Game on for 'Survivor' Cusack

Michael Mehle

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Monty Brinton / Cbs

Who wouldn't want do-overs for Survivor, a potential $1 million mulligan?

Golden's Ami Cusack didn't have to think twice.

"They didn't even get the complete invite out of their mouth," says Cusack. "I was at the doctor getting my physical done, having blood drawn before they had finished asking me if I wanted to be a part of it. I was really excited to get back out and play this game again."

Starting Thursday (7 p.m. CBS4), she'll be one of 10 Survivor "all-stars" pitted against 10 "super-fans" on an island in Micronesia.

"I really didn't think I would be picked as a favorite," she says. "There are a lot of Survivors that I really, really like."

Cusack won her own fans three years ago on Survivor: Vanuatu. While she fell short of the big payday (she was the 13th person voted off that season), she made her mark for her ruthless, conniving game play. People magazine called her "the Great Manipulator, Survivor: Vanuatu's female answer to first-season winner Richard Hatch."

But a lot has changed since then.

For starters, Cusack has actually watched the show - something she says she never did before her first appearance.

"The reason I was never a fan is because I don't watch television. I don't own a television," she says. "I would rather be doing it than watching it. I guess that's why I did Survivor twice. Experiencing life is far more satisfying."

But since Vanuatu, Cusack has found a way to watch every episode of the show, giving her a chance to reflect and learn about how to play the game.

"There have certainly been times when I've thought, 'I really wish I would have done more of this,' or, 'I wish I would have listened a bit more about this.' "

Now 35, Cusack says she also brings a different mind-set to the game.

"Life in general, you're constantly going through changes, maturing. Here I am, I'm going through a time in my life in which I'm a lot more sensitive to people. Three years ago, I was more of a hard-core, super-tough chick: 'Give it to me, because I can chew it up and spit it back out at you.' This time I really got to know the people I was with and care about them."

Fans needn't worry that Cusack has gone soft.

"People will see the core me there that wants to win every challenge and enjoy every moment that I'm on this beautiful island. I think they'll notice a much more sensitive side, but the core of me is still solid."

Back home in Denver, Cusack remains a barista at Common Grounds, but she also serves as a nanny to a 6-year-old girl - who may or may not watch Survivor: Micronesia.

"I hope she does. I asked her if she liked Survivor. She said, 'No, they do the same things all the time and they fight a lot.' I asked her, 'What would make the show better?' She said, 'To turn it off and go outside.' So we're definitely connected."

Cusack may be taking on a new charge now that she's back from Micronesia: she says Mayor John Hickenlooper and his wife, Helen Thorpe, have asked her to look after their son, Teddy, a couple days a week.

Her latest Survivor stint also sparked an entrepreneurial idea she hopes to someday bring to Denver.

"I'm really interested in teas and really good waters from around the world. I've been thinking about opening a good tea and water store in Cherry Creek or Highlands. On the island, I noticed the pure food and water we were drinking. My skin was so healthy."

That sounds like a business with some sizeable start-up costs. Does that mean Cusack has a shot at $1 million in Survivor seed money?

She can't say - especially when a representative for CBS is listening in on the line. They want you to watch, after all, even if Cusack and her young protege won't be tuning in.

Outwit, outlast

20 seasons. That's how long Jeff Probst is signed up to host Survivor after inking a new agreement, CBS announced last week. The show's 16th season kicks off Thursday, and the network has announced that it's signed up for at least two more in 2008- 2009. If Probst is to make 20 seasons stuck on islands, the network still must green-light two editions for the 2009-2010 season.

Makes sense to us

"All you have to really do is step inside my shoes for a single moment and you'd understand why I'm still on Survivor - I travel the world; I get to host and produce one of the most fascinating shows on television; and I get paid more money than any college dropout should ever dream of making."

Probst, explaining to reporters during a conference call why he has no problem repeating catch phrases like, "C'mon in guys," and "The immunity idol is up for grabs" each week

Reality matchmaking

Former Survivor contestant Rupert Boneham already has made $1 million from reality TV, thanks to winning the "America's favorite player" contest from the all-star edition. Now he's cooked up an idea he hopes will make him more money from the genre: a record label called "I Saw You On TV," featuring artists who made their fame on reality shows, according to People. He'll start with three compilations in May, the magazine reports.

Shifting realities

Ami Cusack wasn't even angling to be on Survivor the first time she was a contestant. She had actually applied to be a participant on The Amazing Race - and would still relish the chance. "That's the show that I would really be good at," she says. "If I could find a partner that I could completely dominate with, then I'd probably talk to them about it."