Survivor has been leveling up its game in every season, all thanks to showrunner Jeff Probst. The host has worked consistently in order to keep the show as thrilling and gruesome as he can. While some of his decisions have enjoyed public opinion, others have failed to capture what he intended to do in the first place. However, even this couldn’t shake the love and respect he has for the show that basically gave him the career push he needed.
He has been with the show from day one. However, in an interview, a participant of Survivor made a startling admission that the host is apparently threatened by him.
Survivor Contestant Jamal Shipman Openly Challenged Jeff Probst
Jeff Probst, with his amazing presentation skills, has truly become the face of reality competition show Survivor. This was further intensified when he took over the showrunner duties after 2010, bringing the “new era” out in the open. In this, he wanted to bring in several innovative tasks as well as challenges that could keep the thrill of the survival show running.
With a new title, he was also granted greater anatomy to make and take decisions for Survivor. While some appreciated his insights and what he was doing for the game, others simply thought he was nothing but an “egomaniac.” But out of all the remarks and comments, the most contentious one came from Survivor: Panama contestant Shane Powers.
He added that it was because of Probst that director Lynne Spiegel Spillman was let go from the show. Powers also added that this decision was taken by Probst because he “doesn’t want anybody else taking credit for his show.” On the same subject, another Survivor contestant, Jamal Shipman, answered whether he’ll be back in the reality show again or not.
To this, he added that only Probst can know the answer to this question. He also said:
It’s up to Jeff, but I heard he doesn’t want me back because he feels threatened that I’ll take his job. Tweet at him. Let him know what you think.
This garnered a mixed response from the fans, with some believing that Shipman has the right to ask thoughtful questions. Others added that Probst might not have replied to the same, as he could have taken Shipman’s remarks as a joke.
Jeff Probst Would Betray His Wife to Win Survivor
Apart from Survivor, Jeff Probst had several relationships before he married Lisa Ann Russell in 2011. Before her, he was married to Shelley Wright from 1996 to 2001 and also dated Survivor contestant Julie Berry for almost four years. While it was then, currently the host is very happy in his married life and is also a stepdad to Russell’s two children.
In an interview, he talked fondly about his wife and their chaotic first encounter. He added:
I met [my wife] at Mark Burnett’s party … Mark Burnett has an annual Christmas party, which is the craziest Christmas party I’ve ever been to because of the eclectic group of people there. You have Gary Busey on one end doing these pressure points on your arm trying to bring you down. … Meanwhile, there’s Barbra Streisand talking to Paris Hilton on the other couch and there’s Arsenio Hall and then there’s David, the composer, David Foster!
Amidst the chaos, he noticed that Russell was present at the party, along with two of her friends, just to “see the spectacle.” He then further recalled that Russell’s kids call him dad, adding another layer of warmth to his bond with them.
But despite this deep affection for his family, he isn’t afraid to mix love with Survivor and added via People how he would approach the reality show if he was up against his wife. He added:
Absolutely. Lisa and I would have a simple code. Whenever we’d see each other, we’d hold up our fingers. One finger would mean, ‘I love this. Everything’s going great.’ Five fingers would mean ‘I’m in trouble and I’m ready to go. If she held up one, I’d do what I could to keep her in the game. If she gave me four or five, I’d gut her – and then I’d use that move to my advantage. Of course, I say that now, but if I saw someone messing with my wife, I’d go crazy.
While he mentioned all of this in a lighthearted manner, Probst, in reality, knows how to strike a perfect balance between Survivor and his loved ones. It was this dedication of his that he has continued to be a part of the show for more than two decades.
You can watch Survivor on Hulu.
