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Author: Jeff Probst (1-10 of 68)

Dec 20 2010 08:19 AM ET

Jeff Probst blogs the 'Survivor: Nicaragua' finale

by Jeff Probst

Filed under: Reality TV, Television, TV and tagged: Reality TV, Survivor, Television

Image Credit: Monty Brinton/CBS

It’s late so this will be short:

FABIO WINS
I’m delighted that Fabio won. He was the clear audience favorite. The crowd in the studio went wild when his name was announced. Kids seem to gravitate to Fabio. I think it’s his goofy honesty. He doesn’t filter much and though at times he is a bit scattered, there is an undeniable charm and it’s nice to have him on the list of Survivor winners.

CHASE ON GEEE-TAR
I was really impressed. I’d never heard Chase play before but I just had a feeling it was worth a shot. He played once during our walk thru before the show and it sounded so good we asked the band to join in as well. I wish Chase well in his music endeavors. I could see him having a lot of success in Nashville.

NAONKA
I think she held back a little bit from her true self during the live show. She had a bit more self-control last night, but she still came through with some colorful answers. I was most curious what her mom would be like and I was pleasantly surprised that her mom was so even-keeled and honest about her daughter. READ FULL STORY »

Dec 16 2010 07:00 AM ET

Jeff Probst blogs 'Survivor: Nicaragua': Episode 14

by Jeff Probst

Filed under: Reality TV, Television, TV and tagged: Reality TV, Survivor, Television

Image Credit: Monty Brinton/CBS

IF IT’S A SPRINT PHONE, THAT MUST MEAN THE LOVED ONES ARE COMING!!

We’ve been through this season after season. I love the “loved ones” visit. I fight to have it in the show every season because it always pays off. Plus, Sprint loves it and Sprint is a major sponsor so if they like it, we really like it.

It’s almost always emotional and on the rare occasions that it’s uncomfortable due to an odd family dynamic, you always learn something new about the Survivors. This season was pure emotion. Let’s review, shall we? READ FULL STORY »

Dec 9 2010 07:00 AM ET

Jeff Probst blogs 'Survivor: Nicaragua': Episode 13

by Jeff Probst

Filed under: Reality TV, Television, TV and tagged: Reality TV, Survivor, Television, Things That Are Awesome!

Image credit: Monty Brinton/CBS

RUN SASH RUN!
Like a small town thief running from the local sheriff, this episode started with Sash on the run. Until last week, he had a great game going, but losing Brenda, Purple Kelly and Naonka put him in a deep, deep, deep hole.

I would have never believed that Sash would be able to get himself out of this mess and get back in the game, but he did. I continue to have to eat the words that I said to Sash at the beginning of the game, “Sash, you’ll be the first person voted out.”

Sash is not the most likable guy on the show and I’m not sure exactly why that is, but he is certainly one of the best strategists. More on that later… READ FULL STORY »

Dec 2 2010 07:00 AM ET

Jeff Probst blogs 'Survivor: Nicaragua': Episode 12

by Jeff Probst

Filed under: Reality TV, Television, TV and tagged: Reality TV, Survivor, Television, Things That Are Awesome!

Image Credit: Monty Brinton/CBSOkay, I’m not a lawyer, but it seems to me that there is a bit of an implied contract when you agree to be on Survivor.

On our side, we promise you the adventure of your lifetime. Something you have never experienced before and will probably never experience again. It’s a multi-million dollar, life-changing thrill ride that will test you on every level. We promise, and we always deliver. Always.

In exchange we expect only two things from you: Show up… and play. That’s it. When you fail to do one or both of those requirements you are not living up to your end of the bargain. One might say you are in breach of our implied contract.

That’s my new philosophy regarding quitters on Survivor. You’re breaking your contract. There are certainly exceptions to the rule, such as medical evacuations and family emergencies, but I’m talking about the contestants who just decide they don’t want to play anymore. READ FULL STORY »

Nov 25 2010 07:00 AM ET

Jeff Probst blogs 'Survivor: Nicaragua': Episode 11

by Jeff Probst

Filed under: Reality TV, Television, TV and tagged: Reality TV, Survivor, Television

Image Credit: Monty Brinton/CBSHey guys, I hope you are all enjoying a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and/or your friends. If you are spending it alone, I hope you’ll have me at your table as a guest in “spirit!”

I’ll be spending it out of state with friends in a very sunny climate. So you won’t be hearing much from me!

