Survivor is a much different game than it started with in season 1. In those 46 seasons, there have been a handful of major events and influences that have changed the game and forced the game to evolve.
On a recent episode of the On Fire with Jeff Probst podcast, Jeff Probst was asked by a fan to pick three key moments or influences that changed the game of Survivor. And, honestly, I was impressed with Probst's answer. It was not exactly what I was expecting, especially considering how many important players played the game completely differently but also had a huge impact.
Probst picked two events involving hidden immunity idols as game-changing events before opening up a little bit about the casting process in the new era of Survivor.
"It's a big question," Probst said. "And, if I sat here for an hour, I'd probably change my mind several times, but from the hip, here are three things that I think really evolved the show."
Let's get to those three things!
The first hidden immunity idol in Survivor: Guatemala
"The first one is in Guatemala when he hid the first idol," Probst said. "Because that really led the way to every advantage we have in the game today."
Survivor: Guatemala was the 11th season of Survivor. It's so wild to think that the first 10 seasons of the series were played without any advantages or hidden immunity idols, but that's how it was. I almost yearn for that type of game. There were fewer twists and, maybe, exciting moments, but it was a different way of playing that doesn't necessarily feel like it's there as much in Survivor 47, you know?
Anyway, I totally agree with Probst. Introducing advantages and idols definitely made the game more dramatic from a viewing perspective, but it also changed the game from a playing perspective, too. It caused players to think on their feet more quickly and adapt to the ever-changing elements of the game. Every plan needed a backup plan, which also needed a backup plan for players.
Russell Hantz finding a hidden immunity idol without a clue
"The second big moment, I say it a lot, Russell finding an idol on his own without a clue, which nobody had considered, led the way to players taking more control of their game," Probst said. "I always say, it's your world, it's your jungle, go for it."
Of course, Probst is referring to Russell's big moves on Survivor: Samoa when he finds two hidden immunity idols without clues. Say what you will about Russell, but this is just one of the ways he changed the game. Since then, idol-hunting has become a huge part of the game. Players have been voted out for being too aggressive. Players have found so many advantages that changed the outcome of many games using Russell's tactics.
Plus, it's caused the show to evolve from a production perspective. The game got that much more challenging because Russell made sure that every inch of the beach was turned over to find an idol.
Casting in the new era is different than in previous seasons
"And then, the third thing that's having a huge influence is the type of people we're putting on in the new era, game-changers," Probst continued. "We could do an entire hour on that, but that's having a huge impact in terms of the direction the show is going."
This is the only point I don't really agree with Probst on. There are far more influential things that have happened in the game in terms of strategy that have affected the game than who they are casting in the new era. Clearly, though, there is an emphasis to cast a different kind of player than in the previous 40 seasons of the show. Now, they are basically only casting super-fans, which has added new wrinkles and dynamics to the game, for sure.
In a positive direction, you can tell how much the players love the game, and that's great to see. It's definitely changing how the game is played. It's going to be really interesting when you bring all of the older players into the game with the new era players in Survivor 50. How will the game be different? We'll find out!