by Gina Scarpa

On last night's Survivor, Papa Bear fought to see another few days on Redemption Island but was bested by Christine in a beanbag competition. The retired NYPD detective was voted out of his tribe after being seen as a physically weak but he didn't feel he was a liability at all. Today, we caught up with Papa Bear about that and more in our exclusive interview about his time on Survivor: South Pacific.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What made you want to try out for and do Survivor?
A. Mark: I wanted a chance to do something different than most people. I was given the chance and I was happy to do it.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Do you have a favorite past season or contestant?
A. Mark: I really enjoyed Russell. I think he knows how to play the game well. It doesn't matter if you like him or not as a person I think he is good at Survivor.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: It seems like the older players are being targeted and picked off this season. Why do you think that is?
A. Mark: Well you have to pick somebody to go so I think it is easier to target the old people.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Did you have close relationships with people on Savaii?
A. Mark: I think I am a little bit closer to Dawn than the rest but in general I think I was close with my tribe mates.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Cochran said at tribal council that he wasn't a physical liability, which was obviously a shot at you. Did you feel like you slowed your team down at all or hurt them in challenges?
A. Mark: I still think Cochran is weak in challenges but he was trying to save his life. You can't blame him for that. I don't think I slowed my team down or hurt them at all.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Were the conditions tougher at the Savaii camp or Redemption Island?
A. Mark: Redemption Island, 100%

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You seemed like you were going to make a comeback in the beanbag challenge. Were your nerves getting to you in the beginning at all?
A. Mark: In the beginning when I couldn't hit anything I was very nervous but when I started to play a little I felt better.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Nobody ever wants to throw their buff in the fire. It seems so cruel! Was it tough for you to accept that your game was over, so early on?
A. Mark: Absolutely! I love the game and I wanted to win, but I accepted it. It is what it is.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What is next for you?
A. Mark: I would like to try to do some commercials or something. I would maybe like to do a Home Depot or a Dunkin Doughnuts commercial!

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Anything else you'd like to add?
A. Mark: I just want to say bear hugs to everybody and thank you all for your support.

Survivor: South Pacific airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on CBS.

(Image courtesy of CBS)

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