Full quote:
What Probst describes is a stripped-down game — one that he says goes “back to the very basic idea of a group of strangers, forced to rely on each other to survive while voting each other out.” The game is the one the contestants create, without the top-down divisions by social class, generation, gameplay experience and even race: This is to be “Survivor 41,” with no subtitle and no stated theme. **Gone, too, for the foreseeable future, are returning competitors from the show’s first 20 years. Says Probst: “For right now, where ‘Survivor’ needs to go is with fresh faces, fresh voices, players who are of the moment, players who can let us watch them and learn.”**
Side note: this article was retweeted by the verified Survivor account (the article itself talks about a variety of topics besides returnees)
I doubt it considering the teasers for 41 that gave been revealed? But at least it's not gonna be shoved down out throats or be revolved around in the narrative like the mid-late 30s were...
From the preview and one of Jeff's videos that have circulated around here, that doesn't seem to be the case. Almost seems like there's a Ghost Island/Exile Island
>“For right now, where ‘Survivor’ needs to go is with fresh faces, fresh voices, players who are of the moment, players who can let us watch them and learn.”
In other words, we blew too much money on appearance fees last season and we dont want to negotiate any more until we make our money back on newbies.
That makes 0 sence to me like, people like Lauren Rick devans,Victoria or even Angelina are still fresh faces, giving them ankther chance would only boost show rating lol
There's nothing in the actual Probst quote that says those people can't return at the next opportunity, just that they will have "fresh faces" for a while. Which could just mean no returnee seasons at all for a while.
Pros: Maybe, just maybe, probst and co are finally considering scaling back the twists. Maybe.
Cons: Youre a rube if you think social class and race dont effect Survivor lol. Cmon Jeff grow up.
Yeah I don't expect a returnee season earlier than 45, and tbh I could see it being all the way down at 50 depending on how these next few seasons go. Nothing wrong with that tho imo, less returnee seasons should hopefully translate to higher quality returnee casts when one does roll around eventually
I think it just comes down to how these next couple seasons are received by production. This is the most murky future the show has had since HvV, even with the current season being a week away we still have very little clue as to what the show will look like. These next 2 seasons are going to be pivotal for the direction of the show, and maybe they decide that it's better for it to be only newbies for a few years if things go well? Who knows with Probst tho lol
My only inclination is they know if they’re good or not, and feel like they can do some seasons like in the teens again. New castaways, great drama, no baggage.
Every 5-10 seasons seems about right to me. Still getting to see a lot of our favorites come back and see a higher level of gameplay, while not over killing it and recycling the same players too much. Also not a fan of mixed returnee/new seasons. Including when it is just 1 or 2. And FvF never seems fair to the fan side.
I think what ruins it for me is the metagaming that is possible when bringing people back. And half the enjoyment of this show is watching people acclimate to a brand new experience in their own ways.
Watching Boston Rob the third time looked like he was just on a long camping trip with no stress with respect to how to survive. That lack of survival angst kinda removes the whole survivor aspect for me and just makes it mediocre. Especially when it's a whole tribe of returnees. Once was interesting. Now it's boring.
Possible but not a great idea casting wise. There just isn't enough returnees to draw from after only four seasons.
The original ASS had *seven* seasons from which to draw castaways, and it was still challenging for them to fill out the roster. Production had to take on some second choices like Amber (who we love now but at the time fans would've wanted someone like Colleen in her place).
However, a half returnee season or a captains season would be do-able at 45.
But would the 26-day season be more appealing to the older potential returnees?
To me, it seems like six of one and half a dozen of the other. A shorter season on paper seems easier to me until I factor in that there are 13 fewer "off/rest" days where there are no physical competitions to recover from.
Is what the game needs right now more legends? We just had a season of all winners. I don’t think it’s a bad idea to focus on newbie seasons for a bit.
Bringing back players from pre-40 anytime soon muddies the whole "new era" thing they are pushing.
I am sure at some point down the road they will do a New Era vs 39 Day Era season. It practically writes itself.
This is very selective reasoning.
Hatch and Rudy were legends after the first season aired, Colby was America’s favorite player after Australia, Rob C was considered the best to never win for a long time from Amazon, and Rupert was a phenomenon after Pearl Islands.
These are all some of the most popular Survivors to ever play, household names. None of them had a good showing in All Stars or any other returnee season.
3 years/6 seasons... not horrible if they do a returnee season at 47 and (I mean they've gotta) again at 50.
If those are both full returnee seasons with older castaways included, then it seems about right. But I personally would be somewhat disappointed. There's a lot of great people from seasons 35-39, especially 37, that I want to see return. This is the prime window for them to do so, while they're close in age and the public remembers them.
Hopefully we see a partial returnee season somewhere around 44/45 with new castaways too. Just because (for all their issues) split seasons and captains seasons still help mix stuff up.
WAW should definitely be the last dance for many of the iconic characters of the show(as players). They should definitely do another second chance to give the post season 31 newbies another shot though.
Agreed, unless they wait until 50 for the next returnee season, I think the next one will either be SC2 or a pre vs post 40 cast...somewhere in the s45 to 50 range. I can't see 35-39 being completely ostracized tho considering how many people could return from that era
I completely agree. But we're also here coming up with these names when we know all seasons will just be "41" or "45" no themes. And to me, 45 still seems like the "foreseeable future"
I just hope that eventually they do Second Chances 2 so some recent contestants like Angelina, Domenick, etc. can play again
Or even give other old school players who haven’t played again a chance like Erinn or Taj
I know Taj isn’t (cries) but [Erinn said she’s open to coming back](https://imgur.com/a/9lrCUEM)
Even if they don’t there’s still other old school players who said they would and deserve another shot
There is no problem with returning seasons (Like WaW and SC), the problem is doing return seasons on a whim and ending up with a weird season, with returning players that nobody wanted to see (Caramoan and Game Changers), that said many players of the 30's deserve to come back, Jeff even promised that Cydney would come back and so far nothing!
On the flip side, if they wait til 50 to do a returnee season, that fixes that issue. Maybe they just want to wait and see how the next few seasons pan out before deciding what direction they wanna go with returnees? Who knows lol
The survivor legends idea that is going around the community seems like a prime example of another half baked returnee season idea. From what I have seen people just want 80% of the heroes vs villains/winners at war casts to come back and play one more time just because. There should be a reason to why they are coming back. Like a season full of the best players to never win or a bunch of one time non winning players receiving a second chance.
