How WGA & SAG Strikes Affect Survivor 45, Explained
As scripted shows get canceled and postponed, unscripted ones are taking advantage.
Ahoy there! On September 27, a new season of one of the world's craziest survival shows will hit our screens. For the 45th time, Survivor will return to find out who is worthy of a hefty cash prize and the title of sole survivor.
The fact that Survivor is premiering so soon amidst the Hollywood strikes may come as a surprise to many, considering that lots of popular broadcast shows have been put on hiatus or canceled altogether. As the WGA-SAG-AFTRA strike is currently in its fifth month, can we expect it to have any effect on Survivor 45?
How the Hollywood Labor Disputes Affect the Show
Fans often speculate that Survivor is a scripted show because the decisions and judgments of host Jeff Probst are sometimes too predictable. However, this idea seems to be far from the truth, as the ongoing strikes have apparently had no effect on the production and release of the new season.
Survivor 45 reportedly completed filming in the spring/summer period of this year. And now, due to numerous series being canceled or postponed due to the strikes, CBS' schedule for fall looks rather empty, and the network is willing to fill the time slots with unscripted shows.
That is why Survivor 45 will see an extension in episode duration, from the regular 60 minutes or less to a whopping 90 minutes!
What About Our Beloved Host (and Cast)?
Jeff Probst is a member of SAG-AFTRA, but fortunately, Survivor Season 45 (and even 46) was filmed before the labor union joined the writers' strike. This means Probst will continue to host the show, mentoring the contestants in the upcoming two seasons and surprising us with bizarre game twists.
As for the castaways, CBS is expected to reveal their identities later this month. However, we do know one name already — Bruce Perreault, who was a contestant last season but was evacuated from the island for health reasons. Probst himself insisted that Bruce was included into the upcoming season's cast.
And the New Location is…
While previous seasons featured new locations all over the world, from Malaysia and China to Panama and Guatemala, the location for Season 45 remains the same — the Mamanuca Islands, Fiji. Thanks to its ecology, clean water, and amazing scenery, this place is the iconic Survivor location, and fans are happy to travel back to the islands.
Survivor 25 premieres September 27 on CBS and airs every Wednesday at 8 pm ET.