Hey all, happy to hear from you, due to technical difficulties beyond my control, it took till now to get this first batch posted. Sorry for the delay, and I’ll try to get to everyone… anyway, here we go…

April 13, 2007 | Jonathan's last set of replies is here. Enjoy!

Question:

Villian?, by g8cat
Hi Jonathan. A comment and a question. First, I don't think you were a villian at all. I personally didn't like you at times because of your initail flip, but I gave you lots of points when you flipped backed. You knew you were going back to a tight group and wouldn't have a real strong chance of breaking it up, but you realized who the deserving people were and helped them get to where they should be. Villians are sneaky and devious and you were way too open and honest to be...

Answer:

G8cat thanks for your comment. I agree I was way too open and honest! But that’s me, Mr. Big Mouth. It’s funny, because people always said (behind my back) they didn’t trust me, and Yul always said ‘why not? If anything he’s too honest!’ I actually think that’s why they didn’t trust. Because they assumed I couldn’t be so open all the time – it must’ve been a cover. (not that I didn’t lie or dissemble, but you get my point.) (Of course, I did steal the damn chicken too, but I did it honestly!) I believe second place does get $100,000, but now that you mention it, I've never heard that for certain, and Ozzy's way too cool to ever discuss it. I think it's true, but don't quote me on it.

Question:

response to your response, by dbchupp
I guess you sort of answered my question by saying nastiness isn't cool in any situation. But when you went on to say that even I would do things I wouldn't be proud of in a 39 day period, I felt misunderstood. No kidding, no one's perfect, great insight. But there's a difference between losing your cool for a moment in extreme circumstances (Alicia between tired and hungry and homesick and "tired of Kimmi and the f****n' chickens) and entering the game saying…

Answer:

Dbchupp you’re right there’s a big difference. Everyone has bad days, and the harshness of the sleep/food/social elements don’t help a body either. I’m certainly not aware of any CI players intending to be cutthroat and bad per se. Although I guess Parvati had gone in intending to be a ‘vamp’ or seductress. No idea to what degree that’s a ‘character’ or her real persona, but it took her far. Does that count as villainy? Not in my book. As to backlash, yes, I was somewhat surprised (as were the producers, according to one higher-up at Burnett and Co) that once the show was on air, I was seen by some as the villain. Again, call me stupid and naïve, but I do and did believe my motives were there for all to see; that I had acted out of loyalty to my chosen ally Candice through the mutiny and only flipped back to Yul when it became clear, 1) my Raro allies held me in no real regard and were not to be trusted, 2) he made me an offer I couldn’t refuse, 3) I saw my best chance of winning or placing second was with him and 4) the more deserving tribe, who felt I had betrayed them, needed my help to stay in the game. Not that I am or was a martyr or hero. I don’t feel like that AT ALL, but a Villain, no it never entered my mind, and as I say it apparently didn’t enter the producers’ minds either. Maybe I was obnoxious, but honestly there’d have been more shown by the editors to help justify Becky and Sundra’s ‘his true colors are coming out’ line than my burping and awkwardness. If they got it, they use it, and really, that was the best (worst) I gave them. If I sound defensive, I don’t mean to. But really folks, a burp does not a villain make.

Question:

???, by Julgrow
Jonathan,
My questions:
1. I read in a response that you had 24 days notice before going on the show. To the CI. When they told you that you were going to be on the show what exactly did they tell you? Did they tell you the place? Did you research the island, etc? Were you told what to bring or what you couldn't bring? Did they have all the contestants meet in LA and then fly to CI? When exactly did you feel the game had started? (I know a few of the seasons started...

Answer:

Julgrow love your interest, forgive my (enforced) brevity. I was told I’d made it onto the show by Phone with a ‘congrats’ or ‘you made it’ kind of call. I had been in touch with them for months as all candidates have to have shots, go through reams of paperwork, insurance, things like that. I’d had to ‘carve out’ a few issues on my contracts, so I’d been speaking with them regularly. Of course some (most?) of the folks who go through this whole process then get a disappointing call at the end of it. But I got a good one. I was in my car when it happened.

I did research a lot, read many books, re-watched past season. I knew we were going to Cook Islands as it was announced at the end of the previous season. We were told what to bring, and then about half of that was used. For instance I had water shoes and sneakers and I was allowed the sneakers, not the others, etc. We all gathered in LA though we were not allowed to speak till the game started. Yes there were a few days of orientation, and photo ops etc, but again we were not allowed to speak. This is the period during which the girl quit before Fiji started. I was away for 45 days! (But wrote a note to each of my kids for each day so they ‘heard ‘from me every day.) To prepare I did a lot of pool work and trained hard, (too hard in fact and ripped my Achilles tendon slightly two weeks before leaving. I played on it anyway and thank goodness it never got worse while I was away. I never told Burnett and Co and my doctor of course thought I was INSANE!) I also ate as much as possible and bulked up, hoping I’d be out there long enough to lose it all. (I lost 30 pounds!) A lot of the ‘kids’ got all thin and buffed out before the show, but had no where to go but down. I brought a 7-11 with me! If you have medical issues, that’s ok, you are allowed medicine. I have a medication I take daily and it was fine. I am friends with Yul, Becky and Candice, all of whom are extremely busy. No idea if they’ll start blogging. I hope so! (can you tell I write almost as loud as I talk!? Everything has to have a !!) And we filmed over the summer – leaving LA in late June and returning in early August. Not sure when Fiji filmed – I wasn’t invited! Hope you get on the show!

April 11, 2007

Question:

Behind the Scenes, by Ironcity
Huge fan; I was disappointed when you left. Quick question(s): I would love it if they put together a "behind the scenes" type show. How many crew members (camera, sound, etc) were typically around camp? When you did confessionals, would they show any emotion at your comments? Were they allowed to speak to you at all?

Keep up the great blogging - you & BobDawg definitely make the blog worth reading.

