Archive for Interviews
‘Survivor: Samoa’ Contestant Russell Swan Talks About His Brush With Death
Posted by: | CommentsI was very glad to be able to interview Russell Swan this morning. The 42 year old environmental protection attorney from Philadelphia seemed moments from death after collapsing during a reward challenge on last night’s Survivor: Samoa. He collapsed twice and lay motionless after his heart beat rocketed and plummeted, the result of extreme dehydration, exhaustion and malnutrition. Russell has reported that he’s now in great health and thankful for everything he has.
Russell always seemed to put a tremendous amount of pressure on himself to be the tribal chief, and didn’t always make the right decisions. How useful would a tarp be for Galu right now compared to blankets? Still, he was a hard worker around camp and a big part of the reason Galu won so many Immunity Challenges. I liked Russell as a guy and I was sorry to see him face such a bitter end. If Russell’s near death was Survivor’s scariest moment then his return to life was one of its happiest.
Earlier today I had a chance to ask Russell about his near miss with being a contestant on Survivor: The Australian Outback alongside Colby, Tina and Elisabeth. I found out about his greatest victory as a lawyer working with the Environmental Protection Agency, and how it was possible to become so dehydrated while surrounded by water.
Q: At one time you were a semi-finalist to appear on Survivor: The Australian Outback. Who would you have aligned with from that cast? Which season would you have rather done?
I would have to say Jeff and Colby. We seem to have the most in common in terms of game play. I am glad I did Samoa as opposed to Australia. It almost killed me, but it was a phenomenal experience.
Q: A lot of viewers may be confused. You seemed to be surrounded by water and practically drowning in rain. How did you become dehydrated?
You can still get sick from water that runs off of things. Remember, it’s all about bacteria, and water is the perfect substrate for it. So, just because it’s rain, if it’s touched something else, you should boil it.
Q: Did this near death experience lead you to make any changes in your life? If so, what?
It has lead me to appreciate everything I already have, (love of my wife, love my daughter, etc.) and not focus so much on the things I do not have.
Q: Prior to the game you told Reality Blurred that you planned to change your dialect, using short sentences and a ‘dumb’ voice to make people think you weren’t a mental threat. Did that work out in practice?
No, because after I got elected chief, all bets were off. In other words, my whole strategy had to change.
Q: You seemed to put a lot more responsibility on yourself as tribal chief than Mick did at Foa Foa. Did you ever consider playing the title off as honorary and allowing someone else to lead around camp?
I thought about it, but my tribe seemed to have strong people/personalities than what I saw on Foa Foa. I don’t know how Mick got a pass, but I will tell you I would not have gotten a pass on Galu if I was the same weak leader that Mick was. He was useless. I guess his being useless did help keep him in the game.
Q: As an environmental protection lawyer I really admire your service. Are there any particularly sweet victories you can share with us?
I had a case where a child was poisoned by lead paint. Ulitmately, we were able to get a nice penalty from the respondent, and ordered him to remediate his properties. No more children will be exposed or poisoned by that property anymore.
Exclusive Interview: ‘Outlaw’ Ben Browning of ‘Survivor: Samoa’
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After lasting just three episodes 28 year old Ben Browning, the mixologist originally from Kirksville, Missouri, may be the most controversial Survivor contestant of all time. Or perhaps controversy would have required Ben to have a lot of fans defending him. So far I have yet to find one.
Ben became the first contestant ever ejected from a challenge after taking out Russell Swan’s leg from behind, later remarking he didn’t know he was playing by Jeff Probst’s “sissy rules.” The self-proclaimed ‘outlaw’ used derogatory language towards women on several occasions and called Yasmin “ghetto trash” on the verge of becoming a prostitute. But remember, he doesn’t start arguments. He just ‘reacts.’ Whether or not he will be missed, Ben will be remembered.
In our interview, I asked Ben whether he had ever felt like someone had discriminated against him, how he would respond to Jeff Probst’s recent blog claim of ‘owning him’ in Q&A, and whether he can truly say that no woman has ever rejected him.
While Ben was brief and not always to the point, he did reveal one bit of interesting information that’s bound to leave some readers regretting their lunch decisions. The nature of his real victory over Marisa.
