‘Survivor’: Jeff Probst Reveals Plan to Crack Down on Quitters, Fans React to Changes

Two people have quit Survivor 45 so far. It’s still one of the best seasons of the new era even with those stunning exits, which says a lot about the changes made between the noteworthy Season 44 to now. Jeff Probst announced another rule change on Live with Kelly and Mark that makes the message clear: he hates when people quit Survivor. Who can blame him?

“Aw, quitters, man!” Probst said with a disappointed tone on the morning talk show on November 15. “Yes, two people quit. The truth is, over 45 seasons less than one percent quit … The one thing you can’t test for in all the psych testing is the real elements: the rain, the bamboo, the snakes, and all that.” Then he laid down the new law.

“I want to declare right here on your show that from this point forward, if you’re a Survivor player and you quit, your torch will not be snuffed,” he said. “That’s over. To get your torch snuffed, you gotta play the game.”

Survivor has been running for so long (23 years and counting), most people who end up on the show have been lifelong fans. That means that even being eliminated from the competition is an exciting moment, because they get to experience the iconic moment when Probst, the show’s sole host for all 45 seasons, snuffs out their torch and says, “The tribe has spoken.” Hosts Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos understood that despite it meaning you’ve lost the game, the torch snuff is still “their moment.” And “you don’t get the moment if you quit, I think,” Probst replied. “I need to be a little harder on that.”

It’s a reasonable rule. You’re supposed to “outwit, outplay, outlast” on this series, not bow out when you’ve had enough like Hannah, who quit in the Season 45 premiere’s first Tribal Council because she realized she didn’t actually want to experience the grueling conditions for another day, let alone the full 26. Probst was visibly angry when Sean quit in Episode 4. That time, Sean assumed he was on the outs and seemingly wanted to control his fate by asking for votes. He said he missed his husband and wanted to go home. While that was undoubtedly true (who wouldn’t miss the comforts of home on this show?), it was clear to viewers that the move was largely made out of pride.

In the new Survivor era where the competition is shorter, there have been a lot of changes introduced to spice the shorter game up (for years, the competition lasted 39 days, now it’s 26). Survivor Season 45 Episode 8, which aired on Wednesday, November 15 on CBS, brought back the beloved Survivor auction, but it, too, came with changes.

The auction gives players a break from the physical reward challenges and lets them bid money on goodies instead. This time around, food was the only thing up for auction, plus a one-time chance to brush your teeth. Idols, messages from home, and other advantages were often up for grabs in past iterations. Another twist to the auction in 45 was the players having to race to collect their cash. It used to be that players were provided lump sums of money.

This season continues to prove that Probst is done playing nice. The new quitting policy is one of the several ways he’s forcing players to make tougher, quicker decisions now. In Episode 8, he offered a rice negotiation ahead of the individual immunity challenge. If four players volunteered to sit out and sacrifice their chance at immunity, the whole tribe would get a massive bag of rice. They took too long to decide, so Probst whipped out a knife and stabbed a hole in the bottom of the bag to let the rice pour out like sand in an hourglass. That certainly lit a fire under the players’ asses!

Survivor Season 46 is already in the pipeline. As announced by CBS this week, Season 46 premieres February 28, 2024 and it will continue with the 90-minute episodes that have helped make Season 45 so great. Funny and compelling editing, like last night’s quick cuts between Kendra and Bruce and the flash-forward from Episode 7 that blew Probst’s mind (hear his reaction in the “Get a Grip” episode of the On Fire podcast), have also contributed to 45 being one of the best of the new era. But as always, what makes Survivor great is the cast.

Probst’s message to those players, both current and future, is clear: stop messing around. Survivor will outplay you! See fan reactions to his recent on-screen antics below, plus reactions to last night’s memorable episode.

Jeff trying to get people to sit out of the challenge #Survivor #Survivor45 pic.twitter.com/TEKHrlHpm3

— Kyle Keating (@TheRoarOf1984) November 16, 2023

So with tonight’s episode we got the conclusion to one of the funniest & let’s just say it, best revenge arcs in #Survivor history #Survivor45 pic.twitter.com/7P6gdNkVs4

— Sawyer Sabol (@SabolSawyer) November 16, 2023

The moment Kellie’s fate was sealed. Denying Austin his sandwich was one thing, but getting one of her own? Too far #Survivor #Survivor45 pic.twitter.com/cN5f7dxlkf

— Shannon Guss (Gaitz) (@ShannonGaitz) November 16, 2023

Austin getting a slice of pepperoni pizza and a second idol in the same episode. He’s been waiting for this moment.
#Survivor45 #survivor pic.twitter.com/unvKWpMmJw

— Christina ‎⍟‎⎊ᱬ (@christina_b56) November 16, 2023

What a fun season! 8 episodes in & I feel like this major blindside of a key character adds to the Sabiyah vote & Kaleb SitD play as a third very memorable moment. Not to mention the auction, continued interesting strategy & so much time with this great cast #Survivor #Survivor45

— Shannon Guss (Gaitz) (@ShannonGaitz) November 16, 2023

The most emotional reaction I have seen from a #Survivor vote out in a WHILE. It’s absolutely visceral and raw pic.twitter.com/HqbEMUVgR0

— Mike Bloom (@AMikeBloomType) November 16, 2023

This is still making me happy this morning. I just know Jeff was having the time of his life stabbing that bag #Survivor #Survivor45 https://t.co/AxbGlKebs8 pic.twitter.com/7GXVAmrqTO

— Owen Knight (@they0ungknight) November 16, 2023

jeff: anyone want to sit out?
the cast: no
jeff: i said anyone want to sit out? #survivor45

— jake (@jakercn) November 16, 2023

I was fully on board the “Kellie is winning” train after last week. She was a clear triple threat – a physical beast, social butterfly, and strategic threat. And she gave us an iconic exit. I hope she and Kaleb use Ponderosa as training for The Challenge #Survivor #Survivor45 pic.twitter.com/25hI4DSzek

— Ryan (@suRYvor) November 16, 2023

Seriously, #Survivor 45 may have some of the best confessional editing in the show’s history pic.twitter.com/MJCruwAGZB

— Mike Bloom (@AMikeBloomType) November 16, 2023

Kaleb is such a good vibe to have as the Mayor of Ponderosa. This is the energy we need on the jury in these strategic games #Survivor #Survivor45 pic.twitter.com/xx9ettzJIm

— Ryan (@suRYvor) November 16, 2023

Listen I love Kellie but that made for a way more interesting episode and even game overall than if Jake left unanimously #Survivor #Survivor45 https://t.co/AFP9nvD7Mt

— dead ting (@deadtingtv) November 16, 2023

I’m sorry but Austin’s innocent little nod when Kellie asked if he voted her out is hilarious. He’s like: “yes” #Survivor #Survivor45 pic.twitter.com/Q3rQw4saVn

— Ostrich (@MedicineBall16) November 16, 2023

Girl dinner #survivor45 pic.twitter.com/WDRwZQbGy9

— bb memes (@bbmemegirl) November 16, 2023

This is genuinely the funniest moment of the new era #Survivor https://t.co/v8ka1sBMWF

— CEASE FIRE (@giangyhai) November 16, 2023

The evolution of the #Survivor rice negotiation make me laugh so hard

41 & 42: “I want 4 people to sit out, but we can negotiate for it”
43 & 44: “I want 4 people to sit out, take it or leave it”
45: “I’ve taken your rice hostage and mortally wounded it. Go.” https://t.co/pGxXsfy6lI

— Mike Bloom (@AMikeBloomType) November 16, 2023

Survivor, Wednesdays, 8/7c, CBS