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A Sneak Peek at the First ‘Survivor: Game Changers’ Immunity Challenge

February 23, 2017

“Survivor: Game Changers” (XFINITY)

QUICK NOTE: The good folks at XFINITY sent me deep into the Fijian wilderness to bring you an exclusive look at “Survivor: Game Changers.” While I was there I conducted interviews with “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and the entire 20-person cast. I also captured exclusive photos and other behind-the-scenes tidbits. So, be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates.

No visit to “Survivor” would be complete without three things; a sunburn in the part of my hair, bug bites in places where I didn’t know I had places, and an exhibition immunity challenge that both sides take a little too seriously.

For those of you who are new to my little adventures, it’s important to know that “Survivor” employs a team of young, fit, tan, buff production assistants affectionately known as “The Dream Team.” Their main job is to hang out on a tropical island and practice the challenges. This is done to make sure everything is fair, relatively safe, and entertaining.

Just so we’re clear; these people are professional challenge performers.

So, whenever we show up for a junket, Challenge Producer John Kirhoffer invites us to square off against his team of athletic cyborgs in a friendly contest. However, not unlike when Apollo Creed battled Ivan Drago in “Rocky IV,” we all take this exhibition very seriously.

The Dream Team takes it seriously because they don’t want to be shown up by a bunch of out-of-shape computer jockeys. And I take it seriously because after being blown out in my first-ever challenge in Gabon, Africa I’ve managed to put together an eight-challenge winning streak.

And I brag about that streak… a lot.

Quick Aside: Yes, I know it’s poor form to brag and it’s even less poor form (lesser form?) to brag about something as silly as a winning streak in a series of exhibition contests. But…you know…I have poor form.

Another Quick Aside: There were too many press members to have a straight-up press vs. Dream Team match-up. So, to honor the then-upcoming Summer Olympics, we decided on a Team Canada vs. Team USA battle. On one side, we had the good folks from “Entertainment Tonight Canada” and on the other we had myself, Parade Magazine’s Josh Wigler, Entertainment Weekly’s Dalton Ross, “Scorpion” star and “Survivor” super fan Scott Porter, and members of CBS’s publicity team. Dream Team members would fill in the empty slots on both sides.

The Challenge
Two teams of seven people will sprint across the beach and retrieve a boat. They’ll push the boat into the water, then paddle it to platform and retrieve a set of keys.

From there, they’ll abandon the boat and return to the beach by climbing over a series of obstacles.

Once they’re back at the beach, they’ll have to dig up two bags of puzzle pieces.

Once both bags have been retrieved, one member of the team will have to open a series of locks with the ring of keys. When all of the locks have been opened, the final bag of puzzle pieces can be removed from a chest.

Finally, the last two members of the team will have to complete a ship steering wheel puzzle. The puzzle is in three sections; an outer ring, the spokes of the wheel, and the handles of the wheel.

The first tribe to complete the wheel, mount it on a spindle, and then raise their tribe’s flag will win immunity. Err…bragging rights.

Note: Due to some tide issues, this challenge is a little bit different than the one the actual Game Changers will compete in. They’ll have to dock the boat at one point and then send a single swimmer out to retrieve the keys.

Another Note: This challenge is very similar to the opening challenge in “Survivor: Blood vs. Water.” You know, the one where Gervase almost passed out and yet still managed to scream “Don’t let that fool you!” when it was over.

The Dilemma
OK, my goal in all of this (aside from continuing my precious winning streak) is to learn what it’s like to be in a Survivor’s shoes. I’ve run plenty of obstacle courses in past challenges, so I decided against the first leg. And, the unlocking portion just seemed like a thankless position. You can’t win the challenge, but you can certainly lose it. So, I decided that I was going to tackle the puzzle. I’d done puzzles in the past, but I’d never done just the puzzle. The final outcome would all be on my shoulders.

Pre-Game Prep
Josh Wigler decided to be my puzzle partner. We figured between his having recently watched every season of “Survivor” for his acclaimed “Rob Has a Podcast: Evolution of Strategy” series and me actually having been in attendance for the original running of this challenge that we’d have an edge over the other team.

We were wrong.

We remembered that the puzzle pieces that went around the circle were kind of like jigsaw pieces, but other than that we were stumped. So much for being “Survivor” experts.

“Survivors, Ready? Go!”
For the first time in my challenge career, that phrase didn’t apply to me. Jeff Probst said the magic words and our team sprinted off to the boat while I just stood there and watched. It was terrible. All Josh and I could do was hum our psych-up songs to ourselves. (Josh’s being “Crossroads” by Bone Thugs N Harmony and mine being Shinsuke Nakamura’s NXT theme music.)

What was worse was, once they paddled off into the distance, we had no way of knowing how well they were doing. From the best I could tell, it was close but we were slightly behind. Our Canadian opponents were able to maintain that lead through the digging portion.

I did my best not to panic. I might not have remembered the intricacies of the puzzle from “Blood vs. Water,” but I certainly remembered that these kinds of challenges always come down to the puzzle. Always.

I managed to maintain my confidence up until the point that the Canadian team flew through the lock unlocking section.

To make a bad situation worse, our lock unlocker (CBS legend Robert Winsor) was having some serious problems. Probst delighted in giving Bob a hard time as he tried key after key. He only stopped his tirade to announce that Team Canada had completed the first part of the three-stage puzzle.

Oh man.

An observer would later tell me that while I kept cheering Bob on, I looked like I was going to vomit.

Fortunately, Bob eventually figured it out. Josh and I attacked the first bag like a couple of men possessed. We completed the outer ring in no time…or so I thought.

I was trying to dig into the second bag when Josh suggested that we calm down and make sure the pieces in the ring were lined up correctly. You see, if the holes are in the wrong place, the handles won’t fit in and we’d have to start over.

I knew we were way behind. I hadn’t heard Probst call out an update in a while. It’s possible he was talking, but I had zoned him out. For all I knew we were seconds away from losing. But, I begrudgingly agreed with Josh. And he was right. One of our pieces was actually in backwards. We would have been dead in the water if we had continued.

We tore into the second bag and were greeted by pieces of spokes, all in different sizes. I started furiously screwing them all together, paying no attention to what their final length should be. Once again, Josh was the voice of reason. He urged me to slow down and think about it.

I took a second, looked at the pile, and realized there were an even number of male and female components.

I said, “Line up the male pieces from smallest to biggest.” We did.

Then I said, “Line up the female pieces from biggest to smallest.” We did.

From there it was obvious that the smallest male piece went with the largest female piece and so on down the line. When we were finished we had eight perfectly even spokes.

As we screwed them into the hub, we heard Jeff announce, “There’s no way Team Canada is going to catch Team America now.”

Without a hint of sarcasm in my voice, I responded, “Seriously?”

Quick Aside: A member of the challenge crew told me that the lining-up-of-the-spoke-pieces method could conceivably make the puzzle too easy in the future. I broke a puzzle!

With our spokes in place and our holes properly aligned, the eight handles were easily put in place. We attached the wheel to the spindle and gave it a mighty spin to bring home a win for Team USA.

Photo Courtesy of “ET Canada”

And, in the ensuing victory celebration, Dalton Ross was sure to yell out, “Don’t let that fool you!”

The Aftermath
It wasn’t until after all of the hugs and high fives that I started to appreciate the unique perspective my silly little streak has given me. I want to win anytime I compete in anything, but the streak adds a real sense of urgency. Maybe it isn’t as intense as the urgency someone feels when they know they’re one Tribal away from elimination, but it’s urgency nonetheless.

And yeah, it’s poor form to brag about an eight-challenge winning streak becoming a nine-challenge winning streak. But like I said, I have poor form.

Terrible, terrible form.

Photo Courtesy of “ET Canada”

Don’t miss the two-hour season premiere of “Survivor: Game Changers,” Wednesday March 8, 2017 at 8 p.m. ET.

Any Questions? Drop me a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes

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‘Survivor’ Troyzan: “This Has Been My Dream to Play and to Win Since the Day I Saw the First Episode”

February 22, 2017

Troy “Troyzan” Robertson (CBS)

QUICK NOTE: The good folks at XFINITY sent me deep into the Fijian wilderness to bring you an exclusive look at “Survivor: Game Changers.” While I was there I conducted interviews with “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and the entire 20-person cast. I also captured exclusive photos and other behind-the-scenes tidbits. So, be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates.

Name: Troy “Troyzan” Robertson
Age:  54
Hometown: Miami, FL
Previously Played On:
“Survivor: One World” – Finished 8th and Jury Member
Best Known For: The only player to own the island he was competing on.

Gordon Holmes: You’re a swimsuit photographer, correct?
Troy “Troyzan” Robertson: Yes, but that’s not all I do.
Holmes: And you’re going to take me on one of these shoots, correct?
Robertson: (Laughs) Of course! When I win I’m not sure if I’ll stop working.
Holmes: That’s not a job I would ever retire from.
Robertson: (Laughs) Yeah, I can take you on one.

Holmes: You’re famous for saying, “This is my island.”
Robertson: Yes.
Holmes: What are you going to do with two islands when this is all over?
Robertson: (Laughs) I know!
Holmes: Don’t get me wrong, it’s lovely.
Robertson: I’m going to change it to “These.” “These are my islands!” That could be the game changer right there.
Holmes: Speaking of game changing, how did you change the game?
Robertson: I changed it, not in one particular way. I didn’t do some special thing like make a great idol. I think it was overall. I’m a scraper. When my back was against a wall, I wasn’t going to just lay down like the girls thought I was going to. “It’s just a game, Troyzan. We’re going to vote you out next, so just take it like a man. You be a good boy.” Are you serious? There’s no way I’m doing that. I’ll go 1000% to win. In my mind, I’m winning everything from this moment on. I’ll find an idol. I’ll pretend that I found an idol. I’ll stir the pot. I’ll do whatever possible. That’s why when I yelled in that challenge, “This is my island. Do not (expletive deleted) with me. You can’t beat me.” I was trying to send a signal to their heads. And maybe put it into their heads that I’m so disliked now, maybe they should take me to the end. But, I was playing with a bunch of kooks who didn’t know the game.

Holmes: What’ve you been up to since “One World”?
Robertson: Just traveling, photographing around the world. Doing some stuff with Sports Illustrated swimsuit, but I do travel photography. Some boring stuff too that pays the bills. I still live on ten acres south of Miami in the middle of nowhere. My marmosets have all passed away since I played last time.
Holmes: I’m sorry to hear that.
Robertson: Well, they only live fifteen to twenty years. I have one dog, Taylor, he’s like my son. Still unmarried. I just travel too much to settle down. I’m to the point now where I’m 54 and I’m like, “Am I really going to get married?”
Holmes: Never too late. I was 39.
Robertson: If it comes, it comes. And I don’t mind dating.

Holmes: In your bio you mention that you wish you had done a better job of calling out top dogs. Take me back to “One World,” what was that in reference to?
Robertson: In general, I had my core group, people I thought I trusted. Then you had people who would say rumors or someone that was like, on an opposite alliance. I thought, “I don’t like them. I’m not even going to deal with them.” That was stupid. I should’ve confronted my enemies to make sure that they’re on the page that I’m hearing them on instead of taking it for granted. Kim or Chelsea or whoever is saying, “This person is saying this thing about you.” I didn’t even confront them. Like Mike, everyone was saying he was talking about me. Why didn’t I just walk up to him and say, “Mike, what’s your story, bro? Why do you have a problem with me?” I just didn’t do that.
Holmes: Aside from confronting people, are you going to do anything differently this time around?
Robertson: I like the way I played last time. Last time I made a good alliance right away. But people who have played many times know that’s key off the bat. But, I think I have a big advantage because there are a lot bigger targets than me this time.

Holmes: Speaking of which, what do you think of this cast?
Robertson: Amazing. I’ve been close to playing the last four years.
Holmes: I’ve heard your name come up a bunch of times.
Robertson: I was cast on “Fans vs. Favorites.” And then it didn’t work out. I was called to play on “Blood vs. Water” with my brother Todd. I was a week away from going. I’d sent my clothes in, and I’m like “Dude, we’re going.” But then they said someone else from my cast was cast. I think it was Kat. It was too many. Then last year I’m sitting in the audience for “Second Chance” getting ready to go and they’re like, “Sorry Troy, you’re getting on the loser bus.” (Laughs) If I could’ve picked a season, I would’ve picked this season.
Holmes: Because of Fiji or because of the cast?
Robertson: Because of this cast. I don’t care about the island.
Holmes: Who are you hoping to work with?
Robertson: I think the majority of the people are going to target the winners. But, those winners are going to be nervous as (expletive deleted). And everybody needs somebody. That somebody in the beginning. If I get approached by any of the winners, I’ll be into it. It’ll be fun to play with Ozzy and Malcolm. That new Michaela girl, I don’t know her game. She comes across as kind of OK. It’s hard to read someone when they just smile at you. I like Sierra Thomas because I don’t think people are going to look at her like she’s some threat. Brad Culpepper, Ozzy, Malcolm, those guys are all big shields. Just like Jeremy did last year.
Holmes: You played with Monica Culpepper. Do you and Brad have any kind of relationship?
Robertson: We played, but we never played together. We were never on the same tribe. Brad’s an intense guy. That could be a possibility. But, people are smart in this game. They’re going to wonder if there’s a connection. Like the four from last year. If people aren’t looking at them as a group, then they’re stupid. They are solid and just finished their season. They’re going to act like they’re not tight, but if I was coming out of my season, I wouldn’t care if we didn’t get along. I’d work with those people.
Holmes: So are they automatic targets or do you try to get in with them?
Robertson: Someone’s going to say we have to split them up and get down to one or two of them.
Holmes: Any other early targets?
Robertson: Well, Tony. Just the way he played…what he said…how he can lie so easily, finding idols, making spy shacks. He’s going to do everything in his power to fool you. And you look at his season, and what he did with Sarah? He could do that anyone.

Holmes: I’ve come up with some excuses people might use to try to get rid of you. I’d like you to counter them.
Robertson: Sure.
Holmes: So, Troyzan was really good in challenges in “One World.” Let’s get rid of him before he goes on a run after the merge.
Robertson: I’d go up to people and say, “I’m not sure what you’ve heard, but you’re telling me that I’m going to beat Ozzy and Malcolm? I’m the oldest guy here.”

Holmes: Troyzan had a whole alliance of women trying to take him out, but he was scrappy and fought the whole time. I don’t want someone around with that kind of resilience.
Robertson: Listen, being scrappy…don’t you think I would do that for you? I’d do it for us. Look in my eyes right now and I’ll tell you the truth. I’m 100% here for the adventure. I want to get to the end, but try me out. Show me how we’re going to vote together. I’ll show you.

Holmes: Troyzan is really emotional with his “This is my island!” Can’t trust him. Is he going to be cool when we need him to be cool?
Robertson: You want to base my personality on ten minutes of one episode? I’ll tell you, watch from the beginning to that part, I was a trustworthy guy, I stuck with my alliance. Crazy emotional? Watch me for the next few days.

Holmes: Any time there are returning players there’s talk of pre-season alliances. Are you a part of any?
Robertson: Not really. The thing is, and I’ve heard it from so many past players, the best thing to do if someone calls or texts you, is to say, “Congratulations, I can’t wait to see you out there.” Some people out here are going to get caught. If you’re talking to five people, where do I sit in that? I’ve met some people at different events. Past that, I think it’s a positive that I’ve met them. But, this is “Survivor” and I can’t think we’re best buddies due to just meeting each other. When it comes to “Survivor,” people’s characters change. In real life they try to show you their best self. But on the show, after a few days of starving, their true characters come out.

Holmes: You’re in lockdown now. You’re not allowed to talk to the other players, but people smile and wink and whatnot.
Robertson: Oh yeah, I do that. I smile at everybody, but I do that normally. Is it better to have a straight game face? This is a social game. In football, you can have a I’m-going-to-kick-your-ass face.
Holmes: Have you caught anyone else interacting?
Robertson: Some people you see. Not a ton, though. It’s been pretty quiet. Caleb and Tai sat down together. But they just ate their food, they didn’t do anything. Although, I feel like people are trying to put out their best personality. Even Tony, he wants to be looked at as a non-threat. So, he does little goofy stuff.

Holmes: You’re about to play with seventeen devils you know, and two you don’t. How do you approach Zeke and Michaela?
Robertson: It’s tough. This has been my dream to play and to win since the day I saw the first episode. Whatever that is, I want to do it. When I saw Richard Hatch running around naked, all I wanted to do was have Jeff call me the sole Survivor. The thing about those two is; they’re just two extra people. Thank you very much, you were part of my season. You helped me to win. I have no knowledge of what they’re going to do. Not knowing someone? That’s tough. You’re playing football and some new guy comes off the bench? What’s he going to do? Obviously they’ve done something big to come back. It makes me nervous.

