Michael Rapaport Made 1 Fatal Mistake on ‘The Traitors’

Through four seasons, it's safe to say that The Traitors is one of the most gripping competition shows because you get to watch your favorite reality stars battle it out in a forum they otherwise would never unite in. When Michael Rapaport was announced for the Season 4 cast, there was some fear from the fandom, not because he was not a reality star, but because of his reputation as a very vocal individual whose personal beliefs did not align with the progressive-friendly cast's mindset.

Well, during episode 4’s Roundtable, Rapaport let his true feelings be known by expressing his disdain for Colton Underwood, calling him a potential traitor and accusing him of being someoneknown for keeping secrets. This is a reference to Colton being closeted and not an out gay man during his time on The Bachelor. Met with swift backlash at the table, Michael was immediately voted to be banished, ending his time in the game. And it was the right decision. Michael had to go.

Michael Rapaport Was the Victim of His Own Demise

The Traitors, even though it is a cutthroat game, has a semblance of team unity within. Whether it’s the Traitors playing in unity or the Faithfuls trying to find the Traitors in their midst, you must be able to work together. Michael defied that. He was a wildcard. He was erratic. As many players pointed out, he was the worst Faithful for being so obviously over the top. In each episode, he played the game personally, prompting many players to ask him to stop for the game's betterment, politely. Going rogue in any competition show is a losing strategy. The final straw in Michael’s game was his borderline offensive comments that rattled the room, which included many out players.

Players and fans alike found the pointed comment immensely homophobic, and there were instant repercussions. Even if he had been the best player in the game, based on feelings and emotions in this solo-slash-team game, Michael had to go. His downfall was his own making. From a game perspective, keeping Michael in the castle wouldn’t have been terrible, as he was a shield of distraction for all. But in a game where focus and perception are essential, he was a detriment. He may have been a fan of the show, but not all fans can execute winning gameplay. Michael was simply not suited for The Traitors. His personality clashed with the game’s core mechanics, and in any group dynamic, he was likely to engineer his own downfall.

Reality TV Is Real—And Real Words Have Consequences

One thing is clear about Michael’s run on The Traitors: he was being authentically himself, which can be a strength in reality television. But as many "civilian" reality stars have learned over the years, in a genre with no script, all actions have consequences. Michael, since his banishment, has been doubling down on his convictions and opinions about the moment. In fact, in his exit interview with Entertainment Weekly, he's alleged to have been "gaslit." He may have apologized, but he hasn't learned. And that must be a warning to all future contestants on reality television.

The homophobic comment has been met with an uproar from fans and the queer community because it’s an unfortunate stereotype that many of us in the community have had to endure. The unfortunate part of this story is that it’s not the first time a situation like this has appeared on reality TV. During Survivor: Game Changers, castaway Jeff Varner insinuated fellow castaway Zeke Smith was deceptive because he was keeping a secret. That secret was that he had not come out as a trans man on the show. It was met with immediate backlash, leading to Varner being voted out and essentially shunned by the Survivor community.

The important lesson to take away from these moments is that they serve as educational tools to help you understand experiences that may not be your own. While we watch an entertaining game show, we’re witnessing a social experiment unfold. Rapaport was banished because the castle could not have him present any longer. There are consequences for every action. He learned it the hard way. Again, he had to go.

The Traitors streams Thursdays on Peacock. All episodes are available to stream on Peacock.