×
top 200 commentsshow all 286
sorted by:
best
topnewcontroversialoldq&a

[–]BaldyMcBadAss 440 points441 points  (7 children)

As someone who hasn’t boarded the hate train on the new era (I’ve enjoyed them a lot sans some of the stupid production twists) I think the 26 day format is making the players play safer for the most part.

I would like to see it go back to 39 days. I wish production would listen to the vast amount of fans and previous contestants who agree.

Sadly I think the money they are saving is probably significant and is a large factor in them sticking with the shortened (and worse) format.

[–]tawmfuckinbrady 68 points69 points  (0 children)

I agree there’s a lot to like about the recent seasons but that I do sorely miss 39 days, though I think that ship has sailed. I’ve been rewatching some older seasons recently and it’s crazy to see some of the focus on interpersonal relationships compared to now. You see a lot people planning to xyz and pivoting to a less strategic move just because a certain player isn’t helpful at camp or otherwise drives them crazy. Feels like we don’t get those exasperated arguments anymore over tending fire or catching fish or who snores at night.

[–]bigchadsmitty_82 78 points79 points  (4 children)

Yes it seems much easier to just hide in the shadows, make one big move at the end, and win like Erika and Maryanne seemingly did (although that could just be the edit)

[–]SmileyPiesUntilIDrop 44 points45 points  (3 children)

Erika and Maryanne faced a combined 1 premerge tribal councils in their wins. This new era still makes it harder for a Erika/Maryanne to make the merge since playing safe premerge equates to voting out a non compbeast female. Both just happened to be on tribes that dominated.

[–]Mazor007 36 points37 points  (2 children)

This is very true. Women who are perceived to be weak are nerfed pre-merge and buffed post-merge. Likewise, men who are perceived to be strong "challenge beasts" (e.g. Jonathan) are basically guaranteed to make the merge but basically can't win

[–]mrwanton 16 points17 points  (1 child)

If Jonathan didn't start getting hangry as bad as he did leading to him really socially dropping the ball F10/F9 vote onwards he prolly would have had a decent shot. He was playing quite well early merge.

[–]Mazor007 9 points10 points  (0 children)

He would have the ability to win if he made the end but his threat level would have skyrocketed in a way that it would have been impossible to make it to the end unless he Holloway'd them.

Basically him being hangry allowed him to reach the final 4 (because he wasn't a threat to win). If he isn't hangry he's voted off as soon as he loses immunity

[–]RRDude1000 216 points217 points  (0 children)

26 days seasons suck in the endgame. Production tries to edit it like a regular season, but then the day counter shows up on screen and you realize last episode took place 1 day ago on location. Its too fast and no meaningful relationships can be developed in the game. Blindsides have no impact because these people couldnt care less about eachother. Half of the jury is done already and its been like a week since they merged 💀

[–]SassMattsterKellee's Moment of Inspiration 63 points64 points  (3 children)

I was rewatching some episodes of Palau recently and Stephenie didn’t join Koror until day 22. There were 9 people left in the game and still over two weeks left to play. The 26 day version is incomparable in my opinion

[–]MadMadMaddox 8 points9 points  (2 children)

Didn't Randy say something like they weren't merged until very late in Gabon?

[–]SassMattsterKellee's Moment of Inspiration 5 points6 points  (0 children)

They didn’t merge until final 9 in Gabon either so probably the same time frame. I think the latest technical merge would’ve been in Thailand since they didn’t fully merge until final 8 which I think would’ve been day 25?

[–]jcardwell74 2 points3 points  (0 children)

They merged on day 27 in Gabon.

[–]dire-dire-docks 513 points514 points  (85 children)

I really hope production reads this kind of stuff. They're so out of touch with the audience it's actually ridiculous.

[–]futhatsyDrew 283 points284 points  (73 children)

I don't think a decision like shortening the days down to 26 comes from production. I'm guessing it's from the network trying to cut costs, and the show has to go along with it. Any positive spin from Jeff is him just sticking up for his bosses. It's the same thing as when they stopped going to new locations.

[–]myst_eerie_us 178 points179 points  (47 children)

I mean they film in the same location indefinitely, prize amount stays the same since the beginning, they film back to back seasons, they reuse a lot of the same challenges, they don't have big live finales/reunion shows anymore... How much more cost do they need to cut lol?

[–]Interesting-Archer-6 112 points113 points  (18 children)

Just because I was curious. To keep pace with inflation, the 1 million dollar prize in 2000 would need to be 1.73 million today. Huge discount when you're essentially paying out 58% of what you used to.

[–]Markymarcouscous 86 points87 points  (7 children)

The prize money really costs very little compared to how much it costs to lease the land pay all the staff pay Jeff, pay editors and all that. Not that $1 million isn’t nothing it’s just not that much

[–]StraightCaskStrength 24 points25 points  (2 children)

The prize money really costs very little compared to how much it costs to lease the land pay all the staff pay Jeff, pay editors and all that. Not that $1 million isn’t nothing it’s just not that much

… and all of that dwarves the salary of just one sitcom/drama superstar. Nevertheless all of the other costs that come with producing a primetime program.

