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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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91. Anyone who works for a school district knows that janitors make more money than lunch ladies. It doesn't take a genious to figure that one out.

Posted at 10:36AM on Dec 19th 2007 by Dee

92. I agree with Andrea that working in the cafeteria is better than in the school bathrooms! Furthermore, she didn't say it in order to get the $50K - it was a surprise to her. I'm sure Burnett and the show can afford to give it to her, and I, for one, would like to see her keep it!

Posted at 10:41AM on Dec 19th 2007 by Cindy

93. Sounds to me like she played the game better than anyone. Right up to the very end.

Posted at 10:43AM on Dec 19th 2007 by Cinnbria

94. Denise
And to think I was hoping fory you to win....What a Pig you are Denise!!!!
You should return that $$$$ NOW!!!! Talk about LIAR!!!! You had the nerve to vote Amanda out of her winning spot...you should be ashamed of yourself!!!!

Posted at 10:46AM on Dec 19th 2007 by Survivor Lover

95. She actually didn't lie. She said she had lost her job as lunch lady, which she did. She didn't say she was making more money as a janitor, but it wasn't her choice to become a janitor or to work night shift. I think a lot of people would have a problem with being made a janitor if it wasn't their own choice to clean toilets and such. I know I would. And if you have children, it's hard being on nightshift. Which is exactly what she complained about. She might be making more money, but she has a job she doesn't like and never gets to see her kids. I'd be upset too.

Posted at 10:55AM on Dec 19th 2007 by Tina

96. She probably needs the 50K to get more tattoos and feed her fat family more McDonalds.

Posted at 10:51AM on Dec 19th 2007 by bluesunshine

97. First of all.. The honorable thing for her to do is give back the $50,000.. she lied, that's how she got the money.. Second, she should be fired from her job! She made the school look stupid as well as herself. Third of all, 1984 CALLED, THEY WANT THEIR MULLET BACK! I wanted Amanda to win Survivor because I can't stand Todd.. another lying twit.. Him and Courtney are disgusting... CBS needs to grow a set and sue Denise for that money!

Posted at 11:23AM on Dec 19th 2007 by Michele

98. She and Johnny Fairplay are shining examples of the integrity and resiliance that make Survivor such a great program. Not!!

Posted at 10:56AM on Dec 19th 2007 by pat

99. Oh, c'mon, Tina. She applied for and wanted the janitor job to make more money. then she cried on live television to get free money.

Posted at 10:59AM on Dec 19th 2007 by bluesunshine

100. Its the freakin mullet! The mullet did it!

Posted at 11:01AM on Dec 19th 2007 by Geneva

101. Tina.. Denise lied or should I say.. maybe twisted things around to make people feel bad for her.. I'm lucky to be a stay at home mom, I'll never argue with that.. BUT she didn't tell the whole truth and manipulated CBS.. I guess they're just as stupid for not looking into it.. I never liked Denise.. Just didn't care for her disposistion. Had a bad feeling about her like she was a phoney.. Guess I was right! I'd be so embarassed and I feel sorry for her children. They're the ones who are going to get the blunt of things. Some people just aren't very bright.

Posted at 9:23PM on Dec 20th 2007 by Michele

102. I felt so bad for her I thought aboutfinding a way to start some kind of internet donation for her.Then when I was researching her I read where she recently started a karate school.,and some other things certainly didn't sound as though she was poor.I feel sorry for the family now though because this once positive experience has now turned to crap.Does anyone know how much she got for 4th place?

Posted at 11:39AM on Dec 19th 2007 by wow

103. Geez. She said she wanted to go back to being a lunch lady, she did not like what she returned to do, as custodian. Jeffy, the host of Survivor ran with it - MIS INTERPETING IT.

Take the 50K from Jeffy.

She NEVER said she was fired from being a lunch lady, only that the school would not let her go back to being a lunch lady. The school even said that she could not go back to being a lunch lady. During the final show, she was very clear, she had a job, and it was as a custodian. Jeffy is the one that acted like she was fired.

Posted at 11:12AM on Dec 19th 2007 by Wakeup puddinhead

104. What is she teaching her children? Not a very good role model.

Posted at 11:56AM on Dec 19th 2007 by DeborahAnn

105. well i new of denise she was a delivery person and came to local bar . i was talking to a man who did have a girlfriend and she was a friend of denise and also practiced karate. well this man was a very good friend of mine for years. but denise with her lieing went and told this girl i was hitting on him. her friend came over pulled me by my hair and proceeded to TRY and give me a beaten. Lets just say dont sign up where they take karate. Another lie. if she is so poor how did she open her own karate studio which is what she said during the show. and if she is broke once again not too good at the karate i guess. and the excuse for the haircut. omg she has had the nonsence on top of her head for years. I had lunch ladies in my school that were married and none had that ridiculous haircut. She is odd a liar and a trouble maker. you know i was sort of routing for her too after what she tried to put me through (mind u she dont know me) well anyways now i am glad her ass got the boot. Hey Johnny Fairplay are you related to that.

Posted at 11:24AM on Dec 19th 2007 by delt with denise before

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