“Survivor” superfans may notice one particular winner missing from “Survivor: Winners at War” this season. Jeff Probst is opening up on previous champion Richard Hatch’s absence.
Hatch, who won the very first season of “Survivor” in 2000, is the most notably missing winner from the current season, which sees previous winners of the show going head-to-head for the ultimate “Survivor” crown.
Probst was asked by Us Weekly why Hatch wasn’t present, to which he responded, “Given his history on our show, it did not seem appropriate.”
Hatch is known for having completed several “Survivor” challenges in the nude. He was ultimately part of an incident in “Survivor: All-Stars” in which his nudity caused another contestant discomfort – especially as she claimed he intentionally rubbed against her in a challenge.
While Hatch denied the claims, “Survivor” producers couldn’t risk anything considering his track record and their controversial 39th season. “I didn’t feel comfortable having him out on the show and representing a show that is for families,” Probst continued.
“We were in a different time and different culture back then and we would never let him run a challenge naked now. Looking back on it, it just didn’t seem to fit. It’s not a slam against Richard Hatch. He’s just being Richard Hatch,” Probst explained.
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