The ousted Traitor also credits Peter with some brilliant gameplay.
Dan Gheeslingis one of the most feared and accomplished competitive reality TV contestants ever.
However, Dan met his match not once, but twice onThe Traitors.
Dan Gheesling on season 2 of ‘The Traitors’.PEACOCK
But it was a lie.
Instead, it was Carsten “Bergie” Bergensen andTrishelle Cannatellawho actually had the shield protecting him as well.
Even though Parvati saw through the ruse, Dan insisted on taking a shot at Bergie.
Dan Gheesling on season 2 of ‘The Traitors’.PEACOCK
(It was.)
But the Real Housewife came firing back hard at theBig Brotherchamp.
What does Dan make of falling into Peter’s trap?
Dan Gheesling on season 2 of ‘The Traitors’.PEACOCK
Was he surprised by the beatdown Phaedra delivered at the roundtable?
Why is Jonny Bananas so obsessed with him?
And does he regret coming out of reality TV retirement?
Alan Cumming on ‘The Traitors’ season 2.Euan Cherry/PEACOCK
We asked him all that and more.
Why take that risk?
DAN GHEESLING:So to explain that, I’ve got to take a step back.
Alan Cumming and the cast of ‘The Traitors’ season 2.Euan Cherry/PEACOCK
Have you ever been punched in the gut and lost your wind?
Have you ever got the wind knocked out of you?
That was me in the turret from Janelle.
In all these games.
I’ve never taken a shot like that.
And I was numb.
She blew up my game.
So you want some tea?
I’ll give you some tea.
When I was watching that back, I’m like, “This didn’t happen.
Parvati didn’t turn to me and say, ‘Dan, this is a bad idea.
This is a trap.
Do you think he’s lying?'”
I have no recollection of that.
So I texted Parvati and I’ll read you what I wrote her.
And she says, “Yeah, dum-dum.”
And to not take that advice was a huge mistake.
Be honest: Were you surprised that some dude fromThe Bachelorended up being such a gamer?
I love it though.
He’s so shrewd.
Someone that takes the time to set all these elaborate traps, that’s me!
I set the traps and other people fall in them.
That’s why you love watching these show, as much as it hurt.
I’m a hugeBoston Robfan.
When he got got by Russell, I’m like, “Dang, I love Rob.”
But also, it’s a great move.
I mean, that’s what you want to see.
And so I tip the cap to him.
It was a heck of a move, and he is really shrewd.
And I think now people are like, “Okay, this dude’s a player.”
So you get to the roundtable and you oughta pick a target to deflect on.
I didn’t see a path to winning the game with Phaedra in it.
There was zero suspicion on her.
She turns to them and winks, and I’m done.
I couldn’t see a way to win with her in the game.
And in hindsight, I think it’s the exact opposite.
I think we both could have been at the end and she’s not going to turn on me.
Tell me what you made of her response to that attack of yours.
Yeah, I was like, man, I really wish I would’ve paid more attention.
And she’s like, “I’m a lawyer, too.”
I’m like, “Oh, okay.”
But I was like, what the heck’s a reiki healer?
But Phaedra in hand-to-hand combat at that table shredded me up.
I’m like, “That’s it for me.”
But I didn’t give up until the chalk came out.
I fought to the bitter end.
I assume you had to target Phaedra or Parvati, right?
Yeah, my whole strategy was to be quiet.
And so when Idotalk, “Okay, it’s the quiet kid in class.
He’s talking, let’s follow him, let’s do it.”
And of course I’m going to be right because I’m going to pick a Traitor.
“Oh, Dan is a Faithful, he knows what’s going on.
Let’s pay attention.
Let’s see who wants to vote for next.”
And then that would’ve given me a pass to get to the end.
I think the strategy was really good.
I think the execution was not so good.
Did you know you were going to be a Traitor before the game started?
I had no clue.
And I sat down with the producers ahead of time.
You have to come and be willing to play both games."
And they’re like, “What do you want to do?”
And I’m in pajamas.
I didn’t expect the big dogs to walk into my hotel room.
Theyre like, “Would you want to be a Faithful or a Traitor?”
And I’m pitching and pitching and pitching them.
And I said something that landed with them.
And that always got laughs and reactions from people.
So that’s what I said to Alan, and I think that might’ve pushed the needle.
I don’t think they went in there saying, “Dan’s definitely a Traitor.”
And I’m telling you wholeheartedly, I didn’t know until I got tapped.
I came out of retirement to sit on the sidelines."
But I don’t think they made the decision until after we all talked to Alan.
Was Janelle hurt you didn’t pick her to be a Traitor?
I think she really wanted to be, but Janelle is Janelle.
She doesn’t get mad about anything.
She’ll go in there like a tornado and mix stuff up, be a great competitor.
But I don’t think she was mad.
Tell me about you two going at each other in last week’s episode.
People had no clue who I was.
I think Sandra knew.
But these Bravo Housewives, they don’t watch.
Come on, it was a hundred years ago!
No one knew who I was.
I’m like, “This is awesome.
No one knows who I am.”
She basically recited youroral history of the Funeralto everyone, to a T at that table.
And at that moment people looked at me very differently.
Listen, if she recited that entire oral history, you all wouldstillbe there.
That’s the longest article in the history ofEntertainment Weekly, and that is not an exaggeration.
So you unretired after a decade away from reality competition TV to play this game.
Are you glad you did?
Oh, a thousand percent.
This was such a fun, amazing experience.
There’s moments where I’m like, “Sandra’s right here!
Parvati and I are Traitors!”
I’m a fan of OGSurvivorup toHeroes Vs. Villains.
And to be able to play this game with them, to me it’s like a fever dream.
Are you now re-retired?
Yeah, the inbox is definitely more active than it’s been, but it took something very special.
You’ve covered a ton of reality TV competition.The Traitorsis very different.
It’s focused on the game.
It’s not about anything other than the game.
And it’s produced in a unique way.
You haven’t seen me in 10 years.
I don’t think you’re ever going to see me again.
What about anotherBig Brotherstint?
What about something condensed likeReindeer Games?
Why doesJohnny Bananaskeep coming after you on social media?
What is going on there?
I don’t know.
Everyone’s so unique, and I liked Johnny.
I mean, it’s over!
So the kayfabe is done, but I don’t know.
I don’t have an answer for you.
I haven’t talked to him.
But I like him.
I like everyone that I met there.
And that’s rare when you go on a reality TV show to like everyone.
Who surprised you with their game the most?
Peter, a thousand percent.
They trust him implicitly.
He really surprised me, and I love what he’s doing.
I’m sure you’ve analyzed your own game strategy.
What was your biggest mistake in terms of either a specific move or your overall approach?
I got a list of about 10 huge mistakes.
Losing Deontay early was tough because we were like this.
He was such a leader.
When he spoke at the table, it was like you could hear nothing else other than him.
Ekin-Su, I was tight with, I didn’t have a hand in that murder.
Losing her was tough.
I was tight with Tamra.
it’s possible for you to control some things, it’s possible for you to’t control everything.
Obviously, taking the shot at Bergie, huge mistake.
I think the percentage chance of getting out Phaedra is higher.
It’s more interesting, for sure.