Holmes: Any twist predictions?
Robertson: (Laughs) It’s beyond me. It’s the 34th season. I don’t know if they’ve ever started out with four tribes.
Holmes: They have.
Robertson: Oh yeah. There’s always a twist with an idol. Weird powers. I’m always thinking they’re going to come up with a way to help a certain group of people. Here’s the immunity beast idol. Or it’s like a pick-‘em thing. The ones who don’t get picked, you’re immune for two Tribals. Something crazy. I know these guys, they’re going to throw some serious (expletive deleted) at us.

Holmes: Alright, I’ll give you a twist. You tell me if it’s awesome or awful. We’ll start with hidden immunity idols.
Robertson: Awesome.
Holmes: Redemption Island?
Robertson: Awful.
Holmes: Exile Island?
Robertson: Awful.
Holmes: Medallion of Power?
Robertson: Awful.
Holmes: Extra vote?
Robertson: Awesome.
Holmes: Steal a vote?
Robertson: Awful.
Holmes: Eliminate a juror?
Robertson: (Laughs) I think that’s awesome. I’m in the final three and I say, “That son of a bitch there…you’re out of here!”

Holmes: Alright, I’ve got a deck of cards with your competition in it. Everyone except for Michaela and Zeke because we don’t know how they play. I’ll give you three at random. You tell me who you’ll vote out first, who you’ll align with and eventually eliminate, and who you’ll take to the end.

Round One: Tai, Ciera, and Debbie.
Robertson: First out is Ciera, she scares the crap out of me. She tells good lies. I’ll align with Tai. I think in the beginning he’s going to think I’m trustworthy. We have the nature thing, close to Earth, Mark the chicken, I love that stuff. I’d take Debbie to the end. I think I have a better speech prepared than she does. And the immunities I’d win.

Round Two: Caleb, Malcolm, and Cirie
Robertson: Caleb out first. I don’t think he’s played “Survivor” long enough. Golly, this is a tough one. I would align with Cirie. I can’t beat her at final three. And Malcolm, I’d beat him by saying, “We’re very similar with how we played. But, I’m 25 years older than that guy. And nobody loves this game more or plays it harder.”

Round Three: Ozzy, Tony, and Brad
Robertson: Tony’s out first. (Laughs) He just makes me nervous. He’s like a Russell Hantz. He’s a question mark. I’d align with Brad. He is obviously a bigger target than me. He’s intense. People are going to be like, “What are we going to do with Brad?” And I’ll take Ozzy to the end for the same reason as Malcolm. And he’s been here four times.

Round Four: Sarah, Andrea, and Sandra.
Robertson: I would vote Andrea out first. She’s a crafty little devil. Watching her “Fans vs. Favorites” season, she seemed paranoid. She’s good socially. I think she could stir up some stuff. Sandra I would align with because she’s going to be a huge target. She has to play with somebody. It’d be easy to control her because if she makes a move out of the ordinary, she’ll be gone. And I’ll take Sarah to the end. I think if I’m sitting with her, I don’t think she would have strategized enough and I don’t think she’s as likable as me.

Round Five: Aubry, JT, and Jeff
Robertson: I’d vote out Aubry. Super smart. Too smart. Great at puzzles, great socially. Probably should have won. I’m looking at a winner. I would work with Jeff. It’s his third time playing. He wants to redeem himself. He’s going to look for someone who’s not an alpha male. We’re older guys. I think he wants to make a merge finally. I’d take JT because he’s won. He’s likable, but he didn’t do what I did to get here.

Holmes: Two left, vote out one and work with the other.
Robertson: I’ll vote out Hali and work with Sierra. When Sierra was strategic, I don’t think she did enough to win.

Don’t miss the two-hour season premiere of “Survivor: Game Changers,” Wednesday March 8, 2017 at 8 p.m. ET.

Any Questions? Drop me a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes

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‘Survivor’ Andrea – “I Want to Be More Low-Key Aggressive.”

February 21, 2017

Andrea Boehlke (CBS)

QUICK NOTE: The good folks at XFINITY sent me deep into the Fijian wilderness to bring you an exclusive look at “Survivor: Game Changers.” While I was there I conducted interviews with “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and the entire 20-person cast. I also captured exclusive photos and other behind-the-scenes tidbits. So, be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates.

Name: Andrea Boehlke
Age: 27
Hometown: New York, NY via Random Lake, WI
Previously Played On:
“Survivor: Redemption Island” – Finished 5th and Jury Member
“Survivor: Caramoan” – Finished 7th and Jury Member
Best Known For: Being the first woman to come back from Redemption Island.

Gordon Holmes: Alright, you know the deal, anything you say here stays here.
Andrea Boehlke: Right. Wait, stays here?
Holmes: Well, until January or whenever I publish it. I mean I won’t repeat anything you say to any of the other players.
Boehlke: (Laughs) You didn’t come out here just to catch up?
Holmes: I came out here for some us time. I brought pictures of my wedding. I’ve got to tell you about this house we’re trying to sell…
Boehlke: (Laughs) Nice of you to fly all the way out here for that.

Holmes: Also, Random Lake is my favorite hometown ever.
Boehlke: It’s just some Random Lake.

Holmes: It seems like you’ve turned to the dark side. You’re now a part of the press.
Boehlke: (Laughs)
Holmes: And People Now just gave you the summer off to come out here and starve?
Boehlke: It was a hassle. But, when I told them about it they were thrilled. They can use it, we’re starting to work on this relationship between People and CBS. And they just renewed my contract for another year for when I get back. It’s kind of all coming together.
Holmes: I’d imagine their fear is you aren’t going to come back after you win a million bucks.
Boehlke: (Laughs) But after taxes…
Holmes: And living in New York…
Boehlke: And after I give you $100,000…
Holmes: Which I totally deserve.
Boehlke: (Laughs) How long will half a million last?
Holmes: You joke, but I’d say I deserve that money because your experience as an XFINITY “Survivor” Power Ranker is probably going to put you over the top this season.
Boehlke: Exactly.
Holmes: It’s a level of training that you can not buy.
Boehlke: Right.
Holmes: Actually, that’s a lie. You can buy it for $100,000.
Boehlke: It’s opened a lot of doors. But, that $500,000 isn’t going to go far in New York.

Holmes: You left the game with an idol in Caramoan. Does it still work?
Boehlke: I have it with me. No, it’s actually sitting at work. I work with a lot of “Survivor” fans. So, I brought it in and they were overjoyed. They like to make fun of me though. They said, “We hope you’re voted out first.” And I said, “What?!” And they said, “Well, either first or win, I just think it’d be funny.”
Holmes: Thanks, guys.
Boehlke: No, it’s not funny! But, I guess my plan is to not get voted out with an idol.
Holmes: Smart.
Boehlke: And to not get blindsided.
Holmes: Smart.
Boehlke: And if neither of those things happen, I will have improved.
Holmes: How mad would you be if that idol was still eligible and it was sitting on a desk in New York.
Boehlke: (Laughs) Pretty mad.

Holmes: Yesterday you learned that theme for this season is “Game Changers.” How have you changed the game of “Survivor”?
Boehlke: Hmm…
Holmes: I bet you’ll have a better answer than a lot of people.
Boehlke: (Laughs) I’d say…game changers can mean a lot of different things. How did Caleb change the game?
Holmes: He didn’t die.
Boehlke: Yeah, he passed out in a reward challenge. I guess for me, I stick out because I was the first woman to win a duel and come back into the game. I believe I invented the puppy dog, following someone when they’re looking for an idol technique. Did that happen before me?
Holmes: They tried to chase down Russell when he was looking…
Boehlke: But not puppy-dog style.
Holmes: That’s true.
Boehlke: Puppy guarding. But after that there was a slew of people doing it. And I plan on doing a lot of that.

Holmes: I was wondering if it meant that people would be changing their personal games.
Boehlke: Oh?
Holmes: But it’s not. I asked Probst. But, are you going to change your personal game?
Boehlke: For me, my first season I was 21 years old. I was scared to make moves. The second season I went the other way. I was very aggressive and way too paranoid. I think this time is going to be a meshing of the two together and learning from my mistakes. I can’t be too paranoid, I can’t be scared. And then also, this game is not going to be the traditional big alliance, us vs. them. There are going to be voting blocs. It’s going to be more secret alliances and sub-alliances. I’ve never played a game like that. I’ve played where you see me strategizing on the beach with my big alliance. We don’t talk to the other people. This game is going to be very different. I’m excited because I don’t have to work with a Boston Rob or a Philip. I’m excited to explore the side alliances.

Holmes: What do you think of this cast?
Boehlke: There are a lot of threats, there are some winners. The people are way more threatening than I am. I hope other people see that.
Holmes: I’m sitting here feeling a little threatened.
Boehlke: (Laughs)
Holmes: I don’t want to say the wrong thing.
Boehlke: Well, in past seasons I felt like I could only go so far. I could win the game because I could win challenges and I was in a good alliance. But, I could only get to seven or five. But there are a ton of people who could win this game. I think we’re on an even playing field.
Holmes: So, with all of these threats it gives you room to maneuver because they won’t be targeting you immediately.
Boehlke: Yes. But I have to know exactly what’s going on. I want to be more low-key aggressive. I don’t want people to see me strategizing on the beach.

Holmes: Anyone you’re looking forward to working with?
Boehlke: I’m kind of thinking of maybe a girl thing this season. The last few seasons I got in trouble with my showmances. My show-mantics.
Holmes: I’m stealing that.
Boehlke: (Laughs) But I’m stoked to see people like Ciera. I loved watching her, I feel like I’d get along with her. And the other Sierra and Hali…I think there’s a good group of girls that I can work with who aren’t too strategic. I think it’d be fun to have a little girl group, but with something on the side with someone like a random…I don’t know…maybe Brad Culpepper. I don’t know. Looking at this group, there’s nobody I’m opposed to except for maybe Tony.
Holmes: What’s wrong with Tony?
Boehlke: He’s just so scary. I rewatched his season right before I came out here and I was reminded of what a lunatic he is. He’s one of the most dangerous people in this game. He’s better to get out right away.
Holmes: Who else is an early target?
Boehlke: Maybe Brad Culpepper because in his season he wasn’t very likable. He is kind of abrasive. I don’t see people targeting the non-offensive girls early. I think the big personalities will be first to go.

Holmes: You played with Malcolm in Caramoan. What’s your relationship like with him?
Boehlke: Eh…I don’t know! In Caramoan we were against each other the whole time. We tried to vote each other our four or five times in a row. And I really don’t know where he stands. My feeling going in is; why would we go after each other immediately when there are bigger fish to fry? My plan is to have a conversation with him and say, “Hey, let’s get on the same page or one of us is gone.” I just don’t know because we don’t trust each other. I feel like he’s my long-lost brother and we know each other too well. The thing about Malcolm is I know when he’s lying. So, if I do find myself in an alliance with him, I think I’ll be able to sniff out when he’s lying.
Holmes: Does he have a tell?
Boehlke: Yes. If he’s serious about something his voice is very low and he talks very fast. Malcolm is very smart. He’s one of the smartest people out here. But when he’s lying, he perks up and his voice gets high and he starts nodding. Like “Yeah, yeah, yeah, OK!”

Holmes: When Malcolm played in Caramoan, you didn’t know anything about him because his first season hadn’t aired yet. There’s something similar this season with Michaela and Zeke. How do you approach them?
Boehlke: It’s tricky. I think they’re going to be safe for the first couple of rounds. People are going to look at them as numbers, as an easy grab. Because they don’t have anybody. They’re probably really scared coming in, but I think they’re in a great position. If I have people I’m working with and then there’s Zeke, I’m going to be like, “Hey, come with us.” Once we learn more about their stories, that might change. But, I’m not too worried about them.

Holmes: You returnees love your pre-season chatter. Are you a part of any pre-season alliances?
Boehlke: So, I’m not going to give you a lot of information.
Holmes: Nobody is going to know until January.
Boehlke: I don’t think I want to comment on any pregame stuff.
Holmes: (Silence)
Boehlke: (Silence)
Holmes: This is my puppy dog face.
Boehlke: (Laughs)
Holmes: I learned it by watching you.
Boehlke: The thing is, I don’t think I did as much as some people have. That can really get you. You hear the stories of people who pre-game too hard and then they’re gone, like Varner.
Holmes: The fact that you’re not talking about it makes me think something is going on.
Boehlke: There’s actually a pretty big thing.
Holmes: Really?
Boehlke: But, I’m going to keep quiet about it.
Holmes: Fine…whatever.
Boehlke: (Laughs)
Holmes: Have you heard of any other alliances?
Boehlke: There are a lot of connections. Like, Malcolm used to date So Kim who was on a season with Hali and Sierra. I’m sure he’s met them. And even meeting them gives you a connection. I feel like Troyzan is talking to a lot of people. It’s the people who reach out randomly that you have to worry about. I’m pretty sure Troyzan and Brad are close. I’m sure Varner is talking to a lot of people.

Holmes: You’re in lockdown now, so you’re not allowed to talk. But winking and smiling happens. Are you doing any of that?
Boehlke: I’ll be pleasant and if I’m alone with someone I’ll give a little smile. But JT, what is he doing? You’ll be in line for food and he’ll hand you a plate.
Holmes: What a monster.
Boehlke: (Laughs) No. I mean everybody saw you do that.
Holmes: I’ll get my own (expletive deleted) plate, dude.
Boehlke: He’ll make toast and be like, “Oh, there’s one for you too.” Everybody is seeing you do that, weirdo.
Holmes: So, say JT makes the final three and you’re on the jury; will that piece of toast sway your vote?
Boehlke: (Laughs) Yeah, probably.

Holmes: Does it concern you that there are four people from Kaoh Rong?
Boehlke: It’s very concerning. Even though Aubry got Debbie out and Debbie didn’t vote for Aubry…they’re going to work with each other. Especially in the beginning. I think that’s a good case for getting them out early.

Holmes: If there is a twist aside from game changing, what do you think it could be?
Boehlke: Maybe it’s going to be…another island? We’ve seen Exile Island and Redemption Island, this island will be different and something magical will happen there.
Holmes: “Survivor: Magic Island.”
Boehlke: Yes!
Holmes: I know you’re a unicorn girl.
Boehlke: (Laughs) I would die of happiness if it was unicorn island.
Holmes: You’d never come back.
Boehlke: Snuff my torch, I’ll spend the rest of my days there.
Holmes: That’ll be fun to explain to People.

Holmes: Alright, I’ll give you a twist. You tell me if it’s awesome or awful. Hidden immunity idol?
Boehlke: Awesome.
Holmes: Redemption Island?
Boehlke: Awful! So bad.
Holmes: Nobody knows that like you do. Exile Island?
Boehlke: That’s so tricky. I think awesome. I liked it on Micronesia.
Holmes: Extra votes?
Boehlke: Awful.
Holmes: Stealing a vote?
Boehlke: Awful.
Holmes: Eliminating a juror?
Boehlke: Awful.
Holmes: Unicorn Island?
Boehlke: Awesome!
Holmes: That’s what I thought.

Holmes: Alright, I’m not just here to chat, I’m here to prepare you. You’re a former Power Ranker, so you’re one of my super faves.
Boehlke: Yeah, but you like Malcolm better.
Holmes: I do love that guy.
Boehlke: What did he say? Is he against me?
Holmes: Can’t say.
Boehlke: Seriously?
Holmes: Can’t say.
Boehlke: I would be miserable if I went out first because of Malcolm.
Holmes: Can’t…say.
Boehlke: He wouldn’t be gunning for me early? That’d be silly.
Holmes: Can’t say.
Boehlke: Your voice got high.
Holmes: That’s my tell. OK, I’m going to give you a reason why someone should get rid of you. You have to counter it.
Boehlke: OK.
Holmes: Andrea can get it done in challenges…
Boehlke: Are you kidding me? I feel like compared to these people I am nothing. I’m bad at swimming. I hate swimming. Look at Caleb? He’s the Beast Mode Cowboy. Malcolm is still here, Tony is still here. They’re all bigger and better in challenges.
Holmes: Yeah, but she won her way back from Redemption Island…
Boehlke: By balancing a vase!
Holmes: Against so many people…
Boehlke: Against guys who are notoriously bad at balancing!
Holmes: She eliminated three people in one challenge!
Boehlke: By balancing a vaaaaaase!

Holmes: I didn’t expect this to get so heated.
Boehlke: (Laughs)
Holmes: Andrea is very crafty. She invented the puppy guarding method.
Boehlke: (Laughs) What good did that do me? I ended up with an idol in my pocket when I went home. I’ve been voted out three times. I’ve been blindsided twice. I’m not that crafty.