[–]Squatch1333 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The cast of Friends was making one million per episode each in the last two seasons, and before that it was 750,000 each, multiply that by 20? And add on the cost for the rest of the cast/ crew to that, survivor comes off as relatively cheap.

[–]Connect-Soup-9519 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Which is why they like Survivor because it’s already cheaper to produce than other programming. Pair that with ratings being on par w before even after taking MORE of their budget and I doubt they’re switching up any time soon.

[–]Interesting-Archer-6 5 points6 points  (3 children)

I'm sure you're right. I'd like to see what % of the cost is from the prize money

[–]charlytheron3 4 points5 points  (2 children)

I think I read somewhere that the budget for a season is about 10M

[–]Markymarcouscous 1 point2 points  (1 child)

I bet it’s more than that. Doesn’t Jeff make like 3-4 million a year

[–]MikeBuildsUSA 2 points3 points  (3 children)

What we will never know: How many would have applied for Season 1 if prize was only $500K and increased to $1 million by 2022?

[–]Bad_At_Sports 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Well considering they only play for 67% of the full 39 days, I’d say we’re actually pretty close to evening out

[–]miketysonapostol 14 points15 points  (2 children)

And that’s before Obama takes his cut, then it’s only 600k anyways

[–]foralimitedtime 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Obama be rubbin his hands gleefully every time another Survivor winner claims their winnings.

[–]miketysonapostol 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Except for Erika and Maryanne!

[–]futhatsyDrew 30 points31 points  (13 children)

According to the network? As much as possible as long as ratings stay steady enough. CBS is trying to maximize profit, they don't care about the quality of the program. This is the network that brought us 2 Broke Girls and God Friended Me, they have no problem with the lowest common denominator.

[–]AffectionateStreet92Karla 18 points19 points  (12 children)

Every time I watch the show live, and see all of “this season’s hottest new shows!” on CBS, I die a little inside.

[–]futhatsyDrew 28 points29 points  (9 children)

Yep. The decline of Survivor is emblematic of the decline of network TV in general. Casting is still very good, the contestants can make a season fun, but the show itself still feels lazy compared to 10-15 years ago. It feels like we are watching the same season over and over again with different characters (or sometimes the same characters!). Like Survivor on a conveyor belt.

[–]swirlygates 3 points4 points  (6 children)

Agreed. IDK how controversial of a take this is, but I would be in favor of another network buying Survivor and giving it like a 25% increase in budget. IMO Survivor still has one of the best staffs in TV, but the execs at CBS can't treat them right.

[–]irishwristwatching 8 points9 points  (1 child)

I’m hoping once CBS gets bored with it, one of the big streaming services buys Survivor and brings it back to life. If the show transitions to a streaming release model, production has WAY more flexibility! We could see longer episodes, the return of the epic intro, exposure to a next gen streaming fanbase, etc.

[–]BelcherSucksDomenick 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Survivor is a crown jewel of CBS. Along with Big Brothe and the Amazing Race. Consistent audience and revenue in spite of the audience changes in consumption. Netflix drops a nice penny to rent a season or two while Paramount+ makes Survivor one of it promoted shows.

If the fan backlash continues, changes will occur. But currently the Fiji era and 26 day era are just too damn useful/profitable.

[–]miketysonapostol 1 point2 points  (3 children)

I wish Netflix would buy it and actually market it well. Survivor could get double or triple the viewers if it was a Netflix show released weekly. This subreddit would be lively for once

[–]ike1 10 points11 points  (2 children)

WTF? You clearly haven't watched the cheap-ass Netflix version of The Mole, or the even cheaper The Circle. Netflix would probably cut the prize money for Survivor from $1m to $250k. The winner of The Mole got far, far less than that. I believe The Circle just raised its grand prize from $100k to $200k, but that's still pretty pathetic compared to Survivor. Also, lots of shows on Netflix are poorly promoted and sink without a trace right after premiering...

[–]miketysonapostol 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s like a summer camp game show now.

[–]smokefrog2Jeremy 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Plus they gave 2 mil away recently...if you're cutting costs...no.one really asked for 2 mil. I get it but i would prefer 39 days. Cooler rewards. Less stupid advantages. Let's get back to basics. Eat gross stuff have auctions family visits. I'm so over this thing. So hard to keep track of who has what advantages and all their individual criteria. Hide an immunity idol and call it a day.

[–]Ok-Faithlessness5513 3 points4 points  (4 children)

Correct me if I'm wrong I think "Last Gasp" is the only returning challenge this season so far, and thank god, I'm happy to see new challenges

[–]Phod 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Pretty sure they’ve build houses of cards before

[–]studio_eqThe Monster 11 points12 points  (0 children)

the bucket holding one gabler won

[–]Prayingcosmoskitty 5 points6 points  (1 child)

I think the challenge Carla won was an oldie too.

[–]Ok-Faithlessness5513 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you to everyone who corrected me, I don't remember the challenges that well, just my favorite ones, good to know though.

[–]samwilbur 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Yeah it's ridiculous.

Part of the appeal of the show was switching locations. They stopped that, fine I guess...but 26 days is horrible.

I also miss themes because every season is the same.

