesn’t play well.
Poersch: Yeah, and I do like things done a certain way.
Holmes: Can you pull back on that?
Poersch: I’m will probably pull back because that’s the kind of stuff that will get me voted out.

Holmes: Any experience roughing it?
Poersch: Not really. I camped when I was a little kid. But, as a young adult we camped in a tent and I’d only do it for one night because I wanted to take a shower. But, my husband and I hike.  We hike two or three weekends a month. We don’t overnight hike. I’ve hiked the six tallest peaks in Southern California. We’re trying to train for Mount Whitney. We wanted to do that this summer, but I’m here instead.

Holmes: Any worries about sun, lack of food, lack of sleep?
Poersch: It’s going to be mental. I’m not sure how I’ll do with the lack of food other than to deal with it. I looked over the list of things we can eat. Hopefully we’ll have enough coconuts and bananas. I really don’t eat a lot anyway. I’m a little freaked out over the water situation. My granddaughter told me, “You know grandma, you can eat termites.”
Holmes: She’s not wrong.
Poersch: (Laughs) She’s not. But where in the world did she learn that?
Holmes: I’d be proud of her.
Poersch: I am.
Holmes: Have you been practicing making fire?
Poersch: I can totally make fire with flint. It took me maybe two and a half weeks to finally make fire. I made it the day before I left.

Holmes: If you could align with any past Survivor, who would it be?
Poersch: You want to align with the winners because they got to the end, but then you don’t want a winner because you want to win. So, you want a second-place person…oh gosh…I wouldn’t mind aligning with Mike Skupin because I think I can beat him. And I can’t stand people who ride coattails. Like Sandra? I don’t care who you vote out as long as it isn’t me? I hated that. It drove me insane. I know she won twice, but I hated that gameplay. Although…I think if I was out there I’d think, “I don’t care who they vote out as long as it isn’t me.” (Laughs)
Holmes: (Laughs) Hypocrite!
Poersch: (Laughs) And I hate that gameplay!
Holmes: A winning strategy isn’t necessarily a noble strategy.
Poersch: Right.

Holmes: If there is a twist, what do you think it’ll be?
Poersch: I have no guesses. I’m one of those people that doesn’t think about what a twist might be. I don’t try to figure out the end of a book. I know there’s going to be a twist…it’s season thirty.
Holmes: Maybe…who knows?
Poersch: Maybe there is no twist. Maybe it’s old school “Survivor.”

Holmes: You have a husband at home.
Poersch: I have a husband.
Holmes: Does that take flirting off the table?
Poersch: Flirting is totally not a part of my game at all. I’ve never been a flirt at any part of my life. I’ve been married for 23 years. And, we’re completely happily married. I couldn’t ask for a better husband.
Holmes: Um…he doesn’t watch “Survivor,” so I’d argue that you could ask for a slightly better husband.
Poersch: (Laughs) That’s true. He’ll start watching. But he gets up at four in the morning to go to work, so he doesn’t watch a lot of nighttime TV. But he’ll definitely watch now.
Holmes: He’d better.

Don’t miss the 90-minute premiere of “Survivor: Worlds Apart” on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 8 pm ET on CBS.

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‘Survivor’ Blue Collar Lindsey – “Get Ready to See Me Being Annoyed by People”

February 13, 2015

'Survivor: Worlds Apart' (CBS)

NOTE: XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your “Survivor: Worlds Apart” scoop! I delved deep into the Nicaraguan wilderness on a mission to bring you all kinds of stuff including behind-the-scenes tidbits, pre-game interviews with the cast, insights from “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and Challenge Producer John Kirhoffer, a look at the first Tribal Council, and much more. I’ll be cranking out this goodness daily in the weeks leading up to the premiere, so be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates on all of this season’s “Survivor” fun.

