One might think that after 43 seasons and over 20 years that Jeff Probst would have had enough of Survivor, but the host and executive producer claims he still needs the show. Jeff has hosted ever since Survivor season 1 and has racked up four Emmy Awards for his outstanding hosting skills. Along the way, Jeff has also stepped into the role of executive producer for Survivor. Although many things have changed about Survivor, Jeff has been a constant.
Fans have speculated about who could replace Jeff as the host of Survivor for years, but in an interview with EW, he made it clear that his time on the show will not be coming to an end anytime soon. According to Jeff, "I love Survivor and I still need Survivor." He even drew some parallels between his role on Survivor to that of the castaways, explaining, "It's about pushing myself further than I think I can go, about trying to stay in the moment and adapt to my surroundings." Jeff's love for Survivor is palpable as he said, "It goes beyond creative expression or professional recognition. It's much deeper."
Jeff Probst Says COVID-19 Shutdown Was 'Great Survivor Reset'
Following Survivor season 40, Winners At War, the show had to take a short hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It didn't take long before the production team was back in Fiji creating the new twist-filled era of Survivor. Jeff claimed, "The COVID break was a great Survivor reset for me." The producers of Survivor were able to take the time off to decide which direction to go in after 20 years on the air. The time without Survivor meant more to Jeff than just tweaking the game mechanics. He added, "It gave me a chance to step back and once again reflect on all the things I absolutely love about the show."
It is clear that Jeff really loves Survivor. In both his interviews and on the show itself, he has always been full of life when discussing Survivor. Some fans think Jeff has lost his magic in the new era of Survivor. He has definitely lightened up when it comes to his interactions with the contestants. While he used to be a bit of an instigator, he now seems to be the tough but fair moderator. If the fans' biggest complaint about Jeff is that he cares too much for the Survivor contestants' feelings, it sounds like he's doing a good job.
There have been rumors throughout the many seasons of Survivor that Jeff would step down as host eventually, but it seems his passion for the show has been completely reinvigorated over the past couple years. Jeff's catchphrases may change, and his demeanor may be kinder than in the past, but he remains one of the best hosts that reality television has to offer. Survivor fans are lucky to have a host and executive producer that is so passionate about the show, even 43 seasons after the premiere.
Survivor airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. EST on CBS.
Source: EW