Fall usually means a drop in temperatures, but if you're already missing the intense heat and humidity of a Florida summer you can get a fix from the latest season of Survivor. The show's 23rd season takes place in the sultry South Pacific and not only brings back its “Redemption Island” twist”where castoffs duel for an opportunity to return to the game”but two controversial former players as well. Ozzy Lusth and Benjamin “Coach” Wade were both thwarted in their attempts to be Sole Survivor. They return to the popular CBS reality competition show to mix things up and compete for the $1 million prize.
Among the 16 other castaways trying to outwit, outlast, and outplay them is Mark Caruso, a gay retired NYPD police officer. Now back home in New York, but sworn to secrecy, Caruso said he was uniquely qualified for the rigors of the competition.
“I was a cop for 20 years”a detective for 15″and I worked in a bunch of places in the police department,” Caruso said. “One of those was in the morgue processing the deceased, including the 9/11 victims and Flight 587. Of course those days were absolutely the worst, the most devastating.”
A native New Yorker, Caruso now divides his time between the Big Apple and South Florida. Although he lacked a strong background in outdoor survival skills”his last camping trip was as a Boy Scout”Caruso said his experiences as a cop definitely helped his game.
“You learn how to read people,” he shared.
Survivor host Jeff Probst, in his on-air pre-game analysis of all the players, agreed.
“I always think that guys who have studied people, who've studied human behavior, and maybe who've been around a lot of liars before”they have a leg up,” Probst said. “I would put Mark in my alliance. I would say, “You are the specialist. Your job is to determine who's lying.' But then the question is, “Will you know when I'm lying to you? Because sooner or later I'm going to take you out.'”
Before hitting the island, Caruso prepared by upping his workout regime.
“I tried to decrease my weight and build more muscle for endurance,” Caruso said. “It changed my lifestyle. Now I work out like a crazy person, which is good, because I think it's a better lifestyle.”
He also entered the show with a game plan, which included being up front and honest about being gay.
“At first they couldn't figure it out, but I just let it out because I'm not embarrassed about who I am,” Caruso said about coming out to his Savaii tribe teammates. “I'm very proud of who I am. I want to show people that it's okay to be gay; that gay people are like anyone else out there. Hopefully my presence will show others to be strong and to follow your dreams.”
Caruso, 48, even played up his status as a big, hairy, middle-aged gay guy by encouraging his tribe to call him “Poppa Bear.' It stuck immediately.
“I thought, “Who's gonna vote off their dad?'” Caruso laughed. “I wanted to make everyone care for me as a person and let them look up to me.”
While CBS wouldn't let Caruso share whether his being gay ever became an issue during the game”or any other details of what happened in the South Pacific”Caruso admitted that there was one point where he was worried that it might. Still, Caruso said participating on Survivor has been a life-changing experience.
“Even though I was confident being a police officer and a father”just in being who I am”it's a whole other thing when you know you can find food, build a fire”stuff like that where you have to depend on yourself. It made me more independent than I already was.”
Caruso hopes to use his Survivor experience as a way to give back to both the LGBT and 9/11 communities.
“A lot of the Survivors from throughout the 23 seasons get together and do things for cancer, sick children and other charitable and community events. I want to be part of that group and devote my time and energy to those types of causes.”
It remains to be seen whether Caruso participates in those endeavors as the winner of Survivor: South Pacific or as someone who has their torch snuffed out at tribal council. Thus far he's distanced himself from the security”and backstabbing”of alliances largely maneuvered by Lusth and Wade. At press time he appears safe from immediate danger.
The best way to find out if “Poppa Bear' stays in the game is to watch this highly entertaining season of Survivor.
S+H
Who: Mark “Poppa Bear' Caruso
What: Survivor: South Pacific
When: Wednesdays at 8 p.m.
Where: CBS