Answer:

Iron city though I’m sure the crew (which is HUGE) would make for a great show during their down time and their time away from us players, it would be a boring show if it concentrated on the ‘filming’ of Survivor. Because while there are any number of camera people, sound people, and producers around during the day, they really don’t talk to us AT ALL. They don’t react to us, they don’t give it up. They are truly hard working documentary filmmakers trained to shoot wild life and various societies in ways that don’t disrupt their subjects in their natural habitats. They shot us as if we were real tribes in the jungle, and did their best to have us ignore them and even forget they were there. And honestly they did a great job. Funnily enough though, if a crew that’s filming you suddenly breaks off and dashes across the island, you know that some intense conversation is taking place somewhere else! I remember the day of the merge when Yul floated the idea of his having the idol to me. After we talked for an hour or two, I went fishing, and when I came ashore, there he was, surrounded by three full crews! It was like a press conference! I knew something big was up, and after he showed it to me we quickly split up just so we wouldn’t draw attention to ourselves. Also, I remember I’d be out there fishing and I’d hear this weird putt putt in the water. What the hell?! I looked up to see a little dingy coming out to film me and the reef. ‘Course that would scare the fish and I’d be like ‘you guys are f’ing killing me here!’ But all they could do was shrug and give me the ‘sorry mate’, look. I’d have to catch something quick just to get them to leave me alone!

Question:

dUdE J MON, by bmac39
I POSTED COUPLE DAYS GO JUS WONDERIN WHEN YOU IS GOIN TO ANSWER. BY THE WAY, ANYONE WHO DOESNT WANT TO HAVE A DRINK WITH U IS JUST NO FUN. I WOULD CHERISH THE MOMENT, AND GET WASTED AT THE SAME TIME. BIG FAN, U DA MAN,
PEACE

Answer:

I think I probably answered by now. Not sure which question was yours, but as you probably can see, I’m trying to be thorough! And let’s toast tonight at 8 PST just as Sanjaya appears on my tv!

Question:

Jonathan is King!!, by LuvTheOzman
Hi Jonathan, it's LTO from Sucks. Love your answers so far. Obviously I am an Ozzy fan but to quote you if "Ozzy is a Prince", then you definately are a King. Any regrets on stealing the chicken at the beginning? It seemed to have put a big target on you right away. And has Adam every apologized for the shirt incident? And last question, when are you coming back to Sucks? We miss you! xoxoxoxo

Answer:

LuvTheOzman Ah that damn chicken! I don’t regret it, but you are so right! Within like 90 seconds of the game starting I had a big sign on my face reading ‘Chicken stealing bad guy!!’ See Probst made it clear what was off limits. BUT EVERY THING ELSE WAS FAIR GAME (pun intended) INCLUDING THE CHICKENS! I assumed everyone on that boat would be stealing everything from everyone else! And of course it’s the fact that I made such an assumption – that everyone would be thinking sneaky, coupled with the actual stealing of the thing which got everyone looking at me like I was Untrustworthy Joe from the Bronx. Which is fair enough. I made the assumption, I acted on it, and I’m from the Bronx. So basically I was running from that minute on! As for Adam apologizing, no. All I’ve gotten is, ‘that was blown out of proportion, it was no big deal.’ And yes, folks if you’re enjoying this stuff, may I direct you to Survivor Sucks where there is more Survivor nuttiness than you can shake a shirt at. I’m sure this wiki and the blog are supposed to keep you all satisfied and within the CBS family or something, but if you find yourself craving more of a walk on the wild side… check it out. How’s that LTO? !

Question:

I have another question, by Hunybee
I've always been curious as to why no one tried to vote for Yul at TC in order to get him to give up the Imunity Idol. From my position, on the couch,:) that seems like it would be an obvious step. Did that even cross your mind or anyone else's for that matter?

Answer:

Hunybee welcome back. Why no one wanted to take on Yul is simple. The Aitu four wouldn’t have done that. Ozzy maybe, but not Becky or Sundra. I floated the idea of his having the idol to my Ravu kids and they of course shot me down as ridiculous. I knew or felt I couldn’t trust or work with them if they wouldn’t even entertain an idea of mine (let alone one I knew was the truth!) so I was willing to flop and help the four I thought best deserved to go to the finals. I could have arranged it for Yul to get the vote and play the idol, but that would have aligned me with the Raros, and that’s not where I wanted to end up – helping one of them win. Once Nate and Candice were gone, Parviti and Adam wouldn’t work with me to draw out the idol nor would I have worked with them, and as I said, Becky and Sundra were happy to get to the final four as it was, and rightly, I think, they too felt the winner should be Yul or Ozzzy.

Question:

At the Finale/Reunion
Hi Jonathan, I thought it was so nice to see you with Yul's mom, dad and Becky's mom all hugging and being so warm to each other at the reunion last Dec. However, aside from Yul's family, friends, and Becky's mom I didn't see any other familes up on stage. Was this not allowed or did they just not show that part on TV? Thanks in advance and I hope you and your family are enjoying this great California weather! And if you see Yul tell him he is awesome!

Answer:

Neoshishya I honestly don’t remember if there were any other family members on stage, but I’d have to assume at least some of Ozzy’s family were there too, no? But you’re right, I did go out of my way to be nice to the parents there, as I knew how quickly we were going to be moved off stage, and didn’t want any dazzled parent of a suddenly wealthy person to get trampled or forgotten. So I guess the fact that I was conscious of them and genuinely happy for them came through somehow. I’m surprised you picked up on that. It just seemed like the natural thing to do. They are warm, very funny people with style, grace and obvious parenting skills!

Question:

HUUUUUGE Thanks!
Thanks for the response to my question, and as well for the detailed responses you gave to everyone else.

Your passion for this game shines through mightily, and you deserve praise for that.
Oh, and btw, if you, BobDawg, Bruce, et al can't figure out a good time or place to meet for a drink, feel free to pass on the word: yer all welcome to come up to Kelowna, BC (google it sir, trust me)...and the first round is on me!
Cheers, and thanks again!

Answer:

Stimpy 150 Thanks; you’re welcome; and I’ll be in Maine for a week or two this summer so maybe… you never know…!