Holmes: I’m going to apologize for this one in advance; Andrea Boehlke? More like Andrea Smell-ky.
Boehlke: (Laughs) That’s true. But we all smell out here.

Holmes: Alright, I hold in my hand a deck of cards that has all of your competition in it. Well, except for Zeke and Michaela because we don’t know them yet. I’ll hand you three at random. You tell me who you’ll vote out first, who you’ll work with but eventually eliminate, and who you’ll take to the end.

Round One: Brad, Tony, and Hali
Boehlke: This is pretty easy. I’m going to vote Tony out first…the three idol thing, the spy shack, winning… He’s such a wild card. Even just watching his antics. He’s like Philip, but he’s really smart.
Holmes: Smart Philip.
Boehlke: Exactly. The thing is, I love watching him. I’ll align with Hali. I don’t know why she would come after me. We’ll get along, she seems like a down-to-Earth chick. And I’d love to bring Brad to the end. I’d die of happiness. I just feel like of anyone here, he’s the least likely to win. He’s offensive, people usually don’t like him. I don’t see him being some strategic mastermind. I actually might really like the guy, I just don’t think he can win.

Round Two: Cirie, Aubry, and Ozzy
Boehlke: This one is hard. I’m going to vote out Cirie first. As much as I love her, she’s just so smart and cunning. I’d be worried about her not liking me. Ugh…I think I’ll align with Aubry, but I’ll take Ozzy to the end. Aubry should’ve won last season, so if she gets to the end she’s going to win. Cirie, if she gets to the end, she’s going to win. Ozzy, I think viewers like him, but I don’t think the players like his as much. And he’s never played a strong strategic game. It’s not like he’s going to become some kind of mastermind. It’s his fourth time.
Holmes: Do you hold that against people?
Boehlke: If you’ve played four times you should be damn good.
Holmes: Says the girl playing her third time.
Boehlke: (Laughs) Fast forward three years and I’m saying, “Five times. If you play five times you’d better be good!”

Round Three: Tai, Debbie, and JT
Boehlke: This is tricky. I’d take Debbie out. I can’t get a read on her. I don’t know if she likes me. She’s gone. I’d align with JT. He probably feels like he was really stupid in his last game, which he was. So, I think he’ll probably try to play more a straight-forward game. He’ll try to overcompensate. And, I’ll take Tai to the end, because I don’t think he’s very strategic. You just have to control his flip-floppy ways.

Round Four: Sandra, Jeff, and Sarah
Boehlke: Oh gosh…Sarah Lacina. I don’t know what it is about her. There’s something about her pre-game that freaks me out. I just feel like she hates me for some reason. First out. I could be wrong.
Holmes: Part of the gig is being able to read people.
Boehlke: It’s crazy. Of all these people I’m scared of her? First out. I’ll align with Sandra and take Jeff to the end because if you take Sandra to the end she’ll win.

Round Five: Sierra, Malcolm, and Caleb
Boehlke: I’m going to do this first…I love Malcolm. He’s one of the smartest guys out here. But if I get a chance to get rid of him, I have to. I’d align with Caleb for a little bit. Then I’d take Sierra to the end because she didn’t really have strategic chops the first time around and I can outplay her.

Holmes: Two left. Align with one and boot the other.

Round Six: Ciera and Troyzan
Boehlke: I like them both. I’ll take out Troyzan because I think he’s talking to people. And Ciera is my girl crush of all time. I’ll keep her.

Don’t miss the two-hour season premiere of “Survivor: Game Changers,” Wednesday March 8, 2017 at 8 p.m. ET.

Any Questions? Drop me a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes

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‘Survivor’ Ozzy – “I’ve Got to Make Sure That I’m Friends with Everybody”

February 20, 2017

Ozzy Lusth (CBS)

QUICK NOTE: The good folks at XFINITY sent me deep into the Fijian wilderness to bring you an exclusive look at “Survivor: Game Changers.” While I was there I conducted interviews with “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and the entire 20-person cast. I also captured exclusive photos and other behind-the-scenes tidbits. So, be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates.

Name: Oscar “Ozzy” Lusth
Age: 34
Hometown: Venice, CA
Previously Played On:
“Survivor: Cook Islands” – Runner-up
“Survivor: Micronesia” – Finished 9th and Jury Member
“Survivor: South Pacific” – Finished 4th and Jury Member
Best Known For: Being one of the most dominant challenge competitors ever.

Gordon Holmes: Are those tattoos new?
Ozzy Lusth: This one I got right the day after the game ended in Samoa. So, those were done on the island and this one I got in Thailand a few years after. That’s all done by hand, no machine. I designed it with one of the tattoo artists. It’s all symbolism…it’s how the show went and then my family and stuff like that.
Holmes: Which part of that represents Coach?
Lusth: (Laughs) None of it.

Holmes: Your bio mentions that you lost a member of your family this year?
Lusth: Yeah, my father died this past year.
Holmes: I’m sorry to hear that.
Lusth: Yeah, it’s a bummer. But he was ready to go.
Holmes: Did he watch the show?
Lusth: He was proud of me. He lived in Mexico, so he had to watch it on the Internet. He was definitely proud.
Holmes: As he should be. Grandiose terms get tossed around this show frequently, but I don’t think anyone debates that you’re one of the greatest challenge performers of all time.
Lusth: Yeah, thank you.

Holmes: This is your fourth time out here. What’s the approach?
Lusth: You just learn from your mistakes. I’m going to play a stronger game, but I’m going to structure it differently. I’m going to come out from day one and try to make the strongest bonds I possibly can with everybody I can. Even the people who seem like the weakest players, there’s nothing you can do in this game that’s worse than burning bridges too early. I haven’t had the strongest social game in my past seasons because I’ve relied on my physicality to keep me going. I can’t make that same mistake this time.

Holmes: Asking to be voted out of South Pacific so you can go to Redemption Island is one of the gutsiest moves I’ve ever seen. It’s been five years, do you still have that level of confidence in your challenge abilities?
Lusth: I feel good. I’ve packed on some pounds so that I don’t appear to be the biggest physical threat. I want to play that up as much as possible. I think there are some other very strong individuals out here. I hope they take the target off of my back. My abilities to fish, who knows? I haven’t been spearfishing since Samoa.
Holmes: You don’t do a lot of that in Los Angeles?
Lusth: Well, tropical spear fishing is a little different. And I haven’t climbed a coconut tree since Samoa. I’m hoping I can still do all of these things. But most importantly is the human aspect of the game. I’ve got to make sure that I’m friends with everybody.

Holmes: How have you changed the game of “Survivor”?
Lusth: I think I changed the game just based on the fact that I’m the most able survivalist. I’ve proven that I’m the best fisherman. That I can climb a 50-foot coconut tree. That I can dominate at challenges when I need to. And I’ve made some ballsy moves. I’m the first person to create a fake idol and have it be found and played at Tribal Council. The first person to volunteer to be voted out. Every single time I’ve played this game I’ve been an underdog. And I’ve always tried to change the way that I play. I try to take huge risks. I think that’s the hallmark of a great player, someone who’s willing to risk it all just to get to the next stage and show that they have what it takes to be at that final Tribal.

Holmes: Alright, I want to make sure you’re prepped for this.
Lusth: (Laughs) I need that.
Holmes: So, I’m going to give you some arguments people might use to get rid of you. I’d like you to defend against them.
Lusth: Alright.
Holmes: Ozzy is the original challenge king. I don’t want him to get to the merge and go on a long run of wins.
Lusth: Unless you missed the last season that I played, I didn’t win every challenge. I missed the last challenge and Sophie beat me. And, if you don’t have someone like me on your side in the beginning, there’s a very strong possibility that you’re not going to make it to the merge. I’ve been a loyal player and if you’re on my side, I’ll be loyal to you and take you to the end. And I’ll keep you fed, strong, and healthy until the end of the game.

Holmes: Ozzy asked to be sent to Redemption Island. That’s a big move. I don’t want to go to the end with someone capable of making those kind of crazy moves. I want someone I can predict.
Lusth: What I can promise is that I’ll be predictable in my loyalty. I’ll be one of those people that you can count on to not backstab you. To always vote the way you want me to vote. To give you a security in this game.

Holmes: Ozzy seems like a nice guy, but he’s had his chance. It’s his fourth time.
Lusth: There are winners here!
Holmes: (Laughs)
Lusth: And those winners have not only had their chance, but they’ve made their money and they’ve made their mark.

Holmes: What do you think of this cast?
Lusth: I think it’s great. There are so many different personalities and just trying to see how those puzzle pieces are going to fit together and what the group dynamics are going to be…I think it’s going to be a balls-to-the-walls competitive season. You’ve got someone like Malcolm who could possibly give me a run for my money when it comes to challenges and providing and strategic gameplay. He has all of the right tools at his disposal. He’s someone I’d like to work with. But, I have a feeling we’re going to be on opposite sides at the start. We have too many similar talents and skills.
Holmes: Anyone else you’re looking forward to working with?
Lusth: I want to work with some of these newer players. What they have going for them is that we don’t know anything about them. They can prove to us that they’ve got what it takes to be here. We don’t know why they’re Game Changers, but they did something to make their mark. It’ll be fun to play with them. It’ll be fun to play with Aubry and Tai. She’s been holding her cards really close at Ponderosa. I haven’t been able to get a feeling for her. But she was a conniving one on her season. And Tai is just funny, he’s seems like a cool guy. Caleb is another one, I think he’ll be a very loyal person. I’m also interested in working with the big egos. The strong dudes who are really competitive. They’ll think that they can beat me in individual immunity challenges. I was beat by a girl. People will look at that and say, “He choked in the end. He wasn’t able to perform under pressure.” And that’s the best thing I have going for me right now. But more than that, my loyalty is something I’ve kept strong the whole, entire time I’ve played. It’s something I can use now and if need be I can be disloyal. I can backstab. And done correctly, it can be a powerful tool. And I can find immunity idols.

Holmes: Is there anyone you’re going to target?
Lusth: Early targets…I can see Sandra and Cirie being early targets because they’re very strong strategic players. They’re people who may not be as necessary in the beginning of the game at challenges. Puzzles are always a place where you can put someone who isn’t as physically capable and they can shine in those moments. But, Sandra and Cirie and even Aubry are people I’m going to be wary of. Even Andrea, Andrea has got amazing physicality to her. She’s done well in challenges. I’ve just got to keep the alliances from being too cut-and dry, weak-vs.-strong in the beginning. I can’t have all-female alliances. I can’t have them thinking it’s going to be males vs. females. I think that’d be a mistake because that’s proven to be a lot of male players’ downfalls.

Holmes: You’ve played with Cirie before. What’s your relationship with her like these days?
Lusth: There’s a relationship there, sure. She had a hand in my downfall. But, she wasn’t the architect of that. Parvati and Amanda created that. Cirie just went along. I’m going to say it’s water under the bridge. If I’m playing with her, I’m going to approach her right away and try to make a strong bond with her. I don’t want her to feel like I have a target on her because I don’t want a target on me. I want to play with her until there’s an opportunity to blindside her. I don’t trust her later in the game. Cochran is a great person to learn from. He made strategic moves right before people started gunning for him. And that’s something you’ve got to take into account. I might have to sacrifice a stronger player first just to make an example that it’s not going to be strong vs. weak in the very beginning. Somebody like Tony who is strong and could be a valuable asset might be a great first sacrificial lamb. Or maybe someone like Troyzan. I have a feeling that Fiji is going to be full of water challenges, so maybe people who can’t swim will be easy targets. But, I think it’s a mistake to go after the weakest player first. It might set up a pattern that I don’t want people to catch on to.

Holmes: Whenever you have returnees, there’s a chance to pre-season alliances. Are you a part of any?
Lusth: No. I think there’s a strong likelihood that the players from Kaoh Rong have done that. There are four of them. The last season’s returning players too. I think Troyzan played with Andrea.
Holmes: Andrea played with Malcolm.
Lusth: That’s right. Malcolm and Andrea are possibly an alliance. Those all need to be broken up or at least scrutinized.

Holmes: You’re in lockdown now. Have you noticed people sitting next to each other, winking at each other?
Lusth: There seems to be something between some of the ladies. I think it’s natural that they feel comfortable with each other. The same thing goes for the stronger guys. We can’t let that get out of hand because if it seems like weak vs. strong, then it’ll be bad for me. I’ve noticed there are some people who make no eye contact or have any interactions. That’s Aubry and Ciera. They’re iffy. Debbie looks like someone who could be worked with. Cirie seems very blank. Barely acknowledges anyone.

Holmes: If there is a twist, any guesses as to what it could be?
Lusth: I don’t even want to try to guess. The producers are good at throwing curveballs. The trick is to be observant. Keep your eyes open not only at camp, but at challenges. There could be clues anywhere. There could be an idol at any possible turn.

Holmes: Alright, I’ll give you a twist, you tell me if it’s awesome or awful. Starting with hidden immunity idols.
Lusth: Awesome.
Holmes: Redemption Island?
Lusth: Awesome.
Holmes: Knew you’d say that. Exile Island?
Lusth: Awesome.
Holmes: Medallion of Power?
Lusth: Awful.
Holmes: Extra vote?
Lusth: Awesome.
Holmes: Steal a vote?
Lusth: Awful.
Holmes: Eliminate a juror?
Lusth: Awful.

Holmes: Alright, in this deck of cards I have all seventeen of your opponents except for Michaela and Zeke, who we don’t know yet. I’ll hand you three at random. You tell me who you’ll vote out first, who you’ll work with but eventually eliminate, and who you’ll take to the end.

Round One: Cirie, Sarah, and Malcolm
Lusth: I like this. Oh (expletive deleted). I forgot about her. Who is she?
Holmes: She was in “Survivor: Cagayan.”
Lusth: I don’t know her at all. So, Cirie will be the first out. She’s a strong strategic player and she won’t take me to the end. I’d love to work with Malcolm. He’s a force to be reckoned with. He’s a good player and a good provider. He’ll take the heat off of me. And I’ll take Sarah to the end.
Holmes: How would you beat her?
Lusth: I’ll feed people, kill it at challenges, and be everybody’s friend.

Round Two: Caleb, Sandra, and Tony
Lusth: Tony is the first out, it’ll show that it’s not about weak or strong. He’s won, he’s strong, but he’s gotta go. I’d work with Sandra. If I can gain her trust, she can help me develop strong strategy. And I’ll take Caleb to the end. I think I can beat him. He’s going to make mistakes and burn bridges.

Round Three: JT, Debbie, and Brad
Lusth: Debbie is the first out purely for a challenge advantage. JT…I’d work with. I think he’s a really funny, fun guy to have around camp. He’s the kind of person that makes camp life go by faster and keeping morale up is important for the game. And I’d take Brad to the end because he’s a (expletive deleted) NFL star. He doesn’t need the money.

Round Four: Ciera, Jeff, and Andrea
Lusth: Ciera will be the first one out. Mostly because I don’t know anything about her. I want to work with Andrea if it’s possible. She’s a strong strategic player. And I’d take Jeff to the end. I think I could beat him in front of the jury. I could prove that I’ve done more in the game than he has.

Round Five: Aubry, Tai, and Sierra
Lusth: Aubry is out first. I don’t trust her at all. I think she’s a sneaky player and she can get out of sticky situations. She’s proven that she can make it to the end, even when she’s on the bottom. I’d work with Tai. He has an ability to prove himself in challenges. He’s a funny guy. But, I wouldn’t go to the end with him. I think he’s learned his lesson on how to talk to a jury. I’d take Sierra, she’s always seemed stuck up. When she played on “Worlds Apart,” she seemed like a downer. I don’t think she’ll get votes.

Holmes: We’ve got two left. Work with one and boot the other.

Round Six: Troyzan and Hali
Lusth: I’d work with Troyzan because I think he wants to work with strong players and people that will take him to the end. I’ll vote out Hali…there’s something about her that I don’t quite trust.

Don’t miss the two-hour season premiere of “Survivor: Game Changers,” Wednesday March 8, 2017 at 8 p.m. ET.

Any Questions? Drop me a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes

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‘Survivor’ Hali: “I Don’t Have Any Intention of Working with Sierra. Our Trust Is Pretty Much Gone”

February 17, 2017

Hali Ford (CBS)

QUICK NOTE: The good folks at XFINITY sent me deep into the Fijian wilderness to bring you an exclusive look at “Survivor: Game Changers.” While I was there I conducted interviews with “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and the entire 20-person cast. I also captured exclusive photos and other behind-the-scenes tidbits. So, be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates.

Name: Hali Ford
Age: 26
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Previously Played On:
“Survivor: Worlds Apart” – Finished 11th and Jury Member
Best Known For: Loving nature.

