Final Interview Colby's Final Chat
May 8, 2001 12:30 AM PDT

CBS Moderator: There are tons of great questions, so let's get started!! If you're just joining us, we're chatting live with Colby Donaldson. To ask Colby a question, please type it in the space below and click "Ask the Survivor." We'll get to as many of your questions as we can. Let's get started! Hey Colby, thanks for being here to chat with us today. Would you like to say hello to everyone?
Colby Donaldson: Hello and thanks for having me!

PhillyPhan: How hard was it to stick to the alliance and choose Tina instead of Keith? Everyone I know thinks that you would have won over Keith easy!

Colbys_honey: Hi Colby! I love you, Babe!

Sue: Hi Colby! Congrats on making it to the finals.
Colby Donaldson: I probably would have won going up against Keith. The decision I made, however…I haven't lost any sleep over the fact that I made that decision. It was the way that I wanted to play the game.

WitchyWoman: What do you plan to do with the money you've won?
Colby Donaldson: Pay off debts.

Blondie: I love cowboys!! Go Colby!

kristi_ttu_angel: Lubbock Tx loves you!!!

GodblessTexas: Colby--It was hard for me to wait 2 hours to see who won the final vote. How did you last 5 MONTHS? Did it make you crazy wondering whether you had a million, or just a nice chunk of change?
Colby Donaldson: Because I was going up against Tina and felt like she deserved the win and the money, it made the five months very easy. I did truly believe the whole time that she had won.

MzGoodgirl: COLBY, CALIFORNIA LOVES YOU JUST AS MUCH AS TEXAS!

lins: How do you feel about your new sex symbol status?
Colby Donaldson: That is certainly a topic that I don't spend time thinking about.

Maggles: NORTH CAROLINA LOVES YOU, COLBY--CONGRATULATIONS, PAL!!

Kisses_To_Colby: COLBY MAIN CHAT ROOM LOVES YOU!!

AlbertoPena: Colby, congratulations on making it to the final two! You dominated in the challenges! What was your favorite challenge and why? What was the hardest? Easiest? Also, it was so nice of you to pick Tina--she deserved it!
Colby Donaldson: Thank you first of all for the compliment. The most fun challenge for me was the fire and water challenge, where I came back after being in last place to pull out a victory. The most difficult challenge for me was the water torture, with the water buckets on my back.

blaire: Did you ever get your Harley?
Colby Donaldson: Yes, in fact this morning Rosie O'Donnell gave me a brand new Harley on her show, but I'm still holding Tina to the deal we made. Tina and I made an agreement out there on the last night that the winner would buy the loser a brand new Harley.

I_think_Colby_rules: Colby, you rule!

tal14: Congrats on the Harley, Colby!!!!:)

Reyes_GeeTee: What may have been your most regretted decision done in playing the game?
Colby Donaldson: I have no regrets when it comes to decisions that I made.

Kim_Celine: Colby, how are you dealing with all the fame?
Colby Donaldson: I stay very close in touch with all of my friends, and they're the ones who keep me grounded.

momfan1: Congratulations, Colby, on the fine job you did playing the game!

Getitright: Colby, first off let me congratulate you on being the best one out there. You had mentioned that you did not "stop to smell the roses." Since your return, have you spent more time enjoying life for what it is?
Colby Donaldson: Thank you for the compliment and yes, absolutely, I have a greater appreciation for life and its blessings since I've gotten back from Australia.

survivor_chick21: ALL THE BEST !

BADGIRL: HI COLBY I REALY LIKE YA!

ColbysTheOne: You're the best, Colby!!! NC loves you!

surviva_luva: How did you feel about Jerri's last question? Did you think that it was mainly directed to you in hopes of an apology?
Colby Donaldson: Watching it on the show, I did actually think that her question was going for something other than what Tina and I gave her, meaning Jerri was looking for an apology and I wasn't willing to give her one.

TexanColbyRuledTheOutback: Colby, you were the best! Rhode Island loves you!

A1: I was watching Tina this morning, and she said that she would not do it again. And you?

Colbys_biggest_Fan: Would you play the Game again?
Colby Donaldson: I would do it again. I think for the most part the people who would not do it again are those with children. If I had children, I don't think I would do it again.

PixieStix: What's the first thing you did when you got back?
Colby Donaldson: Ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

FanofSurvivor: Colby, was it true that Keith could not cook?
Colby Donaldson: No, I think Keith is a good cook, and I never minded eating his rice.

QUIET: We love you in Nepal!

CoLbY_LoVeR: TORONTO LOVES U!

BeK: Colby, Maine was cheering you on! And we still are!

