Jeff Probst does not avoid smelling the ‘Survivor’ contestants

More than any other host in the business, Jeff Probst is out in the elements on Survivor. The dude has been knocked down by waves, face-planted while calling challenges, and conducted Tribal Council in both downpours and insufferable heat. But at the end of each day, the Hostmaster General — unlike the players — gets to retire back to his beachfront property and take a shower. Probst is able to use some some soap, maybe shampoo, perhaps sing a little “Rubber Ducky.” Who’s to say! He also then gets to apply deodorant. Cologne, if he’s feeling fancy.

I point all this out not because I have suddenly become mildly obsessed with Probst’s showering routine. (Creepy.) No, I point it out thanks to a question posed on the latest episode of the On Fire With Jeff Probst podcast by fan Nicole: “My burning question is, when players ask for a hug and you’re taking the necklace off of them, do you hold your breath so you don’t have to smell them?”

First off, A+++ effort from Nicole. Why ask about all the complicated voting and tie-breakers we have seen already on Survivor 48 when you can ask about penetrating body odor? I’m here for it! So, Probst, do you hold your breath when getting into close proximity of players who have been stinking up the joint for up to 26 days?

“Yeah, it’s a funny thought and it makes total sense,” Probst answers on the podcast, “but it actually never enters my mind.”

Okay, way to take all the air out of Nicole’s balloon, Probst. Explain yourself! “We talked about improv earlier,” he says. “I’m in an improv the entire 26 days I’m on Survivor. I just go wherever it is. So I stay focused.”

Sign up for Entertainment Weekly‘s free daily newsletter to get breaking news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.

But make no mistake, the host is not by any means saying the contestants do not stink. “They smell. It’s part of the world.”

To that, formerly smelly Survivor 47 champion and current On Fire cohost Rachel Lamont chimes in: “Sorry, Jeff.”

“Yeah, you know what it is, Rachel?” Probst continues. “It’s the smell. We describe it as a combination of campfire, which is kind of nice, and then an old gym locker that hasn’t been opened in months, and that’s not quite as nice. So it becomes a kind of pungent, but very recognizable, eau of Survivor.”

And perhaps one that will eventually be for sale. Says Lamont: “I think you should make a candle and put that in the CBS shop, Jeff.”

Sounds like he wouldn’t avoid smelling that one either. To enjoy more Survivor talk from the host, check out the latest episode of On Fire.