'Survivor' 50: Jeff Probst talks casting all-stars season, whether he'd play 'Traitors'

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The newest "Survivor" season premieres Wednesday night but longtime fans are already keeping an eye out for the next year's milestone release.

"Survivor" Season 50 will mark not only a celebratory anniversary moment during the show's 25-year run but will be one of the most anticipated contests yet.

The producers have confirmed the season will feature an all-star cast, with host Jeff Probst revealing he wants the group to embody all types of former players from various eras. Yet the casting process has been almost as perplexing as the game of "Survivor," in which contestants grapple with food deprivation, compete in physically demanding challenges and vote each other out for a $1 million prize.

"We don't have a cast yet and that's the truth," Probst told Paste BN on Monday. "We started from 200 and then we got it down to 100. And from that point it's been tough because every time you cut somebody you know you're killing a dream but you're also losing a potential great story."

Choosing from over 700 former castaways, Probst said they must narrow it down to between 18 and 20 players. As of this week, he said the short list was at around 50 people as of Monday, and that he understands that the final group will disappoint fans in some ways and excite them in others.

"We're going back to season 1 and saying, 'Let's just look at everyone who's ever played, and who should we have play to represent the entirety of the show,'" Probst said. "I am pretty confident that when we get it all together, our fan base will understand this is who we think best represents 'Survivor 50.'"

What are fans voting for in 'Survivor' 50?

The show revealed on Saturday that the milestone season will be themed "Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans" as for the first time ever, viewers will have a say in selecting key elements of the game.

In true "Survivor" fashion, fans will vote on the inclusion or exclusion of hidden immunity idols, final four fire-making, a live reunion episode and much more. Probst said he encourages viewers to indulge in the power of shaping Season 50 by critically examining what the they want to see on TV.

"Trust that we're going to give you enough options that you will have an impact," Probst said. "And if you don't want the final fire-making challenge, then don't vote for it, but don't just make the knee-jerk [reaction]. Give yourself a chance, so that you're actually doing what we do, which is designing the game you want to see the players take on."

In unfortunate news for fans, Probst has confirmed viewers will not vote on the cast like Season 31 "Survivor: Second Chance" previously allowed in 2015.

Jeff says Season 48 continues TV quality streak

While longtime shows often suffer from longevity, fans have been relatively satisfied with recent seasons, with many claiming each gets better than the last. Probst promises Season 48 will not break this streak.

Unlike Season 47 that thrived after a slow burn of getting to know the players, Probst said Season 48 has a quicker pace filled with players that are fast, funny and ready to play.

"I think we've been on a run, and I don't think that runs gonna stop with 48 and a lot of that is our casting. I mean everything about our show is the people we put on it," he added.

Premiering Wednesday night, the new season will feature another batch of 18 players from across the nation including a Florida flight attendant, a South Carolina surgeon, a Texas P.E. coach and California stunt performer.

Would Jeff Probst ever play 'Survivor' or 'The Traitors?'

Though Probst has witnessed every episode firsthand since the 2000 series premiere, he's never had the honor of playing "Survivor" himself. And that may be a good thing.

"I don't think I could ever win 'Survivor,'" he said. "I think I'd do OK. I'm decent [at] emotional intelligence. I think I could read some people when they were giving me a load of crap but the type of people we're putting on today are so clever that I often can't tell if they're telling me the truth at tribal council ... That is an indicator that I would probably not do so well as a player."

He also said he's not inclined to compete in other competition shows like "The Traitors," the murder mystery game that features stars from various reality franchises like "Big Brother," "The Real Housewives" and "RuPaul's Drag Race." When asked if he would compete in a theoretical all-hosts "Traitors" season, Probst's initial reaction was "absolutely not."

"The truth is if it wasn't televised I think I might be interested because I do think these games are fun," he said. "I just don't want to be on a TV show and be embarrassed and get knocked out early. That's what would stop me."

He added that he hasn't kept up with the Peacock series but is always rooting for "Survivor" alumni, including Season 22 winner Boston Rob and Season 44 finalist Carolyn Wiger, who competed in the ongoing "Traitors" season.

'Survivor' launches card game replicating competition series

Since the majority of "Survivor" fans are unlikely to play the actual game itself, Probst said a new card game can give anyone a taste of the competition.

Partnering with party game developer Exploding Kittens, Probst and a team have created "Survivor The Tribe Has Spoken."

In the interactive card game that launched last month, players collect advantages, form secret alliances, win immunity and vote out other players to make it to the end. Probst recommends playing in a group of five to six for the most intricate experience.

"I'm really proud of it. I feel very confident that if you like 'Survivor,' you're going to like the card game," Probst said. "You get all of the social manipulation, all of the fun of trying to strategize how to play something, but in the end of that game, you still have to be able to persuade people you still have to be able to read who's telling you the truth and who isn't."

How to watch 'Survivor' Season 48

The Season 48 premiere of "Survivor," titled "The Get to Know You Game," will air Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 8 p.m. ET on CBS and stream on Paramount+ for subscribers of the Paramount+ with Showtime plan. Episodes can be streamed the next day for subscribers of any Paramount+ plan.

The first 47 seasons of the show are all available to stream with a Paramount+ subscription.