Bruce Perreaultwas living the dream.
The host firstannounced on his podcastthat they would be bringing Bruce back.
“I don’t think Bruce got his fair share ofSurvivor,” Probst said on the podcast.
Bruce Perreault on ‘Survivor 45’.Robert Voets/CBS
“So, here’s the announcement.
We are officially inviting Bruce to playSurvivoragain.
First player of the new era invited back.
Bruce Perreault of ‘Survivor 45’.
It’s kind of exiting.
It just felt like the right call.”
It turns out that season was the verynextseason.
What is it like to be back?
Did he notice the other players noticing him?
And does the fact that he’s the only former player help him or hurt him?
We sat down with the 47-year-old just before the game began to get the full scoop on his return.
(you’re able to also watch Bruce talk about his journey in the exclusive video above.)
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: What is it like being back to do this whole thing again?
BRUCE PERREAULT:The word surreal kind of makes the most sense.
It is surreal being back here, walking these hallowed grounds ofSurvivor.
Lots of deja vu happening.
Had discussions already started, or did that all happen after?
These people are so deceptive because nobody said anything to me.
And I was supposed to talk to Jeff 15 minutes after the premiere of the season.
And they found out I was having a gathering because I thought I was done.
I thought that was it.
I had a big party, a bunch of people were there.
We had a great time.
But I was supposed to speak to Jeff 15 minutes afterwards.
And then they found out “Bruce is having a party.”
I’m like, “No, I’ll do it.
I’ll do it.”
I still at that point in time had no idea.
And they’re like, “Nope.
We’ll see if he’ll talk to you Thursday.”
And I got the news that night while lying in bed with the wife.
I got the news then.
Everybody else that listens to the podcast knew about it but me!
We can’t speak to each other.
I know that little bit of emotion that they’re going through at that moment.
They’re probably thinking about family or something like that.
So that’s really the only difference.
Listen, I’m suffering just like they’re suffering.
This is a part of the process.
What kind of looks have you been getting from the other players during pre-game?
Do you feel like they’re all recognizing you?
Are you getting nods?
Yeah, man, they all recognize me.
It started back in the hotel where we all came down.
It’s kind of surreal.
It’s funny, because they don’t know what to make of the situation.
They just saw me on television literally four weeks prior to that point in time.
And they heard my story and they know kind of who I am from theSurvivorstandpoint.
And then everybody else starts coming down.
So yeah, they recognized who I am pretty quick.
Well, this is with no pun intended: I got to go with this thing head on.
Someone’s going to bring it up.
“Oh, Bruce, he’s played the game before.
It’s not his time anymore.
He was an idiot, he hit his head.”
I’ll take that.
But then I’m going to just let them know: I don’t have any experience.
When I hit my head, I was basically mentally done.
And when they took me out of the game, there was a reason why.
And I was fully 110 percent on board with them.
Like, potential brain bleed time to go.
I got to go get looked at.
But they’re going to ask the questions and they’re going to want to know certain things.
I know up until that point of time where it’s almost time to go to bed.
So I’ll explain that to them.
And if they want to buy in on that, then buy in on that.
And if they don’t, I might have to come get you.
