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Sunday Burquest (CBS)

XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your “Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X” needs. We’ll have interviews with all twenty of the new players to hold you over until the season starts. Then we’ll have full episode recaps, interviews with the players after they’ve been eliminated, and the return of the ever-popular “Survivor” Power Rankings. Follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news.

Name (Age): Sunday Burquest (45)
Current Residence: Otsego, MN
Occupation: Youth Pastor
Hobbies: Repurposing and painting furniture. Interior design and thrift shopping (love the thrill of the hunt for a good deal).
Pet Peeves: Arrogant people: those who think they are God’s gift to the human race. Catty women: the ones that make the snide comments, back-handed compliments and make other girls in the room feel like they don’t measure up. People that are late drive me nuts.
Three Words to Describe You: Bossy, compassionate, and tenacious.

NOTE: Usually I get a good thirty minutes with each contestant before the game starts. However, this season I had to get through all 20 players in only two-and-a-half hours. So, these pieces will be short and hopefully sweet.

Gordon Holmes: You’ve had the title of “Survivor” for quite some time, having overcome breast cancer.
Sunday Burquest: It is the best thing ever. I did the first thing, I survived it. And now I’m going to do this one. It’ll be a bigger title than the other one.

Holmes: You’re a young adult pastor and your name is Sunday?
Burquest: Isn’t that funny?
Holmes: Am I the millionth person to make that joke?
Burquest: No you’re not. Most people ask if that was when I was born.

Holmes: You said you’d like to play like Lisa Whelchel who got to the end, but wasn’t awarded by the jury. What would you do differently than her to change the outcome?
Burquest: I felt like she played a little too much on her emotions, and I wouldn’t be as forthcoming as she was.

Holmes: Do you have any problems lying in the game?
Burquest: No. I don’t want to be cutthroat and I don’t want to backstab. But, I’m going to have to be deceptive.
Holmes: What about flirting?
Burquest: No. (Laughs) I’m going to try not to do that. I don’t want my boys seeing that on TV.

Holmes: How well do you deal with being lied to.
Burquest: I don’t like it. It makes me upset. However, I know it’s going to happen in this game.
Holmes: How about hunger?
Burquest: I can handle hunger. I’ve fasted before. I haven’t done anything to this extent, but I’ll get over it.
Holmes: Lack of sleep?
Burquest: That’s going to be a tough one. When I don’t get enough sleep I get emotional and that’s one thing I don’t want to be in this game.
Holmes: How do you deal with extreme temperatures.
Burquest: I can handle it. If I know it’s going to be hot and I know there isn’t going to be an air conditioner or fans, I can deal with it because I know there’s going to be an end to it.
Holmes: How about paranoia?
Burquest: I’m not a super paranoid person. So, I’m going to have to make myself think about what everyone is doing and what they’re saying about me behind my back.

Holmes: What’re your thoughts on the cast members you’ve seen?
Burquest: I see a few alpha males that are going to take charge. A few girls who are sweet and younger. I work with young girls so I can try to connect with them. Then there are a few that I have zero read on.

Holmes: If there is a twist, what do you think it could be?
Burquest: Maybe being back an Exile or Redemption Island. I feel like they haven’t done that for a while. They’ve been changing up the idols, so maybe something with that.

Holmes: If you could align with any past player, who would it be?
Burquest: I’d align with Kim (Spradlin) because she had a really good social game. She didn’t come off as backstabbing people even though she had a ton of alliances. And I felt like she was pretty trustworthy within her solid alliance.

