Post by JC on May 25, 2013 16:08:36 GMT -5
Challenge Corner Interview with Dusty
Mark Long – Road Rules -USA-The First Adventure
Mark Long – Road Rules -USA-The First Adventure
1.Staring off, how does it feel to be one of the original Road Rulers?
Mark-Road Rules was great because i didn't know what the show was and had nothing to compare it to once i got cast. I knew it would have a Real World feel about it, but definitely loved the missions and Fear Factor type of day to day stuff we got to do.
2. Do you still talk to anyone from your original season? If so who?
Mark-I catch up with Kit now and then, who is married with 3 kids i believe...the others i have lost track of over the years but hope everyone is happy and healthy.
3. What is your favorite memory from your Road Rule days?
Mark-Probably just getting to travel to almost all 50 states and doing things i could only dream of like skydiving, walking on top of the President's heads in Mount Rushmore, and getting to drive an actual Race Car in a race. Oh, being a Barnum and Bailey clown on the Today Show was pretty cool too!
4. Now you've been on a couple of challenges, which one do you think is your favorite?
Mark-I liked Battle of the Sexes 1 and the Duel 2.....i like when you get to compete as an individual rather than on a team or with a partner.
5. Do you have a favorite mission? Which one?
Mark-My favorite mission (from Road Rules) was getting to drive the Race Car in the race...we showed up that day and me racing wasn't even remotely part of the schedule...but somehow i talked the executive producer and one of the team car owners to let me race....pretty nerve racking, but also a once in a lifetime chance.
6. What is one of the most memorable moments in your Challenge career?
Mark-One that stands out is when i actually hosted Battle Of The Seasons with Eric Nies and the show open was he and i skydiving in Tuxedos onto the beach in Cabo San Lucas....we had a ball that season and got smashed by a category 4 hurricane so it was pretty tense as well.
7. Now you retired from challenges after you competed on The Gauntlet 2, but came back for The Duel 2. Why did you come out of retirement? Are you happy that you did?
Mark-The timing was right and i felt that i still had some gas in my competition tank...and the fact that i would be 40 competing against all the youngsters would be a cool angle for the show. I hope a lot of the people that watched me years ago will tune in and check out the Godfather one last time!
8. Do you think if the challenges get renewed then some of the older challengers would return? Who do you think would?
Mark-I would hope Derrick K. or Coral would return....they are always great for the show. I talk to Derrick all the time and he is ready to rock!
9. Besides yourself who do you think are the strongest males? And who do you think are the strongest females?
Mark-Strongest males would be Johnny and CT, the strongest females are Emily and Rachel by far.
10. Is there anyone that you wouldn't want to go into an elimination against?
Mark-Not really, i see this as a game and love competition.
11. Who have you grown close to on the challenges?
Mark-I am close with Johnny, Evan, Kenny, Rachel, Derrick K. and a few others. It is always nice to randomly see them and talk shop.
12. What do your family and friends think about you being on Road Rules and The Challenges?
Mark-They love watching me do all this crazy stuff. My Dad is a big fan of the show and wishes they had it back when he was younger.
13. In closing, how has being on Road Rules and The Challenges changed your life? How has it shaped you into the person you are today?
Mark-I have learned to appreciate everything in my life (good and bad) and have really loved meeting all the people over the years that have watched and followed me.....my next move is to start Producing some concepts i have and once again return to HOSTING some projects as well.