The On Fire podcast is back for Survivor 48, with Survivor host Jeff Probst, producer Jeff Wolfe, and Survivor 47 winner Rachel LaMont. In this episode, Probst fleshes out the differences between how Survivor used to be and how it is during the New Era, while also mentioning that most changes made to the game are here to stay. Rachel shares her thoughts on a “winner Survivor formula” and the “strong alliance” behaviour displayed during the last tribal council. Also, Probst and Rachel answer some fan questions.
Probst reveals the most significant difference between the New Era seasons and the other Survivor eras: “In the 39 days version, players might have had a period of 36 to 48 hours where there was no event happening; meaning, no reward challenge, no Journey, none of that stuff. And back then, you didn’t have anything to distract you, and it used to drive the tribemates a little insane… by design, those big gaps were there to let you fester.” Unlike the New Era, Probst adds, “With the 26 days, we took a different approach. We said we would have shorter days, so let’s lean into the pace and add even more.”
Rachel then asks Probst if there’s a “middle” that production might ever consider between the new fast-paced Survivor and the old-school one of 39 days and if there’s an ideal version of the game for him. Probst doesn’t know if there’s an ideal Survivor version, per se, as the New Era was also born as a necessity due to COVID and other restrictions, and Probst thinks the 26 days is a good comprise. As for returning to 39 days, Probst says it isn’t possible any time soon, as there’s plenty of room to explore with this new game version.
Interestingly, Probst also comments on how the iconic “Get a Grip” challenge has been modified for players not to be able to be on it for hours, as it isn’t entertaining, similar to what Probst said of endurance challenges such as “Hand on an Idol” for the final immunity challenge. Production seeks dramatic and amusing moments, so challenges have also shifted. The Survivor host quips this challenge (Get a Grip) will probably continue to change until there are no more footholds.
Rachel gives advice when it comes to playing Survivor and if there’s a formula that can help hack the game. Rachel says there’s no way to account for all types of advantages and that people can do the same thing and get different results and vice versa. As the audience saw this season where Justin and Bianca lost their votes, one kept quiet as the other revealed it, and both still got voted out. For Rachel, the key ingredient in Survivor is trusting your instincts, not feeding into paranoia, and establishing social connections that can help when at risk. As for future players, Rachel counsels those people to sit down with their loved ones for them to tell the future players what they need to watch out for when it comes to their flaws, as it’s an exercise for self-awareness and also to avoid public shame to find out about them on national television.
Rachel also comments on David’s behaviour during the latest tribal council and his combative attitude towards Chrissy, especially as the latter was headed towards the jury. Rachel agrees with Kamilla that these actions were poor jury management. When Wolfe asks Rachel if there’s a way the “strong alliance” can bring in jury votes, particularly from Chrissy, Rachel replies that she doesn’t see how.
Lastly, Probst discloses why he doesn’t wear sunglasses on Survivor anymore. Probst retorts it because they reflect the cameras surrounding him to the audience. Rachel is then asked about the difference between strategic deception and losing credibility because of lying. Rachel responds juries understand the type of game they’re playing and that lying, manipulation, and deceit are crucial in a game such as Survivor. The difference between game deception and straight-up lying is the manner of delivery and how it’s used (either for gameplay or personal reasons). Jurors talk in Ponderosa and exchange information, and if they conclude a player lied when they didn’t have to for game reasons, then they won’t respect that person.
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Probst has single-handedly ruined Survivor.