Gordon Holmes: First and foremost, do you still love nature?
Hali Ford: (Laughs) I do still love nature.
Holmes: That was for Jenn, your Dirty 30 sister.
Ford: (Laughs) Dirty 30 for life! Four of us got tattoos together.
Holmes: Oh boy…that’s horrible. What is it?
Ford: It says “Whatever,” and it has a little 30. I’m not fully committed.
Holmes: Is it in a place that’s OK to show to a married man?
Ford: (Laughs) Yes, it’s on my wrist.
Holmes: Look at you! Will 34 get a cool cliquey name?
Ford: No, when your last tattoo says “Whatever,” it’s probably time to stop.

Holmes: How did you feel about this Game Changers title?
Ford: I was shocked to hear that I was grouped with a bunch of game changers. I thought I played a bad game. I never really got started. I wanted to change the game. Right as I was leaving I wanted to start a girls’ coup and overthrow the Blue Collars and switch up the game, but nobody would go with me. I think I acted too late. I changed the game a little bit on Nagarote because Max went home because of me. I lobbied for Shirin to stay. Besides that, I don’t think I did much of anything.
Holmes: As somebody who feels like she didn’t do enough last time, does that inspire you to come in here and kick ass?
Ford: Absolutely, I was pissed off after my last season and I couldn’t wait to get back out here. I just didn’t think I’d be given the opportunity. I need to be proud of what I do out here because I wasn’t proud of my last game. I have really high standards in anything I do. I need to get “Survivor” into a good place.
Holmes: Is that a million dollar check?
Ford: Not necessarily. There’s too much luck in “Survivor” to bet on winning. But I need to play a game I’m really proud of. I want to do big moves. I want to play a subtle game, but I want to have a big effect. I want to be very influential in this game.
Holmes: Game Changer is kind of a grandiose term. Does the weight of that concern you?
Ford: No, in my life I’ve been thrown into situations where I don’t feel competent, and then that gets me excited enough to become competent. When I was in the No Collar tribe, it didn’t take anything for me to be in the core of that alliance. It was just making friends. And the second you showed strategic thoughts you got voted out. I don’t know if I’m the turtle that stays the same size of the aquarium it’s in or not. But, I think that pretty immediately out here I’m going to become a peer among these people.

Holmes: You’re a lawyer now? You passed the bar?
Ford: Yes I did.
Holmes: So, you’re white collar now?
Ford: (Laughs) I don’t know. I work for criminals, so I don’t know what that makes me.

Holmes: How do you feel about this cast?
Ford: I think everybody out here is going to be super fun to be around. It’s an intimidating cast. I’m excited about the caliber of people I’ll be working with. There aren’t any easy boots. There aren’t any weakling stragglers. Maybe one or two…
Holmes: Who are our weakling stragglers?
Ford: The big guy Jeff. I don’t think he’s going to hold up. But I haven’t seen every season. I haven’t seen him play, I don’t know what he’s about. I don’t see him going far. And Debbie, I don’t see her being too strong. She looks like the oldest person out here.

Holmes: Anyone you’re hoping to work with?
Ford: Aubry. I think she’s cool, she’s kind of nerdy. I like her style. The brown-haired Ciera I could work with. And some of the veteran players like Cirie. You’ve got to look out for her, but I’d rather be with her than against her. I like her as a person. And I think I could work with Malcolm or Ozzy, but probably not both.
Holmes: What’s your relationship like with blonde-haired Sierra?
Ford: I don’t have any intention of working with Sierra. Our trust is pretty much gone. The minute I found out she was on, I was like, “Oh great! I’ve got a shoo-in alliance.” But it didn’t take ten minutes to think back about how she played. I don’t want to play with someone who played like she played. I obviously can’t read her or persuade her. Maybe I did read her and she changed her mind?
Holmes: Malcolm dated So from your season. Do you and he have any kind of friendship?
Ford: We’ve hung out a couple of times. We all went to an arcade one night and hung out. He’s cool, he’s fun. He’s wise, too. I’d like to be good friends with him.

Holmes: There are two people here you don’t know. How do you deal with Zeke and Michaela?
Ford: I didn’t stack my deck as thick as I could because I haven’t seen the past three seasons.
Holmes: Blasphemy.
Ford: I don’t have a TV! I live in a trailer. My trailer park Wi-fi can’t stream that stuff. I think it’s an advantage though. It’s good to know your enemy, but it’s also good to take first impressions of people. I might have a fresh approach that could be an advantage.

Holmes: There are four people from Kaoh Rong. How do you deal with that?
Ford: I don’t know! I need to get some intel from people who saw that season to see if they like each other. It’s really easy to see on “Survivor” who likes each other and who doesn’t. They sit together, they sleep by each other, it’s not going to be hard to figure that out. I don’t like the idea of four people who’ve played together, but if it’s like me and Sierra…I don’t think we’re going to work together. It’s like Sarah and Tony. It seemed like they hated each other at the end. But four people? They’ve got a target on their back.

Holmes: Alright, I’m going to give you arguments that people will use against you. I need you to counter them. I want you gone, you tell people why they should keep you around.
Ford: (Laughs) I don’t think you want me gone.
Holmes: I had to dig deep to find these reasons because you’re delightful.
Ford: And I’m not a threat.
Holmes: Hali’s a lawyer though. I don’t want to go to final Tribal with a lawyer. Let’s boot her.
Ford: First of all, you can’t play the first half of the game like that. You can’t think that far ahead. And my whole personality is fairly disarming. I become a different person in front of a judge. But, that’s not my personality. I thought of lying to everyone and saying I failed the bar, but a lie is more detrimental that the truth.

Holmes: Hali is way too likable. I don’t want her to get into the finals.
Ford: Look at me! I’m totally docile. I’m going to fly under the radar.
Holmes: That was my next one! Hali’s going to fly under the radar and take my million!
Ford: (Laughs) I guess I’ll have to fly under the radar even more.
Holmes: Under under the radar?
Ford: Exactly.

Holmes: Are you a part of any pre-season alliances? Have you heard any rumors?
Ford: People talk. Everyone talks in the “Survivor” community. But, I’m pretty removed from that. I did that purposefully. People make pre-season alliances and maybe they don’t turn into anything…or maybe they do. But, you’re still going to need other numbers. I wanted to start fresh. The beach is going to be my day one. I’ve already identified people I’m going to approach first.

Holmes: You’re in lockdown now. But, people wink and smile at each other. Have you been doing any of that?
Ford: Oh, totally. I’m working it. I’ve had talks mostly with Cirie. I really do want to work with her. Ozzy and Malcolm I’ve shared some words with and glances. Oddly enough, I’ve laughed with Tony a lot and Sarah.
Holmes: Have you caught anyone else sharing glances?
Ford: You know who’s going around and talking to everyone? Tai. He just walks up to people and starts conversations. You can’t do that. Everytime I see him, he’s talking to someone.

Holmes: Alright, I have a deck of cards with every player here except for Zeke and Michaela, because we don’t know them yet. I’m going to take this lawyer who doesn’t watch enough “Survivor” out as well. I’ll hand you three at random and you tell me who you’re going to vote out first, who you’ll work with and eventually eliminate, and who you’ll take to the end.

Round One: Sandra, Aubry, and Troyzan
Ford: This is perfect! I’m going to work with Aubry. She doesn’t seem too threatening. She’s smart. She’s a good person to talk things through with. But, I can beat her. Troyzan will go to the end. He’s not going to win. He’s older and he’s kind of coo-coo. Nobody’s going to give him a million dollars and he can’t get to the end unless I take him. And I’m voting out Sandra because she’s won twice. She obviously knows how to do something right.

Round Two: Ciera, Malcolm, and Tai
Ford: Tai is my first boot. He’s already sneaking around talking to everyone and he’s too likable. He’s probably not that great in challenges. I can’t take Malcolm to the end. He might just win, but I would work with him. Ciera, I don’t know a lot about her. But I bet I could outtalk her any day. I’ll take her to the end.

Round Three: Caleb, Ozzy, and Brad
Ford: I’ll work with Ozzy, but I won’t take him to the end. I can already see us…we’re on the same page. We’re really similar. We both love nature, we can go fishing. I’d take Caleb to the end. I don’t think he’s going to play a better game than me. I’m not concerned about him. I’d boot Brad because I’d rather take Caleb to the end. I think Brad is more wise.

Round Four: JT, Andrea, and Tony
Ford: Ahh! Tony and JT are my first two boots.
Holmes: That’s not how it works.
Ford: OK, Tony is my first boot. I don’t want him slinking around. I’d take Andrea to the end. I don’t know a lot about her. She seems sweet enough, but I wouldn’t be concerned about going to the end with her. I’d work with JT. He’s a good guy.

Round Five: Cirie, Sarah, and Jeff
Ford: Jeff would be my first boot. I don’t really want him on my tribe in the first part of the game. His personality is already rubbing me raw. People cuss all the time, that’s fine. But he just cusses at odd times.
Holmes: You’ve got to earn your curses?
Ford: Exactly! Use them nicely. It’s ill-mannered. I already said I wanted to work with Cirie. I’d take her to the end, because I’d feel like I really did something if I beat Cirie. That may be kind of like…who’s that Asian guy that lost to Tony?
Holmes: Woo.
Ford: It might be kind of a Woo decision. But, I don’t think it would be. But just in case, I’ll just work with her. And I’ll take Sarah to the end because she’s a safer bet than Cirie.

Holmes: We’ve got two left. Work with one and boot the other.

Round Six: Sierra and Debbie
Ford: Boot Sierra and work with Debbie. I’m not working with Sierra.

Don’t miss the two-hour season premiere of “Survivor: Game Changers,” Wednesday March 8, 2017 at 8 p.m. ET.

Any Questions? Drop me a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes

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Posted in RealityTV, survivor, TV News | Comments Off on ‘Survivor’ Hali: “I Don’t Have Any Intention of Working with Sierra. Our Trust Is Pretty Much Gone”

‘Survivor’ Jeff: “I Feel Like If I Keep My Mouth Shut I Might Make a Jury For a Change”

February 16, 2017

Jeff Varner (CBS)

QUICK NOTE: The good folks at XFINITY sent me deep into the Fijian wilderness to bring you an exclusive look at “Survivor: Game Changers.” While I was there I conducted interviews with “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and the entire 20-person cast. I also captured exclusive photos and other behind-the-scenes tidbits. So, be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates.

Name: Jeff Varner
Age: 50
Hometown: High Point, NC
Previously Played On:
“Survivor: The Australian Outback” – Finished 10th
“Survivor: Second Chance” – Finished 17th
Best Known For: Trying to make Tina Wesson vomit.

Gordon Holmes: You played 15 years ago, they bring you back…and here you are again almost immediately. Holy crap.
Jeff Varner: Out of everybody here, I am part of this family the longest. And that didn’t hit me until yesterday. It never crossed my mind. I’m the O.G., literally.
Holmes: With the exception of the newbies from season 33, you’ve played the latest and the most recent.
Varner: Yeah, you talk about Game Changer…this game was changed by the time I got back into it.
Holmes: When you first heard that Game Changer subhead, what did that mean to you?
Varner: It meant a lot, I was flattered by it. Then I started thinking, what did I do to change the game? Well, I did a lot more than you did.
Holmes: Me?
Varner: (Laughs) No, I was looking around the room going. What’d you do? Who’d you sleep with to get here because you didn’t change (expletive deleted). Since when did a goat become a game changer? The way I look at is; I as a human am a game changer. I am ballsy, I have a lot of courage, I’m afraid of very little. I’m like Donald Trump in a way in that even though the rules say this is how you do it? This is how we’re going to do it. If everybody goes this way, I go that way. I’m looking more for how I’m going to change going forward. I feel like this is a good time for me.

Holmes: Let’s talk about “Second Chance.” It’s better to burn out than fade away.
Varner: (Laughs) Like a shooting star.
Holmes: To quote Def Leppard. How do you take the lessons from “Second Chance” and apply them to your future victory?
Varner: I learned a lot in “Second Chance.” Don’t go too hard, too fast. Don’t show all your cards right out of the gate. Don’t pre-game. Keep your mouth shut. When you get information, sit on it. Figure out the best way to use it. I would immediately go where my instincts told me to.
Holmes: You said, “No pre-gaming.” I asked everyone before “Second Chance” if they pre-gamed and everyone said, “No, but everyone else is.”
Varner: Liars.
Holmes: Everyone except for you.
Varner: They’re all lying. I have nothing to hide. Why not tell you the truth? And I was the only one who did. When it all came out and I was the only one talking, it pissed me off. If I’m talking to fifteen people, fifteen people are talking to me.
Holmes: Before every interview I say, “Whatever you say here, stays here. Nothing gets shared with the rest of the cast. This won’t see the light of day until a month before the season airs.” You tell me you’re working with Kelly Wiglesworth. Then I ask her if she’s working with anyone and she says, “No.”
Varner: Liar.
Holmes: Yeah, in my brain, I’m saying, “Really?” But, to her I have to keep my mouth shut.
Varner: Fishbach asked me about it when we got back. And I had to show them the text messages. I have text messages from all of these people. I want you to see that I’m not lying. But the problem is; now I’m the poster child for pre-gaming. And, it’s the reason why this time I didn’t do any. I’ve talked to some people. I have relationships already started with a few people, but I have no alliances, I have no deals. I can hit that beach as a free agent and hopefully being honest with you won’t come back to bite me.
Holmes: I hope not. But, who would’ve dreamed you’d be back so quickly?
Varner: I certainly didn’t.

Holmes: Are there any rumors of anybody else trying to set something up before the game?
Varner: I know that Sandra’s talking to a lot of people because she’s talking to me. I know that Andrea is talking to a lot of people. I started talking to Malcolm who I know is talking to Andrea and a lot of other people. It’s going on. It’s out there. I met Tai at a party. So, he’s reaching out to me and he’s talked to Caleb about protecting me. And so, I have some relationships started. If I lined up twenty people, there are maybe twelve that I’m not in an alliance with, but they like me. And everybody’s doing it. I don’t care what anybody says.

Holmes: What’re your thoughts on this cast.
Varner: It’s random. It’s a random group of people. I couldn’t figure out what the theme was. There are some people that I don’t know why they’re here. I never would have expected them to play a second time, much less in a Game Changers season. And there are some good people too. There are a lot of targets, a lot of threats, and I’m not one of them. I feel like I’m in a good spot. You have three winners, challenge beasts, you’ve got Cirie who everyone is terrified of. Sandra who’s has two million dollars. Who’s going to let her get close to a third? I feel like if I keep my mouth shut I might make a jury for a change.
Holmes: It’s admirable to have goals.
Varner: I intend to make it much further than that.

Holmes: Anyone you’re hoping to work with?
Varner: Everybody. That’s my strategy this time around. In Cambodia I came in with hit lists and these are my partners and this is who we’re going after. It was a mistake. Here, everybody is my partner. I’m nervous about a handful of people, but I’m still looking at it like, “I’m going to do what you need me to do.” Wentworth played a brilliant pre-swap game and I’m going to tailor a lot of what I do after her. She never made a decision. She never made an enemy. She never made a wave. She got into a little alliance, but she was very careful.
Holmes: She did use some harsh language.
Varner: What do you mean?
Holmes: I’ve heard her say (expletive deleted) before.
Varner: (Laughs) She does say that.

Holmes: Any early targets?
Varner: No. For that same reason. However, I am nervous about Tony. I’m nervous about Debbie. I’m nervous about Sandra, although I’d partner with Sandra. I feel like people can get rid of Sandra at any time because she’s not a challenge threat. Maybe that’s a big mistake. But you can’t leave Tony around. He’s too dangerous. Debbie seems like she’ll vote people out for random reasons. I want to make sure I’m aligned with people who’ve proven loyalty in the past. But, I want people who I can sit next to at the end and win. I want my Abi, I wanted to get to the end with them. This time I am confident enough with myself to know no matter who I’m sitting with, I can beat them.

Holmes: Anyone tipping their hand at Ponderosa?
Varner: Tony’s walking around Ponderosa with a stick. Like a big old stick. Like he’s going to spin it over his head. I don’t know what he’s doing. And JT is a wreck. Just pacing constantly. And I’m writing letters. The psychologist the other day told me I am projecting calm and peace. I’m hoping that will draw people to me.