April 10, 2007

Question:

Question from far-off beautiful New Zealand., by Darth_Hater
When were you planning Yul's overthrow, and who were you hoping would assist you in toppling him?
Final 2 Jury Bait
Hey, three questions for one of the best "villains" ever.
1) Who was your preferred Final 2 opponent? From what we saw, I'm guessing that since Becky wouldn't make a move without Yul, Adam and Parvati wanted nothing to do with you and Yul or Ozzy would have trounced you in the vote, then Sundra would have been the one, since you could have played the "Sure she's nice, but c'mon, I PLAYED this game, and if you're sitting on the jury, I, not Sundra, put...

Answer:

Darth Hater 1) originally I wanted a final two with Parvati. (that was for the day or two after arriving on the Islands - her laziness drove me crazy, but I thought she’d be a perfect goat. Then I wanted to march forward with Candice and let the chips fall where they might. And finally, honestly, I hoped to go all the way with Yul. I didn’t see myself toppling him, and thought I’d rather make it to a final two with him and probably lose than get blown out earlier. Actually, I kind of convinced myself that while my chances against him were poor, if I actually made it that far, what with a record number of votes against me and so much ill will etc. then I’d have a pretty strong argument for having actively and actually outlasted, outplayed, and outwitted everyone on the jury. But I was (rightly) seen as a threat by Becky and Sundra, and Ozzy always wanted me gone (as I had wanted him gone) and so, this, my fondest fantasy never materialized.

2) I was not complimented, but offended actually by his calling me ‘predictable’. Yes, ultimately I realized he was calling me rational, but I hated that he felt he knew how I thought and that he was smarter than me. He was and is, of course, but I hate it!

3) I could hold my tongue with Parvati and Adam because I never wanted to lower myself to their level and at the same time I knew they were hurt and angry. I understood where they were coming from and just didn’t really let it bother me. Remember they thought they had it all worked out and didn’t see how I’d ever be able to flip back on them. So they were totally blindsided. And that really does hurt. In fact I was so in dread of ever having that happen to me that I played quite consciously staying ‘ahead of the game’ so it never would. I succeeded at that, but my fear of the blindside maybe led me to play TOO hard TOO fast. And 4) I never planned for Yul’s overthrow. I might have in a vote or two had I been able to get rid of Adam and Parvati, but that was a LONG ways away…

Question:

Ask a Survivor (Part 3.2), Ask a Survivor (Part 3.1), by BillyKam@Malaysia
Sorry, always hate to do the continual thing, hope you will forgive me, cause I still did't get it, and because you just played the game no longer, so let cotinual it. *_*

4) As usual, add your favour to the below: (a) Favour of season 'Survivor'; (b) Favour player ever played the game; (c) Favour moment of 'Survivor' screen; (d) Favour Survivor winner; (e) Favour villain play the game, and which part unforgettable moment that the villain played the game. (You can add...

Answer:

BillyKam@malaysia I think much of the above answering will cover your questions. I was not blindsided by the Aitu four. I hoped of course to go further (and believed/assumed I would) but the exiling by Parvati put me in the hot seat, and upon my return I knew I was cooked. Maybe they were always planning to vote me off after Nate and Candice, but let’s just say I wasn’t surprised the night at tribal. I was 90% sure it was me going home. They made the right move for them and I didn’t take it personally. Becky and Sundra knew I had to go or else I’d have made trouble for them.

Question:

Recruited ... But How? by CPTMAC
Hey Jonathan. Your quote about "the million dollars" ... i.e. A One with Six Zeros... has become one of my favorites... hope I don't owe you any royalties for its use... Here's my question. I know you were recruited. Could you tell us how you were actually "encouraged" to apply to Survivor. (also, if it's allowed, perhaps some time send me an e-mail for a follow-up question... I'm on the Survivor Message Boards...)

Answer:

CPTMAC Interesting story. Basically I was at a friend’s birthday party wearing a silk shirt once worn by Snoop Dogg and a Leather Jacket ala Serpico and generally just hanging around having fun, when I was approached by the mother-in-law of the birthday boy, whom I knew. She said someone wanted to meet me. It turned out it was Lynn Spillman, whom I’d never met, but she wanted to know if I was a fan of The Amazing Race a/o Survivor. I told her I was, because I am. She gave me her card and basically told me if I sent in a tape telling about myself and why I wanted to be on Survivor and why Survivor needed me, she’s make sure it was looked at. That was it. I had to go through the whole process just like everyone else, semi finals, finals, CBS, reams of paper work, physical exams, psych testing etc etc. It took months. I got the official word I was in about 24 days before we left for The Cook Islands. No, I wouldn’t have applied on my own, but I do believe in fate, and when opportunity knocks – you open the door. I am a fan of the show and just assumed my work as an actor and writer would keep me from ever doing it. But I told my wife that I’d say yes as long for as they said yes. And here’s the truth, I have no idea what I was doing at the party, or what I subsequently did on any audition or meeting to get the nod. I did nothing but ‘be myself’ Luckily/unluckily I was never famous enough to have been ‘stunt’ casting. I was always afraid I’d be recognized by one of the other players as an actor. Not because I was at all embarrassed, but because I was afraid they’d assume I was somehow rich and not want to vote for me to win. Turned out I gave them plenty of other reasons to vote me out! And none of them ever realized I’d starred in three series and like been in like 20 movies. Lynn certainly didn’t when she met me! At one point I remember a discussion around the Raro campfire about Tea Leoni who everyone agreed was really funny. I just nodded and played along, even though she and I had worked together for two seasons of The Naked Truth! I never told them the truth – naked or otherwise.

Question:

That Challenge, by mhg10908
Hey Jonathan, about that challenge when you were in "Steeple Chase"(the one where you had to race against Raro with those sand bags); when Yul made that comment saying "Hey guys, why don't we just fight them, we're not going to outrun them", would you have won that challenge if you decided to stand there and fight Raro and tackle one of there members before they could tackle you guys? Why would Yul have suggested this strategy?

