An Interview with Average Joe 2’s Donato

In just two episodes, Donato became one of the most recognizable guys on Average Joe 2, but then, he was gone. Now RealityNewsOnline was able to talk to him about his time on the show and being sent home.

RealityNewsOnline: Hello, Donato, and thanks for taking the time to answer these questions from RealityNewsOnline! Let’s start with some basics: When was Average Joe 2 filmed?

Donato: It was filmed in late summer of 2003.

RNO: How did you end up on the show?

Donato: I was cast at a bar in Boston by NBC casting agents.

RNO: Did you know it was a dating show ahead of time? I know the guys from the first Average Joe had no idea beforehand that they’d be competing for one particular woman.

Donato: I did know it was some sort of a dating show, because when I was cast I was told it would be The Bachelor meets Animal House, and that's pretty accurate.

RNO: What did you think when you found out that it was a dating show featuring “average” guys?

Donato: I thought the concept of average guys on a dating show was great.

RNO: Did you watch the first series? If so, what did you think? How would you compare their guys to the guys in your series, and Melana to Larissa?

Donato: I did watch the first series and I think the guys on AJ2 were younger and more outgoing. Melana and Larissa both did a good job, but Larissa had a little trouble adjusting at first.

RNO: Now that you've had time to reflect, do you still think Larissa eliminated guys based on weight given that at least half the guys who have been voted out to date are of average weight while Sean, for example, is still there?

Donato: Yes, I think I was voted off because of my weight, and of all the joes there's only one heavy guy left; and for what it's worth, Sean's a great guy.

RNO: Do you think age played a role, given that you’re eight years older than Larissa?

Donato: No because Tom is still there and he was the oldest.

RNO: Your conversations with Larissa looked awkward to some of us watching. Why do you think that was?

Donato: I think you were watching the wrong guy, all my conversations with Larissa were very comfortable and far from awkward.

RNO: Given more time, do you think you could have done a better job of connecting with her?

Donato: No, I think I connected pretty well with her. I held nothing back and she knew it

RNO: Some guys seemed driven to get time alone with Larissa. Do you think you tried hard enough?

Donato: I tried hard enough, if she wanted to know me better she would have picked me for a date.

RNO: Has being on the show affected your own standard of beauty with the women you meet?

Donato: No, it hasn't affected anything, I will talk to any one pretty, tall, fat, short, once you get to know them then you learn how beautiful they are.

RNO: I’m going to list a few names of guys still remaining. What are your thoughts on them in general and how they managed to apparently capture some of Larissa’s attention:

RNO: David

Donato: Still can't figure that one out.

RNO: Fredo

Donato: Very confident.

RNO: Tony

Donato: He's an artist like her.

RNO: What happened with Justin to cause him to leave?

Donato: Justin had to leave for personal reasons.

RNO:You weren't shown as much as some of the other guys. What aspects of your personality do you think the show failed to air?

Donato: I thought I had some pretty good airtime, it was pretty accurate.

RNO: Is there anything else you’d like to say to viewers and fans?

Donato: To my viewers, I love you and thanks for your support.

RNO: Thanks again!

David Bloomberg is the Editor of RealityNewsOnline and can be reached at RNO@pobox.com. Thanks to the other writers of RealityNewsOnline for their question suggestions.

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