Survivor 2's Kel Shares His Thoughts

Shortly before Survivor: Africa aired, I spoke to Survivor 2’s Kel Gleason about the way his life had changed since the show aired. For one thing (and those of you who live in Canada already know this), he has been Global TV’s Survivor reporter. Now with the third Survivor behind us, I spoke to Kel again to see how he liked his new job, what he thought of the third cast, how Mark Burnett can keep Survivor lively, the possibility of an “Ultimate Survivor” with contestants who’ve already been on the show, and various other topics.

RealityNewsOnline: What did you think of Survivor: Africa?

Kel Gleason: There were certain episodes that I really liked on all three shows. I can’t say that any one episode is a favorite. On Survivor: Africa there were three or four that I really liked – classic Survivor. Episodes like the twist and when Carl was voted off. The ending was much better than Survivor 2’s totem pole stuff.

The new challenges were good – things we hadn’t seen before, like the nets, putting together the poles to climb up, and drinking cow’s blood was memorable. Survivor is one of the few shows that could get away with that.

I’ll always be partial to Survivor 1 -- nothing can top it for the story. People didn’t know how to play the game. Now they know, it’s become a science.

RNO: What about those players who said at the reunion that they hadn’t watched previous Survivors?

Kel: That’s surprising – and hard to believe. Why would they do that? Why not watch the episodes? You can rent them at the video store. Why not read Mark Burnett’s books?

RNO:What did you think of the Survivor: Africa players?

Kel: There were some caustic individuals in Survivor: Africa. But reality TV is dependent on caustic people. This series had some classic characters.

Carl was my favorite. Frank and I would probably get along if we met. I like his work ethic and his right wing views on politics. I’m surprised Frank lasted as long as he did, because of his point of view and because he was very different from the other players. Most players are not staunch right wing. The antler thing was a little bizarre, though.

Lex might be a nice guy, but when he says he’ll slit somebody’s throat – get a grip on reality! It’s a game. He stepped into different territory and can’t be a hero. He can only look like a villain. No matter what people say about how they were edited, if you consistently act a certain way, that is the way you’ll be shown.

From day one I had put $250 on Ethan to win. But I was surprised by the way he won. I thought he would win all the challenges. He’s a professional soccer player and has a college degree. He won without really performing.

Kim Johnson was impressive. The show wouldn’t work if there were 16 Kim Johnsons who never once made a decision, but I was impressed that she won the two final challenges against two young guys. If I had lost $250 because Kim won, I wouldn’t have minded.

RNO: Have you heard any rumors about “Ultimate Survivor” – a Survivor series using players from previous shows? If such a show were put together, would you go?

Kel: It’s a great idea! I would love to do Survivor again. I wouldn’t even think twice about it. I’d drop everything to go. I would want to be with Frank, Carl, Silas, Jeff Varner, and Mike Skupin. It would be a treat to compete with guys like that.

It would be a good idea from the producer’s standpoint, too, because they wouldn’t have to worry about casting. They find these gold nuggets in the casting but can only use them once. It’s a super idea, but I haven’t heard anything specific – just rumors on the Internet and in chat rooms. Nothing factual.

RNO: Why did Rudy go so far while the other players with a military background didn’t?

Kel: To be brutally honest, Vegas had me 4:1 to win. The other tribe members saw me as a threat. The worst words to leave my lips were “Army Captain.” The public (including those on the show) sometimes has a hard time dealing with the military.

RNO: Have you been enjoying your work as a Survivor reporter?

Kel:Survivor is the number one show in Canada. It does better in Canada than in the U.S. So it’s a good market to be in. I’ve liked it a lot. I have a Bachelor’s and Master’s in radio and TV, and it feels right to be doing this. Global has been a good organization to work for. They own everything good on TV in Canada.

I’m on vacation now, but I’ll be doing reporting for Survivor: Marquesas. I’ve also been doing commercials and appearing in print ads, such as for Swiss Chalet (a chicken restaurant) and CIBC (a Canadian bank). I’ve also been in TV ads for GMC Avalanche. I discussed that week’s Survivor episodes in the commercial.

RNO: So as Mark Burnett has brought commercial endorsements into the show, you brought the show into commercials?

Kel: Yes. It keeps people around to watch the whole commercial.

RNO: No ads for beef jerky yet?

Kel: That will always be there. I’m in no rush.

RNO: Any hints or inside information on Survivor: Marquesas?

Kel: Nothing other than what I read on the Internet. I had no contact with CBS during Survivor: Africa.

RNO: Have you kept in contact at all with your Survivor 2 cohorts?

Kel: I’ve had no contact with any of them since I moved to Canada. I’m so busy and we all led such different lives before. Like attracts like. I don’t believe that opposites attract, except maybe in love. We were all very different types of people. That’s what you want on a reality show. I respect them, but we’re not buddy-buddy. The only person I keep in touch with at all is Sonja from Survivor 1.

RNO: What do you think about the future of Survivor?

Kel:Survivor will be around for a long time. It still has strong ratings. In Canada it’s still the number one show. But we don’t want predictability. We want new conflicts and relationships. It would be interesting to be able to develop the characters more before they are voted off. This time the twist made it extremely exciting to watch. The only reason Frank lasted was because of it – he was probably gone in episode six otherwise. And without the twist, Silas would have been in the final six.

RNO: What do you think about claims that the twist was unfair?

Kel: I don’t think the twist was unfair. In my contract it said I had no rights – no say on how the game was played. In fact, I’d say it was really fair. They knew the rules could be changed. I’d like to see more changes. I want three immunity idols, three tribes, two immunity challenges in one show with no reward challenges, something different. What if they had three or four tribes? Combine four to two, and then two to one. What if they had no immunity challenges? There will be some sort of switch again this time.

RNO: What else?

Kel: I also think they need tougher challenges, which would require a younger cast to make it more competitive. I want to see obstacle courses and competitions that are physically grueling. I don’t want the physically weaker person to change the minds of the producers on what they can do. I want crazy, creative stuff – like bungee jumping off of a bridge to grab items out of the water below.

You need sex, comedy, and – above all – conflict. You need 16 very different people, and a few gold nuggets. Tom was a gold nugget. Carl, Frank, and Silas were gold nuggets.

Rich Hatch was a producer’s dream. He explained everything to the cameras as he was doing it. But there are some players who never said a word. We wonder, “Does he have a strategy?” You need somebody who can develop a story. When the cameraman asks about what went on that day, you don’t want somebody who gives one-word answers.

RNO: What do you think of Survivor: Marquesas having no rations – no food, no water, no fire?

Kel: It’s a great idea! The place is lush with vegetation. The first issue should be taken care of – they may have another telescope or something similar in their equipment, which can be used to start a fire. Once they have fire, they can boil the water. It would be too easy if they were provided rations here – it’s a very robust area. I imagine they will be allowed to hunt, though I’m not sure. And they can fish. I’m guessing these guys don’t go hungry. It’s one of the easier places to survive.

RNO: Thanks for your time! Viewers in Canada can look forward to seeing Kel again on Global TV.

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