Jeff Probst Approached Stars About Celebrity Survivor, Here's What The Future Holds

Summary

• Celebrity Survivor may not happen due to scheduling constraints, but creative ideas involving celebs on the show have been considered.
• Jeff Probst admires Sia's unique involvement with Survivor, including the now-ended Sia Prize, and values her contributions.
• Despite the end of the Sia Prize, Probst remains enthusiastic about human behavior and the show's future, hinting at potential new innovative prizes.

Survivor has seen it all over the years. The reality TV show has had dark moments and on the flip side, contestants have been deemed as "cocky" in recent years. Although the show has done so much, one question remains, will an celebrity season ever take place?

Jeff Probst answered the question a few years ago. We will revisit what the host had to say, and chances of it happening. In addition, we will reveal possible twist that saw the potential of celebs getting involved through different ways, like as a reward. The likes of Rachel Ray were once attached... We'll delve into the details, and why Ray was brought up by Probst.

We're also going to reveal the biggest impact celebs had in regards to Survivor, and which person in particular holds a special place in Jeff Probst's heart.

Scheduling For Celebs Is The Major Reason Celebrity Survivor Hasn't Taken Place Yet, According To Jeff Probst

Survivor has a massive fanbase, which also includes a variety of celebs. Still, the show hasn't branched off and published an entire season based on celebs alone. It would certainly gather eyeballs. Jeff Probst himself admitted it isn't due to a lack of trying over the years. The host pointed out some common hurdles that made it less likely. This includes the filming and work schedules.

Probst expanded alongside People, detailing why it likely won't happen. “In terms of doing a celebrity season, the truth is, when I’ve approached people a few years ago, everybody goes, ‘Look, honestly, I could barely get eight days off, let alone 39. So if you ever did it, it would have to be a really short maybe Christmas special where you go to Hawaii for eight days,’ ” said Probst. “And then is it Survivor? No.”

A shortened version would be the way to go. But it would appear as though CBS likely doesn't have that type of interest, and would rather do an All Star season, which is another major hit with pure Survivor fans.

Despite the possibility being squashed, Probst remains more motivated than ever before. Why? His simple love for people.

• “The reason why I’m still enthusiastic today is the same reason why I wanted the job so badly back in 2000: I love humans. I love human behavior,” he continued.
• “If you love human behavior, you know what I’m talking about. If you don’t love human behavior, you think I’m speaking gobbledygook.”

It remains to be seen if things will change in the future. However, for the time-being, Survivor is okay with its current format, and fans aren't complaining either. Though it should be noted that creative attempts have been made behind the scenes to include celebs on the show.

Different Creative Ideas Were Also Discussed Behind The Scenes On Ways To Use Celebs On Survivor

Rachael Ray and Bob Villa on Survivor? That certainly would be something, and the possibility was discussed in the past. During the podcast, On Fire with Jeff Probst, the host discussed players winning a celebrity award. It wouldn't be just for conversation, but the celeb could help around the island.

"What about a former Survivor as a reward? Example: What if a tribe won Ozzy to come help them in camp or compete with them in the next challenge," Probst read in a note from 2010.

"Or what if it was a celebrity? Rachael Ray could do food, or Bob Villa could build the shelter." Wait… what," the post continued.

People noted that this idea was used in the past, with local residents helping out tribes with fish and around camp, in an attempt to make their lives on the island easier.

Although it is a clever idea, Probst revealed that he's fortunate he hadn't said the idea out loud at the time. Clearly, Probst wasn't a fan...

What Probst was a fan of, however, is Sia's involvement with the show over the years. Although the Sia Prize came to an end, the host is forever grateful for her contributions.

Jeff Probst Called Sia His Favorite Celebrity Survivor Super-Fan

Tom Holland, Jenna Fischer, Jimmy Fallon and Keke Palmer are just a couple of major Survivor fans. However, Jeff Probst has a particular favorite, and it really shouldn't come as a surprise. Probst deemed Sia as his all-time favorite.

"The Sia award began randomly. She comes up with her wig [on] and says, 'I want to give money to this player because they really moved me.' It's always at her discretion. I'm sure there are people out there wondering if they are worthy of a Sia award."

The host also vividly recalls the day the Sia Prize came to life, “I still vividly remember the day Sia stood up in the audience during the live finale … and made her way onstage,” Probst recalled of the moment. “She was so taken by Tai [Trang]’s commitment to protecting a chicken from being eaten that she awarded him $50,000 of her own money.”

• Probst recently revealed the end of the Sia Prize, and had nothing but gratitude towards it. He wrote on his IG story:
• “After eight years, 14 seasons, 19 players and over $1,000,000 awarded, Survivor is officially bringing the Sia Prize to a triumphant end!” he wrote on his Instagram Story. “Over the many years, Sia has brought so much joy to so many players and it was always straight from her heart.”
• “So it is with tremendous gratitude and admiration to Sia that we bring to a close one of the most unique relationships a TV show could ever have with a pop star of Sia’s global wattage. I’m really honored for Survivor to have this one of a kind association with Sia. She’s in the Survivor Hall Of Fame of Superfans!”

The end of an era without a doubt. It'll be interesting to see if a new innovative prize makes its way onto the show, and if a different celebrity plans to go out of their way, and attach themselves to Survivor similarly to Sia. As for celebs competing on the show, that doesn't look likely.