Doesn’t it seem like the reunion after each Survivor finale is getting shorter and shorter? We explain why this isn’t necessarily a bad trend.
A key part of any Survivor season is the reunion following the finale. Not only do we find out who wins the season, but we also get to catch up with the cast and get their thoughts on the most pivotal events of the season.
It’s no secret though that the airtime dedicated to the reunion portion has been decreasing each season. The Edge of Extinction reunion felt like there was more time spent on commercials than interviewing the cast. Why is CBS cutting down on the reunion?
A little while ago, EW sat down with Jeff Probst, and he explained the change in the format. They began to view the Survivor finale as a three-hour event instead of a two-hour finale and a one-hour reunion show. If they can extend the finale ten our fifteen minutes by cutting down on the reunion, they’ll do it. CBS has been living up to that directive.
Shorter reunion equals a more complete finale
It’s easy to forget about all the footage that goes to waste in a Survivor season because of time restraints. Tribal Councils go for hours, let alone Final Tribal Council. Shortening the reunion show allows more time to watch the jury and the Final Three fight it out, creating a more complete picture on shifts in momentum.
In addition to Final Tribal, the finale usually squeezes in two to three regular Tribal Councils, accompanied by at least three challenges including the Final Four battle for fire. Even adding a few minutes can prevent the final episode from feeling rushed.
Plenty of post-game interviews
It is nice to get to hear from everyone at a reunion show, but to be honest, the questions and comments are typically surface level. Thankfully, in this day and age, there are so many post-game interviews and coverage for fans to sink their teeth in.
For example, RHAP supplies listeners with several post-game podcasts, where former two-time castaway Rob Cesternino speaks with players from the latest season. These one-on-one interviews range from sixty minutes to over three hours and are filled with entertaining stories and details that the edit wasn’t able to cover.
If you ever get the urge to understand more about a Survivor episode or a player, getting their personal thoughts on RHAP sheds plenty of light on the events from that season. Cutting down on the reunion might just be one of the smartest production and editing decisions in recent years, giving viewers more time to enjoy the season finale.