Holmes: Lightning round time. Cats or dogs?
Burquest: Dogs.
Holmes: Beer or wine?
Burquest: Neither.
Holmes: Superman or Batman?
Burquest: Batman.
Holmes: Meat or vegetable?
Burquest: Meat.
Holmes: Republican or Democrat?
Burquest: Republican.
Holmes: Books or TV?
Burquest: TV.
Holmes: Swimming or sunbathing?
Burquest: Sunbathing.
Holmes: Many casual friends or one good friend?
Burquest: One good one.
Holmes: Nice car or nice home?
Burquest: Nice home.
Holmes: Smart or funny?
Burquest: Funny.
Holmes: Parvati or Boston Rob?
Burquest: Parvati.
Holmes: Big TV or big vacation?
Burquest: Big vacation.
Holmes: Working alone or with a team?
Burquest: With a team.
Holmes: Dragons or unicorns?
Burquest: (Laughs) Unicorns.
Holmes: Careful planning or fly by the seat of your pants?
Burquest: Careful planning.
Holmes: Jeff Probst or Ryan Seacrest?
Burquest: Oh…gotta go with Jeff Probst.

Don’t miss the season premiere of “Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X,” Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at 8pm ET.

Ciandre “CeCe” Taylor (CBS)

XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your “Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X” needs. We’ll have interviews with all twenty of the new players to hold you over until the season starts. Then we’ll have full episode recaps, interviews with the players after they’ve been eliminated, and the return of the ever-popular “Survivor” Power Rankings. Follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news.

Name (Age): Ciandre “CeCe” Taylor (39)
Current Residence: Granada Hills, CA via Buffalo, NY
Occupation: Insurance Adjuster
Hobbies: Writing, hiking/working out, and watching reality shows.
Pet Peeves: People who can’t drive in traffic and people who cough and sneeze without covering their mouths.
Three Words to Describe You: Outgoing, strong minded, and goal setter.

NOTE: Usually I get a good thirty minutes with each contestant before the game starts. However, this season I had to get through all 20 players in only two-and-a-half hours. So, these pieces will be short and hopefully sweet.

Gordon Holmes: It says in your bio that you watch a lot of reality shows. Any titles in particular?
Ciandre “CeCe” Taylor: “Survivor,” “The Amazing Race,” those are the two biggest ones I watch…”Dancing with the Stars.”
Holmes: You got the important one in there.
Taylor: (Laughs) Yup.

Holmes: What do your kids think about Mom’s million-dollar opportunity?
Taylor: They’re super excited, but they’re teenagers, so they have to have that laid-back attitude as well.
Holmes: If my Mom went on “Survivor” I would freak right out.
Taylor: That’s what I’m saying! Every time I ask them how they feel about it, they’re like, “Eh…yeah…we’re happy.”
Holmes: Any advice from them?
Taylor: Just to be careful with my words. Don’t go in there all crazy in the beginning.
Holmes: Are you known to go all crazy?
Taylor: No, I’m talkative, I say things before I think. I read people and I like to speak about it and talk and give an opinion. And they’re like, “Mom, just relax.”

Holmes: “Survivor” is often a game that features deception. Do you have any issues with lying?
Taylor: Not at all. I do it for a living. I’m a claims adjuster and I talk to attorneys all day. Sometimes I have to bend the truth a little bit.
Holmes: Well, it’s not like attorneys are always truthful.
Taylor: Exactly. (Laughs)
Holmes: Are you comfortable flirting to get ahead?
Taylor: If it happens, it happens, but I’m not going to say it’s a tool of mine. I’m not normally a flirtatious, sexy person. That’s not really me.
Holmes: If the CBS cameras catch you flirting, is there anyone back home that’s going to be upset?
Taylor: Not at all. There’s no one special in my life right now.
Holmes: Aww… (Laughs)
Taylor: I know!

Holmes: Let’s discuss some things you might experience out there. How well do you deal with people lying to you?
Taylor: I can deal with it. People lie, it’s life. You can try to be honest, but it happens. I lie to my kids sometimes to protect them from something.
Holmes: How about hunger?
Taylor: I…I’m OK with it. I do a spiritual fast from time to time with my church. My biggest issue is probably dealing with the cold.
Holmes: How about sleep deprivation?
Taylor: I’m sleep deprived right now. (Laughs) I’ve been running on little energy for a while now.
Holmes: This is going to be like a vacation for you.
Taylor: (Laughs) I know.
Holmes: How about paranoia?
Taylor: I’m not a paranoid person. I think I’m a little over dramatic. But not paranoid.

Holmes: An early thoughts on the other players?
Taylor: Not at this time. I can’t even read anything until we’re all in a room together.

