Frank's Interviews & Chats
The ClubHouse: Archives: Frank's Interviews & Chats
Car54 | Friday, December 21, 2001 - 11:17 am   Frank's Early Show Interview NEW YORK --Frank Garrison, the 43-year-old telephone repairman was the 10th person voted off Survivor: Africa. He appeared on The Early Show to discuss the game. In doing so, he revealed a softer side than had been apparent during previous episodes. At Thursday night's tribal council, Teresa had a tough time voting out her friend and ally. It turns out Frank told her to. "I knew that I had a target on me from day one. So I told Teresa, 'Keep your distance from me,'" he said. "'It's been a nice long run. But I want you to stay in the game. You keep striving forward and keep away from me.'" But the old, familiar Frank soon appeared. "People today are over-sensitized, politically correct. I just speak my mind. Respect is a two-way street. If you don't like my opinion, or what I have to say, I'm not going to change. He admitted that the most difficult hurdle was "dealing with other players, especially when the basics had to be acquired - the fire, the water, the security around there. I knew there would be a couple of that would be just too relaxed - that this was a Club Med vacation." When asked who the most difficult person was, most people would have guessed he'd say Brandon. Not so. "Not any one in particular. It was just in general," he said. A viewer sent in email wondering how he kept from punching Lindsey and Brandon in the mouth. She thought he should have won the million just for putting up with them. Given the chance to vent his frustration with the brat packers, he was surprisingly laid back. "I think they're just a younger generation. I think there's different priorities they have today. They're young kids - they have directions to seek out. They'll be fine." Frank had hoped to use his skill as a hunter in Africa. "I went over there thinking I could climb up a tree, over a water hole, spend 10 - 12 hours and take out a gazelle, a warthog or something of that nature. Suddenly I find out I'm on a vegetarian Survivor. I said 'I'm in trouble now.'" It turns out the preserve is off-limits to hunting. In the '60's and '70s, poachers had decimated the animal population and Kenyan officials banned hunting to allow the herds to replenish. Early Show Co-Anchor Jane Clayson admitted that she liked him best in the last 30 seconds of the show when Frank said his goodbyes. "Well, someone had to wear the black hat, and it was me." Clayson wanted to know why he wasn't nicer during his time in Africa. "I couldn't have been that way. Then I would have been an actor. It wasn't me - it didn't come naturally." The Early Show's Mark McEwen asked where he had gotten his values. "I think from an old-fashioned upbringing. I grew up when you used to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag; you said your prayers, you were brought up 'yes ma'am, no sir'. You put in a hard day's work. You give 110 percent and hope to get 20 percent back." He said that his military service was important. "To me, the most important job you can have in this country is serving your country. As a policeman or fireman - something you can give back, because freedom isn't free. There's a sacrifice to be made." Frank was asked what he learned from his experiences in Africa. "I think it taught me to be a better listener, to have a little more patience. We always need those adjustments. Physically, I needed to get fit again." "It was an unbelievable experience. It was the African experience I wanted. That's why I applied. Never in my lifetime did I think I'd set foot on that continent. Thanks to all the folks from the top to the bottom - it was just super." And it turns out Frank is quite the family man. He has a wife, two daughters and a third on the way. She will be given an African name when she's born in February. Like all the exiled castaways on Survivor, Frank was asked what he wanted out of life now that the game was over. He replied he wanted to work with children - that it's important to teach and guide and most importantly, love them. |
Max | Friday, December 21, 2001 - 11:28 am   Thanks for posting this,Car! I'm on vacation and slept through the Early Show, so I didn't get to see Frank. I don't agree with all his political viewpoints by a long shot, but I do admire his integrity and his love of his family. If only Lex hadn't won immunity! |
Car54 | Friday, December 21, 2001 - 09:22 pm   Here is a transcript of Frank's CBS chat from VotedOff i_love_Brandon: if you had a choice, would you rather have been in the second season or in the first, and why? Survivor_Frank: Probably the second season because of the ability to hunt and its location the_future_survivor: Whos luxury item wwas the most useful? Survivor_Frank: I would have to give credit to Kim Johnsons luxury item - only in that it aided Boran in winning that one immunity challenge. Halley: Do your co-workers treat you any differently? Do you get recognized? Survivor_Frank: No, they do not treat me any differently and yes, people do recognize me on the street. Murtz: Frank: Is it hard dealing with the attention? Survivor_Frank: Not whatsoever. X_USA: Frank, have you had any thoughts about going into showbiz? Survivor_Frank: I've thought about it. If someone would like me to participate in something - I don't see why not. African_ELEPHANT: What did you think of Kellys comments when she said "Frank doesn't like women and doesn't want a woman to win"? Survivor_Frank: Those comments were fabricated by the Samburu tribe to try and get eliminated off. I never made such a statement. benny: Did you do anything interesting to pass the time once you were in the jury? Survivor_Frank: Yes rickyrick: Frank, what about the flies and bugs? Did you have something to repel them with or did you just get used to them? Survivor_Frank: No, you just adapt to your situation. FrankRulz: Frank, being a hunter what was going through your mind when you found out you weren't allowed to hunt? Survivor_Frank: Oh boy, just shock. It was probably the only shocking moment of my whole adventure. FranK_Iwantyou: Frank, which was better? corn soup or cornmeal? Survivor_Frank: Neither... FrankRulz: Frank, were you the mastermind behind the older people's alliance? Survivor_Frank: No, actually I think it was a joint collaboration. I would say at times they cam to me with their thoughts and ideas and I played that role but probably on a limited basis. It was hard to talk when Carl was around.