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Monty Brinton / CBS
Russell Hantz returns to "Survivor" for a third time on Feb. 16.
Once a villain, always a villain?
In October 2009, SurvivorSucks.com posted an accurate order-of-elimination list for "Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains" before the season even aired. Now, a Daily Beast story by Reality Blurred blogger and TODAYshow.com contributor Andy Dehnart has the news on who gave the spoilers to the website: It's allegedly Russell Hantz, the contestant everyone loves to hate.
"Survivor" executive producer Mark Burnett and CBS sued the man behind SurvivorSucks.com, Jim Early, in August for spoiling not only "Heroes vs. Villains," but season 19 ("Samoa") as well. But according to Dehnart's report, the lawsuit has been dropped because Early has pointed the finger at the "Samoa" and "Heroes vs. Villains" contestant as the informant. (And he reportedly has the e-mails from Hantz to prove it.)
Could this mean big trouble for Hantz, who is a contestant in the upcoming "Survivor: Redemption Island"? It looks like that may be. The Daily Beast story notes that cast members' contracts specifically state players can't talk to the press without CBS'permission or provide spoilers (obviously). And if a contestant does any of that, they're in big, expensive trouble. As in "liquidated damages" of $5 million, waaaaaay more than the winning prize of $1 million.
Besides saving his own behind, why would Early give up his source? He told The Daily Beast it's "because of (Hantz's) attitude about the whole thing, and because Russell tried to implicate another player -- an innocent player -- who wasn't giving information."
Guess the man known as "the troll" to fans of "Survivor" may be as nasty on-screen as he is off.
What do you think CBS should do with Russell Hantz if he is indeed the leaker?
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He definitely should be taken off of any Survivor shows. Out of all the previous contestants, couldn't Survivor people come up with someone besides Russell Hantz?
I for one will NOT watch this season's Survivor BECAUSE of Russell. He is NOT a good human being in the real world, that is obvious, but on the show...he's even worst. Boston Rob seems like a puppy compared to this guy.
I for one will NOT watch this season's Survivor BECAUSE of Russell. He is NOT a good human being in the real world, that is obvious, but on the show...he's even worst. Boston Rob seems like a puppy compared to this gu
I agree, he is awful and I will not watch the show unless they get rid of him. He should be sued for breach of contract
Toss his big A-- off the show!!!
Off the show and onto a raft adrift in the middle of the Indian Ocean.
Why are they even thinking of bringing this douchebag back?? He is an a-hole, anyone could see it and now he has proven that he is like that in real life, not just for t.v....I don't care to see his face again that is for sure!
I agree with Helen. I was so disheartened to see that they were having Russell back on again. He is just nasty, in every way. Sue him for everything they can get for breeching his contract.
I didn't like Russell at first but eventually he grew on me. I'm confused as to why they are giving this oil tycoon another shot at winning money. Even if he and Rob are good for ratings. If the others were smart they would vote them off immediately but chances are, they wont.
even if they bring him back, absent he finding an immunity idol every week, he's going to be one of the first to go.
He has a prior reputation, not from one prior show but from two in subsequent succession. So he's not some shmuck from season 3 in the far distant past. And I'm sure at least one person on his team will know of him and move to get him kicked off first.
Plus I don't feel bad because he IS a millionaire already. Would be sad and ironic if he turned in to the regular "joe" like the rest of us if the accusation is true and he's sued for breach of contract should the purported emails prove his guilt.
Arrogant, obnoxious blowhard that Burnett chose not once, but TWICE to have on his show. Shouldn't have been a surprise to anyone.
I say sue his fat, sorry ass. Then send him to the clink.
Three times..........
Arrogant, obnoxious LOSER which Burnett chose not once, but TWICE to inflict on viewers. And somehow he (or anyone with a brain for that matter) is surprised that he would divulge the pecking order of elimination?
I say sue his FAT, sorry ass. Then ship him out to exile in the Nicaraguan jungle.
Won't this be his 3rd attempt??
I agree with the other comments about him. I did not like him either time cannot believe you are letting him on a third time. Are you that hard up for contestants or ratings?????? Contestants should not be on more than two times, period...........If you have him back on, I think you are going to loose more ratings. If the charges are true, then sue him and ship him out. He is very arrogant and cocky and does'n care who gets hurt as long as it isn't him
They keep saying everyone loves to hate him, but not me. I don't love to hate him. I just hate him.
Can we ban him from ever appearing on TV again? That would make me happy.
Why is still still on the air, and why are they bringing contestants back for the 3rd/4th time? What was once an interesting show, is now just a bunch of divas crying on an island.
I really dont care how many spoilers are released
Who cares? The show is incredibly boring
Let's see...a real fun Survivor would be Beck, Rush, Palin, Bachmann, Angle and McConnell vs. Reid, Pelosi, Olbermann, Maddow, Boxer and Kerry. Put them all on a small deserted island with out food or fire. And leave them there.
Why nothing at all should be done to or about Russell. After all this snake never tried to hide his slithering ways so CBS and Survivor can't be surprised that this low life violated the rules. Humm, isn't that what they love about this guy bringing him back again and again?
I think it was P.T. Barnum that said, "a fool and his money are soon parted' oops no PT's statement was a 'sucked is born every second.' Well in this case CBS/Survivor gets to play the role of fool and sucker for eleven episodes!!! How rich a reward for bringing Russell back.
One last thought... who would do business with this man in real life? And, should you be surprised that after Russell shakes your hand it comes back smelling of feces?
It would not surprise me. He looks filthy.....I don't mean "island filthy".
Do you seriously believe Russell has money? I know that $$ can't buy class and I definitely do not believe that he is wealthy. From the first day forward, he looked dirty to me. As in not bathing very often. He is trailer trash. You do know that he was charged with assault, on a woman, in New Orleans, don't you?
speak up Paul, we're waiting.
I am guessing that Survivor Redemption Island has already been filmed, so they're screwed unless they decide to throw out the series. I would definitely sue his behind. That said, I also blame the Producer for allowing this piece of hillbilly trash on so many times already. As far as I'm concerned, Mark Burnett got exactly what he paid for in putting Russell the JA on his show. Is anyone surprised? If you polled all Survivor watchers and asked which player over the last ten years would have given away spoilers, 70% would say Hantz and 30% Hatch.
He should if the winner. Not only lose the million but have to pay the 4 million that the contract states. Once a jackass always a jackass. Survivor is much better then this jerk.
A contract is a contract.......penalities are penalities....duh.
Forcing him to leave the show is too easy. After that obvious move, I'd file suit to the full extent of his contract, publicize the fact formally, professionally and firmly and then I'd look carefully to see if any criminal charges reflecting fraud could be pursued. Reality shows truly have gone overboard if they are reaching the levels of our society that believe rules and 'fair play' only apply to others.
I was so very unhappy to hear that he was, once again, coming on the show. He is a weasel, an evil weasel. The producers are getting what they deserve...did anyone in their right mind believe that he wouldn't talk, especially if he was told not to?
i once charged a shirt in new orleans, and nothing came of it either.
in this country anyone can be charged with almost anything. but that is not a conviction. or proof of fact.
Why do you people even watch survivor?
He signed a contract. If he breached the contract, then CBS has every right to go after him in court. Hope he loses everything in the settlement. Troll, loser, weasel, as mentioned above, all seem to be accurate.
Don't like him, never will. He's a snake and an arrogant POS, not to mention a poor sport. He doesn't even have the class to pretend to be happy for the winner on national TV. I hope he's the first to go and doesn't get to come back again. That would make me ecstatic!