Holmes: You’re going to be dealing with two unknown quantities in Zeke and Michaela. We don’t know anything about their games.
Varner: I’ve really been studying them. But, they’re going to be my buddies too. I think I’ve got them down. I’ve never said two words to them, but Michaela comes across as athletic, strong, she’s a winner, she doesn’t like to lose, and she doesn’t like people who make her lose. I feel that from her. She seems like she could be confrontational. We were having lunch and she’s standing there and she just wheels around and sits her plate in front of me and looks at me. I’m like, “OK, that’s a ballsy bitch right there.” I like that. And she makes eye-contact with me. I feel tied to her. It’s like Tasha 2.0…who I hated. If I had a chance to start over with Tasha, how would I go? Zeke, when I first saw him I thought, that’s a lesbian with a mustache. He watches all of us, but he seems to look at Tony with an adoration. I feel like he loves Tony in a way that he doesn’t love JT. He sits next to Tony, he may be the new Woo.

Holmes: You had four Cagayaners in “Second Chance.” Now you’ve got four Kaoh Rongers.
Varner: Two of those Cagayaners went to the end and I tried my best to get rid of them. That didn’t go over very well. I’m not going to go out on a limb to get rid of them. Maybe I’ll partner with them. Who knows? But, that’s a card to play.

Holmes: You had some health issues last time. How are you feeling now?
Varner: Great. I’ve been preparing to get a call a year down the road. I’ve been going to yoga and spin class three days a week. Then I got the call in January and I thought, “Oh (expletive deleted), this is happening faster than I thought.” So, I joined crossfit. And in the last two months, my crossfit has been private lessons. He’ll set up obstacles courses ending with a puzzle.
Holmes: Nice.
Varner: Oh, it’s intricate (expletive deleted). I had to do the whole obstacle course, then he’d give me three minutes to do the puzzle. And if I didn’t, he’d make me do it again. And as we got closer, he’d bring people in and I’d start competing against people.
Holmes: Your own private John Kirhoffer.
Varner: (Laughs) I’m ready for this. I wish I had another year, and the damage to my lungs is done, but I feel great. Yoga has made my feet strong, and I’ve got abs. I feel great.

Holmes: This is totally unprofessional, but I just noticed you have really pretty eyes.
Varner: (Laughs) Well, thank you.
Holmes: Totally unprofessional.

Holmes: Alright, I’m not just here to reacquaint the world with Jeff Varner. I’m here to help you get ready.
Varner: Which means you’re helping everyone else too.
Holmes: Some of these people can’t be helped.
Varner: (Laughs)
Holmes: I’m going to give an argument someone might use to get rid of you. You need to counter it.
Varner: Excellent, I could use this.
Holmes: Jeff was very erratic in “Second Chance.” He was back and forth, they targeted Vytas, then targeted Shirin. I can’t tell which way he’s going and I don’t want to have to worry about him. Let’s send him home tonight.
Varner: Well, in Cambodia you had to flip-flop. It was the game of voting blocs instead of alliances because everybody was so smart and everybody was so good. You just didn’t know where to go and what to do. Wherever the vote was at that moment, that’s where you went. And then you had a chance to regroup and get back together with who you needed to be with. That’s how that game went, so if you say that about me you have to say that about Ciera, cause she was the voting bloc queen. She went further than I did. I’ve never made a jury. Why are you worried about me?

Holmes: They said Jeff wasn’t helping out around camp enough and we need to stay strong for challenges…
Varner: Listen, I wasn’t helping out around camp because I was working with Wiglesworth who was dominating. That’s her thing. Wiglesworth, Terry, that’s their thing. They’re old-school. The second I’d try to help they’d take my head off. Watch me now.

Holmes: He almost passed out during that challenge with the puzzle pieces. I’m worried he’s going to be a challenge liability.
Varner: None of us had anything to eat and the heat was crazy. You saw Caleb have a heat stroke, right? Same kind of (expletive deleted). I was trying to solve the puzzle while everyone else was sitting on their ass. Hopefully you as a partner will help me and not sit and watch me.

Holmes: I’m pretty sure Varner went into Cambodia with pre-game alliances. I don’t want to have to deal with that.
Varner: I did. And if you think they’re not here on this island, you’re crazy. I chose not to do it this time. It didn’t help me. It was a problem for me. It was a weight that I had to carry around. And so, I’m not aligned right now. I didn’t have a conversation with you before the game started, did I? You can ask anybody. My loyalty is to you right now. How’d I do?
Holmes: Killed it.
Varner: Thank you for that, I hadn’t been thinking about that stuff.

Holmes: Ciera and you were never on the same tribe. Is there any kind of relationship there?
Varner: No, I love her gameplay. One of the things that irritating me about Cambodia was nobody played. Those alpha guys got together and they just stuck with Tasha up their ass. That’s what irritated me about Angkor. Tasha and Andrew just didn’t play. Once they had Abi they wouldn’t talk to anyone. Ciera and I are kindred souls that way. All she wanted to do was play and that’s all I wanted to do. At the same time I don’t trust her because of that. She’s sharp. Wentworth, Kass, all the people say she’s a little liar and she’s very subtle about it. I hope to work with her, we’ve texted, but I’ll vote her out in a second.

Holmes: Any thoughts on potential twists?
Varner: You can’t have a show called “Survivor: Game Changers” without changing the game. I’m anticipating Probst to show up with all new rules and all new everything.

Holmes: Alright, I’ll give you a twist. You tell me if it’s awesome or awful. Hidden immunity idols?
Varner: Awesome.
Holmes: Redemption Island?
Varner: Awful…both.
Holmes: Exile Island?
Varner: Awful, but it’s good too.
Holmes: You’re very bad at this.
Varner: Maybe that’s how I see the world; the good and the bad.
Holmes: Medallion of Power?
Varner: I don’t even know what that means.
Holmes: That’s probably for the best. Extra vote?
Varner: Both.
Holmes: Steal a vote?
Varner: Both.
Holmes: Damnit. Eliminate a juror.
Varner: Awful. That’s horrible.
Holmes: Finally.

Varner: Alright, are we playing Align or Malign?
Holmes: No, but it’s similar. All of your opponents are in this deck of cards except for Michaela and Zeke, because we don’t know them. I’m going to give you three at a time at random. You tell me who you’re going to vote out first. Who you’re going to work with, but eventually eliminate, and who you’re going to take to the end.

Round One: Sarah, Ciera, and Caleb
Varner: I’m going to vote Ciera out first just because she’s sharp. I’m going to align with Caleb because he’s strong and when we get to the merge he’s a meat shield. And I’ll take Sarah because she’s loyal, she’s smart, she’s cool as hell, and she’s the one here in pre-game who I feel like I click with. She’s joking, cutting up, I like her.

Round Two: Tai, Sierra, and Hali
Varner: Hmm…I love Tai so much, but he can’t keep his mouth shut. He keeps making eye contact with me here and he doesn’t care who sees him do it. That makes me so nervous. Tai’s one I have phone conversations with. He came to my birthday party. He’s such a great guy. Hali is a wild card. But, I find her to be… I love the social justice in her. She’s reading the book “Roots” at Ponderosa. She takes time out of her day to have conversations with the help. And I love that. I think she could beat me, so I’m not going to take her to the end. Let’s vote out Sierra because I don’t even know why she’s here. Let’s take Tai to the end, cause he’s proven he’ll go to the end and lose. Hali, we’ll align with.

Round Three: Brad, Cirie, and Aubry
Varner: Ooo…bitches. Brad is a bitch and I love him for that. Cirie, I fan-girled when I saw her. But I don’t trust her so we’re going to vote her out now. We’ll align with Aubry because we’re kindred souls. But we’ll take Brad to the end because he’s stupid. I can beat him in the end, I don’t think he can carry an argument.

Round Four: Debbie, Tony, and Troyzan
Varner: I’m going to the end with Troyzan. I like him, he’s loyal. Of these three, I feel like I could argue against him and win. I feel like I could argue against Tony and Debbie and win too. They both seem like they’re very unpredictable. They’re all over the place. Let’s vote out Tony because he’s already got a million bucks. And let’s align with Debbie, but keep her on a short leash.

Round Five: Malcolm, Andrea, and Sandra
Varner: I love all three of these people. Let’s go to the end with…Sandra. Nobody will give her a third million, but you know how that goes. So…let’s vote out Sandra. Let’s go to the end with Andrea because she’s loyal. She and Malcolm are the same person to me. They’re good at challenges and strategic. I just feel like Malcolm is a better arguer.

Holmes: We’ve got two left, so give me a classic Align or Malign.

Round Six: JT and Ozzy
Varner: Align with JT and let’s get rid of Ozzy. Ozzy is too strong and there’s an air of cockiness to him that’s uncomfortable. Ozzy feels like he is “Survivor.” He thinks he’s the best there is ever. And he’s also set the precedence that people who aren’t challenge threats need to go. And that would be me. (Laughs)

Don’t miss the two-hour season premiere of “Survivor: Game Changers,” Wednesday March 8, 2017 at 8 p.m. ET.

Any Questions? Drop me a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes

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Posted in survivor, TV News | Comments Off on ‘Survivor’ Jeff: “I Feel Like If I Keep My Mouth Shut I Might Make a Jury For a Change”

‘Survivor’ Debbie: “Aubry Doesn’t Trust Me and I Don’t Trust Her”

February 15, 2017

Debbie Wanner (CBS)

QUICK NOTE: The good folks at XFINITY sent me deep into the Fijian wilderness to bring you an exclusive look at “Survivor: Game Changers.” While I was there I conducted interviews with “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and the entire 20-person cast. I also captured exclusive photos and other behind-the-scenes tidbits. So, be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates.

Name: Debbie Wanner
Age: 51
Hometown: Reading, PA
Previously Played On:
“Survivor: Kaoh Rong” – Finished 9th and Jury Member
Best Known For: Nursing Aubry back to health.

Gordon Holmes: In your bio you say you’re much more aware of how people can see and hear the same conversation or event and have wildly different opinions on it. Is that based on something that happened in Kaoh Rong or in your personal life?
Debbie Wanner: In life in general I’ve long been fascinated by…let’s take a Supreme Court decision. Nine people hear a case and they’re split five/four. Most major landmark decisions are split five/four. So, even people that I consider to be intelligent, educated, erudite…can have very differing opinions. What surprised me the most out of “Survivor: Kaoh Rong” was how nobody thought they were edited fairly. They did not think that their depiction was even a 60% accurate portrayal of themselves. So, that was a surprise. I, however, thought I was an accurate portrayal. I am kooky, or eccentric if you will. And that’s cool.

Holmes: You are one of four people who is here from Kaoh Rong.
Wanner: Correct.
Holmes: Is that a positive or a negative?
Wanner: For me, it’s neither. That’s because everybody here knows a great deal about everybody else. We all know each other’s names without being told, so everybody is going to know that Aubry and I are not a couple. (Laughs) Aubry doesn’t trust me and I don’t trust her. It’s a race to see who takes out who first. We’ll pretend we like each other, but it’s B.S. all the way. If there’s any issues with who is going to be perceived as a couple, it’s going to be Caleb and Tai. They had a bromance that was brutally interrupted by Caleb going into shock, heat stroke.

Holmes: Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t you say you had wished you’d put on some weight before you came out here?
Wanner: (Laughs) You don’t hear this often, but gaining weight is not easy for me.
Holmes: I hate you so much.
Wanner: (Laughs)
Holmes: I look at food and gain weight.
Wanner: (Laughs) I did gain a couple of pounds more, but not as much as I wanted to. It’s OK. I’m a lean, mean, efficient machine. I’m a diesel motor. It takes a lot less fuel for me to get by then some of these 200-pound guys. When I get up in the morning I start working out, it’s my stress reliever. I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I don’t chew my fingernails. The way to make me feel balanced is push-ups, sit-ups, and running. So, I’m certainly not going to stop that. It keeps me feeling sane. Well, I feel I’m sane, anyway. I don’t go for junk like donuts. Why do you want to put that crap in your body?
Holmes: Cause it tastes so goooood.
Wanner: (Laughs) OK, I don’t look at it that way. I look at it like I’m putting crap in my body. So, I didn’t gain as much weight as I’d like, but I am three pounds heavier than Kaoh Rong.

Holmes: How do you feel you’ve changed the game?
Wanner: I thought my game change was instant. It was being approached by Aubry who was having a total psychological meltdown. We called in Probst, we called in the doctor. She wanted to quit. It was day one. And this went on for three days. I was approached by other members of the Brains tribe who said, “Let her quit. It takes us one step closer to a million dollars.” And I said, “You know, if your daughter, your sister, your wife…whoever you care about, would you really want somebody to rip them apart? To have them return to normal life devastated? Cowering in a corner thinking, ‘Why did I even try?’” I didn’t want that to happen to Aubry. My game changer was keeping her around so she could firmly insert a knife into my back and take me out.
Holmes: (Laughs)
Wanner: That was my game change! Et tu, Brute?

Holmes: When I heard the title, I was wondering if it meant people who were going to change their game the second time around. Are you going to change your approach?
Wanner: Yeah, the biggest thing, my daughter wrote me a note to remind me, and I knew it the first time I just didn’t stick with it; I’m just a Captain. And I’m only a Captain in the Air Force Auxiliary. That is not active duty. That is the volunteer branch of the Air Force who gets dispatched for search and rescue. I’m a Captain, there are Colonels, there are Generals, there are Majors. And when I played this game the first time, I did want that cohesive unit. And I loved the Brains. Nobody had a plan. When we lost the first time I had to come up with the plan. And I don’t want to be the person that comes to you and says, “OK Gordon, here’s the plan. Blah blah blah blah blah.” This time I want to come to you and say, “Gordon, what do you want to do?” And we’ll talk and I’ll say, “I think we should take out Big Sierra, Little Ciera, or Tony.” So, now I’ve given you choices to make. I’m not being dictatorial. I’m giving you an idea because you don’t have one. I’m going to be more diplomatic.
Holmes: It’s like a “Choose Your Own Adventure” book.
Wanner: Yeah. (Laughs)

Holmes: What do you think of this cast?
Wanner: I love the cast! I adore 50% of these people. They’re people I’ve long admired. Ozzy, I respect Tony, I liked Brad Culpepper. He got a bum rap the first time around. Cirie has a great personality…the girl from 33…
Holmes: Michaela.
Wanner: Michaela. Fit, pleasant, smart, clean, I make these little subtle observations. Some of these people I’m surprised that they’re back. Other people, you can let them play from here until the show ends as far as I’m concerned, like Ozzy. (Laughs) JT! Good guys.

Holmes: Anyone you’re looking forward to working with?
Wanner: To my astonishment…I am drawn to Tony the cop and Brad. Simply because I saw Brad be polite. Not even for one of us, he opened the door for a woman. And, I saw Tony picking up trash that would’ve otherwise been sucked up into the ocean and taking it to a trash can. And these are the little things that make me think; I don’t care if other people say you’re a wanker, a liar, you’re a backstabber…you just kept plastic from going into the ocean and you were just a gentleman. I like that.
Holmes: My wife, long before she was my wife, and I were going for a walk in a park. She had a water bottle that she was looking to throw away. She walked into the woods for a second, and I was horrified because I thought she was just going to toss the bottle away. And I’m thinking, “Oh, if she just litters…this might be a deal breaker.” Fortunately, she came back out with the bottle, she had just gone in to smell a flower.
Wanner: Oh, thank goodness.
Holmes: It’s how you act when you don’t know anyone is paying attention.
Wanner: Yes! It’s a reflection of your larger character. If you opened a door for a woman who isn’t going to be in the game, you have no reason to impress her, you don’t know that anybody is watching. You’re a gentleman. I liked it.

Holmes: Do you have any early targets?
Wanner: OK Gordon, here it is. Aubry can’t trust me. I can’t trust her. I don’t care how nice she wants to make it be, I know Aubry. And I know Aubry is Woody-Allen neurotic. And what goes through her head is like a chess match. I screwed Debbie over big time and I made fun of her because she went to Julia. But, then I went to Julia and I orchestrated her blindside. And not only did I orchestrate it, but I tried to blame somebody else. And Debbie saw it all play out on TV. So, Aubry can’t trust me. I can’t trust her. I will not target her initially because she’s a strong girl, she’s a smart girl. And I genuinely like her as a human being. But, I know that she’s targeting me.

Holmes: What’s your relationship like with Tai?
Wanner: I adore Tai. There is something hysterical here, which is Troyzan, Tai, and myself are all wearing turtle necklaces. Tai knew that I have rescued tortoises because Aubry told him. I love that Tai is vegan, we’re both very athletic, and I think the change this time is that Tai and I will work together. We have so much in common. It just didn’t happen the last time because he decided to go with the big, bad boys.
Holmes: I know you and Caleb were never on the same tribe, but what is your relationship like with him?
Wanner: I think we have a special relationship because he saw me go down. Then I saw him go down far worse. I adore him. I know he’s Christian, I know he’s military. I have the utmost respect for him. And, say what you want about “Survivor,” it’s not climbing Mount Everest, but it takes balls to come out here. And when you almost die, and that kid, make no mistake about it…look…there wasn’t an ER out there. There was a medical bag. That helicopter took 45 minutes to get there at least. I applaud him for having the ability to come back out and try it again.