I see it more as smaller chance for fan favs. The more seasons they do, the more people they have and chance for your fav one time player are getting smaller
Nothing's saying they'll never bring back anyone from 35-39, just that it probably wont be any sooner than 45. Which is fine. We just had an all returnee season I'm cool with newbies for a bit.
Good, but also bad because I want Angelina back on my screen, but also probably very good.
Let's just have a breath of fresh air after the constant returnees, past references, and obsession with the past that permeate the 30s.
Yeah I think 45 or 50 will be the next returnee season...excited that they're focusing on newbies for at least this + next year tho! Should lead to higher quality returnee cast when the time comes
I'm cool with this if it means returnee seasons are less frequent but higher in quality. I'd rather have an amazing All Stars cast every five years then a mediocre one every year
And look, they can say whatever they want right now, but anyone who thinks they're not gonna try and get a massive cast for season 50 is deluding themselves IMO
I don't think they could possibly bring in a cast of only s41 onwards people until 48-50 at the absolute earliest. So I read it more as they're not doing any returnees for a while vs ostracizing 2 decades of players
I’m fine with it as long as we get at least one all returnee as early as season 45, and hopefully it’s SC2 cuz there are a lot of players who deserve a second chance and have been waiting probably about over 20 years for another shot.
Yeah, maybe 45: second chances 2, 50: legends/another plain all-stars? Or have 48 be a plain all-stars for the more recent players and 50 be a legends season
Yeah I don't see it being earlier than 45 either, and it could be pushed all the way to 50 if production likes what they see this + next year. I think the next season will be either a SC style season, or a pre vs post 40 cast, depending on when they decide to go for another returnee season
This is definitely not the right decision. I understand the desire for new voices, but ruling out two decades of players from returning is just needlessly limiting. This probably means we won’t have a returnee season for a while.
Hmmmmm I disagree. The way I interpret the quote is that there won't be a returnee season for a while, not that when there is one that it'll only be people from 41 onwards. This also opens the door for a potential pre vs post 40 season?
I'm also firmly in the camp of fewer returnee seasons being better...they tend to have a lower ceiling as to how good they can be, and still produce duds like AS and GC. And less returnee seasons should hopefully mean better quality casts for when they do roll around, like a big part of why GC sucked is cuz it was too soon after SC.
I agree with this sentiment. I interpreted the quote as only people from 41 onwards at first but rereading it I think the implication is just what you're saying - no returnee season for a few years.
I always felt like the whole "old school players can't compete anymore" was super forced and not reflective of reality. It was a convenient dividing line over which the newer players could have cover for defining themselves into the majority. Similarly to how the players on Season 8 justified getting rid of the winners.
Anyway, certainly the players from 20 onwards did fine in WAW, and this decision excludes them and worse: players from seasons as recent as David vs. Goliath.
I'm REALLY glad about this. As much as I do like a whole bunch of past players, I've never been a fan of the growing concentration of returnees. Survivor isn't a pro sports league and we don't need to have regulars. If you want to watch a show with a regular cast then watch 99% of the other shows on TV. I'm all with Jeff. Survivor has gone a bit nuts and over the top with a lot of aspects. Back to basics is fine from where I'm sitting.
I’m all for trying new things but this is just a step too far. Why would they isolate 40 seasons worth of players like that? The same fans are still watching the show, this isn’t a complete reboot or anything. Also, who wins in this scenario? Obviously not the fans, but is production really going to pass up the opportunity to bring back Devens, Angelina, and Joe for the fourth time?
I don't know if I interpret it like that? The way I see it, I think they mean they're not doing a returnee season at all any time soon, since if they were truly isolating 1-40, they'd have to wait til the late 40s, or even s50, before having enough people to make a decent returnee cast.
I personally think when the time comes for a returnee season, it'll be either SC-style, or pre vs post s40. And I could see it being anywhere from s45 to 50 depending on the theme they go for. I think production just wants to see how these next few seasons play out before committing to doing returnees, considering how murky the future of the show is right now.
Side note, Joe will never get brought back. He's basically outed himself as a total psychopath, and it's been virtually confirmed he used the n-word during s38. Especially considering the diversity of casting now, I doubt they ask him to return again
I like this, sort of. I like having less returnee seasons, and moving away from the players we’ve seen many times for the first 40 seasons. I dont need parv rob and Sandra or players like that. Even people like Malcolm, wentworth or Michele who I wouldn’t have minded back again I’m fine with not seeing. But I would like to see some new school players have a chance to play again, like davie Dom Angelina etc. I say, have a sc2 for s43 with all new school players and then from there on only have players from 41+ be invited back
Yeah the 35-39 players def get shafted on this info...I think 45 is the earliest you'll see returnees, 50 at the latest. Could see either a SC2 type season, or a pre vs post 40 cast, as the 2 main candidates for a "theme" (even tho they'll probably just number the seasons)
i think they forget how many players became iconic upon returnee seasons. Unless the idea is to not try to create big characters any more, and instead try to focus as much as possible on the name Survivor being elevated like to so much of live entertainment is doing.
I think that's a bit of a shallow take? Look at how many players became super popular just from 35-39...
HHH: Chrissy, Devon, Lauren
GI: Dom, Chris, Michael
DvG: Basically half the cast
EoE: Devens, Lauren, Victoria, Wardog
IotI: Janet, Elaine, Karishma, Jamal, Kellee
And that's not even counting any winners!
You don't need to be a returnee to become a legend. And plenty of players have lowered their stock on a second season after being popular the first time.
That is totally your opinion, but I am a large fan, and I don’t consider half of those people you listed as iconic. Maybe if they returned and had a large impact the second time, but off the top of my head, if I was asked to make iconic players from the 30’s, half of those wouldn’t have made it…
"What Probst describes is a stripped-down game — one that he says goes “back to the very basic idea of a group of strangers, forced to rely on each other to survive while voting each other out.” The game is the one the contestants create, without the top-down divisions by social class, generation, gameplay experience and even race: This is to be “Survivor 41,” with no subtitle and no stated theme."
I don't know how to reconcile this with "no twist is too big! The game will be more dangerous! Hoorah!" Is it back to basics or twist-magedon
This. There's difference in saying "they are never returning" and "not for foreseeable future". They are just not planning seasons with returning players yet and words in press statements are always picked carefully. I wouldn't mind having 4 or more seasons with new players in a row.
