Last night on Survivor: Samoa, 'Danger' Dave Ball, the 38 year old fitness boot camp instructor from Los Angeles, and 25 year old law school grad Monica Padilla joined the jury. They become the fifth and sixth members of the elite advantage club who will choose the one million dollar winner.

Dave's elimination was hardly a surprise, though the series tried to keep viewers guessing until the last minute. Dave was one of the last remaining members of the former Galu power core and the man of Shambo's dreams. (That's a bad thing.)

During his time on the show Dave played well when he was in a mood to, but not when he didn't. He got into pointless public arguments with Shambo, but will mostly be remembered for his awkward sexual comments around camp. (At last report Dave is still looking for his wench.) I asked Dave about his relationship with women in the game, his work as a fitness boot camp instructor and to rank the members of original Galu for their game play. He certainly spared unnecessary words.


You were an alternate for Survivor: China. Do you think you would have fared better or worse with the likes of Todd, Frosty, Courtney and James? Who would you have aligned with?
Tough question. I don't really remember enough about that season to speculate but my tribe (Galu) was far superior.

Prior to the game, you said "You can't let the women outnumber the boys" because they will turn "gyno-tribe on you and boom, you're doomed." What role did gender play in this game?
Not nearly the role I had feared. Ultimately the largest part it played was scaring John so badly that he convinced Erik to do things that got him blindsided.

Tell me about Brett. Is he actively playing the game? If so, why do you believe the editors have tried to make viewers forget he exists?
He is the strongest physical player in the game and socially only a close second to Natalie. Dead even really.

Rank the players on the original Galu tribe (Brett, Dave, Erik, John, Kelly, Laura, Monica, Russell Swan, Shambo, Yasmin) from the best Survivor player to the worst.
No, because I think would it be disrespectful to my tribe and people I love.

What was the funnest challenge that you got to be a part of?
Schmergenbrawl

You're a fitness boot camp instructor. How tough are you?
Tough as nails. Except on the inside where I'm a Teddy bear.



-Interview conducted by Henry Jenkins
(Image courtesy of CBS)