Holmes: I’m going to give you some reasons people might use to turn others against you. I need you to defend against them.
Wanner: That’s very creative, Gordon!
Holmes: I had a long flight to come up with all of this. Alright, Debbie is so good at puzzles. I don’t want her to sweep puzzle challenges after the merge.
Wanner: After the merge, your big problem is going to be these men. You have men here who could take Spartacus down. So, you better stop and think, mental ability is nothing after the merge. It’s brute force. Take one of the brute force guys now when you have a chance.

Holmes: Debbie was a member of the Brains tribe. Smart people have gotta go.
Wanner: Debbie is so smart that Aubry blindsided her and took her out. Maybe Aubry’s a little bit smarter. We should look at her. She blindsided so many people that she only got two votes in the end.

Holmes: There are four people here from Debbie’s season. You know they’re close. Gotta sends some of them packing.
Wanner: Within that group, two people can’t stand each other. We saw that on the show. One is being chased by a gay guy trying to kiss him and he just married a gorgeous young girl. That bromance needs to be broken apart. The relationships that are more cohesive and need to be broken up are whoever and whoever, even if I have to make them up.

Holmes: Debbie on TV is kooky Debbie. But Debbie in person is really likable. I don’t want to face her at final Tribal. Let’s boot her tonight.
Wanner: Why don’t you shut the (expletive deleted) up! (Laughs)
Holmes: (Laughs)
Wanner: You’re a dumb ass! Screw you! (Laughs)
Holmes: Well played.

Holmes: There are two unknown quantities with the duo from season 33. What do you do with that?
Wanner: I give them both a chance. A blank slate. Zeke is not physically fit. He’s going to be socially awkward, but that’s OK. He gets every chance in the book with me until I hear him whispering my name. Michaela, I’d love to work with that girl.

Holmes: Are you a part of any pre-season alliances? Have you heard any rumors?
Wanner: (Laughs) Pre-season alliances…I think that Hali and tall Sierra are going to go together because they had time at the reunion together. I would also think that Tai and I will go together. We’ve become closer. I think that every two people who have played a season together have the potential. However, let’s take Malcolm and Andrea who played together. If I needed to, I would persuade Malcolm that she is the reason he didn’t get an idol. So, for every reason people have to be cohesive, I can find a way to drive a wedge between them.

Holmes: You’re in lockdown now, but there’s winking and smiles…
Wanner: Yeah, but I’m not doing it.
Holmes: Who’ve you caught doing it?
Wanner: Is this really confidential?
Holmes: I do not mess around with the sanctity of this game.
Wanner: OK.
Holmes: What you say here stays here until next winter.
Wanner: Here’s what’s going on…I pick a strategic spot in the room, then I make myself invisible. I pretend like I’m sleeping. But really I have something over my face and I’m watching everybody. Tony and Sarah can’t stand each other. They’re both cops and had a shaky bond and Tony screwed her over. She has not forgiven him. She has not said one word. She has not picked up his plate, you drop something and someone picks it up? Nope. Little nods here? Nope. They’re going down the same path and she moves away from him. So, Sarah is out for Tony’s ass. Hali and Sarah have made a connection. Whenever they think nobody is looking they have a little bit of chit-chat. Which is cool. Two girls that I think I can work with and I like them both. Aubry has isolated herself and will make eye contact with nobody. She goes to the bathroom and if somebody else is in there, there are two separate stalls. She won’t even go in one of the stalls, she turns around and she walks out. Cirie is doing the same thing. They’re not communicating with anybody. And that’s at their own peril. And I was reading a book and somebody had written a note in it. It said, “Don’t judge me by my past, judge me moving forward. P.S. I read some of your book, it’s the best book out here. –B.” Now, there’s only one person who’s B out here and that’s Brad. For whatever reason, Brad is drawn to me and I am drawn to Brad. This is totally platonic, totally professional. I loved his wife, I love that he has his wife’s name tattooed on his arm. He’s a football player, now he’s a lawyer. And he’s a trial lawyer. Me and Brad…we have brought Tony into our group. Why? Tony is probably in the best shape. He’ll cut anybody’s throat, so we keep him till the merge. Tony has sought us out, probably because other people are shunning him. That’s what’s going on. Who else is close…JT jokes with everybody. Ozzy has been very friendly to me and Malcolm has shaken my hand twice. Just like reached out and did little things here. But, they’re probably doing it with everybody. Me, Tony, and Brad already have a threesome. Knowing who their enemies are makes me feel good.
Holmes: Game changer!
Wanner: (Laughs) The game starts when we get to the hotel before we even see each other. We stay clear of each other. But when we get a few seconds we give little hand motions. They want to bring in this one, they want to bring in that one.

Holmes: Any twist predictions?
Wanner: I think there are going to be even more epic twists. It’ll be the usual, the mix-up of the people. I expect to see the extra-vote again. There will be idols, they can’t live without idols. I’m expecting something dramatic like a Redemption Island, maybe.

Holmes: Alright, in this deck of cards are seventeen of your opponents. Zeke and Michaela aren’t in here because we don’t know them. I’ll hand you three cards at random. You tell me who you’ll vote out first, who you’ll work with but eliminate, and who you’ll take to the end.

Round One: Hali, Ozzy, and Troyzan
Wanner: You’re the most original. You deserve a raise. I’ve been through 150 interviews and this guy is the best. I’m not just saying that because you’re from Pennsylvania.
Holmes: Sinking Springs, PA represent.
Wanner: OK…Ozzy’s going with me to the end. Hali is gone and Troyzan I can work with. Hali is physically and mentally weak. Couldn’t fight her way out of a wet paper bag. Too sweet. Troyzan is adaptable and older. He can relate to me. Ozzy…why would you get rid of this man unless you’re a corpse. I don’t care if I’m married, I’m not dead. This man can climb a tree like a chimp.
Holmes: How do you beat him at final three?
Wanner: I don’t care if I lose to Ozzy. He’s a good guy.

Round Two: Tai, Aubry, and Sierra
Wanner: This one’s easy, Aubry? Et tu, brute? This is a toughie…Sierra I’m taking to the end. Decent human being, loves horses, I can work with this girl. Tai, I can work with. We both have turtle necklaces.

Round Three: Jeff, Andrea, and Caleb
Wanner: Andrea’s out of here. This girl thinks she’s on a Playboy shoot. She has a bag of makeup as big as my bag of clothing. She’s worried about her hair, her makeup, and her jewelry. Nobody gives a (expletive deleted). Caleb I can work with, but wouldn’t take to the end because he’s got a sympathy vote. This guy I can’t beat. He deserves a million dollars from Cambodia. Love him. Jeff I can work with. Again, the older thing. This guy is a crackpot. We can goof off and have a good time together. Nobody’s giving him a million dollars because he doesn’t have the strategic chops to pull off blindsides.

Round Four: Ciera, Brad, and Sandra
Wanner: Ciera’s gone in a heartbeat. She’s narcissistic, she is really into herself. She’s made no friends around camp. She’s self-absorbed, clueless, I don’t think she’s going far this time. Physical, mental, nothing. Sandra I’m not taking to the end just because; why chance fate? I don’t know what it is about her that she’s won twice. I’m staring at her trying to figure it out. I can’t. She couldn’t run a mile, much less a half marathon. You have no muscle tone, your cellulite is the biggest part of your body. You’re not friendly, fuzzy, lovable, nothing. I don’t get it. But I’d work with her. I’ll take Brad to the end because most people find him abrasive. NFL player, now he’s a lawyer…what do you hate more than a rich lawyer?

Round Five: Tony, JT, and Sarah
Wanner: This is the hardest one. I’ve gotta get rid of JT because it’d be really good to have Tony and Sarah around who have animosity between each other. So, as much as I love JT…he chews tobacco and he’s already won, so he’s out of here. I want to take Tony to the end. And I want to work with Sarah. Wait, I’ll switch that. I’ll take Sarah to the end because Tony’s not voting for this girl.

Holmes: Two left; work with one and vote out the other.

Round Six: Cirie and Malcolm
Wanner: Cirie is gone. I don’t even know why she’s here. If she was really stranded on an island, she wouldn’t last 24 hours. I’ve never seen her get the food, I’ve never seen her get the water. I could be wrong, but I don’t think she’d last a day out here. Malcolm, fun…good…fit…cool to be around. Great hair, good smile.

Don’t miss the two-hour season premiere of “Survivor: Game Changers,” Wednesday March 8, 2017 at 8 p.m. ET.

Any Questions? Drop me a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes

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‘Survivor’ Brad: “I’ve Never Played Real ‘Survivor,’ I Had to Play with My Loved One Which Is Totally Different”

February 14, 2017

Brad Culpepper (CBS)

QUICK NOTE: The good folks at XFINITY sent me deep into the Fijian wilderness to bring you an exclusive look at “Survivor: Game Changers.” While I was there I conducted interviews with “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and the entire 20-person cast. I also captured exclusive photos and other behind-the-scenes tidbits. So, be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates.

Name: Brad Culpepper
Age: 47
Hometown: Tampa, FL
Previously Played On:
“Survivor: Blood vs. Water” – Finished 15th
Best Known For: Being cursed out by Marissa Peterson

Gordon Holmes: So, what’ve you been up to since “Blood vs. Water”?
Brad Culpepper: Well, I played 1/22 of “Second Chance.” And I’ve been a dad since then. Of course I got sued because I was on “Blood vs. Water.”
Holmes: And that’s been worked out?
Culpepper: Worked out? (Expletive deleted) no, the judge threw it out. I won that. It was (expletive deleted). My oldest son got a full scholarship and is playing quarterback at Syracuse. That’s the hat I’m going to be wearing this season.
Holmes: Congratulations.
Culpepper: Thank you. My other one is going to be a junior, he’s been recruited by a bunch of places. But I’ve just been being busy being a dad. Now I’m trying to follow into Monica’s wake.
Holmes: She made a run for it last time
Culpepper: She sure did. As difficult as it is for me…and we can get into that scenario as if you want. I wouldn’t change anything because she got a full run at it. She stayed the full 39 days and played awesome.
Holmes: Did she give you any advice?
Culpepper: She did. I live with a Survivor, so we talk “Survivor” all the time. She said, “You need to wake up every single morning thinking you’re going home. And at the end of the day, don’t be the guy on the bottom. Don’t ever get complacent.” And quite frankly, when I got voted out, one of my alliance turned at Tribal Council. He didn’t go in there thinking he was voting me out, and if I had been more cognizant of his worries and made sure he was confident that he wasn’t going home, I’d wouldn’t have gotten voted out. I’m going to be more dogged on thinking I need to reassure who I’m with that I have their back.

Holmes: The theme this season is Game Changers. How did you change the game?
Culpepper: I don’t know. It’s 19 Game Changers and Brad.
Holmes: (Laughs)
Culpepper: I almost made the jury. Does that count? I’d say this; our whole season was a bit of a Game Changer. “Blood vs. Water” was all Culpepper from beginning to end with myself and Monica. When you’re playing with your wife, it’s harder than playing with your brother or your boyfriend that you’ve had for two weeks. The dynamics that I had to go through so as not to upset my wife’s tribe and yet try to propel myself was a whole other kind of concept. The game has morphed from where it was to where it is now and that whole “Blood vs. Water” concept added a whole new layer. And I was a big part of that. And, I eliminated the Codys so Monica could get to the end.

Holmes: What do you think of the cast so far?
Culpepper: A lot of alpha people, which is OK. I think it’s a situation where, even though I’m an A personality, I don’t know that I’m out-of-the-box the threat that everyone else is. There are so many people who have won, who have won twice, that are named Ozzy, that are named Malcolm…there are so many guys and girls who are big-time players. And if I was one of them, I don’t know if I’d necessarily be worried about me. Which is good because I’m going to play that card. And I’m definitely going to play the card that, “You guys have forgotten more about ‘Survivor’ than I know.” I don’t think that, I’ve never played real “Survivor,” I had to play with my loved one which is totally different. It’s a little bit intimidating, but I can play indian for a little while. I couldn’t do that in “Blood vs. Water.” I had to be a chief. I was the oldest one there and everyone else was in their twenties. I’m not trying to be the chief here, but eventually I’ll have to be.

Holmes: Is there anyone you’re looking forward to working with?
Culpepper: There is nobody I would rule out. My biggest thing is; I’m going to reach out to people who wouldn’t think I would reach out to them. I think it’s obvious that I’d work with athletic male types. That’s not going to be the first person I’ll approach. I’d go to a Crazy Debbie or a Sandra or a Cirie. I’d go to a Michaela…a Varner. I’d say to Varner, “Hey, I know you make your decisions so fast. You don’t know me. Don’t judge me based on what you’ve seen and what you think I’m all about. Judge me on the next three days and see what kind of person I am. And if you want to play with me, I’ll play all day long.” If you’d have asked me before “Blood vs. Water,” “You’re going to get voted out and Monica is going to go to the end with two people, who do you think they will be?” The last people I would have said are Tyson and Gervase. In hindsight, I know both of those guys. Gervase is great, Tyson is one of the funniest guys I know. I’m kind of a little bit like both of those guys, so I see why Monica gravitated to them. I think for me to get to the end, I’m going to end up with two people I never expected to be with. Talk about a Sandra, who can Sandra sit next to and really win? I’m going to convince her that she can sit with me and win. If she goes with Ciera who has never won, there’s going to be a sympathy thing. Where with me? I’ve got a million dollars. I’m not the Jeremy effect of, “I’ve got a pregnant wife.” I don’t think it’ll come down to that, but that’s how I’ll sell it to her.

Holmes: Speaking of Ciera, you and her have been on the same tribe before. What’s your relationship with her like now?
Culpepper: I went home the night she was supposed to go home. I’ve watched her play, she seems very devious. She should have gone home. She upped her game after that, but up until that point she was a little bit milquetoast. I’m immediately going to go to her and say, “You think I’m bitter towards you, I’m not. Let’s bury any kind of hatchet. You’re a different person, I’m a different person and it’s a different game.” I would try to build an alliance with her, but then again, she seems very slippery.

Holmes: Monica played with Troyzan. Is there any kind of relationship there?
Culpepper: A little bit. They didn’t play much together. I’ve met him at finales and stuff like that. We’re friendly. I like Troy. I would definitely team up with Troy. He seems pretty straight. But, she never was on a tribe with him.
Holmes: They were on the same beach.
Culpepper: Yeah, but they might’ve only said a couple of words to each other. And she was gone after 15 days.

Holmes: Alright, you and I arrive on the beach and I’m looking to send you packing. I’m going to give you the arguments I’m going to give to other people. You need to defend against it.
Culpepper: Sure.
Holmes: Culpepper voted out John Cody who was totally loyal to him. Looks and physique and personality aside, I don’t want to be the next John Cody.
Culpepper: (Laughs) It was a different game. My number one loyalty was my wife. John Cody was not connected to her tribe. And at that point, everyone was coming back from Redemption Island and they were blaming me for voting their loved ones off. It was at that point that I was worried that I was going to get Monica voted off. I had to vote off someone who would not effect my number one. John Cody’s wife was at Redemption Island, so he was the only one not connected to my wife. I couldn’t vote out someone whose loved one would send Monica to Redemption, because then I’d have to take her place. It was a tough move and I never would have made it if I was playing by myself.

Holmes: Culpepper played in the NFL. That’s a higher level of competition than most people can imagine. It’s been a while, but I don’t want to face that kind of guy in individual immunity challenges.
Culpepper: I’m 47 years old. I’m the least of your worries in challenges. I’m probably fifth or sixth or seventh on the totem pole. You’ve got a lot bigger problems than me. You want me to show you my knee, my lower back, my shoulder, I’m tough and I’ll give it 100%, but I’m not 30. There are plenty of other challenge beasts out here.

Holmes: Brad Culpepper played in the NFL, he’s a lawyer. He doesn’t need the money.
Culpepper: Why would you want to send me packing? I don’t need the money, you do. You want to be sitting next to me at the finals and be able to throw that out there. Jeremy did it. He needed the money. There isn’t going to be any sympathy for me. Nobody is going to say, “Let’s give Culpepper another million dollars.”