Answer:

Mhg10908 I don’t think we’d have won in a stand up fight. The object was to catch the other team from behind and then knock one player down. Had we all turned and knocked all of them down, I still don’t think we would have won, because, let’s face it, they caught us. I think Yul just wanted to get a few last licks in!

Question:

Merge Strategy, by Byeynyn
Coming into the merge on your season, all nine of you, what plans did you have for getting to the Final Two (ahem, Three)? If you had genuine intentions of sticking with the people on Raro, what would've been your strategy for winning and how would you convince the jury?

That being said, right now, as the merge inevitably looms for the ten Fijians remaining, which three people are most likely to make it to the final three and why?

Answer:

Byenyn - Oh I had every intention of sticking with the Raros when we merged. I thought Adam had the Idol, (and I think he thought I did!) and I thought I was in like Flynn, even though I had some serious issues with my tribe-mates and knew they did with me too. Basically the idea was we’d get rid of the Aitu four in order, then Candice Adam and I would get rid of Nate and Parvati, and then she and I would get rid of Adam. I thought I’d have a better shot against him (or P or N) than against Candice, but she was my girl and I’d have let the chips fall where they would’ve. I didn’t trust N or P. And knew I’d have my work cut out for me, but that was the idea. Of course within an hour or two of the merge, Yul and I were talking and then he showed me the idol. I then had 48 hours to figure out what I was going to do… during which time Yul et al made nice and my Raro tribe-mates mad me madder and madder. It was an amazing, stressful by fun couple of days!

Question:

Lack of strategic players, by Legend-41
Hello Jonathan, I think your mental and strategic game was among the best ever to play the game of survivor (with exception of the Candace misread..lol). You ALWAYS were running numbers and was open for proposals, everyone in your tribe shot your suggestion down of the POSSIBILITY of Yul having the idol without even considering it, and then later you had Pavarti and Adam looking dumbstruck when you had CONFIRMED Yul had it. Why are 90% of players just NOT thinking of the strategic aspect...

Answer:

Legend-41 no idea why people think the way they do – pun intended. I remember at one point telling Adam that I knew we’d be leaving LA on a Wednesday because I’d checked all the airlines for travel possibilities to the Cook Islands and that was the day for the easiest version of the trip. He looked at me like I was from Mars, (and with a new sense of either fear or superiority) because he couldn’t believe I had thought of checking that and then had actually followed through on it. I just like to run scenarios, tell stories, take possibilities to their logical conclusions. That really is one of the ways that Yul and I truly bonded. We both just loved to do that and would do it for hours. My wife and I do it for our work too; play out stories, analyze character. Figure out twists. It’s just the way I think, so I can’t really say why others don’t do it.

Question:

Do survivors keep up their spritual life while out there? by dadasmama
Hello Jonathon,
I just wanted to say that while you were on the air I felt that you were sneaky, but I was impressed that you were really playing the game very hard. I loved your work ethic and your whole-hearted effort to win the game. When we see weaklings like Lisi in the current survivor, a comparison to someone like you makes us appreciate you more and more.
I am religious and as a Muslim, we must carry out prayers 5 times a day. I know you are Jewish, and I'm not even sure...

Answer:

Dadasmama Honestly I don’t remember any particular players prayers. I want to say Stephanie was religious, but I never shared a camp with her. Parvati has a spiritual or religious background and did a lot of yoga and ‘sun worshipping’ but how much of it was prayer, I can’t say. Cao Boi also has a fascinating story and was very in touch with the spirits around him, but again, I’m not sure it was ever codified or particularly organized. Personally I tried to drink in the beauty of the place, the water and the sky at every opportunity. I blessed my children every night and greeted them every morning. I loved my wife from afar. And I do remember feeling while alone fishing and claming the extraordinary reefs, that I was being given an opportunity of very rare value. That is, I was being allowed to fish and harvest clams to my hearts (and our stomachs’ content) That is something almost unheard of today, and rightly so. If every visitor to every reef fished and harvested whatever they wanted, these magical places would quickly be decimated. I saw the effects of my own being out there taking every day. Believe me when I say we ate everything we caught and harvested, and we did need the food to Survive, but though it didn’t seem like sport fishing, it of course was. I was only given this amazing freedom on these reefs because I was on a Game show! So I did have very mixed feelings about this hunting and gathering; very lucky, very responsible, and very careful. I hope by now all the clams and fishes are back!

Question:

Would you support/be interested in some International contestants?, by xlawlor
I'm Australian, love the show and would relish the chance to be on it myself. With recent 'twists' I don't see it as too far a stretch to have a couple of foreigners on the show, possibly a US tribe vs. Internationals. I know it's probably legally challenging but I believe it could add a whole new dynamic to the social experiment that the show breathes. As a past contestant (and excellent one at that, highlight of Cook Islands, hey sucking up can't hurt) I would like...

Answer:

Xlawlor hell yes we should have international players. I have no idea why they don’t, though I think there are some other versions of the show made for other countries. I also of course have exactly zero pull with anyone at CBS or Burnett and Co, so sucking up to me is like being the actor who sleeps with the screenwriter! And believe me, as Burnett’s a limey himself he’d no doubt love to see a foreigner kick some American ass on camera. (funny true story apropos of nothing) he told me once that he’d ‘just read the world’s shortest book - GREAT JEWISH SPORTS HEROS. I of course laughed, and then told him I’d actually read a shorter one - EX S.A.S. YABOS WHO’VE MADE IT IN HOLLYWOOD! Which he loved and so after that we were OK in each other’s book. See I used to live in London, and while we New Yorkers call the art ‘busting balls’, the English call it ‘taking the piss’ -- that is teasing, knocking down to size, giving ‘grief’ to somebody for their own good. We understood each other and enjoyed each other. So I say bring on the piss takers no matter what country they’re from!

Question:

If you had to!!!!!!, by Dboykittington
I live in England and am afraid i haven't actually seen Survivor Cook Islands yet but i always read the survivors strike back blog and have heard that you made for good t.v.