Canadian_Chick: You're the bomb, Colby! Ontario loves you!

las: Good for you, Colby!

Colby_Wuz_Robbed: Colby--congrats! Ok, who did you like/dislike the most, and who were you most guilty about voting off?
Colby Donaldson: Thank you. I would have to say I can't pick one person as far as being a favorite. However, I'm very close with Tina, Elisabeth, Amber and Rodger. The hardest vote? That would have to be Elisabeth.

Chequered_Flag: WE THINK YOU'RE GREAT! :)

Colby123: OTTAWA LOVES YOU!

rinny: What are your plans now?

SurvivorFan2: Hi Colby! What are your future plans? With your good looks, I'm sure you will get plenty of endorsements. Have you received any offers yet? If yes, what are they? (Give examples please)
Colby Donaldson: Wow. No, I have not received any offers yet. I'm unsure about my future, but I'm very optimistic and I'm very excited about it.

HOTFORCOLBY: Colby, are you planning on going to Elisabeth's wedding??
Colby Donaldson: I have not yet been invited, but if an invitation shows up I will definitely be there.

TexanColbyRuledTheOutback: Hey Colby! Congratulations!

WitchyWoman: Colby, you are so adorable! Woo hoo!

outchat21: Good game!.Congratulations for your new Harley. Montreal loves u!

Margie_from_SanAngelo: The COLBSTER rules!

Blinker: Why did you vote Elizabeth off, rather than Keith??
Colby Donaldson: That's a good question. Tina and I knew that if we allowed Elisabeth to stay on one more time, she stood a very good chance of winning immunity. If Elisabeth were in the final two, neither one of us would beat her.

Colbys_Pal: Calgary loves Colby!

KramerDE: Colby, who besides you and Tina do you feel was most deserving of the million dollars?
Colby Donaldson: That's a tough question. Golly, everybody played a good game. If things had happened differently at the merge and Kucha would have taken control of the voting, I think Nick would have had a good shot of winning it all.

ilovecolby27: I LOVE YOU COLBY

RageQueen: Colby rules!

Jacqui: You're hot, Colby!!!

Colbys_baby: Good job, Colby. I love you!

survivor_luva: Colby, what happened when Tina and Keith voted off Amber and u voted 4 Rodger? Was that just miscommunication, or did they turn on u without u knowing?
Colby Donaldson: No, I actually knew going into that Tribal Council that everyone was voting for Amber. In knowing that, I knew Amber would be eliminated because of the numbers. I told Amber a couple days before that I would not vote for her, so I didn't. However, there was never a crack in the alliance that Tina and I had. We were constantly communicating about our strategy and game plan.

buckhunter: Colby, you made Texas proud, dude!

colby_fan: Love you, Colbster!

Cimeris: At the final Tribal Council, you said that you believed Jerri was the least deserving of the million dollars. Why?
Colby Donaldson: Jerri came into this game wanting to win. She was an intelligent girl and had a pretty good shot at it. However, in my opinion, Jerri did not play the smart game. The way she treated people made it virtually impossible for her to continue in the game. I told Jerri she needed to lighten up and try to get along a little better, but as you know, she didn't. So for that reason, I don't think Jerri played a game deserving of one million dollars.

lvsbskts: Do you still keep in touch with your former Survivors?
Colby Donaldson: Absolutely. We're in constant contact with each other, either in person, over the phone or via e-mail.

TinaFan: Congratulations Colby! Western Pa loves you, ya sexy thang!

tal14: I love u Colby!

AlbertoPena: Colby, you rule! It was so nice of you to pick Tina to go with you in the finals--very unselfish. America loves you for it! How did you feel when your mother visited you in the Outback? Were you surprised? Did you think of Tina as a mother figure?
Colby Donaldson: The visit from my Mom was incredible. It's difficult to explain to anyone what we went through over there, so to have someone close to you be able to experience a glimpse of that is unbelievable. Tina was sometimes a mother figure for me or to me, but mostly and more importantly, she was a sister when I needed a sibling and a shoulder when I needed a friend.

hot4u: How's your mom?
Colby Donaldson: Mom's great.

roxy_gal: Colby, I luv ya lotz, u hottie!

Leanne: Colby, Canada adores you!

Kel: Colby: BC loves you man.

