“I Would Have Done the Same Thing” – RealityNewsOnline’s Exclusive Interview with Survivor: Tocantins’ Jerry

RealityNewsOnline: Hello, Jerry, and thanks for taking the time to talk to RealityNewsOnline! Starting at the beginning, what was your strategy coming into the game?

Jerry: Coming into the game, I wanted to keep a low profile, lay low, and try to win people over. And just not try to cause any controversy, just be in the background not out front with yelling and screaming and boisterous opinions.

RNO: So, not like Candace or Coach, then?

Jerry: I could have done those things and I can speak up when I need to, but by them doing what they were doing, they kept the spotlight off of me, so more power to them – let them hang themselves.

RNO: When you weren’t feeling well, we saw you ask Tyson if anybody had talked about voting you out, and Tyson said no. Did you believe him and think you would be safe?

Jerry: I really didn’t believe anybody. I listened to them and heard what they said, but all this time in my mind, I hadn’t been feeling well for several days. When Sierra wasn’t feeling well, we were going to get rid of her as the weakest link. I hadn’t been feeling well so I knew I may be the one going tonight – which I was.

RNO: From what we saw, you seemed to have something of an alliance with Tyson before that point – is that correct?

Jerry: Oh yeah. I like Tyson. Basically, the men on the tribe kind of had an agreement that we would stick together through thick and thin. All the men were four of us, four women, so if we could start weeding the women out, we’ll make it to the end – that was pretty much our strategy.

RNO: You said “through thick and thin” – but when “thin” came, they voted you out. Were you upset?

Jerry: Not really, because I wasn’t 100%. At one point I wasn’t even 50%. The choice they made under the circumstances, I don’t fault them. I would have done the same thing if the shoe was on the other foot and it was one of them. I have no hard feelings against what they did.

RNO: After you were voted off, did you see a doctor?

Jerry: Yes, I sure did. The doctor gave me some type of stomach medication and in a couple days I was back to getting over whatever virus I had going on in my stomach.

RNO: So it was a virus?

Jerry: Yeah. I couldn’t get rid of it while I was in the game. I tried several different things but nothing worked. They made a little potion for me with tea leaves and that didn’t help either.

RNO: But you’re okay now?

Jerry: Oh yeah. I’ve seen my doctor and he checked me out and said go back to work, you’re okay.

RNO: What is “back to work” for you these days?

Jerry: I work as a nuclear equipment operator at a nuclear power plant. I’ve been there for 30 years.

RNO: Wow. So instead of needing a fire at night, you could have just glowed for the tribe.

Jerry: (Laughing) Exactly!

RNO: What was the most eye-opening thing you saw on TV that you didn’t know about while you were there?

Jerry: There was when Brendan and Taj went to Exile Isalnd, they made a pact with each other. That wasn’t what he told us. Also when he found the idol, that was an eye-opener. At the very beginning, when Sierra and Sandy made it to each camp, they had a clue for the idol and I had no idea about that either. There was a lot of undercover conspiracies going on. I guess you expect that in the game like that.

I trusted no one – I listened to everybody, but as far as trusting anyone, I trusted no one.

RNO: What do you think about Coach?

Jerry: Coach and Candace are pretty much the same as far as their beliefs, values, and leadership values. That’s why they didn’t bond, because they were too similar. When you got two similarities like that, somebody’s going to get their feelings hurt. But as far as Coach and me, we had a pretty good bond. He never did raise any boisterous opinions or suggestions to me. We’re cool.

RNO: What about Erinn?

Jerry: I thought she was probably the weakest woman on our tribe. When we voted Candace off, I really didn’t want to vote her off, because as far as physical strength, she was stronger, but Erinn had more social skills. Erinn was real sneaky. She was like the wind – if a lot of people were saying this, she would go that way, instead of sticking to one opinion. If we’d have merged with the other tribe, she could have been persuaded easily to join the other group.

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

Jerry: It was an experience of a lifetime for me. Some people come up to me and say, “Would you do that again?” I say, “Whoa, probably not.” That was tough! Especially when you’re not feeling your best, it was a tough situation to be in. I enjoyed it and have no regrets about the outcome of it. I would recommend anybody who has a chance to do it, at least do it once.

RNO: Thanks again, Jerry!

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out these other recent Survivor: Tocantins articles here on RealityNewsOnline:

David Bloomberg is the Editor of RealityNewsOnline and can be reached at RNO@pobox.com.

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