There's no doubt it's been a milestone year for Survivor. Not only did the show celebrate the 25th anniversary of its premiere episode, but it's already crowned a winner for the 50th season—though we won't know who until next year—and now the history-making reality competition show that started it all is once again an Emmy contender.
After Survivor's premiere in 2000, a demand for reality competition shows surged. But it wasn't until 2003—after the sixth season of Survivor—that there were enough programs saturating the market for the Emmys to create a category specifically for them: Outstanding Reality Competition Program.
Survivor was nominated in the category every year until 2007, and while it continued to receive nominations each year in technical and production categories, highlighting music, cinematography, casting, editing, and more, the show as a whole didn't receive another nomination until 2023. While it was once again left off the ballot last year, we are thrilled to see it get the credit it deserves this year.
Jeff Probst was also nominated for Outstanding Host for a Reality/Competition Program
After he became the inaugural winner of the category that was introduced back in 2008, he took home the trophy three more times until he was no longer nominated beginning in 2012. Last year, however, his name was back on the roster, so of course we couldn't be happier to see him get another nomination this year.
He took to Instagram to share his excitement for the recognition of the entire crew with a heartfelt post lead by a photo from that episode of Survivor 48.
Of course, when acknowledging the Emmy nod, you have to attribute it to the most recent seasons. There's no doubt Survivor 48 featured some of the best storytelling in the history of the new era of the show. Who could forget the heartwarming relationship between finalists Joe Hunter and Eva Erickson and the specific moment after a challenge that was so powerful it drove Jeff to tears for the first time in the history of the show.
And of course we can't help but remember the beautiful, human moment between Jeff and Mitch Guerra that was praised by the National Stuttering Association, winner Kyle Fraser opening up about his time in jail, and the new Vula tribe bonding over the struggles their parents faced.
Viewers could tell it was a very special season from the get-go and clearly the Emmy voters agree. Now we'll just have to wait and see if they really agree with the fans—that it's the best of the best!
Survivor was also nominated for Emmys for Outstanding Casting for a Reality Program and Outstanding Cinematography for a Reality Program.
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