The 2025 Emmy nominations for Excellent Actuality Competitors Program dropped and for less than the second time since 2006, Survivor was chosen. Not surprisingly, host Jeff Probst was fired up concerning the recognition and dropped a bunch of pictures to have a good time. As a fan, I used to be initially completely satisfied, as I like Survivor and wish to see the present acknowledged, however the extra I give it some thought, the extra I can’t shake a nagging fear that the glory might come at a price.
Now, that may not make sense to these of you who aren’t Survivor superfans; so, let me drop my buff right here for a second and clarify. Survivor 48, the present’s most up-to-date season, was most likely the worst acquired since 41 and its disastrous hourglass twist, no less than if you happen to go by the hardcore followers on social media. The complaints have been loud and constant, largely specializing in boring gameplay, an over-emphasis on the private backstories of gamers and an edit that prioritized emotional journeys over strategizing.
I attempted to stay optimistic all through a lot of the season, however by the top, I used to be on the identical web page with the critics that it was one of many weakest current efforts. Host Jeff Probst, nevertheless, positively didn’t really feel the identical method. He was very optimistic about Survivor 48 each time he spoke about it, possible as a result of he appears to like highlighting optimistic and uplifting tales of non-public progress, which 48 was stuffed with.
Probst favored the season a lot, actually, that he and the producers chosen three contestants from it to look within the upcoming milestone season Survivor 50. Followers did numerous grumbling about beloved gamers who have been lower, however there was maybe nothing complained about greater than a perceived over-representation from 48. Simply how a lot hardcore followers disliked the season was made clear once they collectively went off about not needing to see Kyle, Kamilla and Joe so shortly once more.
The hardcore followers aren’t the one individuals watching the present although. There have been quite a few anecdotal tales about informal followers completely loving the season. My dad and mom beloved it. Many hardcore Survivor followers talked about their much less invested members of the family loving Joe and Kamilla particularly. Throw in Probst’s love for Survivor 48, and it’s apparent there’s a rift locally between what hardcore followers appear to need (extra strategizing, much less benefits, extra villains, much less private life stuff) and what the producers and the informal followers need (uplifting tales, optimistic position fashions, emotionality, twists and turns).
Now, technically, Survivor’s Emmy nomination got here for 47 and 48 each. 47 was acquired very positively by the identical superfans who complained about 48, however if you happen to have a look at Jeff’s publish on social, it solely references 48. You’ll be able to test it out beneath…
Now, in the end, I’m probably not positive this Emmy factor issues. Seasons 43 and 44 have been nominated for an Emmy, and precisely zero gamers from these seasons have been picked for Survivor 50, which is loopy contemplating Carolyn Wiger wished to return again. So, perhaps Probst and the producers don’t actually let this sort of factor have an effect on their decision-making. I feel it’s price mentioning right here, nevertheless, as a result of it’s so apparent there’s a rift between how everybody views 48. There’s part of me that worries the producers will see this as validation for 48 and lean more durable into that type shifting ahead.
Regardless, I’ll be round to look at it play out. I’ll not have favored Survivor 48 as a lot as current seasons, however I nonetheless beloved it greater than virtually the rest on TV. I’d fortunately vote for even a nasty season for Emmys, and I can’t anticipate 50, even when I might have accomplished issues a little bit in another way.