Bluecoolz: Colby, you rocks!

shel: Colby, Just a little note to let you know that you are a wonderful person. You have a big heart to actually stand up there on TV and show your happiness for Tina. I bet your mom is real proud. You deserved it, but you are a good sport. By the way, due to your popularity, are you treated any different now?
Colby Donaldson: Yes. Now my friends always make me pay for lunch!!

missyroo: Have you had any marriage proposals?

tracey: Will you marry me?
Colby Donaldson: This is definitely the first proposal, and phew! Maybe we oughta think about meeting before we start heading down the aisle. Just kidding!

player: Colby you're a cool guy!

terriclaar: The stud from TEXAS!

squib: Colby, what happened off camera that you can share with us--something surprising or shocking?
Colby Donaldson: Because the cameras were rolling 24/7, and with two camera crews in each camp, it was difficult to get away with anything that wasn't recorded. Trust me, if there were something good going on, you would have seen it on TV.

chicagofan: Hi Colby. It's apparent that many women think highly of you. Is there anyone special back home?
Colby Donaldson: I'm not dating anyone exclusively at this time.

calisurvivor: Hi cowboy! You played hard and strong and stayed focused throughout the entire game, something I am sure is not easy. Yet at the end you showed the world a glimpse of your soft side, your good heart shined through! That makes you a true Survivor in my eyes. I just wanted to say good job!

elizabeth: I love you, Colby!

Amelie: Your mom raised a fine young man. You are an incredible person!

Colbys_honey: What was your strategy going into the game?
Colby Donaldson: I decided not to develop a strategy until I got to the Outback and saw who I was playing with. Once I had a chance to assess the other players, I mainly tried to focus on getting our team as far as I could.

survivor613: Colby, you're my hero!!!

Leanne: Colby, you rock!!

PICKMEPICKME: LOL! I'm movin' to Texas!!

texas_girl: Colby, we've heard from the other Survivors that you all picked several luxury items and the producer told you which one you could take along. What all did you try to take, other than the giant flag?
Colby Donaldson: Great question. Actually, when I thought of the flag idea, I called CBS and SURVIVOR to run the idea by them. They liked it so much they said you don't have to submit a list--just bring the flag.

survivor_: You played really well. Good job !

Terrie: Were you mad at Jerri when you threw the bucket of water in her face? hehe
Colby Donaldson: I was very frustrated, but I don't remember being as mad as I looked on TV.

Chequered_Flag: GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP! You're a perfect example of that. :)

Colby Rox: Who from the Kucha tribe do you wish had been in Ogakor, and in place of whom?
Colby Donaldson: Elisabeth in the place of Kel--that's a no-brainer.

ELISABETH: I wanted u 2 win, Colby

Iwillalwayswavemyfingerinyourface: GREAT JOB, COLBY. RUN FOR PRESIDENT!

razz: You played a great game. Congrats!

Leanne: Colby, we love you here in Oakville!

MI: Did you really believe that Kel had a hidden food supply, or were you just trying to get rid of a strong opponent?
Colby Donaldson: I don't know whether Kel had beef jerky or not, but regardless, he was not going to last past our first Tribal Council. Let me repeat that: Kel was not going to last past the first Tribal Council, with or without beef jerky. The beef jerky had no relevance to Kel's ejection.

etoile: Colby--great job--u make me hot!

Erica: Oakville loves you!

marbles821: Montreal loves you!

Erica: Why don't you like Kel?
Colby Donaldson: Kel had a very difficult time getting along with anyone, and I never quite understood the choices he made when it came to playing the game. This is a game where you have to be able to co-exist, and Kel fell very short in that aspect.

Miss_Bojangles: If Elisabeth had not been involved with her fiancé, do you think something might have happened between the two of you? If not in the Outback, maybe when you returned?
Colby Donaldson: I guess you would have to ask her that, but she is definitely tops on my list.

datink: Were you attracted to Jerri at the beginning? You looked as though you might be.
Colby Donaldson: Initially, I think there was some physical attraction, but it didn't last long.

LuvDaColbster: Colby, I love you, and congrats!

colby_1_fan: You and Elisabeth would have been so adorable! Your chemistry was terrific! (No offense to her fiancé!)

Erwin: Congratulations Colbster, from FLORIDA!

SurvivorHunny: You and Elisabeth would make a great-looking couple. You're both cute!

k: How did you feel about voting for Marilyn?
Colby Donaldson: Oh, that was a very tough vote. We all really enjoyed Maralyn and had a great time with her while she was there, but we felt she simply became more of a liability than an asset. It was nothing personal; we were simply playing the game.

nina: You are Tom Cruise of Australia Outback...

chickie3737: az loves u Colby

kiwi9109: Colby, did you see anything going on with Nick and Alicia?
Colby Donaldson: No, but after we merged she was only there for a few days, so I didn't have an opportunity to spend time with both of them for very long.

PikaJU: ((((((((((COLBY)))))))))) Hugs for Colby

Colbyslover: Colby's the fave In Cape May, NJ!

AA: Love your pickup line!

