Casting is well underway for Survivor‘s next cycle of seasons, and the show’s host and executive producer, Jeff Probst, has offered some insight into the process and advice for those thinking about applying.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly‘s Dalton Ross, the Emmy-winning host said, “One of the most fascinating and enjoyable aspects of producing Survivor is the casting process. It’s so much fun! We get to meet so many truly amazing people and learn about their lives.”
As for the process itself, Probst explained, “Typically, it goes like this. We hop on Zoom, and they start to tell us about their lives. I often spend the first few minutes thinking the same thing… ‘How have they already done so much at such a young age, and what was I doing when I was 24!?'”
“If they continue onto the next round, they meet our psychologists, and that can get pretty deep pretty fast,” he continued.
Survivor used to hold in-person casting finals in Los Angeles, where chosen applicants would spend a week at a hotel undergoing a series of interviews and psych tests. However, in 2020, following the COVID-19 pandemic, the show switched to a completely virtual process, with these meetings now taking place over video call.
Become a Patron
Get exclusive content and features by supporting Inside Survivor on Patreon.
But what exactly are the producers looking for during these casting calls? “Our only intention is to get to know who they really are,” said Probst. “It’s one of the things I try to stress to people who are applying to be on Survivor. You don’t have to be anything other than who you are.”
He added, “It sounds so simple, but it’s the absolute truth. You do not need an emotional underdog story, you do not need to be the funniest person in the room, you don’t need to have a college degree, you don’t need to be anything other than you.”
And so, if you’re thinking about playing a character in your audition, you better think again. “Putting on a front doesn’t work anyway, as our process is designed to sniff out anyone who isn’t being authentic,” Probst stated.
Casting for seasons 45 and 46 began in August, and applications will be accepted until February 2023. If you want to apply, visit https://www.cbssurvivorcasting.com.
For those interested, we have a full break down of the casting process on the Inside Survivor Patreon.
Written by
But that means absolutely nothing to people that have been applying ever since the beginning & have never gotten contacted back! It has only gotten even harder over the years with younger applicants & Canadians. With as much time I have put into it over the years it is no longer fun/enjoyable to have to start from scratch over & over again! I m sick & tired of Jeff giving so-called “advice” when it does absolutely nothing whatsoever o help people in THAT position!