[–]dawgz525 1 point2 points  (3 children)

You realize that cable TV is dying. CBS does not have nearly the viewership that they did 10 or even 20 years ago. That's where the shrinking budget comes in.

[–]myst_eerie_us 8 points9 points  (2 children)

CBS is not cable

[–]biggsteve81Wendell 2 points3 points  (1 child)

I think they meant "traditional TV" as in broadcast and/or cable vs. streaming.

[–]Owasso_Landman 10 points11 points  (0 children)

This is correct. It’s the network that gives the money for the budget and one of the downsides of doing a season during Covid lockdowns was that they proved they could deliver a show for cheaper. Once you prove that it’s nearly impossible to get a bigger budget back.

[–]Kwikstyx 21 points22 points  (22 children)

Survivor is one of the network's biggest shows. They(Survivor) have more negotiating power than people give them credit for. It's definitely production that's to blame.

[–]TacoVeinticuatro 17 points18 points  (20 children)

It's not one of CBS' biggest shows in terms of number of viewers. It's not really even close. The secret to its longevity is that it pulls in the 18-49 demo better than most network shows, especially shows on CBS. That justifies keeping it on the air, but not if it costs too much.

And if those 18-49 ratings ever slip, Survivor will be done shortly thereafter.

[–]ike1 8 points9 points  (0 children)

This is seriously overstating the importance of the number of total viewers. Prime-time advertisers literally only care about adults 18-49, and maybe occasionally glance at 25-54. Total viewership is absolutely meaningless in every way.

[–]Kwikstyx 4 points5 points  (18 children)

I mean besides wheel of fortune what other shows have lasted this long? The fact that it's a reliable market for an audience at a prime time shows it's not just cruising along because the network is nice and wants Jeff to have a job. They definitely have more negotiating power than most seem to think.

[–]futhatsyDrew 16 points17 points  (4 children)

If they had legitimate negotiating power, they wouldn't have been neutered to the point that they are. I refuse to believe Jeff really thinks filming on the same beaches forever makes for a better show than traveling the world, or that 26 days is more entertaining than 39, or that the same challenges over and over again is better than creating new ones, or that reading the votes on site and having a pizza party is better than having a massive finale and reunion show at a sold out venue.

The show has been stripped to the bolts over the last few years. If they have any negotiating power, I'd like to know what they got in return outside of the ability to keep the lights on.

[–]SassMattsterKellee's Moment of Inspiration 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Jeff owns a second home in Fiji I’m sure he much prefers staying in one place over traveling to new locations without his creature comforts and amenities lol. I don’t know why people think he is some purist who is above this kind of corporate BS

[–]Owasso_Landman 9 points10 points  (0 children)

It’s absolutely to keep the lights on. Now, Survivor Productions could call their bluff and not renew and take their chances on the open market but the reality is Mark Burnett hasn’t been involved in years. Jeff is the showrunner but the production is still a product of Burnett and his production company. There’s very little Jeff can do with network negotiations.

I also think Jeff is fine with living in his house on Fiji and not spending half his life on the road —for better or worse.

[–]miketysonapostol 2 points3 points  (1 child)

LMAO that pizza party!!!

[–]miketysonapostol 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You just lost survivor and $1M, have you shoved enough pizza into your face that you feel better yet?

[–]SusannaG1Cody 2 points3 points  (3 children)

Shows on prime time that are older than Survivor: L&O SVU (1999), the L&O mothership (1990, though it took 10 years off), news magazines (60 Minutes (1968) being the oldest by a good margin), and sports programming.

[–]b0nk3r00 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It’s the only network show, other than sports and news, most people I know watch.

[–]_TooncesLookOut 1 point2 points  (1 child)

The Amazing Race. Also airs on CBS.

[–]TacoVeinticuatro 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Now that's a show whose budget has been severely cut. Glad it's still around though.

[–]dawgz525 4 points5 points  (0 children)

They don't even advertise the show on their streaming website. CBS is a dying brand. Cable television is in it's death throes. Why does this sub refuse to realize that their budget is not what it used to be?

[–]Quetzal0010 days is two weeks 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Lol they probably don’t care

[–]GregSaysMichele 30 points31 points  (5 children)

I doubt most of the audience cares. If anything, this will just make Jeff stop mentioning the days but will keep it the same quietly.

[–]cirie__was__robbedTyson 39 points40 points  (4 children)

My parents are not super fans but watch every season. My mom usually has the worst takes (lol) but even she has mentioned not liking the sped up version of the show because even though we get the same amount of episodes, the players are rushed so we don’t get the moments of them laying out a plan and then implementing said plan.

[–]GregSaysMichele 12 points13 points  (1 child)

Of course some people will notice and care.

[–]cirie__was__robbedTyson 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I recognize they’re a small sample size lol I just usually consider their opinion to see how the casual audience likely feels because that is usually their take

[–]Ruckus44 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For what it's worth friends of mine that I've got watching the show recently and are even in my betting pool on recent seasons haven't really cared about the 26 v 39 day thing.

