Survivor: Game Changers saw the game change in a major way this week when an unexpected tribe swap led to the creation of a brand new third tribe. As usual, when Survivor introduces new twists, it works to the benefit of some players, and to the disadvantage of others.
Sadly, we saw the game’s third victim get their torch snuffed during Episode 2, and we’re about to bring you our full interview with this person. Caution, as spoilers from this week’s episode are to follow! Turn back now! And if you want to get caught up, be sure to check out the Episode 2 Recap here.
CLICK THE CONTINUE READING BUTTON FOR MORE, AND THIS IS YOUR LAST *SPOILER* WARNING!
Caleb Reynolds was best known as a stand-out contestant on Big Brother 16 before he got the call to appear on “Survivor: Kaoh Rong.” That season, he only lasted nine days in the game before falling unconscious after a challenge, having spent every last drop of energy (and water) in his body. The challenge-beast from Big Brother who earned himself the nickname “Beast-Mode Cowboy,” Caleb went out in true Beast-Mode fashion, pushing himself to the very brink in order to come out on top. He was actually lucky to survive the ordeal, but he once again apparently left a lasting impression on a reality show, because he was invited back this season for “Game Changers.”
Having never even attended a Tribal Council his first season, many fans were a little surprised that Caleb would be included among this returning cast. This time around however, Caleb didn’t really get to play the game either, but for very different reasons. Beast-Mode lost all three challenges he participated in this season, and watched as his ally Tony was voted out last week. After the tribe swap left him in the minority on his new tribe, he had hoped that Hali would be the target over him, but in a unanimous vote, Caleb was sent out – ironically on Day 9, just like last time. Even his former tribe mates from Kaoh Rong, Tai and Deb, voted him out, with more than a little bit of sway supplied by Brad Culpepper.
I had the chance to speak with Caleb earlier today, the day after his final episode aired. You can listen to the full audio of the interview and podcast below, but here were some highlights from the interview:
CALEB INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS:
On getting asked to play Survivor again after being medically evacuated his first season:
Caleb Reynolds: There definitely was no hesitation at all. When I got asked to play again, I was honored. After the first time I was like, aw man, they’re never going to ask me to play again after what happened, they probably think I’m just some weak casualty and they don’t want that. But honestly I was honored. It was a very simple yes. I did have to check up with doctors to make sure I was healthy enough to play again, but there definitely was no hesitation.
On criticism that he is not really a “game changer”:
Believe it or not, it takes a lot for me to say this, but I question myself the same thing. I question, what did I do to change the game? All I did was play hard, and I gave it all I had, and I almost killed myself in the process. So is that a game changing move? I wonder that. But, when Jeff Probst calls me up and tells me no, you’re a game changer because of this, that makes you go well heck, well maybe I am a game changer. To the people that say I’m not, I guess in all reality all I can say to them is ask Jeff Probst. I didn’t get on by accident. I’m definitely there for a reason.
On how hard he tried to stay in the game:
One thing I can say is I definitely tried [to align with Deb, Tai and Hali]. Since Deb and Tai were both on my tribe my past season, and with Hali on my tribe back at Mana, that was my other go-to. But Debbie was already in Brad Culpepper’s front-pocket. She wasn’t changing her mind. On the flip-side of it, Hali was like, eh, I’d rather Caleb go home then even chance it. So she went with what they wanted. But I did try. I did have Tai, and if we could have convinced Debbie, we could have tried to stir something up. But Debbie was just so locked in on sending me home for some reason, and the girls saw it as a way to take the power.
On what he wished people would have gotten to see from him had he stayed in the game longer:
I guess my ability to strategize. You could start to see a little bit of that this season. It was nice to see people on Twitter like, oh Caleb is strategizing! It was cool that people were seeing that. Because last time people said I was just a physical player and that I had no strategy. Lo and behold, there is a lot more to me than meets the eye, and this season I was hoping people would see more of that, but with my game ending a lot quicker than I thought it was going to, no one really got to see that side of me.
For much more from Caleb, including my full interview, please listen to the latest episode of the FilmSurvivor Podcast below or by clicking here.
Be sure to follow me on Twitter – @tomsantilli – and on Facebook, for all of the latest Survivor coverage, interviews, and movie reviews.
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Photo Credit: Jeffrey Neira/CBS Entertainment
