The first Tribal Council of “Survivor 49” has officially come and gone. While Wednesday’s (Sept. 24) premiere episode gave fans a brief glimpse at the shipwreck-inspired set – where castaway Nicole Mazullo became the season’s first player to have their torch snuffed – longtime “Survivor” host and executive producer Jeff Probst provided a closer look at the one-of-a-kind details behind the latest Tribal Council redesign in an exclusive video interview with Entertainment Tonight.
Probst Explains Season 49 Tribal Council’s Shipwreck Theme
Built into what resembles a beached pirate ship, Season 49’s Tribal Council set is more grandiose than ever before, but more than that, it’s chock full of hidden details.
“It’s a 17th century Galeon,” said Probst, referring to the massive 150-foot-long pirate ship that houses this season’s Tribal Council area, “The kind of ship that had cannons.”
While a shipwreck set isn’t necessarily unexpected for a show centered around a group of castaways marooned on a deserted island, Probst revealed that there’s more intentionality to the set than meets the eye.
In addition to sporting 49 canons in honor of “Survivor”s 49th season, Probst revealed that he wanted the set, full of treasure chests and pirate skeletons, to “get at the idea that this [space] is similar to what happens at Tribal Council.”
“There’s all this loot and bounty and everything, but sooner or later the pirates turn on each other,” the showrunner added.
Probst Give a Tour of ‘Survivor’s Iconic Tribal ‘Voting Booth’
Next, Probst moved into the “voting booth” portion of the set, giving fans a closer look at the place where this season’s players will continue to cast their votes in the weeks to come.
“One of the things we really take into consideration when building a Tribal [set] is to try to make it as immersive as possible,” said Jeff, showing off the player’s voting parchment, pen, and freshly redesigned voting urn. Joining them on the pedestal is the Shot in the Dark advantage, which offers players a one-in-six shot at Immunity, but only if they’re willing to sacrifice their vote. The set pieces are similarly emblazoned with a striking shark, adding to the set’s shipwreck theme.
“Loose lips sink ships,” explained Probst. “That’s what happens here.”
The One Thing Probst Takes Home From Every Tribal Council Set
Finally, Probst returned to his podium to show off his favorite Tribal Council set piece.
“The last bit of Tribal is the snuffer,” he said, giving fans a closer look at the tool he uses to extinguish players’ torches after their eliminations.
CBS“I’ve gotta say,” he added. “Over the years, these have become absolute works of art and it is one thing I have taken from every Tribal Council set…I have all of them at home and they work really well.”
Be sure to meet Jeff Probst for another date at Tribal Council when “Survivor 49” returns on Wednesday, October 1 at 8:00pm ET on CBS.
