Jeff Probst Revealed CBS Feared He'd 'Hold Survivor Hostage' With His Power

Summary

• Probst's past offer from CBS made them nervous due to his potential power increase.
• Probst's rejection of a showrunner position shows his dedication to earning trust from the crew.
• Probst's passion for Survivor remains strong in planning for future seasons and potential contestant role.

It seems like Survivor marches on year after year. The iconic reality TV series is showing no signs of slowing down. Given his recent interview with Variety, host Jeff Probst is also in fine form, and more motivated than ever before.

However, Probst did reveal some interesting details about his past with CBS. Back in 2010, a major offer was made to Probst. The offer apparently made CBS very nervous, and they needed convincing.

We're going to reveal what took place, and how Probst reacted to it all. In addition, we will reveal the host's thoughts on what the future has in store for both himself and Survivor.

Jeff Probst Revealed In His Variety Interview That CBS Worried He Was Gaining Too Much Power Behind The Scenes

Production on Seasons 47 and 48 of Survivor is already underway behind the scenes. However, Probst tells Variety he's already planning for season 51. Despite his longevity on the show, the host remains more motivated than ever before.

A crucial part of his growth is the fact that he never wanted anything handed to him. Probst backed that up when he rejected a showrunner position.

"I felt like it was going to be seen as a vanity credit and I didn’t want a vanity credit. I wanted the crew to believe in me,” he says.

Ten years later, in 2010, Mark Burnett asked Probst again about the position. Jeff had a different mentality this time, feeling as though he was ready to learn. However, CBS had some major concerns about the offer, fearing Probst had too much of a stranglehold on the show.

“Mark did say one of the toughest sales he’s ever had to make was persuading CBS that it would not be too much power to give me,” Probst says. “They were like, ‘He could hold us hostage!’ Mark was like, ‘He’s not going to.’ I never have and never would. I’m the biggest fan of ‘Survivor’ there is. There’s no bigger fan than me.”

Other topics discussed by Probst during his Variety interview:

• Still feeling the pressure.
• Always planning ahead.
• What the show would look like without him.
• Changes to Survivor's schedule.
• Asking outsiders for their opinions on improving the show.

If the interview proved one thing, it is that Jeff's passion for Survivor is still very much alive and well.

Jeff Probst Revealed The One Condition That Had Him Pondering An Exit From 'Survivor' As Host

Jeff Probst discussed Survivor season 50 and so much more during an interview with TV Insider. There was an interesting question fans enjoyed: Would Jeff take part as a contestant on Survivor? Given his love of the game, Jeff admits it was a thought.

"I think about it. It would be a test. I’d like to see if I could do it right because it tests you — not just physically and emotionally, but also, mentally. You ask yourself, “How good are you at setting traps? Emotional traps or strategic ones? Can you persuade someone who they might not want to believe you? Can you cajole? Can you deflect?” I like asking all of that stuff."

Although Probst thinks Survivor would be more than okay in someone else's hands, it isn't a risk he wants to take.

"I don’t know. We’d have to get somebody else to host. I don’t know who that would be because the risk is that they’d be better than me, and I’d lose my job. That’s why I will never play Survivor and take that risk!"

Although that ship might've sailed, that would definitely get lots of interest.