by Gina Scarpa

 

This season of Survivor is filled with heart-wrenching twists and turns that kicked off the minute the game got underway. Not only would players and their loved ones be separated onto opposing tribes, two members were voted out right on the beach. Rupert's wife Laura was one of the two sent to Redeption Island but he quickly swapped places with her in order to save her, only to be the first one sent home. We chatted with the longtime player today in an exclusive interview about regrets, strategy, and how Survivor has changed over the years.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: It was great to see you return to the game this season. What was it like to come back?
A. Rupert: I'm so happy that I was able I was able to be involved for ten years and I love the darn game! Survivor will test you to your core. Just last year, I ran for governor of Indiana. I like a challenge! They asked if I wanted to play again and I said of course. Then they asked if I wanted to bring a loved one. I gave them different people and I didn't say my wife right away because I knew it would help and hurt to take somebody like that but she said, "I wanna play!"

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You didn't even hesitate when you were given the chance to swap places with Laura. As you stood on the mat next to Jeff, no regrets?
A. Rupert: No regrets. I'm trying to hold the tears back as I leave the game I love, but I was able to rescue my wife.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: It seemed like Laura would be an easy target to vote out first on your former tribe but does it make sense to get rid of her?

A. Rupert: I really don't think so. She's stronger than me, she's a better swimmer than me, she's a better puzzle builder than I am... and now she's a free agent! She'll be able to be that pawn that they can use. I watched Sandra win the game twice as she said, "I'll vote for anybody as long as it's not me!"

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was life on Redemption Island like while you waited for the first challenge?
A. Rupert: Life on Redemption Island was irritating, to say the least. Candice and I have not had the best relationship in the past. We didn't even really like each other on Heroes Vs. Villains but she got used to me doing everything. I didn't do that on Redemption Island. I would wait for Candice to go to sleep this time before I did anything!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You are such an experienced player so it must've been quite a shock to leave first.
A. Rupert: You know... I never thought I would be the first one out. When I went into Redemption Island, I already had it in my head that it wasn't going to play to my strengths. I said to myself, "It's going to be probably not going to be a good challenge for you." I saw it was balance and eyesight and those are my two weaknesses, honestly, as I get older. I needed my glasses!

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What's the biggest difference between the early seasons when you played and playing now?
A. Rupert: I've said for years that they're giving them too much food and stuff! I like the old game... in All Stars, they gave us a machete and a pot and said good luck. There was nothing! If you couldn't catch it, you didn't get it. That honestly made the game more of a Survivor style game. When you give them enough food and supplies, saws and hammers, it makes it so it's not as physically demanding so it turns it into a social game. It's not Survivor, it's Conniver.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Okay so given that, what's going to be the key to success in order to win this game?
A. Rupert: Being able to be that one that floats. It shows you're not as tied to your loved one as you are to your tribe. When Brad stepped up and said, "I would feel bad if I beat my wife because I want her to win," that is going to come back and haunt him. You've got to be able to show that, like Laura said, you're a free agent.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You're a Survivor fan favorite, you ran for governor, what are you up to these days?
A. Rupert: I've been running my program for 23 years. I'm opening another chapter in a town, outside of Indianapolis, in Shelbyville. We're gonna put the vocational education back in the public schools and a re-entry program in the detention centers and with no public funding. We're going to change this community!

 

Survivor: Blood Vs. Water airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on CBS.

 

(Image courtesy of CBS)

 

Follow Gina @ginascarpa