“Livin’ Large” Transcript
Courtesy of me having too much time on my hands (and real work I want to avoid), here’s a transcript of Ethan’s appearance on “Livin’ Large.”
Voice over: From zero to hero in one fast TV series. Does this guy look familiar?
EZ: Hey, I’m Ethan Zohn, winner of “Survivor: Africa.”
VO: As the show’s winner, Zohn pocketed a cool million dollars. Livin’ Large checked in to see what he’s been up to.
(Scroll at the bottom of the screen: Zohn was picked to appear in “Survivor” from over 50,000 applicants.)
EZ: The million dollars, I mean, it definitely changed my life. I’ll pay for all the drinks at the bar.
EZ: My, my job before “Survivor”Öwas, I was playing soccer and I was coaching soccer. I didn’t have a home. You know, I was living on couches. Everything I owned could fit in one, one bag – and that’s it.
EZ: Compared to where I was living before, I’m living large. I’m living so large you can’t believe it. But in the scheme of things, you know, I’m still the same ol’ guy I was before the show. I gave my brothers some big presents, took my mom to the Bahamas. I’ve never flown first class before and now I can do that.
EZ: But I’m still living in the same old place I did before the show.
(Scroll on the bottom of the screen: The night Zohn got back from Africa, he ate non-stop for 4 hours straight.)
EZ: Welcome to my pad. (Opens door to apartment.)
EZ: We have the kitchen area, this is where the butler prepares all our meals. (Opens door to reveal a mostly empty refrigerator.) The most important think you need to know about this, is the take out menus. That is where it’s all at. (Opens drawer to reveal a plethora of take out menus.)
EZ: This is my nameplate from when I was on “Hollywood Squares.”
EZ: We have the James Brown ducky. (Shows ducky sitting on top of TV set.)
EZ: (Walking down hallway) In the other wing, I will, uh, show you my, my, my beautiful room.
EZ: (In room) This is where it all happens.
EZ: (pointing to wooden plaque with a shield that says, “Presented to Ethan; From Big Tom”) Now this, is a raccoon penis.
EZ: (Closing door to a room) This is private. A lot of things go down in here that we can’t talk about on camera.
EZ: In terms of my social life, you know, I’m in circles I never thought I’d be in before – Academy Awards, MTV Music Awards, the Grammies.
(Scroll on bottom of the screen: Zohn has played professional-level soccer in the US and Zimbabwe.)
EZ: They hired me to go to the World Cup and commentate for the US Men’s National Team. For me, that’s like a dream come true.
EZ: With a lot of the money, I actually started my own non-profit organization.
EZ: (Talking on phone) Go to our website – it’s, uh, grassrootsoccer.org. And our charity is, um, involved with teach kids in Zimbabwe about HIV and AIDS. So, we’d love for you help and greatly appreciate it.
EZ: To me it’s more important to give large, you know, really, rather than live large.
EZ: (Shown working out with soccer team) You know, this year, I’m a volunteer coach. I’m not taking a paycheck like I have, you know, the past 4 years.
EZ: I grew up playing soccer. My brothers play. It’s my life. It’s my passion. And, you know, for me, I just have so much fun with it.
EZ: I’m doing a lot of training right now for the “Eco-Challenge” which is another Mark Burnett production. He suckered me into another one.
EZ: (In the kitchen) I’m making a shake because I know when I’m out there on “Eco-Challenge” I’m going to drop weight just like I did on “Survivor, ” so.
EZ: It’s hard-core. You know, it makes “Survivor” look like, you know, going to the movies. It’s a 10 day race, 24 hours a day, no sleep, little food – and you just gotta be ready for it. I’m nervous. You know, I’ve trained and trained for about 3 months now. Which is not nearly enough time as I, I should be training.
EZ: I’m going on 10 hour hikes. I’m going on 25 mile bike rides with a 40 pound pack on.
EZ: This is like the championship of adventure races.
(Scroll on bottom of the screen: Zohn paid roughly $450,000 in taxes on the $1 million dollars he won.)
EZ: My plans for the future are, once all thisÖadventure stuff and stuff, “Survivor” stuff dies down, you know, I have my charity to fall back on. But, ah, it’s just, I’m having the best time of my life right now. When it’s over, it’s over. So, I’m okay with
that.