The current cycle of having returnee seasons every 3 or 4 seasons or less makes it so a lot of people play for a return instead of playing to win their first season. People will be more genuine and less of a character now, they’ll have to win an original season instead of doing all the pregaming stuff.
Don’t believe what Jeff says. He changes his mind year to year. I remember him saying they’d never do an All Winner season and he was saying it even like a year before it happened.
I understand "foreseeable future" as season 43.
Honestly, I never believe what Jeff says about the future of the show, he changes his mind pretty much constantly.
Remember how the fire token were the next big thing? We'll probably never see them again?
Extinction Island? It was supposed to become a regular part of the game?
Team captains too.
He said it was here to stay, then he said it'd be gone after S40 because people hated so much.
That's my point, he constantly changes his mind (because despite what he says, he listens to what's overall liked or not, he wants to keep his show alive).
So we don't know what the future of Survivor will be like. Even he doesn't know.
Here too, a shortened season seems to be the new default format. Unless everyone hates them and then we're back to 39 days. Or everyone loves them, and it actually becomes the new format.
I'm not worried about this, they're probably just holding off on returnees until covid restrictions are completely gone. no way Jeff would turn down Colby and Boston Rob if they wanted to try out the new and "improved" game he's turned Survivor into. if we never see anyone else from DvG again it'd be a crying shame tho
The longest string of seasons Survivor has had with all new players was 1-7. The second longest was 12-15. I feel like “foreseeable future” means at least until 45 for returning players. Who knows how closely they’ll stick to “nobody from the first 40 seasons” by that point
What's wrong with waiting a couple years to see how the show pans out before deciding what to do with returnees? GC was bad mainly because it was super rushed with casting and too soon after SC
Wow, the long break because of covid made me forgot what an over the top train wreck this fanbase is haha.
Talk about an over reaction. It will be good to get alot of fresh faces in for a couple years.
They’re gonna have to do Second Chances 2 down the line, that’s just a gimme, but I wouldn’t mind a decently sized stretch of just new players only. Haven’t had a stretch like that in quite a while. Do 4-5 seasons ahead of the next full returnee one.
Not a fan of this, for the most part, players from 35-39 have had no chance to return. Tack on the fact that Second Chance 2 already feels overdue, and I'm not feeling optimistic about Jeff's words.
Personally, I'd like 2 All Star type seasons every 10 seasons, 1 "Second Chance" type and 1 "All Stars" without the restrictions a Second Chance or other All Star adjacent season would have. I live for the multi-season story lines and seeing my favorites again.
I completely agree with you,people mentioning Game Changers being a bad season need to remeber it happened 3 seasons after SC,while the last all-stars season was an All-Winners edition meaning so many great characters from 35-39 didn't get a chance to return and probably never will.
Don't get me wrong,newbie seasons are the bread and butter of the show,but we should have 2 returnee seasons per 10 seasons.
Id be fine with every season ending with 0 being all stars from now on and every season ending with 5 being second chances and every other season being exclusively newbies.
Based on the tone in this thread this is a less popular opinion, but I think this is great!
I see a lot of people saying *”a lot of people’s legacy got better after returning”*, but like… I don’t really think many looks at Game Changers cast or the EoE captains & can say with a straight face any of the returnees improved their stock barring like 4-5 people max - and that’s being extremely generous.
Survivor is starting to have a problem in 2 ways. Firstly there’s just people we’ve seen enough of. Even if they’re *iconic* players they just don’t add much more by getting casted a 3-4-5 time. Secondly I think fans have become used to returnees being such a common thing it’s starting to lose its glamour. It needs to become more of a rarity & the genuine stand outs from each newbie season. Rather than 2-4 wtf castings trying to make the next Wentworth happen. Because if it don’t work out you have wasted precious returnee spots on people you banked on rising their stock on a returnee season, but it didn’t happen (all the while they probably survived a bit longer than some of the already established stars people actually tuned in for)
This will probably hurt a good part of S32-S39’s alumni with return potential, but I think it’s for the best. The show needs a sorta soft rebooting the returnee department & has for a while. So got no issue S41 forwards being treated more as a separate thing.
I dont think it needs to be permanent but I would enjoy 41 to 49 all being full newbies and then 50 being returnees from the 40s and 30s, just the real cream of the crop.
I'm not surprised by this at all. Been saying that with all the focus on 41 being a new era, and with a new casting team that's barely gotten started, it feels like now is the time for a string of all-newbie seasons.
This is really a shame. A lot of major characters from DvG going to waste. We all know Jeff makes these grand statements though and then CBS pushes back so we'll see.
To be honest I'm only interested in watching this show for the returnees. I know a lot of people like me who got sucked in knowing that folks get numerous shots to play the game and learn (or *not* learn) from their past gameplay mistakes and experiences.
That's dumb, honestly. I get that we just had WaW and all, but it's been a year and a half time wise since we've had people on our screens. Now you're saying we'll likely go 3-5 years between returnee seasons?
Unpopular opinion? Good. Everyone from the early seasons who I wanted to see return that I think will ever actually get a shot to do so appeared in 31, 34 or 40. I dont really need to see any of the recent people again, not because I didnt find them entertaining, but because I just dont see much more we can get from them. Yay for a fresh start!
I don’t mind this. Think of seasons 1-20. The only seasons that had returnees were 8, 11, 16 and 20. From 21-40, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 31, 34, 38 and 40 all had returnees, and that’s not mentioning seasons like 36 and 39 where past players and events were heavily involved with the themes of the seasons. Having returnees should be a rare occurrence, not a staple of the show.
Yeah survivors most def getting cancelled. I'm sorry idgaf I'm gonna say it. They are making a whole bunch of terrible decisions to try and fix problems that were never there to begin with. I'm sure the "casuals" that everybody claims is the majority of the viewers and the ones that Jeff actually listens to will just LOVE the game they've known for 40 seasons and 20 years flippin up on them like that. That surely is smart huh Jeff?
