‘Survivor’ Star Russell Hantz Targets Jeff Probst for Season 41 Delay
With the COVID-19 pandemic surging across the globe, filming new television has encountered fresh hurdles to overcome. Unfortunately, for some shows that means delays — safety comes first after all. This has been true for Survivor — CBS and Jeff Probst decided it was in the best interest of everyone involved to put the show on pause for now. However, some fans are getting impatient, including Survivor legend Russell Hantz.
CBS and Jeff Probst put ‘Survivor’ on ice
COVID-19 has put many aspects of our lives on hold, including entertainment. Survivor showrunner Jeff Probst made the choice alongside CBS to call it quits on filming Season 41 for fall airing.
Probst sent a statement to the Survivor crew explaining the decision, as well as their aim to keep everyone safe and healthy.
“Though Fiji has no reported cases and is beautifully remote, our crew numbers over 400 and are flying in from over 20 different countries, creating a need for more time to fully analyze and create our new production safety plan. The situation is unprecedented and we are learning more information every day. It is out of concern for the well-being of all of you that we have taken this step,” explained Probst.
“We are the most experienced international television team in the world and for 20 years we have calmly and successfully managed a variety of production issues. We will navigate this one the same way,” added the legendary host.
“The health and safety of the castaways and production members is our top priority,” said CBS in a statement.
Rusell Hantz tells Jeff Probst to figure it out
While Survivor may be taking a break out of concern for its cast and crew, other shows are finding ways to operate around the restrictions created by COVID-19. The Bachelorette, for example, has begun airing its latest season after the cast and crew were quarantine and determined to be healthy.
Survivor star Russell Hantz is tired of waiting, and is calling on Jeff Probst to make Season 41 of the hit CBS franchise happen sooner rather than later.
“[H]ey @JeffProbst If they can do [The Bachelorette] where half the time they’re exchanging saliva, [t]hey surely can do Survivor! Let’s get it figured out! everyone else is… @survivorcbs,” tweeted the infamous castaway.
Why does ‘Survivor’ stick to Fiji?
Some fans have suggested that Survivor simply quarantine the same way they did for The Bachelorette and then film within the United States to avoid international travel. However, Survivor has been sticking with Fiji for many years, and it doesn’t look like they have any plans to change that.
Jeff Probst has previously explained that Fiji is currently the show’s ideal location. It’s remote, the beaches are largely untouched, and perhaps most importantly, Fiji offers a 45% rebate on filming.
“We’re making a show, they want to promote Fiji, so it’s a quid pro quo. It’s taken that part of the show out of our hands and let us focus on creative,” Probst said, referencing the logistics behind setting up on a new location each season.
