Live reunions used to be one of the most enjoyable parts of the Survivor finales. A collective excitement could be felt through the screen as dozens of fans gathered together to see a winner be crowned, as well as by having a whole cast getting reunited once more before that particular Survivor chapter officially closed.
While live reunions were the show’s usual format, a couple of events have forced Survivor to make some changes. For instance, for Survivor: Island of the Idols, the live reunion was pre-recorded due to the controversies surrounding the season, and for Survivor: Winners at War, the pandemic forced everyone into lockdown, so the contestants appeared on the finale via Zoom.
Starting with Survivor 41 and lasting through Survivor 49, live reunions were changed to in-location post-game discussions after the winner was announced, with only the jury and finalists being present. While this change was necessary for Survivor 41 and Survivor 42 due to the social distancing protocols, production decided to stick with this format for the next couple of seasons, as these shows displayed more vulnerability from contestants, who were still in game mode and hadn’t had social media contact that could influence their perceptions.
However, live reunions are certainly missed, as demonstrated for Survivor 50 when fans voted to bring them back for that season. Unfortunately, Survivor’s host and executive producer, Jeff Probst, has gone on record after Survivor 50 by expressing that live reunions are probably a thing of the past for Survivor going forward. His blunder about revealing Rizo Velovic had lost the game before it was aired probably doesn’t help our chances to see a live reunion again.
But not all hope is lost as Probst tends to go back and forth both in his opinions and regarding production’s decisions, for example, the whole thing about not wanting to cast villains in Survivor again and then continuously changing his mind publicly about it, so perhaps, another live reunion could return in the future. Here are three reasons why live reunions should make a comeback sooner rather than later:
1. The unpredictability and entertainment of live TV
The keyword here is unpredictability: no matter how much preparation a show has, anything can happen during live TV, literally. This makes the experience much more exciting and thrilling. While yes, mistakes can be made, cough, they also make live reunions an incredible experience and something to be talked about for years to come.
It is also fantastic to watch a winner crowned in real-time alongside their whole season’s cast mates, their families, and tons of fans representing all those watching from home. In addition, we’ve had many iconic moments from the live reunions over the years that we otherwise wouldn't have, like Colby Donaldson riding a motorcycle with Rosie O’Donnell or David Murphy’s cringy marriage proposal.
2. Fans and viewers want to see accountability
It is quite different to see players taking in the season a few moments after the game has wrapped up, rather than when they’ve had months to decompress and go through the motions. During the New Era post-Final Tribal Council shows, the finalists are still in game mode, and even some of the jurors could’ve only left the game a day or two prior. Also, there are instances where some pre-merge players' insights could’ve helped clarify certain situations, and they should also have their moment to speak about the season they played.
While social media can certainly be a hindrance to people’s experiences, time is also a necessary factor in human healing and processing. Hence, a live reunion is always a better option for bringing everyone who participated together and collectively discussing the season’s events.
Accountability often develops with time, and before Probst suggests that viewers are simply craving drama or chaos because they're messy, it’s important to recognise that some players genuinely deserve to be held accountable for what they say or do during the game or in the lead-up to the finale. Morality is not a contest, but certain behaviours warrant consequences, especially when they occur in a public setting. Therefore, it’s only reasonable that actions taken on such a public stage have equally public repercussions.
3. Audience energy and community connection
A third reason live reunions should return goes beyond nostalgia or tradition, which certainly matter to many fans, including myself. Live reunions are uniquely able to foster genuine connections that post-show segments simply can’t replicate.
There’s also an unmatched energy that comes from being part of a live audience. The excitement and atmosphere generated by a group of passionate fans are irreplaceable, and many missed that feeling during difficult times such as lockdowns.
A last food for thought: one of Survivor’s greatest strengths is the sense of belonging it offers, both for players and fans. It would certainly be a shame if the show no longer provided that through live shows at the end of future seasons, and it would be akin to art being lost.
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