When a lanky New York City corporate consultant who went to Yale started out on this season of Survivor, it didn’t seem like he would make it too far. But against all odds, Stephen Fishbach used a combination of wits, strength and his warm, friendly personality to forge allegiances, win challenges, get on everybody’s good side and ultimately make it all the way to the end, facing off against his close friend JT.
Even though the tribal council ultimately voted for JT to become the champion, Stephen came in second, putting him in the company of this year’s fellow reality show runner-ups Adam Lambert and Susan Boyle, which isn’t such a bad place to be. City Scoops recently caught up with Stephen to discuss his experiences on the show, now that he’s had some time to reflect.
CS: What was the highlight of being on the this season’s Survivor?
SF: One of the highlights was meeting and befriending people I would never otherwise have met in the world. JT, my chief ally in the game, is an Alabama cattle rancher, and now he’s one of my best friends. The other was being forced to survive in the wild. I was definitely a city boy, so it was amazing to me just how resilient I could be when put into extreme conditions.
Had you ever spooned with another man before? If yes, then how did this compare? If no, then how would you rate your experience, and would you ever do it again?
I’d never spooned with another man before I was forced to spoon with Brendan on Exile Island. It was pouring rain and freezing. I thought there would be more awkwardness but we clung to each other for warmth. I had to focus on the small warmth coming from his back or his chest because every other part of me was wet and cold. Definitely if I were ever freezing again, I would happily spoon with another man.
What camera tricks did you learn to put yourself in a good light, both in terms of doing the actual interviews and testimonials, as well as spending time around the camp in general?
The cliché is that you don’t even notice the cameras – and it’s really true. You absolutely forget the cameras are around. There were a few moments on Exile Island when I felt overwhelmed where I reminded myself that I was on a TV show and that if I freaked out, it would almost certainly be seen by 14 million people. But for the most part you really are so hungry and tired, and so focused on the game, that you just forget about the cameras.
Do you feel that you have been a role-model for anyone? Who are you looking out for, and what lessons would you like to teach them?
I definitely don’t think I’m a role model. Some people have emailed me to tell me how my gameplay has inspired them – that I played Survivor with honesty and integrity. I was like – did you watch the show?!
If you were invited back to do a reunion competition show or another similar style reality TV, would you do it, and why?
It would be hard to pass up – an amazing adventure and the chance to play the greatest strategy game in the world again. On the other hand, I don’t feel some need to stay on television at any cost. Survivor was an incredible experience, but I also feel like it was self-contained.
If you were to become a corporate spokesperson, what product would you like to promote?
Some kind of food. Basically every business idea that came out of Survivor was based on food. I would want to endorse something with peanut butter and chocolate.
After all the bromance you developed on screen, will you and JT be hanging out together more now that the show is over, or will you go your separate ways? Which people from the show will you be staying closest in touch with?
JT and I are definitely still best friends. I’ve visited him and his family in Alabama, he’s visited me in New York, and he’s spent time with my family in Los Angeles. I think it’s fun for both of us not just to hang out, but also to explore worlds so different from what we’re familiar with. I’m in touch with pretty much everybody – I still stay in regular contact with Erinn, Taj, Coach, Tyson, Sierra, Sydney, Spencer, Joe, … really, everybody.
(Photos by Monty Brinton, ©2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All rights reserved.)
Andrew Singer performs all over the NYC as comedic rapper “soce, the elemental wizard.” He has toured Europe and the U.S., and been featured on numerous media outlets, including MTV, VH1, Here TV, Logo, The Source, Out, Howard Stern and Sirius Shade 45. He recently had a small cameo in a commercial for Sierra Mist.
Last 5 posts by Andrew Singer
- Vodka Shoes - March 4th, 2010
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