A few days ago I ran across an interview with Jonathan Penner. I thought, heck, let’s take a look and see what he has to say. Astounded is what I was. I had seen Jonathan this season on Survivor: Micronesia Fans vs. Favorites and was sad that he was pulled out of the game for his injury. All those girls just loved him to death and I thought…what am I missing? Why is everyone so drawn to him?
Jonathan Penner & Billy Garcia [Photo: Betsy Hijazi]
If a photo is worth a thousand words, then a video must be worth a million at least. I watched that video interview of Jonathan and realized he is one smooth dude. He is a straight shooter. He’s VERY funny. He’s smart oh so smart! And those eyes? Yeah…those eyes! It’s no wonder everyone is so drawn to him. He has incredible charisma!
(click on “Read More” for the rest of the interview details!)
At the Survivor finale after party, I was taking everything in, a bit in awe of it all. Jonathan walked in and I got a big grin on my face. I thought, wow maybe I’ll meet him! Maybe he’ll let me interview him! After some time, I went over to my friend Billy Garcia from Survivor: Cook Islands, who told me earlier that he absolutely adores Penner, and I asked him if he would introduce me to Jonathan. Billy being the ever so generous guy that he is said ‘absolutely!’
We walked up to Jonathan and he and Billy hugged and Jonathan looked at me — he was probably wondering what that stupid grin was on my face and he asked if we had met previously. I made a joke with him as Billy introduced us and it was plain to see, right then and there, that Jonathan Penner is a super great guy. Ok, so my adjectives are lacking here but I don’t know how else I can say it. He draws you in with his smile and friendly attitude and you really feel welcomed in his presence. I took a photo of him and Billy, and then got a photo of him and me.
Jonathan Penner & Betsy Hijazi [Photo: Betsy Hijazi]
A little later into the evening I asked Jonathan if he would consider letting me interview him very quickly. We were in a bar though and it was very loud and dark so it would indeed be a challenge. He agreed without hesitation and a little while later we set off to find a good spot.
I asked Jonathan what his top five best moments were of the season, even if they weren’t his moments just what he felt were the tops. He told me that the blindsides were all tough and that his top moment was scoring the winning ‘touchdown’ with that ‘beanbag’.
I then asked Jonathan what his top five worst moments were and he told me he didn’t like Johnny leaving the game, Cirie flip flopping, and Erik getting suckered by the girls.
When asked if he would do it again, for a third time, he said he would have a very tough time saying no. He didn’t think it would ever happen and that he was so fortunate to have been able to participate in Survivor not once, but twice! We laughed a little about bringing back the injured people to play again, and I mentioned I thought they should do a Survivor with the first two people voted out of each show (lookin’ out for ya Billy!). Penner thought that would make a terrible show! Maybe true but a second chance show would be fun!
**Watch the video for the full interview**
Jonathan was very generous to take a few minutes to talk to me and for that I thank him. I hope I get a chance to meet him again some day. He truly is a gem, and now I get why everyone loves him so much! Thanks, Jonathan!
James Clement walked into my life I mean, up to me to be interviewed during the Red Carpet Arrivals after the Survivor: Micronesia finale in New York this past Sunday night. The first thing I said to him was, “Would you be offended if I said you were a hottie?” James chuckled quietly and with his all-too familiar big smile said “No ma’am”. “No ma’am”? Are you kidding me I laughed with him and said that I couldn’t believe he just called me “ma’am”, and he replied that he couldn’t help it because it’s habit.
James Clement with Betsy Hijazi [Photo: Bertsy Hijazi]
When I think of a “ma’am”, I envision an older woman in her 70s (no offense to anyone!) and just don’t feel I’m quite ready for that title. How am I supposed to call good-looking men like him hotties if I then have an image of me being an old woman? All kidding aside, I laughed with James and told him that I hoped that by the end of the night he’d be calling me by my first name, but if not, ma’am was OK! (click on “Read More” for the rest of the interview with James)
While I don’t have any video or audio of my interview with James, I do recall a few things that we talked about. I told him that I absolutely loved how he ‘told it like it was’ when he was ‘off camera’. His comments about that food/reward/immunity challenge and Jason giving up a shot at immunity for a doughnut were just priceless. James always had something simple and smart to say and it always made me laugh.
Of course I had to ask him how his finger was. James rolled his eyes and showed me his fingers and while I did not take the opportunity to hold hands and inspect each finger, it was clear that there was no visible scar. I laughed and said, that’s nothing, and he mumbled something about how I have no idea at all how he feels about it. I replied that it was his pride that was hurt more than anything and we just laughed.
