Survivor has been airing on CBS for 18 years now with no plans for stopping any time soon. The popular network program has produced 37 seasons of entertaining gameplay with winners landing a $1 million cash prize.
I’ve watched almost every season and even got close to getting cast to the show.
It would have been a dream come true had I been selected but it hasn’t been in the cards for me…. yet. So in the meantime, these facts about the show will have to do.
There’s plenty that goes on when the cameras stop rolling. Teams get to discuss challenges in length before the competition. After the challenge is introduced, host Jeff Probst and challenge creator John Kifhoffer walk through the challenge with each tribe.
“Survivor” is so popular that there have been 51 different countries to franchise the show. Countries with there own version of the show include Vietnam, Turkey and Brazil.
“Survivor” premiered in 2000. The show was in pre-production for about 3 years before initially getting the idea from Sweden based survival show “Expedition Robinson. ”
Many contestants have formed relationships after meeting on the show. These two met on “Survivor: All-Stars” where the two ended up going head-to-head for the $1 million dollar prize. “Boston Rob Mariano and Amber Brkich are now married and have four kids together.
Contests of all ages participate in the game. The youngest contestant on the show so far is 18 years old Will Wahl. The oldest begin former Navy SEAL Rudy Boesch, who trucked through two seasons at 75 years old.
Anybody can win this game. With $1 million on the line, you better believe contestants will be trying their best to win. The youngest Ultimate survivor was Jud Birza at 21 years old and the oldest being Bob Crowley at 57.
Sometimes scenes are re-enacted if producers feel they didn’t get the right shot for the show. Many fans noticed right away when an original scene is reenacted, often taking to Twitter to call out the show. You can thank executive producer Mark Burnett for the re-shoots, they were his idea.
It’s hard to believe but some people have actually given up. It really upsets me when contestants give up because I know there are hundreds of people chomping at the bit to get on that show (me included). In it’s 18 years broadcasting 12 people have quit.
Every contestant gets paid. So far only Sandra Diaz-Twine has one the million dollar prize twice, but she’s not the only “Survivor” to get a cash prize. Everyone gets a certain amount of compensation for participating in the show with second place getting $100,000 and less depending on which spot you place.
Every contestant gets paid. So far only Sandra Diaz-Twine has one the million dollar prize twice, but she’s not the only “Survivor” to get a cash prize. Everyone gets a certain amount of compensation for participating in the show with second place getting $100,000 and less depending on which spot you place.
Don’t forget to pay your taxes if you win. The first-ever “Survivor” winner, Richard Hatch didn’t pay taxes on his winnings. So he was sent to prison for 51 months in 2006 for tax evasion. Just a reminder to include your winnings if you ever win anything on a game show.
One “Survivor” contestant has most of the show’s records. It’s probably due to the fact that “Survivor” favorite Ozzy Lusth has been on the show for a total of 128 days total. He is one of four players that have played 4 times.
“Survivor” casts models and actors sometimes. Although they still have a rigorous casting process, casting director Lynne Spillman some seasons fills the roster if the season lacks qualified applicants.
It’s possible to play a perfect game. Survivor favorite John Cochran unanimously won season 26, never having one vote cast against him.
There have been many celebrities that have been on the show. Former Dallas Cowboys Head coach Jimmy Johnson, Former NBA player Scot Pollard, and retired football player Brad Culpepper have participated in the game.
“Survivor” host Jeff Probst was pretty close to not joining the show at all. When the show first premiered producers were down to “The Amazing Race” star Phil Keoghan or Jeff Probst. Thankfully the production company went with Probst who has since become an irreplaceable face of the show.
