Survivor fans are used to seeing contestants squirm under the sun during challenges, but on the latest episode of the CBS reality competition, it was host Jeff Probst who looked like he was ready to pass out.
During the Wednesday, October 29, episode of Survivor season 49, Probst doubled over in physical discomfort after the latest reward challenge, prompting one contestant to sarcastically hit Probst with one of his own catchphrases.
“Jeff, you out of breath too?” Rizo Velovic asked the longtime Survivor host and executive producer. Probst responded, “It’s no joke, man.” Rizo then shot back, “Welcome to Survivor!”
On the Thursday, October 30, episode of his Survivor podcast, “On Fire With Jeff Probst,” the show’s host addressed his moment of exhaustion, explaining that the challenge took place in one of the hottest parts of Fiji, where Survivor has filmed for the past 17 seasons.
“The island where that challenge took place is the single hottest spot we ever shoot in Fiji,” Probst explained. “It might be the hottest spot in all of Fiji. I don’t know why. I’ve asked people on our team and I never get a good answer.”
“I’m sure there’s someone listening right now saying, ‘Probst, it’s a basic barometric pressure thing.’ It is so dense, that one spot,” he continued. “It’s like you’re in a sauna and someone is pouring more water on the coals. I’m not exaggerating.”
“You have this amazing boat ride. It’s beautiful skies, the wind is blowing your hair back, you feel amazing. And then you step off the boat and walk into this dense forest,” he said of the challenge location.
Probst added, “The cliché is, everybody says, ‘Man, it’s so hot today.’ And we all know we say it, and we all try not to say it. ‘I’m not gonna say it today. I’m not gonna complain about the heat. I’m not gonna say anything.’ And then you walk in, and you go, ‘But my God, it’s hot! It’s so hot again today!’”
This season, 18 new castaways are vying for the $1 million Survivor prize as they take part in challenges and tactical eliminations for the chance to be named “sole survivor.”
Probst, who has hosted Survivor since 2000, will also host next year’s much anticipated Survivor 50, which will feature returning players coming back for an all-star season.
“I just got an idea,” the host teased during a panel event last year. “Survivor 50 is coming down the corner. The truth is, we really do focus on 47 and 48, that’s what we’re heading out to shoot next, and then we have to shoot 49. But we know 50 is coming, so I am curious, is there a feeling, should 50 be another season with new players and don’t make it a big deal?”
After the audience shouted, “No,” Probst said, “In the spirit of, sometimes letting the game be in the hands of the fans, I feel like — and there are a couple of people from CBS right now going, ‘Oh, my God, what is happening?’ — I feel like we should just commit and make this the moment where we decide that Survivor 50 will be returning players. I don’t know what is going to happen after this, but I’m pretty sure we’re committed.”
Probst then confirmed the news in a video posted on Instagram. “About 10 seconds ago, we just decided that thanks to all the fans that were in attendance at the FYC event here in Hollywood that Survivor 50 will be returning players,” Probst said.
Contestants set for Survivor 50 include The White Lotus creator Mike White, Cirie Fields and Ozzy Lusth.
Survivor airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