[xfinity-record-button id=”7116600190773202112″ program_type=”series”]

Name: Lindsey Cascaddan
Age: 24
Current Residence: College Park, Florida
Occupation: Hairdresser

Gordon Holmes: Your hobbies include “anything artistic.” What does that entail?
Lindsey Cascaddan: Painting, drawing, sewing, music…anything. I can get creative with fitness. I love to cook.
Holmes: You have a ton of tattoos. I assume people always want to talk about them.
Cascaddan: (Laughs) Yeah, it’s definitely in your face, so it’s easy to get caught up in them and talk about them.
Holmes: In this case it is literally in your face.
Cascaddan: Literally. I have a face tattoo, and it’s normally people’s first question. I think it’s a statement piece for me. I put a lot of work into my art and who I am and what I do. And I think to finally get my face tattooed, it was meant to be in your face. And I love it. It makes people question me, and I love that. I like to keep people wondering. I’d say I’m the most judged person here, maybe. I think that works to my benefit in real life and in this game.
Holmes:  How does this work to your advantage out here?
Cascaddan: My angle is really kind of easy and smart for me. It’s set up by my look and my job. I’m a single mom and I’m a hairstylist. It’s easy to let people assume that I’m quirky and ditzy and young and I make wild choices. And I’m “dumb enough to get my face tattooed.”
Holmes: So that sentiment is something you’ve experienced?
Cascaddan: Yeah, of course. In this game, it’s going to work to my advantage because people won’t see anything coming. They probably won’t put it past me to make dumb choices or do crazy things. And, I’m going to let them think that.
Holmes: Does a face tattoo hurt?
Cascaddan: A lot of my tattoos hurt really bad. The face tattoo didn’t hurt.
Holmes: I only have the one, but I think I’ve heard that the closer to the bone…
Cascaddan: No, it’s closer to nerves.
Holmes: They’re addictive.
Cascaddan: There’s a law in tattooing that says nobody has only one. I tell people I have one.
Holmes: One big one.
Cascaddan: All over me. There was a point up in my hairline that made my eye water. But there aren’t a lot of nerves there.
Holmes: I’m pinching around my face and I guess it doesn’t feel too nerve-y.
Cascaddan: Right.
Holmes: Cause I’m going to get a face tattoo when we’re done.
Cascaddan: (Laughs)

Holmes: It says your favorite sport is dating.
Cascaddan: (Laughs)
Holmes: Is there a National Dating League I haven’t heard of?
Cascaddan: (Laughs) I could probably coach that league. I’ve been known to love dating, love boys. I love a person’s energy when they start dating and they put all their best assets out there. I think it is kind of a sport. It’s this wild game we play as humans. We now have reality shows about it. And partnering, this game is about partnering. Creating trust and then breaking that trust. Finding these crazy roles…it’s a game, it’s a sport.
Holmes: And how do you keep score?
Cascaddan: (Laughs) Don’t ask!
Holmes:  Fair enough, this is a family site.
Cascaddan: Right.

NOTE: At this point a handler told us we were being too loud.

Holmes: Keep it down, troublemaker.
Cascaddan: Sorry, my voice is so loud.
Holmes: You’re going to be away from your daughter for quite a bit. How hard is that going to be?
Cascaddan: Being away from her is tough. It’s been tough. I’ve never been away from her. I am a single mom. I’m relying on my mom who is the most amazing human being ever. It’s hard to be away from someone who is like a limb to you. And I think I depend on her as much as she depends on me. She’s my favorite hobby, she’s my full-time job. She’s everything to me.

Holmes: Judging by your pet peeves, I have a feeling you might be annoyed by some of things you’re about to experience on “Survivor.”
Cascaddan: Yeah, I think the audience had better get ready to see me being annoyed by people. Maybe I won’t be as in your face as some of the players that have been on the show. Even though I look loud and have a loud voice, I love privacy. Even though there is no privacy in this game, there can be if you let there be. I try not to bore people with my kid stories. I’ll need a personal bubble.

