Mike White likes to solid Survivor alums on The White Lotus. Natalie Cole, Carl Boudreaux, Christian Hubicki, Angelina Keeley, Alec Merlino, and Kara Kay have all appeared in visitor star and cameo roles within the present’s three-season run on HBO. However Survivor host Jeff Probst doesn’t assume he must be recruited for the following cameo from his actuality competitors present.
Probst shared his ideas on why now two-time Survivor contestant White loves the present a lot, and why he would come again to the play the sport after the success of The White Lotus, in a brand new interview with The Hollywood Reporter. Probst argues that Survivor and The White Lotus are each research of human habits, theorizing that White discovered so much about that from watching and taking part in Survivor.
“I’m shocked folks aren’t asking, ‘Why is without doubt one of the biggest writers within the historical past of Hollywood so interested by Survivor?’” Probst stated. “What’s it that Mike is studying about people and habits and situational ethics that he applies to his craft? As a result of I believe that’s a part of why he does it — he’s on the market in an actual incubator of human habits the place you by no means know what’s going to occur, however what you do know is that if you happen to present as much as play Survivor, you may research it.”
“And while you watch White Lotus, what are you watching? You’re watching human habits all day,” he continued. “I believe that’s a part of the explanation Mike is again, and if you happen to don’t perceive that, possibly you’re asking the improper query.”
You’d assume that after that includes Survivor alums in each season of The White Lotus to date {that a} cameo from Probst would have at the least crossed White’s thoughts whereas making every season. However Probst doesn’t appear .
“No, Mike ought to by no means put me on White Lotus,” the Emmy-winning host stated flat-out with out explaining why. Maybe Probst feels that he can be too distracting of a cameo for The White Lotus and desires to proceed to let his Survivor contestants shine. Whereas he didn’t reveal why he doesn’t assume showing on the HBO drama is a good suggestion, he did share his emotions about these cameos.
“I actually love the cameos and the way he makes use of folks. And I believe that, too, speaks to Mike as an individual,” Probst defined. “He’s in a position to be one of many Hollywood elite, by way of present creators, however he’s additionally in a position to do the present with people who find themselves not from Hollywood, after which invite them into his world and say, ‘Why don’t you come expertise what it’s prefer to be on the set of White Lotus for a day?’ and, ‘I’m going to place you within the seat.’ That’s unbelievable confidence and unbelievable generosity of spirit.”
White first competed in Survivor: David vs. Goliath (Season 37) alongside Hubicki and Keeley. All three of them shall be seen in Survivor 50 when it premieres in 2026. They’re three of the 24 returning gamers, together with two gamers from the upcoming Season 49 who’ve but to be revealed. White needed to return to Survivor earlier than Season 50 (there hasn’t been a returning gamers season since Season 40), and Probst lastly stated sure for this milestone season. The host stated they’re each interested by seeing how White’s elevated star energy modifications his odds within the sport this time round (he completed in second place in Season 37, so he’s clearly good on the sport).
“What’s actually going to be enjoyable is to observe Mike combine with these people who he is aware of in his research,” Probst stated. “He needed to return again and step away from his Hollywood profession for a second and play this sport that he likes to see the way it will go. ‘Now that everyone is extra conscious of me now that I’m slightly extra profitable, how will I fare?’”
Each Survivor and The White Lotus are up for prime awards at this yr’s Emmy Awards. See the total record of nominations right here.
Survivor, Season 49 Premiere, Wednesday, September 24, 8/7c, CBS