The penultimate episode of Survivor 50 airs this week, but all eyes are already on next week’s live finale. It will be the first truly live finale since Survivor: Edge of Extinction, with the Island of the Idols finale pre-taped and Winners at War shifted to video chats because of the COVID pandemic.
And because it has been so long since the last live finale, the Survivor team is going all out for one of the show’s biggest milestones. This will only be the second time in Survivor history that a $2 million prize is up for grabs. Based on the current Final 7 players, the race for the title looks set to be incredibly tight, with the jury likely split when it comes time to cast the final votes.
“…anything can happen live in real time.” – Jeff Probst to TV Insider
This week, TV Insider spoke with Jeff Probst about what fans can expect from the finale, including one last fan vote that will be revealed live. Jeff said he is thrilled to see the live finale return because, “There’s nothing like being in that room with a thousand people, all watching in real time, cheering for their favorite players.”
He also confirmed that the fan-favorite parts of a live finale are coming back, including “the live audience, the real-time reactions, the immediacy of revealing the winner onstage, and that feeling that anything can happen.” As the episode unfolds, Jeff will check in with players live to capture their reactions to key moments, along with immediate exit interviews for the contestants who miss out on the Final Three.
And for viewers hoping Jeff might pull off another jet ski entrance into the New York harbor, that appears less likely this year. There is simply too much to fit into the live finale, so Jeff and the production team are saving that time for what matters most: “the players and the story of the season!”
It is also important for fans to tune in live not just for the finale, but for episode 12 this week as well. The show is introducing one final fan vote that will directly affect the live finale. Jeff described the last vote as “very fun,” which suggests fans may get the chance to help crown a season favorite once again. Could Sia be involved? That is the question everyone is asking.
Don’t miss your chance to vote this week as the penultimate episode of Survivor 50 airs on Wednesday, May 13 before the finale lands on Wednesday, May 20 at 8 p.m. ET.
