'Survivor: San Juan del Sur' (CBS)
NOTE: XFINITY TV is the place to go for “Survivor: San Juan del Sur” finale coverage with “all the fixin’s.” You’ll be able to watch every episode and read interviews with the final five. Be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for immediate updates.
MEGA IMPORTANT NOTE: Check out the three members of the “Survivor” Hall of Fame Class of 2014.
Gordon Holmes: Reed’s speech was certainly unique. Put me in your shoes as someone is just gleefully bashing the most important woman in your life.
Baylor Wilson: I’ll tell you what; it was definitely life changing and a shock. I’ve never had to be the one sitting there watching my mom get bullied, verbally abused, right in front of me. I really went into shock and was having a panic attack. At that moment I was crying really hard and I had to leave the set for a minute. Jeff came up and comforted me. And then I had to go back there and sit with him. And then I had to go back to Ponderosa with Reed and my mom. It was not ideal at all. Looking back now, that’s who Reed is. He’s an actor and he has to have his moment.
Holmes: At that point you’d been at Ponderosa with Reed for a few days. Did you have any idea that this was coming?
Wilson: No. I knew my mom was going to get blasted a little bit from these guys that didn’t like her gameplay and weren’t respectful to her at all. But, I did not know Reed was going to prepare a speech and practice it the entire time until that night.
Holmes: Reed accused your mother of giving you extra rice and making sure you had the best place to sleep in the shelter. Is any of that true?
Wilson: What’s funny is, my mom gave everyone extra rice. She barely ate herself. I think his perception was a little bit flawed.
Holmes: I’m not sure it’s right to refer to you and your mother as villains, but there was definitely a negative sentiment around you two. Is that something that palpable while you were out there or is just now coming to light now that you’re watching the show?
Wilson: Oh no, I felt like I was hated from the get go. But I don’t know why my mom would seem villain-like at all. We’re very positive people. But, we don’t take BS very well. So, it was hard for me to be that target that people wanted out all the time. I have a great group of friends. I’m the life of the party, leader of the group. I had to shut my mouth out there and take the punches.
Holmes: When Natalie blindsided you, my jaw hit the floor.
Wilson: (Laughs) Mine too!
Holmes: You’re reaction was what I like to see; it hurts and it sucks, but well played. What were you thinking when she played the idol for Jaclyn?
Wilson: I had no idea she was going to do that. I figured she was going to play it for me or my mom. But, when she said Jaclyn’s name, I knew there was a twist. And I knew Natalie was very hungry for that million dollars. That’s what’s so cool about her, she’s so consistent and strong. She’s a crossfit trainer and it really shows. She was all the way until the end. When she voted me out I was like, “Dang girl, you’ve got this.” Even Jaclyn said, “Natalie is here to play.”
Holmes: One of the early feuds was between you and your mother and Kelley and Dale. I believe Dale and your mother had a tiff over food distribution.
Wilson: Honestly, the only thing I can say about that is Kelley and Dale are the opposite personality of me and my mom. They’re very…hermit…kind of people. They like to keep to themselves. I never connected with them on anything. The life that they live is very different from my mom. That’s what’s so interesting about “Survivor,” is you take people from all walks of life. People that you don’t understand. Like I truly do not understand how Dale lives in such a small town and never leaves. We just didn’t get along.
Holmes: Alright, word association time. Let’s start with Josh.
Wilson: Oh my gosh…he’s the strongest player besides Jeremy.
Holmes: Natalie?
Wilson: Funny and a mess.
Holmes: Keith?
Wilson: (Laughs) Coon ass. He’s from Louisiana.
Holmes: Fair enough. Wes?
Wilson: Wes is like my mean older brother.
Holmes: Alec?
Wilson: That family friend that you hate and love, but he’s always there.
Holmes: Jon?
Wilson: Jon is like the really awesome big brother that I never had.
Holmes: Jeremy?
Wilson: One of the smartest guys I know.
Holmes: Jaclyn?
Wilson: Beautiful and underestimated.
Holmes: Reed?
Wilson: Reed is a professional actor.
Holmes: Let’s finish with some woman named Missy.
Wilson: Aww…mother dearest!
Holmes: (Laughs) See, but that’s like “Mommie Dearest.” That’s like “Wicked Stepmother.”
Wilson: No, no, that comes from her daughter who loves her.
Holmes: You need to rent “Mommie Dearest,” that is not a positive portrayal of motherhood.
Wilson: How about badass mama?
Holmes: That works. Much more positive.
Holmes: Like I said, there was a lot of negative sentiment toward you and your mother. What do you want the world to know about you two and your time out there that we might not have seen on TV.
Wilson: Me and my mom really had to go through this to completely heel from her third divorce. It was tough on her, but maybe tougher on me. I got really close to his kids. Our family was together for seven years. So, it was really tough to see another one fail. I guess out there we really got to hash it out in a weird way. We had a couple of conversations where we really talked about life. I got to see a different side of her. I got to see how strong she is. And I really respect her for all she’s been through.
Any Questions? Drop me a line on Twitter at @gordonholmes.
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