Skip to Content
reality TV reviews, news, and analysis since 2000

Survivor Fiji debuts tonight; only one cast member applied while the rest were recruited

Less than two months after the conclusion of Survivor Cook Islands, CBS debuts a new season of the show tonight with Survivor Fiji at 8 p.m. ET. The first five minutes, however, are currently viewable online.

This season features new twists and a diverse cast from California, although not one split by race. Instead, the tribes will be split just like the teams are on The Apprentice, with one living in “luxury” and the other living without any amenities whatsoever.

Speaking of the cast, Jeff Probst revealed while talking to reporters about the show that only one of them (Gary Stritesky) actually filled out an application and applied. That’s a significant increase from the 85 percent who were recruited last season.

The cast was recruited, because “Probst says after recruiting players for the racially-divided concept used last time around, the producers had hoped to find a more diverse pool of people applying,” Inside Bay Area reports. “So, in the interest of casting a more diverse show, the producers recruited” the rest of the cast. That explains why so many once again come from California.

Survivor Fiji [CBS]
New ‘Survivor: Fiji’ divides haves and have-nots “Survivor: Fiji” [Inside Bay Area]

All reality blurred content is independently selected, including links to products or services. However, if you buy something after clicking an affiliate link, I may earn a commission, which helps support reality blurred. Learn more.

More from reality blurred

About the author

  • Andy Dehnart

    Andy Dehnart is the creator of reality blurred and a writer and teacher who obsessively and critically covers reality TV and unscripted entertainment, focusing on how itโ€™s made and what it means.

Discussion: your turn

I think of writing about television as the start of a conversation, and I value your contributions to that conversation. We’ve created a community that connects people through open and thoughtful conversations about the TV we’re watching and the stories about it.

To share our perspectives and exchange ideas in a welcoming, supportive space, I’ve created these rules for commenting here. By commenting below, you confirm that you’ve read and agree to those rules.

Happy discussing!