Earlier this week, former “Friends” star Lisa Kudrow made a number of comments about early seasons of “Survivor” and “The Amazing Race,” which she felt rewarded negative behavior. She also directly referenced season one winner Richard Hatch, branding him “despicable” for his controversial actions on the show.
Now, several former “Survivor” contestants have spoken out to defend Hatch and criticize Kudrow. Both Rachel LaMont and Sol Yi have responded online after the actress made the comments.
Rachel LaMont and Sol Yi Defend ‘Survivor’ Winner Richard Hatch
Reacting to Kudrow’s comments about Hatch and “Survivor” in a live chat with Entertainment Weekly, both LaMont and Yi were keen to point out that every winner of the show is deserving of the accolade. After all, “Survivor” winners are chosen by the jury who vote for who they think played the best game and the game requires a degree of deception.
“I’m not sure Lisa Kudrow understands ‘Survivor,'” LaMont said in response. Meanwhile, Yi replied, “I think whoever wins each season of Survivor played the best game. The jury doesn’t lie.”
However, Yi was also careful not to directly criticize Kudrow herself and pointed out that she is entitled to her own opinion on the matter.
“Phoebe can say whatever she wants,” Yi said. “That’s what makes Survivor great: Everyone has a different opinion.”
Lisa Kudrow Speaks Out About Richard Hatch and Reality Television
GettyWhile promoting the release of the third season of “The Comeback,” which has been revived after two decades, Kudrow revealed how her character in the show is based on individuals from early reality television series.
In particular, the actress explained that she feels that some contestants on reality shows are rewarded for controversial behavior that leaves players who she thinks are more deserving being eliminated.
“I saw the very first season of ‘Survivor’ and loved it. What a phenomenal show, but the guy who won was despicable,” she said. “How do people say that he played a better game worthy of $1 million? Why aren’t you rewarding the person who played a great game, didn’t stoop to his level and was a shining example of humanity? That person should get $1 million. I remember thinking, ‘This is the end of civilization.'”
She added, “Then I watched ‘Amazing Race’ and saw people vomiting on TV in front of the entire nation, crying while their partners screamed, ‘Keep going!’ It was the most humiliating thing I’d ever seen, and people were signing up for that? How are they going to feel once they realize what they allowed to happen on camera?”