Holmes: If there is a twist this season, any guesses as to what it could be?
Taylor: If they bring that twist where you have to go to the island by yourself, I’m just going to die. (Laughs) I hate that one!
Holmes: So Day One, Jeff says, “We’re sending someone to Exile.” You’re going to say, “No thanks. See you guys later.”
Taylor: I would deal with it, but I hate Exile Island. That’s the only one that they brought to the game where I was like “NO!”
Holmes: You could finally get some sleep.
Taylor: Yeah, you can get some sleep but you’re going to be hungry and cold if you don’t have someone who can start a fire with you.

Holmes: If you could align with any past player, who would it be?
Taylor: “Boston” Rob (Mariano) he is the greatest. He’s such a people person. He knows how to read them and bring them in. It’s kind of scary. He has a little cult. I don’t want to be cult-like, but he’s a master manipulator. I love him, I think he’s the best player of all time.

Holmes: Alright, lightning round time. Cats or dogs?
Taylor: Dogs.
Holmes: Beer or wine?
Taylor: Wine.
Holmes: Superman or Batman?
Taylor: Superman.
Holmes: Meat or vegetable?
Taylor: Meat.
Holmes: Republican or Democrat?
Taylor: Democrat.
Holmes: Books or TV?
Taylor: TV.
Holmes: Swimming or sunbathing?
Taylor: Sunbathing.
Holmes: Many casual friends or one good friend?
Taylor: One good friend.
Holmes: A nice car or a nice home?
Taylor: A nice home.
Holmes: Smart or funny?
Taylor: Funny.
Holmes: I know the answer to this one; Parvati or Boston Rob?
Taylor: (Laughs) Boston Rob.
Holmes: Big vacation or big TV?
Taylor: Big vacation.
Holmes: Working alone or with a team?
Taylor: Working with…no…working alone.
Holmes: Dragons or unicorns.
Taylor: Unicorns.
Holmes: Careful planning or fly by the seat of your pants?
Taylor: Careful planning.
Holmes: And finally: Jeff Probst or Ryan Seacrest?
Taylor: Jeff Probst.

Don’t miss the season premiere of “Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X,” Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at 8pm ET.

Jessica Figueroa (CBS)

XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your “Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X” needs. We’ll have interviews with all twenty of the new players to hold you over until the season starts. Then we’ll have full episode recaps, interviews with the players after they’ve been eliminated, and the return of the ever-popular “Survivor” Power Rankings. Follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news.

Name (Age): Jessica “Figgy” Figueroa (23)
Current Residence: Nashville, TN
Occupation: Bartender
Hobbies: Kayaking, videography, and watching football.
Pet Peeves: When people are lazy and expect things to just happen. That’s not what life is about. Get up and fight.
Three Words to Describe You: Adventurous, free spirit, and crowd pleaser.

NOTE: Usually I get a good thirty minutes with each contestant before the game starts. However, this season I had to get through all 20 players in only two-and-a-half hours. So, these pieces will be short and hopefully sweet.

Gordon Holmes: Why’d you make the big move to Tennessee?
Jessica Figueroa: Honestly, I got out of a huge breakup a couple of years ago and I wanted to live in a new city…my sister lived there.
Holmes: How’s it working out for you?
Figueroa: I love it. There’s always places to go and people to meet. It’s always fun and always happening.
Holmes: Bartending seems like a good skill to have when you go on “Survivor.” You meet a ton of different people, you have to know how to make them happy.
Figueroa: Oh for sure, bartending you’re making connections non-stop, whether you’re making a regular base or you’re trying to get them in and out of there quickly.

Holmes: You mentioned leading your tribe which isn’t always the best strategy.
Figueroa: (Laughs) Well, I have a couple of different strategies in my mind. I’ve always been a leader in life. But, I want to sit back and see all the roles of the people on the tribe. I’m looking forward to seeing where I fit in.