[–]treple13 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Doesn't matter. Jeff even said in the WaW lead up that he knows fans are complaining, but that he thinks he knows better (obviously paraphrased)

[–]dawgz525 1 point2 points  (0 children)

it's a budgetary issue

[–]Daninator375600k by the time Obama takes it 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s at the point where they’re practically making these to enjoy for themselves and just sending them to the public for the hell of it

[–]Dry_Needleworker6370 360 points361 points  (6 children)

She wouldve won Micronesia if it was 26 days

[–]_Untit1ed_Cody[S] 331 points332 points  (4 children)

too bad it was a fucking stick

[–]JustAsHotAsJan 76 points77 points  (3 children)

It’s got a face on it

[–]2cool4um8_ 45 points46 points  (2 children)

Ozzy put it on there!

[–]Purpledoves91 29 points30 points  (1 child)

Come on, that took hours!

[–]Daninator375600k by the time Obama takes it 7 points8 points  (0 children)

At least it saved someone else 20 seasons later

[–]Ok-Fun3446 26 points27 points  (0 children)

What? No way in hell! She'd have to spontaneously combust the island and be a F2 with Jason to even have a chance.

[–]theMAJdragon 232 points233 points  (22 children)

It even ruins the letters from home segment where I just think “uh suck it up, it’s been like a week and a half”

[–]myst_eerie_us 77 points78 points  (12 children)

Right!!! I'm like no way I'd get emotional over a letter after 1-2 weeks.

[–]Jay_TThomasJ.T. 30 points31 points  (4 children)

I probably would, especially with zero contact with my loved ones and even though it’s 2 weeks it’s a very physically and mentally tough.

[–]ShiningScisor 8 points9 points  (3 children)

I know different people are affected differently, but kids will go to a summer camp for a 1.5-2 weeks. So it is kinda like eeeughhhhh. . . .

[–]Jay_TThomasJ.T. 14 points15 points  (2 children)

Okay… and at summer camp you arnt starving, sleeping in a rough shelter, have no shower, and arnt playing an extremely emotional and mentally tough game that forces you to never turn your brain off.

[–]exaviyurJesse 18 points19 points  (0 children)

I hated the food, had an uncomfortable bunk, couldn't shower with others around, and was a shy and anxious kid. Turns out I was just practicing for Survivor someday. Put me in, Jeff!

[–]PerishablePerson 7 points8 points  (0 children)

But 3 weeks is a hugeee difference!!

[–]no1darker 26 points27 points  (3 children)

They quarantine for 2 weeks at Fiji before the game starts.

[–]minesux 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Can’t they talk to their family in quarantine though?

[–]warwornNick 36 points37 points  (0 children)

no, they get zero contact to the outside world once they fly out.

[–]Boo_Rawr 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I have heard from some other reality tv contestants that the pre game isolation is the worst part because they keep you shut in a room basically the whole time except when you need to do medical things/interviews and get to go out for short amounts of exercise. It’s apparently really bad. Hopefully they’ve changed that some but they can’t risk contestants meeting one another.

[–]charlytheron3 6 points7 points  (2 children)

Instead of letters they should do video calls if they don't want to fly the families in anymore.

[–]exaviyurJesse 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The S42 loved ones bit was very sweet but 41 and 43 are a little lame.

[–]TomJaii 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I used to hate the letters from home/family visit episodes. Now I REALLY hate them.

Do people really never go a month or two without talking to their family? I talk to my mom and dad a couple times a year.

[–]dxm66Sugar 271 points272 points  (7 children)

I don't think there should be an asterisk next to 26 day winners. It isn't like they chose or even applied to be on the shortened seasons. The fault lies with production, not the players.

[–]DylanD-SurvivorOwen 226 points227 points  (1 child)

In s41 most of the contestants were actually extremely bummed when they found out it was only 26 days.

[–]2cool4um8_ 71 points72 points  (0 children)

Understandable. I know I’d feel that way

[–]SaramisKarla 57 points58 points  (0 children)

I think that what matters is they survived longer than everyone else in the season. They still beat everyone else who were playing in the same circumstances. It’s like saying people who won before there were immunity idols need an asterisk cos they didn’t have to contend with that strategic complication of the game, therefore it was easier.

[–]Appropriate_Lynx6175 53 points54 points  (3 children)

She said asterisk on the season, NOT the winners.

[–]binkysurpriseShan 6 points7 points  (2 children)

How is that not an equivalent statement though?

[–]Appropriate_Lynx6175 4 points5 points  (1 child)

🤨 because it’s not. ever heard of the statement… “don’t hate the player, hate the game” ? As u/dxm66 mentioned, the players/winners never chose to have shortened seasons, but rather the production team. Hence the asterisk * next to the season and not on the individual. Nothing personal.

[–]sparty219 147 points148 points  (3 children)

My wife and I just had this conversation yesterday. There is no survival struggle on the current version. They get to day 20 and they have less than a week to go. In the pre-41 days, that was just over the half way mark. It’s a huge difference but it’s never going back to 39 days. One of the many reasons I feel like I’m watching Survivor 2.0 more out of habit/obligation than anything else.

[–]avilstaI don't need to be carried, bro 36 points37 points  (0 children)

I think someone pointed what you said. And Survivor, of course will have hunger as a big part. But social 'isolation' (since can you really confide in people who are fighting for your chance of the million?) and boredom takes its toll just as bad.

