Survivor 50: Jeff Probst says celebrity guests will not overshadow the game

Jeff Probst said Survivor 50 will keep its focus on players and gameplay after a Dec. 19 teaser showed celebrity involvement, and he told Variety that some stars like Jimmy Fallon and MrBeast joined because they are fans.

Jeff Probst responded to viewer concerns after the first trailer for Survivor 50 showed celebrities in the mix, saying the season will still center on the players and the game's social experiment. The Dec. 19 teaser included twists tied to well-known figures, and the presence of familiar returning contestants was also highlighted. In a Variety interview published Jan. 6, Probst described the celebrity cameos as additions by fans of the show rather than a shift away from core gameplay. He spoke about the approach while reflecting on 25 years of hosting at the 2025 Emmy Awards. Key points: - The Dec. 19 teaser for Survivor 50 included twists related to celebrities such as Jimmy Fallon and Billie Eilish. - Returning players noted in the teaser included Ciree Fields and Colby Donaldson. - Some viewers were surprised by appearances from MrBeast (James Donaldson) and country singer Zac Brown. - Probst told Variety that producers aimed to include celebrities who are actual fans and to "sprinkle a few of them in" without letting them overshadow the game. - Probst noted that MrBeast appears on Survivor and that he himself appeared on Season 2 of MrBeast's Beast Games, contrasting the different storytelling styles between the productions. Summary: Probst said the celebrity elements are meant to add perspectives and reputation-based twists while the show remains focused on long-game strategy and social dynamics. Undetermined at this time.