Holmes: How do you feel about lying within the game?
Cascaddan: I think if any person in the real world tells me that lying is not a pet peeve of theirs, then that would be a huge red flag. Is lying going to happen? Yeah, it’s “Survivor.” They should just call the show “Lies.” Will I lie? Yeah.

Holmes: How about flirting?
Cascaddan: I think any man that I’ve ever come in contact with would be lying if he said I don’t use that to my advantage. And, it’s not something that I even do flamboyantly. I think every girl or guy that is attractive, that does play into your life. Of course that’ll play into my game.

Holmes: Any experience in the outdoors?
Cascaddan: I’d like to say I have experience, but I don’t think I’ll say that in a couple of weeks. (Laughs) I’m really tough-minded. And more than having experience, I think that’ll get me far.

Holmes: Are you a “Survivor” fan?
Cascaddan: I’m a huge fan. It was our family show growing up until around season sixteen. But then I was partying and having my own life. When I became a mom again I became a huge fan again. Now, I’ve caught up on all the seasons I’ve missed.
Holmes: Is that an advantage?
Cascaddan: Yeah, you know what to look for. You know about idols, you know about twists, you know about challenges. You know if you’re going to Tribal and they say “This person is going home, but we’re going to tell them it’s you,” then it’s probably you.

Holmes: If there is a twist, what do you think it is?
Cascaddan: Stop, there’s going to be a twist. When I saw there were eighteen of us I thought they’d add two returning players. Then I thought Redemption Island, but that’s not really a twist anymore  because they’ve done it so many times. I hope it’s snacks.
Holmes: Like “Survivor: Buffet.”
Cascaddan: (Laughs) That’d be awesome.
Holmes: “Survivor: Hammocks and Snacks.” That’s actually what it is. I’m not supposed to tell you that.
Cascaddan: (Laughs) Yes!

Holmes: If two returning players joined you, who would you most like to see?
Cascaddan: John Cochran and Ozzy…only because we have another guy who reminds me of Ozzy and I think they’d get into this huge fight…throwing clams at each other.
Holmes: You just want to see people fight.
Cascaddan: Yeah!
Holmes: Who would you least like to see?
Cascaddan: Parvati. I don’t want to see her. And I don’t want to see anyone from season twenty eight.

Holmes: How do you do without food?
Cascaddan: My boyfriend keeps snacks in his car and I am literally a nightmare…a human being’s worst nightmare when I’m hungry. I think that’s going to be really fun to watch on TV for other people.
Holmes: When my girlfriend doesn’t eat…it’s like she’s not a person anymore.
Cascaddan: You know the shark in “Finding Nemo”? When he smells blood and his eyes go back? We have a joke in our family that that’s me when I’m hungry. I’m bubbly and I’m fun, and then I get hungry and I’m the devil.
Holmes: What about excessive sun?
Cascaddan: I am pretty fair, I’m sure that won’t be comfortable. But I think lack of sleep and lack of food is going to be the worst.
Holmes: What about paranoia?
Cascaddan: I am probably going to follow people into the forest. I’m not sure how I’m going to handle it.

Holmes: What are your first impressions of this cast?
Cascaddan: I think there are a couple of people who look interesting. There are definitely people who are going to bug me. I can just tell by the things that they do. And then, a lot of them I would like to work with. They look like hard workers, they look like people who are going to put up a fight. And I love the fight. I’m ready.

Holmes: What’re you going to do with the million bucks when you win it?
Cascaddan: When, not if?
Holmes: I’ve got confidence in you. When.
Cascaddan: (Laughs) I’m going to invest every penny and go back to work like I never won it.
Holmes: Fiscal responsibility. Love it.

Don’t miss the 90-minute premiere of “Survivor: Worlds Apart” on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 8 pm ET on CBS.

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Posted in RealityTV, survivor, TV News | Comments Off on ‘Survivor’ Blue Collar Lindsey – “Get Ready to See Me Being Annoyed by People”

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