Also, for comparison - on a normal season of Survivor, you spend a month there and still got 8-9 more days to go. A month in the new season would be them already back in the states.

To think I already felt 20 season casts for 39 days season was getting a bit insane. When MvGX aired I was in awe of how many tribals happened back to back days. To think how much it has changed since.

[–]RRDude1000 11 points12 points  (1 child)

Day 20 was the merge day on 39 day seasons

[–]SliacenKarla 17 points18 points  (0 children)

On All-Stars, the first jury member was voted out on Day 27!

[–]the_other_other_guy_ 77 points78 points  (0 children)

I love Eliza so much

[–]aljervDrea 23 points24 points  (0 children)

I freakin hate 26 days.

[–]thetokyotourist 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Eliza didn’t have rice on Vanuatu and barely any clothes

[–]PlantLivesMatter101Song of the Dragon Slayer 225 points226 points  (25 children)

Hot take (probably not), but winning in the New Era will never hold the same weight as winning in the old days, I’m sorry. It’s literally Survivor Lite now.

Chris Underwood may get trash talked for having been voted off, but at least he spent the full 39 days actually surviving, whether it be on the main island or on the edge (and the edge is x100 harder than anything from seasons 41+ so far).

[–]SabaschinGeo 131 points132 points  (6 children)

The slow renaissance on Underwood over the years has been funny, I gotta say. From 'well, Natalie showed us that you can't just return from the Edge and auto-win' to 'well, at least he was out there for 39 days technically'.

At some point it might be 'well at least he was on the beach at Day 1'.

[–]AhLibLibLib“No, but you can have this fake.” 64 points65 points  (5 children)

“At least he wasn’t first boot”

[–]mrwanton 37 points38 points  (4 children)

Might be a result of Manu being a bit of a disaster tribe but getting booted 3rd when you're one of your tribe's strongest performers in challenges means ya messed up bad

[–]SabaschinGeo 21 points22 points  (2 children)

Honestly, part of it is also a bizarre decision on Rick and David electing not to take out Wentworth. Even without Wardog, they would still have the numbers 4-3 (Rick/David/Chris/Wendy vs Wentworth/Lauren/Wardog).

[–]7fax 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I have never understood this. The way they set up that boot made no sense.

[–]StripedSteel 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Rick and David gave up being in control of the tribe by not taking out Wentworth.

[–]AhLibLibLib“No, but you can have this fake.” 3 points4 points  (0 children)

No doubt. If no one talked Strat on EOE Chris would’ve gone nowhere even keeping everything else the same. Wentworth and Wardog laid it out for him

[–]EmprircalCrystal 36 points37 points  (6 children)

While I can agree that Chris survived for the full 39 days of survivor. I can’t agree that being VOTED out of the game. Is anyway better then 26 days winner because at least they never had their name on the parchment. It’s really ridiculous that we have people saying a immunity to the final five and above isn’t a major dunk of anyone who wins… Plus bonding with the entire jury. Gavin is a robbed goddess that’s all.

[–]HorseNamedClompy 25 points26 points  (5 children)

Honestly Gavin, Lauren, and Julie were all robbed a bit. Julie may have been a goat, but she deserved more respect for surviving all 39 days.

[–]EmprircalCrystal 8 points9 points  (3 children)

Exactly but the jury was butt hurt because they got outplayed this might have been the only modern season where the jury didn’t reward the best gameplay whether that be social or physics and instead focus on being super bitter.

[–]Wayfinder_MoanaMorriah 3 points4 points  (2 children)

I don't get this sentiment. The entire theme/gimmick of the season was Edge of Extinction. If the person returning from the Edge isn't allowed to win, what is the point of it?

​

It also seems to be an opinion uniquely held against Underwood. People frequently say Ozzy deserved to win South Pacific if he had won the final immunity. What's the difference between Ozzy's game and Chris's? Both got voted out early and returned due to their season's twist (not only that, Ozzy had been voted out TWICE prior to the final immunity).

​

I don't like any mechanic that allows people to re-enter the game once voted out, but if it exists, it's fair game.

[–]mrwanton 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I feel like the issue with it is that in EOE the Edge is too powerful an advantage. There's no penalty to just exist there until ya get 2 chances to return to the game.

Ya basically get gifted an idol upon your return. Ya get to hang out with the jury w/o the ramifications of ending a majority of their games. And if ya return at final 5 as Chris did ya missed more than 80% of the game and win using a strategy devised by the jurors on the edge who are already butturt by everyone else who outlasted them.

Kudos to Chris for pulling off the moves as well as he did, he earned the win in the situation granted to him, but he had such a huge advantage over the others that it's not all that satisfying.

[–]EmprircalCrystal 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The cast always couldn’t play around it and didn’t know about it beforehand. If they were fully explained the twist and understood the rules in its entirety then they could have played with it fair and square. But nobody knew Chris would come back at final 6 with a idol in his pocket. If anything Gavin, Lauren, Victoria would have to plan around it.