My question is IF YOU HAD TO, which previous Survivor contestant would you punch (not from your series), for the record for me i think i would have to be Jonny Fairplay even though i enjoyed watching him on his show, mainly because he is quite scrawny and probably wouldn't hit back too hard

Answer:

Dboykittington. Dude, what happened to just taking the piss!? Why in the name of Blue Santo would I want to punch anyone, let alone someone who is a stranger to me? As I say on the blog this week, as much as I might hate the televersion of someone on the show, I wouldn’t punch them! I’d take them out for drink!

Question:

my question for you, by survivor-fan317
Hi Jonathon...
First of all, I really enjoyed you on Cook Islands...I thought that you kept things interesting, and that you did things to shake up the game that you made both good and bad choices, but that is what life is all about. I also love your blog postings, and I look forward to them every week. So thank you for taking the time to write them.
My question is this... since you are a fan of the show, if you could pick one season, other than your own, to have been in which would it...

Answer:

Survivor- fan317 I guess just for sheer beauty the Vanuatu season looked great. Palau too. That’s what I’m most into - the places and the challenge of the survivalist aspects. Dealing with different people is always the hardest, so any season would’ve had that toughness… though I guess a season with some older folks might have been easier. Amazingly after the first tribal, I was the oldest player out there! And I love the immunity idol this season. Hilarious, gripping stuff. I can’t wait to see how it plays out, because I HAVE NO IDEA HOW IT WILL. I don’t know how they share it – that’s what makes it so delicious. THEY CAN’T. It’s genuinely a couple of jokers in the deck. What do you think? Like it took four seasons to figure out the perfect way to use the idol! It will certainly get me to ‘stay tuned’.

Question:

My Question., by Andr913
Of all the survivors you voted out, please list them from 1 to 8, with 1 being the person you regret ousting the most, and 8 the least? Please say why for each one. Here they are, if you forgot:

Cecelia
Cao Boi
Jessica
Brad
Rebecca
Jenny
Nate
Candice

P.S.-After Yul and possibly Rebecca, you were my favorite CI contestant, and Cook Islands is my current favorite season.

Answer:

Andr913 I have no regrets except we probably should have voted off Ozzy instead of Flika when we had the chance. The rest made complete sense. And obviously voting for her when we did seemed like the thing to do at the time, so it probably was. Sorry if that’s not quite the set of specifics you wanted, but it’s the simple truth. Cece had to go for reasons detailed above. Cao Boi was the general consensus, as was Jessica. Brad and Rebecca likewise, and I was just happy it wasn’t me. I figured it was a double boot that night and Candice and Adam and I agreed to vote for Jenny. Parvati joined us unbidden. Nate was then the least aligned to me once I flopped back, and then the Aitus insisted that Candice the Mutineer and biggest threat had to go. No regrets. I knew the outcome of every vote I was part of, including my own ouster. Not that I’m that smart, just that I played a numbers game and made sure I always was part of the majority. I mean of course until I wasn’t!!

Question:

follow up Cherished1
when you have a moment please email info@cherishedtreasuresetc.net
there is something in one of your replies that I would like to get more info on.
Thank You

Answer:

Cherished 1 why not ask me here? I’d rather, if I’m sharing info, do it for as many interested parties as possible. OK? Let ‘er rip.

April 9, 2007

Question:

About Becky, STOKEDIslandDude
What up Jonathan! Man, you gave Cook Islands some of the great Survivor moments!

My question is: We saw the relationship you had with Ozzy and Yul, but what was your relationship with Becky? At Final Tribal Council, why weren't many of the questions being directed toward her, giving a chance for her to answer? And ultimately, was there something she could've said that might've swayed your vote?

Answer:

Stoked island dude – Becky was one of the best players out there and totally deserving of her 3rd place finish. Incredible, close to the vest strategist who did get lucky (having Yul there, and vice versa) but who made the absolute best of her luck. She was made to look invisible by the editors because unlike some of us she was only smart, kind, cunning and careful, not reckless, brash, obnoxious and demanding. As for the final tribal, it last nearly 5 HOURS! Every one of us jurors asked all three finalists a question. Becky was asked as many as Yul and Ozzie, but I guess because the votes really were for them, their answers were showcased on the episode. Becky and I are friends for sure, and regardless of that, we should all be proud of her -- she is fighting the good fight with a non-profit foundation dedicated to helping abused and in –need women. She is stylish, sexy, hearty, and loyal. She’s a rotten blogger, but creating foundations and organizing fund raisers seems to take a lot of time. Who knew? Get your priorities straight Becky! ;-)

Question:

Idol trading and misogyny, by Sawadee
Hey Jonathan!

Cook Islands was awesome! It was a joy to watch you scheme. I actually have a few questions. First, what do you make of all the misogyny this season? And why do you think Jeff hasn't been calling them (Rock particularly) on it?

Second (I know, technically third, but who's counting), did you try to get Yul to give you the Idol in exchange for flipping? I loved Yul and Co., but I felt they should have been more loyal toward you. I know loyalty isn't strategy, but they were all about the high road.

Answer:

Sawadee Misogyny sucks. But Jeff is happy to let players sink their own ships with their loose lips. And besides, idiots make for great TV. And I wish I’d been smart enough to try to work Yul over more. Get him to promise me this or that. But I’m not. And I’m not really a schemer. It never dawned on me to even ask that they promise me a final five spot. (actually it did, but I knew a promise isn’t worth Jack in the game.) I wish I’d been smarter, but the truth was, I played a more emotional game in the end. I disliked The Raros some and liked the Aitu four more. I felt guilty for the mutiny, even though it put me on the team with the numbers at the merge, I didn’t see a way to win, and I actually felt it would be better (and more fun) to help Yul et al move forward than Adam and Parviti and Nate. I was between a rock and a hard place and knew I’d get squished. Maybe if I’d even thought of getting the idol I could’ve, but nah, Yul wouldn’t have gone for it.