Q: Last night Jaison suggested perhaps you were naïve, that you didn’t understand discrimination. Have you ever felt like someone discriminated against you – or looked at you with less respect – because of your background?
Jaison is overly sensitive. I’ve been discriminated against. Everyone has. I completely understand it. But it was interpreted incorrectly.
Q: Did you invite a lot of people over for the broadcasts knowing the stuff that was going to come up? If so, what was the mood like in the room during the controversial moments?
Everyone of my friends have laughed and said it was refreshing to see someone be REAL.
Q: Do you feel as though your experience with Survivor – overall – has had a positive or negative impact on your life? In what way?
Another chapter in my crazy life. Definitely a positive experience.
Q: Going back, in your CBS.com bio you say you’ve never been rejected by a woman. Do you stand by that?
Can you find one that’s rejected me?
Q: You seemed really bothered by Marisa. Did we see the whole story there? Why were you upset with her?
She was really annoying. They didn’t show all the moronic things she said and did. I let her have it because she sucked. Pre-game started she was trying to give me eyes. I was in no way interested and that’s what originally started her campaign against me. Obviously I won that one.
Q: Jeff Probst said in his blog on Entertainment Weekly last week, “Ben and I went at it quite a bit [during the Episode 2 Tribal Council]. He may be able to beat me up, but in a game of Q and A, he’s all mine.” Is that your recollection?
Jeff’s job is Q&A and he’s good at that. Does he own me in that game? No way. I turned the tables on Probst and he was amused.
Q: After Jeff’s warning during the Schmergenbrawl challenge, did you expect to get thrown out of the challenge when you took out Russell Swan’s ankle? If you knew you were going to get thrown out, why do it?
It was all creative editing. And there was never any rule that said you couldn’t trip.
Exclusive Interview with Betsy Bolan with ‘Survivor: Samoa’
Posted by: | CommentsBetsy Bolan, who struggled with substance abuse before becoming a police officer at the age of 47, was a very relatable contestant. Though she never seemed to find her strategic footing, she brought a nurturing spirit and a well earned wisdom to the show that added warmth to an otherwise gritty cast. But last night Ben accused Betsy of being a bad cop and blew her away with an imaginary pistol. The others joined him in voting her off as a liability even though she never appeared to struggle in the challenges.
When I talked with Betsy earlier today she told me whether her wild youth impacted her decision to become a police officer, whether she was especially disappointed in the women for siding with Ben, how successful Mick and Liz were in hiding their professional success and how hard she found it to keep her frustrating island experience from her family.
I was really touched by your story. You’ve been open about the fact that you went through a wild youth before becoming a cop at age 47. Was it your goal to prevent others from making the same choices you did? And has it made you a better cop?
It sounds shallow, but no, it wasn’t a goal of mine to prevent people from making bad choices. I am sure I don’t have that much power. Maybe [I could be] an inspiration to some. That would be wonderful because I will never forget (or want to) how down and out I felt in those crazy days. And to be so blessed now… It took me just as many tries to get sober as it did to get on Survivor. I just didn’t give up. It helps in working with the community since I do have experience and I have more empathy.
I know you’re a fan. Of anyone who’s ever played the game, who would have been your two ideal allies?
I would think I could trust Mick and Jaison.
Did the fact that you got voted off in the second episode make it most frustrating to keep your experience secret from excited loved ones?
Absolutely! My brothers and sisters will not tell me things, they know better. I would try to tell my husband little things but he wouldn’t let me.
In preshow interviews Mick and Liz promised to lie about their backgrounds to sound less professionally successful. Jaison also seemed hesitant to talk about his Ivy League degrees. Were they able to keep their secrets on the island?
Liz and Jaison did mention their professions. Mick was a little vague. He did say he was in the medical field but not a doctor.
Ben has made some hateful comments about women and minorities. Did you feel especially let down by the women and minorities in the tribe for voting to keep him over you?
It was extremely frustrating! I thought women were so much smarter. I know the women I hang around with are!
Ben or Russell. Who is the worst offender?
Russell. Ben actually has a heart and soul where Russell doesn’t seem to.
