Survivor

Survivor’s Coach Talks Being Blindsided By Elimination

by Reality Tea on April 12th, 2010

In perhaps what could be called karma for not helping save his alliance member Rob Mariano during the last elimination, Benjamin ‘Coach” Wade, 38, ended up being the next victim of Russell (all thanks to Sandra), when he was voted out during the last episode of Survivor.

In a new interview with PEOPLE, the first jury member discusses his surprise in what he calls a complete “blindside.” He also talks about Rob’s elimination (Coach takes zero blame for Rob going home by the way), his disdain for Russell and his feelings on Jerri today.

Excerpts from Coach’s interview below -

Did you have any inkling that you were in danger?
It was a total blindside. From the first frog-marching with Colby to the last mud-diving with Rupert, my performance was consistent. Add the fact that Courtney rolled her ankle and limped off the last immunity, the fact that the tribe was starving and the morale was so low, I assumed they wouldn’t make such a preposterous choice.

The Villains started out so strong. What went wrong?
Tyson was that bridge between the younger and older generations, the honorable people like myself and dishonorable people like Russell and the major egomaniacs and the sweet and humble players. When he left, it knocked us down.

Sandra seemed to play into Russell’s ego.
Courtney and Sandra knew they were going home if they didn’t do something and they even seemed surprised at the turn of events. But if you throw enough mud on the wall, something will probably stick. But there is no doubt that Russell is a ferocious player. There’s a bit of bully syndrome going on. He does not play with strong players. He picks people, and it’s usually the women, that he can dominate and manipulate. And when someone disagrees with him like Danielle, he refuses to f-ing talk to them. It will become an even stupider move if they never merge.

There is some amount of blame that can be placed on you because you didn’t pick a side in the Russell versus Rob battle.
If there is one person to blame for Rob going home beside himself and Russell, it’s Jerri. Everybody blamed me, but how did I betray him? Jerri was the one who said she wouldn’t vote for Russell and ripped my guts by selling Rob down the river yet she got a hug and I got called a ‘little man.’ Russell and Rob would not have made fire so the rest of us would have drawn rocks and I would have had a one-in-six chance of going home. I also tried for three days to get those two on the same page. I said, “Let’s talk. I will mediate. The three of us need to get on the same page or we will just keep losing.” Rob shot himself in the foot because he refused to meet. It was an impossible situation for me to thrust into and for me to bear the brunt of it is just another unjust [thing] against the Dragonslayer. It is my lot in life.

Speaking of Jerri, could she still be the future Mrs. Coach despite her betrayal? Or were the sparks all editing?
Mrs. Coach. That’s a good one. Jerri is one of a kind, awesome. She disappointed me again and again out there but what happens in the game stays in the game because there was definitely some romantic interest. We cooled it off because we knew if we continued to be together, we’d become a big target. We’re not allowed to see each other before the finale, but I can’t wait to see her there and we will see what happens after that.

TELL US – WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS ON COACH GOING HOME? AND ON THE LAST EPISODE OF SURVIVOR?

Survivor

Survivor’s Boston Rob Talks Being Ousted From Heroes Vs. Villains

by Reality Tea on April 5th, 2010

It was a great but short lived rivalry, as Boston Rob aka Rob Mariano was defeated this week by Russell Hantz in Survivor Heroes Vs. Villains.

In a new interview with PopWatch, Rob speaks out on Tyson’s dumb move, Coach’s betrayal, and his thoughts on Russell as a player.

Excerpts from that below -

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Point blank: Did Russell outplay you?
ROB MARIANO: Did Russell outplay me? It seems as if Russell got the better of me. At the end of the day, he was able to convince Jerri to vote with him and Coach didn’t stand up and do what he said he was going to do, and therefore I’m sitting here talking to you. Russell — very entertaining, I give him credit. I wouldn’t want him on my team ever! I wanted him gone from the outset. But I’m the one here talking to you, so he got me.

How much of an advantage do you think he had with no one having seen him play before?
Well, it cuts both ways. He has an advantage in that people are gonna give him the benefit of the doubt. Myself, I realized that 20 seasons in, you have 10 people that are considered the most villainous to ever play the game, and here’s a guy from the most recent season, so he had to do something so outlandish to get picked over all those other contestants. So to me, it’s a no brainer. This kid, you got to keep an eye on him. And then when you look at him and he looks at you with those beady eyes and doesn’t blink, and can’t give you a straight answer — look, I played poker. I can read him. I knew he was bad for business. But at the end of the day, he got me, so I can’t give it to him too hard about it.

