~ SURVIVOR Samoa ~ Season 19 ~

[declansdad]

Honestly, I wouldn't keep watching if they let people like Russell win, he was good to keep me interested but I never wanted him to win. People like him are just not good models for anyone to follow. He said alot of nasty things about people, he is a liar (case in point...he was a survivor of Katrina) I am glad he lost! Natalie may have been boring and she may not have deserved to win, but anybody would have been better than Russell.

Role model? Why in the world would you be looking to a reality show for a role model?

This is entertainment, nothing more, nothing less. Guys like Colby and Ethan were fun to watch because they were good all around players. Natalie was a nice person and played an ok game but she was more eye candy than an exciting player to watch.

 

[skater]

Hatred of women?? Like when he almost cried when his wife said what a great husband and father he was. Yea I know what you mean

Sorry. Didn't mean to offend you - I wasn't attacking you - just my opinion of Russell. (OK - maybe hatred is a little exaggerated ). Since you're confused, I'll further explain . Just because a man cries about something his wife says does not mean he likes women in general (doesn't even mean he likes her - not saying he doesn't, just saying I've seen this before when it means nothing). Remember, he knows how to manipulate people - do any of us know what's truth about him?

Russell called the girls on his team names, talked in a demeaning way about them and showed zero respect for them. I'm married to a man who would not think to talk about any woman in that way - even in a competitive situation. My DH respects and likes women - I do know the difference.

Again, this is just my opinion - you're free to have you're own .

 

[disneyworldluvr349]

I think true character is shown when they are interviewed during the season without the other players around. That's the time where they can talk strategy and let the viewers know what is going on in their heads.

Russell used this time to put down every person there. He called them nasty names and was very mean. He didn't have to act that way because he wasn't around anyone else. That was the time to show his true feelings. He did and many people are disgusted with the way he put down everyone and called them names.

Oh, I don't think his heart was broken when he lost, I think it was his pride and arrogance.

I think he let the game really go to his head. His ultimate goal was winning, and the wheels in his mind where turning constantly. How to put someone down, how to make them second guess themselves, how to get himself along in the game. I don't think that the person who was with the rest of the tribe was in a different mode when on camera by himself. It was still apart of the game, and apart of the show.

I would be really interested to meet the man in real life to get a first hand experience of how he acts. For all we know this continued "rudeness" on the interviews is all a publicity scam.

 

[cats mom]

Sorry if this is a repeat, I just skimmed through the replies since the finale; but I didn't see Jeff Probst's Survivor finale blog posted here yet:

http://popwatch.ew.com/2009/12/21/jeff-probst-survivor-russell/

His thoughts: "Russell was the victim of a jury of bitter people."
I certainly didn't care for Russell's attitude a lot of the time, but I absolutely agree.

Jeff gave the fan favorite vote breakdown too (although he goofed, since on air he said Brett took 3rd and in the blog he said it was Natalie) Either way I assume the percentages are correct, and I bet it was Brett in 3rd place, not Natalie.

"As for the audience, they spoke quite loudly when they awarded him [Russell] the $100,000 from Sprint by an overwhelming 46% Russell to 10% Shambo… and 7% Natalie. Not even close. I put myself in that same group. Again, I’m speaking as a fan, not as a host or a producer."

It's an interesting read, especially coming from someone who had the benefit of knowing everything that went on.

 

[dejr_8]

Honestly, I wouldn't keep watching if they let people like Russell win, he was good to keep me interested but I never wanted him to win. People like him are just not good models for anyone to follow. He said alot of nasty things about people, he is a liar (case in point...he was a survivor of Katrina) I am glad he lost! Natalie may have been boring and she may not have deserved to win, but anybody would have been better than Russell.

Folks. Survivor is a GAME!

