Jeff Probst defends Zac Brown’s ‘Survivor’ appearance amid fan backlash
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Jeff Probst isn’t afraid to “outsmart, outwit, outlast” his fans, but he also acknowledged that the tribe has been vocal against “Survivor 50.”
The longtime Emmy Award-winning host was wary of superfans telling a story that the show’s once brutal narrative had softened over the years.
“We’re trying all kinds of new ideas and tried to come up with the most unpredictability we’ve ever encountered,” Probst said. Diversity.
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Jeff Probst defended “Survivor” amid backlash over celebrity appearances on Season 50. (Robert Voets/CBS)
“Whether you like the season or not is subjective, but that doesn’t mean things aren’t going well. We’ve made bad choices in the past. I just don’t think we did that in 50.”
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Among the numerous new additions to the burgeoning franchise, “Survivor” enlisted the help of a celebrity panel including Jimmy Fallon, Billie Eilish, MrBeast and Zac Brown to collaborate on the show’s new twists.
Fan-favorite contestant Cirie Fields was surprised to see the “Country Fried” singer, who is also a close friend of Probst, appear on the Fijian island during Season 50.
“We’re in a bubble. When I got to the beach and saw Zac Brown in front of me, I said, ‘How did you do it? “Come in?” he said.
“We’ve never seen anyone from the outside come in and be a part of this. That told me Season 50 was about to go off the rails. Mind-blowing things are happening in Season 50 that would never have happened on the old ‘Survivor.'”
Brown’s guest spot became a hot topic on social media after viewers watched the country singer spearfish to feed immunity challenge winners and then play music for them while they ate.
Additionally, Brown appeared in a number of individual confessional segments and received more airtime than several contestants.
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Legendary “Survivor” winner Parvati Shallow also criticized Brown’s appearance, noting: [Brown] “When they caught the fish, they didn’t show Ozzy catching the fish.”
Jeff Probst responded to backlash from “Survivor” after celebrity appearances in landmark Season 50. (Joe Darrow for diversity)
In hindsight, Probst said he wouldn’t change much about Brown’s visit, but acknowledged that the country star could influence the game rather than serve as a prize.
“It’s fascinating to me that a few people, mostly former cast members or those who will never be cast, are criticizing the show and the show is gaining momentum,” he said.
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“I say to anyone who cares to listen: If that’s your goal, it somehow fails to influence our perspective. We’re confident in what we’re doing. If you think we’re going to recast because you think Zac Brown is too much, you’re not reading interviews with me.”
“I couldn’t be more serious. ‘I love Survivor,'” he added. I love the joy. I love the fans. I have a backbone, too. It’s going to take more than that to take me down.”
Probst, 64, began hosting “Survivor” in 2000. After a decade of hosting the popular game show, Probst became frustrated with viewers’ desire to enjoy conflict.
Jeff Probst has been at the helm of the series as the host of “Survivor” since 2000. (Getty Images)
“I didn’t like the stories we were telling, and I was losing my joy in the format, and therefore my joy of work, and therefore my joy of life,” Probst said.
“I did not mean any insult, and who can be the cruelest, most vindictive person?”
He tried quitting at one point, but met resistance from executive producer Mark Burnett after admitting he was “done” the job.
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It was Burnett who realized that Probst probably needed some time off, in addition to more responsibility on the back end of the show.
“CBS was initially appalled. They didn’t want the stars to be given showrunner status,” Probst said. “But I was so argumentative that I was sure it was the right thing to do and I convinced them.”
Mega-producer Mark Burnett tasked Jeff Probst with taking the “Survivor” reins and leading the show to success. (Tommaso Boddi)
“It was the best move I ever made in my career.”
Aware of the cultural influence, Burnett admitted that playing “Survivor” was like a “management training exam.”
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“If someone works for you, can you fire him and then have him shake his hand?” Burnett wondered.
“On ‘Survivor,’ you vote for people — you fire them every week — then you ask the people you fired to give you $1 million. That’s a hard thing to do.”