Coach actually appeared to take the easiest path possible in not voting for you, yet casting a vote that he knew ensured you going home. That seems like he was almost trying to not own up to his decision.
I think he’s a guy that was conflicted and he didn’t have it in him to do the right thing in this situation. So, it’s bad for me because it makes me go home, but he’s the one who has to live with it. Essentially, the turning point for me was not even that, it was the week before with Tyson switching his vote. Because here it is, Dalton: You lay out a foolproof plan, it can’t fail, there’s no way anybody in our alliance goes home, there’s no way Coach or Jerri are at risk, and you go another way for what reason? It doesn’t make any sense to me. Look, Russell took a shot. It was a gamble. It was a big gamble, it paid off and it makes him look great. It doesn’t necessarily mean that his play was correct. In poker, you can do the right thing and still lose. He did the wrong thing and ended up winning and looks like a genius, but in actuality it’s not a play I will ever make myself or applaud. But having said, that I’m the one sitting here and he’s still in the game, so I can’t take that away from him.

What’s the first thing you said to Tyson when you met up with him at Ponderosa?
I can’t say that. [Laughs.] Since then, we’re reconciled. For me, I just wanted to know why. It didn’t make any sense. It was the first time ever in the three times I played Survivor, even counting Marquesas when I went home — it was the first time I ever went to Tribal Council and things did not go the way I expected them to go, And to me, it was a total shock, because when I go to Tribal Council, I know what’s going to happen. The person going home is always the person I think is going home. So I wanted to know why, and to be honest, at the time, he didn’t really have an answer for me. He was basically like, “I screwed up.”

Rob also gave an interview with UsWeekly where he talks about Amber and his family. Excerpts from that below -

Us: Have you and Amber already blown through the $1 million winnings from Survivor: All Stars? Well, we paid our taxes, bought a house, put money away for our daughter and lost money in the stock market like everybody else. So yes!

Us: Your five-year wedding anniversary is April 16. What have you got planned?
We have a tradition of spending it at the beach. We met on a beach and got married on a beach. I just don’t know which beach we’re going to yet. But for the first time, there will be three of us.

Us: How is parenthood going?
I love it. Amber loves it. Lucia turns nine months on Sunday and she’s getting big! She’s crawling and getting ready to take her first steps. She’ll go from the coffee table to the ottman but doesn’t have the courage to let go yet.

Survivor

Survivor’s James Clement Talks Elimination & Being Called A ‘Villain’

by Reality Tea on March 29th, 2010

James Clement saw his luck run out last week, when he was voted off his ‘Heroes’ tribe on Survivor All Stars. Jame’s alliance turned against him and saved Colby, likely out of concern for his injured knee.

In a new interview with PEOPLE, James talks about being eliminated, how his leg’s doing (he actually tore his ACL), and discusses being called a villain.

Excerpts from the interview below -

You survived your first tribal after hurting your knee, but were sent home despite beating Colby in the challenge and holding your own in the Hero Olympics.
I think they were trying to save me from myself because they knew I wasn’t going to quit and I would have really messed stuff up. They were concerned about my knee so I think they did it for me even though they didn’t want to.

How’s the leg?
I’m going through surgeries now. I tore my ACL meniscus and then I got some sort of infection from bad water and it messed up the knee more. We will find out more when they go in again in five weeks. My kneecap rubs against the bone and scatters cartilage around the area. It doesn’t really hurt but it gets hot. If I put ice on it, I can watch it melt. It’s more annoying. I want to scratch it from the inside.

You’ve played three times. In China, were voted out with two idols in your pocket. In Micronesia and Samoa, you left due to injury. Which elimination burns most?
Definitely the idols. Me not paying attention and getting voted out is the most upsetting. The other two times I was doing my best, but I got hurt and plans didn’t come to fruition. That was out of my control. It’s strange because I’ve gone 32 years without going to the hospital. I work in a graveyard. I build houses. I played football. And I go and get hurt on the beach. Way to go James! You’re supposed to relax on the beach. [The blindside] made me pay attention more and I swore that if I ever came across an idol, I would play it immediately. I wouldn’t hold on to them.