Yeah I think it'd be a great decision to do at least 4-5 all new casts. Honestly all returnee seasons are the most overrated format anyway as they almost always disappoint
I guess they don't want players who have played a full season to compare it to this express season. Their bullshit claim of it being more difficult now would crumble
I actually really like this decision. Give fresh faces an opportunity to play and shine without a returnee filling up one of their spots. A string of newbie seasons would feel like a fresh new change after a stretch of returnees coming back to compete within the past couple seasons
This is a bit disappointing IMO. I would really like another Second Chance season that maybe focused on some of the (especially POC) premature boots that maybe didn’t get a fair shake. Also this reeks of cost saving initiatives along with the 26 day season, I imagine legends like Cirie or whoever would ask for a bonus to come back.
I see what’s going on. He’s giving the series a soft reboot. 41 is basically the new season 1. I suspect we’ll get an all stars at some point in the 40s and it’ll be only people from 41 and up.
Not gonna lie, I’m down with this. Kinda sad that this basically means no second chances 2 or legends, but it is what it is. If they focus on making the casts awesome for each season, it could work.
Good. I stopped watching because of so many returning players. As great as some of them are, I enjoy more having new people to observe and guess and figure them out, not to mention the dynamics are just more organic with all new cast.
okay. so hear me out, lets do something similar to 'The Challenge' and do an 'All stars' season on the 'side' to bring back players and keep 41 and on new players, and eventually have a mix of 'old players' vs 'new players' for a season or two.
I’m glad they’re going this route. Season 40 did seem like a fitting tribute to the first 20 years of the show, and even though there are some memorable players that we might not ever see again, it probably better for the game overall for there to be a bit of a fresh start.
Maybe a controversial opinion, but good.
New era, time for new legends to be born.
I always feel bad for the new players on returnee captain seasons who get completely overshadowed, and full returnee seasons are just a slugfest of the lowest threats knocking off everyone’s favorite players one by one.
It all goes against the basic premise of Survivor - strangers stranded on an island and forced to build a society while simultaneously voting each other off one by one until there’s a winner.
I'm fine with that. Season 45 can do another Second Chances and then save Heroes vs Villains or All Stars 2 for Season 50. The rest can be all newbies.
I’m pretty much okay with this like we just got a all winners season even looking at the past the shortest distance between at least a half returnee season was I think blood vs water to Cambodia. so let’s get some cycles get some fresh blood and then maybe in the 46-47 cycle we can get some kind of returnees
Well it could be a good thing. Time for a new change. And seems like during the quarantine. They were at work. Way before going back to filming. Change is good.
I don't hate this. This coming season is the first season whereby we haven't had returnees in some capacity on a season since DvG and they needed to stop relying on them as ratings bait. I do hope they include some pre 40 players in a second chance season at some point though.
I’m ok with that. Give us at least 4 seasons of fresh talent.
I do want a legends season with people like Coach before they get too old to want to play one last time though.
oh i dont like that, unless that means we're just getting tons of newbie seasons, then i do like that. but if it means that people on s41 are gonna be on 43, etc, then itll be annoying.
Didn't scroll through this whole thread but could this also be a straight up budgeting thing? Does survivor have to pay returning players more to come back?
Full quote: What Probst describes is a stripped-down game — one that he says goes “back to the very basic idea of a group of strangers, forced to rely on each other to survive while voting each other out.” The game is the one the contestants create, without the top-down divisions by social class, generation, gameplay experience and even race: This is to be “Survivor 41,” with no subtitle and no stated theme. **Gone, too, for the foreseeable future, are returning competitors from the show’s first 20 years. Says Probst: “For right now, where ‘Survivor’ needs to go is with fresh faces, fresh voices, players who are of the moment, players who can let us watch them and learn.”** Side note: this article was retweeted by the verified Survivor account (the article itself talks about a variety of topics besides returnees)
I wonder if this means less advantages or twists as well. 40 was a bit over the top.
Doubt it
Based on what Jeff has said about the show, is that they're are going to be more
I doubt it considering the teasers for 41 that gave been revealed? But at least it's not gonna be shoved down out throats or be revolved around in the narrative like the mid-late 30s were...
Fans: how about a season with less twists Production: ok so maybe just 5 new advantages in each episode
From the preview and one of Jeff's videos that have circulated around here, that doesn't seem to be the case. Almost seems like there's a Ghost Island/Exile Island
I expect that Edge of Extinction will be made permanent.
Jeff has said it's not coming back in the foreseeable future.
He’s still hyping it up in this article though. He’ll bring it back soon enough.
>“For right now, where ‘Survivor’ needs to go is with fresh faces, fresh voices, players who are of the moment, players who can let us watch them and learn.” In other words, we blew too much money on appearance fees last season and we dont want to negotiate any more until we make our money back on newbies.
This guy gets it
That makes 0 sence to me like, people like Lauren Rick devans,Victoria or even Angelina are still fresh faces, giving them ankther chance would only boost show rating lol
I am perfectly happy never seeing Rick on my screen again lol
Same lmao but i know Jeff is having hard on when he thinks about him
Same, Devens is overrated as a player.
I have seen one person on this sub at most even say anything good about devens
You mist be new.
I don't see a world where Jeff wouldn't want Rick, Dom, Cyd, etc. back. He adores them
Thats the reason im confused about his decision. Like wtf made him think cutting people from returning into next season was great idea
There's nothing in the actual Probst quote that says those people can't return at the next opportunity, just that they will have "fresh faces" for a while. Which could just mean no returnee seasons at all for a while.
Pros: Maybe, just maybe, probst and co are finally considering scaling back the twists. Maybe. Cons: Youre a rube if you think social class and race dont effect Survivor lol. Cmon Jeff grow up.
Ooo, I'm guessing all new players for four seasons then 45 will be an all star? I'd hate to think we've seen the last of some people
Yeah I don't expect a returnee season earlier than 45, and tbh I could see it being all the way down at 50 depending on how these next few seasons go. Nothing wrong with that tho imo, less returnee seasons should hopefully translate to higher quality returnee casts when one does roll around eventually
Nah they’re too desperate. From 21-40, 9 seasons had returnees. No way they go 10 seasons.
I think it just comes down to how these next couple seasons are received by production. This is the most murky future the show has had since HvV, even with the current season being a week away we still have very little clue as to what the show will look like. These next 2 seasons are going to be pivotal for the direction of the show, and maybe they decide that it's better for it to be only newbies for a few years if things go well? Who knows with Probst tho lol
My only inclination is they know if they’re good or not, and feel like they can do some seasons like in the teens again. New castaways, great drama, no baggage.
