On Fire with Jeff Probst, the Official Survivor Podcast, has finally announced its new co-host for Survivor 49… and it's, somewhat shockingly, not someone from Survivor 48.
Jeremy Collins, a fan favorite and winner of Survivor: Cambodia, will officially be taking the mic to cover the recaps for the series’ 49th season. He is the podcast’s successor to another winner, Rachel LaMont of Survivor 47, who covered the recaps for Survivor 48.
On Fire with Jeff Probst picked Jeremy Collins over a Survivor 48 player
Choosing Jeremy as the new co-host of the podcast is an unexpected change from their usual formula and a break from tradition. With the exception of the podcast’s first season, which was co-hosted by Jay Wolff, Jeff Probst, and Rick Devens of Survivor: Edge of Extinction, the co-host for a season was chosen from the previous season. For example, Dee Valladares, who won Survivor 45, was the co-host for Survivor 46. Charlie Davis of Survivor 46 was picked as the co-host for Survivor 47, and Rachel, as we mentioned, co-hosted the podcast for Survivor 48, which just ended in December 2024.
While he’s most famous for winning Cambodia, Jeremy has an impressive resume attached to his Survivor legacy. He began his reality TV career on San Juan del Sur, where he competed with his wife, Val. Despite finishing in 10th place, he became an immediate fan favorite and was easily voted into the cast of his winning season. He would later return for his third run in Winners at War, where he finished 8th. He also competed on the third season of The Traitors.
Jeremy’s experience and knowledge of the game will no doubt make him an excellent cohost for the upcoming season. It’s interesting to note that this choice deviates from the expected pattern. Many, including myself on this very site, had even speculated on which of the Survivor 48 contestants would be joining as the new cohost for Survivor 49.
Despite the reception to Survivor 48 being less than positive from fans and critics, production has consistently proven to hold the season in high regard. Three players from the season, winner Kyle Fraser, 3rd placer Joe Hunter, and 4th placer Kamilla Karthigesu, have all been announced as part of the Survivor 50 cast, along with Devens.
Probst went on record to state that 48 is one of his favorite seasons of all time. Most recently, Hunter and runner-up Eva Erickson joined Probst as guests to the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards. Yet no one from the season was chosen for the highly anticipated role. The lack of Survivor 48 players' involvement with this season is a little shocking, to say the least.
My guess? It has nothing to do with the fans’ reception of Survivor 48, though, and it has everything to do with production’s plans for the podcast’s future. Choosing Jeremy to cover Survivor 49 is a way to prepare for another established Survivor legend to join the podcast for the highly anticipated 50th season.
Perhaps I’m thinking too far into it, but who knows? My prediction is that fans can expect the likes of Boston Rob and Sandra Diaz-Twine to join the podcast for season 50. Time will tell if this prognosis is correct.
Watch Survivor 49 beginning Wednesday, Sept. 24. Get to know the Survivor 49 cast before the season starts. The new episode of the On Fire with Jeff Probst podcast will go live right after each new episode episode airs on Wednesday nights.