Survivor’s Jeff Probst Clarifies Comments on Parvati Shallow’s Wins

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Jeff Probst doesn’t want to be voted out of the Survivor fandom.

Jeff Probst is responding to criticism after Matt Rogers criticized a TV host for downplaying Parvati Shallow’s two wins on Survivor – Micronesia in 2008 and Australian Survivor in 2025 – by suggesting they only equaled one and a half victories. Probst clarifies he didn’t make the original claim; it was actually Jeremy Collins, who said it while appearing on Probst’s podcast.

Jeff explained on his podcast, On Fire, that comments mistakenly attributed to him actually came from fellow player Jeremy. Specifically, Jeremy said something about Parvati’s win not being valid, and it was reported as Jeff’s opinion. Jeff clarified that he never made that statement and doesn’t even have a view on the matter.

He clarified the confusion around his question to Jeremy about whether Parvati should be considered a two-time winner, addressing any rumors or assumptions about how he’d worded it.

The host insisted, ‘If you believe I steered that question to get Jeremy to respond a certain way, you don’t know me very well. I definitely have my own opinions – I share them frequently, and sometimes wish I hadn’t – but I honestly don’t have one on this. I’ve never played the game, so I wouldn’t be able to judge whether this was a deserved victory or not.’

Jeff also addressed the criticism he got from Matt on their podcast, Las Culturistas, which Matt co-hosts with Bowen Yang of Saturday Night Live.

Jeff explained, “I really enjoy that podcast, and Bowen was incredibly supportive when I was on Saturday Night Live. He made me feel welcome and eased a lot of the stress that comes with being on the show. I like both of them, actually. So, Matt, I understand where you’re coming from, and while it was funny, you’ve misidentified who you’re talking about.”

After which he pleaded, “Retape that with Jeremy. And Jeremy, you can take all the grief.”

The initial conversation sparked a reaction from both fans of Survivor and Parvati Shallow, the star of The Traitors. She responded to a clip shared on social media on October 23rd, writing, “Two men attempting to undermine a woman. Come up with something new, guys.”

TopMob News reached out to Jeff and Jeremy for comment at the time but and has not heard back.

Rather than defend Jeremy, Jeff chose to share his own thoughts, and those thoughts concerned Parvati.

“I have a Mount Rushmore of Survivor players from the U.S, just my own opinion,” the 64-year-old said. “And I’m going tell you who they are: Boston Rob [Mariano], Sandra [Diaz-Twine], Tony [Vlachos], and Parvati. Those are the only four people on my Mount Rushmore.”

He went on to say that Parvati is among the best players the game has ever seen. He described her as incredibly charismatic and playfully cunning, possessing qualities similar to those of Tony, Rob, and Sandra.

Ultimately, Jeff loves the dialogue surrounding Survivor—within reason. 

He explained that the appeal of Survivor comes from its competitive nature. He welcomes different viewpoints and doesn’t take criticism personally, as long as he was the one who originally stated the opinion. He just wanted to make that point clear.

As for what makes Survivor so watchable, read on for behind-the-scenes secrets.

The show receives tens of thousands of applications. Casting directors then combine dedicated Survivor fans with recruited individuals—often models or actors—but even these recruited players still have to go through the complete audition process.

Former casting director Lynne Spillman, who worked on the show from its start until 2018, shared with Reality Wanted that they often received repeat applications from the same individuals year after year.

Now, host Jeff Probst is handling casting. 

He explained to Entertainment Weekly that the process usually starts with a Zoom call where the subjects share their life stories. He admitted he often spends the first few minutes wondering how they’ve accomplished so much at a young age, and comparing it to his own life at 24.

The selection process involves several more steps, including interviews with the show’s psychologists. Jeff Probst explained that their main goal is simply to understand the contestants’ true personalities. He often tells applicants that they don’t need to pretend to be anyone other than themselves. It seems obvious, but it’s completely true – they don’t need a dramatic backstory, a funny personality, or any specific qualifications. Just being authentic is enough.

Even if you’re one of the first contestants voted off, you still earn money by appearing on Survivor – though it might be a blow to your pride.

Here’s a quick rundown of what competitors make:

Players voted off before the final jury still get a free trip to Fiji – they have to stay throughout filming to keep the show’s outcome a secret. In addition, each contestant receives $10,000 for attending the live finale and reunion show at the end of the season.

In an interview with TMZ, Jonny Fairplay revealed how much money contestants on Survivor supposedly earn. He claimed the first person voted off receives $12,500, and those who make it to the jury receive $40,000. Fairplay later admitted he might have violated a non-disclosure agreement by sharing this information.

