‘Survivor’: Jeff Probst Gets Honest About Players With Dietary Restrictions
Dietary restrictions and Survivor don’t go well together. Fans watched Liz struggle through worse hunger than the other castaways in Survivor Season 46, leading many to wonder why the show would cast someone who wouldn’t be able to eat most of the scarce food available in the first place. It also raised questions about why Liz, and anyone with food allergies or strict dietary restrictions, would want to compete. Vegetarians have also competed on the show, like Kyle in Season 47, who bid on a meal comprised almost entirely of meat in the auction on the November 6 episode on CBS. Jeff Probst has “no advice” for potential players when it comes to dietary restrictions, and his opinion may be one that’s shared by viewers.
Reacting to Kyle’s meal options during the auction on the On Fire podcast released on November 6, Probst said, “I have no advice or philosophy” for applicants with food allergies or specific restrictions “because they know what they’re getting into.”
“They know that we’re not going to change our show to accommodate anyone in the same way,” Probst explained. “We didn’t change anything when Noelle, who had a prosthetic leg, was on the show. She still had to get up the same challenges over the same giant ball, all that stuff. That’s how we view the game.”
Probst says these restrictions are “irrelevant” to him. As he explained to cohosts Charlie Davis and Jay Wolff: “Here’s what I find interesting. I don’t even know anymore about a player’s dietary restrictions. I know you may think, how could you possibly spend months and months getting to know these people and not know something about whether they’re vegetarian or not? But I don’t. It’s irrelevant to me.”
“I don’t even really care where people are from. I only care if I find you compelling, if you’re a good storyteller, if you have a point of view, all the things we talk about on this podcast because the game or the format or the twist, whatever it is, that’s always going to be whatever it is. It’s what the players do with those elements that makes a great season,” he went on. “So maybe that’s my insight for future players regarding how to approach Survivor. Just remember what I said: The game, the format, the twist, whatever it is will always be whatever it is. You are what matters, so focus on yourself and listening to your gut and using your emotional intelligence and your social skills to play your game and worry less about whether or not the Knowledge is Power [advantage] is in the game. Because if everything else is working, you’ll know if the Knowledge is Power is in the game.”
The Survivor auction returned in Episode 8. While it’s been back for a couple of seasons now, the Season 47 auction saw the return of live grubs for the players to chow down. Probst reveals where they source the food (both savory and unsavory) for the auction in the full episode of On Fire. Listen for free below.
In the upcoming episode of Survivor, titled “Nightmare Fuel,” CBS says that “castaways must choose wisely as they split themselves into pairs at a crucial multi-staged immunity challenge. The deck is stacked against castaways when they embark on a journey that can drastically affect their game. Then, different names are tossed out at camp as paranoia ensues, leading to another crazy tribal council.”
Survivor, Wednesdays, 8/7c, CBS
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Conversation12 Comments
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C
I think the people who have food allergies or those who do not eat certain foods should think before they sign up for the show. The game is not about what you eat or don't eat, it is about the challenges you take. It is the same on Amazung Race, one needs to know that you may have to eat crazy things or do crazy things but that is the game, so why go if you do not want to do it. It is not Jeff’s responsibility to find out what people eat or do not want to slaughter to eat. It's the same as not knowing how to swim and most of the challenges may be in the ocean.
27
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O
Liz was one of the most annoying players ever. Probst says the show doesn't cater to players with dietary issues, but last season sure seemed to be extra packed with food rewards right when every episode was being partially hijacked by Liz's hunger and her tantrums about said hunger. It felt like they were giving her extra opportunities to have a shot to eat the rare types of food that she could eat. The side benefit, I guess, was seeing her not being chosen by other players to go on those rewards.
25
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R
I agree with Jeff. It is up to the potential player to assess their own fitness for the challenges they will face. They know what they are getting into. It wouldn’t be fair to the other players to make accommodations for one or two. You wouldn’t apply for a mountain climbing show when you know that you’re afraid of heights.
Sure, push yourself to accomplish things you fear…that’s part of the game. But don’t ask the show to remove those things that you won’t or can’t do.
18 1
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C
Survivor should be survivor not let's cater. It doesnt feel as good as it used to, the players are babies and the challenges just seem simple with everyone doing a puzzle. I remember when they went to Africa and had to survive. Oh well it's a TV show, on with the show.
9
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G
Oh, but you'll stop saying Come On In Guys, even after a lesbian woman said it didn't bother her at all. Then a gay guy chimed in to say it bothered him. So, that decided it! You're pathetic Jeff.
21 15
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G
I don’t think they should have any special treatment. What happened to the days when they landed with only the clothes on their backs. They had rice to eat and challenges were harder. I also liked the way they used to announced the winner of the game with a live audience. But time changes everything.
2
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O
What a duality reply by Probst.. didn't stop him dropping the word " Guys" because of some woke objection
2 1
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G
Ridiculous comment. As if CBS would allow any one to die from starvation. They'd have them taken out of the game before that ever happened.
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G
Seems Jeff doesn't give a flying f--k about the players health just make it good TV if you're going to die.
14 47
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O
Then don’t go
40
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C
Agree, don't go
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P
I find it hard to believe there are [as of my typing] 14 people who agree with/like your comment. Accommodations, while great in the real world, are not remotely necessary on/for a show like Survivor.
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