The Moth Podcast: "Nathaniel Eaton: Surviving My Survivor Audition"

Host: The Moth
Storyteller: Nathaniel Eaton
Recorded: 2004 at The Moth MainStage
Theme: Starstruck stories about the razzle dazzle
Release Date: August 9, 2010

1. Childhood Dreams and Early Obsessions (01:41 - 04:30)

Nathaniel Eaton begins his narrative by reflecting on his childhood and his pursuit of happiness amidst a bustling New York lifestyle. He recounts nights spent camping out in his backyard, under the stars—a simple yet profound source of joy for him.

“When I was a kid, I used to spend the night in my backyard just kind of camped out under the stars. And it was truly a simple moment, but just a very happy moment.”
(01:55)

His fascination with survival and isolation was evident as he strayed from typical childhood play, favoring the construction of elaborate survival shelters over toys like GI Joes and Transformers.

“My other friends were playing with the GI Joes and the Transformers, and I was in my backyard building these very elaborate survival shelters.”
(03:10)

This early obsession laid the foundation for his later ambitions, shifting from a desire to survive on a desert island to a yearning for stardom in the theater world.

2. Transition to Acting and the McDonald's Breakthrough (04:31 - 07:15)

Discovering his passion for acting in high school, Nathaniel delves into the world of theater, envisioning himself as a star. His dedication leads him to New York City post-college, where he juggles various roles, including waiting tables, while striving for his big break.

“It's just like dressing up, doing different accents. It was just nuts. I got very obsessed with it.”
(05:20)

His persistence pays off when his agent secures him a role in a series of McDonald's commercials as the “Chicken Man.” The campaign's success catapults him into public recognition, complete with posters, billboards, and even an action figure in the Happy Meal toys.

“Does this mean I'm a star selling nuggets? But I'll tell you the truth, I didn't.”
(07:05)

Despite the newfound fame, Nathaniel feels conflicted, perceiving his success as superficial compared to traditional measures of acting achievement.

3. The Survivor Audition: Preparation and Ambitions (07:16 - 09:45)

Motivated by a lifelong dream to be on the reality show Survivor, Nathaniel seizes an opportunity when his mother informs him about a casting call for the show. He approaches the extensive application process with the seriousness of a Harvard student, dedicating immense effort to his three-minute audition video.

“I approached it like this Harvard application.”
(08:30)

Collaborating with NYU filmmaker friends, he crafts a film noir-inspired video, complete with tribal drumming, a dumpster setting, and an elaborate finale featuring him rollerblading naked with a spear in Times Square.

“She kind of thinks this is a little bit immature. She's like, why don't you do it naked? [...] So there I am... doing it naked with rollerblades.”
(09:20)

4. The Audition Stunt and Unexpected Consequences (09:46 - 12:00)

The audacious audition stunt unfolds as Nathaniel executes his naked rollerblading performance, successfully throwing the spear but inadvertently attracting trouble. A chaotic chase ensues when three intimidating men mistake him for a threat, forcing him to flee naked through the neighborhood.

“There are these three gigantic guys running full speed at me like gang members, going, 'We are gonna kill you, motherfucker.'”
(11:15)

After narrowly escaping, he returns home amidst a normal Sunday scene, still in his raw state, leading to mixed feelings of exhilaration and fear.

5. Media Frenzy and Howard Stern's Interest (12:01 - 13:30)

The stunt garners unexpected media attention when a neighbor working for the New York Post publishes a sensational front-page story misrepresenting Nathaniel's actions as a violent encounter. The article mistakenly headlines him as someone who "barely survives Bed Stuy," painting a misleading narrative of danger and chaos.

“The New York Post... it was this whole detailed article about how I'm almost murdered wearing female face paint that sort of looked like blackface in a very dangerous neighborhood.”
(13:00)

Simultaneously, Howard Stern takes notice, expressing interest in featuring him on his show to reenact the incident, much to Nathaniel's dismay.

“Howard Stern sort of felt the same. And the New York Post had also published this article that said they are looking for contestants who don't seek media attention...”
(13:25)

6. The Reality of Chasing Stardom and Finding True Happiness (13:31 - 14:09)

As Nathaniel navigates the fallout from his audition antics, he ultimately does not make it onto Survivor. Instead, an invitation arrives for a press trip to Kenya to report on the show, aligning his journey back to his roots.

“As I look around, I could just imagine all those guys... And I could look around. There's... the wilderness, the wild animals all around.”
(14:00)

In Kenya, surrounded by the natural beauty reminiscent of his childhood camping experiences, Nathaniel realizes that true happiness was always within reach, found not in the pursuit of fame but in the simple, authentic moments under the stars.

“And I just asked myself, are you happy now? Have you found happiness? And I had. Thank you.”
(14:08)

Conclusion

Nathaniel Eaton's story is a compelling journey from childhood fantasies to the desperate measures taken in the pursuit of stardom, ultimately discovering that genuine happiness lies in simplicity and self-acceptance. His tale underscores the often tumultuous path of chasing dreams and the valuable lessons learned along the way.

Notable Quotes:

• “Did you see the front page of the Post today?... 'wannabe Survivor barely survives Bed Stuy.'”
  (13:45)

• “Howard Stern... he wants you on the show. I get home that night, and there's like, seven messages from Howard Stern.”
  (13:50)

• “You're totally getting cast. That night, we're at the local bar and we're celebrating.”
  (12:30)

Final Thoughts

Nathaniel's story, as shared on The Moth, illustrates the thin line between ambition and obsession, the impact of media portrayal, and the ultimate realization that fulfillment often comes from within rather than external accolades. It's a testament to the human spirit's resilience and the quest for authentic happiness amidst life's unpredictable twists.