After a hiatus at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, season 41 of “Survivor” aired on Sept. 22, marking the first episode since Season 40’s conclusion in May 2020.
The show has aired twice a year since 2000, making the hiatus devastating for fans. However, with the new season, there is a sense of change. “Survivor” has had a large impact on reality television, and while some may wonder how a 20-year-old show can evolve over time, it seems that this season is proving to be: a turning point. The cast is more diverse than previous seasons and Jeff Probst, the longstanding host, is taking a more progressive route with his role.
Within the first few minutes of the first episode, Probst promised a more dangerous and fast paced show. One of the most noticeable differences was the length of production being shortened to 26 days, rather than the traditional 39.
The next noticeable change was Probst altering his notorious phrase from “Come on in guys” to “Come on in.” Jeff started a conversation at the beginning of the first episode about what phrase the cast preferred. While at first, no one seemed to have a preference, Ricard Foyé, a castaway, shared later in the episode that he actually preferred the word ‘guys’ removed.
With this initial change, the season is set to be a more inclusive experience. The same respect to unity manifests in the casting.
Former BIPOC contestants formed a group to speak up on the lack of diversity in previous seasons. This group, “The Soul Survivors Organization,” petitioned for more anti-racist standards, more diverse casts and crews and more mental health resources following the end of every season. Probst responded in support of the petition and organization.
“The entire culture is in a beautiful upheaval,” Probst said. “Our job is to respond to it to make sure that ‘Survivor’ continues to reflect our culture and our behavior and how we’re interacting with each other. Everything that’s happening is going to inform the future of ‘Survivor.’”
In November 2020, CBS announced they would increase diversity in unscripted shows like “Survivor.” CBS set a target to have at least 50% BIPOC in all the shows’ casts. Earlier in the year, they announced that production staff needed to include 25% BIPOC projects and that the projects needed at least 40% BIPOC representation in the writers’ room.
These changes impacted “Survivor” greatly and are represented in the most recent cast. People of color make up at least half of this season, changing the direction of the show to prioritize diversity.
“The reality is ‘Survivor’ has changed over the last 21 years,” Foyé said. “And those changes have allowed all of us, all of these brown people, Black people, Asian people, so many queer people, to be here simultaneously.”
“Survivor” can impact millions of Americans who have watched this reality show since 2000. This season’s premiere had 6.25 million viewers from the age of 18 to 49. A show like this must reflect present-day America, which is seemingly embodied in this season. Having a diverse cast gives contestants the opportunity to play, but also provides a relatable example for a broader audience.
This season will be an exciting new era to watch considering the dedication the show has toward diversity and inclusion. Surely this will impact how contestants react to the challenges they face during the rest of their time on the island.
Edited by Shannon Worley | sworley@themaneater.com