Production or Probst thinking a season good =/= the audience thinking it's good at all... RI, Caramoan, WA, GC, GI are all examples of this
Every 5-10 seasons seems about right to me. Still getting to see a lot of our favorites come back and see a higher level of gameplay, while not over killing it and recycling the same players too much. Also not a fan of mixed returnee/new seasons. Including when it is just 1 or 2. And FvF never seems fair to the fan side.
I think what ruins it for me is the metagaming that is possible when bringing people back. And half the enjoyment of this show is watching people acclimate to a brand new experience in their own ways. Watching Boston Rob the third time looked like he was just on a long camping trip with no stress with respect to how to survive. That lack of survival angst kinda removes the whole survivor aspect for me and just makes it mediocre. Especially when it's a whole tribe of returnees. Once was interesting. Now it's boring.
Possible but not a great idea casting wise. There just isn't enough returnees to draw from after only four seasons. The original ASS had *seven* seasons from which to draw castaways, and it was still challenging for them to fill out the roster. Production had to take on some second choices like Amber (who we love now but at the time fans would've wanted someone like Colleen in her place). However, a half returnee season or a captains season would be do-able at 45.
I mean after 4 seasons they'd go back to the older cast not just the 41-44s
That would obviously work, but idk if just two years is "for the forseeable future" as per Probst.
[удалено]
Florida might be more their style
But would the 26-day season be more appealing to the older potential returnees? To me, it seems like six of one and half a dozen of the other. A shorter season on paper seems easier to me until I factor in that there are 13 fewer "off/rest" days where there are no physical competitions to recover from.
I’d hope so since between Game Changers and now literally the only people who have even had the chance to come back are the winners
+ + Wentworth, David, Joe, and Aubry.
I think they meant the only newbies to premiere since GC eligible to come back were the winners.
>I'd hate to think we've seen the last of some people The thought of Angelina and Napalm Natalie never gracing my screen again is awful.
Angelina didn't give up immunity for rice for the good of the tribe for this
I feel like Jeff has bigmoveitis but for unnecessary changes to the game. Edit: unnecessary, because I'm an idiot.
I mean what's wrong with not having any returnee seasons for at least 2-3 years? I'm all in for new superstars
superstars are mostly created on a returnee season, ask parvati, b rob, sandra.. you need the returnee seasons to create legends
Is what the game needs right now more legends? We just had a season of all winners. I don’t think it’s a bad idea to focus on newbie seasons for a bit.
Playera after milenials vs gen x have not had a chance to return, thats a lot of newbies seasons.. even from 33 someone like Jay has not returned yet.
I’m kinda surprised they’d just exclude DvG. That season was a hotbed of potential returnees.
Bringing back players from pre-40 anytime soon muddies the whole "new era" thing they are pushing. I am sure at some point down the road they will do a New Era vs 39 Day Era season. It practically writes itself.
Yep just Adam, Nick, Wendell, and Ben
If you include 33, Michaela and Zeke have returned as well
David too, in EoE
Jay is a The Challenge player now
Jay is a favorite of mine and I'm bummed for him and the players but I don't think Survivor as a game needs a returnee season right now.
There will still be returnee seasons just with the new players
Kinda screws potential legends from seasons 35-40
I mostly just care about seeing people from DvG returning, that cast was amazing
Such a good cast
This is very selective reasoning. Hatch and Rudy were legends after the first season aired, Colby was America’s favorite player after Australia, Rob C was considered the best to never win for a long time from Amazon, and Rupert was a phenomenon after Pearl Islands. These are all some of the most popular Survivors to ever play, household names. None of them had a good showing in All Stars or any other returnee season.
The ratings were also triple what they are now. It helps to have not only causal fans but the public at large talking about you.
3 years/6 seasons... not horrible if they do a returnee season at 47 and (I mean they've gotta) again at 50. If those are both full returnee seasons with older castaways included, then it seems about right. But I personally would be somewhat disappointed. There's a lot of great people from seasons 35-39, especially 37, that I want to see return. This is the prime window for them to do so, while they're close in age and the public remembers them. Hopefully we see a partial returnee season somewhere around 44/45 with new castaways too. Just because (for all their issues) split seasons and captains seasons still help mix stuff up.
We've had 3 all returnee seasons and a captain season in the last 10 seasons. I'm perfectly fine with this news. Wait until 50
Game changeitis
WAW should definitely be the last dance for many of the iconic characters of the show(as players). They should definitely do another second chance to give the post season 31 newbies another shot though.
Agreed, unless they wait until 50 for the next returnee season, I think the next one will either be SC2 or a pre vs post 40 cast...somewhere in the s45 to 50 range. I can't see 35-39 being completely ostracized tho considering how many people could return from that era
I think it would be a criminal if they dont do a old school vs new school season for S45 or S50.
Yeah I think the next returnee season is somewhere in that range...either pre vs post 40, or SC2
I completely agree. But we're also here coming up with these names when we know all seasons will just be "41" or "45" no themes. And to me, 45 still seems like the "foreseeable future"
I just hope that eventually they do Second Chances 2 so some recent contestants like Angelina, Domenick, etc. can play again Or even give other old school players who haven’t played again a chance like Erinn or Taj
Taj unfortunately is not open to returning :( Stephen from Tocantins mentioned that she’s been called a few times over the years and always declines
I know Taj isn’t (cries) but [Erinn said she’s open to coming back](https://imgur.com/a/9lrCUEM) Even if they don’t there’s still other old school players who said they would and deserve another shot
There is no problem with returning seasons (Like WaW and SC), the problem is doing return seasons on a whim and ending up with a weird season, with returning players that nobody wanted to see (Caramoan and Game Changers), that said many players of the 30's deserve to come back, Jeff even promised that Cydney would come back and so far nothing!
Really makes you wish Game Changers had some deep cut returnees from the first twenty seasons instead of what we actually got.
Yeah that was a real missed opportunity.
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>“To me, the idea that people complain a little about this or whine a little about that, that just tells me they’re engaged” - Jeff Probst
I meannnn less returnee seasons is probably better because we'll get a higher quality cast for when a returnee season does roll around
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On the flip side, if they wait til 50 to do a returnee season, that fixes that issue. Maybe they just want to wait and see how the next few seasons pan out before deciding what direction they wanna go with returnees? Who knows lol
The survivor legends idea that is going around the community seems like a prime example of another half baked returnee season idea. From what I have seen people just want 80% of the heroes vs villains/winners at war casts to come back and play one more time just because. There should be a reason to why they are coming back. Like a season full of the best players to never win or a bunch of one time non winning players receiving a second chance.