Comment:

Not a Question; Just a comment! :), by sideshowbob
Hey Jonathan!!

You were definitely one of my favourite players on CI :) Just wanted to say, love all your blogs on the Strike Back column, and your latest on if you guys were being too harsh on the Fiji peeps didn't disappoint!! :) Keep on doing what you do!! :)

Answer:

Sideshow bob, Thanks, glad you’re enjoying the blog. I’ve been enjoying doing it. As I said this week, it’s a bully pulpit, but it’s a hell of a lot of fun.

Question:

Hats, by bmac39
We all remember the trouble you had with your hat as you were voted out in the Cook Islands. Lisi did the exact opposite of what you did and gave her hat to Edgardo as she left. What are your thoughts on that? What do you think the tribe will do with the hat? I hear straw hats make great toilet paper when your out in the wild!

Answer:

Bmac 39 I honestly have no thoughts on Lisi’s hat. Obviously she and Ed had had some discussion about it, but I was just happy to see her go. Personally I can’t imagine using my or anyone’s hat for toilet paper! We had hibiscus leaves. (And Adam had my shirt!)

Question:

Villian, by CoolKid20
What does it feel like to be the villian of ur season?

Answer:

Coolkid20 uh, was I a villain? Exclusively? I don’t want to shirk the question, but I was also the narrator, the old guy, the Jew, the strategist, the belcher, the idiot, the everyman, the actor, the blah blah blah. I pissed some people off. I’m obnoxious. I flopped twice and was, in my own words a bastard. AND I had the time of my life, made some great moves, caught a ton of fish, lost 30 pounds, taught many of you ‘bollocks’, and have been invited to wiki, whatever that really means. It doesn’t make me proud to know I was disliked and distrusted by so many, and I can’t rationalize it, and I can’t change it. I am not the easiest nicest guy. I have a big personality and a bigger mouth. BUT today my son and I drove around distributing cookies to the homeless in downtown in LA, I’ve been happily married for 15 years, I haven’t been arrested once let alone the three times our fearless leader can claim, and I can cook a pretty mean meal for 20. In TV and books and movies – in stories, you can have ‘a villain’. In life you just have people getting their needs met and doing the best they can. I played a game and tried to win. My allegiance was to myself. Believe me; to some folks I’m a hero for saving the Aitu 4. To some I’m a sellout for doing a reality show. That’s the best answer I can give. And for the rest of you reading out there weigh in for me. Am I THE villain? A villain? What are your thoughts. I’d love to hear from you.

Question:

The Jury, by Downsizin
Hello Jonathan,

Loved you on the show. What happens with the jurors back at loser lodge? Can you discuss what happened with the other jurors? Give us a little idea of what it was like.

Thanks

Answer:

Downsizing we’re not allowed to go into too much detail, but, Loser Lodge is just what you’d expect. Pretty nice compared to the camps, but pretty rustic compared to our homes here. Cots, cold showers, good food, ice cream, beer, wine, smokes. A dvd player, music, books etc. A masseuse once or twice, a party once or twice. Like that. I was lucky enough to get taken outside the reef of the island where we shot and got to snorkel and use a spear gun. Got within a few feet of a nine foot shark (or rather he got within nine feet of me!) saw eels, whales, just incredible day, ate a huge wahoo (sp?) we caught as sashimi Especially awesome after my hours Hawaiian Slinging. I kind of kept to myself with the other Jurors. We all wanted to let by-gones be by- gones, but honestly some of us kept to ourselves more and others seemed more interested in getting back to civilization faster than me. I wasn’t really ready for movies and tunes and stacks of People magazines. I distinctly remember pawing through a couple of these Supermarket rags and getting the sense that this girl Misha Barton (whom I ‘d never heard of) was like running for President. She must’ve been given the number of photos of her… a I just sort of climbed into War and Peace (which I’d never had the time to tackle) and used that as my transition back to the real world. Incredible, amazing book by the way.

Question:

Hey Jonathan! , by Spyne
Hey Jonathan, you were definitely a really interesting person to watch last season, and your blog entries on Survivors Strike Back are very informative to read.

But my questions for you are, who from your season are you most friends with and who you keep in contact with. Also, do you have any regrets from committing the Mutiny with Candice? Thanks!

Answer:

Spyne most of my friendships I’ve mentioned above. Sundra and I are in touch and Brad and I too a little. Billy, Christina, and obviously Yul Becky and Candice. Ozzy and I have spoken a few times and maybe one or two others once or twice. And regrets about the mutiny? Yeah, it looks like it was mistake, but then again, maybe it wasn’t. I just don’t know. But today right now, if I could do it again, I probably wouldn’t. It’s funny, before the show started I assumed there’d abe a mutiny on the bounty theme or twist, and I (in my head) decided I was going to be more like Bligh than Christian. That Bligh was righter in the long run, and Christion, the impetuous romantic was wronger and did worse. But given that 10 seconds (3 really after Candice stepped off) to decide, there I was, Acting like Christian. Impetuous. We are what we are. You can’t make yourself something you’re not. So even though I might regret it, I totally accept it.

Question:

Hunybee, Question for Jonathan
You've been in film and on TV numerous times. I don't think there have been any other Survivors that have been in the entertainment business. IWhy do you think you were cast for CI?

By the way, you were my favorite player on Cook. The show just wasn't as interesting after you were voted off.

Answer:

Hunybee, thanks for your kind words. About my showbiz insider status, I think it actually made it harder for them to cast me than if I had no experience. They do want to (at least seem) to have regular Joes on the show. I argued that an actor/writer/producer could be a regular Joe too, and I hope my play on the Island proved me right. As for why I was cast? Your guess is as good as mine. Maybe because I could spin a story? Or I made them laugh? Or I had genuine desire to have the wilderness experience… All were true, and all were discussed…

Thanks Hun’!

