Survivor's Rudy Admits Error

Survivor: All-Stars may actually live up to its hype as the most cutthroat edition ever. After eliminating past winner Tina Wesson, the female Saboga tribemates preyed on the elderly by taking out Survivor's oldest player ever, Rudy Boesch. The 76-year-old former Navy SEAL made it to the final three in the very first game, but here, his torch was swiftly snuffed once he injured his ankle.

"I didn't expect to go that quick," Boesch sighs to TV Guide Online. "I think it was because I was actually holding that tribe back. I would have done the same thing if I was in their shoes."

That's quite a change of tune from his final on-air remarks. He threatened the backstabbing duo of Jerri and Jenna L., issuing the warning, "If I was them... I'd stay clear of me." The curmudgeon even went so far as to suggest that he had "friends" that could take care of them. Paging Tony Soprano!

"When you get voted off, you are mad at the world," Boesch admits. "I made a couple of dumb statements. Since then, I have thought it over, and they did exactly what they should have done. They got rid of the old guy because he was too slow."

While he wasn't that fast on his feet, he was quick to forge an alliance with loveable pirate Rupert, who he happily calls "a man of his word." Does the forthright father of three still keep in touch with his old Survivor cohort, Colleen Haskell? "After we finished the first Survivor, we all went our own ways," he notes. "That is the last time I ever saw Colleen. She was supposed to be included in [the All-Stars edition], but she refused."

Haskell's decision is one that Boesch cannot relate to at all. Despite his advanced age and the early ouster, he's already itching for another shot. "I'd do it again, if they want me to," he says enthusiastically. "I'll keep doing it until I win."