The winner of Survivor receives a $1 million prize, but even coming in second or third place earns a substantial amount – $100,000 and $85,000 respectively. The show used to also award a prize to a fan favorite voted on by viewers, which was either $100,000 or a car if a sponsor provided one, but that award is no longer given.

The second season of Survivor, The Australian Outback, was the only one to last longer than 39 days. This was likely due to the huge popularity and high ratings of the show’s first season.

Plus, each episode covers roughly three days of the competition, which means editors have to condense an incredible 300 to 500 hours of footage—remember, the contestants are filmed around the clock—into a single, 44-minute episode.

Filming the Tribal Council scenes usually takes an hour or two because Jeff Probst asks each contestant the same question individually. When it’s time to count the votes, Probst works with the producers, who watch the voting process on a live feed. Together, they decide the order in which Probst will announce the results.

According to the Survivor Wiki, castaways are only allowed to bring one small, handheld item with them when filming begins – they can’t bring any luggage.

All clothing worn during the 39-day shoot must be approved by the production team beforehand.

I really wished I could have brought my parka to the game, but as a contestant, I didn’t have complete control over what I wore. We were told our outfits should reflect our personalities and everyday style,” said Angelina Keeley from David vs. Goliath in an interview with EW. This was after she famously tried to get Natalie Cole, who had just been voted out, to give her her jacket—but failed. “You start with one outfit, and that’s what you have to stick with throughout the game, unless you find a way to get a new one.”

During a Reddit Q&A, former contestant Max Dawson shared that the show’s producers go to great lengths to control what contestants wear, even sending people to specific stores with pictures of exactly what they want them to buy. For example, John Cochran’s famous sweater vests weren’t his own choice – they were selected for him by the show!

According to Today, participants are given a kit with essential items like feminine hygiene products, birth control, important medications, contact lens solution, sunscreen, and bug spray.

Basic necessities, like tampons, aren’t always readily available. Survivor Season 39 contestant Lauren-Ashley Beck shared that she had her period twice while on the show, and the second time, it took almost a full day to get a tampon because the crew had to go to a local village to get more.

Some actors opt for procedures like laser hair removal or teeth whitening before filming, likely to avoid visible imperfections from things like toothbrush or razor marks.

So…where are Probst and the crew members staying while the competitors are roughing it? 

Jeff Probst shared in a 2014 Reddit AMA that the Survivor crew’s sleeping arrangements depend on the location. For example, while filming in the Philippines, they were lucky enough to find an abandoned casino and hotel on a remote island. He wasn’t sure what the place was normally used for, but it provided comfortable accommodations with private rooms, showers, and air conditioning for everyone on the crew.

They’ve used tents in the past, he explained, recalling a particularly memorable experience in Kenya. He described sleeping in individual tents where he could lie on his cot and gaze at the stars. Each morning, he’d carefully unzip his tent, trying not to disturb the zebras or giraffes often grazing nearby – a truly unforgettable experience.

Let me tell you, a typical day for Jeff Probst? There really isn’t one! Every day is different, way longer than you’d think, and honestly, more enjoyable than anyone realizes. Because ‘Survivor’ is essentially running around the clock, and as the Executive Producer, he’s always working. But he always says they have the most amazing production team, and you can really see that dedication shine through.

It might surprise you to learn that Survivor has a dedicated “Dream Team”! This group of crew members actually performs all the challenges before the contestants do – first to make sure everything functions correctly and to plan the best camera shots. They then run through the challenges again, this time while being filmed, so it looks like the contestants are competing as Jeff Probst explains the rules on the show.

Let me tell you, even with Jeff Probst explaining the rules, Survivor challenges can get pretty complicated! Luckily, the contestants get a really thorough rundown from John Kirhoffer, the challenge producer. He’s basically the master of all the games, and he’s there to answer any and all questions. And to keep everything above board, someone from CBS legal is always on hand to make sure the competition stays fair for everyone.

Contestants see the show’s medical team both before and after each challenge. Medical staff are also available at all times in case of emergencies—like the time three players collapsed during one challenge on Survivor: Kaôh Rõng.

Even if you’re voted off early in the competition, you’ll still stay for the entire 39 days at the filming location – which can be a benefit when trying to keep secrets! Eliminated players who make it to the final jury are sent to a place called “Ponderosa.” It’s typically a comfortable resort or hotel where they get access to things like food, entertainment, and running water. They also get to hang out and talk with the other jury members.

During the Micronesia season of Survivor, CBS launched Life at Ponderosa, an online show that lets viewers see what happens after contestants are eliminated from the game.

If you’re voted out of the game before reaching the jury, you’ll move to a nearby location once the jury members begin gathering.