More than once, players asserted that you should have been a villain. Were you on the wrong tribe?
There’s a fine line between heroes and villains. It’s cute that everyone thinks I’m being super-aggressive and obnoxious because I wanted everyone to focus, win and play as a team. Anarchy obviously doesn’t work and I just wanted everyone to make a plan and stick to it. If you think teamwork is the work of the devil, then send me to the villain side. Trying to organize is just crazy talk. That’s absurd.

Who do you want to win?
Amanda deserves it. She plays hard. She’s sweet. She’s been to the end twice. It’d be nice if she makes it this time and actually completes the mission. Poor thing, she’s always a bridesmaid.

TELL US – SHOULD JAMES HAVE BEEN VOTED OFF?

Survivor

Survivor’s Tyson Apostol: I Probably Made “The Worst Play In Survivor History”

by Reality Tea on March 26th, 2010

Tyson Apostol‘s move of changing his vote at the last minute based on the urging of a non alliance member not only left a lot of viewers scratching their heads, but it ultimately led to his demise on Survivor.

In a new interview with PEOPLE magazine, the 30 year-old college dropout and cyclist from Utah, opens up about his poor choice to follow Russell Hantz’s scheme, why Parvati was a big threat, and why he believes Russell will never win Survivor.

Excerpts from Tyson’s interview is below -

Once again, we’re talking to you way early.
You’re telling me. And I have no one to blame but myself. Maybe the worst play in Survivor history.

Why didn’t you follow Boston Rob’s surefire plan?
It was a risky move I was willing to take because if it worked, I would have looked like the most badass dude ever to play. In hindsight, I shouldn’t have. Here’s what my thought process was: I told Russell, Danielle, Parvati that we were splitting the votes and there was nothing they could do. Russell had to vote Parvati or play the idol to save himself. I could use Russell to get farther in the game and Parvati was a bigger threat. I was going to vote Russell but switched it thinking even if she switched her vote to Russell, she’d still get the majority. I knew he had the idol but I never thought he’d play it for her. Who does that?

Why was Parvati the biggest threat?
Because she had played with the most people. Like 18 of these people played together in Micronesia. Just knowing people is a huge base to start from when trying to build alliances.

So who is better, Boston Rob or Russell?
They both have skills but I’m willing to bet my life that Russell, no matter who he’s playing against, could never win the game because he rubs people the wrong way. I have nothing against him, but there isn’t a single person more disliked by contestants. The name of the game is slitting people’s throats with finesse and he doesn’t have that. He can get to the end but there’s big difference between first and second.

TELL US – WAS TYSON’S MOVE THE DUMBEST IN SURVIVOR HISTORY?

Survivor

Latest Survivor Evictee Tom Westman Talks Being Voted Off

by Reality Tea on March 15th, 2010

The Heroes tribe lost yet one more challenge, and we all saw Tom Westman’s luck run out as he was voted off during the last episode of Survivor.

In a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, the 46 year old former Suvivor Palau winner talks about being voted off before his injured Heroes tribe member James, what he would have done differently and also shares his thoughts on his other castmates. Tom had some rather choice words for his tribe member Rupert.

Excerpts from Tom’s interview is below -

How does it feel to be deemed less valuable than a dude who can’t walk?
You know what? I think if James had gotten his head cut off in that challenge they would have brought his head along in a bowling bag and had him vote against me. And that was frustrating actually having to defend myself that I was more of a physical value to the team than the guy who had been sent back into the game wearing a brace.

Did you think J.T. was with you on the vote, or were you skeptical?
It didn’t take us long to realize that J.T. was like, “which way is the wind blowing today?” I knew I had to get Rupert over, too, and I tried to appeal to him flat-out, “Is this really okay with you? Do you realize how you’re going to be portrayed? You’re just getting walked around this game by Amanda Kimmel! Is that okay with you?” And I needed him to make the move, which I think would have redeemed him in a lot of people’s eyes. You know, America loved that guy, and I think he let himself down big this time.

You and Colby were both worried before the game began about being outsiders with all these younger, newer players. Is this what got you in the end?
It is. I didn’t even think it would be as bad as it was. The fact that some of these people had played three times, and knew each other and were friends outside of the game — I think this was all preordained before we ever boarded those helicopters in Samoa. That being said, I like a good fight and it was still kind of fun to try to pick that thing apart. I think I did everything I could, but at the end of the day it was also coming to Candice and Cirie too late. If I could play this game again, instead of Cirie and I coming in with our gloves on and hitting at each other from opposite corners of the ring, we really should have just jumped into each other’s arms and said, “Okay, let’s see how far we can take this.” I should have indentified that, but knowing that Cirie had been in Micronesia and played with Amanda and these people I just lumped her in with that crowd, and she couldn’t convince me that she wasn’t part of a previous alliance. And now I believe that she wasn’t. Too many people warning me about her and too many people warning her about me, and it hurt both of us.