James Clement & Todd Herzog [Photo: Bertsy Hijazi]
Another question that I had to ask James was if he had a tongue ring! A few episodes back, I thought I spied one as he was talking off camera, but I wasn’t positive. But as he stood there talking to me at the Red Carpet, I got a glimpse of it again! I asked him if he DID have a tongue ring, and he said he did and showed it to me. Dennis Luciano (of Average Joe fame) was standing right next to me watching and he, too, was surprised. He asked if James had it in during the season, and I said, of course that’s how I knew!
James and I talked for a few minutes more and I congratulated him for his win. I asked if he’d be headed to the after party and he said yes and would buy me a Stoli. Well, those who know me know that Vodka is my bar beverage of choice, so that suited me just fine!
James Clement winning $100K [Photo: Bertsy Hijazi]
We arrived at the after party around midnight and while most everyone was there, Amanda, Ozzy, Parvati and James were not. I figured I just wouldn’t get that drink after all. But around 2:00 a.m., Amanda, Ozzy and James made their way into the party and that’s when the real fun started! Generous hottie James bought a shot for about 12 people, and later a second round for a smaller group. I laughed and asked if he was now the buyer since he won the $100k! He laughed and said no, that he was just used to buying a round.
James Clement & Betsy Hijazi [Photo: Bertsy Hijazi]
James called me ‘ma’am’ a few more times, but laughed each time. I think I got him to call me Betsy once, but I can be sure if I meet him again, it will once again be back to ‘ma’am’.
James is a super nice guy and clearly liked by many. Everyone was hanging with James. I have to assume it was his charming personality and not the fact that he bought a couple rounds at the bar. If you ever get a chance to meet him, you might initially think him to be a bit shy and reserved. After observing him for an hour or so, I can say he seems like a pretty cool dude and someone just about anyone could hang with.
So he’s handsome, charming, polite, generous and fun. What’s not to like about James?
CBS just posted some cool clips from the Survivor Reunion show. This first one is the scene where Jeff Probst asks Ozzie if he and Amanda are still seeing each other and Ozzie launches into the bit about having to clean toilets. (Was this intended to make fun of last season’s cleaning toilet confession…?) Here’s the clip:
(click on “Read More” for the rest of the clips)
Here’s where Erik talks to Jeff abou why he gave away his immunity necklace and how it felt to be a part of Survivor. Jeff also asks James to choose which of the moves this season was the dumbest, since Jeff says that James is somewhat of an expert on “dumb moves.”
And here’s the scene where Jeff grills Natalie about her real-life personality. Then, Jeff recounts all the season’s blindsides and asks the victims what they have to say about them.
And here’s where Jeff reveals to us the location of the next season of Survivor:
Ok, let’s all admit it…I’ll go first…I’m a Survivor fan. I have been since the first season. Some seasons have been great, some not so memorable. And what makes the best memories, for me, are the castaways. Admittedly, I can’t remember everything that happened from Palau to China, but there are people who will always stick in my mind as some of the best players of the game.
Ozzy Lusth & Betsy Hijazi [Photo: Betsy Hijazi]
I am particularly drawn to the smart thinkers and those with great athletic ability. I’ll always remember Terry Deitz from Panama, who at 46 effectively won 5 of 7 immunity challenges and made it to the final 3. I’ll also never forget Rupert Boneham looting the other team’s boat and supplies as they ran off to barter for more supplies to take to camp. Two others whose games I highly respected were Ozzy Lusth and Todd Herzog but for different reasons.
During Ozzy’s first go around on Survivor: Cook Islands, he dominated in all challenges, earning individual immunity in 5 of 6 challenges. He was young and athletic and sailed through challenges like a monkey through the jungle! But second place wasn’t good enough for him, and he was lucky enough to be brought back for Survivor: Micronesia Fans vs. Favorites. I couldn’t have been more thrilled to see him come back as I knew I’d be witnessing great action during the challenges once again! (click on “Read More” for the rest of the article)
Last season on Survivor: China, I was immediately taken by Todd Herzog’s candid (on camera anyway!) approach to the game. Todd went in as a gamer. He was smart and he worked people well. He wasn’t always safe, and I’m not sure how he escaped an early elimination, but he did and came out the ultimate winner! His was a mental and social game and I loved watching him succeed!
On Sunday night, Survivor: Micronesia held its finale and I was lucky enough to be present for the Red Carpet Arrivals in New York, courtesy of an invite from Lynn here at B5Media. I really thought it was an April Fool’s joke, but it was not! As a fan, I couldn’t fathom my great fortune to be a part of such an event. As a guest correspondent for realityexploits.com, I was thrilled for the opportunity to report on this huge Reality TV event!
