cgi1.usatoday.com/mchat/20010503008/tscript.htmTonight's the night that Survivor watchers have been waiting for: One cast member will walk out of the Australian outback one million dollars richer. What's it like competing on America's most popular game show? Ask first season Survivor contestant Joel Klug.
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Pisa , Italy: Who do you think will win the ultimate prize?
Joel Klug: You know the big favorite is Colby. The strongest person is now the underdog. I think he has the best chance. I think if he survives the first challenge he will win.
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mpls. mn.: how would you have played the game differently today?
Joel Klug: I would have lost a few of the competitions knowing now that the overly competitive people would get eliminated. I would have held back more. Although several people were doing that... I would have held back a bit more.
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Los Angeles, CA: Not so much a question, just wanted to let you know how sick I am of the comparisons between you and Colby. You have tons more personality, and I'm sure you could kick his ass in the challenges.
Joel Klug: (Laughter) I remember the day Colby got cast. They said to me: "we met your replacement today..." I'll meet him on Tuesday on the Rosie O'Donnell Show. We will see how much we are alike then.
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Memphis, Tennessee: Who was/is most like you on Survivor: The Austrailian Outback?
Joel Klug: I was a mix personality wise-- I was closest to Alicia. Physically they compared me to Colby of course...
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Duarte, Calif: How has this changed your career? are you still working with health clubs?
Joel Klug: No. I left finally just a few months ago. I signed three endorsement deals with Malibu Rum, Extreme Blends, and Minawear-- which has really taken off in California.
Then I did an episode of Bay Watch and Nash Bridges.
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Cape Town,South Africa: What do you think about Debb`s being voted off?I thought she was a very strong woman and Akucha would have benefitted from her input.Who cares if she caused their failing their first immunity challenge?I think the new survivors have made a huge mistake,don`t you?
Joel Klug: Yes. I think she was very very strong. In a total survivor situation she was strong. But politics and emotion plays into the situation a lot. But that is how the game is played.
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Aptos, CA: Hi Joel! You've heard Susan's "Rat and Snake" speach. Do you think Jerri will make a simular one tonight?
Joel Klug: I think Jerri-- at the time of the show's taping-- did not realized how bad she was going to come off. I think she is realizing it now. To be branded the b***** of the show is a heavy load to carry. I don't think that anyone will make that speech tonight.
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Omaha, Nebraska: Do you think Suvivor 2 was more difficult and challenging than Survivor 1?
Joel Klug: I think they made it more challenging by their own mistakes. Dieting down before they went on the show, wasting food etc. They made it tougher than it actually had to be.
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Co.Clare,Ireland: Who do you think is most likely going to win the million and why?
Joel Klug: The odds on favorite is Colby but my first choice was Jeff Varner. If he had not had that stray vote from Deb came back to bite him half way through.
Keith is the strongest competitor on the island but the mental mistakes opened the door for Colby to go all the way through.
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Charlotte, NC: any romances on this year's suviror?
Joel Klug: None. I really thought for sure something would come up. Maybe between Colby and Jerri, and they tried. But Colby has that 18 year old personality and nothing happened. I think something might have happened but they didn't want to show it.
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Nashville, Tennessee: Do you know anything about the selection process for Survivor III? Have they selected any of the applicants to interview?
Joel Klug: I know the deadline is up. I think they might have started interviewing. The video tape is 1% of the thing. They want you to show your personality and most importantly BE YOURSELF.
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San Juan, WA: are you still close with many of your castmates? Have you met anyone from the new season?
Joel Klug: I still see a lot of the people from my show. We do things together. I've met Mad Dog, Michael, Nick, Jerri and-- I think that's it. I've met them. They had personalities but nothing like what you expected.
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Frisco, TX: If you had survived after the merge, would you have had the wisdom to vote off the other tribe, or would you have voted for one of your own like the NON SURVIVOR Gretchen?
Joel Klug: I never would have voted for anyone on my team. The reason I got voted off is that I was pushing hard for Mike. I never would have voted for anyone on my team. We had Richard pegged to get voted off first but after I left the idea fell apart.
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Silver Spring, MD: Joel, you're definitely the hottest Survivor of all time (Colby fans take note!). Other than the upcoming Baywatch, are we gonna be seeing you in anything on the big or small screen soon?
Joel Klug: (Delighted laughter) I will have a movie coming out this summer called GONE. Then in the fall another movie called REAL MOVIE. I'll also be on the Weakest Link on May 10th and Rosie this coming Tuesday. Keep your eyes open and you will hopefully see me in something.