Survivor, "Hollywood" Style
Credit: USA Today
The set of Hollywood Squares was transformed into a tropical island Saturday as four cast members from the hit CBS series joined Whoopi Goldberg and other stars in X's and O's.
'Square' peg: 'Survivor' Rich Hatch to appear on 'Hollywood Squares'.Million-dollar winner Richard Hatch and Sue Hawk, who made it to Survivor's final four, sat in the stacked squares along with fellow castaways Jenna Lewis and Gervase Peterson to tape a week's worth of shows, which will begin airing Sept. 25.
Since last week's Survivor finale, the cast has been in Hollywood doing interviews and signing with agents and managers. A number of survivors also appeared on the VH1 show The List.
Between takes of Squares at CBS' studio, the Survivors chatted about their 15 minutes (and many hope much longer) of fame:
Hatch, who was accompanied by his manager, received his $1 million check from CBS president Leslie Moonves on Friday. Does he feel any different? "No, not at all. It didn't change a thing. I'm the same person."
He has said he wants to help troubled youths with his winnings. But a personal treat? "No, I don't need anything right now." What about a beau? "A beau. Yes. I'm looking for a partnership. I look forward to that time," says Hatch, who is gay. Highlight of the week? "I would imagine it was getting the check. Don't you think?"
Lewis, 22, is also looking for a mate. "I am excruciatingly single. I say that because I want to use my 15 minutes of fame to meet people. I'd like to meet some whom I've admired from afar — Mark McGrath, Josh Jackson, guys my age."
Or maybe Richard? She thinks Richard has been portrayed unfairly. "He's a nice guy. I'm trying to convert him!"
Other plans: "Colleen, Sue and I may share an apartment in L.A. when we are in town. These are true friendships. I love all these people." As far as an entertainment career, "I think hosting is my forte. I know this could end any minute and am enjoying every minute."
Hawk, famous for her "snake and rat" speech, also has her eye on Hollywood. "I'm going for it — game show host . . . commercial endorsements," she says. If it doesn't work out, "I definitely want to keep the truck-driving thing as a backup."
Peterson has a jump on the competition. He has already taped an episode of UPN's The Hughleys. He plans to marry (no date) his significant other, Carmela, who gave birth to their second child (his fourth) while he was shooting Survivor. "Gunner is 5 months old and getting bigger every day. I'm never home. I'm trying to mesh this all together."
Survivor host Jeff Probst, who dropped in on the Squares set as a surprise, said he has signed a long-term deal ("five years, I think") with CBS.
In other Survivor news, Hatch soon may be $500,000 richer. That's how high the bidding has gone for his book proposal, Survivor Skills for Life: An Owner's Manual, according to the media Web site inside.com.
And Hatch has been added to the list of presenters for the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards Sept. 7.