The ‘press’ was invited to screen the Survivor finale at the CBS offices in New York. In attendance were correspondents from Web sites and TV shows from California to Canada. Two former Survivors, Billy Garcia from Survivor: Cook Islands, and Denise Martin from Survivor: China, sat in and watched the finale with us, offering some unique perspectives. Like everyone watching at home, we laughed and were shocked by certain events, and in truth, it was tons of fun to watch the show with 25 other people!
Parvati Shallow was announced the winner of Survivor: Micronesia Fans vs. Favorites, and most people in the room were quite surprised! We thought it might go down to a 4-4 tie, or in favor of Amanda. I’m not sure how many predicted the final outcome. But…we don’t see everything that happens in tribal council, so it’s always supposed to be a surprise, no?
Dennis Luciano & Betsy Hijazi [Photo: Betsy Hijazi]
After the winner was announced, we made our way over to the Ed Sullivan Theater to set up for the Red Carpet Arrivals. As I walked in, I saw placeholders for some of the major TV entertainment programs and was tickled to find a place set out for realityexploits.com. I was tucked in between two other Reality TV Web sites. To my right was host Dennis Luciano of Average Joe fame (who was ribbing me all night!), and to my left was a guy with a camera. He and I started chatting and I asked if he was alone and he said no, that he was the cameraman for take a moment for the heart to start beating again Todd Herzog!
My Reserved Spot [Photo: Betsy Hijazi]
I knew that Todd was going to be covering the event for another online Reality TV Web site and had hoped I might actually be able to say hello and perhaps interview him off the red carpet at some point. BUT…I NEVER expected to be standing right next to him for the Red Carpet interviews! As soon as I found this out, I immediately sent Lynn a ‘good news, bad news’ email! Good news I’m standing right next to Todd. Bad news I’m standing right next to Todd…and he’ll probably get great interviews and will overshadow mine. In the end, it was all good news and a great opportunity!
Ryan Oprey [Photo: Betsy Hijazi]
Todd came over to the press area and I introduced myself. He was very personable and he was clearly having a good time. As the audience filtered out and left the theater, a few former Survivors, including Courtney Yates (Survivor: China) and Ryan Oprey (Survivor: Pearl Islands), shouted out to Todd as they thought it was fun to see him on the other side of the Red Carpet!
Ozzy Lusth [Photo: Betsy Hijazi]
Ozzy was the first Survivor onto the Red Carpet, and lucky for us he started at the wrong end, talking with us first instead of the big TV entertainment shows. I took a few photos as Ozzy spoke with a podcasting site, and when he came to be interviewed by Todd, I turned my camera on and tried to capture their interview, which can be seen here! (pay attention to the background and you’ll even see Rupert.)
It turns out that Todd and Ozzy had never met, as you’ll see in the video. In their interview, Todd talked about how great a season it was and that the blindsides were tough. He asked what Ozzy would be doing in the future and Ozzy mentioned he’s looking for work in LA as an actor, writer and photographer. He said he’s also building some skate parks in Mexico.
When it was my turn to interview Ozzy, it was too much of a challenge to hold my little camera and film our interview, so instead I recorded the audio so I wouldn’t forget all that I said. I was, after all, meeting one of my all-time favorite Survivors and would undoubtedly forget most of what I said!
I congratulated Ozzy on his accomplishments. I told him I loved watching him both seasons, and while the blindside was a great move for the others, it was bad news for him. I asked if he’d do it again, and he said that he would consider it with the right incentive. He said that taking time off to film the show interferes with making a living in the ‘real world’ and it would really have to be worth his while to consider a third try. But given the right opportunity, he would certainly consider it. Would CBS even tempt us with yet another installment of our favorites?
I also talked to Ozzy about the Ponderosa scenes that CBS posts on the Survivor Web site. We talked about his love for the coconut which he says is “so good for you”! And finally we talked about that sea snake heading into camp (Ponderosa) and the ease with which he picked it up and let it go. I still can’t believe he would pick up a deadly snake as if it were as easy as picking up a lizard! — and don’t try that at home! Ozzy clearly has knowledge of his environment and he said as long as you understand what you’re doing, it’s ok. Ozzy still lives in LA and continues to surf.
It was great to meet Ozzy and I appreciated his candidness and kindness.
A few days ago I ran across an interview with Jonathan Penner. I thought, heck, let’s take a look and see what he has to say. Astounded is what I was. I had seen Jonathan this season on Survivor: Micronesia Fans vs. Favorites and was sad that he was pulled out of the game for his injury. All those girls just loved him to death and I thought…what am I missing? Why is everyone so drawn to him? 
