The On Fire podcast is back for Survivor 49, with Survivor host Jeff Probst, producer Jeff Wolfe, and Survivor: Cambodia winner Jeremy Collins. In the latest episode, they talk about strategy talks, Survivor rivalries, and more. Plus, Probst comments on why no one from Winners at War was brought back to be on Survivor 50, and most controversially, they talk about whether or not they think Parvati Shallow should be considered a two-time winner.
First, Jeremy commented that other players, for instance, Tony Vlachos, talk about strategy at all times, so it’s never too late or too early to do so. Then, Probst admitted that, ever since the New Era began, Survivor is fundamentally a new game that forces players to play hard at all times to survive, so in theory, everyone should be in overdrive constantly.
Also, Probst praises Jeremy for his strategic thinking and overall Survivor gameplay and tells Jeremy he would’ve been brought back for Survivor 50 had he not played in the all-winners season. Probst said, “We made a decision not to bring back any winners from Winners at War because we had just seen them, and it was a big season. And I know a lot of people will miss players like Jeremy, but that was the reason why. That’s simple.”
Afterward, Wolfe asks Jeremy if he thinks Shannon is playing like Parvati after Sage made the comparison in the episode. Jeremy quickly acknowledges that, while Shannon is doing her thing, Parvati’s shoes are too big to fill as a winner who almost won twice (in reference to Heroes vs. Villains).
Probst then puts Jeremy on the spot by asking whether Parvati should be considered a two-time winner after her iconic and successful run in Australian Survivor: Australia V The World this past summer. In case anyone missed it, Parvati completely dominated the season against Survivor legends from all around the globe and ultimately beat Australians Luke Toki and Janine Allis.
“I don’t think so,” Jeremy says before adding that in his Survivor world, she has one and a half wins. Jeremy doubles down, adding that while Australian Survivor is good, it’s not the same as the American version.
I will interject a personal note here. I am an avid Survivor watcher who has seen every season of the US version, as well as the Australian, New Zealand, South African, and Mexican versions. While Survivor US has always been the most notorious for being the first and most full-fledged version, there should be recognition for how other countries play Survivor as well. Although each international version has its own tweaks, they nonetheless follow the Survivor premise of outwitting, outplaying, and outlasting. Hence, they share the essence of the American version.
Parvati didn’t play against rookies or recruits; she played against winners from New Zealand and South Africa, as well as well-known and mostly renowned players from Quebec, Finland, and Australia. That fact by itself should be a merit in anyone’s books, particularly on a fellow winner’s… Having said that, let’s go back to our regular programming.
Later, when talking about how Jawan tends to grab Savannah’s things by mistake, Jeremy says he agrees with Savannah being upset, since players have few personal belongings on the beach and it’s just unspoken etiquette not to grab other people’s stuff. Jeremy also added that people in his season marked coconuts with their initials, and even after some were voted out, the remaining players didn’t touch those marked coconuts because they weren’t theirs.
Lastly, Probst answers some fan questions. He discloses that players do get sunscreen and bug spray, which Jeremy confirms. When asked how much of his dialogue is scripted, Probst says the only “parts” he rehearses are when describing a challenge or specific rules; otherwise, it’s whatever comes up in the moment.
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He is not wrong, I love Parv but she was on a tribe with 4 duds, plus a 14 day game win is nothing like Sandra’s two 39 day game wins! Impressive win though
buahhhaaha … well … only duds here are … actual Sandra’s wins … PI … she was non-factor whatsoever in thge game and lucked out to sit next to Lil … and HvV – she was outplayed, outwitted, fully OWNED by Parvati there … and only got the win cause heroes were (and still are) bitter betties buthurt losers
Those “duds” were winners from Survivor South Africa and New Zealand, and runners-up from Quebec and Finland. Not to mention Tony and Cirie, and all the iconic Aussie players. CIRIE was the statistically worst member of the World tribe, which is an insane tribe. Parvati didn’t beat a bunch of random newbies, she won against some of the best in the world to ever play Survivor. I’m not a Parvati fan at all, I’ve never liked her, but she IS a two time winner, deservedly so. The US show is not the only show that matters. Don’t diminish the accomplishments of the other incredible players from the other shows.