Season 49 of Survivor hadn’t even began when chaos broke out behind the scenes. Host Jeff Probst simply revealed the shocking purpose two gamers have been eliminated proper earlier than the cameras began rolling.
“Within the days main as much as the start of the sport, all of the gamers are collectively,” Probst shared on the September 24 episode of his “On Fireplace with Jeff Probst” podcast. “They’re at a spot we name Ponderosa. So you may have all your opponents, however you’re not allowed to speak.”
In fact, as Probst defined, the principles are strict for a purpose. “That’s why we’ve got so many handlers there to verify no person’s speaking,” he continued. “You may clearly have a look at one another, you’ll be able to attempt to make eye contact. That may be just right for you, it won’t.”
Whereas castaways can jot down their early “assessments” of opponents, precise dialog is totally forbidden. “The one factor is, we’ve got guidelines,” Probst emphasised. “The foundations are you can not discuss to one another, for apparent causes. And on this season, season 49, we had two gamers who have been disrespecting that rule. They simply saved speaking.”
In line with the Emmy-winning host, the scenario escalated shortly. Probst mentioned he acquired a name noting “a degree of concern” over the contestants’ habits, prompting producers to present the pair a “stern warning.”
However issues solely bought worse. “I went and met with our govt crew and mentioned, ‘Look, we’d have a scenario,’” Probst recalled. “Earlier than we might even end our dialogue, I bought a second telephone name saying that the extent of disrespect had reached an much more blatant degree.”
At that time, there was no turning again. “That was all it took,” he revealed. “Candidly, the choice was made in that second to right away take away these two gamers from the sport and exchange them with our alternates.”
The sudden shakeup introduced in Jason Treul and Michelle “MC” Chukwujekwu as replacements — a twist that, surprisingly, the remainder of the forged supported.
“What actually occurred was the gamers, as soon as they have been in a position to discuss, they thanked our producers,” Probst shared. “As a result of they mentioned, ‘We have been all conscious that this was taking place. And it felt like dishonest. Like there was a bonus being had.’ And now they’re within the scenario of: Ought to I do this as properly?”
Although unprecedented, Probst made it clear that the transfer was essential. “It must be clear to future gamers, though I doubt it will ever occur once more, to only know we is not going to hesitate to drag you from the sport,” he warned. “It doesn’t matter how a lot time or cash we’ve invested in you.”
As he put it finest: “We worth the integrity of the sport greater than something.”