Rupert could have been seen as a natural alliance-mate for you and Colby in that he was also from an older season, and not as tied in with the newer, younger crowd, but it didn’t turn out that way, did it?
And we were both kind of shocked with that. I think part of Rupert’s thing is he immediately targeted Stephenie. He immediately wanted her gone with such a passion, for no apparent reason that we could see. And the only thing I believe is that Rupert wants to be the most popular person on the season and who has had that kind of popularity except Stephenie LaGrossa? I really believe that it was a selfish, get rid of anybody that might get more camera time than me situation, and that was Rupert’s motive in the beginning.

TELL US – SHOULD TOM HAVE BEEN VOTED OFF BEFORE JAMES?

Survivor

Latest Survivor Outcast Cirie Fields Talks Being Voted Off

by Reality Tea on March 7th, 2010

In what is being described as the first blindside of the season, Cirie Fields was surprisingly voted out of her Survivor tribe when her fellow alliance member J.T. flipped sides.

Most people seem to think this was both a smart and brave move on JT’s part, but how does the proclaimed “puppet master” feel about being ousted? In a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, Cirie opens up on her feelings on being voted out, on whether the show host Jeff Probst influences voting, and what she would have done differently. Some excepts are below –

I want to start where it all ended for you: Tribal Council. Were you cringing the entire time Probst went on an on about the idiocy of voting off strong players?
Oh my God! Was I?!? I try not to react when Jeff makes his comments because everyone’s watching, everyone’s listening, and I don’t want to influence any vote one way or the other. And I’m trying to not let what he says influence the votes one way or the other — but absolutely! We sit on these little tree stumps. After Tribal was over when I got up I don’t know if you saw that toothpick fall from right under, but I literally was clenching my behind the whole time, like, “Please, Jeff, just move on to something else!” He was going exactly against why I was telling them we should vote out Tom, so yeah, that was a real clencher for me.

Did you know it was J.T. that voted you off?
No, I wasn’t sure who it was. I felt like Rupert, Amanda, and James were pretty much going to stick to the plan, but you never know. I couldn’t tell. I knew Tom was talking to J.T. a lot and I never trusted J.T. I always said to Amanda, “Are you sure about J.T.?” because I could see J.T. playing. So it was hard for me to figure out which one flipped, but I wasn’t really that surprised.

You take a pretty clinical, strategic viewpoint of everything. So how did you feel about how personal James was getting with Stephenie at that Tribal?
Oh, boy. I like both of them and I even said to James after that Tribal was over, “Was it necessary?” I know this game gets your blood boiling and I know everyone is there to try to win, but I think James’ lack of ability to articulate how he feels made him come across more brutal than was necessary. James will be the first to admit he doesn’t do the social thing, and not having experience in the social aspect and being able to speak to people and get your point across without coming off like a brute, I think kind of hurt him.

You’ve had some time now to sit back and replay everything. If you could jump in Mark Burnett’s magic Survivor time machine and go back and change one thing about how you played, what would it be?
I think I would have tried to spend more time with J.T. and make him feel comfortable and convince him that he wouldn’t’ have been my target later on.

TELL US – WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE LATEST SURVIVOR EPISODE? DID JT DO THE RIGHT THING BY JOINING FORCES WITH TOM AND COLBY? IS RUSSELL PLAYING SMARTLY?

Survivor

Survivor’s Stephenie LaGrossa Speaks: James Is The “Rudest Bully”

by Reality Tea on February 23rd, 2010

Survivor’s second all star game is well under way, with Stephenie LaGrossa being the second woman eliminated for the second week in a row.

The 30-year-old Philadelphia restaurant owner gave a new interview to PEOPLE magazine, during which she discussed her recent elimination and her upcoming wedding plans to Phillies pitcher Kyle Kendrick. One subject or name that kept coming up was however that of her cast-mate, James Clement. James who was a past fan favorite and is on the “good” Heroes team, seems to be losing some fans this season based on his recent behavior on the show, which included constantly yelling at his team-mates.

