Since Survivor premiered in the year 2000, Jeff Probst has been there to host every episode of the hit reality show. Since Jeff has been there for every medical evacuation, even new fans who are figuring out which seasons to watch first will almost certainly know who he is. That longevity has also meant that Jeff has witnessed every season, crowned every Sole Survivor, and he has watched all the show’s most legendary players.

Even though some former players have refused to return, Survivor’s producers had a lot of options while deciding who would play during Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans. With that in mind, it is fascinating that three of Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans’ players have a special relationship with Jeff.

Three Survivor 50: In The Hands Of The Fans Players Spent Hours Talking About The Show With Jeff Probst

As Survivor’s host and executive producer, it has long been clear that Jeff Probst has a lot of power over the show. For example, virtually every fan assumes that Jeff had a lot of influence over which former players were cast for Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans.

With that in mind, it makes sense that it seems like a lot of former Survivor players seem to covet Jeff’s approval. After all, if they want to get the chance to play again, Jeff, at the very least, would be able to significantly help their efforts.

With that in mind, it is fascinating to look at the fact that three Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans players have special bonds with Jeff. That is because three Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans players spent hours publicly talking about the show with Jeff.

For many years now, many different podcasts that are dedicated to Survivor have been successful. With that in mind, it makes sense that “On Fire with Jeff Probst: The Official Survivor Podcast” was launched in March 2023.

During each season of that podcast, which can be listened to on Apple Podcasts, Jeff Probst and Jay Wolff have co-hosted together. On top of that, three Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans players have also co-hosted the podcast, which has given them the chance to talk Survivor with Jeff.

As an article on The Survivor Wiki about “On Fire with Jeff Probst: The Official Survivor Podcast” shows, Rick Devens was the first former Survivor player to co-host the podcast. At that point, Rick had only played during Survivor: Edge of Extinction.

During his tenure on the podcast, Jeff often spoke about how impressed he was by how Rick thought about and discussed Survivor. Since he had the opportunity to earn Jeff’s respect, it makes sense that Rick was chosen to join the cast of Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans.

As part of the podcast’s format, a former player co-hosts for a season and then exits and is replaced by another. After Rick stopped co-hosting the podcast, Survivor 45’s winner, Dee Valladares, was the next former player who was tapped to speak with Jeff about Survivor for hours.

When the team behind Survivor was deciding who would play during Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans, they only chose two former winners. With that in mind, it seems interesting that Dee was one of those two former winners who got to join the cast after co-hosting with Jeff allowed them to bond more.

When Dee made her exit, the next former player who took over co-hosting the podcast was Charlie Davis. Survivor 46’s runner-up, Charlie proved while co-hosting “On Fire with Jeff Probst: The Official Survivor Podcast” that he thought about the game in a really nuanced and fascinating way.

Just like Rick and Dee, Charlie was also chosen to compete during Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans after co-hosting the podcast. The only former player who’d co-hosted the podcast by the time the cast for Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans was chosen who didn’t make the cut was Rachel LaMont. With that in mind, it almost seems like a slight that Jeff didn’t cast Rachel too.

While it may seem unfair that three Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans players co-hosted with Jeff, it seems like that doesn’t actually matter. After all, it seems very unlikely that Jeff would put his thumb on the scale for his former co-hosts.

That said, the fact that so many of Jeff’s former co-hosts were cast does mean one thing. Being chosen to co-host “On Fire with Jeff Probst: The Official Survivor Podcast” will be an even more coveted role for players who want to play Survivor again in the future.

Survivor 50: In The Hands Of The Fans’ Colby Donaldson Also Had A Special Bond With Jeff Probst

After Survivor: The Australian Outback, Colby Donaldson quickly became a beloved figure. As a result, it could easily be argued that Colby’s Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans makes sense. That said, Survivor fans would likely be interested to know that at least in the past, Colby and Jeff Probst were close friends.

After he played Survivor, the show’s most passionate fans learned that Colby and Jeff became close friends who routinely played poker together. While that fact has mostly been forgotten, evidence of their close bond still exists.

In March 2004, Jeff Probst admitted to The New York Post that he’d called a point in a challenge during Survivor: All-Stars wrong. During that discussion, Jeff stated that Survivor player contracts dictate that his calls during the challenges are final. While discussing making the wrong call, Jeff stated that he might listen to players complaining about his calls more if they argued with him less. While discussing that, Jeff made a reference to playing poker with Colby.

“I might be influenced if they didn’t moan about every single call and look at me like I blew it every time. The next time I play poker with [Colby] Donaldson, he needs to be reminded to ease up a bit.”

In September 2004, Colby was much more explicit about how close he’d become with Jeff when he was interviewed by Soap Opera Digest. During that interview, Colby was asked about staying in touch with his former tribemates. After Colby answered, the outlet asked him if he was still close with his “poker buddy Jeff Probst.” In response, Colby described how close his friendship with Jeff had become.

“We talked twice yesterday. [Jeff’s] one of my best friends in the whole world. We’ve always said we would have become buddies if we’d met under any circumstances. We have a lot in common and see eye-to-eye on a lot of issues. There’s just no doubt that that’s a friendship that will last forever.”

The state of Colby and Jeff’s relationship as of 2025 is unclear to Survivor fans. That said, there is no doubt that Jeff and Colby used to have a very tight bond years before the cast for Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans was announced.