Survivor host Jeff Probst, producer Jeff Wolfe, and Survivor 46 runner-up Charlie Davis meet on the On Fire podcast to discuss the eighth episode of Survivor season 47. The trio comments on the auction and the layers it has acquired with the New Era, whether people with different personal philosophies have a different treatment on the show, and Rachel’s brilliant and brand-new way to play her “Shot in the Dark”. Plus, Probst reveals the reason why the iconic intro montages of himself at the top of mountains or hanging by a helicopter are now a thing of the past.
The Survivor auction was back on the show for the second time since the game’s New Era began. Probst states the auction returned to add some levity to the game, but it doesn’t mean it ever stops. “A key to the auction is it is still related to gameplay and that there is an invoice for participating, which is one of you will lose your vote, and one vote can change the entire outcome of a tribal, which can, therefore, change the entire game,” he adds.
Charlie then mentioned that he noticed how in Survivor 45, Probst was clear there weren’t going to be any advantages, as opposed to this time, when he didn’t mention anything regarding them. This instance highlights to future players how crucial it is to be aware of what Probst says and, most importantly, doesn’t, as it may indicate what is happening in the game.
Wolfe asks Probst about the new layers to the auction, specifically, the previously mentioned advantage, the grubs making a comeback, and giving cash back to players. The host goes on to explain that these layers were introduced as a way of keeping the players on their toes and as a way to correct some mistakes. For instance, the cashback program was created to incentivise players to bet their money on food so as not to lose their vote, and now, because some items might have some money added, the risks are more significant. Besides being a personal favourite addition of Probst, the grubs guarantee a successful outcome. Regarding the advantage, Probst is very clear about production, not wanting to break the auction again and forewarns future players that advantages in the auction aren’t guaranteed. However, they still might make an occasional appearance.
As to clarify whether or not players with personal philosophies, such as being vegetarian, have different treatment in the game, Probst clearly stated, “They know what they’re getting themselves into…we’re not going to change our show to accommodate anyone, in the same way, we didn’t change anything when Noelle [Lambert, in Survivor 43] who had a prosthetic leg, was on the show.” In addition, Probst tells future players that if they work on their social skills, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and trust their gut, no matter what twists or advantages are present, they will do well on Survivor.
Later, Rachel’s move of playing her “Shot in the Dark” to see whether she needed to play her idol is brought up. Probst remarks how inventive this move was on Rachel’s part as it wasn’t a move for safety, but rather, for information, and clarifies she could’ve played her idol had she wanted to at that point. Charlie adds he is excited to see the future countermove for this new twist on how to play a “Shot in the Dark.”
Lastly, Probst divulges the reasons the intro montages of himself hanging out of helicopters presenting a season are now gone, which are that neither production nor himself wanted to modify the old saying of “39 days, 18 people, 1 Survivor” to say 26 days and that even though Fiji is the most accommodating place for the show, there are a number of limited vistas that they can find to shoot a tagline.
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