Burton Roberts, the 31-year-old marketing executive from San Francisco, and former competitor in another of Executive Producer Mark Burnett's other shows, Eco-Challenge, became the fourth person voted out of Survivor:Pearl Islands, and the first from his tribe. His tribe, Drake, started off the game with the longest winning streak in the show's history, but Burton was one of the architects of its first defeat, purposely sitting out an important immunity challenge so that his tribe would lose. Be careful what you wish for, because sometimes you'll get it ... like a knife in the back.

We caught up to Burton at the edge of the Tribal Council set, just before the curtain of darkness that marked the beginning of the long walk of shame. At first, he could barely formulate words, but after a little stuttering, we were able to coax a few choice comments out of him.

Being Jeff Probstovich: Burton, who should have won this game?

Burton: There's no doubt in my mind that any Challenge, physical or mental, when it came to individual Immunity, I would have won hands-down. No doubt in my mind.

Being Jeff Probstovich: Well then why are you here, just about ready to take the long walk of shame, out of the game forever?

Burton: I've got to say I'm disappointed beyond what words could explain. No doubt in my mind.

Being Jeff Probstovich: So you don't know?

Burton: No doubt in my mind.

Being Jeff Probstovich: Burton, this is a game of strategy? Do you think the best strategic players are still in the game?

Burton: I'd say may the best or strongest or smartest person win, but that's impossible at this point, since I'm no longer in the game.

Being Jeff Probstovich: You're a pretty confident -- mabye even cocky -- guy, huh?

Burton: No doubt in my mind.

Being Jeff Probstovich: How do you think Drake will fare without you around?

Burton: It's going to be a lot harder without me. Challenges are not going to be guaranteed as they were when I was involved. No doubt in my mind.

Being Jeff Probstovich: Are you familiar with the phrase "hoist by one's own petard" Burton?

Burton: No doubt in my mind.

Being Jeff Probstovich: Why did you want to vote Christa off so badly? What exactly was it about Christa that you didn't like?

Burton: Because she would just, out of the blue, throw in a random question to cause arguments or just be rude to someone. Christa irritated a lot of people and caused a lot of internal conflict in our tribe. And her laugh and stupid facial expressions get old after a while also.

Being Jeff Probstovich: Burton, it actually sounds like you're a little obsessed with Christa, like it's the beginning of a love connection...?

Burton: No doubt in my mind -- uh, umm -- I meant -- No! Period! But I did like Michelle the best out of all the girls in my tribe.

Being Jeff Probstovich: So you go and tell Rupert your plan for losing on purpose, and then he rats you out to his alliance. Did you just want to tear him a new one after that?

Burton: I had no reason to believe Rupert wouldn't think strategically and logically, so I don't regret that. Do I resent that? Yeah, I mean, he flat out lied and deceived me. While that's part of the game, I did think I could trust him ... about as far as I could throw him.

Being Jeff Probstovich: Do you think he was sore at you for making jokes about the crack of his ass, and for wearing a skirt?

Burton: I think it was three little jokes, repeated, maybe, a couple dozen times each day. Rupert took those way more personally than I expected him to. After seeing the show, obviously he has insecurity issues from the past. I'm pretty sure he didn't wear a skirt in high school, but if he did, and we went to the same school I'd definitely give him a hard time.

Being Jeff Probstovich: Do you think losing challenges on purpose is a smart strategy? Is that the best you could come up with?

Burton: No, and everyone loves to ask that question. In this game of all games, it's not conducive to that whatsoever.

Being Jeff Probstovich: Let's talk about Jon a little. What the hell were you guys drinking that got him so wasted at Tribal? Captain Morgan's Rum or what?

Burton: I think it was some sort of whiskey that we'd mixed with coffee. He did not have much. Since he weighs sixty pounds dripping wet it had a greater effect on him.

Being Jeff Probstovich: Jon was an irritating little punk, huh?

Burton: Jon acts and talks like a wrestler but will never have any wrestling skills without gaining a couple hundred pounds. It was very funny in the challenge when he kept going in the water in the face offs with some of the girls.

Being Jeff Probstovich: Any regrets?

Burton: Being the first one kicked out of my tribe.

Being Jeff Probstovich: Well, hopefully the best player will win the game.

Burton: That's impossible at this point.

Being Jeff Probstovich: Well, the best players don't get voted out. Ever. You, on the other hand, have been voted out, and you know what? (pause) Burton, it's time to go.

He turned and left the game forever. Who'll be voted out next?

This is Being Jeff Probstovich.

Posted by Boycaught at October 14, 2003 09:27 AM | TrackBack