Question:

Dbchupp, "It's a Gaaaame," they protest.
Jonathan, I will post the same question I did for Brian, who didn't get a chance to respond yet. I hope he does later. I was all gung ho about him answering this philisophical question and bummed that he hadn't. Then I saw you were the next Ask a Survivor wise man and was revitalized! Of course, Jonathan MUST answer. He's just the guy with whom to have this conversation! On with it: I'm a fairly recent Survivor Fan, and while most other viewers are sort of over the...

Answer:

Dbchupp, lots to discuss – I don’t believe nastiness is cool in the game or in life. That said, I’m a sarcastic obnoxious jerk half the time. I’m not proud of it, but there it is. I call’em like I see’em. But I don’t believe people can act a way they aren’t - at least not on the island (or anywhere) for up to 39 days. On Survivor true colors come shining through. BUT by the same token it shows how no one can be perfectly ANYTHING for 39 days. The longer you’re out there, the more colors are shown, the more compromises are made. Just like in life. If I were to film you for 39 days, just living, I’ll bet some stuff would happen you weren’t completely proud of, and I’ll bet even more stuff could be edited to make you look pretty bad. I’m not sure that’s a full enough answer… if not, write again for more…

Question:

Stimpy_150, Greetings Mr. Penner
Hey there Jonathan,
I'd give you the obligatory 'I love your blogs' comment, but yer probably too smart to fall for that....even though I do enjoy them and all...but still ;)

There's a couple of questions I'd like to ask you.

First, when people were wondering where you were blogging earlier this week, I thought you were probably busy with...brace yourself: the Seder. Did I spell that right? Obviously I ain't Jewish, but I did hear that term...

Answer:

Stimpy 150 Yes, I had a wonderful Passover with my wife, kids and in-laws. Thanks. And I’m a rotten speller so don’t sweat it. Anyway you spell it is fine as we’re translating ancient Hebrew anyway! As for Parvati, I’m not sure what to say other than I think she’s smarter than she lets on, kinder, and more grounded. We actually bonded in an interesting way early on, she and Candice asked me to align with them within minutes of the game beginning. She had a very ‘different’ upbringing, which we talked about extensively, and I liked her though I did think she was ridiculously lazy. Her flirting never worked on me, but I thought she was a nice enough kid. As for Flika, Her work ethic impressed me, but I did think she was in way over her head. I was prepared, happy in fact, to go a ways with her if she was willing to let me do the driving, but she wasn’t so I didn’t trust her.

Question:

marinara, hi!
Hi Jonathan! A couple of questions...It seemed like you knew what you were doing - like you watched all (or at least a few) of the previous seasons of Survivor. Is that the case? What do you think of Survivors who don't seem like they've ever seen an episode before? (like Lisi) And a totally unrelated question...does Probst see footage of what's going on at camp (like my husband says) or does he completely rely on what is said at tribal council (what I think!)? Thanks Jonathan! :)...

Answer:

Marinara – I am a fan of the show and had seen many of the episodes, missing only some of Australia and Maybe Palau. Non Survivor players amaze me, but I do think make for an interesting mix. They are like wild cards. Or poker players who don’t know what should or shouldn’t be done so make the game crazy for the folks who think they have it all figured out. And Probst is amazing. No footage is shown to him. He may get a sense of ‘hot topics’ from the producers who spend time in the camps, honestly I don’t know about that, but I do know he does Tribal with no notes, no outside input, not agenda. He actually wants to know as little as possible because he’s afraid of inadvertently steering the conversation in a way that tips the players off to stuff they may not know about. Remember these things can last hours, and he asks lots of stuff that never makes it to air. He’s honestly trying to poke around and get to the good stuff, and we are all listening like hawks to the questions and the answers to glean as much as possible ourselves.

Question:

Heiko101, Hey Jonathan
I have two questions for you...

1. If an Allstars 2 arrises, would you be interested in competing and if so, against whom from your season would you like to compete?

2. What was the entire thought process behind voting out Cecilia. It was never explained on the show. The focus was more whether Becky would be saved. But why Cecilia over Sundra? Was it the fear of a Hispanic alliance?

Answer:

Heiko 101 I’d love to do Allstars 2 if there is one. I loved doing Survivor! And honestly, I’d enjoy competing against any of my prior cast-mates. Hell I’d like to take them all on again! And as for Cecilia it was pretty simple. Yul and Becky came to Candice and I – we had a tight foursome from minute 8 or something of the merge. I thought we had Flika with us because she’d told me she wanted to align with me. But Candice was on Exile, and Flika was got-to by Ozzy and Cecila first. With her new bud, Cao Boi and free agent Sundra, they picked Becky as the weakest player. Yul and I had to scramble. We had to flip TWO votes and the only two we had any connection to were Coa Boi (him) and Flika (me). Obviously we had to break up that fivesome if our new alliance was going to dominate and Cecilia and Ozzy were in control of it. That’s all. She was the one who picked my ally Becky, so she had to go. I actually liked Cecilia very much – she’d have gone far. But I also knew that if we could pull it off, and then swing Sundra (which we did) we’d have an unbreakable five. (until Candice and I broke it!) Hope that explains it.

Question:

HalfAussie, Gasp
First of all... *genuflection*

Obviously I have a couple questions to ask you, so I will get right to it.

Once you were voted off you told several interviewers that you are friends with Candice (or if not friends, at least there are no hard feelings). Could you shed some light on this? Did she come and beg forgiveness, or did you decide to just let bygones be bygones? What about Adumb and Parvati? Even though she treated you like crap, you were there by her side when she cut...

