Survivor is easily one of the best reality shows out there, and it wouldn’t be the same without Jeff Probst. It’s hard to believe, but the host has been steering contestants through fire-making challenges and tribal councils for over 20 years now. Season 48 just hit the 2025 TV schedule (and available to stream with a Paramount+ subscription), but what’s wild is that the iconic Man Behind the Torch Snuffing wasn’t even the first choice for the gig—he was the last person hired! But he never doubted it for a second that the iconic show was meant for him.
More than a few fans may be surprised to hear Jeff Probst reveal that he wasn’t just another name in the running for the hosting gig but the final name added to the roster. Her shared that revelation during an interview with CBS Sunday Morning. In a video clip posted to their official Instagram, Probst recalled hearing about the concept for the reality TV show as well and how that lit a fire under him:
I was literally the last person hired. I heard Mark [Burnett] talk about Survivor on a radio interview, when I was driving on the 405. And he described the show. And from that moment to today, sitting here with you, I have not stopped thinking about Survivor. I knew when I heard it. I told all my friends, ‘This is my show. This is what I’ve been waiting for.’
