Tyson Apostol was the ninth person voted out of Survivor: Tocantins. It came from one of the biggest blindsides in the history of the show. I had a chance to talk with Tyson about Coach’s Pigmie kiddnapping story, what we are all missing about Sierra and how he was the one who really came up with the idea to get rid of Brendan. Here is what he had to say…..
Billy Debney: Hey Tyson how’s it going?
Tyson Apostol: Hey Billy I’m doing excellent. How are you?
BD: Doing good thanks. Talk about a blindside…how did that feel?
TA: It probably didn’t feel as bad as it looked like it felt. Going into that game I wanted to be as calm and collected and as indifferent as possible if I got voted out. But its probably one of the biggest blindsides in Survivor history. So thats cool.
BD: What was going through your head when Jeff was reading the votes?
TA:As soon as the second vote with my name on it was read I knew I was gone. So from that time until the time my torch was snuffed I was like, “alright Tyson be cool”. I understand its a game and its not always the strongest or handsomest that wins the whole thing.
BD: What did you think about Coach sitting out the challenge and leaving it up to you like you said?
TA:For me at that point, in my mind there were very few people who could compete with me in the finale. So Coach doing that was just another reason for people to not vote for him in the end. So for me it wasnt an issue other then there was one more reason not to vote for him. Anytime anyone did anything stupid I just applauded it because it made me look better.
BD: Now you were the closest to Coach…what was he like? Did you believe his Pigmie kiddnapping story?
TA:Well Pigmies come from Africa I believe. But I’ve never been on the Amazon. I’ve been close this one time when I was on this game called Survivor. We were in Brazil but it wasnt on the Amazon. He tells these stories with such sincerity that you cant help but listen to it. He stands by all his stories though. He did make movies boring for me because they arent near as interesting as his stories.
BD: So what are we missing about Sierra? Why doesnt anyone really like her?
TA:She is blindly ignorant to everything around her. She has no clue. She just doesn’t get it. She didn’t realize there was any strategy going on. She’d say “Hey did you see me in the challenge?!? I was killing everybody!!” Yea I saw her in that challenge and she wasnt killing anyone. She needed to be validated for everything. Now I think highly of myself but I know I do and I can joke about it. She thinks highly of herself to the point where it is annoying to everyone. She cant joke about it and she takes everything seriously.
BD: Now Coach takes credit for getting Brendan out….
TA:That was me!!!
BD: Very true. What are your thoughts on all this “dragon slayer” talk?
TA:Well I obviously don’t read as many fantasy novels as Coach. But it sounded good to a lot of people. I was like…”Ok I really hope I dont get labeld as a nerd after this”…But some people were really eating it up. Coach would come back and be like…I slayed the Dragon! Or Lets go cut the head off of the Dragon! Then Stephen would be like…yeah lets do that! I’ll be the Wizard!! (laughs) Some people really enjoyed it. I enjoyed it. But I think for different reasons.
BD: Your confessionals were pretty hilarious….is that when we saw the real you?
TA:Yeah those were the most real me. I’ll usually be like that to peoples face. You saw this last episode the way I was with Sierra. I was maybe a little harsh with Sierra. I’m pretty direct and straight forward and say whats on my mind. I try to say what’s on my mind and I try to do it in a way thats at least entertaining to me. I think my jokes are pretty funny. If someone else doesnt…who cares.
BD: What was your game play going into the game?
TA:At first I wanted to lay low as far as personality goes. Most people like me for the most part, or love me or are obsessed with me. But sometimes when they meet me they are originally ofended or something. So I wanted to tone it down right away and get on peoples good side and make sure everyone is having a good time.
BD: If you could hand pick the winner right now…who would it be?
TA:Based on my alliances it would be a toss up between Coach and Debbie. But based on gameplay I would probably choose Stephen.
BD: What about at the very start?
TA:Me!!
BD: Of course…other than you?
TA:Let me think….well I didn’t know anyone on the other tribe that left before the merge. But probably based on personality I would probably say Jerry. But other then that most of the people are gone because they didn’t deserve to be there.
BD: Do you think you would ever do it again if say an All Stars 2 came your way?
TA:You know I would definitely think about it. It was a lot of fun. I could see myself doing it again yea. Would you want me to do it again?
BD: I think so!
TA:Oh you’re a sweetheart.
BD: Finally, what was the story behind you getting cast for the show?
TA:I got an email that was forwarded through like 10 different people that said “hey if you wanna be on Survivor email this person”. So I sent a quick email that said ” I’m pretty awesome and deserve the million so lets get this going.” I sent a few pictures and the rest is history.
BD: Right on. Well thanks a lot Tyson. Good luck with everything!
TA:Thanks Billy.