Answer:

HalfAussie, my friend, I genuflect right back. So let’s get to it. I like Candice very much. End of story. She’s a great kid, a great person. She talked a lot of trash about me on the show to put distance between us so we wouldn’t be seen as too big a threat. She may have been over thinking this, and it didn’t make either of us look great, but there it is. Lovable, beautiful, funny and I send her a kiss, even if she doesn’t blog with the rest of us mere mortals. Parvati, I just spoke a little about. I don’t particularly care for her, but so what? She doesn’t need my care. As for her thumb. Of course I was concerned for her as I would be for anyone. I would never wish ill on her, or injury. And besides the cut didn’t stop her from kicking my ass! Probst, I have nothing but respect for. He gave as good as he got and maybe I’m deaf and blind, but I don’t think he was particularly hard on me. He and I engaged in conversation, banter, ribbing and even busting balls, but we never had a problem with each other. For a more detailed description of ‘he fight’, such as it was, I think I posted a very long piece on the Survivor Sucks Blog under the (not my idea) Official Church of Jonathan Christ page. (again, NOT my idea but there is some hilarious stuff in there.) Anyway, I talk about that and Adam and the shirt and a few other things that might be of interest. My name there is The American Friend. (don’t ask) (Alright, ask, it’s my favorite movie – directed by Wim Wenders from 1979.) And regarding the Aitu four, honestly I think my actions speak for themselves. They were the worthy winners and I wanted to do what I could to help them get there. What they think about me? Well if Becky, Yul or Ozzie get to do this Wiki, you can ask them, but I think they’re all gorgeous cool, talented and sexy. (true!) And thanks for the kind words about me and my family!

Question:

Yrbkmom, Howdy
I really enjoyed watching you last season and just wanted to say that you represented yourself well and got a totally bogus rap from the younger set.

Do you think that life experience makes you a better survivor player?

Answer:

Yrbkmom Yes! Life experience makes you better at almost everything. Physically I’m a little slower, softer, and weaker, but other than that, I’m so much better now than I was twenty years ago, I can only hope it keeps going this way. Getting better and better and better. (spits, throws salt, and knocks on wood!)

Question:

alm2457, About Ozzy
Why were you so mean to Ozzy at tribal?? Calling him a prince and felt like he was arrogant.

Answer:

Alm2457 That’s what I thought of him. He was arrogant, aloof and obviously had the talents to back up his Princely demeanor. I wanted to call him out on some of his political /artistic/social views and get them aired before anyone voted to award him a million dollars. I like Ozzy more now and I think he may feel the same about me, but he played a brilliant, almost solo game and I wasn’t afraid to make sure that was talked about. He carried himself like a Prince and I told him so.

Question:

CaitlinL813, Survivor Recruiting
Jonathan, first off, I want to tell you the same thing I told Brian... I love reading the Survivors Strike Back blogs -- so keep posting them!! My question for you is what you think of Survivor recruiting people rather than taking all true fans who actually submit videos & applications. (I don't know whether you were a fan or were found, so don't take offense to my opinion!) I've heard that this season only one or two people actually applied, and the others were found by CBS...

Answer:

Caitlin813 I think I just answered a bit of your question about recruits. I’m not sure honestly why the casting doesn’t just rely on fans who submit their tapes and really want to play. But I’m honestly not sure that just a bunch of Survivor fans would make the best show. Some of them mixed in with folks who really don’t have a clue (and essentially find themselves stranded on a desert isle for real) is probably best. It’s an interesting question for sure, but I have no real insight. It may seem unjust, but I think we all have to trust the brainiacs at Burnett and Co. to do what they think will make the best overall show. I mean, for the most part, they sure do seem to know what they’re doing!

Question:

Seattle_Will, Questions
Hey Jonathan, you were my both my favorite to win it last season, and and my favorite to watch. I also enjoy reading your takes on this season. Unfortunately for yourself you follow the Bob Dawgsta on "Ask A Survivor", so your left with the Ted Williams of blogging, or maybe Carl Yastrzemski.

To the point, it seemed like for the most part it was only you and Yul who made any strategical moves throughout your season, so I would like to know if that was in the editing or if...

Answer:

Seattle Will I’m happy to be Ted Williams! As Mark Hamill once said, ‘We can’t all be Harrison Ford.’ Anyway to answer your question, yes, Yul and I enjoyed the strategy aspect more than anyone else I think. We loved geeking out with game theory and running numbers for hours. We were (are) kindred spirits in that way. Some of the others wanted no part of strategy, some just kept their heads down and worked or flirted hard, others like Candice strategized all the time but didn’t talk about it as much, and a few strategized, but forgot that others were strategizing as well! I always just assumed that if I thought of something, someone else did too, and I always wanted to make the move harder and faster. This of course burned me out earlier than I’d have liked, but it also (may have) kept me around longer than I might otherwise have lasted. Truly my biggest problem was that the two people I was (and wanted to be) most aligned with, Candice and Yul, each had tighter partners who superceded me. (Adam and Becky) Post Game both C and Y have intimated they would have liked to have taken me to the final two (as I was more easily beaten they said) but that I blew it with him by mutinying and then with her by flopping back. Who knows what would have happened, but the same overthinking that led me to mutiny and to flop, got Cecilia booted instead of Becky and figured out the double boot bottle before it was opened,. You take the good with the bad, have fun, and don’t play woulda shoulda coulda.

Question:

Cherished, Your Thoughts on This
Hi Jonathan, I enjoyed watching you in the Cook Islands Survivor and wanted to get your thoughts on a few of your tribe mates.
Candice, was she as condescending as she came across? Adam, What did he actually do other then hang on Candice and Parvati?
Parvati, she seemed like other then flirt and challenges she didn't do much around the camp site what do you think? and finally Jessica, Did you ever forgive her for losing the chickens? How has Survivor changed you or has it?
Thanks...

Answer:

Cherished 1 I refer you to a few of the above for thoughts on Candice and Parvati. Adam is a goofball. Last time I saw him he gave me a huge drunken bear hug, told me that ‘in spite of what other people say about you, I still think you’re a decent guy’! Jessica I forgive of course and wish her luck and love. And as for Survivor changing me, yes it has, my eating, my confidence, my perspective and my appreciation. I highly recommend a little hunger and deprivation to anyone who’s never experienced them. They are humbling and spiritually uplifting. Some cultures force their men into 30 days in the desert, others send warriors on a vision quest, etc etc. I was lucky enough to do Survivor and only had to bare myself to 18 million people in exchange for the honor. Skip a meal or 6 and let me know how you feel. I promise it’ll be better, not worse.