For more than two decades, Survivor has been synonymous with thrilling gameplay and exciting puzzles. But more than this, time and again, the show has also honored traditions that have kept fans coming back season after season. However, not every element of the show has managed to stand the test of time. The same was touched upon by host and showrunner Jeff Probst in an interview.
And while he has been a huge fan of such twists, he talked about one particular fan-favorite tradition that has disappeared from the show. Not only that, but it will also never return. Let’s dive deeper to understand what that tradition is and why it was removed from the show.
Jeff Probst talks about the fan favorite tradition that will never return to Survivor
Every now and then, several new elements are introduced in Survivor. And while some traditions have managed to remain a part of the show decades later, others have quietly disappeared. One such fan-favorite tradition was the schoolyard picks, which gave players a chance to choose their own tribes.
While this played a very important role in the earlier seasons, if the past 31 seasons are taken into account, schoolyard picks have completely disappeared from the show.
According to showrunner and host Jeff Probst, the tradition may not make a comeback. He shared this on his On Fire podcast and reflected on the severe risks associated with allowing players to pick their own teammates. Probst added, “They are super risky” and that “You are relying on the players to self-divide into somewhat even tribes.” While this process always created major drama and dynamics, it also carried the potential for improper gameplay.
This was something the show had always tried to avoid, so it was better to completely erase the tradition from the format. One of the best examples of this happened in the tenth season of the show, Survivor: Palau.
When players were given the liberty to pick their own tribes, two players, namely Jonathan Libby and Wanda Shirk, were not even chosen and, as a result, were immediately eliminated. The teams that were formed were uneven as well.
While all of this was true, the host did not completely reject the idea of bringing back the tradition. When he was asked if schoolyard picks could ever return, he laughed and said, “There is a chance, yes.” However, since it has been absent from the format for so long, the chances of it happening again are very unlikely.
First episode of Survivor 48 leaves fans and Jeff Probst in tears
After the conclusion of Survivor Season 47, fans had already begun anticipating the 48th season. But when the first episode premiered on February 26, it turned into an emotional rollercoaster that left both fans and Jeff Probst in tears and visibly moved. It all started when 23-year-old PhD candidate Eva Erickson opened up about her autism to fire captain Joe Hunter.
The exchange between the two was incredibly heartwarming, making it one of the most touching moments in the show’s history.
While Probst has witnessed his fair share of emotional moments over the years, he admitted during an interview with Gold Derby, “It choked me up immediately. It’s such a beautiful example of the kinds of surprising moments that happen on Survivor.”
When the special premiere took place in New York City, the audience had the same reaction. Former players and fans alike wiped away their tears as Joe reassured Eva that her autism didn’t change the way people saw her. Apart from this, it’s safe to say that many more heartfelt moments are still awaiting viewers this season.
You can watch all the seasons of Survivor on Hulu.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
