When Survivor first premiered all the way back in 2000, no one could have predicted the cultural phenomenon it would become. That’s right – the show has been going strong for over two decades, and several players have won the Sole Survivor title. Among this list is Richard Hatch, the very first franchise winner.
Many players have stepped onto the island, but only a few could match Hatch – and we’re not talking about it in a good way. He easily ranks as one of the most controversial players the show has seen, something that even Probst would agree with. So much so that after his win, he was almost certain that Survivor was doomed. Let’s dive deeper!
Jeff Probst says Richard Hatch’s Survivor win almost sank the show
Survivor is currently prepping for its milestone Season 50, with several returning players from previous seasons. While the excitement is running high right now, in the past it was completely different. That’s right, almost 25 years ago, when the show hit TV screens for the first time, no one knew just how big it would become.
But host Jeff Probst recently shared that things didn’t start off smoothly, especially regarding the show’s first winner, Richard Hatch. In an interview via Variety, he talked about the early years and added that Hatch was far from what he considered an ideal winner.
Probst said that Hatch wasn’t just a strategic player – in fact, he was controversial, calculated, and deliberately provocative. The host also added:
Richard Hatch was a villain. [He] purposely did things like got n*ked because he knew it would make people uncomfortable, say things that would drive people crazy. We could not believe he won the game. We’re like, ‘Our show is doomed!’ The most unlikely, unlikeable person won.
This behavior, while shocking to everyone, was actually part of his strategy. He understood early on that Survivor wasn’t just about surviving the elements; it was also about surviving the social game. So, Hatch manipulated alliances, played mind games, and controlled the flow of the season.
But as far as the producers were concerned, his win could have been a huge disaster. And to be honest, they weren’t the only ones panicking. Viewers were writing in with messages that they wouldn’t watch the show again if someone like Hatch ended up winning. But when he actually did win the Sole Survivor title, something unusual happened. Probst said:
The show starts airing and people were like, ‘If Richard wins, I am never gonna watch his show again.’ And then Richard wins, and that’s all anybody’s talking about.
Instead of turning away, fans were actually hooked on the show, and everyone was talking about him. So, in hindsight, his win may have actually helped Survivor become what it is today.
The dark side of Survivor’s first winner
Richard Hatch is often remembered as Survivor’s first winner, but his legacy comes with major controversy. While his gameplay in Survivor: Borneo was praised for being strategic and ahead of its time, his behavior on and off the show has raised serious concerns.
One of the biggest controversies happened when Hatch returned for Survivor: All-Stars. As per Gold Derby, fellow player Sue Hawk revealed that Hatch had inappropriately rubbed against her during a challenge. Though he denied the allegations, Hawk added that it was because of this that she eventually decided to quit the game.
But despite the seriousness of the situation, he was not punished by the show’s producers. However, his own tribe decided to vote him out shortly after that. After hearing all of this, it’s quite clear why Probst was worried about the first season failing badly.
You can watch all the seasons of Survivor in the USA on Hulu.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