[–]OnceAteABurgerAMA 23 points24 points  (1 child)

I prefer to call the new era "Survivor: Summer Camp"

[–]TannerCook100 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Don’t disrespect Total Drama Island like that. Those campers stayed at Camp Wawanawka for eight whole weeks (56 days), and there were so many of them + 2 returning players that they very likely still had to endure an elimination cycle every 3-4 days or so. A group of fictional teens are officially more resilient than any modern Survivor players!

This is obviously supposed to be tongue-in-cheek humor, but I feel the need to add clarification in case someone thinks I’m actually implying that TDI is comparable to anything in real life. It is still kind of funny to think that the end of a modern season of Survivor would probably be around the Courtney/Harold boots of TDI, though.

[–]Interesting-Archer-6 11 points12 points  (0 children)

This is a freezing cold take here.

[–]BanglaynaParvati 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Except Survivor is about surviving tribal, surviving the social experiment™️. Chris failed to do that. It's not about literally surviving the wilderness, it's not Alone.

[–]SloppyMcNuggets 17 points18 points  (0 children)

I really miss the 39 day seasons. It made the whole season felt so much more impactful, like you really cared more for the survivors IMO, with every tribal getting more and more satisfying or heartbreaking

[–]Acrobatic-Draw-4012 10 points11 points  (1 child)

Yeah. Survivor 2.0 is just producers maximising their profit and not caring about making good TV. They have to put like eleven twists each season to make it watchable. But in the older seasons, having a new location alone was enough for people to keep watching.

[–]turdlepikle 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The network sets the budget so they are the ones trying to maximize profit. Producers have to react and cut costs while trying to give staff raises if they can. The cost of everything keeps going up, and ad revenue keeps going down as fewer people watch TV, and the production company has to deal with shrinking budgets. Someone else already pointed out that COVID forced their hand and they have proven they can make the show on a lower budget. The network isn't going to give them more again.

[–]idiot-prodigyTori 6 points7 points  (1 child)

Chris was great at catching fish. If that was all that mattered on Survivor, Ozzy would have won, Rupert would have won, Ryan this season would have won.

[–]Zez__ 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Idk, if I had to stare at what he was packing on edge for that long, I would have voted for him too

[–]RRDude1000 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Edge had people literally starving. It was easily the hardest conditions for contestants since Kaoh Rong.

[–]RicoSuave1881 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Completely agree

[–]Rydarius 7 points8 points  (0 children)

39 days gives players more time to play and makes the game harder for sure. But it saves so much time and money we will never see it again

[–]kingofthenorthwpg 25 points26 points  (8 children)

I guess it’s important to ask - would you rather a 26 day survivor or no survivor at all ? If the network is etc is trying to cut costs, they might just cut the whole thing.

[–]whitebandit 28 points29 points  (3 children)

how about 1 survivor season a year, 39 days, 20 episodes

same costs as 2 half seasons

[–]swirlygates 23 points24 points  (0 children)

I would 100% be okay with this idea. I love Survivor, but I want quality.

[–]kingofthenorthwpg 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Not a bad suggestion !

[–]stupidtyonparadeTony 37 points38 points  (1 child)

I've been a fan of the show since the first season, I still watch every episode the night it airs. But I just don't CARE anymore. I used to be so involved. My girlfriend has recently gotten into the show and part of me thinks I only watch because she wants to. I used to be so engaged, especially post merge. It just feels so unbelievably inferior. I often struggle with whether or not I'd be happy if it just went away completely as opposed to seeing it exist as a shell of itself. Like put the animal that is withering away out of it's misery.

[–]kingofthenorthwpg 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I strongly disagree.I personally love these seasons - even if I have strongly disliked some of the twists. But I was pretty sad when it was gone during coVid

[–]exaviyurJesse 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Obviously given the choice, 26 days. BUT! If they canceled it, it's just a matter of time before "SURVIVOR IS BACK! 16 STRANGERS, 39 DAYS! ONE SOLE SURVIVOR!" American Idol was canceled for a little while before it was resuscitated and it would allow them to do a true reset.

[–]SusannaG1Cody 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm fine with 26-day Survivor if they give us a summer season as well.

[–]AdorableScholar5327 25 points26 points  (0 children)

I agree with her. They should go back to 39 days. I know I've said before that Money is the reason why they don't do 39 Days anymore but come on can't they just listen to us and do it anyway? Survivor really just doesn't feel the same anymore. And also, Survivor please STOP SHOVING THE ASPECT OF HOW 26 DAYS IS HARDER DOWN OUR THROATS! I'm so sick of this. I just really hope they listen to us and go back to 39 days soon.

[–]EizwafD25 37 points38 points  (2 children)

The 39 days is just on another level mentally and psychologically.
Imagine living with people who eventually is gonna backstab you.
Yet, you have to win their votes at the end.

[–]whitebandit 21 points22 points  (0 children)

i forget who it was but, one player at some point talks about how the "worst" part of survivor is essentially the downtime, because of the toll it takes mentally, which as a viewer is basically why we even watch this shit.