Colby_shodda_won: Gander, Newfoundland loves you.

Puck: If SURVIVOR was not about winning, but about having a good time, who would you keep with you until the final four?
Colby Donaldson: Tina, Elisabeth, Rodger, Amber, Maralyn, Mitchell, Alicia, Nick and, of course, Jeff Probst. Now, that would be fun!

Mrs_Donaldson: Please take me to my prom! I love you!

Silverstone: Colby - Mississauga loves you! :)

yosomo: COLBY, "HOTLANTA" SENDS OUR LOVE! CONGRADS!

SDTim: Colby, Hong Kong loves you!

French_Girl29: COLBY, CANADA LOVES YOU!

Colbys_honey: We all love you, Colby! You are gorgeous! Well done, Hottie!

blaire: Please take me to the prom? Okay, now I feel old! Colby, the 28-year-olds love you too!

bonjour_mr_Texas: Bonjour, Colby! Vous êtes formidable! :)

immunitykingcolb: What did you think of Keith's "proposal"?
Colby Donaldson: Keith and Katrin are still together and are planning their wedding, and I'm very happy for them.

ppog: Colby, you are as hot as the Texas SUN in July. Oh Baby!

AA: GERMANY LOVES YOU--WARME BRUDER!

MarisaLuvsColby: Ti amo!

deviled_angel: I think you have become a role model in a lot of people's eyes, and you are very deserving of that role. You are very real and in touch with things many people do not feel comfortable revealing. You played the game the way it should have been played. You seem to have a high standard of morals, as uncommon as that seems to be, and even though I am just a typed message, I hope you appreciate your own qualities and realize their worth.

freefalljen: What was the most frustrating moment for you during the entire 6 weeks?

Getitright: What was personally the most embarrassing thing that occurred in the Outback?
Colby Donaldson: The most frustrating moment was after we lost our 4th challenge in a row as Ogakor. Being a competitor, it was extremely difficult and frustrating to lose again and again, but we finally pulled it together and won immunity in the maze. Most embarrassing? I don't get embarrassed easily, so I don't remember there being a specific embarrassing moment. If any, it would be watching myself snore on national TV.

jason: Singapore loves you!

taralynn: CONGRATS COWBOY. I was wondering, out of everything you saw in Australia, what was the most breathtaking?
Colby Donaldson: It's a tie between the sunsets and the star-filled nights. In Texas we have beautiful skies with amazing stars, but nothing can compare to the ones in Australia.

colbys_no1_fan: COLBY, YOU ARE THE BEST!! GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR FUTURE!

I_Love_Colby_Elisabeth_and_Rodger: Mary Kate James loves ya the most!

israeli_fan: You are worth far more than a million dollars!

colby_my_love: Colby, I love you. Who is your role model?
Colby Donaldson: My grandparents are my role models. After 50+ years of marriage, they still look at each other like star-struck teenagers. In my book, that's pretty cool.

Suvivor2_colby: COLBY, YOU SHOULDA WON!

Cimeris: COLBY! DJIBOUTI LOVES YOU!

Taz: Congrats from Timbuktu!

laurynkyle: I LOVE THE COLBSTER !

lilgal: Hey, when was the time you were most homesick?
Colby Donaldson: I think right before my Mom came. Obviously that was the longest as far as time goes, and at that point my thoughts were constantly of home, family and friends. For the record, I actually meant to say love-struck teenagers instead of star-struck.

calisurvivor: Hey Colby! I feel the same way about my grandparents. Pretty amazing feeling huh?

MarryMeColby: I would pay a million to spend 42 days with you!

miami: Colby, did you feel sorry for Debb because she's had a bad experience on the show? What are your feelings?
Colby Donaldson: It is unfortunate that Debb looks at the experience in a negative way, because it was such a positive one for me. Everyone is doing their part to help Debb through this, and she will be just fine.

BongGirl: I would pay 10000000000000000000000000000 to spend 5 min with you!

AmyGa: It was very sweet of you to bring everyone back something from the Great Barrier Reef. Did you get in trouble for removing shells and etc. from there? Did that give you an advantage over Jerri with the other Survivors?
Colby Donaldson: That was not a strategic move and no, I did not get in trouble with Australia. I didn't actually break any live coral off; I simply picked some up off the beach.

TNkim: Tennesse loves you, Colby! Even though we are in Tina country! :-)

survivor4or5: What was your favorite reward (besides the vehicle)?
Colby Donaldson: Obviously, the visit from my mother was incredible, but getting to hang out with some Australian cowboys was pretty cool too.

yo_colby: Nova Scotia loves you!

missyroo: Were you able to get a good night's sleep your first night back at home?
Colby Donaldson: Yes, I was able to do that. I know Rodger and some of the others had trouble sleeping when we returned, but I never had a problem with it.

missyroo: I have an 8 yr old son. I was proud to let him watch you play the game each night. I hope he grows up with just half the qualities you have.

