Want to be on Survivor?
Jeff Probst talks about the Survivor contestant selection process and what it takes to be selected to be on the show as well as which previous players he considers were great contestants.
Reality Access
Saturday, March 20, 2004
Q: How do you find the contestants for Survivor?
Probst: We receive thirty to forty thousand audition tapes a season for Survivor. In addition, our casting team is always on the lookout for possible Survivor contestants. Out of this group, we narrow it down to around 1000 and conduct interviews with them in different parts of the country. From that group only 50-75 are flown to Los Angeles for a grueling final interrogation with Mark Burnett, myself, the producers and executives from CBS.
Q: What’s the most important quality a person needs to have to be a contestant on Survivor?
JP: There are a few qualities you need to be deemed appropriate for Survivor but the most important is a point-of-view on life. That doesn't mean you have to be a hot head, it simply means you have to have opinions that you will stand behind. Life experience is also another important quality, especially in the younger category of 20-25 year olds. Looks are important but only in the sense that your look needs to be relatable for your "type". If you're a young mother of two but you look like a stripper, that is not a relatable look. Looks are always last on our priority list.
Q: What’s the craziest thing a potential contestant has done to convince Survivor to select them?
JP: Nothing stands out as "crazy" is such a relative term. There is no right answer when interviewing for Survivor. There is no approach that is better or worse than any other. The only thing you can do is be yourself. Because believe me, by the time we're done interrogating you, testing you, observing you... we will come to know you very well, so might as well start at that point and save us all some time.
Q: What makes Survivor successful?
JP: Great storytelling. First and foremost, our storytelling is what separates Survivor, in my opinion, from every other reality show. You obviously need dynamic characters in a compelling situation, but without the execution of good storytelling, you have nothing.
Q: What can a person do to be noticed when going through the selection process for reality television?
JP: It depends on which show you're auditioning for. I only know Survivor and for us it's all about authenticity. You can't convince us to select you. We know what we're looking for and you either fit or you don't.
Q: Do you watch any other reality television shows?
JP: I enjoy American Chopper on Discovery and I enjoyed the Country Western talent show on USA. The challenge for all of the new reality shows is how to keep it fresh. That is the single biggest challenge.
Q: Who has been your favorite Survivor contestant throughout the various seasons, and why?
JP: It's impossible to pick just one "favorite" as there have been many "great contestants" on Survivor and I should clarify that I am referring to "favorites" in terms of what they brought to the show. Also - we work very hard on our casting process, so every single Survivor who has been on the show has been a "favorite". That is the bottom line. A few standouts that come to mind are: (S1) Richard Hatch, Rudy, Sue Hawk, (S2) Colby, Elizabeth, Jerri, (S3) Brandon, Big Tom, Lex, (S4) Sean, Boston Rob and Kathy OBrien, (S5) Rob Z, Brian Heidick, Erin, (S6) Rob Cessernino, Jenna, Heidi and even a few (unnamed) from the currently taping the Survivor: Pearl Islands series in Panama.
Q: Why do you think reality television shows are so popular?
JP: Who knows for sure. There are so many compelling elements. Voyeurism, living vicariously through others, putting yourself in these worlds and wondering "what would I do in the same situation", and sometimes it's just watching people make idiots of themselves. With Survivor there is certainly an adventure quality whereas with The Bachelor there is a bit of romance and a lot of "train wreck" and with American Idol there is the "anything can happen-make your dreams come true" element. With one of my favorite shows, American Chopper, it's simply a fascinating father/son relationship that keeps me tuned in.
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