Jeff Probst on ‘Survivor’ Live Reunion, Themed Seasons, Returning Players

“Survivor” 50 is a milestone season for CBS and for Jeff Probst —and may be the beginning of one thing new. On May 20, the present will air its finale, which might be stay in entrance of an viewers for the primary time since 2019’s “Edge of Extinction.”

The stay finale was one of many many sport parts followers voted for throughout “In the Hands of the Fans.” Another fan vote is currently underwayas viewers can select their favourite participant, to be introduced through the stay present; Sia will award the player with essentially the most votes with a $100,000 prize.

But the season additionally launched many new parts — some that would keep round and others that will not. Below, Probst hints at what the way forward for “Survivor” seems to be like.

Has Season 50 birthed a brand new period?

Yes. The concept was, can this launch us into our subsequent factor? And I feel it did. We stated to the gamers earlier than the sport began, “Either you can launch us into the next phase of the game, or we’ll do it without you,” which was simply me being the coach within the locker room, making an attempt to encourage them. And I feel they did, and the way they did that was by exhibiting up and embracing uncertainty.

Will you deliver in additional celebrities sooner or later?

It relies upon on the scenario. I’ve somebody very well-known who’s already reached out and stated, “Now that I’ve seen what you’ve done, if you could ever use me, I’d like to come out and be part of the show.” The factor with Zac Brown is that he loves “Survivor.” He’s by no means missed an episode. He stated, “I’d like to be a part of your show.” I’m the producer who says, “I’m open to all ideas. Let’s try it.” Same with Jimmy Fallon. Same with MrBeast. These are all individuals who stated, “I’d like to be a part of it.” I used to be over the moon excited to have them be a part of it. So, yeah, in the precise scenario.

Are you protecting the boomerang idol within the sport now?

It’s in our arsenal; it may come out. Anything we have ever accomplished, just about, is in our bag. Some folks might imagine, “They’ll never bring this idea back” — I do not know. Don’t be so certain about that, as a result of the truth that somebody thinks we would not deliver one thing again is all of the extra cause to deliver it again instantly. I have a look at every thing as IP. This is all a part of the present. And you by no means know.

Does that imply you may deliver again themes?

Yes, I feel, sooner or later. We determined, for the brand new period, we’ll quantity the seasons, and we’ll persist with numbering the seasons. But shifting ahead, I do not really feel that we must be locked into not doing a theme in the identical method that I do not suppose we have to do themes from now on. If, throughout casting, we uncover a “David vs. Goliath” theme, it is very probably we’ll do it, then the subsequent may simply be the quantity. The inconsistency can also be one other factor that we’re embracing. Let’s simply do what’s greatest for the present and never fear in regards to the total symmetry. So all issues are on the desk shifting ahead.

Does the identical go for bringing again returning gamers?

There’s nothing on the horizon, however they’re very enjoyable to do — for us as effectively. And now we’ve sufficient gamers, we would be capable to pull off one thing that features returning gamers earlier than the time frame we had for the reason that final one. But I do not know. We know what we’re doing for 51 and 52. That’s it.

I’ve a random query: What occurred to the mirror that was once on the island for the gamers to see themselves towards the tip?

Here’s a criticism I listened to! A number of gamers informed me that it was actually emotionally disturbing to see what they seemed like whereas they had been nonetheless within the sport, and I took that to coronary heart. They had been saying, “It’s hard for me now, because now I have self-awareness.” Literally, the concept of ​​a mirror, of reflection, will not be good, as a result of now it is a visible of wanting drained — you have misplaced weight, your face is soiled — versus the mirror you could have within being a warrior who’s been by way of a gallant battle. The first one who ever stated it, I used to be like, “Done. I wouldn’t want that either. I’d never thought about it. I’ve never been in this position. Thank you very much.”

You talked about earlier than that you just see the present persevering with at any time when it’s you allow — hopefully a few years into the longer term. Do you are feeling prefer it must be a former participant?

It in all probability, in the end, will not be my choice, however it may very well be a participant. I do not suppose there are any {qualifications}. Here’s the one factor I ever say anytime an government has requested me about hosts and learn how to rent them: If you rent based mostly on a glance or social media following, you are selecting the unsuitable attributes. What you really need is a producer who’s able to presenting in entrance of the digital camera. You do not need a host. The host has this concept of ​​a protracted, skinny mic and a cool swimsuit and a quick batter. That’s not “Survivor.” “Survivor” is an in-the-moment present, and the rationale I’m so grateful to be showrunner will not be as a result of that makes me the boss. It’s as a result of I haven’t got to ask permission to do something I need because the host.

I do not need to go away “Survivor,” but when I forecast into the longer term, I get actually excited fascinated about another person taking on to see what they might do with it. Then I change into the fan, going, “Oh, my gosh! They tried that. I never thought of that.”

How did it really feel leaving Fiji with the votes this time?

That was enjoyable. It was loopy as a result of that is all we ever did, and we stopped. Then to stroll out and say, “I’ll see you back in Los Angeles for the reading of the live votes” was exhilarating. I’m nonetheless exhilarated now. I’m excited to do it. It’s lots of work to place on a stay finale in between capturing two seasons and internet hosting the season that is presently on — it provides a ton of labor. I’m tremendous pumped. The complete workforce is again from our stay present, and we have got an enormous stage and as many seats. That was the primary aim: let’s make the stage stunning and ornate, after which let’s clear as a lot area as doable to get as many seats as doable.

So, will you retain doing a stay finale going ahead?

The factor that gamers do not like to listen to is that once they’re within the jungle, proper after the present ends, that is essentially the most trustworthy they’re. They might probably not know that or really feel that, however they’re trustworthy, and so they’ve not been persecuted by social media. Every single participant will get annihilated for issues they do not deserve — largely from individuals who imply effectively, however they will by no means play, in order that they’ll by no means perceive how out of contact feedback like which can be and the way a lot they damage. So you get gamers once they’re pure and so they’re unaffected by the influence of social media in Fiji. When you do a stay finale, all you get is protection. The stay finale turns into folks defending, and for me, from a storytelling standpoint, I by no means discover it as fascinating. So I get the pomp and circumstances, it is tremendous enjoyable, however I feel we’ll change the format for the finale — make it extra of a three-hour occasion, quite than a two-and-a-half-hour finale and a 30-minute reunion present.

We need to rejoice as we go. When you sit down and simply rehash, it is by no means satisfying. This yr, the way in which we’re doing it, I’m fairly enthusiastic about it. We reimagined how we had been going to do it, and it feels very contemporary, large and equally enjoyable. When we sat down initially, the very first thing I prompt was, what if we do not do a reunion present and as an alternative, we take that point and sprinkle it in all through the ultimate episode? I feel it is gonna be extra enjoyable and thrilling to take pauses alongside the way in which. It looks like a reinvention that feels proper for the place we are actually, and it is extra inclusive of everybody. Our endings are so packed that we do not actually have sufficient time. The concept this time is: Let’s take your complete three hours, do it as one occasion. And then when it ends, it feels full.

The “Survivor” finale airs on CBS on Wednesday at 8 pm ET. This interview has been edited and condensed.