Jeff Probst Explained How They’re Choosing Survivor Season 50’s Contestants, And It Sounds Deeply Stressful

Jeff Probst Explained How They're Choosing Survivor Season 50's Contestants, And It Sounds Deeply Stressful

As a die-hard Survivor fan for over two decades now, I can attest that Jeff Probst and his team have been spinning plates since 2000, keeping this reality TV juggernaut going stronger than ever. With Season 47 just around the corner, the anticipation for Season 50’s return of former players is palpable, like a well-cooked marshmallow stuck to the roof of your mouth.


Back in the year 2000, Survivor revolutionized the television landscape and continues to stand as one of the greatest reality shows ever made. With two seasons broadcast on CBS each year (and available via Paramount+ subscription), we’re now eagerly anticipating Season 47. What’s more, Jeff Probst has hinted that Season 50 will feature returning players, a decision that seems incredibly challenging to make, as he himself has explained.

Jeff Probst has just been Emmy-nominated for Survivor, showing he still has a deep passion for the series after all these years. The post-COVID period of the show has seen only new contestants take part, with casting prioritizing diversity. Many of these newer players are keen to participate again, and in an interview with Variety, Probst shared the intricate process they use to decide who will return for Season 50. To quote him directly:

We’re trying to figure out who’s gonna play in Survivor 50. We know it’s gonna be returning players. We started out with a list of around 200, like, every person we would like to see, regardless of whether they want to do it or not. And then we got the list down to 125 and now I have it down to around 100.

Indeed, my thoughts are whirling. Over the years, a multitude of contestants have graced the screen on Survivor, including beloved figures from before the game’s New Era. As Jeff clarified, numerous potential competitors have been discussed for a journey to Fiji, and there could be many more individuals eager to earn money and claim the title of Sole Survivor.

Since the broadcast of “Winners at War,” no former Survivor contestants have returned to compete. The last season showcased a cast consisting entirely of winners who claimed the million-dollar prize. This has sparked immense excitement among fans and many deserving Survivor players eager for another opportunity. In his talk with Variety, Jeff Probst discussed the approach he and the production team are taking to select returning players, stating:

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve taken the initiative to create mini-portraits on 4×6 magnetic sheets. Each one features a face, their names, the season they first appeared, and how old they’ll be if they play in Season 50. I’m about to stick these on my whiteboard and embark on an exciting journey – tackling what I believe will become one of our most intriguing challenges yet: Figuring out a manageable group for Survivor 50 that appeases fans while paying tribute to 50 epic seasons.

Indeed, I find myself under quite a bit of pressure with all this. With countless photos of potential contestants to go through, and factoring in how they might look when Survivor 50 starts filming, there’s just so much to think about. Fortunately, I’m merely a fan who gets to savor each new season…even if the thought of Jeff’s selection process is causing me some unease.

The casting process will continue, possibly becoming more intricate due to additional seasons being produced before Season 50. This implies a larger pool of potential participants for the returning players’ season. Let’s stay tuned to find out how everything unfolds.

The reality show “Survivor” is coming back for Season 47 on September 18th. Until then, take a look at the television premiere schedule to help you decide what to watch next.

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2024-08-24 04:37