“That Was a Stupid Strategy”: An Interview with Survivor: Cook Islands’ Billy

RNO: On The Early Show, you explained that you were basically starving for affection, which explains your reaction to Candice. But I’ve got to ask: how did you feel when you were watching this episode and saw that the conversation between you and Candice was not what you originally thought it was?

Billy: Initially it was like that Homer Simpson reaction – D’oh! Since I live in New York, I got to be with family watching this episode. The nice part of it was with J.P. and Ozzy committing the treachery, my mom was bawling, so that moment created some levity and saved the night. Providing that very silly moment was actually okay. I can laugh at it now. I was at a very weak state of mind. You grab on to whatever you can. I have no problem with it. I had a good laugh at myself.

RNO: How do you think being in a tribe of fellow heavy metal rockers would have been different?

Billy: This is a game that has to do with a lot of social skills and getting along. You try to find something that’s different from somebody and exploit it. That’s a common strategy, every Survivor has that. With me, I was too much of one extreme. Everybody was Latino, they were brought up that way and a lot of conversations dealt with lifestyle. I had nothing to add to those conversations. I tried to and it was off track. Not exactly adding to the conversation – a conversation-killer – so they’d look at me and keep going like I didn’t say anything. I wish I’d have been with Cao Boi, Sekou, and Flica – the alternatives. I’d have been so perfect there.

RNO: Did you know Cristina and Cecilia would be voting against you before you went to Tribal Council, or did you think you still had a chance?

Billy: Right until we actually left, I still thought I had a chance, but then I leaned over to Cristina and asked what’s the verdict and she shook her head no, so I said don’t stick your neck out. That’s why I let it all hang out at Tribal Council and said what I had to say and didn’t let J.P. stop me from saying what I had to say.

RNO: In your final words to the camera, you said you regretted not playing the way you wish you would have. How do you wish you would have played?

Billy: That’s a very difficult question to answer, in that every strategy I came in with was out the window before the game even started. I wish I would have gone with the ladies initially and stuck with them, and not laid back to see what happens. That was a stupid strategy, in that my biggest regret is not saying things I wish had said or done. I wish my final strategy wouldn’t have been to let these guys burn themselves out, because that’s part of that wait and see strategy, it was just a bad idea. The best ideas are always to be active and take the bull by the horn. I hate to use the word regret, but as a Monday morning quarterback, that’s something I definitely see I should have done there.

RNO: Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about your time on Survivor?

Billy: I don’t regret any of being out there or signing up for Survivor or being a part of the show. Just the opposite – I wish I’d been out there longer! Most of my fondest memories didn’t get shown, maybe they’ll be on the DVD. I don’t want people to think I’m sour or mad. I’m glad I was out there and it was the opportunity and adventure of a lifetime, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat!

RNO: Thanks, Billy!

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