Double trouble on Survivor: Samoa

AGE GAP: Mike Borassi claims being older is a major disadvantage if you're playing Survivor.

OUT OF TIME: Betsy Bolan says she was eliminated before she had time to deal to Russell Hantz.

Stuff talks to Mike and Betsy

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EXCLUSIVE: The two oldest contestants on Survivor: Samoa have been eliminated, and both say their age played a part during their time on the show.

Foa Foa tribe members Mike Borassi, a 62-year-old chef from California, was taken out of the game after falling ill during a vigorous immunity challenge, while 48-year-old policewoman Betsy Bolan was eliminated at that night's tribal council.

Three people have now left the Foa Foa tribe after just two episodes, leaving opposing tribe Galu with a major advantage. Marisa Calihan was eliminated last week.

In a joint interview with Stuff.co.nz, Borassi and Bolan both admitted their age was a major disadvantage on Survivor.

"It's definitely a disadvantage," said Borassi. "They automatically assume you're going to be weak because you're older. You have to prove yourself right away."

Bolan: "See how cute those girls were? There's just no way I could have competed with them. It was hard for me to relate to them and to earn their respect. I was so out of that clique."

Borassi said his elimination - following a rugged immunity challenge resembling a rugby free-for-all - was a "bitter pill to swallow".

"I just got dehydrated and my blood pressure dropped and it just took a little bit for me to come back. I'm fine ... I was fine an hour after the game. I kept asking the doctor (not to) pull me, but the blood pressure wasn't coming back and that was it.

"I gave it 1000 percent and I made an impression ... what are you going to do?"

Bolan put her elimination down to the devious Russell Hantz, a 36-year-old oil tycoon who has deliberately caused trouble for Foa Foa. Hantz has burnt socks, emptied water canisters, lied about his involvement in Hurricane Katrina and made multiple secret alliances.

"I can't stand him, but I have to admit it, he's playing a good game," she said. "He outwitted me. He knew I was on to him, and he didn't want me to get to the (other girls on their tribe).

"I just needed one more day, maybe two. I almost had him but (I wasn't) good enough."

She denied accusations that, for a policewoman, she hadn't performed as well as she could have.

"I wasn't a weak link. I really am a strong person, I'm not fast, but I'm very strong.'

Borassi claimed Hantz' performance was an act.

"He's acting it but I don't think he is (a psychopath). It's an act. He said to me he wanted to be famous from this game ... I thought he was a weasel but I didn't think he was that cunning."

Bolan claimed she didn't trust Hantz from the moment she met him.

"Just look at him. It's his eyes, and his smile, his speech, it was absolutely everything. I trusted him for maybe two minutes after I met him. After three minutes I'm like, urgh, I can't stand this guy."

Survivor: Samoa screens on TV3 on Thursday nights at 7.30pm. Stuff.co.nz will interview every contestant as they are eliminated.

You can donate money to the victims and clean-up following the Samoan tsunami tragedy here.

* Did Betsy deserve go? Was Mike up to the challenge? Post your comments below.

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Oldest First

Ben R   #11   01:20 pm Nov 06 2009

over it

If anything it's helping showcase to the world what a beautiful place samoa really is.

Episode 8 tonight! whoop whoop!

Melvin   #10   12:53 pm Nov 06 2009

@ #1 if you dont watch the beginning with oscar then i dont know.

Im Samoan myself and I think its good for entertainment and to showcase the beauty of Samoa.

The only thing I hate is those SAMOA ads..."the sun is still here..."

But Survivors really rough this year, Rusell is a good player even though I hate him... First person to find a idol without a clue!

JS   #9   12:03 pm Nov 06 2009

I am not enjoying this season much. The producers have put 2 of the most obnoxious characters ever on the show into the same tribe just to see them compete with each other for screen time which is all they both want. I don't think either of them think they will win the money. Last night's episode spent 90% of the time watching these two idiots make life difficult for the rest of their tribe with the remaining 10% on the challenge and the tribal council. I can't even name a member on the other tribe let alone tell you what is going on in their camp.

Copper   #8   11:54 am Nov 06 2009

Good show, keep it coming.!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What?   #7   11:47 am Nov 06 2009

Yep #1 over-it. I think you are.

paul   #6   11:26 am Nov 06 2009

over-it #1

Yup you are the only person. But thanks for your input.

Hantz is great, really turning things on their head.

J Alve   #5   11:24 am Nov 06 2009

Reply #1, So what you are saying is that no program should ever be screened in a country where a disaster has taken place?

I bet you think it's Probably bad taste reporting the news too huh? out of sight out of mind you reckon?

If you actually saw before the program screened Oscar Kightley made note of the recent tsunami and urged for more support (donations etc) to aid the people of Samoa. This was free publicity and will help the people of Samoa increasing aid.

Take you blinkers off. Stop looking at things like an idiot would with tunnel vision.

Richard   #4   10:51 am Nov 06 2009

yes you are the only one over-it. If you read Jeff's blog after the incident you will realise how the show considers their strong with Samoa and the people to be strong. That they built the courses and would have the crew over for dinner nightly. That it is screening now is also keeping the tragedy in people's minds and reminding them to donate money to help Samoa.

cheeseslug   #3   10:05 am Nov 06 2009

meh

ben   #2   09:09 am Nov 06 2009

ofcourse betsy didn't deserve to go but the foa foa tribe is so hood winked by Russell's apparently subtle deceptions that they all voted for her!

The Foa foa tribe will definitely continue to self destruct especially with nutters like Russ and john on their side.

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