 

[dejr_8]

http://popwatch.ew.com/2009/12/21/jeff-probst-survivor-russell/

Q. Was this a great season or a lame season? For me, this is another easy question. Survivor: Samoa will rank as one of my favorite seasons and for one reason: Russell Hantz. He single handedly kept this show interesting week after week after week. But I know some will argue that because it was “The Russell Season” it lacked having more big characters and therefore does not rank as high. This is one that will be debated by Survivor fans for years to come.

******************************************

This is where I sit. Russell alone made this a great season. One of the best events EVER in Survivor was went Russell pulled out the second immunity idol. Remember Dave's expression.

 

[jrmasm]

Sorry if this is a repeat, I just skimmed through the replies since the finale; but I didn't see Jeff Probst's Survivor finale blog posted here yet:

http://popwatch.ew.com/2009/12/21/jeff-probst-survivor-russell/

His thoughts: "Russell was the victim of a jury of bitter people." I certainly didn't care for Russell's attitude a lot of the time, but I absolutely agree.

Jeff gave the fan favorite vote breakdown too (although he goofed, since on air he said Brett took 3rd and in the blog he said it was Natalie) Either way I assume the percentages are correct, and I bet it was Brett in 3rd place, not Natalie.

"As for the audience, they spoke quite loudly when they awarded him [Russell] the $100,000 from Sprint by an overwhelming 46% Russell to 10% Shambo… and 7% Natalie. Not even close. I put myself in that same group. Again, I’m speaking as a fan, not as a host or a producer."

It's an interesting read, especially coming from someone who had the benefit of knowing everything that went on.

Thanks. I was wondering what he thought. And I think that quote says everything.

Role model? Why in the world would you be looking to a reality show for a role model?

Seriously. Reality tv for role models?? That's just ridiculous.

 

[Jennasis]

Thanks. I was wondering what he thought. And I think that quote says everything.



Seriously. Reality tv for role models?? That's just ridiculous.

What about his children? I know he said his kid's whole school "loved" him, but I think he said and did things that make him a poor role model for his own kids. I would be mortified if my father went on television and said or did the things Russell did.

 

[legalsea]

When Jeff announced Natalie as the winner my wife and I, like many here, were shocked. However, as I mulled on it over the past day and read various opinions, I have now changed my mind. Natalie deserved the win.

A huge part of Survivor is the social game. Russell simply lacked any social ability. The last episode perfectly illustrated it: as he sat with Natalie and Mick he essentially harangued them about how they were not worthy of winning.

I feel that if Natalie, on Day Two of the game, had said to the camera, after forming her alliance with Russell: “I want to go to the finals with Russell, since he is such an arrogant and conceited man the jury will pick me over him”, then she would have been proclaimed as a genius by many for her game-play and foresight. Indeed, I do seem to recall that on that episode she articulated some such reason for forming an alliance with him, although not in so many words.

I do wish that Survivor would revert to the ‘two person’ finale format. It would have been great if Russell, Natalie and Mick had to play one last immunity challenge, with the winner then selecting the person they wanted to go to the final two with. Let us assume that Russell had won said hypothetical last challenge: I feel he would have chosen Natalie to face the jury with him, believing that the jury would look on Natalie with disgust for having ridden Russell’s coattails to the final. Of course, the jury would, in all probability, have chosen Natalie anyway, to Russell’s outrage.

Anyway, it does remind me, as it has so many others, of the All-Stars edition where Boston Rob and Amber were the final two: Rob played every aspect of the game well save for the social aspect, whereas Amber was well-liked by the jury. Hence, win to Amber.

 

[daughtersrus]

Hatred of women?? Like when he almost cried when his wife said what a great husband and father he was. Yea I know what you mean

Or when he said "the stupid little blond don't even want to give me a title of sole survivor for $1000.00. How smart is she really? Really?"

 

[daughtersrus]

I think that this interview with Russell is very telling of the type of person he is in real life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfIQpF3jD9o

I was a fan of Russell's on the show. I thought that he was acting that way because he was playing. Now that I've heard him say that he's that way in real life and that he controls his family and friends, my opinion of him has completely changed.