Holmes: Anytime there is a returning-player season, there is talk of pre-game alliances. Are you a part of any? Have you heard of any rumors?
Culpepper: Not really. I heard more on “Second Chance.”
Holmes: Yeah, there was a rumor about a get-together at the Culpepper house.
Culpepper: That was (expletive deleted). It made me furious. I didn’t hear about it until afterwards. There’s no (expletive deleted)…find one person that came to my house. Nobody did. Not one (expletive deleted) person.
Holmes: Nobody admitted to being at this event. What I kept hearing was, “Brad had all of these people over to his house, but he didn’t invite me.”
Culpepper: Correct! Did you ever find anyone who was there?
Holmes: I don’t believe so.
Culpepper: Because there’s no (expletive deleted) way! If Varner tries to bring something like that up, I’ll say, “I don’t know who started that. Nobody came to my (expletive deleted) house.” I don’t do Twitter, I don’t do Facebook, I do nothing. Ciera texted me, but I don’t know how much I trust her. I nod at people, I’m a friendly guy. I’ll break the rules and try to talk to people, but it’s all just, “Hey, can’t wait to see you on the beach.”

Holmes: A fifth of the cast is from Kaoh Rong.
Culpepper: Doesn’t bother me. It’d bother me if I was them. You look at Tai and Caleb, Tai was in tears when Caleb left. He got to the final three with Aubry. I don’t know if I’d be that jazzed if I was them because you immediately want to split up couples. I think it puts a target on Tai’s back. Crazy Debbie, maybe not. She’s someone I’d go up to and buy what she’s selling even though I think she’s full of (expletive deleted). I’d buy her juggling, I’d buy her being a model, I’d buy her being a pilot. I’d say, “You live your life, baby. I get you. Me and you, we’re real similar. I’m a pro football player, lawyer, Eagle scout. We’re the same.”

Holmes: What about these two unknown quantities from season 33?
Culpepper: I think Michaela is very pretty. Just seeing her at Ponderosa, I think she’s one of the prettiest girls they’ve ever had on “Survivor.” I don’t know her at all and maybe she’s hell on wheels, but she seems very approachable. I would go to her because I wouldn’t want her to think, “He voted out Marissa.” Everyone voted out Marissa! It was nine to (expletive deleted) one! Don’t blame me! And Zeke, don’t know him, seems like a friendly guy. We sat across from each other at lunch and we made small talk. He seemed nice. Jeff introduced them to us and brought up a name when he introduced them to us. He said, “Guys, I want you to meet Zeke and Michaela. They are holdovers from last season just like Russell was.” I was like, “Why the (expletive deleted) did he mention that name?” I’d be so mad if I was Zeke and he brings up Russell’s name in connection with being held over. I immediately started thinking, why’d they bring up Russell’s name? So, neither one of them won, and just like Russell, they’re back. All things being equal, if it’s a first-day vote out, I might vote for Zeke.

Holmes: So, you chatted briefly with Zeke during lockdown. Who else have you been trying to communicate with?
Culpepper: I’ve been doing it the whole time. Can’t hurt to smile at everybody. I’m an open book. I’ll work with anyone. It’s OK if someone pre-chooses to not like me, so I can write them off. But, I’m going to the beach with open eyes and open arms. Now, I’m sure after five hours I’ll be thinking something else. Now, maybe everyone has been pre-gaming and has alliances, but I don’t want to do that. Tyson didn’t do it. There was some pre-gaming that season and it boxed people in. It boxed Monica in with Colton and it was horrible. Best thing that ever happened was him quitting. She was boxed in with him and she did not want to be with him, but he’d done so much pre-gaming that it was bad. Tyson did minimal if any pre-gaming. It gives you the freedom to find yourself a better scenario.
Holmes: There are just too many variables to commit yourself to someone before the game starts.
Culpepper: Exactly. And I just want to dispel the notion that I’m a misogynist. If I can be married to Monica for 25 years, I can’t be any kind of (expletive deleted) misogynist. I’m as left a liberal Democrat as there is. The perception is that I’m a bro-down guy. It just happened that way. But, that’s not what I’m looking for. My best friend out there was Vytas, and he’s a quirky guy. California Vytas!

Holmes: I have a deck of cards here. Each player except for Zeke and Michaela, because you don’t know them, are in here. I’ll hand you three cards at random. You tell me who you’re voting out first, who you’re working with but eventually eliminating, and who you’re taking to the end.

Round One: JT, Ozzy, and Tony
Culpepper: I’ll work with Ozzy, but I won’t take him to the end. Wait, I can’t go to the end with JT. This is hard. I’d align with any of these guys but I don’t want to take them to the end… Alright, I’ll take Tony to the end because I can beat him… You gave me hard ones!
Holmes: It’s random!
Culpepper: OK, I’ll work with Ozzy and won’t take him to the end. He can catch me fish. Tony goes first and I take JT to the end. I can make a better move than JT.

Round Two: Ciera, Malcolm, and Andrea
Culpepper: I’ll align with Malcolm, but I won’t take him to the end. Wait… I’ll take Ciera to the end because I can beat her. I’ll vote out Malcolm first to prove that I’m not a bro-down guy. And I can work with Andrea.
Holmes: What the argument to beat Ciera?
Culpepper: I’m smarter than her. I know her. I know how she thinks.

Round Three: Debbie, Caleb, and Sierra
Culpepper: I’ll take Caleb to the end. He’s not going to make a big move, he’s going to ride my coattails. I’ll vote Sierra out first. And I’ll work with Crazy Debbie.
Holmes: Why Sierra first?
Culpepper: It’s because of the cards you gave me. I really want to work with Crazy Debbie.

Round Four: Jeff, Hali, and Troyzan
Culpepper: I’d get rid of Jeff because he doesn’t like me. I’d try to convince him, but I can tell that he doesn’t like me. I can’t take Troyzan to the end, but I’ll ride him to the end and then cut him. And I’ll take Hali to the end because I know I can beat her. She’s not going to be the lynchpin to cutting Troyzan, I am. She’s going to go along with it.

Round Five: Cirie, Sandra, and Aubry
Culpepper: This is a hard one too. I don’t want to go to the end with any of these people, but I’m going to take Sandra to the end because she’s going to do her thing of not being the person who is voted off. She isn’t going to make any moves. Aubry’s tired. I’ll send her home first. She just got done doing this. And I’ll work with Cirie.

Holmes: Alright, two left. Work with one and boot the other.

Round Six: Tai and Sarah.
Culpepper: Tai…he seemed a little flighty. And Sarah’s a cop, she’s solid, I think I can trust her. So, keep Sarah and boot Tai.

Don’t miss the two-hour season premiere of “Survivor: Game Changers,” Wednesday March 8, 2017 at 8 p.m. ET.

Any Questions? Drop me a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes

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Posted in RealityTV, survivor, TV News | Comments Off on ‘Survivor’ Brad: “I’ve Never Played Real ‘Survivor,’ I Had to Play with My Loved One Which Is Totally Different”

‘Survivor’ Michaela: “I’m the Strongest Female That ‘Survivor’ Has Ever Seen When it Comes to the Challenges”

February 13, 2017

Michaela Bradshaw (CBS)

QUICK NOTE: The good folks at XFINITY sent me deep into the Fijian wilderness to bring you an exclusive look at “Survivor: Game Changers.” While I was there I conducted interviews with “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and the entire 20-person cast. I also captured exclusive photos and other behind-the-scenes tidbits. So, be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates.

Name: Michaela Bradshaw
Age: 25
Hometown: Fort Worth, TX
Previously Played On:
“Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X” – Finished 14th
Best Known For: Not letting a wardrobe malfunction keep her from dominating a challenge.

ANOTHER QUICK NOTE: This interview took place before “Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X” aired.

Gordon Holmes: So, I haven’t seen “Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen-X” yet.
Michaela Bradshaw: Nobody has!
Holmes: I’m trying to avoid spoilers. So, I’m going to take a little walk and I’d like you to tell my recorder why you think you were brought back.
Bradshaw: OK.
Holmes: And I’m not going to listen to this until next winter.
Bradshaw: Got it.
Holmes: (Puts Fingers in His Ears) La la la la la…

Holmes walks off.

Bradshaw: (Laughs) I was brought back, probably because I’m the strongest female that “Survivor” has ever seen when it comes to the challenges. I basically carried a tribe on my back. A tribe that was supposed to lose, and we didn’t. So, that’s why I’m here. Because I’m a beast in these challenges. And I was blindsided, so I deserve this second chance.

Holmes returns.

Holmes: How long did you have to go home and recuperate?
Bradshaw: I was home for a little less than two weeks.
Holmes: Wow.
Bradshaw: Yeah, I got home on a Saturday and left again on a Friday.
Holmes: And did you know before you got home that you were coming back?
Bradshaw: By the time I got home, I did know. They asked me before I left and the answer was 100% yes.

Holmes: You played your game in this exact location. Do you know little secrets about surviving in Fiji?
Bradshaw: I know that idols are super hard to find here because all of the trees look like they have one in them. (Laughs) I do feel comfortable here, which is good. I’m not going to be thrown off by weather or conditions. I was on one of the worst beaches ever and survived that. I think it’s good for me because it feels like home, not home, I don’t want this to be home. But it feels…what’s the word?
Holmes: Familiar?
Bradshaw: Yeah, it feels familiar.

Holmes: People have been brought back this quickly before. Russell Hantz from Samoa to Heroes vs. Villains, Malcolm Freberg from Philippines to Caramoan. But, they did it by themselves. You’re not alone. Is Zeke someone you can work with or someone you’re going to be wary of?
Bradshaw: Zeke? I’m not sure how to feel about him. So, I’m lumping him with the rest of everybody here. This is an individual competition and I’m not putting my eggs in anybody’s basket. Me and Zeke, we’ve seen each other before. We started off on the same tribe, but that doesn’t mean that I’m here for him or he’s here for me.

Holmes: I listened to our last pre-game interview last night. I keep asking questions and you kept saying, “I’m going to handle it.” How’d that work out for you?
Bradshaw: Good! And I know the fastballs out here. The heat, the hunger, that type of thing? Those were easy to handle. The challenge was the people part. Building relationships knowing that you need to screw over those same people to advance yourself, that type of thing is not natural to me. You know if I’m for you in real life and you know if I’m against you. And I’ve never had a situation where I’ve had to feel like I’ve had to mask my feelings about anyone. This is a situation where it doesn’t matter how you feel about a person, it matters what’s going to get you past the next Tribal Council. Seventeen people aren’t going to get as far as they hope to. And you should probably have a hand in sending the majority of them home.
Holmes: So, I should know if you’re for me or against me?
Bradshaw: (Laughs)
Holmes: Cause I can’t tell right now.
Bradshaw: Gordon! I’m for you! You should assume the positive.

Holmes: Alright, I’m not just here to interview you, I’m here to get you prepped for this game.
Bradshaw: Good!
Holmes: We’re going to play a game called “The Best Defense.” I’ll give a reason that someone might use to get rid of you, and you have to defend against it.
Bradshaw: This is perfect! Because playing defense and flipping things is something I’ve been working on.
Holmes: Alright, I’ll give an argument and you need to flip it.
Bradshaw: Grade me harshly.
Holmes: Will do. Michaela was on season 33, I don’t know a thing about her. She’s an unknown quantity, that makes her an easy first boot.
Bradshaw: Here’s the situation, I can tell you why I’m here. I’m here because I was great in the challenges. You saw that yesterday, didn’t you? You know why all of these other people are here and you want to let that continue? Is it best to send me home or for you and me to send everyone else home? Why are you worried about a challenge person when you have all of these social threats here?

Holmes: For Michaela to be brought back quickly, she had to have done something big. And I don’t want to be the victim of her next big move.
Bradshaw: That’s an interesting thought, but what was your big move? And what was Tony’s? Everyone here is capable of big moves. Why are you afraid of mine?

Holmes: One of my questions with this Game Changers theme has been; are these people who changed the game forever or people who intend to change their own personal games?
Bradshaw: You know, that is an interesting question. Michaela is definitely going to change her game, because her game didn’t win me a million dollars. You’d be a fool to not adapt. Probably the only person who has shown that you don’t have to change that much is Sandra. And that’s a reason why she can go home.
Holmes: So, she’s an early target?
Bradshaw: Definitely. And the fact that she got along a second time by being a vote for people, she proved that someone can win the whole game that way. So, you think they’re a goat when in reality they’re a millionaire.

Holmes: What are your thoughts on the rest of the cast?
Bradshaw: Most of the people here, in my mind, I can tell why they are here. But, there are a couple of people that I’m not sure…they didn’t leave a memorable mark on me. And it may just be that I’m not the most astute “Survivor” watcher and I missed something. And the others…let’s just say nobody is going to try to help me win.
Holmes: That tends to be the case.
Bradshaw: (Laughs) Knowing that is going to help.

Holmes: Is there anyone you’re hoping to work with?
Bradshaw: Ozzy. He seems like a genuine person. He’s shown that he can put his heart on his sleeve. I’m not the type that flirts with people, and I don’t intend to do that at all. But, I do like being able to grasp onto something genuine. Cirie, I’m excited to have another African American woman and maybe get to play with her. And, she’s someone who has so much experience with this game and she knows how to navigate the people portion of the game. Oh, and Debbie, she’s just hilarious. I think she’s going to add comical relief which is something I’m going to need to stay sane. Also, Tai! He’s so sweet!
Holmes: He’s a cutie.
Bradshaw: He is! He’s just a little munchkin.
Holmes: I love that guy. But if I wanted some chicken, I’d have a problem with Tai.
Bradshaw: (Laughs) But he’s just so nice! So, I hope to connect with the genuine people, at least initially. Then I’ll have to move with the flow.

Holmes: Aside from Sandra, are there any early targets?
Bradshaw: Ah…I guess I have to get used to targeting people…a person I’m worried about is Ciera. She’s sneaky and she’s known to be sneaky. She’s known to be on the bottom and survive Tribal after Tribal after Tribal. And, that’s something that worries me. Not to say that I’ll lobby for her to go first, but she makes me nervous. Tony, doesn’t make me nervous as much as I know that he knows how to navigate this game. And if he doesn’t want you in it, you’re in a bad predicament. I feel like the slick, sly people should go first. That would be helpful to me because they beat me every time.

Holmes: As a challenge beast…challenge stallion…whichever term you prefer…
Bradshaw: (Laughs) I like them both.
Holmes: People who have come back immediately have said that they weren’t able to recover physically 100% in the short period of time they were given. How are you feeling now as opposed to when you started Millennial vs. Gen-X?
Bradshaw: I feel pretty fine. My gastro-intestinal situation, that’s a slight issue. When you go from starving to eating…it’s an issue for your body. Your body has to restart and then to put it right back into starving again, it’s probably going to have some effects. I don’t have the same amount of muscle as I did before. But, these challenges, at least the first half of the game, they aren’t about muscle. They’re about adrenaline and figuring them out. There were times when I was so tired that I couldn’t walk to the water well, but you put me in a challenge and you couldn’t tell. My desire to win is so deep that I will create new energy for that purpose.

Holmes: Has anyone reached out to you to create a pre-season alliance?
Bradshaw: I’ve had a couple of people, but they’re not here. Zeke did text me, but it was like a weird, “BTW, I’ll see you in Fiji” text. But, it’s nothing to where…we didn’t leave on good terms. Me and Zeke aren’t an item. I’m suspicious of him and he’s suspicious of me. I think that text actually made me more suspicious. (Laughs)

Holmes: You’re in lockdown now where you’re not allowed to talk. Has anyone been smiling at you, winking at you?
Bradshaw: I smile at everybody. I know it’s only a matter of time before people start looking at me as threatening. Even in my regular life, like back in college. People who don’t interact with people like me find me intimidating. I’m not doing anything to you, I’m just capable and willing to do things without you. So, I don’t want to come across as intimidating here. I’m trying to come across as ultra-friendly as possible without tipping over the line to being someone that makes people wonder.
Holmes: Have you caught anyone else interacting with each other?
Bradshaw: Most people, it’s like they’re trying not to smile. And some people haven’t smirked at all.

Holmes: Does it concern you that there are four people here from the same season?
Bradshaw. No, I don’t care that Aubry, Debbie, Tai, and Caleb are here. Having that big of a group will put a target on them which is great for me. If people notice that and are uncomfortable with that, then I’ll act uncomfortable and we can work together.
Holmes: Any problem can become an opportunity.
Bradshaw: That’s right, I just have to know how to shift things to my benefit.

Holmes: If there is a twist, what could it be?
Bradshaw: I feel like it’d be hard to separate us into teams, so I think we might pick our own teams with a schoolyard pick. I feel like there’s going to be something that happens after you’re voted out that can bring you back into the game, maybe like Redemption Island. I feel like we’re going to do more challenges than normal. Maybe we’ll all be at the same beach.

