Special Forces viewers saw one version of Ravi Patel‘s abrupt exit, but according to the comedian, there was more that didn’t make it to air.
During the Thursday, October 23, episode of the hit Fox series, the Directing Staff asked the remaining contestants if there was anyone who wasn’t interested in continuing with the competition, which led to Ravi, 46, and Nick Young voluntarily withdrawing.
“That’s not what really happened. Nick and I had both been planning on leaving together. We had both always decided [it] from the very beginning, saying, ‘Hey, I’m gonna leave in a few days,’” Ravi exclusively told Us Weekly. “My wife had to move homes for us while I’m out of town. One of my kids got sick the night before we left to come here. I was like, ‘I feel guilty. I have to get back to them. I’m not going do this for [the full] 10 days.’”
Ravi and Nick, 40, were on the same page about planning to bow out early.
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“I was like, ‘Let’s leave together. Let’s plan it so if we leave in the morning, maybe we can have dinner in Paris by that night,’” Ravi quipped. “The night before, we discussed how tomorrow felt good [to leave]. We ran up to the DS and Nick took off his armband and he threw it on the ground”
According to Ravi, the DS wasn’t thrilled by his and Nick’s lighthearted approach to the game — or their exits.
“[Rudy] tells us to go back and I hadn’t taken off my armband yet. Then we get back to the tent and everyone’s dying laughing. They’re like, ‘What happened?’ We’re like, ‘Maybe we haven’t quit yet,’” he continued. “After that, they call us out and they are checking our water canteens. That was a big thing. Your canteens always have to be at the top, and if [it’s not], then everyone gets in trouble.”
Ravi used the opportunity to have another chat with leadership, telling Us, “I whisper to him, ‘I lost my canteen yesterday and I was trying to quit.’ After that [though], they let us officially quit.”
Despite feeling ready to leave, Ravi admitted to having some regrets.
“I wish I’d stayed one more day. I felt guilty when I left because I was in first place. I had the most passes and the least amount of fails of anyone on the show,” he noted. “My confidence was really high. I was like, ‘Oh, I wonder how well I can do.’ I think I could have won [the entire season].”
Special Forces, which premiered in 2023, puts contestants through harsh, military-style training based on actual special forces selection processes. They face intense physical and mental challenges designed to push every boundary.
“I knew the bathroom situation was going to be suboptimal. I didn’t know that the food was going to be as bad as it was. But middle age has hit me really hard and I’m desperately trying to get back in shape and get more energy. I was already on this journey of getting in shape, and that’s another reason why I said yes to the show, because it gave me an excuse to get trainers,” Ravi recalled. “So the only thing that I was really worried about going into it was sleep. Before the show started, you had to talk to the medic and you’re not allowed to bring things in.”
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Ravi said he lightly “embellished” to medical professionals how serious his occasional migraines are.
“I said, ‘I need to take some melatonin in case I have trouble falling asleep from the long days. I need to take ear plugs, an eye mask and ibuprofen.’ I brought a 50-pack of ear plugs and I distributed them to everyone in the tent and I was a hero,” he shared. “I was always trying to optimize for energy — even with food. I’d steal a piece of fruit to put in my bag in case I needed it later. I was just always thinking ahead.’”
Despite planning an early exit strategy, Ravi wouldn’t rule out doing Special Forces again. Ravi even showed support for the idea of taking on the challenge with his fellow Animal Control costars.
“I’ve been pressuring Joel [McHale] to join. It’s so up his alley. He would love it, but it’s so funny because he’s like, ‘I’m just really scared of injuring myself,’” Ravi told Us. “He loves a challenge, so I’m still working on him. I would say Joel is not out yet. I wonder if I do it with him, if he is more likely [to] do it.”
Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test airs on Fox Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET.
