Image credit: Monty Brinton/CBS

If you blinked, you might have missed her. Francesca Hogi was the first person voted out of Survivor: Redemption Island, and the first person ousted from the game after she lost a duel. But even though she only lasted three days on her tribe, what an impression she made — going right after Boston Rob and then sparring with Phillip Sheppard about (among other things) the pronunciation of her name. I loved Francesca in our Redemption Island pre-game interview and was thoroughly bummed when she was booted so early. So I was pleasantly surprised when I learned she was being brought back to play again for Survivor: Caramaon — Fans vs. Favorites (premiering Feb. 13 on CBS). However, there is one person who will not be watching Francesca play — herself! The fan of the show could not bear to watch her last outing on TV and claims she has no plans to do so this time around either. Just days before filming began last May, I spoke with Francesca about her feud with Phillip (which The Specialist discussed right here), what she learned from her last brief outing, and the awkwardness of being mistaken for another black female contestant.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Okay, this is absurd. Nobody in this entire world has given you more public props than I have, but a person voted out first being asked to come play again?
FRANCESCA HOGI: You are my biggest fan, and I am so grateful, but yeah, exactly! I mean, I knew some people liked me and some people were sad to see me go so I could see how they might put a feeler out to have me back, but they’re not really going to cast me! And so I just figured it’s not going to happen. And now I’m like, oh, s—, it’s actually happening! This is great! READ FULL STORY »

Image credit: Monty Brinton/CBS

Is Phillip Sheppard a character, or was he merely playing one when he appeared on Survivor: Redemption Island? Walking around in pink undies and an occasional feather on his head, Phillip acted crazy and often drove his tribemates equally nutty with his behavior — which included mispronouncing one of their names and complaining about a lack of burnt rice. But the player insists that it was all a well-designed ruse to get him to the end of the game, and get to the end he did thanks to Boston Rob. Now, Phillip is back as one of the familiar faces returning for Survivor: Caramoan — Fans vs. Favorites (premiering Feb. 13 on CBS). What sort of hijinks does he have planned this time? How does he feel about being reunited with Fransesqua…uh, I mean, Francesca? And what is this about a new book he wrote based on his island alter-ego? (You can even hear an audio file of him reading from the book below! And trust me, you need to hear it.) The former federal agent (maybe) told all when we spoke last May just days before filming began.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Greetings, Specialist. First question right off the bat: What are you going to do if someone on your tribe tries to take the last scoop of the crispy? Not on your watch, right?
PHILLIP SHEPPARD: That’s right. That’s not gonna happen. If anyone were to take that last scoop of crispy, I don’t know what I would do. READ FULL STORY »

Image credit: Monty Brinton/CBS

As a contestant on Survivor: Redemption Island, Andrea Boehlke is best known as the person that betrayed her island beau, joining with Boston Rob and the rest of his brainwashed minions to send poor Matt straight back to Redemption Island — even as he was trying to realign with them. (Ouch!) In truth, she was in a bit of a bad spot since Matt went and told Rob how the two of them had been approached about flipping — leading to Rob’s decision to once again cut the cord. Andrea did not do a lot else to distinguish herself that season, most likely being cast again for Survivor: Caramoan — Fans vs. Favorites (premiering Feb. 13 on CBS) simply to fill the necessary blond-in-a-bikini slot. However, when I spoke to her last May just days before filming began, Andrea struck me as both thoughtful about the game and someone who was ready to learn from her passive gameplay the first time around. Read on as the Favorite discussed how she planned to play differently, the player she was most worried about, and how she felt about shacking up with Phillip Sheppard again.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Why are you going to win this time, Andrea? What do you have up your sleeve?
ANDREA BOEHLKE: I have a lot of shenanigans up my sleeve. I’m coming in a lot more aggressive this time, and I’m definitely in a better place mentally. I’m in the same place physically. I’ve done this already. I’m really, really excited. I’m not scared. Last time I was 50 percent exited, 50 percent terrified. I didn’t know what to expect. But this time I’m completely ready and I feel really optimistic. READ FULL STORY »

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Brandon Hantz had a bit of a rough go last time we saw him on Survivor. During the South Pacific season he was portrayed as a leering pervert who could not handle his sexual attraction to another contestant, an unstable entity that would pop off at Tribal Council for no reason, and, finally, a rube who could get suckered into giving away his immunity only to be immediately voted off after doing so. As if dealing with all of that was not enough, Brandon had to also endure the public barbs coming from his own uncle — two-time Survivor finalist Russell Hantz — who tore into his gameplay both online and at the live Reunion show.

Needless to say, Brandon was hoping for a significantly smoother ride when he returned to play Survivor: Caramoan — Fans vs. Favorites (premiering Feb. 13 on CBS). I spoke with Lil’ Hantz last May just days before filming began and he talked about being a very different player this time around. He was also not shy about discussing his recent family troubles, including, yes, more issues with uncle Russell. In all, it makes for one of the most curious — and at times, confusing — Survivor pre-game interviews I have ever done.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Why are you going to win this time around, Brandon?
BRANDON: I am going to win this time around because I capitalize on every mistake I make in my life in general, so that’s just how it’s gonna happen. I did one thing wrong: I allowed myself to beat me. I beat myself, man. I beat myself in the game of Survivor and that’s what people saw. They saw a convicted man. They saw a person that could not even forgive himself for some of the things he did in the past. And I gave a million dollars to Sophie. I allowed myself — my convictions and my past — to hinder the outcome of my future. And that’s not happenin’ again, my friend! I want to overwhelm anyone with oh, he’s trying to preach. No, I’m comin’ on here to win a million dollars this time. I was doing all that stuff for me. I wasn’t trying to change the Hantz family name. I was doing it for Brandon. READ FULL STORY »

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She’s been called one of the show’s biggest villains ever by host Jeff Probst, but Corinne Kaplan did not do anything devious in the game to earn that distinction when she appeared on Survivor: Gabon. She did not backstab or betray anyone in her alliance. What she did do, however, was talk nasty to and about people she did not like, especially her arch nemesis, Sugar. So as Corinne returns to play Survivor: Caramoan — Fans vs Favorites, it will be interesting to see if her tribemates respond to her loyalty or recoil from her negativity. (John Cochran already told us where he stood on Corinne.) I spoke with Survivor’s queen of mean before filming began on Survivor: Caramoan (premiering Feb. 13 on CBS) and we talked about her reputation, what she’s going to do differently this time, and her current feelings on former foe Sugar.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Why are you going to win this time?
CORINNE KAPLAN: ‘Cause losing isn’t an option.

EW: It wasn’t an option last time though.
CORINNE: It was, kinda. I didn’t know what I was doing last time. I’m far more educated and prepared this time. READ FULL STORY »