by Gina Scarpa

This season on Survivor: Caramoan, Matt Bischoff was playing all sides, no matter what tribe he was on.  On the original Gota tribe, he had Reynold, Eddie, Allie, and Hope thinking he was with them but was actually aligned with Sherri, Michael, and the majority.  When the tribes were switched up this week, he kept his ties to Michael and Julia but chatted up Phillip and the other favorites as well.  Concerned with his social game, his fellow players blindsided him at tribal council and voted him out.  We talked to Matt today about his love of the game, his alliances, and what he thinks of Stealth R Us.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You really did come across as such a fan of Survivor. Tell us more about your love for the game and if there are any standout seasons or players for you.
A. Matt: I am a huge fan since day 1, season 1. I have so many players that I admire for different reasons, everyone from Rex to Rupert. Boston Rob's amazing... Russell, even though he's a villain, I really enjoyed watching him play. It's a true honor that I actually got to be out there playing a game that I love so much. I would wake up in the morning and look out at the ocean and see the Survivor flag and it would just hit me, "I cannot believe I'm playing Survivor!" It was truly surreal.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: When I talked to Hope and Allie, they didn't understand why you jumped ship from their alliance since everyone wanted a final three with you. What did make you decide to go with the other alliance - was it that they had the majority or did you feel like a fifth wheel with the foursome?
A. Matt: Here's the reality of the situation. Day 1, I formed an alliance with Sherri and then Michael. I had a strong bond with them. That was really my true alliance. However, I'm the only one in the game that had alliances with everyone. I'm a likeable guy and I got along great with the cool kids, I love them. I was in a great position. Had we kept wining challenges, I could've decided which way to go. The fact of the matter is that Hope, Reynold, Eddie, and Allie... being a couple and lying on the beach together is a dangerous thing. I could've been the fifth person in their alliance so I was playing both sides. I really truly was never fully committed to them. I was telling Sherri and Michael, "The four of them think I'm with them and I'm going to keep it like that, and get intel, and figure out what's going on." Michael and I were more subtle than Sherri's gameplay. I felt like I had a really good position in the game and they were my main two people.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: It's interesting that Sherri was pointing out that you were losing even with Eddie and Reynold, in her attempt to get them out.  It really seemed like you needed them!  Why do you feel your tribe wasn't winning - was it mental or physical?
A. Matt: Well, I feel that going into challenges, you had Shamar who had a really big personality and a really big mouth. The camaraderie sometimes about the way we went in didn't work out. We sent weak people out sometimes for swimming. I know Sherri claimed we were losing with them but the challenges were very close to a degree. I definitely feel that Reynold was the master in challenges and we needed him. We kept Shamar around because of his strength. Looking back, I wish I got him off earlier because the drama was annoying. I still feel that it was good to keep strength around, like when we voted out Laura. There was no other option. We had to keep muscle around to try to win challenges.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Phillip really thinks he's running the game this season and when he was talking to you and Michael this week, he could be perceived as condescending and a bully.  Did he get to you at all the way he did, say with Brandon?
A. Matt: No, he didn't rile me up at all. I think it's pure comedy. The dude's hilarious, man, and I don't think he's trying to be funny. I'm trying to respect what he's saying but at the same time, it was funny. I just thought it was hilarious that I was playing with Phillip. I had a good time with it. I'm an easygoing guy.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: It really seemed Julia was going home and some people fought for you to stay but your bond with Michael really had them worried.  What was your reaction to getting voted out when you did?
A. Matt: I was feeling devastated and bummed but I knew for a fact that the favorites were sticking together. I thought Julia was going to go home but at tribal council, it was the first time I felt nervous. I knew one of the three of us was going and it was hard to swallow. The tribe swap was unlucky and in the end, I went home. But I don't blame anyone, I'm not pissed off. It's a game and someone's gotta go home. I was a threat, I suppose, and they got rid of me. I was really honest and they knew I didn't have an idol so it was an easy choice for them.

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

(Image courtesy of CBS)

Follow Gina @ginascarpa