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Did "Survivor" Lunch Lady Lie to Swipe $50K?

Posted Dec 18th 2007 12:57PM by TMZ Staff

The "Survivor: China" lunch lady who said she'd been demoted to "cleaning toilets" by her school, and got $50,000 of sympathy cash from the show because of her story, is having her tale flushed out -- by the school.

As EW.com reported yesterday, Douglas, Mass. School Superintendent Nancy T. Lane said in a statement that Denise Martin actually got promoted from "cafeteria employee" to "custodian" -- at a higher salary and with better benefits before she appeared on "Survivor." Lane says, "I watched my own jaw drop when [Martin] said that, because it's absolutely not true."

Today, Martin appeared with Lane on CBS' "The Early Show," and apologized profusely for what she said, though she stopped short of admitting that she'd lied to get the money, and won't give back the $50K. Mark Burnett Productions didn't return a call for comment, though CBS said yesterday, "If these statements were misleading or false, we hope that she will take immediate and public steps to clarify her remarks."

Now, how about a nice big helping of that tasty Sloppy Joe?!



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61. This does NOT surprise me - at all. I mean - look at how she played the cry-baby story to Amanda. waaaah She played badly - made a very stupid mistake (not voting off Todd) and still wanted/wants to win. She is a total manipulator. I'll bet that story about her hair was BS too. She was selfish and self-serving for not taking PG on at least one of her rewards --what does THAT say about her character? She has none and so this lying is not unexpected. The producers should have never done this -- however -- and should have known better. How many other players lost their jobs, due to their appearances on Survivor?? (Are they going to back-pay everyone??) I am sure several have and again, I am sure that they all weren't rich. This was really unethical of both parties and speaks very negatively of both parties.

Posted at 3:23PM on Jan 2nd 2008 by hustin1

62. Her husband is a HUNK!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOF

Posted at 3:16AM on Dec 19th 2007 by Scott

63. It looks like Burnett got Johnny Fairplay-ed!

Posted at 8:37AM on Dec 19th 2007 by kivey

64. Oh Denise, what a terrible LIE...she will have to live with this the rest of her life. I think that CBS should get the money back. Denise whined and acted very selflessly. Just think what her town must think of her now. To lie in front of millions of people tuned in to watch the reunion. You should be ashamed Denise...is this the example that you want your family to see of you to lie and cheat for the $50,000.00. Courtney should get more money, Amanda should get more money. At least they played the game and didn't whine about that their family needed the money. Shame Shame on you Denise. God will be judging you!! Denise should give back all the money and make a PUBLIC Apology.

Posted at 10:20AM on Dec 19th 2007 by Mark

65. Remember, it's a game. She was just playing as long as she could. Bravo for her efforts landing the $50K.

Enjoy................G

Posted at 2:38AM on Dec 19th 2007 by Gary

66. i think the producer's thought it would be great to promote her as the lunch lady,she is a whiner and was probably just shooting off her mouth to the cast to get attention when she saw them,she spun the story,it probably came really easy to her to do this because it seems that is how she relates to people in general,like a victim,jeff got a hold of the story,didn't check his facts,cornered her on live tv and she could not find it in herself to correct him or shut herself up so she repeated her story as not to be embarrassed by what she told the cast,she is a victim of her own need to be a victim.i think it is unfair she got offered the money in the first place,what about the student's...they should never have given it to her,it detracted from james winning his money.

Posted at 4:06AM on Dec 19th 2007 by real lunch lady

67. She sucks at life! The Survivor game is not Welfare!

Posted at 12:37PM on Dec 19th 2007 by ExtremeLegal

68. OUTWIT OUTLAST OUTPLAY Yup she did it!!! This time to Mark Burnett and company

Posted at 8:36AM on Dec 19th 2007 by mlkmn440

69. We watched the whole season as she didnt lie, or scheme. We watched her play an honorable game. Why would she change all of the for a measly 50k? I dont buy it.
I think they should have solved this out of the public eye, shame on that school!
You go Denise. You played a great game. No worries.

Posted at 8:38AM on Dec 19th 2007 by Survivor fan

70. She never actually said her pay on the show---she said she had been demoted to janitor. Maybe to a mother who probably has to do her own toilets all the time, the evening shift doing that for stranger's kids feels like a demotion. Sure, it was implied that she got less money etc....but she still has yet to join the ranks of Johnny Fairplay as far as lying goes!

Posted at 8:41AM on Dec 19th 2007 by alibabba

71. I work as a lunch mother and I make 850 an hr and a be demoted like she has a janitor at any school ls pay a janitor no more than 10 an hr part time ,

Posted at 8:55AM on Dec 19th 2007 by bostonmama!

72. Denise should be treated as a thief. She should have to give the money back and pay a penalty. If she isn't she surely opened up a whole new open door for others to go through.

Posted at 9:06AM on Dec 19th 2007 by jbea

73. Maybe she'd have more money to spend on her children if she didn't spend her $7.00/hr wages on those disgusting tattoos....what a pig !!! Give back the 50k.....u don't deserve it

Posted at 9:11AM on Dec 19th 2007 by DJ

74. Harrod, are you angry she got away with something you didn't? Or are you just an angry, sad, pathetic little person?

Posted at 9:18AM on Dec 19th 2007 by Ralphie

75. Yes, she is skanky, but she did OUTWIT MArk Burnett.

Posted at 9:26AM on Dec 19th 2007 by michele

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