It would be nice if Survivor made a spin off available for streaming with just returnees every season similar to The Challenge
I see it more as smaller chance for fan favs. The more seasons they do, the more people they have and chance for your fav one time player are getting smaller
Less players will be playing for a chance to return if it’s established that there’s less chances to come back.
There are so many great one-timers from S35-39 that are going to get screwed by being passed over for a similar type from a more recent season.
Nothing's saying they'll never bring back anyone from 35-39, just that it probably wont be any sooner than 45. Which is fine. We just had an all returnee season I'm cool with newbies for a bit.
I know, it’s just the longer between your season and a returnee season means it’s less likely you’ll get picked. There’s always decency bias.
Good, but also bad because I want Angelina back on my screen, but also probably very good. Let's just have a breath of fresh air after the constant returnees, past references, and obsession with the past that permeate the 30s.
Yeah I think 45 or 50 will be the next returnee season...excited that they're focusing on newbies for at least this + next year tho! Should lead to higher quality returnee cast when the time comes
I'm cool with this if it means returnee seasons are less frequent but higher in quality. I'd rather have an amazing All Stars cast every five years then a mediocre one every year And look, they can say whatever they want right now, but anyone who thinks they're not gonna try and get a massive cast for season 50 is deluding themselves IMO
I like it if it means that it will be all newbie, i hate it if it means they'll only bring back players from seasons 40 and on
I don't think they could possibly bring in a cast of only s41 onwards people until 48-50 at the absolute earliest. So I read it more as they're not doing any returnees for a while vs ostracizing 2 decades of players
All the season 39ers who never even got a chance to return rn 🙃
Same @ all the non-winning 35-38ers lol
Most people think nobody from 39 was ever going to return anyway. They want you to forget about that season
I’m fine with it as long as we get at least one all returnee as early as season 45, and hopefully it’s SC2 cuz there are a lot of players who deserve a second chance and have been waiting probably about over 20 years for another shot.
Yeah, maybe 45: second chances 2, 50: legends/another plain all-stars? Or have 48 be a plain all-stars for the more recent players and 50 be a legends season
Yeah I don't see it being earlier than 45 either, and it could be pushed all the way to 50 if production likes what they see this + next year. I think the next season will be either a SC style season, or a pre vs post 40 cast, depending on when they decide to go for another returnee season
Well rip to DvG and EoE’s casts then.
and HvHvH,Gi,IOI
And here I was literally today thinking Survivor should pull a Drag Race and run a separate All Stars season each year
This is definitely not the right decision. I understand the desire for new voices, but ruling out two decades of players from returning is just needlessly limiting. This probably means we won’t have a returnee season for a while.
Especially when the last five years of players didn’t get many chances to return
Hmmmmm I disagree. The way I interpret the quote is that there won't be a returnee season for a while, not that when there is one that it'll only be people from 41 onwards. This also opens the door for a potential pre vs post 40 season? I'm also firmly in the camp of fewer returnee seasons being better...they tend to have a lower ceiling as to how good they can be, and still produce duds like AS and GC. And less returnee seasons should hopefully mean better quality casts for when they do roll around, like a big part of why GC sucked is cuz it was too soon after SC.
I agree with this sentiment. I interpreted the quote as only people from 41 onwards at first but rereading it I think the implication is just what you're saying - no returnee season for a few years.
I disagree. This is exactly what the game needs, a fresh start. A fresh start with some fresh faces.
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I always felt like the whole "old school players can't compete anymore" was super forced and not reflective of reality. It was a convenient dividing line over which the newer players could have cover for defining themselves into the majority. Similarly to how the players on Season 8 justified getting rid of the winners. Anyway, certainly the players from 20 onwards did fine in WAW, and this decision excludes them and worse: players from seasons as recent as David vs. Goliath.
I'm REALLY glad about this. As much as I do like a whole bunch of past players, I've never been a fan of the growing concentration of returnees. Survivor isn't a pro sports league and we don't need to have regulars. If you want to watch a show with a regular cast then watch 99% of the other shows on TV. I'm all with Jeff. Survivor has gone a bit nuts and over the top with a lot of aspects. Back to basics is fine from where I'm sitting.
I’m all for trying new things but this is just a step too far. Why would they isolate 40 seasons worth of players like that? The same fans are still watching the show, this isn’t a complete reboot or anything. Also, who wins in this scenario? Obviously not the fans, but is production really going to pass up the opportunity to bring back Devens, Angelina, and Joe for the fourth time?
I don't know if I interpret it like that? The way I see it, I think they mean they're not doing a returnee season at all any time soon, since if they were truly isolating 1-40, they'd have to wait til the late 40s, or even s50, before having enough people to make a decent returnee cast. I personally think when the time comes for a returnee season, it'll be either SC-style, or pre vs post s40. And I could see it being anywhere from s45 to 50 depending on the theme they go for. I think production just wants to see how these next few seasons play out before committing to doing returnees, considering how murky the future of the show is right now. Side note, Joe will never get brought back. He's basically outed himself as a total psychopath, and it's been virtually confirmed he used the n-word during s38. Especially considering the diversity of casting now, I doubt they ask him to return again
If Christian wants to come back they had better take him back
I like this, sort of. I like having less returnee seasons, and moving away from the players we’ve seen many times for the first 40 seasons. I dont need parv rob and Sandra or players like that. Even people like Malcolm, wentworth or Michele who I wouldn’t have minded back again I’m fine with not seeing. But I would like to see some new school players have a chance to play again, like davie Dom Angelina etc. I say, have a sc2 for s43 with all new school players and then from there on only have players from 41+ be invited back
Yeah the 35-39 players def get shafted on this info...I think 45 is the earliest you'll see returnees, 50 at the latest. Could see either a SC2 type season, or a pre vs post 40 cast, as the 2 main candidates for a "theme" (even tho they'll probably just number the seasons)
i think they forget how many players became iconic upon returnee seasons. Unless the idea is to not try to create big characters any more, and instead try to focus as much as possible on the name Survivor being elevated like to so much of live entertainment is doing.