Holmes: Alright, I’ll give you the name of a potential twist. You tell me if it’s awesome or awful. Hidden immunity idols?
Bradshaw: Awesome!
Holmes: Redemption Island?
Bradshaw: Awesome!
Holmes: Of course because you’re a challenge…what did we decide?
Bradshaw: A challenge champ!
Holmes: That works. Exile Island?
Bradshaw: Awesome.
Holmes: Medallion of Power?
Bradshaw: Awesome. Especially if I have it.
Holmes: Extra votes?
Bradshaw: Awesome.
Holmes: Stealing a vote?
Bradshaw: Awesome.
Holmes: Eliminating a juror.
Bradshaw: (Laughs) Awesome!
Holmes: You’re a very positive person.
Bradshaw: (Laughs) Because I’m thinking of all of these things as if I had it. But, the opposite would be awful.

Holmes: Alright, I have another game. I’m going to give you three random cards, each card has one of your opponents on it. You and Zeke are not included because nobody knows who you are. You tell me who you’re going to vote out first, who you’re going to work with and eventually eliminate, and who you’re going to take all the way to final Tribal.

Round One: Cirie, Ozzy, and Ciera
Bradshaw: Vote out Ciera first because she’s too sneaky. Align with Ozzy…this is like my plan. And I’m going to take Cirie to the end…and this is risky…but “Survivor” has never seen two African American females at the end.
Holmes: There’s been an all African American final three, but it was two men and one woman.
Bradshaw: Was that the one season Earl won?
Holmes: Yes.
Bradshaw: Right, and that was the season where they were divided by race?
Holmes: No,  Cook Islands was the season divided by race. Earl won Fiji.
Bradshaw: OK. But, yeah, Cirie’s dangerous to take to the end.
Holmes: What argument do you use to beat her?
Bradshaw: The men will respect that I won individual immunity challenges. She’ll pitch her case, she’s a good pitcher. But, I pitch for a living.

Round Two: Tony, Debbie, and Troyzan
Bradshaw: Vote off Tony first because he’s dangerous. I’ll align with Troyzan because he’s a strong man and I can get wind of what the men are doing. And I’ll take Debbie to the end. She’s an honest player and she’s someone I can switch to when I have to dump my alliance. And I feel like people will think she’s kooky and they’ll award me a million over her.
Holmes: I dunno, it’d be fun to see what a kooky person would do with a million dollars.
Bradshaw: (Laughs) That’s true!

Round Three: Sandra, Jeff, and Caleb
Bradshaw: Sandra has to go out first. I feel like in theory, you could get multiple people on board with this because she’s won multiple times. Align with Caleb because we’re both athletic and that can tie us together. He’d also open some doors with other people that might not want to align with me. I might get scooped up into something good. And I’ll take Jeff to the end. I don’t think of him as that savvy. I don’t remember him doing anything huge. I think If I got to the end, I’d have immunities over him. I’d probably make some moves without him. He doesn’t have the look of a sole survivor.

Round Four: Hali, Brad, and JT
Bradshaw: Hali is out first. Not for any particular reason, but she reminds me of the people in college that I didn’t hang out with. Align with JT, he’s a southern boy, I’m a southern girl. And take Brad to the end because he’s going to piss off everyone on the jury.

Round Five: Sierra, Andrea, Sarah
Bradshaw: Sarah looks so happy in this picture, but on this island she just scowls! All the time! I’ll get her off first. She is very perceptive, that’s why she got voted out when she played against Tony. I don’t want that working against me. These two, I don’t remember them that deeply. I would align with Sierra because she’s tall. And I’ll take Andrea to the end, I guess. These two are people I don’t remember how they changed the game. Either they did really subtle things or I wasn’t paying attention.

Round Six: Tai, Aubry, and Malcolm
Bradshaw: Aubry looks so innocent here, but she has developed into something else. Tai is so lovely… I’ll vote Aubry out first. Her game developed so much. I think she’s coming back ready to charge on people. I think she’s super smart. I hate to vote out a strong, smart woman. So, I take that back. It’s hard because I want to win, but I respect other people’s games. The longer you keep her in, the more she can vote you out. She’s the reason Cydney went home.
Holmes: So, she’s still first out?
Bradshaw: Yes. Because I’m playing for me, I’m not playing for you. You had your chance. I’ll align with Malcolm. I don’t know how well it will work, the buff dude and the one strong girl. And I’ll take Tai to the end. Our hearts will connect and he’ll scoop me in. But, he can’t communicate anything to the jury and that will work in my favor.

Holmes: Let’s jump back into this for a second. You mentioned that you’d hate to vote out Aubry because she’s a strong, smart woman. When you play the game, do you take into account that the world needs to see more strong women and the world needs to see more strong minorities?
Bradshaw: I am definitely taking that into account playing the second time. I did not take that into account last time. But after the game was over I realized; “Oh, why did the women and all of the minorities last the shortest amount of time? And isn’t it interesting in the games where you have more minorities, that they perform better?”
Holmes: You’re referring to Yul and Ozzy in Cook Islands and Dreamz, Sandra, and Earl in Fiji?
Bradshaw: Exactly! Isn’t that interesting? And it has something to do with the issues we face in society, they’re amplified in this game. People don’t walk around their everyday life being outwardly racist. But, as a white male, you might feel more comfortable with white men around you. It’s not that you’re uncomfortable with black women, but your friend group is probably more white. So, in the game it’s easier for you, on a subconscious level, to align with white people. And in a game where little things can separate you, having this big difference is something that can separate me. It’s there, and it’s one thing that I’ve thought of a lot.

Don’t miss the two-hour season premiere of “Survivor: Game Changers,” Wednesday March 8, 2017 at 8 p.m. ET.

Any Questions? Drop me a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes

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‘Survivor’ JT: “The Last Thing People Remember Is, ‘He’s So Trustworthy, He Trusted Russell Hantz.'”

February 10, 2017

JT Thomas (CBS)

QUICK NOTE: The good folks at XFINITY sent me deep into the Fijian wilderness to bring you an exclusive look at “Survivor: Game Changers.” While I was there I conducted interviews with “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and the entire 20-person cast. I also captured exclusive photos and other behind-the-scenes tidbits. So, be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates.

Name: James “JT” Thomas Jr.
Age: 31
Hometown: Mobile, AL
Previously Played On:
“Survivor: Tocantins” – Winner
“Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” – Finished 10th and Jury Member
Best Known For: Receiving Every Vote at Final Tribal Council. Giving Russell Hantz more ammunition.

Gordon Holmes: What’ve you been up to since we last saw you on “Heroes vs. Villains”?
JT Thomas: I bought a farm, I used to manage an angus farm, but now I own it. I got married a year ago.
Holmes: Congratulations, sir. And Stephen Fishbach officiated your wedding, correct?
Thomas:  Thanks you, and he sure did.
Holmes: You couldn’t find anybody better than that?
Thomas: (Laughs) Stephen’s the best. He’s the best I could find. He’s a great friend of mine. I love him to death. He’s like a brother to me.
Holmes: Did he give you any advice before you came out here?
Thomas: He tried to, but I reminded him that he didn’t do better than me his second time around.
Holmes: What about Tyson and Coach from Tocantins? In their most recent runs they were able to win and make the final Tribal, respectively.
Thomas: I wasn’t able to talk to either one of them, but I know they’ll be rooting for me. I’m a very unplugged guy. I don’t talk to that many people.

Holmes: Why do you think you’re a Game Changer?
Thomas: I think I did a number of things. In Tocantins I changed the game by the way I attacked the challenges. I played the challenges with all my heart.
Holmes: And all your teeth.
Thomas: (Laughs) That’s right. I think when people saw me lose the tooth in Tocantins and keep playing the way I did, it really changed the way people approached the challenges. I attack everything in life like that. And people really started attacking these challenges harder after Tocantins.
Holmes: When I heard the title, I wondered if it meant these were people who were going to change how they played in their previous season. Because there were some changes in your game from Tocantins to Samoa.
Thomas: I think I made a big move in Samoa that didn’t work out. I just as easily could have won the game with that same move. I don’t have any regrets as far as that goes. The one regret I do have is the challenge in Samoa where I went home, I don’t think I gave it 110%. But, I don’t think I’ll change my game too much. I’ll use the same southern-charm, country-boy role that I did before. And I think I can fly under the radar and before anyone realizes that this southern charmer is smooching his way through the game, it’ll be too late.
Holmes: Literal smooching?
Thomas: (Laughs) No, I’m not going to be doing any of that kind of smooching. Moreso, just smooth talking.

Holmes: You brought up the Samoa moment where you gave Russell Hantz an immunity idol. At one point there was even a vote to see if that was one of the dumbest moves in “Survivor” history. I always hated that they used the word “dumb” because a dumb move doesn’t have a chance of succeeding. I thought that move was risky.
Thomas: It was risky.
Holmes: But if it pays off, you have a clear path to the end.
Thomas: Right.
Holmes: Do you think that move might help you now? Because coming off of Tocantins you’re a likable challenge beast who won, but coming off of Samoa, you’re the guy who made a big mistake.
Thomas: I think the Samoa move definitely works to my advantage. There’s been a lot of water under the bridge since then. And the last thing people remember is, “He’s so trustworthy, he trusted Russell Hantz.” So, they’re not going to be concerned with how strategic I am or how hard I play the game. They’ll just be thinking, “Oh, he’ll trust anybody.”

Holmes: When you played against Russell, you had no way of knowing what kind of player he was. This season there are two players that you’ve never seen before. Are you wary of them based on what happened with Russell?
Thomas: I’m not making any assessments. The only thing I know is what I know and that’s I don’t know anything about those players. Will I trust them? No. Will I trust anybody? No. Not until they prove that they can be trusted. When you assume you make an ass out of you and me.

Holmes: What are your early thoughts on this cast?
Thomas: I’m excited to be in this group. I think there are some really competitive challenge players like Ozzy and Malcolm. I can’t wait to go against them. One person I’m definitely going to keep my eyes on is Tony. He has an amazing read on people. And immediately when something is not going his way, he gets rid of people. I can’t find myself on the wrong side of any of Tony’s reads. I gotta get rid of Tony first chance I get.
Holmes: Anyone else you’re looking to target?
Thomas: The new players I know nothing about. I’m going to be ready to do what I’ve gotta do.

Holmes: Who are you excited to work with?
Thomas: I think I can work with just about anybody. I’m excited to play with Ozzy and Malcolm and Caleb and some of these guys that really give it their all and compete in these challenges. I think strategically, I can outplay any one of those guys.

Holmes: You voted Cirie out of “Heroes vs. Villains.” What’s your take on her?
Thomas: Cirie is a wild card to me. The last thing I did was vote her out single-handedly. I went against my alliance and I voted her out. I knew she was going to be a strong threat. But, I’ve thought about that. I can go to Cirie and say, “Hey, I voted you out and I paid for it. I lost too. You can come after me and I can come after you and one of us is going home tonight, or it’s water under the bridge and we can work together.”
Holmes: You faced Sandra in that season too.
Thomas: Sandra, I can work with Sandra. No doubt. She doesn’t play aggressive early on. She’s a tell-it-like-it-is kind of person. People aren’t threatened by here. They’ll keep her around, which is good for me because I’ll have someone to work with. I look forward to working with her.

Holmes: With returnee seasons, there is always talk of pre-season alliances. Are you a part of any?
Thomas: I don’t have any pre-season alliances. I think that’s a liability to have any commitments before the game starts.
Holmes: You’re all being held together, but you can’t speak. Are you winking or smiling at anyone?
Thomas: I try to wink and smile at every person I can.
Holmes: Or smooch.
Thomas: (Laughs) No, no. But I want everybody in there to feel comfortable with me. That’s my goal. I’ll work with anybody.
Holmes: Have you noticed any people specifically sitting together or interacting with each other?
Thomas: Not really. They keep a good watch on us. Obviously Caleb and Tai are going to be friendly.

Holmes: Speaking of those two, is it a concern that you have four people from the Kaoh Rong cast?
Thomas: All four of those people are dangerous. I’m going to bring it to everyone’s attention if I need to. They’re fresh out of the game, they’re still in the mindset of day 35. I remember what it was like to come into the game having just been in the game. Not only that, if you get three people on one tribe? That’s a third of a tribe.

Holmes: If there is a twist, what do you think it could be?
Thomas: I don’t know. I just look forward to one hell of a competition.
Holmes: I’m going to mention a twist, you tell me if it’s awesome or awful. We’ll start with hidden immunity idols.
Thomas: Awful. I’d rather have a game with no idols.
Holmes: Redemption Island.
Thomas: Awesome.
Holmes: Exile Island?
Thomas: Awesome.
Holmes: Medallion of Power?
Thomas: Awful. (Laughs)
Holmes: (Laughs) Not expecting a lot of awesomes on that one. The extra vote?
Thomas: Awful.
Holmes: Steal a vote?
Thomas: Awful.
Holmes: Eliminate a juror?
Thomas: Awful.
Holmes: Sounds like you like a clean, old-school “Survivor.”
Thomas: Yeah. I want to know what I’m getting.

Holmes: Next up, I’m going to use some logic that I think people might use to get rid of you. I’d like you to defend against it.
Thomas: Sure.
Holmes: JT is a challenge beast. I don’t want him getting to the merge and then going on a challenge streak.
Thomas: If you want our tribe to stay together and not go to Tribal Council, we’ve got to win these challenges. Let’s get to the merge, then you can worry about me.

Holmes: JT is too likable. He got every vote in Tocantins against Stephen Fishbach, and Stephen Fishbach is a wonderful guy. I don’t want to face him at the end, let’s get rid of him.
Thomas: Do you want to worry about the end or do you want to get to the end? I’ll get you there.

Holmes: JT already won a million. He had his shot.
Thomas: We’re not out here to judge everyone’s banking account. We’re here to play a game. If you deserve to win, you win.

Holmes: Alright, I have cards with each of your competitors on them. Our two friends from season 33 aren’t on here because we don’t know anything about them. I’ll give you three cards at random. You tell me who you vote out first, who you’ll work with but eventually eliminate, and who you’ll take to the end.

Round One: Aubry, Hali, and Malcolm
Thomas: I like these games! I’ll vote Hali out first. I don’t remember a lot about her, but I feel like she’s going to not be as loyal to me. Malcolm I’ll align with. He’s trustworthy, but I wouldn’t want to take him to the end because he could beat me at the final challenge. And Aubry I would take to the end, she makes good, educated decisions, but I feel like I could beat her in the end.

Round Two: Sandra, Ciera, and Cirie
Thomas: Get rid of Ciera as soon as possible because she’s anxious to flip. She can’t wait to make a bad decision. She appears to be trustworthy, but you can’t trust her. Cirie, I would align with Cirie. I’m going to give her an ultimatum. If you come after me, I’m going to come after you. Or, we can work together. And Sandra, I think I can beat her in the end.
Holmes: What argument do you use against Sandra?
Thomas: Sandra has already won two of these by floating around, she’s not going to get another. Pick someone who made educated decisions to get here and who deserves to win.

Round Three: Tony, Sarah, and Debbie
Thomas: (Laughs) I would get rid of Tony as soon as possible. If he sees a hole, he plugs it. I need him gone before he calls my number. Debbie, she makes good decisions. She’s smart. I think she pays a good deal of attention to what’s going on. And Sarah I would take to the end because I feel like she’ll play an honest game, but I think I’ll play a better game than her.
Holmes: You think you’re socially stronger?
Thomas: Oh yeah, people underestimate my social game.
Holmes: It’s that smile, man. I’m ready to vote for you.
Thomas: (Laughs)

Round Four: Brad, Jeff, and Troyzan
Thomas: I’d get rid of Varner first. He’s a strategic player and I might work with him in a different set of three. I think Troyzan is more solid to align with because I think he’ll stick to his word. And I’ll take Brad to the end because he’s going to piss some people off.

Round Five: Tai, Andrea, and Caleb
Thomas: Tai, I really like Tai. But in this group of three, I need to get rid of him first. He’s such a great guy, but he leaks information. He’ll accidentally tell the whole story to someone. And he could beat me. Caleb, he’ll be loyal and stick to me. But, I wouldn’t take him to the final three because he could beat me. Whereas Andrea, she’ll be loyal and I think I can beat her.

Round Six: Ozzy and Sierra
Holmes: Alright, there are two left. Work with one and boot the other.
Thomas: I’ll work with Ozzy. I feel like we’re going to be tight. We’re going to be each other’s rock. Sierra, I don’t know enough about her and I’d be scared to work with her. Ozzy is my man.

Don’t miss the two-hour season premiere of “Survivor: Game Changers,” Wednesday March 8, 2017 at 8 p.m. ET.

Any Questions? Drop me a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes

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Posted in RealityTV, survivor, TV News | Comments Off on ‘Survivor’ JT: “The Last Thing People Remember Is, ‘He’s So Trustworthy, He Trusted Russell Hantz.'”

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