Honestly, I was surprised when I first learned that Tyson Apostol would be invited to come back for Heroes Vs Villains. Mainly because it was obvious Coach and J.T. would be in the cast, and three people from a mediocre season (Tocantins) seemed like a bit much. I was almost sure Tyson’s spot would go to Panama‘s Shane Powers instead. Shows you what I know. But I get why Tyson was selected for another go round: The guy is a confessional quote machine. Now, don’t get wrong: What he says may drive you crazy and make you want to throw your remote at the TV screen and then stick pins into your homemade Apostol voodoo doll, but, well, isn’t that what a villain is supposed to do? [Why Tyson's social game is underrated, plus exclusive on location video after the jump.]
Tyson’s whole attitude can pretty much be summed up by his answer before the game as to my question of who’d he’d like to see voted out first. “The annoying people are the ones you really want to see go just on personal levels, so if I was going with that, it would be Sugar,” said Tyson. “But I would probably mostly want the strategic players out first because that would leave me the only mastermind in the game to control every move. [But] there aren’t any strategic players here, so I guess I’ll just vote the annoying out first.” So cocky. So arrogant. And exactly why is back.
The question becomes, is Tyson all talk? Sure, he can rattle off insults and crazy quips — check out the video below for some proof — but does he actually have any game? My take on Tyson is this: I think he’s actually a very smart dude; I just don’t know how much he really cares about winning. Of course, everyone there wants to win on some level, but there are some people (like Russell and Cirie and Boston Rob) who spend all their time working out every single angle in their head. I think if he wanted to, Tyson could be just as strategic and calculating as these others, but I also believe a good part of him just wants to play the goofball in the leopard print Speedo. It should be noted, however, that his humor is part of his strategy. Keeping people entertained gives them another reason to keep you around. Remember, the Tyson you see in confessionals calling everyone else morons is not the same Tyson they see at camp, so Tyson’s social game is better than you might think. But I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see him get blindsided again by someone with their eyes a little more focused on the main prize.
To see Tyson’s mouth already in mid-season form, click on the video below. This is the 16th in a series of daily profiles on the contestants of Survivor: Heroes Vs Villains. If you missed our first 15 (including Russell, Boston Rob, Cirie, and Courtney), there are links to all those players below the video. And to enjoy interviews with all the Heroes and Villains, head over to our super special Survivor video hub. Up next tomorrow: Parvati Shallow. Oh, and for Survivor scoop delivered right to you, follow me on Twitter @EWDaltonRoss. Okay, take it away, Tyson.…
Cirie says she'll win because "I'm a gangsta in an Oprah suit."
Shocker! Boston Rob says, "I don't see how I can lose."
Sugar wants a showmance with J.T.
Randy claims it's "under the radar time"
Amanda insists "I’m gonna be a bulldog this time. No apologies, bitches."
Why the hell is Tom Westman back?
Is Danielle Russell's new Natalie?
Can anyone take Coach seriously?
Candice says that "being a hero is kinda cheesy"
Will Stephenie's shoulder dislocate her from the game?
Has Colby learned from his mistake with Tina?
Sandra says "I'm a good girl, I promise." Anyone believe that?
J.T. is gunning for Cirie and trying to avoid a showmance
Courtney calls herself overrated
Image Credit: Monty Brinton/CBS
I LOVE Tyson. Sure, he’s arrogant and cocky, but he is hilarious!
I think Dreamz deserved a spot in this season.
I do like Tyson for his arrogence. But his spot could have gone to Shane. And yes, Probst is right (in a video he made) that if you’re a Survivor fan then you will like this cast alot. Yes I like this cast alot. But not as much as I should. When i first found out the cast I was flipping out. But then I realized some duds. But I guess (just like in every survivor season)their needs to be duds to make the others look better.
mediocre season!? what are smokin dalton? tocantins was one of the best post-all-star seasons. infact since China this show as been on a roll.
i agree since china survivor has stepped up just another gear. i think tyson got picked just because of his relation to coach as a pair.shane deserved a spot.
yeah shane prob. would have been gold this season, but then think of the physical disadvantage the villains would have in challenges- i mean shane, russell, coach, randy, and rob vs. the alpha male challenge gods on heroes? rob rocks, but he couldn’t do every challenge by himself. Tyson is a physical powerhouse…so i get why they included him. I am quite happy with this cast. yes yes.
cant wait to see what tyson has to say about russell haha.
Yeah, I thought Toncantins was pretty good. Heck, Coach made that season. Coach made me cringe and laugh and groan all at the same time. I think the only survivor out there during filming that had any clue how awesome/awful Coach (who I call Cheesy Puff the D Bag) was is Tyson, who longed for the Coach title and gleefully took on the “assistant coach” position.
anyone knows Dalton Ross’s e-mail adress and can post here ?
I think Tyson is a good pick! Shane should have got Coachs spot! Hes only on it cos he is good tv, hes not an all-star or a villain! Shane would have been much entertaining in my eyes!
Glad to see both Coach and Tyson and J.T. from Tocantis. It was a great season. At least they’ve only played once before… unlike Cerie, Amanda, Parvati, and James who were all in an alliance on Micronesia Fans v Faves.
awwe Coach was able to bring his puppy dog with him =@)
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