This week and next, we’re making end-of-year lists to celebrate the best moments of Survivor in 2016. The Inside Survivor team, including former two-time player Shirin Oskooi, discussed and debated the options and separately nominated four choices in each category. We then tallied those votes to determine the final four nominations for each category.
Here are our four nominations for Best/Worst Probst Moment (best or worst depending on your point of view) of Survivor in 2016. Readers can vote below for their favorite (or least favorite depending on your point of view).
“C U L8R”
Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X, Episode 3, October 5, 2016
Given the season’s theme, it’s no surprise that all four nominations come from Millennials vs. Gen X, with two of the nominations directly linked to the theme. Throughout the season Jeff Probst was hellbent on pushing the cultural differences between the generations that may or may not exist. It was standard fare for the first couple of episodes: participation trophies, taking shortcuts, etc. But that would soon change.
The first face-palm moment came during Episode 3’s tribal council when Probst lectured the Gen X tribe on how to write a text message in “yoof speak.” “When you write the word ‘YOU’ as in ‘see you later,’ do you spell Y-O-U or do you use the letter ‘U’?” he asked the so-called “old-fogey” Gen Xers. When they all answered that they spell out Y-O-U, Probst told them that the Millennials had changed the language to make things more efficient. He then insulted people that listen to records on vinyl as being stuck in the past, despite vinyl record sales reaching a 28 year high in 2016. All in all, it was the first of many cringe-inducing moments that showed Probst as completely out of touch with the Millennial mindset.
“Soft drinks for Will”
Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X, Episode 9, November 16, 2016
Will Wahl is the youngest Survivor contestant ever, an 18-year-old high school student at the time of filming, something Probst wouldn’t let him forget easily. In Episode 9, two rewards were up for grabs, a poolside dining experience at a local resort for the reward challenge winners and grilled ham and cheese sandwiches for those who chose to sit out of the immunity challenge. Both rewards came with ice cold beer, except Will wasn’t allowed to touch the alcohol, as Probst took great pleasure in reminding him. “You know you can’t drink the beer, right?” Probst said as Will was sipping his coke. The funny thing about all this is that the legal drinking age in Fiji is 18, so technically, Will could have got as loaded as he wanted. But step-dad Probst wasn’t going to let that happen on his watch.
“Surf’s Up”
Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X, Episode 4, October 12, 2016
It was only a brief moment but easily one of the season’s highlights. During the Episode 4 reward challenge, a challenge that was already memorable due to Michaela Bradshaw’s tatas, a Fijian wave almost wiped out Probst and knocked him on his ass. Maybe this was nature’s way of getting him to stop forcing generational stereotypes down our throats; perhaps the aim was to drag him out to sea never to be heard from again. To Probst’s credit, despite his tumble, he managed to stay upright, letting out an almighty “Wow!”
“Holy Matrimony”
Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X, Episode 6, October 26, 2016
As if the “Figtails” showmance wasn’t already sicky-sicky enough, during Episode 6’s tribal council, Probst offered to wed the young couple, once again mistakenly believing this is something Millennials would do. “Let’s just throw caution to the wind and let’s just get married right now, the Millennials do these things, we marry you right now!” I’m not sure where Probst had read Millennials are into casually getting hitched on a whim, casual hook-ups, yes, but marriage? That’s the Baby Boomer in Jeffery talking again. Luckily, Figgy and Taylor turned down Jeff’s gracious offer, and just as well given the way the story ended; it wouldn’t have made for a successful marriage – although probably would make a hit sitcom (Probst, get Cochran on the phone!).
Honorable Mentions: Efficiently handling the Caleb medevac situation (Survivor: Kaôh Rōng, Episode 4), Terribly handling the Kaôh Rōng reunion show and failing to ask Cydney a question (Survivor: Kaôh Rōng, Episode 15).
The poll closes Saturday, December 31, 2016.
Check back Tuesday when we will reveal the nominations for Best Alliance. Vote on the other categories, including Best Episode and Best Move, here.
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I did catch that Adam was flipping off the camera in the holy matrimony!
I liked all except “C U L8R”
He did not speak to queen Cydney? The nerve.
All Survivor contestants must abide by United States law. Therefore, it would have been illegal for Will to drink and right of Probst to say that.
Soft drinks for Will is one of the funniest and most unnecessary Probst moments
Thanks for clearing that up, pretty sure I saw Will with a beer in his hand at the loved ones visit. His mom was there so she could have given permission, makes sense now.