Welcome back, Survivor fans. Okay, enough small talk, let’s get to it. Read the full post.
Sep 18
2009
01:08 AM ET
Jeff Probst blogs 'Survivor: Samoa': ep. 1
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To all those saying Russel was degrading women: What did he do to degrade women? I must have missed it!!
“dumb-ass girl alliance”
One of the funniest lines ever!! We missed some of what was said next because we were laughing so much…
His behavior would seem to indicate that he thinks women are more gullible than men – making alliances with “dumb-ass girls” Also, look how angry he got that a *woman* would speak her mind to him. To me, watching all his behaviour the whole episode, he gave off the impression that the men were the ones who he respected, and the women were weak and stupid. Coach showed a lot of the same attitude. CBS thinks it’s entertaining. It really does bother me, that these attitudes are shown as normal, but I can’t stop watching the show. I just love it! :S
I am so pissed I will no longer be able to watch Survivor. My friends and I always “bet” on who would win but now you have added a spoiler in Russell. Maybe ratings were bad last year but letting someone like Russel make the cut is just not right. The idea of Survivor was to let semi ordinary people try to win a million dollars, not a multi millionaire coming on the show to screw it up. What a waste of a good idea. I will check in next year and see if you get over this mistake. I feel sorry for all the contestants this year YOU changed the game and not for the better and it is really not fair to those contestants. P.S. I don’t think much of oil men right now either.
OMG Jeff, so glad you and Survivor are back. I LOVE Survivor and I loved Coach. But I love Evil Russell so much. I was laughing so hard at his evil ramblings, but dumping water and burning those socks was just pure evil genious! I love Evil Russell. Best premiere episode EVER and all because of Evil Russell.
Completely agree! This had to be one of the best openings to a season yet… Russell is playing a character and it’s amusing to watch it play out. There’s no way we could have predicted someone saying and doing the things he did. And, that’s what is so much fun – the unpredictability of it all!
Yeah, I didn’t like that Russell from the first moment he opened his mouth, about getting them all at each other’s throats. Was out of the room for the New Orleans sob story, luckily. He is already as irritating as Coach. I can only hope he gets a massive dose of hubris – and soon. Stop crushing on those egomaniacs, Jeff. We can see right through them. Why can’t you? “Great tv”…nah.
Peace.
Yeah, Russell isn’t a “fun” Survivor villain like Coach or Fairplay. Russell seems downright sociopathic and violent, so much so that I even feel uncomfortable giving him my attention for less than an hour a week. At least the oil industry has a new spokesperson.
Otherwise, loved Shambo (though worry she’ll go the way of former “old ladies” of Survivor) and eager to see more of Jaison and Betsy. Cool challenges, although I gotta say Jeff, I’m a little puzzled out.
I don’t know if Russell is violent. In fact, Ben pointing his fingers like a gun at Marisa when she got voted out disturbed me more than anything Russell did.
AGREED. Russell is kinda creepy and annoying, but Ben actually SCARES me.
I loved coach and I love Evil Russell! That guy is pretty damn funny! I hope he stays around for a while, and I think he will!
I’m glad to see others comment on how irritating Russell is. Controversy is “good television”, but irritating is not “good television.” If Russell is highlighted for two more shows, I’ll skip Survivor for the rest of this season. There’s some good shows on TV and the Internet right now.
Jeff said Russell writes his own material. The material he comes up with is called “deus ex machina.” Look it up. Writers that use that type of plotting seldom become popular or famous.
With FlashForward, Fringe, The Vampire Diaries, and NBC sitcoms Community looks great and moves to 8pm in Oct.) on at the same time, Survivor has to deliver. I don’t think focusing on Evil Russell is necessarily delivering.
The problem is we’ve seen the presentation video of Russel H already so we knew he was repugnant to begin with. So when he started with his NO story, I wasn’t even touched by it and what he says about the other women on his tribe just makes me want to get a shot gun and kill him.
As much as I didn’t like Coach, I really think this guy should be ousted fast. It’s not making the episode enjoyable because he’s so distastful.
I’m happy they were two contests this time, glad you finally listened to Dalton :p
Jeff…we missed you!!! Of all the Host blogs (btw EW love them all) yours by far are the most informative and entertaining.
Can I say I LOVE EVIL RUSSELL. My husband and I just about fell out of our chairs with the DAG Alliance. And too bad for poor Marissa, she had no idea what hit her!! Please tell me he’s going to be around awhile. Coach was just a DB, this guy is genius. The girls on Foa Foa better pray for the merge soon because they’re going to be picked off quickly…haha. My husband is with you on Betsy and Shambo, he thinks one of them will win it all.
Great location…can’t wait to see it all unfold!!!
argh! Russel is grating my nerves, making me talk to my TV, and generally upsetting any mooral code known to primates—and BOY IS HE TERIFIC FOR THE SHOW! If Jeff Probst wrote this guys lines they could not be any better…..
No matter how much you all hate dhim let’s face it, he sure makes the plot thicken….and we remember him well already!!!!
Sorry to see Marisa go so soon….
I think the 63 year old man ought to have been booted but hey—that’s what makes Survivor so much fun!!!!!
GREAT challenges this opener!!!!
Awesome scenery too….
I’m sooooooo addicted!
Yippee! Survivor is back!
Russell makes me long for the days of coach
Great blog Jeff..right on and yes..my jaw dropped a few times last night..love it..!!!
ALSO JEFF, ISN’T DESTROYING SOMEONE ELSES BELONGINGS (russell burning jaisons sock) AGAINST THE RULES?!? SHOULDN’T HE BE KICKED OUT FOR THAT?
(caps only for attention lol)
I cannot believe that my most beloved show has crept to this low. I have never missed a season or even an episode since day one.. Now it is dead to me.. I cannot believe that Survivor would allow a misogynist sociopath to go on their show. I have to tune out now. Because Russell H. isn’t a villian I love to hate, he is a man who makes me sick to my stomach. I cannot allow this in my house, and condone it as “entertainment.”
Heh Jeff, You’ve got some real strong, highly identifiable characters for this season. Casting came through for this one.
Hated to see Marisa go…she was one of my upfront favorites…A sweet, beautiful lady with alluring eyes. Dam you Russell!!!
And thank you, Jeff, for taking the time to do the blogs for us hard-core fans. It makes for more intense and gratifying viewing experience. I look forward to your insightful comments and observations after each show.