Survivor

MAD DOG VOTED OUT OF THE TRIBE
February 8, 2001

In an emotional decision, the dynamic 52-year-old Maralyn "Mad Dog" Hershey, a retired police officer from Wakefield, Virginia, was voted out of the tribe by five of the seven remaining Ogakor members. The much-liked but physically weakest elder Ogakor member, Maralyn was sacrificed largely because she had difficulty keeping up with the intense physical nature of the last immunity challenge. Some Ogakor members even acknowledged that they might have had a better chance winning immunity had they not voted out Kel Gleason three days earlier.

It was a difficult but important decision for the tribe: well-liked and respected, Maralyn was an important contributor to Ogakor's spirit, but physical strength was important too. Even Tina sadly joined the others to cast her vote for Mad Dog, despite their friendship, which was probably tighter than that between any other tribe members. Thankful for her time spent in the Outback, Maralyn claimed, "This experience has meant so much to me at 52. I can really feel myself coming alive."

The Pig Hunter

At Kucha, Michael Skupin took up the cause of catching food for his tribe. Worn out and hungry from lack of protein, Mike stressed to his tribe the importance of eating properly in order to compete in the Outback: "Ultimately this game is about the million dollars, but there are small steps along the way to get there. One of the steps is eating. None of us are going to win anything without protein in our bodies so we can compete in the challenges. I am going to get us something living; I am very determined to kill a pig." Many, however, considered Mike's goal ridiculous, and suspected that he was merely out to please himself. Having never seen a pig, his fellow tribe members dreaded the thought of Mike's losing their only knife on a useless cause. But with face painted, Mike remained committed. "It's classic Mike, he's an idiot!" exclaimed Jeff Varner. (

Jeff's thoughts about Mike's pig-hunting endeavor. )