Terry was major player in "Survivor: Exile Island." (CBS)
Terry Deitz may be one of the most memorable "Survivor" characters ever to only get one opportunity to play the game. He was one of the 16 castaways on "Survivor: Exile Island," and dominated much of the game physically and socially. He was the first "Survivor" contestant ever to find the Hidden Immunity Idol on Exile Island, and he also won five out of the season's seven individual immunity challenges. Terry was voted out by Danielle on Day 38, causing him to finish the season in third place. (Following his season, "Survivor" started allowing three contestants to make it all the way to the end.)
Terry recently took the time to talk to me about his experiences on "Survivor," his assessment of some of his season's popular characters, and his current interests and activities.
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Matt Carter: I suppose it's best to start off at the beginning: what got you interested in "Survivor" in the first place?
Terry Deitz: My wife and I were fans of the show, and were watching Tom Westman get his 1 Mil check when my wife looked at me and asked if I would ever go on the show. I said, "compete for a million, hell yeah!" She downloaded the application, we made a video and got the process started.
MC: You're remembered for being one of the strongest physical competitors ever on the show. Was that your strategy early on, to try and dominate physically and make solid alliances?
TD: I told [host Jeff] Probst and [executive producer Mark] Burnett in pre-show interview that I was there to compete, and that I would figure out the social stuff later. I was in good shape and only had to add swimming to my workouts prior to the show. I hate to lose, and if focused, feel that I can hold my own with anyone, especially under the difficult circumstances we were exposed to. I planned to lay back a little in the leadership department, and create a good alliance. I accomplished both, but was considered a threat due to my performance in the challenges. A recent tally had me winning 9 individual challenges, 5 of which were immunity challenges, and in a row. I was an integral part of winning 7 team challenges as well. I loved the challenges and they continue to be my favorite part of the game.
MC: As someone with reality TV experience, I can relate to the weird feeling of seeing yourself weekly. Is there anything that happened that you wished the show had featured more?
TD: From the merge on, I had been bringing in 5 to 10 spearfish a day. When the beans and rice ran out, I was basically feeding the tribe. Besides the sea snails we were collecting, we had no other food.
As far as painting a picture with a TV show, I believe that after having built the shelter, won a majority of the challenges, and worked my ass off around camp, there's no way they were going to show me feeding everyone and in the end, not winning the game. There were enough people already pissed that I didn't win. I had heard Burnett was pissed and had the rules changed to have 3 finalists. Oh well, that's showbiz!!
MC: Do you still watch "Survivor" or any other reality show?
TD: "Survivor" is the only reality show I watch. I watch some shows on the Travel Channel, Discovery and the History Channel, but don't really consider them to be reality shows.
MC: To this point, Cirie has really been the only one from "Exile Island" to be on another season of "Survivor." Does this surprise you? When you look across the board your season had some of the most interesting characters.
TD: I was on the short list for "Fans vs. Faves," but didn't get the nod. Remember, it's a TV show and they choose the cast to create tension and drama. In my case, I wasn't going to interact with a lot of the young good-looking women in the way they would have liked. They had some young men who did well in challenges who fit that slot.
We had some interesting women on the show, Cirie, being one of them. She plays a different game, and it suits her. I can appreciate her approach in a game sense, but don't like it, and wouldn't use it for myself. It's just not me.
Shane is a wonderful character. Most people don't know that he's a very good athlete. He had trouble coming down from the nicotine and lack of caffeine and was not as effective as he could have been. He played an excellent social game right up until he got voted off. He even had me convinced that he wasn't next. Losing him, cost me the game.
Unfortunately, he hasn't been back on, they took Fair Play and were highly disappointed. Their loss.
MC: This of course leads in to my next question: would you do it again if you were asked?
TD: I haven't been asked since Fans vs Faves, but would most likely go back if given the chance. I would hate passing up the chance to compete. There would definitely have to be something else big going on in my life to turn it down.
MC: What are you working on now?
TD: I'm still flying co-pilot for American Airlines. I fly out of JFK to both European and Carribean destinations. I am a public speaker, represented by the International Speakers Bureau. My message revolves around getting "In the Zone", using my experiences in Fighter Aviation, NCAA Division I sports, academics and "Survivor." I contiue to work for a business consulting firm called, "Afterburner INC;" and, I've just finished my 7th year coaching Little League baseball and have started my 4th year coaching Youth Football.
My most recent adventure came in finishing the construction of a house on Great Guana Cay, Bahamas. We partnered with my brother in law to create a beach house rental and retirement house. What an adventure that was! Please see topshelfabacos.com.
Finally, I'm working on a military show for Discovery, but as far as I'm concerned "If it's not on TV and I'm not getting paid for it, it's not happening." Ask me again in a few months. If it airs, it will be coooolllll.
MC: Finally, I have a feature on my site where I try to give advice to people hoping to be on any reality show. Are there any suggestions you can think of that would help people get on TV?
TD: Timing is everything. For my show, it was the competitive older men they were looking for. I fit the bill. What got me the initial nod was the video. You gotta grab them quickly. I had my full fighter pilot uniform on with Top Gun music playing in the background. Lucky for me they kept it rolling! Grab them early and expand on it. Be yourself. They will want you for who you are.
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Thanks again to Terry for taking about his experiences! Enjoy the interview? Then check back soon for more coverage of "Survivor" and other top TV shows.
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Comments
Great interview! it's good to hear about what castaways are doing now.
"He was the first "Survivor" contestant ever to find the Hidden Immunity Idol"
Gary Hogeboom in Guatemala.
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