Australian Survivor star George’s habit of giving up infuriates viewers

Survivor fans are seeing red over one contestant’s “infuriating” habit – but the man himself has hit back at his critics.

Australian Survivor viewers are growing increasingly frustrated by the actions of controversial player George, who has now abruptly given up mid-challenge two episodes in a row.

Such is the level of anger, some fans of the franchise have called for George to be disqualified from the show – but he has a defiant message for his critics.

Political operative George, never a “challenge beast”, stunned viewers by pulling out of Monday night’s immunity challenge at the first hurdle. Required to jump from an elevated platform into the water, grabbing a ball as he leapt, George hesitated.

“I can’t jump that far – it’s too far,” he said. “Nah, I just give up.”

Same, George. #SurvivorAUpic.twitter.com/yItyCHt9ot

— #SurvivorAU (@Survivor_AU) August 30, 2021

And give up he did, sitting on his platform for the rest of the challenge and watching everyone but Wai – who cannot swim so did not take part in the challenge at all – compete for the coveted immunity idol.

On Tuesday night it was a reward challenge, but the same story: This time, contestants had to fashion a long device out of sticks which they could use to unhook a key and move on to the next part of the challenge. If they succeeded, they’d enjoy a night of luxury away from camp, including a hot meal, spa and bed.

After a few failed attempts to tie his sticks together, George gave up, telling host Jonathan LaPaglia: “Nah, who cares. I’ll go back and eat rice and lentils at camp.”

That's the spirit! 😅 #SurvivorAUpic.twitter.com/xtB03gIhjK

— #SurvivorAU (@Survivor_AU) August 31, 2021

It’s not unheard of for a Survivor contestant to give up on a challenge, but usually it happens much earlier in a season when there are a lot more contestants in the game so the odds of winning are lower, or when a contestant faces a particular weakness – water, heights – they know they won’t excel in.

To see George give up so quickly in two very different challenges, when there are only handful of people left to compete with, rankled many:

George giving up AGAIN is so infuriating. I’ve never seen a Survivor player less deserving of being this far in the competition, let alone a chance at winning. #SurvivorAU

— Tim (@timothyjames) August 31, 2021

George needs to be knocked out for the mere fact he does nothing in every challenge #SurvivorAU

— deanie weanie (@deanie_weanie) August 31, 2021

George ‘I have never given up’

This man is TRULY DELUSIONAL#SurvivorAU

— Dylan Heta ♠️ (@TheDylanHeta) August 31, 2021

George has quit two consecutive challenges since labelling himself the Alpha Male #SurvivorAU

— CJF (@ChrisForster026) August 31, 2021

George quits another challenge. Could anyone vote for him to win when he’s a quitter? Disappointing. #SurvivorAU@ShannonGaitz@AMikeBloomType

— elizabeth robbins phd (@elizabethrobbns) August 31, 2021

Should be kicked off the show

— Tanka7 (@GodboltMark) August 31, 2021

But George was defiant, posting a message to his critics on social media overnight: “You don’t win Survivor by tying up sticks, tossing balls or burning yourself out in the sun for a participation sticker. You win by doing the three simple things that matter on Survivor: Outwit, Outplay, Outlast.”

Wai struggled all challenge – then smashed it in the puzzle.

Maybe so, but a surprise Survivor success story during Tuesday night’s episode suggests otherwise.

Children’s author Wai was coming dead last during a gruelling physical immunity challenge that involved untangling a heavy rope, chopping wood and climbing over a ledge. She was the last person to get to the final part of the challenge, a difficult word puzzle – and solved it near-instantly, after each of her fellow contestants had been struggling for minutes.

A tearful Wai took home her first solo immunity challenge win of the season – and a reminder of why it pays to never give up during a Survivor challenge.

Australian Survivor continues 7.30pm Sunday on Ten