In more than two decades, many players have entered Survivor with different game plans and strategies. But only a few have managed to leave a lasting impression. While for most of the players, the show has played a major role in their popularity, but when it comes to Richard Hatch, his Survivor journey and time after the show has been quite contentious.
Apart from being one of the most controversial players out there, which sometimes even rubbed host Jeff Probst the wrong way. It was due to this that even he was left shocked when he actually won the very first season of the show.
Jeff Probst had different predictions for Survivor season 1 and Richard Hatch
Throughout its long run, Survivor has seen players from different parts of the world, each bringing their own unique personalities to the game. However, few have been as polarizing as Richard Hatch, the very first winner of the show in 2000. Even after his victory, the controversies surrounding him didn’t stop. He continued to make headlines, from his tax evasion charges to his strong words against Probst.
But it wasn’t just Hatch who had strong opinions. Showrunner Jeff Probst also used some tough language for him during a 2005 interview with Entertainment Weekly. In the interview, Probst reflected on the show’s past winners and admitted that Hatch’s victory surprised him the most, as he never expected him to make it that far.
In fact, he thought Hatch would be the first person voted off the island. He also added:
He’s a scheming, pompous, condescending guy, but is so endearing you want to keep him around even though you know he’s got a dagger with your name on it.
True fans of the show would understand why Probst felt that way, as Hatch initially came across as arrogant and difficult to get along with. But despite his antics, he played the game smarter than anyone else, forming an alliance early on. This ensured his safety in the game, and his fishing skills made him valuable to his team.
After discussing Hatch, Probst also spoke about the first season of Survivor, revealing that no one, including himself, really knew what they were doing. However, he didn’t fail to mention Sue Hawk’s speech against Kelly Wiglesworth, calling it one of the greatest moments in Survivor history. It was moments like these that truly made the first season stand out.
Survivor season 48 cuts a major medical injury from the premiere
After Rachel LaMont won the Survivor 47 Sole Survivor crown, fans were eagerly waiting for the premiere of Season 48. But when the first episode aired on February 26, fans noticed that some elements were missing from the teaser. In the preview, fans spotted that contestant Kevin Leung dislocated his shoulder, which caused an unexpected pause in the game.
This was not the first time a medical emergency had occurred on the show. However, the most surprising part was that this scene was cut from the actual episode. Later, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Jeff Probst explained the reason behind it. He shared that when he was beside Leung, the contestant suddenly said, “I’m in pain, I’m in pain,” so he immediately called the medical staff.
The show’s medic, Dr. Will, used a “green whistle,” a temporary pain reliever, and popped Leung’s shoulder back in place. This made Leung feel better immediately, allowing him to continue playing. Since his injury did not directly impact the Tribal Council outcome, this was the real reason why it was featured in the teaser but not in the actual episode.
You can watch all the seasons of Survivor on Hulu.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
