Survivor has been on the air for 40 seasons, which proves that people love the reality competition show known for its strategy and, of course, betrayal among contestants. Since 2000, host Jeff Probst has been bringing castaways to live on all parts of the globe to "outwit, outplay, and outlast" one another and win the ultimate title of sole survivor.
The show has amassed millions of fans, young and old, but there is so much more to the show than what viewers are watching on their televisions. From who gets cast to what goes on at the campsite, there are a bunch of secrets about Survivor. Here are 10 things fans may not know about the grueling reality competition show.
10 Believe It Or Not, Everyone Gets Paid On The Show
The winner of Survivor walks away with $1 million, which after taxes ends up being $580,000, while second-place contestants get a cool $100,000. Survivor villain Johnny Fairplay told TMZ that those who end up on the jury receive $40,000 and the first person voted off gets around $3,500.
So, it appears that everyone gets something for being on the show. Other contestants also get paid, depending on how long they end up staying in the game. If cast members decide to come to the show's reunion, they each get $10,000.
9 The Cast Can't Just Walk Anywhere They Want On The Island
Fans might think that cast members can walk just about anywhere while on the island, but in reality, they have designated areas they are allowed to roam. The contestants are living in the wild, so it wouldn't be smart to get lost in a unfamiliar territory with nothing but the shirt on your back when cameras aren't following your every move.
Cast members aren't allowed to go anywhere they please since the show's crew also sets up camp near them. Producers wouldn't want the cast to see just how good the crew lives while they live in squalor.
8 They Don't Walk To Tribal Council
Those long walks on the beach to tribal council are all for the show according to ZM Online, who also states that the cast takes a car ride along with their torches. Tribal council is also a lot longer than the ten or so minutes viewers see on their television, and it can take an hour or longer to film!
7 Medics Are Always Around
Survivor is a grueling reality competition show and it isn't for everyone. Thankfully, there are always medics close by if something happens to a contestant. Viewers have seen cast members bit by hundreds of bugs, get scary infections, and suffer from heat exhaustion.
Before contestants even perform a challenge, they are all looked at by medics to see if they are fit enough for it. There are even psychologists nearby to monitor the mental health of the cast.
6 Contestants Already Know What They'll Be Up Against During Challenges
Viewers are tricked into thinking that the Survivor cast has no idea what's in store for them when they arrive at a challenge, whether it's a physical game or mental, but in actuality, challenges are not a surprise. A member of the production crew walks the contestants through the challenges, and during this time, they can think of strategies and even ask questions.
5 The Crew Live Like Kings During Filming
One thing is for certain, living on an isolated island with no personal belongings and little food to eat is tough for anyone, but for the television crew, they have it a little easier. Many people work on the show, from cameramen, production, & medics, and they all need a place to stay. If there is a nearby city, the crew will live in hotels, but if they find themselves in an isolated area, cabins are set up with beds and bathroom facilities.
4 Contestants Are Recruited, And They're Usually Models And Actors
Thousands of people have applied to be on Survivor, but even if they appear to have the strength to be a cast member, they'll rarely make the cut. The show recruits people to be on the show, and most of these people are actors and models, so this explains why many of the contestants look so good.
3 Every Player Must Stay Around Even After They Are Voted Off
People who apply to be on the show or get recruited must take at least 7-weeks off from whatever their real job is to be apart of Survivor. Even if contestants are some of the first people to get the boot, they must stay in the area, or at least until the jury is picked, which can seem like a long time for anyone who gets voted off first.
2 There Are Body Doubles
This might be a shocker to some fans, but Survivor uses a lot of body doubles during challenges. The reason for using body doubles is so the show can capture multiple shots, including shots from up above, close-ups, and more. If fans ever wonder how the camera crew gets shots of the contestants from up above and never hear a helicopter, it's because they shoot later using the body doubles wearing the same clothing.
1 Jeff Probst And Producers Make Sure Votes Are Read In A Certain Order To Be More Dramatic
Host Jeff Probst always seems to pull the right vote and the exact right time to make the show that much more dramatic. Once the contestants fill out their vote to cast a member off, Probst and the show's producers sit around and decide which votes should be read in what order. No wonder the last few votes seem so climatic!
