I sent a letter to CBS on their Feedback area. Let me know what you think..
****************************************************************
Dear CBS,
I have been a Survivor fan and watched every episode since it started. Just so you know where I am coming from, I love villains.
We have seen many memorable villains such as Coach, Boston Rob, Fairplay, etc. The potential entertainment value of a villain can never be overlooked. Now we have a new villain, and based on the feedback I have received today via internet forums and people who watched the show last night, Russell Hantz may signal the beginning of the end for this once great show.
Russell Hantz could possibly be the most unlikeable person to ever appear on this or any other reality show. He is very difficult to watch and makes people uncomfortable. There is nothing about his evil ways that are entertaining (the way Hatch or Boston Rob was). Repeatedly calling all the girls in his tribe stupid is never fun to watch. And I know what you must be thinking. Seeing him get his comeuppance will make up for it. Not really. We are going to have to endure this hateful person for weeks, not to mention the ridiculous amount of airtime he has received so far and will likely get.
But I draw the line when people are able to destroy other tribe mates possessions and get away with it. It clearly states in the rules that cast members are not allowed to purposely destroy other cast mates belongings. He has clearly violated these rules which may possibly lead to injuries. What if he destroys rice? What if someone becomes dehydrated or sick because food or water is gone. What about Jaison, who may develop rashes and may have to leave because his socks were destroyed?
Look, I am not asking for 100% integrity. After all, in the end, it is about ratings. But it is clear Survivor has forgotten what made it so great. Survivor used to be about the people, REAL people, not half the cast of Los Angeles. You used to really get to know the characters. Now with 20 cast mates, some people may never have confessional at all. Remember when Jeff would not talk constantly during challenges and they were sometimes done at night, or in the late afternoon by the beach (I remember Hatch winning a fire challenge by the beach and it was dusk). This was all so much more believable. Now challenges are always done in the middle of the day and half of the cast are models or actors with a few "Shamboo's" thrown in here and there to make it feel real.
How do we even know that this Russell guy is not a plant for ratings?
I invite you to visit sites like Survivor Sucks, to get a real heartbeat about what your remaining fans like. I know this site is harsh and vulgar, but after a while you can really weed out what the public wants. People on this site love villains and controversy, but of course, they hate Russell to the point where the show is unwatchable.
It is unfortunate how many times businesses or shows try to adapt to get more people to watch and end up getting worse. You need to get back to the roots of what made this show so great.
If you do not know what those roots are, then it is too late.
****************************************************************
Dear CBS,
I have been a Survivor fan and watched every episode since it started. Just so you know where I am coming from, I love villains.
We have seen many memorable villains such as Coach, Boston Rob, Fairplay, etc. The potential entertainment value of a villain can never be overlooked. Now we have a new villain, and based on the feedback I have received today via internet forums and people who watched the show last night, Russell Hantz may signal the beginning of the end for this once great show.
Russell Hantz could possibly be the most unlikeable person to ever appear on this or any other reality show. He is very difficult to watch and makes people uncomfortable. There is nothing about his evil ways that are entertaining (the way Hatch or Boston Rob was). Repeatedly calling all the girls in his tribe stupid is never fun to watch. And I know what you must be thinking. Seeing him get his comeuppance will make up for it. Not really. We are going to have to endure this hateful person for weeks, not to mention the ridiculous amount of airtime he has received so far and will likely get.
But I draw the line when people are able to destroy other tribe mates possessions and get away with it. It clearly states in the rules that cast members are not allowed to purposely destroy other cast mates belongings. He has clearly violated these rules which may possibly lead to injuries. What if he destroys rice? What if someone becomes dehydrated or sick because food or water is gone. What about Jaison, who may develop rashes and may have to leave because his socks were destroyed?
Look, I am not asking for 100% integrity. After all, in the end, it is about ratings. But it is clear Survivor has forgotten what made it so great. Survivor used to be about the people, REAL people, not half the cast of Los Angeles. You used to really get to know the characters. Now with 20 cast mates, some people may never have confessional at all. Remember when Jeff would not talk constantly during challenges and they were sometimes done at night, or in the late afternoon by the beach (I remember Hatch winning a fire challenge by the beach and it was dusk). This was all so much more believable. Now challenges are always done in the middle of the day and half of the cast are models or actors with a few "Shamboo's" thrown in here and there to make it feel real.
How do we even know that this Russell guy is not a plant for ratings?
I invite you to visit sites like Survivor Sucks, to get a real heartbeat about what your remaining fans like. I know this site is harsh and vulgar, but after a while you can really weed out what the public wants. People on this site love villains and controversy, but of course, they hate Russell to the point where the show is unwatchable.
It is unfortunate how many times businesses or shows try to adapt to get more people to watch and end up getting worse. You need to get back to the roots of what made this show so great.
If you do not know what those roots are, then it is too late.