Holmes: You were bullied non-stop as a child?
Figueroa: Yes.
Holmes: That’s something we’ve seen a lot recently on “Survivor.” Obviously you don’t want to bully or be bullied, but what if you witness bullying?
Figueroa: If you’re in my alliance I’m going to for sure say something. I think it’s because I’m a people person and having been through it. I don’t allow bullying to happen.
Holmes: What did being bullied teach you?
Figueroa: I have really thick skin now. At this point in my life, it can’t affect me. I’m there to get the job done and win a million dollars. But, I won’t put up with being attacked.
Holmes: So, I should not attack you.
Figueroa: (Laughs) No.
Holmes: It wasn’t on my to-do list, but it’s good to know.
Figueroa: Take your best shot!

Holmes: Do you have any problems lying in the game?
Figueroa: I can tell a couple of white lies. I don’t lie a lot in my real life. I have a huge heart. I’ll snake my way around lying. I’ll do some backstabbing.
Holmes: Some honest backstabbing.
Figueroa: (Laughs) Yes.
Holmes: How about flirting?
Figueroa: For sure. In my life I’ve been handed a lot based on my looks.
Holmes: Me too, Jessica.
Figueroa: (Laughs) But, I’m more than a pretty face and I’m looking forward to showing that.
Holmes: Is there anyone at home who will be annoyed if they see you flirting?
Figueroa: Not at all. 100% single.
Holmes: And ready to mingle.
Figueroa: (Laughs)

Holmes: How well do you deal with being lied to?
Figueroa: I’ll turn that situation around real quick and make them regret lying to me.
Holmes: How about hunger?
Figueroa: I can deal with it, for sure. I went to Haiti and had to deal with not eating all the time. I’m good with it.
Holmes: Lack of sleep?
Figueroa: I can deal with it. I have long nights at work where I’ve gotten home at five and had to work a double the next day.
Holmes: Extreme temperatures?
Figueroa: I think my body will handle it just fine. (Laughs) It was hot in Haiti…I’m trying to correlate it.
Holmes: How well do you deal with paranoia?
Figueroa: I don’t get that paranoid, honestly. In “Survivor” you’re looking out for number one.

Holmes: Any early thoughts on the other players?
Figueroa: Not really, I saw some of them at casting. I’ve been flirting, batting my eyes. We’ll see how it goes.

Holmes: If there is a twist, what do you think it could be?
Figueroa: We’re at Season 33. It’s been a long time since there’s been an all-girl tribe. Maybe Redemption Island or Exile Island. The season that’s going on right now is Brawns/Brains/Beauty, so I don’t think they’d do that.

Holmes: If you could align with any past player, who would it be?
Figueroa: This is super hard because I admire Parvati’s (Shallow) game so much. But, I would never align with her unless I was in Amanda’s (Kimmel) shoes. But even then I would’ve taken her out. I would’ve taken Cirie (Fields). I kind of like Ozzy (Lusth), for sure. He’s good at what he does. He supplies the tribe. And I could manipulate him. He fell for Amanda.

Holmes: Lightning round time. Cats or dogs?
Figueroa: Dogs.
Holmes: Beer or wine?
Figueroa: Wine.
Holmes: Superman or Batman?
Figueroa: Batman.
Holmes: Meat or vegetables?
Figueroa: Meat.
Holmes: Republican or Democrat?
Figueroa: Democrat.
Holmes: Books or TV?
Figueroa: TV.
Holmes: Swimming or sunbathing?
Figueroa: Sunbathing.
Holmes: Many casual friends or one good friend?
Figueroa: One good friend.
Holmes: A nice car or a nice home?
Figueroa: A nice home.
Holmes: Smart or funny?
Figueroa: Funny.
Holmes: Parvati or Boston Rob?
Figueroa: Ooooo…that’s so hard! I’ll go with Parvati.
Holmes: Big vacation or a big TV?
Figueroa: Big vacation.
Holmes: Working alone or with a team?
Figueroa: Working alone.
Holmes: Dragons or unicorns?
Figueroa: Dragons.
Holmes: Careful planning or fly by the seat of your pants?
Figueroa: Fly by the seat of my pants.
Holmes: Jeff Probst or Ryan Seacrest?
Figueroa: (Laughs) Jeff Probst!
Holmes: Alright, dude. Break a leg out there.
Figueroa: I’m going to break some other people’s legs.
Holmes: That’s sick.
Figueroa: (Laughs)
Holmes: Figuratively!
Figueroa: Yes!

