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Jeff Probst, who has hosted Survivor since it premiered in 2000, revealed why he’s taking a different approach to hosting—fit with raps and impressions—for Survivor 50.
By Daysia Tolentino Apr 21, 2026 6:21 PM | Updated 34 minutes ago
Mike White Says He Was “Blindsided” by ‘Survivor 50’ Elimination
The tribe has spoken—it’s time for the old ways to go.
Jeff Probst has been doing a lot to shake up Survivor 50, including by flipping his usually stoic demeanor as host. So far during this season, he has surprised contestants with silly impressions and a gleeful rap to reveal a fan-voted tribe swap.
"I'm willing to be the butt of the joke,” Probst told People about his lighthearted approach to the season in an interview published April 20. “I'm fully aware I'm usually the butt of the joke. I don't take myself seriously."
By subjecting himself to some embarrassing moments, the longtime TV personality is demonstrating that he has "skin in the game." How? Because as a show that asks its contestants to put themselves out there physically and emotionally, the host wants to return the favor.
"Survivor doesn't exist without people who are willing to come out and be incredibly vulnerable," he continued. “I really applaud that. I wanted them to know, I'll give you my version of that, which is a bad impression."
He promised that the rapping and impressions were just the start, saying, “[It] won't be the last time I make a fool of myself this season.”
And it’s a bit that has paid off for the 64-year-old. As he told People, the milestone season has been the "most personally joyful time I've ever had doing anything work-related in my life."
CBS
He’s showing no signs of dropping his buff anytime soon, either, recently sharing his intention to return for season 51.
“I'm telling you right now, there's no thought in my mind at all about leaving,” Probst, who has helmed the show for over two decades, told Entertainment Weekly in an interview published Feb. 12. “I love where the show is. I love our crew. I love the type of people that are applying. It's up in every category of ethnic diversity. Everybody's saying it’s because ‘I see myself reflected and represented on the show, so now I want to be on the show.’ That makes me excited.”
As for who gets to see his raps and impressions firsthand? Read on for a refresher course on Survivor 50’s contestants…
Robert Voets/CBS
Mike White
Season 37 (DAVID VS. GOLIATH)
Jeffrey Neira/CBS
Cirie Fields
Seasons 12 (PANAMA-EXILE ISLAND), 16 (MICRONESIA – FANS VS. FAVORITES), 20 (HEROES VS. VILLAINS), 34 (GAME CHANGERS)
Robert Voets/CBS
Ozzy Lusth
Seasons 13 (COOK ISLANDS), 16 (MICRONESIA – FANS VS. FAVORITES), 23 (SOUTH PACIFIC), 34 (GAME CHANGERS)
Robert Voets/CBS
Benjamin "Coach" Wade
Seasons 18 (TOCANTINS – THE BRAZILIAN HIGHLANDS), 20 (HEROES VS. VILLAINS), 23 (SOUTH PACIFIC)
Monty Brinton/CBS
Stephanie Lagrossa Kendrick
Seasons 10 (PALAU), 11 (GUATEMALA), 20 (HEROES VS. VILLAINS)
Monty Brinton/CBS
Jenna Lewis-Dougherty
Seasons 1 (BORNEO), 8 (ALL-STARS)
Monty Brinton/CBS
Colby Donaldson
Seasons 2 (THE AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK), 8 (ALL-STARS), 20 (HEROES VS. VILLAINS)
Robert Voets/CBS
Tiffany Ervin
Season 46
Robert Voets/CBS
Charlie Davis
Season 46
Robert Voets/CBS
Q Burdette
Season 46
Robert Voets/CBS
Emily Flippen
Season 45
Robert Voets/CBS
Dee Valladares
Season 45 Winner
Robert Voets/CBS
Jonathan Young
Season 42
Robert Voets/CBS
Christian Hubicki
Season 37 (DAVID VS. GOLIATH)
Robert Voets/CBS
Angelina Keeley
Season 37 (DAVID VS. GOLIATH)
Robert Voets/CBS via Getty Images
Kyle Fraser
Season 48 Winner
Jeffrey Neira/CBS
Aubry Bracco
Seasons 32 (KAÔH RONG – BRAINS VS. BRAWN VS. BEAUTY), 34 (GAME CHANGERS), 38 (EDGE OF EXTINCTION)
CBS
Chrissy Hofbeck
Season 35 (HEROES VS. HEALERS VS. HUSTLERS)
CBS
Rick Devens
Season 38 (EDGE OF EXTINCTION)
CBS/Paramount Networks
Kamilla Karthigesu
Season 48
CBS/Paramount Networks
Joseph Hunter
Season 48
Robert Voets/CBS
Genevieve Mushaluk
Season 47
Robert Voets/CBS
Savannah Louie
Survivor 49 Winner
Robert Voets/CBS
Rizo Velovic
Survivor 49
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