According to Stephenie, she believes both James and other fan favorite Rupert Boneham have developed big egos.

Excerpts from Stephenie’s interview below -

Did you know your number was up?
I knew I was going. Our only hope was to switch Candice and Cirie to come with me, Colby, Tom, and we gave them a really good deal. We said, “Come with us and you won’t see your name come the merge. We’ll go to the final five and fight it out, whereas they go with the other people, they have ties on the other side, so they will use you to get to the merge but you can pretty much expect to be gone then.”

Did you know you would attract the ire of Rupert and James?
It was weird. It’s like, where did that come from? I didn’t know James at all. I didn’t even know his last name. I was just trying to get to know him and he just got in his little clique with Amanda and JT and Rupert, and Rupert didn’t like me. I didn’t even have a conversation with Rupert, hardly, but it was tough out there. Rupert and James are really high on themselves, so very flattered by themselves and very arrogant. If you threatened their popularity or strength, they kept away from you.

James seemed upset that the group agreed to listen to “one voice” in the challenge but you spoke.
That wasn’t what the fight was. It was “one voice” and the “one voice” was stumped! What happens when it’s one voice but that one voice can’t figure out the puzzle? We were all sitting there like, where is the direction coming from? So Candice, actually, took the lead, which you didn’t see, and it was never actually right or almost right. At the end of the challenge James is cursing and screaming at everyone and he looks at me and I was like, “Listen, I wasn’t the only one talking,” and he took that like I was saying, “It wasn’t me,” when I wasn’t saying that at all. He just lost it and started bringing up Palau. He may go further than me on the show but he went from the good guy to the biggest egomaniac, rudest bully anyone has ever seen.

Did it lift your spirits to have Tom defending you at Tribal Council?
That was amazing. Him and Colby to be such gentlemen and put their heads on the chopping block even more than they already were, it just shows the character and the type of people they are.

How are wedding plans going with your fiancé, Phillies pitcher Kyle Kendrick?
I will be married this November in Napa Valley and we are trying to figure out the honeymoon and my dress, we have an awesome wedding planner out of San Francisco, and it’s a lot of fun. This is my second time so I want to do a smaller wedding but Kyle has so many friends and family and so do I so it’s just going to be one big amazing party! We’re really excited.

TELL US – WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS ALL STAR GAME? HAS JAMES BECOME A VILLAIN?

Survivor,Uncategorized

CBS Reveals Cast Photos Of All-Star Cast of Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains!

by Reality Tea on January 8th, 2010

CBS has officially unveiled the 20 former castaways who will be competing on the 20th season of Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains.

The latest season of Survivor will premier with a special two-hour episode on Thursday, February 11 at 8PM ET on CBS. The castaways will be divided up into two tribes of 10. It will be a Heroes vs Villians theme, with the “Heroes” being “defined by their decisions of integrity,” courage and honor, and the “Villains” having “mastered their skills of deception, manipulation and duplicity,” according to CBS.

The show’s host Jeff Probst also discussed the upcoming season, “This season we’re bringing back some of your favorite past competitors — 10 heroes going up against 10 villains in a knock-down, drag-out brawl.” This season was also filmed in Samoa, the same location as Survivor 19.

Back in the mix is Russell Hantz — a favorite from the Survivor:Samoa. According to reports, season 1 winner Richard Hatch was asked to return for this season. However, he had to apply to leave the country since he is under house arrest. His request was denied by a federal judge in Rhode Island.

The two separate teams are listed below -

Heroes: Amanda, James, Cirie, Tom (Palau), Stephanie, Rupert, Candice, JT, Colby and Sugar.

Villains: Boston Rob, Jerri, Russell, Parvati, Sandra, Coach, Tyson, Danielle, Randy and Courtney.

JAMES CLEMENT: HERO

Occupation: Gravedigger
Past appearances: China; Micronesia: Fans vs. Favorites
His M.O.: Known for his smile and impressive pecs (he made it to PEOPLE’s Sexiest Men issue!), James won the Sprint Fan Favorite prize of $100,000 in back-to-back seasons.

BENJAMIN ‘COACH’ WADE: VILLAIN

Occupation: Soccer coach/orchestra conductor
Past appearances: Tocantins: The Brazilian Highlands
His M.O.: The self-titled Dragon Slayer, who slung his jacket over his shoulder while approaching the voting lectern during tribal councils, told wild but seemingly true stories by the campfire