Ready to ride! - An interview with Michael "Cowboy" Ellis
Remember CBS Big Brother Season 5's unforgettable Cowboy? He's back in the saddle again and ready to ride straight into the Big Brother All Stars house. Join me as Cowboy and I chat about what he's been up to since the end of his season, what he's learned along the way and exactly why he wants America to give him another chance in this season's Big Brother All Stars.
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I could recognize that voice anywhere! That deep southern accent on the other end of the telephone had to be no one other than Cowboy. Home from a busy day at work, he took the time out, just before heading off with his family to watch Superman, which I may have made him late for ( sorry April ) to talk with me and catch all of us up on what's up with Cowboy.
We last saw Cowboy in Big Brother Season 5. Project DNA was the twist that season and it was in full force, with Cowboy smack in the middle of it. He was in the house with his half-sister, Jennifer "Nakomis" but neither of them knew of each other. It didn't take long before Project DNA unraveled and both Cowboy and Nakomis along with the rest of the houseguests were dealing with much more than they had bargained for.
So, let's catch up on Cowboy. He was an engaged dad back in Season 5 but has since married his finance April. They still reside in Oklahoma, where they are raising their son, Chase. I asked Cowboy if when asked about returning to play the game again, did he hesitate, or was his decision an immediate yes. He answered saying " he did hesitate, he first said that he would not do it, because it's a very stressful game, it takes a lot from your home front." He says " my family and I talked about it, and they realize , they understand that it's one of my dreams, I want to act, it's just hoping that one right person is watching the show." I asked how Chase, his son, felt about it all, was he excited for him again? " He says "he is, he understands, but it is hard to be away from him for the summer." He goes on to say that through his last experience with Big Brother and being away, that he "tries to teach him, that if he wants something bad enough, he needs to go for it, so by seeing this (his chance to return to the show) that he (Chase) sees how bad he wants it, so they are going for it." He adds, "again it's tough, but we are going for it."
He's very proud of the fact that he made the top 20 list of possible All Star houseguests. He said "if I go in - I go in - but even if I don't - I'm still a winner." He carried that attitude throughout the interview. He's grateful for his first Big Brother experience and he's thankful for all that he's been blessed with along the way. He doesn't regret anything, has fond memories of Season 5, and he is ready to do it all again!
So, what's he up now? He's a waiter at Chili's and hopes to go into management training with them very soon - of course - how soon depends on if he's back in the Big Brother house this summer. I asked if his boss was cool with the whole Big Brother - might be gone for a bit- deal and he said "yes, they are very cool, they are very supportive, they are a great company to work for."He did lose his job after Big Brother 5, but won't have to worry about that this season if he makes it onto the show. Yeah Chili's !
We talked on about how he doesn't regret taking the risk last time around, he says "it was worth it, even though when he came back, he had to make a career change from Loss Prevention to waiting tables at a restaurant." He looks at the positive side of things and says that "he's gotten to met a lot of great people" along the way. I asked him if he was still recognized on a daily basis and he says "yes, he is, he gets the - you look familiar line- from a lot of out of town people" and when "they realize who they are talking to" then they begin asking questions". He goes on to say " it's the best part of my job, because I enjoy people, it's a great feeling."
We discussed the upcoming All Star season and I asked him what his thoughts were on it. He quickly answered "America wants an All Star and we are going to give it to them". "It is our duty to create the best show for the viewers, because this is what they have wanted for the past 2 years." He thinks "it's the best of the best" and he thinks "it's gonna get dirty". We talked on about his expectations of the house, if he's voted in, he doesn't think it will be easy and he knows that everyone will be on top of their game. Again, he adds that "he's just excited to be a part of it." He will be watching if he doesn't make it in, but wouldn't tell me who he might be rooting for, just in case he does make it in, he wouldn't want to give away any strategy. I can never get that questions answered!
Of course, we talked about the live feeds. He is very aware of them now and was aware of them back in Season 5. He says that in the house, "you get to a point where you don't think about it, or don't let it bother you, because you are playing a game, you can't stress about the camera in the bathroom, or the camera in the shower." We laughed at the Season 5 antics of streaking and added " if someone wants to see him naked, ok, he's not going to stress about it." We talked about how the girls stressed about it much more than the guys did and how he understood that. He thinks the new Peanut Butter and Jelly will be tuna fish and while he's ok with it, and was ok with the PB&J, he reminds us that being forced to eat anything for an entire week it's not an enjoyable task.
I asked him what his most memorable moment was in Season 5 and he had two. Of course, "meeting his sister, to find out that he was going to get to meet his real father, that piece of the puzzle that finally came together it was huge, a very emotional moment, was very memorable, in fact, unforgettable. Another unforgettable moment for Cowboy, the Four Horsemen, he adds that he will "never forget that moment when they hit hands". "It was like a new brotherhood, it was a great bond to have, I got to me meet these guys, and even though we are very different, we are the same, we came together, we had the same interest, it was good."
So, what's Cowboy been up to with his campaign? He's been to Tulsa, where he received a lot of support. He made some news appearance on KOTV in Tulsa, which he described as "awesome." He and April went onto Galveston and did a "Meet and Greet" there with a "great turnout." He again says it was "awesome" and since he talks to people everyday, he says "that it really wasn't even like campaigning" it was "very relaxing" he adds "that it was just great to get away, spend some time with April, because they hardly ever just get to get up and take a trip together."
We talked a bit more about his campaign and how he feels like most of America knows who they want in the house. He adds, that he's "just the kind of person that if it (his return to the BB house) happens - it happens and if not - it's in God's hands and I'm just honored to be in this spot." I was very moved by his honesty and his deep feeling for his family, friends, and fans.
I reminded him that even though many fans do have their favorites that there's always that chance, that opportunity to change a few minds. Then I asked him for those fans who are undecided, or whose minds you might change, why would they/should they vote for Him?
Again, he said that he was "just honored to be in this spot" but he would "love to get into the house, because he thinks that people underestimated him." He wants to "get in there and show them what Cowboy can do." " I had so much fun on the show, I found who I was, I realized that you only live once, and you only have your family once, I'm living my life having fun, and spending more time with my beautiful wife, and the best son, I could ever ask for." "People ask why I want to do Big Brother All Stars, some people felt that I didn't play the game, that I rode coattails, well this is a chance to go back and show America what I can do." "I am going back to have more fun but take care of business as well."
Don't forget that tomorrow (Wednesday, July 28th) is Cowboy's appearance on the CBS Early Show. He says that he "promises that ( his spot) is short and sweet." His feature is taped, not live, since it would be expensive to fly out to appear in person. Be sure to watch for Cowboy's fans - they will in yellow - cheering and supporting Cowboy. This is the team that the CBS intern, Seth, posted about here at BigBrotherUpdates, I'll be watching to see if I see that "Hello Lexie" sign! But, man they zip through that crowd so fast, I'd have to have Superman vision to see it! Check out Cowboy tomorrow on the CBS Early Show - then head over to CBS.com and vote for his return to the Big Brother house!
My thanks to Cowboy and to April (hope you made the movie before the previews were over) for taking the time out to do this interview. It was truly my pleasure to talk to Michael "Cowboy" and share his insight about this game we call Big Brother. He's remarkably genuine, he's in touch with how important it is to give back to his family, friends and fans and more importantly at this moment - he's ready to Cowboy Up and prove to you that he can play a hard game and hold his own in the Big Brother All Stars house.
Remember the polls close TONIGHT Wednesday, June 28th at midnight! Hurry up!
Fly First Class to Hawaii!
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