Jeff Probst Reveals the Secret Theme of 'Survivor 46'
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When Survivor 46 started filming on June 1, a lot was left uncertain. The Emmy-winning reality series had been given the clearance by CBS to film with the intention of 90-minute episodes for season 45 due to the impending writers' and actors' strike leaving a hole in the schedule. As a result, we got more time with our cast, saw more complicated idols, and even brought back the fan-favorite Survivor auction.
This was not, however, a guarantee for the next season. So, does the reality stalwart revert to planning a season with the 60-minute contingency in mind? Evidently, after having hundreds of castaways be tormented by a lack of dental hygiene, this was one helping of toothpaste they couldn't put back in the tube.
"We had a feeling that if the 90-minute episodes were well received in Survivor 45, we might end up doing them again in Survivor 46," host, showrunner, and executive producer Jeff Probst exclusively tells Parade. "We had that in mind every day of shooting. So even though we didn't officially shoot for 90 minutes, we still kinda did!"
Related: Everything We Know About Survivor Season 46
This process involved incorporating game elements to hopefully create exciting gameplay, but could also be edited out if need be (like "a multi-step hidden immunity idol with a unique delayed ticking clock," according to Probst). But it also includes dialing in on fun character moments around camp to help allow diving further into this season's group of players. And, indeed, we'll see all those choices come to fruition, as Survivor 46 will continue to air 90-minute episodes, with the first two installments even running a whopping two hours.
It only makes sense that Survivor 46 be produced with some uncertainty, given the similar feeling that production wants the castaways to approach the game with. Probst says the key strategy for any "new era" player is to "expect the unexpected" (perhaps being a bit inspired by his CBS reality summertime contemporary). "If you can lean into accepting the idea that you can't predict what might happen, then it frees up that part of your brain to focus on adapting to what does happen," he remarks.
Check out the interview below for more insight from Probst about his approach to season 46, some "tremendous gameplay" from the new cast, and his informal theme for the season. Survivor 46 premieres with a two-hour episode on Wednesday, February 28, at 8:00 p.m. on CBS.
You spoke previously about not knowing if CBS would be airing season 46 with 90-minute episodes at the time you were filming. How much was part of your planning process for 46, having to create elements that had to work under a possible 60-minute timeframe?
We had a feeling that if the 90-minute episodes were well received in Survivor 45, we might end up doing them again in Survivor 46. So we had that in mind every day of shooting. We also designed things like a multi-step hidden immunity idol with a unique delayed ticking clock that gave us flexibility in the edit bays. We also paid attention to fun character-driven moments that were happening at camp and made sure to get the interviews we needed to explore them in our storytelling. So even though we didn't officially shoot for 90 minutes, we still kinda did!
That being said, 90 minutes is here to stay for season 46! Are there any elements from season 45, such as the more elaborate idol searches and the return of the auction, that will carry over into 46?
Yes to fun and elaborate idol searches! And yes, we loved the auction as much as the players and fans did. And we will be doing it again, but not in Survivor 46! The philosophy of the new era is to create uncertainty at every turn. The more the players begin to accept the uncertainty, the more permission they can give themselves to just go play the game. And that's what you're going to see happen this season… tremendous gameplay.
You and I spoke before 45 about your method behind bringing back twists and events from before the new era. And this past season we saw the return of the opening credits, a full tribe swap, and the auction. Should we expect to see any more blasts from the past in 46?
Here's the truth. When it comes to advantages and idols, we really don't differentiate much from the past to the current. We have a giant document that contains every twist, every advantage, and every version of an idol that has ever been put into the game. So, as we start to lay out a season, we always have a creative direction in mind. And that leads to a lot of questions that center around "why." Why would we do this twist? What is the intention behind it? Why would we put that advantage into the game? What result are we hoping for? Once we understand our why, then the rest starts to fall into place. At that point, we aren't paying that much attention to what era it's from, only if it serves a function we need.
Related: Meet the Full Cast of Survivor 46
On top of the 90-minute episodes continuing, the first two episodes will both be two hours long. What can we expect from those even more supersized episodes of the show?
We're so happy to have two-hour episodes for weeks one and two because it really gives us a lot of time to get to know the players, and this is a REALLY fun group! Anytime you can lay an early foundation from a character standpoint, it will pay off down the road. The easiest way to think about the positive impact is that it gives the episodes a chance to breathe. So we can spend a few more moments with a tribe as they are building shelter, or eavesdrop on them as they play a game of music trivia. These are the kinds of moments that we often have to cut out of the episode due to time length. But for this season, we can keep them in, and, as a result, you get to know the players on a deeper and more personal level.
The Survivor 46 cast flew out to play only a few days after the finale of 44. How much do you think things like the birdcage idols, the dominance of the Tika Three, and Yam Yam's win will affect the way these people approach the game?
It's a great question because it is at the heart of the new era and the idea of uncertainty. The more this new version of Survivor is played, the more the players begin to understand that you can't predict what might happen from day to day, much less season to season. "Expect the unexpected" is a phrase that can sound trite and be overlooked. But on Survivor, it's the key. If you can lean into accepting the idea that you can't predict what might happen, then it frees up that part of your brain to focus on adapting to what does happen.
You have previously called the 46 cast "a really unusual collection of smart, funny, eclectic humans." Talk to me more about your overall thoughts on this group.
I love this group of players! There are some very big personalities on all three tribes, and an overall great sense of humor across the board. I feel confident that our fans will laugh a lot, be moved at times, and be completely entertained by the level of gameplay this group brings.
You previously described Survivor 45 as centered around secrets and pairs. If you could assign a theme to the 26 days of Survivor 46, what would it be?
Trust No One.
Next, check out the Survivor 46 players' first impressions of each other.
