“Survivor”: Russell Hantz slams Jeff Probst over the season 41 delay

Apparently, it’s not just the fans who are going through “survivor” withdrawals due to the interruption caused by the coronavirus, but the former players as well. Russell Hantz, the three-time legend from “Samoa”, “Heroes vs. Villains “and” Redemption Island ”

hey @JeffProbst If they can do the bachelorette! where half the time they’re exchanging saliva! They surely can do Survivor! Let’s get it figured out! everyone else is... @survivorcbs

— Russell Hantz (@russellhantz) October 14, 2020

at the host Jeff Probst about the extended delay for season 41. Russell’s argument? Since “The Bachelorette” can produce new episodes during a pandemic (with the participants even “exchanging saliva”), “Survivor” should also find a way. “Let’s find out! Everyone else is, ”he wrote.

SEE Everything you should know about Survivor 41

To be fair, Russsell has a point. Many other reality TV shows have started new seasons despite the various complications that Covid-19 brought with it. “Big Brother” and “Love Island” quarantined their candidates for two weeks before filming and then confiscated them for the duration of the seasons. “Dancing with the Stars” and “The Voice” continue with contestants and judges while the studio audience aspect is eliminated. “The Masked Singer” uses audience reactions from previous episodes to create the effect of a lively crowd.

Why is “Survivor” different? Simply put, it’s not shot in the US. The program has called Fiji home since season 33, and that country’s borders remain closed due to the virus. CBS’s current goal is to shoot the next two episodes in a row in Fiji between April and June 2021. In that case, we wouldn’t expect the episodes to air on TV until September 2021 (for season 41) and February 2022 (for season 42).

Of course, “Survivor” could only ever discard the concept of the remote island and film it somewhere within the US borders. But, to be honest, would that really be as exciting as the exotic jungle vibe we’ve been expecting for the past two decades?

In a previous statement, Probst stated, “The situation is unprecedented and we are learning more information every day. It is out of concern for the well-being of all of you [crew members] that we took this step. ”

Russell is considered by many Survivor fans to be the best player who never wins the show. The manipulative bad guy got closer twice by finishing second Natalie White in “Samoa” and third place too Sandra Diaz-Twine and Parvati Flach in “Heroes vs. Villains “. On his third attempt at “Redemption Island” he was the second person chosen by the island.

SIGN IN for the Gold Derby newsletter with the latest predictions from experts