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Conference Call with Benjamin "Coach" Wade of Survivor: Tocantins

Posted on 05/15/2009 by Gina in Survivor and Cast Interviews

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Benjamin

 

by Gina Scarpa

 

There has never been a Survivor contestant quite like Coach and I'm guessing there probably never will be again.  From calling himself the dragon slayer to others warriors, from refusing to eat on Exile Island to telling unbelievable stories about surviving in the Amazon, Coach had every Survivor fan questioning if he was for real, an actor, or just plain crazy.  He formed an alliance early on but when his strongest ally was blindsided and a friend turned on him, his days were numbered and he was voted out of the game.  Today, he spoke to reporters in a conference call, answering all of the questions that have been on our minds.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Is there anything that you’ve seen on the show when you watch the episodes back that surprised you?
A. Coach: The Exile alliance early was like, “Wow, those guys were sharp!”  Going in the game, I thought I wasn’t going to be the smartest one.  I wasn’t!  The Exile alliance?  I wish I thought of that!  Debbie turning on me was also a surprise.  Those two things really surprised me the most.


Read on to see what Coach had to say to reporters about his strategy and his stories…

 

Q. What’s the story behind you getting cast on Survivor: Tocantins?
A. Coach: A year ago, my staff came up to me and said that I was one of a time and I need to be on a reality show.  I went online and I googled upcoming reality show auditions and the first one that came up was Survivor.  I thought, “I was made to be on this show!  Why didn’t I apply earlier?”  I sent in my video and said, “I don’t think you’ve ever quite had a character like me,” and the rest is history!


Q. When did you feel the game start to change for you?
A. Coach: When Tyson was voted out.  That was a shock to me.  I actually choked up the next day thinking about what a great and noble warrior he had been.  He was my best friend in the game and when he left, I realized that things were permanently going to change.

 

Q. How frustrating is it that people felt that you made up most of your stories?
A. Coach: It is tough.  I think that I am a unique individual.  If you were telling me these stories and I was on the flip side, I’d be a little incredulous as well about them.  In the game, I know I came off as a little arrogant.  It was my way of psyching myself up because I knew Brendan would be stronger, Tyson would be faster, and Debbie would have a better social game.  I don’t think I have a better game than anyone.  If I wouldn’t lie for a million dollars, why would I lie for any other reason?

 

Q. What was the problem with your strategy?
A. Coach: My game play was horrible!  I saw everything crumbling around me.  Here I am, this noble warrior, saying I’m going to be loyal to the people I said I was going to be loyal to.  Things are crumbling around me and I was set in my ways.  I wouldn’t have changed my game.  I think I am one of the most harmless, worst Survivor contestants.

 

Q. What do you think of Jeff’s insistent questioning?
A. Coach: Not at all.  Jeff’s the man.  He has good intuition, he tries to get to the bottom of things, and he pushes your buttons to see how you’ll react.  I loved it!

 

Q. You said you played the game with honesty and integrity.  Do you still believe that?
A. Coach: I think when I talk about playing with honor and integrity, I talk about not compromising who I was.  I never betrayed my loyalty to anybody.  If I said I was going to vote for somebody, I always voted for them.

 

The finale of Survivor: Tocantins airs this Sunday night on CBS, beginning at 8pm ET.

 

(Image courtesy of CBS)


  


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