Speaking about his time on Survivor Palau for the first time in over a decade, Ian Rosenberger answered Reddit AMA questions for the community.
One of the most compelling, odd seasons of Survivor has to be Palau. Whether it’s the schoolyard pick where two players are eliminated outside of Tribal Council on Day 2, one tribe failing spectacularly to the point of being absorbed at the “merge” or an 11-hour Final Immunity Challenge, it is a standout early season that set up the first captain returnee season the show would see.
My favorite player from that season is Ian Rosenberger, and he just so happened to finally speak out about his time on the show for the first time in over a decade with an AMA on the Survivor subreddit. He’s also got a Kickstarter campaign for A Better Backpack, made from trash from poor neighborhoods and turned into backpack textiles.
Speaking of that iconic endurance challenge, Ian insists that he could have gone on until morning while Tom was fading once the hours of the competition hit the double-digits. He was even handed Doritos once he finished by a crew member; a no-no even with him essentially opting out of the game.
Other questions Ian answered include whether or not Caryn does, in fact, suck, his opinions on the schoolyard pick, if the cast knew that Willard looked like the Immunity Idol, whether he’s been asked back to play, as well as whether or not he keeps up with the show as of late.
I’m glad the one question I most wanted to be answered was both sent and responded; Ian Rosenberger has no regrets about his play in Survivor Palau, especially when it comes to pulling himself down from the Final Three Immunity Challenge. He said Ethan Zohn wouldn’t have reached out to him, shown him extreme poverty throughout the world, and Ian wouldn’t be in the life-changing field he’s in now.
That’s the best part of Survivor; it’s not a game of X’s and O’s to everyone. For some, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience where it shapes opportunities for the rest of their life. For others, it’s a quest to be conquered. I’m glad Ian opened up about his time playing the game, and I hope he reconsiders playing again in the future.