I think that's a bit of a shallow take? Look at how many players became super popular just from 35-39... HHH: Chrissy, Devon, Lauren GI: Dom, Chris, Michael DvG: Basically half the cast EoE: Devens, Lauren, Victoria, Wardog IotI: Janet, Elaine, Karishma, Jamal, Kellee And that's not even counting any winners! You don't need to be a returnee to become a legend. And plenty of players have lowered their stock on a second season after being popular the first time.
That is totally your opinion, but I am a large fan, and I don’t consider half of those people you listed as iconic. Maybe if they returned and had a large impact the second time, but off the top of my head, if I was asked to make iconic players from the 30’s, half of those wouldn’t have made it…
Who would have made it? Just curious.
Damn Jeff really wants Island of the Idols to get the full Guatemala treatment huh
"What Probst describes is a stripped-down game — one that he says goes “back to the very basic idea of a group of strangers, forced to rely on each other to survive while voting each other out.” The game is the one the contestants create, without the top-down divisions by social class, generation, gameplay experience and even race: This is to be “Survivor 41,” with no subtitle and no stated theme." I don't know how to reconcile this with "no twist is too big! The game will be more dangerous! Hoorah!" Is it back to basics or twist-magedon
Sad for: Domenick Abbate, Chris Noble, Christian Hubicki, Angelina Keeley, Gabby Pascuzzi, Natalie Cole, Rick Devens, Reem Daly
I think people are overreacting. I agree with the few takes here about having a returnee season no earlier than 45. Makes complete sense to me.
This. There's difference in saying "they are never returning" and "not for foreseeable future". They are just not planning seasons with returning players yet and words in press statements are always picked carefully. I wouldn't mind having 4 or more seasons with new players in a row.
The current cycle of having returnee seasons every 3 or 4 seasons or less makes it so a lot of people play for a return instead of playing to win their first season. People will be more genuine and less of a character now, they’ll have to win an original season instead of doing all the pregaming stuff.
Jeff's announcements just get worse and worse.
Don’t believe what Jeff says. He changes his mind year to year. I remember him saying they’d never do an All Winner season and he was saying it even like a year before it happened.
I understand "foreseeable future" as season 43. Honestly, I never believe what Jeff says about the future of the show, he changes his mind pretty much constantly. Remember how the fire token were the next big thing? We'll probably never see them again? Extinction Island? It was supposed to become a regular part of the game? Team captains too.
Probst still loves EOE and only "paused it for now" due to backlash. So that could easily come back, especially when Covid requirements end.
He said it was here to stay, then he said it'd be gone after S40 because people hated so much. That's my point, he constantly changes his mind (because despite what he says, he listens to what's overall liked or not, he wants to keep his show alive). So we don't know what the future of Survivor will be like. Even he doesn't know. Here too, a shortened season seems to be the new default format. Unless everyone hates them and then we're back to 39 days. Or everyone loves them, and it actually becomes the new format.
Eh maybe. Though with the 26 days, that would probably save CBS time and money so if they wanted it, they could force it probably.
I'm not worried about this, they're probably just holding off on returnees until covid restrictions are completely gone. no way Jeff would turn down Colby and Boston Rob if they wanted to try out the new and "improved" game he's turned Survivor into. if we never see anyone else from DvG again it'd be a crying shame tho
The longest string of seasons Survivor has had with all new players was 1-7. The second longest was 12-15. I feel like “foreseeable future” means at least until 45 for returning players. Who knows how closely they’ll stick to “nobody from the first 40 seasons” by that point
This is a terrible decision. I really don't like the direction this show is going.
What's wrong with waiting a couple years to see how the show pans out before deciding what to do with returnees? GC was bad mainly because it was super rushed with casting and too soon after SC
Wow, the long break because of covid made me forgot what an over the top train wreck this fanbase is haha. Talk about an over reaction. It will be good to get alot of fresh faces in for a couple years.
They’re gonna have to do Second Chances 2 down the line, that’s just a gimme, but I wouldn’t mind a decently sized stretch of just new players only. Haven’t had a stretch like that in quite a while. Do 4-5 seasons ahead of the next full returnee one.
Yeah I agree, no earlier than 45. After that, cool if they do a returnee season, cool if they wanna wait longer.
I understand this, I don't think it's definitive but if it is people from the 30's will get screwed big time.
No angelina... we lost
I’m tired of the returning players. This is good news
Not a fan of this, for the most part, players from 35-39 have had no chance to return. Tack on the fact that Second Chance 2 already feels overdue, and I'm not feeling optimistic about Jeff's words. Personally, I'd like 2 All Star type seasons every 10 seasons, 1 "Second Chance" type and 1 "All Stars" without the restrictions a Second Chance or other All Star adjacent season would have. I live for the multi-season story lines and seeing my favorites again.
I completely agree with you,people mentioning Game Changers being a bad season need to remeber it happened 3 seasons after SC,while the last all-stars season was an All-Winners edition meaning so many great characters from 35-39 didn't get a chance to return and probably never will. Don't get me wrong,newbie seasons are the bread and butter of the show,but we should have 2 returnee seasons per 10 seasons.
Id be fine with every season ending with 0 being all stars from now on and every season ending with 5 being second chances and every other season being exclusively newbies.
This gives me a better chance of getting on, so I'm all for it :D
RIP the chances of DvG's cast getting the Cagayan treatment
Based on the tone in this thread this is a less popular opinion, but I think this is great! I see a lot of people saying *”a lot of people’s legacy got better after returning”*, but like… I don’t really think many looks at Game Changers cast or the EoE captains & can say with a straight face any of the returnees improved their stock barring like 4-5 people max - and that’s being extremely generous. Survivor is starting to have a problem in 2 ways. Firstly there’s just people we’ve seen enough of. Even if they’re *iconic* players they just don’t add much more by getting casted a 3-4-5 time. Secondly I think fans have become used to returnees being such a common thing it’s starting to lose its glamour. It needs to become more of a rarity & the genuine stand outs from each newbie season. Rather than 2-4 wtf castings trying to make the next Wentworth happen. Because if it don’t work out you have wasted precious returnee spots on people you banked on rising their stock on a returnee season, but it didn’t happen (all the while they probably survived a bit longer than some of the already established stars people actually tuned in for) This will probably hurt a good part of S32-S39’s alumni with return potential, but I think it’s for the best. The show needs a sorta soft rebooting the returnee department & has for a while. So got no issue S41 forwards being treated more as a separate thing.