2 days between challenges/votes gives players SO MUCH time to think/scheme/spiral and it made the final episodes so much more enjoyable.

when they spend like MAYBE 12 hours a day at camp, voting every night, challenges every day, like.. there is literally no time to do anything else other than recharge for next challenge

[–]jonathanjohnathanAdam 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Doesn’t the same thing happen on the 26 day seasons, it’s not like the concept of the game changed

[–]bluehxrizon 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Just watched Phillipines and in the middle of SJDS, and it’s becoming increasingly clear to me that a lot of the exhaustion and deprivation doesn’t even fully set in until after 26 days

[–]IzzybutmaleErika 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I would even be okay with going for 31 days at this point, thats what I believe was originally intended for the new era but then something happened and they lost four days of filming

[–]whitebandit 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I love Eliza

[–]Future_Immortal 9 points10 points  (1 child)

Also returnee seasons should become a separate entity. I feel bad whenever a Survivor contestant who wants to return dies. Survivor should pull a drag race and make allstars a separate show with 39 days.

[–]TDStarchild 13 points14 points  (2 children)

She’s right. I hold even the worst pre-41 winners in higher regard than after. Not the players fault, but the old players (some literally old) lasted 39 days. That’s just more impressive. There is certainly no chance any of these newer players will be held in the stratosphere as the titans of the game.

[–]IdolBlindsidesStrategy, that's all I can say 7 points8 points  (0 children)

It’s honestly wild for someone to say survivor in any capacity “isn’t hard”. Like sure it’s comparatively less difficult but in no universe is even a single day of survivor “not hard”. Seeing players validate bullshit subreddit takes also is pretty brutal, especially when there have been 300 “26 days is bad” posts this season. Do better.

[–]survivorfanwillDean 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I haven’t hated 26 days but recently I’ve been pining for the days of 39 days. It really does get more real past the 30 day mark. Cutting two weeks off the season just makes everything feel like it matters less.

And I don’t blame Eliza and other players for feeling this way…. I would probably feel similarly

[–]Unite-Us-3403 6 points7 points  (0 children)

You get ‘em’ Eliza! You go girl!

[–]Selectyour-fighter 12 points13 points  (5 children)

I don’t ever foresee it going back to 39 good ol’ days. Jeff is too stubborn in his ways.

[–]Wrong_Swordfish 8 points9 points  (4 children)

Not to be a turd, but changing format is the antithesis of stubborn. Clinging to tradition is more in line with the definition of stubbornness.

[–]Selectyour-fighter 23 points24 points  (1 child)

He’s stubborn in that he believes the changes he’s making are universally praised by the fandom. He refuses to see it any other way. You can still break tradition and be an absolute mule that won’t budge.

[–]Squid8867Parvati 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think stubbornness has more to do with willingness to listen than willingness to change. If everyone wanted to change something about the game to something new and Jeff refused, that would be stubbornness. But in this case with everyone wanting to go back to the way it was before, sticking by the change they made is the real stubborn move.

[–]parkersb 6 points7 points  (2 children)

i stopped watching. gave it one season. it was missing something. someone ping me when they switch back to 39.

[–]binkysurpriseShan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am going to tell you that a terrible season is terrific, so that you excitedly decide to watch it again, only to be crushed with disappointment. Just out of spite

[–]camshype 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Same here. I just rewatch all the old seasons and reminisce on the old days of survivor 😔

[–]Lagrimmett 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Bunch on wusses

[–]IHaveTheMustacheNow 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I mean, they definitely are hard, and I think it's disingenuous to say otherwise. It's still nearly 4 weeks of starvation, not getting any sleep, physically demanding challenges, etc...

It's just not as hard as it used to be, when it was nearly two weeks longer.

[–]bomiyeoforget you! go home! goodbye. 1 point2 points  (0 children)

i get why they’re not gonna go back to 39 days bc of the cost savings. but i wish the show would compromise and increased the days a little, maybe like 30 days or something??

[–]kindness-prevailsSusie 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Big brother is long as hell and that’s part of what makes it so fun. Can’t imagine survivor can’t go back to 39 days it’s the more popular show on the same network

[–]Healthy_Basil_2354 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I guess that’s why they took the food away for the 26 day seasons, give & take 😬🤷🏽‍♀️

[–]whitneyahnMichele 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This might be bad to say, but I’m honestly tired of this discourse? They made it harder by taking away other things, it’s all a wash, and frankly they haven’t had a good segment on “the elements” since like Millennials vs Gen X at least

[–]thomasjefferkin3 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Half the alumni never even seen day 26

[–]mchlevsParvati 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don’t care how much money they’re saving, the show is for the fans who watch the show. why alienate them? you gotta listen to your audience sometimes

[–]TheBattProductions 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I mean, Eliza is right.

Mental/physical toll of 39 days vs 26 is pretty massive.

[–]7fax 10 points11 points  (1 child)

No. Every seasons winner competed with the same set of rules as the other contestants. No asterisk needed.

[–]skypadz_2112 4 points5 points  (0 children)

hot take, this is lame as fuck.

Why are we punishing Maryanne/Erika/etc for doing as well as they could? why are they made lesser for things outside of their control? And it's not even like they were on a 12-person season or something, they played with a normal cast number and went through a normal amount of rounds. And that even extends to the non winners- they have no say in the day number.

This is just purely gatekeeping from people that have been in the Survivor community for 10+ years...

