Jeff Probst Changes His Mind About ‘Survivor’ Players Competiting on Other Reality Shows

Since its inception in 2000, more than 750 individuals have competed on “Survivor,” with some players returning to play the ultimate game of survival and strategy two, three, four, and, for some, even five times over the last 25 years. All the while the series has been helmed by Jeff Probst, who acts both as host and executive producer. 

While some players, like Parvati Shallow, Rob “Boston Rob” Mariano and Cirie Fields, have made a career out of returning to compete on “Survivor” multiple times, plenty of former contestants, including those listed above, have similarly padded out their reality TV resumes by appearing on other competition series – a fact that Probst wasn’t always too happy about. 

In the coming year alone, former “Survivor” stars are set to join the casts of a number of reality competition series including Peacock’s “The Traitors” Season 4, Amazon Prime Video’s “Beast Games” Season 2 and E! Network’s “House of Villains” Season 3.  

Probst Used to be ‘Territorial’ Over His ‘Survivor’ Players

During a Q&A session discussing the upcoming 50th season of “Survivor” earlier this year, Probst accused other reality series of attempting to “poach” the talented competitors from the show’s back catalogue of players. 

“I do get a little territorial, I’m not gonna lie,” said Probst in the March 2025 interview. “We find an incredible human, and they’re on an incredible season of ‘Survivor,’ and the next thing you know, these other shows are going, ‘Hey, why don’t you come do our show?’ and I’m like, yeah, of course you would. That’s a great casting philosophy.”

The host similarly added: “If you looked at it from our point of view, we might have a returning player season in store, and we’re like “Oh, now you’re gonna go do this show and that show, and it’s not quite as special now to see you.’”

Some fans have even speculated that Probst’s distaste for past players competing on other series seriously affected the casting decisions for “Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans.” Set to feature the series’ largest-ever cast, composed entirely of former players, fans believed that “Survivor 44” finalist and fan favorite castaway Carolyn Wiger was a shoo-in for the season. However, after competing on Season 3 of “The Traitors” earlier this year, many now believe that her participation in the the competitor series played a major role in her being excluded from the landmark cast. 

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While Probst was admittedly bitter about seeing his former players on series like “Snake in the Grass,” “Big Brother,” “Deal or No Deal Island” and, most prominently, on Alan Cumming’s “The Traitors” – which has featured “Survivor” stars every single one of its seasons, the host has now changed his tune. 

Probst Changes His Tune, Tells Past Players: ‘Go Make That Money’ 

“Initially, when I saw ‘Survivor’ players showing up on other shows, I was pretty vocal, [but] now I have a different feeling,” said Probst in an August 13 interview with Gold Derby. “I’m embarrassed that I was upset about it, because I have nothing to do with it. And I see why other shows would want these people. They’re fascinating, they’re compelling, they’re great storytellers.”

“If you’re a former ‘Survivor’ player and another show will pay you to come do their show, absolutely go make that money because you’re entertaining,” he added. “They’re smart to want you.” 

Indeed, former “Survivor” players have been recruited to appear on countless reality competition series over the years, including programs like “Snake in the Grass,” “Big Brother,” “The Traitors,” “Beast Games,” “The Amazing Race,” “Deal or No Deal Island,” “House of Villains,” “The Challenge,” “Squid Game: The Challenge,” “Fight to Survive,” “The GOAT,” “Naked and Afraid,” “The Biggest Loser” and more.  

Now, with Probst’s latest change of heart, former players can safely expand their reality TV careers without worrying about being black-listed from playing “Survivor” again.