Former Survivor, Bruce Kanegai, Weighs in on the Survivor: Fiji Finale

A while back, I was fortunate to get to talk to Bruce Kanegai, one of the Survivors on the Panama season of Survivor. Since then, he’s been wonderful to send occasional material for this blog and everything he sends is so relevent and fun.

After the totally maddening season finale on Sunday, I asked Bruce if he wanted to make a statement here about the finale and how it went down. As always, Bruce graciously did. Here’s what he had to say:

There is an ancient Japanese proverb that states, “When a tiger dies and leaves the earth, he leaves his stripes, but when a man dies and leaves the earth, he leaves his character.” When I meet someone, it is not his/her title, their wealth, or where they came from that impresses me. It is where they are going in their life with their values, goals, and character.

I was sad and angry with the Survivor Finale because, like many other viewers, I had started to like Dreamz. I had to wait a couple of days to write a blog because I was shocked and disgusted at Dreamz’s decision. As you know, Yau-Man was my favorite, but I enjoyed all the other Survivors and hope to meet all of them in the future. It would be difficult for me to meet Dreamz.

First of all congratulations to Earl for an outstanding and wonderful game that he played. I forgot and did not even notice that the Final 3 were black because I get into the show for what the contestants are from the inside and the quality of their character. The final vote reflects the respect that you deserve from the Fiji Jury.

Boo became another one of my favorites and kept everything off-balanced. Anytime, someone can beat the Yau-Man at a challenge and win the Immunity necklace is a stud. He rose to the top in the last 3 weeks bringing out his true talents, especially at the Final Tribal Council. A shot of Jack with you anytime Boo.

Keep reading Bruce’s comments after the jump.

More power to Cassandra (who could not swim, wandered aimlessly in the maze challenge and was the worst athlete) for adapting to the tribes and individuals. There will always be a Cassandra or Cirie in every season who will be in the final 6, which makes it a better show. A shot of Jack with Cirie and Cassandra any time.

It was good to have Rocky and Lisi for making the show more interesting with their loud personality, but I wanted to head-butt Rocky and Lisi every week every time they opened their mouth. Win or Lose, they are not afraid to tell everyone just how they feel. A shot of Jack with them any time. I think they got more air time over some of the other Survivors who the show did not develop and the viewers would have enjoyed to get to know them better.

WOW. Did all the ladies look gorgeous at the Finale. WOW. I had to say it again. A double Jack straight up with all of them any time.

The scene at my house was a lot of cheering and encouragement for Dreamz to hang on and win the Immunity Necklace for the Yau-Man. But when he hesitated and kept the necklace instead of saying to Yau-Man, “I promised you this“, I knew it was going to be bad.

I’m sure this was the type of decision Dreamz makes all his life. Everyone gets bad breaks or lightning bolts thrown at them, but how you bounce back with Honor, Spirit, and Integrity is how you elevate yourself in life. Even if you win a million dollars, if you are an assh**e, you are just an assh**e with a million dollars. A million dollars will not make you a better person, but only magnify what you are.

As a strong Christian, (being a Christian is not a game) I was so happy when Dreamz said, “I promise to God. I want my son to see me as a man of my word.” That’s a moment that I will always remember Dreamz because he really said it from the heart and emotion. And the moment I will remember is when he said, “I’m keeping the Immunity Idol.” That’s what the world will remember. You will never be able to change that moment.

That’s again Boo for challenging him on his beliefs at the Tribal Council. He wasn’t playing when he got the truck, you could see it in his eyes and heart.

For that one decision to give the Immunity necklace as a MAN of his word, Dreamz and Yau-Man could have been the most demanded reality personality to make appearances. If Yau-Man gets lonely, he can always invite me to tag along. I have a big heart.

Although, Survivor is a reality game, you become part of the viewer’s life. Whether you like it or not, you become a hero, villain, a role-model, or someone who slips into obscurity like a candle in the wind after their season is over.

To Yau-Man; Thanks for setting the standards of Survivor to a new level. The Immunity Necklace should be called the Yau-Man necklace. A shot of Jack or Sake with you any time. You should give up ping-pong and write a book on, “How To Win at Survivor.“ I think that the Pirate Master will be a flop without some older people (there were a lot of older real pirates), me and the Yau-Man. I really think that all the older Survivors can kick butt. Also, I have some real pirate wenches on myspace.

To Scout, Amy, Brian, BobDawg and Johnathan, it has been a wonderful season and an honor to share my blogs with you. Thanks for your humor and insights. A shot of Jack with you guys any time.

To all the viewers, bloggers, website fans and readers, Merci Beaucoup mille fois and a shot of Jack with all of you.

See you at the Top. Bruce Kanegai

As always, Bruce has said it with heart. Thanks so much, Bruce for your input!! You’re terrific!

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