Surprisingly, the show wasn’t forced to evacuate the cast because of a natural disaster until a cyclone struck Fiji during season 33, Millennials vs. Gen X, in 2016. And when a disaster halts production, it means everything comes to a complete standstill.

To ensure everyone was together, we brought all the tribes back to base camp. We then isolated each tribe in a completely empty room – no food, bedding, or anything at all. Producers monitored them closely throughout the night. Remarkably, they kept their word and didn’t attempt to communicate or strategize. We appreciated their respect for our agreement. The next morning, we returned them to their beaches and play continued, as Probst explained to EW.

During season 37 in 2018, the castaways had to be evacuated twice because of cyclones in Fiji. Both times, they were kept separate and watched to ensure fair play. However, host Jeff Probst praised the contestants for respecting the game during these interruptions.

The contestants were grateful we were prioritizing their well-being,” Probst explained to EW. “They also understood the game wasn’t over, even though it was paused, and that’s why they didn’t try to break any rules or cause problems.

Although it often appears that contestants walk to challenges and Tribal Council on their own, production staff actually transports them. However, they aren’t allowed to discuss strategy or the game while being moved behind the scenes.

Jeff Probst, the host and showrunner of Survivor, recently shared his favorite winner during an EW panel: John Cochran from Season 26. He also named Parvati Shallow and Rob Mariano as players who have consistently performed at the highest level in the game.

And during a Reddit AMA, he revealed his least favorite Survivor twist ever: The Medallion of Power. 

He admitted he wasn’t a fan of it and wished he’d been more vocal. Everyone makes errors, he acknowledged, but he hoped the team generally agreed their decisions were sound. He explained that, as any showrunner knows, you can’t predict what will be successful until you actually try it.

He considered the hidden immunity idol, first appearing in season 11, to be the most impactful twist of all.

Jeff Probst told The Hollywood Reporter that Survivor has incorporated ideas from Tyler Perry, like the ‘special powers’ idol that players could use after the votes were tallied. This idol actually helped Tony Vlachos win in Cagayan, but fans weren’t very happy with it.

I’ve been following this closely, and it’s not just Katy Perry who’s been offering predictions! Jimmy Fallon’s thrown his hat in the ring too. What’s really fun is this group of showrunners and producers – they’ve got a super-fan pool going with a $200 entry fee. The winner takes the whole pot, but the person who’s wrong has to foot the bill for a huge end-of-season dinner. I heard it once climbed to $8,000 – can you believe it?!

As a lifestyle expert and someone who’s followed reality TV for years, I can tell you that before anyone steps onto the Survivor beach, they sign a pretty thorough contract. It’s standard practice, really. They basically agree not to say anything negative about the show, CBS, or the people making it happen – you know, no bad-mouthing! And, importantly, they acknowledge that Survivor is a physically demanding game and there’s always a risk of getting hurt. It’s all about being upfront and protecting everyone involved.

There’s a huge penalty – $5 million – if you break the confidentiality agreement. This means you can’t reveal any details about the show, or even that you’re a contestant, until CBS officially announces it.

During season 37, Alec Merlino risked legal trouble when he shared a photo with fellow contestant Kara Kay on Instagram before the show aired. He captioned the photo with a profanity. Although producers didn’t pursue a $5 million penalty based on his non-disclosure agreement, they did exclude him from attending the live finale.

The biggest issue throughout my time on Survivor has been the controversy surrounding a picture taken of me. I have a lot of respect for CBS, the show, and Jeff Probst. Despite the situation, I had an incredible experience. I fully own my mistake – it was a bad look – but I believe things were misinterpreted, and that’s all I want to say about it, as social media can easily twist things around,” Alec explained to EW.

Back in 2001, Stacey Stillman, who was the third person voted off in the first season of Survivor, filed a lawsuit against CBS and the show’s creator, Mark Burnett. She claimed Burnett manipulated her elimination and rigged the show’s results. Her lawsuit alleged that Burnett misused his connections with the contestants and persuaded two of them to switch their votes.

CBS and Burnett dismissed the lawsuit as without merit. The network then filed its own counter-suit, seeking $5 million due to a breach of contract – specifically, speaking publicly against the show. Eventually, the dispute was resolved privately, outside of court.

Over the years, Survivor has seen many couples find love, with Boston Rob Mariano and Amber Brkich being the most famous example. They met during All-Stars and are now married with four daughters.

Jeff Probst also found romance unexpectedly, beginning a relationship with contestant Julie Berry after filming finished on Survivor: Vanuatu. They kept their romance private until after her season aired and dated for several years before splitting up in 2008.

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2025-11-20 18:49