Once Survivor viewers get past the point that they are figuring out which seasons to watch first, they learn a lot about Jeff Probst’s beloved reality show. For example, fans tend to learn about how many Survivor players have been medically evacuated and why. Similarly, fans learn a lot about which seasons are the best, who the greatest players ever are, and what makes some Survivor winners great.

Sadly, another fact that fans tend to learn is that some female Survivor players have dealt with harassment. With that in mind, it is fascinating to look at how Jeff Probst once reacted to accusations that Survivor is designed to favor male players.

Survivor’s Jeff Probst Addressed Allegations The Show’s Design Is Easier For Male Players

As of March 2025, Survivor is approaching the 25th anniversary of the show’s first episode premiering. Over all the years that Survivor has been airing, the show has been criticized by fans for a variety of reasons.

One of the most common critiques of Survivor has been that the show is sexist. Many fans have noticed a series of Survivor trends that they feel make the show easier for male players to win or succeed in.

For a long time, the discussion about Survivor being sexist was had by fans and players. Then, Jeff Probst addressed the accusations that Survivor’s design makes it easier for men to win.

In October 2023, Entertainment Weekly asked Jeff Probst about accusations that Survivor’s format was resulting in female players being voted out early.

During the resulting discussion, Jeff began by revealing that he was aware that there were discussions about Survivor being sexist among fans.

After admitting that he was aware of the discussion, Jeff had a fascinating response to what fans were saying.

After acknowledging that fans were complaining about the trend at that time, Jeff immediately told Entertainment Weekly that fans may not like his response. “This may be a frustrating answer.”

Jeff then told the outlet that he believed that the team behind Survivor couldn’t produce the show by immediately reacting to any trend out of fear.

“You can’t design the game out of fear, in the same way that you can’t play the game from fear. And so that is factually a reality.”

At the time that Jeff was talking to Entertainment Weekly about claims Survivor was sexist, many of the complaints revolved around a specific trend. At that time, a staggering number of female players were being voted out early on.

The fans who were complaining about Survivor’s sexism at the time were looking at the first four players who were voted out during Survivor 42, Survivor 43, and Survivor 44. Of those 12 players who were voted out early, 11 of them were women. On top of that, Survivor 45’s first player to be voted out was female.

While talking to Entertainment Weekly in October 2023, however, Jeff argued that reacting to that trend after only four seasons would be rash.

“The question is: What’s the conclusion to draw from it? And I don’t feel like four seasons is really enough data for me to make a conclusive decision.”

At the time, fans were suggesting that the best solution to fix the trend of female players being voted out early would be to alter the tribes. Those fans believed that having three tribes of six was playing a major role in female players being voted out early. However, Jeff told Entertainment Weekly about the dangers of changing to two tribes of nine or ten players.

“The bigger question for us is trade-offs. We like tribes of six because there’s nowhere to hide, so you have to start playing immediately. Three tribes make tribe switches and the merge much more complex, but also offers more opportunity for the smart player. And three tribes gives you more contrast between tribes in terms of watching how they live together and how they work as a unit while conspiring against each other.”

Coincidentally enough, after Jeff made these remarks, the trend seemed to mostly switch. Looking at the first four players who were voted out during Survivor 45, Survivor 46, and Survivor 47, there were eight males and four females.

Jeff Probst Previously Addressed Female Players Being Treated With Sexism

Over the years, there have been some Survivor seasons that just felt a lot more mean-spirited. Survivor: Worlds Apart is an example of that, since several male players made sexist and degrading remarks about the female players and women in general. In April 2015, Jeff Probst addressed the sexism seen during Survivor: Worlds Apart while talking to Entertainment Weekly.

When Entertainment Weekly asked Jeff about the sexism, they expressed that many viewers were upset. Jeff responded by saying that he wouldn’t edit out the sexism out of fear that it would upset viewers.

“I really can’t imagine a scenario in which we would not show a scene like the one between Will and Shirin simply because we were afraid that viewers would be upset.”

Jeff then told the outlet that while seeing how Shirin was treated was difficult, showing the reality of the game is what Survivor is about.

“There is no denying that was a very difficult exchange to witness and no matter how many times you watch it, it does not get any easier or any less emotional. But, that level of honesty and vulnerability from people who have been stripped to their very core is a large part of the reason I am still excited to be a part of the show.”

Ultimately, Jeff told Entertainment Weekly that he believed that most viewers would agree with him. “As for the audience, I believe they are on this ride with us. Survivor is a devilishly fun game and a big part of the appeal is watching human behavior play out in front of you every Wednesday night.”

Survivor

Release Date

May 31, 2000

Network

CBS

Showrunner

Jeff Probst

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