NEED TO KNOW
Survivor host Jeff Probst reveals in a new interview if he’d ever go on The White Lotus
The White Lotus creator Mike White, who first competed on Survivor: David vs. Goliath, is returning for the milestone 50th season of Survivor
To date, White has featured six of his fellow castaways from his season of Survivor on The White Lotus
Jeff Probst has no intention of making a cameo on Mike White’s mega-hit The White Lotus.
“No, Mike should never put me on White Lotus,” Probst, 63, tells The Hollywood Reporter when asked if he would appear on the buzzy HBO series, which has been renewed for a fourth season and received 66 Emmy nominations to date.
Despite him not wanting to be part ofThe White Lotus, Probst says he’s “so grateful” White, 55, decided to compete in the milestone 50th season of Survivor, airing in early 2026.
HBO/ Warner Bros.
Carrie Coon, Leslie Bibb and Michelle Monaghan on ‘The White Lotus’ season 3
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Probst calls White “arguably the single best storyteller we’ve ever had on Survivor,” adding that he’s “one of the most peculiar and loving people I’ve ever met.”
“He’s so authentic,” he continues of White. “And honestly, I’m grateful to consider him a friend, because I learn from Mike every day. You’re talking [about] one of the best of all time, and the fact that he said yes to Survivor still brings a smile on my fave.”
Probst also says he gets a kick out of White including fellow Survivor alums on The White Lotus.
To date, White has invited six of his Survivor: David vs. Goliath castaways to cameo on various seasons of The White Lotus.
Alec Merlino appeared in season 1, while Angelina Keeley and Kara Kay popped up in season 2. The most recent season featured Natalie Cole, Carl Boudreaux and Christian Hubicki.
“I really love the cameos and how he uses people. And I think that, too, speaks to Mike as a person,” he gushes. “He’s able to be one of the Hollywood elite, in terms of show creators, but he’s also able to do the show with people who are not from Hollywood, and then invite them into his world and say, ‘Why don’t you come experience what it’s like to be on the set of White Lotus for a day?’ and, ‘I’m going to put you in the seat.'”
Probst says this highlights White’s “incredible confidence and incredible generosity of spirit.”
White is one of the many fan-favorite former castaways returning for Survivor 50.
Joining him in the jam-packed cast are Hubicki and Keeley from his original season — on which he was the runner-up.
Returnees from earlier seasons of the reality competition series include Colby Donaldson, Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick, Cirie Fields, Ozzy Lusth, Benjamin “Coach” Wade, Aubry Bracco and Chrissy Hofbeck.
CBS via Getty
Jeff Probst (L) and Mike White (R) on ‘Survivor: David vs. Goliath’
Those returning in seasons post-David vs. Goliath — the show’s 37th season — include Rick Devens, Jonathan Young, Dee Valladares, Emily Flippen, Q Burdette, Tiffany Ervin, Charlie Davis, Genevieve Mushaluk, Kamilla Karthigesu, Kyle Fraser, Joseph Hunter and two yet-to-be-revealed players from season 49, airing this fall.
Survivor 50 has been themed In the Hands of the Fans, with viewers being able to vote on various aspects of the game when season 48 aired earlier this year.
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Survivor season 50 airs in February 2026 on CBS and The White Lotus is available to stream on HBO Max.
Read the original article on People