Don’t miss the season premiere of “Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X,” Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at 8pm ET.

Bret LaBelle (CBS)

XFINITY.com is the place to be for all of your “Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X” needs. We’ll have interviews with all twenty of the new players to hold you over until the season starts. Then we’ll have full episode recaps, interviews with the players after they’ve been eliminated, and the return of the ever-popular “Survivor” Power Rankings. Follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute news.

Name (Age): Bret LaBelle (42)
Current Residence: Dedham, MA
Occupation: Police Sergeant
Hobbies: Going to the gym, golf, improve, and bicycling.
Pet Peeves: Couples who sit on the same side of the booth, people who talk politics and religion at Thanksgiving dinner, and bullies.
Three Words to Describe You: Gregarious, funny/hilarious and caring.

NOTE: Usually I get a good thirty minutes with each contestant before the game starts. However, this season I had to get through all 20 players in only two-and-a-half hours. So, these pieces will be short and hopefully sweet.

Gordon Holmes: We’re on a bit of a tight schedule here, so if you could keep your answers short, I would appreciate it.
Bret LaBelle: I’ve got a hamburger waiting, so I’m on a tight schedule too.
Holmes: I totally respect that.
LaBelle: (Laughs)

Holmes: You’re heading into a high-stress situation, but I’d imagine disarming a gunman would also be a high-stress situation. What happened there?
LaBelle: They were trying to subdue a guy. They were yelling that they couldn’t get his left hand. So, I immediately shot my hand under his left hand and he had a loaded Glock 40. The reason I knew it was a Glock right away even though it was under his clothing is because I carry a Glock. I know what it feels like. So, I just held onto it while they were trying to subdue the guy. I had a death grip on the gun and he’s trying to rip my fingers off of the gun so he can get to it. We eventually got it. There’s no easy way to do it. People will fight you like you’ve never been fought before. It took seven to eight guys to get this guy in handcuffs before it was all done.
Holmes: That is literally better than every story I have.
LaBelle: (Laughs)
Holmes: My friend Jim is a cop and he talks about helping people and arresting people and I’m like, “Looks like Colby isn’t going to get enough Hall of Fame votes this year.”
LaBelle: (Laughs) It’s embarrassing getting that award. And I didn’t want to get the award because I didn’t do anything that any other cop wouldn’t have done. For whatever reason, they gave it to me. Plenty of other cops would have done it. My friends told me, “There’s plenty of (expletive deleted) you’re going to do that you’re never going to get credit for, so take the award.”

Holmes: You also do improv comedy.
LaBelle: Yes, I took an acting course and the teacher said to me, “You really should go across the street to the improv and check that out.” So, I went to Boston Improv in Cambridge and I fell in love with it.
Holmes: What happens if you have some big plan and somebody negates?
LaBelle: Then I will work with that.
Holmes: They’re not saying, “Yes, and,” they’re saying, “No, but.”
LaBelle: (Laughs) We’ll work with that. But I think it will help me with thinking on my toes and talking. I find it helps me in my job. You’ve done a little improv yourself, right?
Holmes: A little in my day. But whenever they want a place, for some reason I always say, “A dentist’s office.”
LaBelle: I have my go-to too. I just start washing dishes. It’s just a comfortable place to be.
Holmes: Hopefully you guys will win some dishes in a reward so you’re be able to be more at ease.
LaBelle: Exactly.

