‘Survivor’ cuts player for ‘inappropriate’ behavior
A “Survivor” contestant who had been warned about his unwanted physical contact was removed from the CBS reality competition on Wednesday night’s episode, with producers doing little to explain what happened.
The revelation that Dan Spilo, a Hollywood talent manager, was involved in what the show termed “another incident” ignited immediate fury among fans who have criticized how earlier accusations against him were handled. A contestant raised concerns about his behavior within days of arriving on the island, and an episode in November centered on her complaints that he had continued to inappropriately touch her.
At the time, he was allowed to continue in the game. Spilo, who could not be reached for comment Wednesday night, has denied any wrongdoing.
But at the end of Wednesday’s episode, after the field had been winnowed to six contestants, the show’s host and executive producer, Jeff Probst, unexpectedly visited the players’ beach camp.
“A decision has been made, and Dan will not be returning to the game,” Probst told the shocked contestants. “He won’t be coming back to camp; he won’t be on the jury. He’s gone.”
A brief title card soon added: “Dan was removed from the game after a report of another incident, which happened off- camera and did not involve a player.”
It did not explain what happened in the new incident. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Probst offered little additional context.
“In this situation, out of respect for privacy and confidentiality, I can’t say any more,” Probst said.
Now in its 39th season after debuting in 2000, “Survivor,” which films two seasons per year, has remained among the ratings leaders Wednesdays by recycling but tweaking its formula of contestants voting each other out until a single champion is crowned. But this season, at first embraced by fans, has been largely overshadowed by the discussion over Spilo’s conduct and how the show’s producers have handled it.
Angelina Keeley, a finalist in the show’s 37th season, said on Twitter: “Survivor should let viewers know what happened.”