Why Survivor’s Jeff Probst Let Mike White Back for Season 50

Jeff noted he’s “so grateful” Mike agreed to return for the show’s 50th season, especially after years of Jeff indicating to the School of Rock writer that he probably wouldn’t get another go after his season 37 appearance. 

And while Jeff is finally ready to see his friend compete once more, he’s not the only one, adding, “people are really excited to see him play.”

“The thing that’s most interesting about Mike playing for the second time is there is no hiding that he is the biggest writer, director, show creator in the world right now, and he wanted to come back and play Survivor,” Jeff said. “So I can understand why people had a reaction.” 

The TV personality also sees how Survivor inadvertently gives Mike—whose show will return for season four—more material to work with. 

“I’m surprised people aren’t asking, ‘Why is one of the greatest writers in the history of Hollywood so interested in Survivor?’” Jeff emphasized. “What is it that Mike is learning about humans and behavior and situational ethics that he applies to his craft? Because I think that’s part of why he does it—he’s out there in a real incubator of human behavior where you never know what’s going to happen, but what you do know is that if you show up to play Survivor, you can study it.”

“And when you watch White Lotus, what are you watching?” he continued. “You’re watching human behavior all day. I think that’s part of the reason Mike is back, and if you don’t understand that, maybe you’re asking the wrong question.”

For more of the Survivor 50 cast, read on.