Fifteen seasons later,
Jeff Probst is still going strong on
Survivor. A man who seems to have seen and done it all, he still finds himself amazed at the places he visits. This season, the show makes history, as the first television series to ever film an entire season in China. Probst liked being there so much, he stayed after filming wrapped, even spending a night on the Great Wall of China. In a press conference today, we learned more about the upcoming season, which premieres next Thursday.
China provides a change of scenery for the viewers at home.
Survivor's backdrop has largely been the South Pacific for the last few seasons. "China gave us a different visual palate to work with," Probst said. "The last few seasons have visually looked the same – palm trees and coconuts. Now, we have temples and bamboo." Contestants will get a chance to see the Great Wall of China for themselves as well as visit the Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of the art of kung fu.
Each season of Survivor is, without a doubt, difficult but Probst says the conditions in China was especially challenging. "Those first 6-7 days are really hard on people & I really try to remind people of that," he notes. “You did step into a real adventure, you’re not going back to a hotel room." According to Probst, it was blistering hot there and also rained alot, making the ground extremely muddy. In an early episode, an entire camp is flooded and washed away after an intense rainstorm, which devastates the tribe.
Contestants are given a copy of the book "The Art of War" to read and apply to the game. The game has done away with Exile Island for the being, feeling it didn't work for the show in the way they had hoped. Instead, tribe members can be kidnapped this season by their opponents. The kidnapped member will carry valuable information for an opposing tribe member and get the chance to spy and gather information. Immunity Idols will still be part of the game, and some will be out in plain sight at the camps, without the tribe's knowledge early on.
Probst said girlfriend Julie Berry did not accompany him to China, saying she was deep in school and there was nothing to do where he was anyway. He did confirm that the two have not become engaged but are still going strong. They were able to communicate while he was filming. "We have the internet and phones there, we have a good set up," he said.
Survivor: China promises to give us what we love most: people with inspirational stories to root for and villains to hate. For those who can't wait for the season to begin, videos are already up on CBS.com and YouTube, where you can get to know the contestants a little better. Start placing your bets now on who will emerge victorious. Another exciting season of
Survivor starts September 20.
- Gina Scarpa, BuddyTV Staff Writer
(Image courtesy of CBS)