Ginylin: Do you have copies of all the episodes, and do you regret any of your actions once you watched yourself?
Colby Donaldson: I don't have copies, but I did watch all of the episodes and no, I don't regret any of my actions.

Danielle: CIAO COLBY! LUV THE COWBOY IN YOU ;)

LoveTheColbster: Hey Colby! I think you definitely should have won! You're my number one Survivor!

firegirl: LIMA LOVES YOU, COLBY!!!!

True_Survivor_Fan: All Israel loves you, Colby!!!

XoColbyRoxMySox: Congratulations! Good luck in the future!

SWEETIEPIE: How did the reunion between Survivors go? What was the best part?
Colby Donaldson: The reunion was amazing. It was the first time I'd seen many of the players since we left Australia. The neatest part about the reunion was that all of our families were able to join us and got to meet each other.

hlapoohfan: Who was your favorite Survivor from the first SURVIVOR? Did you ever try to model their strategy?
Colby Donaldson: I liked Colleen, but I didn't model my strategy after any of them.

Leanne: Colby you rock! Oakville loves you!

XoColbyRoxMySox: Narragansett is proud of you!!

PENNY: You and Tina were my 7 yr. old son's favorites!

cowgirl: COLBY, come back to Australia! We miss you, cowboy!!

Marcie: By the way, happy belated birthday, Colby! April Fools, Baby!

Maggles: Bye, Colby! I will be dreaming of you!!!!

Getitright: Colby, congratulations! Do you have any advice for the applicants of SURVIVOR 3?
Colby Donaldson: Thank you, and the only advice I would give is to prepare yourself for the worst. If you don't, you will be shocked and surprised with what you're getting into. If you go in expecting the worst, you won't be as distracted in dealing with issues such as hunger, boredom and the occasional flood. I mentally prepared for the worst, so I wasn't shocked or surprised or disappointed. I don't want to sound negative or anything. I just think you'd serve yourself well if you prepared for it to be as tough as you imagine, and it will live up to that. Trust me.

Colby_is_awesome: I dream of you every night!

mrswarthog: You are an awesome role model!

chum: Colby, will you still rodeo? What events do you enter?
Colby Donaldson: No, I don't rodeo. I rode a few bulls in college, but that's the extent of my rodeo career.

cool_chick: Colby, you Rock!

blaire: Colby, you are a real down-to-earth, sensitive person! What kind of qualities are you looking for in a woman? Take you time finding one! She really needs to be a really good person b/c you deserve it!
Colby Donaldson: Thank you very much. I'm a very patient person when it comes to relationships, and when I think about the girlfriends that I've had, the common denominator in all of them is the fact that they have a good head on their shoulders and are intelligent. To me, that's attractive.

RageQueen: Colby, you are amazing; you'd always be my role model

SharpClaw: Colby shoulda won!!!

zumzumhouston: Colbster, you do Texas proud! Congratulations!

survivor_chick33: How is it being famous?

Stella: Colby, do you find all these compliments to be a little overwhelming, or are you adjusting to your celebrity status? ;)
Colby Donaldson: It is a little overwhelming, but I have good friends that keep me very humble. My true friends treat me the same as they always have, and whenever they feel like my head's getting a little too big, they bring me right back down to Earth and reality. I'm just the same old normal guy I've always been.

surv2fan: When are we gonna see you sit down next to Letterman?
Colby Donaldson: I don't think I'll be invited to Letterman now that SURVIVOR is over. Once there's a winner, that's the one everyone wants to see, so unfortunately, I don't think I'm going to get to do Letterman.

duchess143: Colby, my two-year-old Godson loved to point at the TV each Thursday and say COLBY, I'm gonna miss that! We love you!

amanda: PLEASE say hi to me, Colby, so I can tell my friends I talked 2 u!
Colby Donaldson: Amanda, Hi and thanks for writing in!

CBS Moderator: Thanks for joining us, Colby. Any final comments?
Colby Donaldson: I want to let everyone know how much I appreciate their interest and how nice they've been. This has been an amazing experience and one I will never take for granted. Thanks again, and take care.

CBS Moderator: Thanks for joining us, everyone. Don't forget to tune in to an all-new SURVIVOR: BACK FROM THE OUTBACK on Thursday at 8:00pm ET/PT, only on CBS. And don't forget to check www.cbs.com/survivor for all the latest SURVIVOR info. See ya soon!

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