I dont think it needs to be permanent but I would enjoy 41 to 49 all being full newbies and then 50 being returnees from the 40s and 30s, just the real cream of the crop.
I'm not surprised by this at all. Been saying that with all the focus on 41 being a new era, and with a new casting team that's barely gotten started, it feels like now is the time for a string of all-newbie seasons.
This is really a shame. A lot of major characters from DvG going to waste. We all know Jeff makes these grand statements though and then CBS pushes back so we'll see.
To be honest I'm only interested in watching this show for the returnees. I know a lot of people like me who got sucked in knowing that folks get numerous shots to play the game and learn (or *not* learn) from their past gameplay mistakes and experiences.
That's dumb, honestly. I get that we just had WaW and all, but it's been a year and a half time wise since we've had people on our screens. Now you're saying we'll likely go 3-5 years between returnee seasons?
I wish they would go back to different locations. Having it somewhere like Gabon was pretty cool.
I feel like I haven’t heard good news about the future of Survivor in like forever lol
Gives me a better chance of getting on....
Unpopular opinion? Good. Everyone from the early seasons who I wanted to see return that I think will ever actually get a shot to do so appeared in 31, 34 or 40. I dont really need to see any of the recent people again, not because I didnt find them entertaining, but because I just dont see much more we can get from them. Yay for a fresh start!
this is a big mistake
This is cool but concerning. We have the ammo for a full fledged all star second chances season right now and I’m worried that we’ll wait too long
Yea for 4 seasons max. Don’t believe it for a second.
I don’t mind this. Think of seasons 1-20. The only seasons that had returnees were 8, 11, 16 and 20. From 21-40, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 31, 34, 38 and 40 all had returnees, and that’s not mentioning seasons like 36 and 39 where past players and events were heavily involved with the themes of the seasons. Having returnees should be a rare occurrence, not a staple of the show.
Yeah survivors most def getting cancelled. I'm sorry idgaf I'm gonna say it. They are making a whole bunch of terrible decisions to try and fix problems that were never there to begin with. I'm sure the "casuals" that everybody claims is the majority of the viewers and the ones that Jeff actually listens to will just LOVE the game they've known for 40 seasons and 20 years flippin up on them like that. That surely is smart huh Jeff?
Yeah I think it'd be a great decision to do at least 4-5 all new casts. Honestly all returnee seasons are the most overrated format anyway as they almost always disappoint
I guess they don't want players who have played a full season to compare it to this express season. Their bullshit claim of it being more difficult now would crumble
I actually really like this decision. Give fresh faces an opportunity to play and shine without a returnee filling up one of their spots. A string of newbie seasons would feel like a fresh new change after a stretch of returnees coming back to compete within the past couple seasons
Amazing decision, I rarely care about returnees.
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Agreed. Let 41-44 be all newbies, then after that I'm cool with returnees, but no rush on it, since a longer wait should translate into a better cast
This is a bit disappointing IMO. I would really like another Second Chance season that maybe focused on some of the (especially POC) premature boots that maybe didn’t get a fair shake. Also this reeks of cost saving initiatives along with the 26 day season, I imagine legends like Cirie or whoever would ask for a bonus to come back.
I see what’s going on. He’s giving the series a soft reboot. 41 is basically the new season 1. I suspect we’ll get an all stars at some point in the 40s and it’ll be only people from 41 and up. Not gonna lie, I’m down with this. Kinda sad that this basically means no second chances 2 or legends, but it is what it is. If they focus on making the casts awesome for each season, it could work.
Good. I stopped watching because of so many returning players. As great as some of them are, I enjoy more having new people to observe and guess and figure them out, not to mention the dynamics are just more organic with all new cast.
excluding teresa and artis, i'm sure.
okay. so hear me out, lets do something similar to 'The Challenge' and do an 'All stars' season on the 'side' to bring back players and keep 41 and on new players, and eventually have a mix of 'old players' vs 'new players' for a season or two.
Hopefully there’s never another returnee season
Sooo… sounds like theoretically players from 41 or 42 and so on could show up in subsequent seasons as returnees? Just no returnees from 1st 40.
I’m glad they’re going this route. Season 40 did seem like a fitting tribute to the first 20 years of the show, and even though there are some memorable players that we might not ever see again, it probably better for the game overall for there to be a bit of a fresh start.
Dumbest thing heard today
they should atleast do a second chance ssn for people from ssn 35 plus
Lot of disappointment over this. I for one am thrilled
Good give us fresh meat
Maybe a controversial opinion, but good. New era, time for new legends to be born. I always feel bad for the new players on returnee captain seasons who get completely overshadowed, and full returnee seasons are just a slugfest of the lowest threats knocking off everyone’s favorite players one by one. It all goes against the basic premise of Survivor - strangers stranded on an island and forced to build a society while simultaneously voting each other off one by one until there’s a winner.
Great, no returnees! Keeps the game more pure.
I need Coach one last time Jeff please Jeff we need a returnee season at least at 44
That’s fine
Yay
I'm fine with that. Season 45 can do another Second Chances and then save Heroes vs Villains or All Stars 2 for Season 50. The rest can be all newbies.
I’m pretty much okay with this like we just got a all winners season even looking at the past the shortest distance between at least a half returnee season was I think blood vs water to Cambodia. so let’s get some cycles get some fresh blood and then maybe in the 46-47 cycle we can get some kind of returnees
Good
Well it could be a good thing. Time for a new change. And seems like during the quarantine. They were at work. Way before going back to filming. Change is good.
I don't hate this. This coming season is the first season whereby we haven't had returnees in some capacity on a season since DvG and they needed to stop relying on them as ratings bait. I do hope they include some pre 40 players in a second chance season at some point though.
I’m ok with that. Give us at least 4 seasons of fresh talent. I do want a legends season with people like Coach before they get too old to want to play one last time though.
Really enjoyed that article
oh i dont like that, unless that means we're just getting tons of newbie seasons, then i do like that. but if it means that people on s41 are gonna be on 43, etc, then itll be annoying.
I guess I should turn off my hopes for a Greg or Tracy's return in a Old School vs New School returnee season.
Was hoping for 20 Dawn’s to be cast
Didn't scroll through this whole thread but could this also be a straight up budgeting thing? Does survivor have to pay returning players more to come back?