LAST NIGHT’S EPISODE
I know that even die hard fans don’t always enjoy the “special scenes” episodes because you want to see somebody voted out! But hopefully you found some of the new scenes enlightening as we wind our way down to the finish.

NEXT WEEK’S EPISODE
We’re back with a regular episode next week and I must tell you… it is one of my favorite episodes of the entire season! From start to finish I think it is really top notch!

Here’s a clue: I think a lot of you are going to be really thrilled by the episode.

That’s it. That’s all you get.

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

Nov 18 2010 07:13 AM ET

Jeff Probst blogs 'Survivor: Nicaragua': Episode 10

by Jeff Probst

Filed under: Reality TV, Television and tagged: Reality TV, Survivor, Television, Things That Are Awesome!

Image Credit: Monty Brinton/CBSPeople often ask me “Hey Probst! What keeps you interested in the show after 21 seasons?”

Well, I’m guessing it’s the same thing that keeps you guys interested — human nature. At its core that’s what Survivor is really all about, isn’t it? Our nature as humans and how we behave in different situations?

Holly is a great example. Five days into the show and she wanted to quit; 22 days later not only is she still around, but she could win. What changed? Her behavior. After nearly losing her mind, she rallied. She gained a lot of respect and now is considered a threat to go to the end.

Brenda is another fascinating case study of human behavior. More on her later..

Tonight, the gold star goes to Naonka and Fabio for instigating and following through with a big move.

SASH & THE IDOL
Let’s just be clear about this idol in Sash’s pocket. (I’m referring to the immunity idol… just to be really clear.) Sash isn’t going to use that idol to save anybody but himself. No chance. Listen up future players: If you don’t have the idol in your possession when you walk in to tribal council, it is very unlikely you will have it in your hand when I ask for it. Yes it has happened on rare occasions, as when Parvati had a bag full of idols, but in most situations, the idol will be used to save the person who possesses it.

REWARD CHALLENGE
This was old school Survivor. READ FULL STORY »

Nov 11 2010 07:00 AM ET

Jeff Probst blogs 'Survivor: Nicaragua': Episode 9

by Jeff Probst

Filed under: Reality TV, TV and tagged: Reality TV, Survivor, Things That Are Awesome!

Image Credit: Monty Brinton/CBSFabio: “I call it being cool.”

Ah Fabio. You’re awesome.

Fabio continues to crack me up…in the best possible way.. every single episode. More on Fabio and “being cool” later…

REWARD CHALLENGE
One of the most enjoyable aspects of Survivor is you truly never know what is going to happen next. For the reward challenge, we did a random draw and ended up with all men on one team and all women on the other. To make it even more dramatic the challenge was the most physical of the season. The women had very little chance simply due to strength. The “stick crossing” and the “brick wall” at the finish was extremely tough to get through. We never anticipated an “all men vs. all women” challenge but that’s just how it played out.

I was very impressed with the women. Jane was completely spent by the time the challenge was over because she gave everything she had. READ FULL STORY »

Nov 4 2010 07:43 AM ET

Jeff Probst blogs 'Survivor: Nicaragua': Episode 8

by Jeff Probst

Filed under: Reality TV, Television, TV and tagged: Reality TV, Survivor, Television, Things That Are Awesome!

Image Credit: Monty Brinton/CBSI finally figured out Naonka. At last. After 7 weeks, it all makes sense now.

Jeff Probst blogs 'Survivor: Nicaragua': Episode 7

by Jeff Probst

Filed under: Reality TV, Television, TV and tagged: Reality TV, Survivor, Television, Things That Are Awesome!

Image Credit: Monty Brinton/CBSSash: “That’s not what I meant to say.”

Ah, I love an unexpected gift… especially a gift at Tribal Council. It’s one of the truths at Tribal Council that sometimes it takes a lot of work to get them to share anything of interest, and other times… they just offer it up to you like a fastball straight over the plate. Whack! And it’s outta here!

Jeff Probst blogs 'Survivor: Nicaragua': Episode 6

by Jeff Probst

Filed under: Reality TV, Television, TV and tagged: Reality TV, Survivor, Television, Things That Are Awesome!

Image Credit: Monty Brinton/CBSI’M SO CONFUSED…

Two people were sent home, and from my vantage point they were the wrong two people. More on that later.

DOUBLE ELIMINATION INSIGHT
Let me explain why we have to have double tribal councils. When the show first started we had 16 contestants. That is still the perfect number if you want to vote one person out each week and have a final two scenario at the last tribal council. To be clear — we LOVE starting with sixteen people.

Here’s the problem. READ FULL STORY »