From Shawsheen to Samoa: Andover native 'survives' reality TV

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October 15, 2009

By Bethany Bray

Growing up in a family of seven children, Andover native Betsy (Gosselin) Bolan says being one of the big Gosselin family "tribe" prepared her early for reality television.

Bolan, 48, was a contestant on "Survivor: Samoa," the 19th season of the reality television show that strands people in remote locales with the motto "outwit, outplay, outlast."

Although the mother of four was voted off by her fellow "tribe" members in the show's second episode, Bolan says she had a great time, and would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

"It kills me to watch (episodes) and I'm not on the show," Bolan said. "The game is definitely more mental than physical. All day and all night, it's constant head games and paranoia (about who might be trying to vote you off)."

Bolan is a graduate of the Andover High School Class of 1979 and grew up on Haverhill Street. Now married, she lives in Campton, N.H., and works as a police officer.

She will return to her hometown — one of her first trips back since her 10-year high school reunion — for Andover Day on Oct. 17. She will sign autographs throughout the afternoon.

She was "honored," said Bolan, when Selectman Ted Teichert called her "out of the blue" to congratulate her on the show and invite her to Andover Day. Teichert also graduated from AHS in 1979.

"Survivor: Samoa" began airing on Sept. 17; Bolan returned home in July. She will be on television again in December, for the live reunion show revealing the $1 million winner.

Living in crude accommodations with no plumbing didn't really bother Bolan, nor the constant filming.

"There's always a camera on you," she said. "It's about 24 hours before you say, ugh, whatever, I don't care."

Bolan attributes her early demise from the show to Russell, the show's well-known villain.

"I knew he was a snake, but nobody would listen to me," Bolan said. "I'm a very strong person, and did well in the challenges. But the thing was, Russell had the other girls vote me off because he knew I was on to him. I just could not talk those girls into voting off Russell. I just didn't work fast enough.

"They do a good job editing. Russell really is a jerk, and Ben (another contestant) really does have a big mouth. It's not scripted at all, it's definitely real," she said.

Bolan was stranded with her "Survivor" castmates on the island of Samoa for eight weeks this summer, without any contact with her family. She missed her family terribly, she said, but credits her husband with holding down the fort.

The entire Bolan family enjoyed the show even before mom was a contestant. "Survivor" nights are the only time the television is on during the week, she said, when they sit down to watch together as a family. Bolan sent in "Survivor" audition tapes 13 times before being selected as a contestant.

"It started out because I needed a vacation," Bolan said with a chuckle. "I was thinking it's heaven - no laundry, no cooking."

Andover Day

When: Oct. 17 (rescheduled from Oct. 3)

Rain date: Sunday, Oct. 18

Where: Downtown Andover, Main Street

What: Andover native and "Survivor" contestant Betsy Gosselin Bolan signs autographs at 1 p.m. For details and full schedule, see page 13