*laughs* GOTTOLOVEBIGTOM: Frank will you write a book? Please Survivor_Frank: Yeah, in approximately three years sappy: Did you actually make it through the entire Out of Africa movie or did those rocking chairs put you to sleep? Survivor_Frank: No, I watched the entire movie. Great movie - I highly recommend it. rickyrick: Did your friend the elephant come back to camp after you flirted with him? Survivor_Frank: *laughs* The elephants were always there, yes. I didn't have them I.D.'d... charbok: Would you enjoy a kid SURVIVOR, or would you like a celebrity one better? Survivor_Frank: I think the celebrity Survivor is a bad idea...a kid's Survivor? They go through enough through high school! Murtz: Frank: Did you learn anything on the show that you can teach your daughters? Survivor_Frank: Absolutely...never give up, flexibility, to be a better listener, y'know and to communicate effectively with people overall...and to never compromise your principles that you live by. Ogakor: Frank were you surprised about how many alliances were broken throughout the game? Survivor_Frank: No, I was not. That's part of the ever changing game. the_future_survivor: What was on your audition tape? Survivor_Frank: My audition tape was me hanging atop a telephone pole on my hooks and an oversized stuffed lion attacking me to where I held off the attack with a screwdriver, threw him to the ground and the proclaimed to the world that my job is an adventure every day. mattaronowitz: Why couldn't Kim P realize that Branodn voting off Kelly was a good move? Survivor_Frank: I don't know why...I can't elaborate on what was going through Kim's head. mommaloveshercolby: Hey Frank - are you looking forward to doing Letterman? Survivor_Frank: No, I won't do Letterman. Looking back, would you have chosen a different luxury item? Survivor_Frank: Absolutely not. lark: Frank, did anybody there make you laugh? Survivor_Frank: Oh, they all made me laugh. That's why they were a great bunch of people. BIGnFAT: why didn't t-bird, lil kim n u vote against someone together? Survivor_Frank: If you're referring to the last round, it still wouldn't have been enough votes to make it any different and I was more concerned with T-Bird and Kim's survival to get further in the game. MikeAllbright: Frank, what's your beef with Letterman? Survivor_Frank: I don't like his degrading of the previous Survivor contestants or for that matter the show. freedom: if you could take one of the survivors hunting who would it be? Survivor_Frank: I would actually take them all, I couldn't single one out. mommaloveshercolby: Frank, why do the lions only come out when Ethan is on watch? Survivor_Frank: *laughs* The lions came out regardless who was on the watch. They came out whenver they wanted to. Murtz: Frank: Do you blame anybody in particular for your exit? Survivor_Frank: No one, I'm responsible for my actions. Jeff_Probst: What advice would you give to future castaways? Survivor_Frank: Be true to yourself, be flexible and never give up. Survivor Host: Unfortunately, we're all out time with Frank today. Frank, thanks so much for taking time to chat with us. Any final comments for the fans? Survivor_Frank: In God We Trust and we shall obtain peace in the new year by the sword. Happy Holidays everyone. |
Tntitanfan | Saturday, December 22, 2001 - 05:07 am   Wow, Car - thanks for the transcript! It was really interesting - |
Judy | Saturday, December 22, 2001 - 05:39 pm   Take THAT Dave!! LOL Won't it be funny if Dave hears about this and then gets Frank on as a regular guest? Sounds like something he'd do;) Thanks Car |
Joan | Saturday, December 22, 2001 - 06:58 pm   I have to admire Frank for not going on Letterman although I am not surprised that he would take such a stand. Now that he mentions it, the Survivors really are kind of made fun of and shoot, they don't even get to come onto the stage. Whatever! |
Sammmy | Sunday, December 23, 2001 - 09:50 pm   I love David Letterman. I have laughed out loud when he pulls out his Oprah log and makes a new entry... BUT he can be so rude to the Survivors. I haven't seen them all on the show because I don't always stay up late to watch the show. It seems like he doesn't really want to do that bit but has to because CBS makes him promote the Survivor show. last year the Survivors were brought into the studio and made to stand at the exit door -- far away from Dave. Now they can't even come into the studio. It's belittling and beneath Frank. Kudos to Frank for not compromising himself. (If it were me, I don't know what I would do.) |
Joan | Monday, December 24, 2001 - 12:17 am   Wow! They don't even enter the studio now? I was not aware of that. Damn, and I thought making them stand by the door was bad. He did let Elisabeth sit down though. |
Smileeys | Monday, December 24, 2001 - 01:00 am   And he let Tina sit down, too. Dave can be rude. I think the Survivor's are in some coffee shop or deli, but I haven't watched it while they have been on so I don't know for sure. I so admired Rodger for not going on Howard Stern but thought it was probably in their contract to appear on David Letterman. Anyway, good for Frank - I would refuse, too! Thanks for the transcript! I loved Frank's answer to the question about finding something interesting to do - YES but no elaboration of what that might be. That is how my brother is, too. You have to ask open ended questions cause if he can answer with a one word response that is exactly what he will do |
Misslibra | Tuesday, December 25, 2001 - 11:32 pm   I also missed the interview, but I was going to go to the CBS site to see if I could see it on tape. Now I don't have to do that. Thanks Car for posting the interview and the chat. |
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