Russell Hantz Set to Be Survivor 2009's Bad Guy

"Survivor Samoa" Has a New Bad Guy by the Name of Russell Hantz

Jolie du Pre
Survivor, the popular reality TV show that has been on the air since 2000, begins its 19th season on Thursday, September 17, 2009 with Survivor Samoa. No Survivor would be complete without the resident bad guy. This year it's Russell Hantz.

Survivor 2009 has been promoting Russell Hantz heavily on television commercials advertising the 19th season. Why does a reality TV show like Survivor need to promote a bad guy? Bad guys help ratings.

The debut ratings of Survivor have been up and down. As reported by Andy Dehnart of Reality Blurred, more people watched the debut of Survivor Tocantins than they did Survivor Gabon. However, more people watched Survivor Micronesia than they did Survivor Tocantins.

Russell Hantz will do Survivor Samoa good if the ratings can be higher than they were for Survivor Tocantins. A bad guy gives people someone to root against, or in someone cases, someone to root for.

As the Swamped Fox said in the blog 21st Century Fox, "While it makes sense why many of us would be attracted to heroes--they represent our best selves, a morality to strive for--I can't help but admit to the fact that my favorite characters have oftentimes been villains." If you tend to be the type of person that believes that people should always strive to be kind to each other, you'll hope that a Russell Hantz fails. However, if you are a "bad guy" or even if you have a little bit of villain in you, which is not at all uncommon, you may secretly, or not so secretly, root for a Russell Hantz.

Survivor 2009's bad guy Russell Hantz, the oil company owner from Dayton, Texas, in a sneak peak video on the Survivor website, said he is interested in "weeding out the weak" and "making it as miserable for everyone" as he can. In the video he is shown pouring water out of everyone's canteens while they sleep. A big burly guy, with a bit of a southern accent, Russell Hantz is sure to anger all of his fellow cast mates.

However, those who have watched Survivor over the years will question such an approach. One of the strategies of Survivor is to not anger your fellow survivors, at least not early in the game. The chances of Russell Hantz getting kicked off Survivor Samoa 2009 early are good if his behavior manages to upset everyone. Promoting the antics of Russell Hantz on Survivor 2009 may bring in lots of viewers for day one. However, the remainder of the crew will likely need to do their part to bring in viewers for the rest of the days.

Sources:

Andy Dehnart, Survivor ratings up, Amazing Race ratings down, Reality Blurred

Swamped Fox, Villains, 21st Century Fox

Survivor website

Published by Jolie du Pre - Featured Contributor in Arts & Entertainment

Jolie du Pre is a full-time freelance writer, a published author and editor and a Featured Celebrity News Contributor. Contact her at joliedupre@gmail.com.   View profile

8 Comments

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  • Angry 12/20/2009

    Russell Hantz does not deserve to win at all. He owns what? An F**KING oil company he F**KING doesnt need that money. Survivor not that good anymore because they only put people on this show that have money. I bet he paid them to put him on this show. Survivor just gets worsts and worsts every year!!!!!!

  • Jolynne M Hudnell 9/25/2009

    We don't have any TV channels but PBS, but this was interesting to read. Thanks for the info!

  • Sunshine 9/18/2009

    I have never watched this show either. But thanks for the review.

  • Jolie du Pre 9/18/2009

    Hey Betty, I'm guessing the comment is directed at Russell. If it's directed at me, that would be weird, but I've seen stranger things happen. LOL I could remove the comment, but I really think it's directed at Russell - who does happen to be a douchebag. LOL

  • Betty Malone 9/18/2009

    What the heck...that doesn't seem like much of a guestly kind of comment. I think I'd contact AC and ask them to remove that comment! Sorry Catherine..for ignorant people in the world. I've never watched this show..but if that's the kind of fans it attracts..I'm glad I don't..:) Good article on your subject.

  • Pissed 9/17/2009

    Let me be one of the first to say that you are the biggest douchebag!

    How dare you insult women like that, you miserable misogynist pig!

    FUCK YOU & GO TO HELL YOU PIECE OF SHIT.

  • John Myers 9/17/2009

    Looking forward to watching...the bad guys always make it interesting!

  • Markus 9/17/2009

    This Russell is a bad seed, that should never have gotten on this show. Survivor has really sunk low, to want this lowlife on their show for ratings.I guess survivor wants people to think its cool to be a lowlife.

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