Holmes: Are you comfortable lying in the game of “Survivor”?
LaBelle: Yes, and you just summed it up; it’s a game. I am comfortable lying in the game and I’m assuming I’m going to be lied to many times. And I think most of the time I’ll be able to tell when I’m being lied to because I get lied to everyday at work. Not one person ever tells me the truth.
Holmes: How well do you deal with being lied to?
LaBelle: You know, when you’re a new police officer you’re shocked when someone lies to you. Like in life, you take people at their word. You’d be mad about it. I’m so used to it now, I don’t even care. When people lie to you all the time…stuff that bothered you as a young cop doesn’t bother you. You don’t take things personally. You don’t treat people differently. The guy might be the biggest scumbag, but you’ve locked him up 20 times so it’s like, “Hey Joe, buddy! Get in the back of the car.”
Holmes: Some police officers have hidden their occupations while playing the game. Will you?
LaBelle: I absolutely am going to do that. I’ve been watching this show since the inception. I got hooked on the second season and I went back and watched the first. And 90% of the people who say they are cops do not make it very far. So, I’m going to be like Tony (Vlachos). I think it hurts you, but I don’t know why.
Holmes: What is your occupation going to be?
LaBelle: A funeral director.
Holmes: Who washes dishes.
LaBelle: (Laughs) Exactly.

Holmes: Are you OK flirting in the game?
LaBelle: Absolutely.
Holmes: Is that going to upset anybody back home?
LaBelle: (Laughs) No, I’m single.
Holmes: How about hunger, does that bother you?
LaBelle: I was 270 pounds the first time they called me for this two years ago, so I was all excited that I’d get on…and then Jeremy (Collins) the Cambridge firefighter got my spot.
Holmes: That turned out well for him.
LaBelle: Yes, it did. Keep rubbing that in.
Holmes: (Laughs)
LaBelle: I hear he’s a great guy, though. So, I’m happy for him.
Holmes: He is.
LaBelle: I went on a diet, I lost 55 pounds. I watch what I eat now. I’m used to having a limited diet over the last few years.
Holmes: How about paranoia?
LaBelle: I know what you’re talking about, and I’ve seen paranoid people out there like Brandon (Hantz) but I don’t get that paranoid. I’ve dealt with a lot of stressful situations and this is just a game.

Holmes: Any thoughts on the cast so far?
LaBelle: There’s a dude here who looks like an NFL player. I know you’ve already talked to him. He wears the nicest clothing. This guy is successful at something. And there are a couple of people who might be crazy. Everyone so far…you see each other, you smile. It seems like people I can work with.

Holmes: If there is twist this season, what do you think it could be?
LaBelle: I’ve seen eight or nine people so far. I think we’re going to be one tribe and there’s going to be another tribe and it’s going to be a “Fans vs. Favorites” kind of thing. I’m a fan, I’ve been trying out for a long time. I hope it’s more than that though.

Holmes: If you could align with any past player, who would it be?
LaBelle: Great question…Earl (Cole)…wait Yau-Man (Chan). They were just really cool players and I liked them. I liked how they were loyal to each other and were from opposite ends of the world.

Holmes: Lightning round time. Cats or dogs?
LaBelle: Dogs.
Holmes: Beer or wine?
LaBelle: Wine.
Holmes: Superman or Batman?
LaBelle: Superman, all the way.
Holmes: Meat or vegetable?
LaBelle: Meat.
Holmes: Republican or Democrat?
LaBelle: (Laughs) Independent.
Holmes: Books or TV?
LaBelle: TV.
Holmes: Swimming or sunbathing?
LaBelle: Swimming.
Holmes: Many casual friends or one good friend?
LaBelle: Many casual friends.
Holmes: Nice car or nice home?
LaBelle: Nice home.
Holmes: Smart or funny?
LaBelle: Funny.
Holmes: Parvati or Boston Rob?
LaBelle: Boston Rob.
Holmes: Big vacation or big TV?
LaBelle: Big vacation.
Holmes: Working alone or with a team?
LaBelle: Working with a team.
Holmes: Dragons or unicorns?
LaBelle: Dragons.
Holmes: Careful planning or fly by the seat of your pants?
LaBelle: Careful planning.
Holmes: Jeff Probst or Ryan Seacrest?
LaBelle: Jeff Probst all the way.
Holmes: Alright, it’s hamburger time.
LaBelle: Great, nice talking to you.

Don’t miss the season premiere of “Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X,” Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at 8pm ET.