Survivor's Jeff Probst drops bombshell on White Lotus cameo after creator's surprise return to competition show
The 63-year-old TV presenter recently caused a stir when he announced that White Lotus creator Mike, 55 — who was Survivor's season 37 runner-up — will reappear on season 50 next spring.
In the past, the California-bred filmmaker has given his Survivor co-stars small roles on the stirring drama.
As for Jeff, he wants no parts, telling The Hollywood Reporter that fans should not expect to see him on HBO.
'No, Mike should never put me on White Lotus. I really love the cameos and how he uses people. And I think that, too, speaks to Mike as a person,' he said to the outlet.
Producers raised eyebrows in May when it was announced that The White Lotus creator Mike was recast for season 50 after he came in second place on season 37 in 2018
And the beloved host explained exactly why he's excited for Mike's return.
'He's arguably the single best storyteller we've ever had on Survivor,' he told the outlet.
'Mike is one of the most peculiar and loving people I've ever met. He's so authentic. He does exactly what he wants on his terms, and the results clearly speak for themselves,' he added.
Unlike viewers and Hollywood's A-listers, Jeff said he understands why Mike wanted to join the Survivor cast again, despite his massive success.
'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,' he reasoned.
He noted, 'And when you watch White Lotus, what are you watching? 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.'
In late May Jeff unveiled the 24 returning contestants for the Fiji-set 50th season of the CBS reality competition, which will premiere in 2026.
Fans expressed disappointment that none of the all-stars were selected from seasons 19-31 as five competed in seasons 48-49 and 11 others appeared on the past five seasons.
'Too many new era players,' Instagram user @stagesofcj commented. 'Not enough early and middle era.'
Instagram user @zacharyreality could not believe season 45 champ Dee Valladares and season 48 champ Kyle Fraser were brought back, writing: 'Why cast two recent winners?'
And someone else wrote on X, 'I can't be the only one who thinks that the Mike White pick is a ploy by Jeff to try and draw in the White Lotus crowd, no?'
Others were upset over the casting of two mystery competitors from season 49, which wrapped earlier this year and will air in the fall.
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