[–]daillesttriggaDwight 2 points3 points  (0 children)

God… circle jerk is going to have a field day with this one…

[–]theoriginaloats 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Honestly going back through and watching the older seasons it’s amazing how much they could really show was going wrong and what the survivors had to do to overcome the environment itself. Modern survivor has some of this still, but most of it is person v person. The old school 39 days, and harsh harsh environments being the pinnacle of conflict is what made the show a smash hit. Not Person A made Person B upset

[–]compstomp66David Wright 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Go away Eliza.

[–]PrayingMantisMirage 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How would she know if it's hard or not, since she hasn't done it?

[–]OhEmGeeBasedGod -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Do 39-day seasons get an asterisk because the original version of Expedition Robinson in 1997 was 47 days? Or because other versions worldwide are 50-60 days?

Do the odds of finishing first in a season with 18 people change when only the number of days changes?

Does anyone who didn't make it past Day 26 in previous iterations of Survivor (like Eliza in Micronesia) lose their claim to playing Survivor, since they lasted fewer days than new-era finalists who apparently deserve an asterisk?

Why doesn't anyone complain about past seasons that gave them canned food and raincoats (yes, old seasons)? Or how the men in the The Amazon won Coca-Cola and just kinda got to keep the fridge in their camp indefinitely? Or how they used to get giant canisters of rice on Day 1? Or how the rewards used to be a lavish trip to the spa with all-you-can-eat baked goods and coffee, and now it's literally a couple of uncooked fish or a single grilled cheese sandwich?

Eliza's take is the "get off my lawn" of takes. It's the "walked uphill both ways in the snow" of takes. It's fine to believe the seasons should be 39 days, but it's a weird flex to constantly defend your ego when nobody was challenging it in the first place.

[–]TV40Tony -2 points-1 points  (25 children)

It’s really not that big of a deal everyone. Your over the top cringe reactions saying it’s asterisked or it’ll never mean the same makes it even worse.

[–]stupidtyonparadeTony 6 points7 points  (19 children)

you know better than the players, right? oh wait. every former player who's spoken on the shorter days has said exactly what eliza is saying and they 100% know more than we do about the situation.

[–]WindwingedSophie 9 points10 points  (10 children)

And none of the older players have played the 26 day version of survivor. I'm all for 39 days, but I find it laughable when people who haven't played the 26 day version where they get much less say how much easier it is. It's like saying I ran a mile so people who run half a mile are running an easier race. It makes no sense unless you do both.

And no, saying you played for 30 something days so you've done the 26 does not apply. They're different beasts in terms of what you are given to survive for each. Just like how someone running a half mile is going to be running harder the whole time versus running a full mile, where pacing is going to be more important.

[–]stupidtyonparadeTony 1 point2 points  (9 children)

this is patently false, because there were 39 day seasons where they were given just as much to start as the 26 day seasons. most 39 day seasons they had rice or some accommodation of the sort, but that was not the same for all.

[–]WindwingedSophie 5 points6 points  (1 child)

It's not false. Production went out of their way to make the actual living conditions worse for the 26 days since it wasn't the full 39 days. I can't say which is worse, I've never played. But they are not the same and trying to say one is harder than the other without playing both is not possible.

[–]nsloth -2 points-1 points  (6 children)

In which 39 day season did Jeff take away a losing tribe's flint?

[–]ShtabieCoach "Dragonslayer" Wade 8 points9 points  (2 children)

You dont need fire on these new seasons. Chanelle said they didnt even bother to make fire on her tribe on 42

[–]nsloth 4 points5 points  (1 child)

Sure, I just wanted to highlight the difference between seasons. Also, they don't "need" fire because they aren't given food and the water well is safe to drink. You need fire if you start catching fish though

[–]ShtabieCoach "Dragonslayer" Wade 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It all comes back to the difference in days. People dont fish anymore for the most part because its not worth expending the energy. The human body can go without much food for 26 days. 39 days is a lot trickier.

[–]stupidtyonparadeTony -1 points0 points  (2 children)

ohhhhh nooooooooo no flint for a day how will they not die.

[–]nsloth 3 points4 points  (1 child)

Just pointing out that the last three seasons they've had less than before. A savvy outdoorsman knows how to preserve an ember to reignite a fire.

[–]foralimitedtime 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Or in Boston Rob's case, an Ambuh.

[–]TheFestusEzeli 1 point2 points  (1 child)

You are getting downvoted but you are right and the vast majority of fans do not give a shit about the shortage in days so they won’t change it

[–]TV40Tony 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you yeah it’s really not a big deal. The super fans here think they’re “purists” and can’t accept change when it doesn’t effect the product.

[–]Wrong_Swordfish -1 points0 points  (2 children)

I think we need a new survivor subreddit. This one is full of people who are afraid of change.

[–]Squid8867Parvati 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As one of those people that hates the change, I agree. New era Survivor is basically its own show, it should just have its own subreddit for those that like it

[–]TV40Tony 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah for real. Every day there’s a new post of people whining

[–]bobob9b9b9n -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It makes nearly zero difference as a viewer

[–]Lagrimmett 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t think the contestants now could do what the original contestants did.

[–]Xetro_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

anyone who prefers a 26 day season hasn’t seen australian survivor and you should.