"Survivor" alums react to Lisa Kudrow calling Richard Hatch &x27;despicable&x27; winner Wesley StenzelThu, March 19, 2026 at 2:30 AM UTC 0 Richard Hatch on 'Survivor'; Lisa Kudrow in Los Angeles on Nov. 10, 2024Credit: CBS via Getty; Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Lisa Kudrow unleashed some strong fighting words about Survivor's firstever winner — and now, other alums from the show are weighing in. The Friends alum opined that Richard Hatch, who won the inaugural season of the CBS reality series in 2000, was "despicable" in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
"Survivor" alums react to Lisa Kudrow calling Richard Hatch 'despicable' winner
Wesley StenzelThu, March 19, 2026 at 2:30 AM UTC
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Richard Hatch on 'Survivor'; Lisa Kudrow in Los Angeles on Nov. 10, 2024Credit: CBS via Getty; Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty
Lisa Kudrow unleashed some strong fighting words about Survivor's first-ever winner — and now, other alums from the show are weighing in.
The Friends alum opined that Richard Hatch, who won the inaugural season of the CBS reality series in 2000, was "despicable" in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter. During an Entertainment Weekly live chat on Wednesday, season 47 victor Rachel LaMont and her former competitor Sol Yi shared their thoughts on her comments.
"I'm not sure Lisa Kudrow understands Survivor," LaMont said in response to a question about Kudrow's comments regarding Hatch.
Sol Yi on 'Survivor'; Rachel LaMont on 'Survivor'Credit: Robert Voets/CBS; CBS
"I think whoever wins each season of Survivor played the best game," Yi said. "The jury doesn't lie."
Yi also indicated that he respected Kudrow's take, especially given her Friends bona fides.
"Phoebe can say whatever she wants," Yi said. "That's what makes Survivor great: Everyone has a different opinion."
Richard Hatch on 'Survivor'Credit: Monty Brinton/CBS
A representative for Kudrow did not immediately respond to EW's request for comment.
Kudrow slammed Hatch during broader comments about her admiration for Survivor.
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"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."
For Kudrow, Hatch's victory over runner-up Kelly Wiglesworth had disturbing implications. "I remember thinking, 'This is the end of civilization,'" she said.
Kudrow was also distressed by another reality competition show.
"Then I watched Amazing Race and saw people vomiting on TV in front of the entire nation, crying while their partners screamed, 'Keep going!'" she remembered. "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?"
Elsewhere in the live chat, Yi revealed that he "almost" returned to Survivor for season 48: "Would have loved to have played with all the other bros."
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Yi also shared a few other shows on which he'd like to compete.
"I just saw they're redoing American Gladiators!" he said. "Also The Challenge...Neither of those shows want the smoke. Lastly, I would love to show off my fits on Traitors."
on Entertainment Weekly
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: Entertainment
Published: March 19, 2026 at 05:09AM on Source: RED MAG
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