Twenty-five years ago, the TV landscape was much different from what it is now. Series, sitcoms, and reality TV shows have come and gone, and the shows still around have done so by adapting. Given this, it’s no surprise that the aptly titled “Survivor” would be one of those left standing.
While we’re still a week out from the premiere of “Survivor 50,” it’s never too early to begin thinking about “Survivor 51.” But top of mind for many fans is potential changes. Host and showrunner Jeff Probst discussed these possibilities and whether fans could see the next season overhauled in the way Season 41 was.
Jeff Probst Confirms Season 51 Development While Keeping Format Changes Under Wraps
Unlike seasons before, Season 50 of “Survivor” was already considered unique due to its title: “In the Hands of the Fans.” Viewers could choose from options ranging from tribe colors to whether rice would be given or earned. The news that there would be three tribes instead of two also marked a shift. However, when it comes to another New Era, Probst hasn’t decided yet.
“We’re working on 51 right now,” Probst told Entertainment Weekly. “And really, our process has never changed.
Probst elaborated on the topic further, stating that he didn’t think “50 has to be the end of anything.” But for those thinking that means no major changes, not so fast.
“We are months away, and I would not say that,” Probst admitted. “Because what we do is we just talk. We say, ‘Well, what if we did this? What if we did that? What if we did this other thing?”
Tracking Survivor’s Biggest Tweaks Over the Years
Some of the changes to “Survivor” over the years have been relatively minor, such as reducing the season length from 39 days to 26 and staying permanently in Fiji. But there have also been some major changes even without the New Era restructuring, such as having contestants earn rice rather than receive it for free.
In Season 11, “Survivor” introduced a new tradition: hidden immunity idols. “The first one is in Guatemala when he hid the first idol,” Probst said on his “On Fire” podcast. “Because that really led the way to every advantage we have in the game today.”
While there have been many rule changes and other differences, hunting for the idols has become a significant part of the game, for good or bad.
