‘Survivor’ Went Through a ‘Radical Transformation,’ Says Jeff Probst. Now, It’s Back in the Emmy Conversation: We ‘Reimagined the Entire Show’
It’s not easy to still be part of the Emmy conversation 25 years into a series. But “Survivor” is doing just that. After missing a nod last year, the CBS show returned this year to the reality competition series category, knocking “The Voice” out of the race. Showrunner Jeff Probst also nabbed another host nomination (an award he’s won three times) and the show landed recognition for cinematography and casting.
So what was it that made Season 48 worthy of nominations? Not even Probst knows.
“Our history with the Emmys is kind of funny — we won the very first one 25 years ago … but we’ve never won another one and we went nearly two decades without even being nominated, so it’s definitely nice to be back at the party,” he says. “I will say that since the start of the ‘new era’ in 2020, it does feel like ‘Survivor’ has been rediscovered by a lot of people, and that’s very exciting for us because coming out of COVID we made a very intentional decision to shift the tone of the show. We wanted ‘Survivor’ to be fun, entertaining and joyful — something families could watch together, something inspiring for younger viewers, and something that reignited the sense of adventure that lies at the core of ‘Survivor.’ So we started from scratch and reimagined the entire show.”
That refresh definitely worked. This year marks the first time since 2017 that the show has been nominated in the casting category, which, as Probst says, comes from a “radical transformation in the new era” to the process.
The casting team, led by Jesse Tannenbaum, redetermined what they were looking for: “We want people with layered lives, who had heart and depth, reflected the world as it is, had a strong sense of identity, a willingness to take on something incredibly demanding but truly transformational … oh, and also love ‘Survivor,’” explains Probst.
While it’s a “massive challenge” to find the right group, that’s what makes the show successful, he believes. “There are so many shows in this genre, and a lot of people show up trying to be ‘good TV.’ But that’s not what we’re looking for. We’re looking for something much more specific and much more rare: truly authentic people who are ready and willing to be stripped of everything because that’s what ‘Survivor’ demands.”
And it pays off when it works — “it’s electric,” says Probst. “You’re watching real people push themselves to the edge — physically, emotionally, spiritually and somehow rise through it. And it’s in these moments that you’re reminded that this is the point of ‘Survivor.’ This is what you wanted. This is why you chose this adventure. And the audience feels it and lives it vicariously through the player.”
Additionally, the show has begun leaning more into the personal journeys of the players to “honor the experience they’re going through — and we’ve pushed our cinematic approach to match that emotional depth.”
Emotion was a big part of Season 48, with Probst being moved to tears on camera for the first time in 25 years when castaway Joe Hunter put the game aside to make sure his ally, Eva Erickson, a player with autism, was OK. It led to the biggest lesson of the season for Probst — and maybe something we all could use a reminder of today.
“It reminded me of something very simple: When you see someone in need, reach out. I know it sounds corny, but if you really study that moment, the message is clear — sometimes, the smallest gesture — a hand, a word, a smile can remind someone that they’re not alone. And that can mean everything.”
So what was it that made Season 48 worthy of nominations? Not even Probst knows.
“Our history with the Emmys is kind of funny — we won the very first one 25 years ago … but we’ve never won another one and we went nearly two decades without even being nominated, so it’s definitely nice to be back at the party,” he says. “I will say that since the start of the ‘new era’ in 2020, it does feel like ‘Survivor’ has been rediscovered by a lot of people, and that’s very exciting for us because coming out of COVID we made a very intentional decision to shift the tone of the show. We wanted ‘Survivor’ to be fun, entertaining and joyful — something families could watch together, something inspiring for younger viewers, and something that reignited the sense of adventure that lies at the core of ‘Survivor.’ So we started from scratch and reimagined the entire show.”
That refresh definitely worked. This year marks the first time since 2017 that the show has been nominated in the casting category, which, as Probst says, comes from a “radical transformation in the new era” to the process.
The casting team, led by Jesse Tannenbaum, redetermined what they were looking for: “We want people with layered lives, who had heart and depth, reflected the world as it is, had a strong sense of identity, a willingness to take on something incredibly demanding but truly transformational … oh, and also love ‘Survivor,’” explains Probst.
While it’s a “massive challenge” to find the right group, that’s what makes the show successful, he believes. “There are so many shows in this genre, and a lot of people show up trying to be ‘good TV.’ But that’s not what we’re looking for. We’re looking for something much more specific and much more rare: truly authentic people who are ready and willing to be stripped of everything because that’s what ‘Survivor’ demands.”
And it pays off when it works — “it’s electric,” says Probst. “You’re watching real people push themselves to the edge — physically, emotionally, spiritually and somehow rise through it. And it’s in these moments that you’re reminded that this is the point of ‘Survivor.’ This is what you wanted. This is why you chose this adventure. And the audience feels it and lives it vicariously through the player.”
Additionally, the show has begun leaning more into the personal journeys of the players to “honor the experience they’re going through — and we’ve pushed our cinematic approach to match that emotional depth.”
Emotion was a big part of Season 48, with Probst being moved to tears on camera for the first time in 25 years when castaway Joe Hunter put the game aside to make sure his ally, Eva Erickson, a player with autism, was OK. It led to the biggest lesson of the season for Probst — and maybe something we all could use a reminder of today.
“It reminded me of something very simple: When you see someone in need, reach out. I know it sounds corny, but if you really study that moment, the message is clear — sometimes, the smallest gesture — a hand, a word, a smile can remind someone that they’re not alone. And that can mean everything.”