 

[TeacupDemon]

Just a quick note about Russell's website. It indicates that a "portion" of the proceeds will be donated to charity, but not exactly how much. For all we know, he could give half a cent to St. Jude's and keep the rest for himself. Frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case.

 

[jrmasm]

What about his children? I know he said his kid's whole school "loved" him, but I think he said and did things that make him a poor role model for his own kids. I would be mortified if my father went on television and said or did the things Russell did.

That's between him and his wife and has nothing to do with reality tv. No one else should look to him as a role model. Not unless they're as dumb as the jury.

 

[dejr_8]

I think that this interview with Russell is very telling of the type of person he is in real life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfIQpF3jD9o

I was a fan of Russell's on the show. I thought that he was acting that way because he was playing. Now that I've heard him say that he's that way in real life and that he controls his family and friends, my opinion of him has completely changed.

I think this clip makes Russell even more impressive. He said what he was going to do and he DID it. How many Survivor in-show interviews have you watched where the person thinks they are the one in control only to be voted off at the next Tribal Council. Russell Talked the Talk and Walked the Walk. Who cares what he is like in real life.

I don't care for what Tiger Woods did to his wife but I still look forward to watching him golf...

 

[Jennasis]

That's between him and his wife and has nothing to do with reality tv. No one else should look to him as a role model. Not unless they're as dumb as the jury.

And you are certainly entitled to that opinion.

 

[wovenwonder]

Just a quick note about Russell's website. It indicates that a "portion" of the proceeds will be donated to charity, but not exactly how much. For all we know, he could give half a cent to St. Jude's and keep the rest for himself. Frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case.

This bears repeating. I noticed this right away when I looked at his website. Unfortunately, I'm afraid too many people have overlooked that important information.

 

[daughtersrus]

I think this clip makes Russell even more impressive.

I disagree. I am not impressed by anyone that is proud that he controls his family and friends.

In that interview he said that he hates fake people. But yet, either way you look at it, he is one of those fake people. He says that he's "real and always will be real" and "I'll tell you the truth. I'll tell you how it is" but yet at tribal council, his response to Kelly's question is "I'm 100% different outside of this game." "The thing that bothers me is I don't want my kids to think this is how I really am."

 

[dejr_8]

I disagree. I am not impressed by anyone that is proud that he controls his family and friends.

In that interview he said that he hates fake people. But yet, either way you look at it, he is one of those fake people. He says that he's "real and always will be real" and "I'll tell you the truth. I'll tell you how it is" but yet at tribal council, his response to Kelly's question is "I'm 100% different outside of this game." "The thing that bothers me is I don't want my kids to think this is how I really am."

I'll be back in a few minutes. I have to give my wife her List of Things to Do for the Day.

Give me a sec

 

[Metro West]

I just can't bring myself to like Russell at all. Yes...he was a great player but his actions on the reunion show and the interview on CBS with Natalie on The Early Show took away any good thoughts I was trying to give him.

I know he was disappointed and mad he lost, he should have acted with class and congratulated Natalie in front of the cameras. He should have let her have her moment in the sun but he didn't...kinda like Kanye and Taylor incident a while ago.

Because of his actions after the show I have no respect for him or his game. I really tried to like him throughout the season and to see someone rant about a title while the winner is trying to enjoy their moment is childish and stupid.

Sorry Russell fans...that's my opinion of him.

 

[Desiree]

I just can't bring myself to like Russell at all. Yes...he was a great player but his actions on the reunion show and the interview on CBS with Natalie on The Early Show took away any good thoughts I was trying to give him.

I know he was disappointed and mad he lost, he should have acted with class and congratulated Natalie in front of the cameras. He should have let her have her moment in the sun but he didn't...kinda like Kanye and Taylor incident a while ago.

Because of his actions after the show I have no respect for him or his game. I really tried to like him throughout the season and to see someone rant about a title while the winner is trying to enjoy their moment is childish and stupid.

Sorry Russell fans...that's my opinion of him.

I agree 1000 %