RHAP: We Know Survivor - Paul Scheer Talks Survivor 50

Episode Date: March 18, 2026

Paul Scheer Talks Survivor 50 Rob Cesternino welcomes comedian and Survivor superfan Paul Sheer for a deep-dive discussion into Survivor 50. Rob and Paul explore the unpredictable twists and evolving strategies that make Survivor 50 one of the most talked-about seasons yet, featuring fan-voted favorites and new-school players pushing the game to its limits. Paul shares his journey as a long-time Survivor fan, including how watching the show with his family has changed his perspective, and why he thinks Season 50 is perfectly cast. The duo spends time analyzing how legacy and past wounds motivate returning players, and how strategy is being shaped by both new advances and old-school tricks. From idol plays and fake idols hidden at Tribal Council to unforgettable reward challenges, this episode highlights the highs and lows of island living and the ever-present risk of blindside. – The impact of returning players’ emotional baggage on their gameplay, as discussed by Paul and Rob – Wild idol strategies, including Christian and Rick’s scheme to hide a fake idol at Tribal Council – Debate about “survivalist” elements: food rewards, the classic marooning challenge, and what happens when old-school twists meet modern safety concerns – Insights into the fire-making challenge and how fans and players see its role in the game’s evolution – Paul’s take on the season’s casting, including opinions on players like Q, Mike White, and Tony, and the importance of having unpredictable, memorable characters As Rob and Paul break down Survivor 50, they ask: will players learn from their past mistakes, or will their familiar wounds lead to another blindside at Tribal? With alliances shifting, challenges changing, and classic elements potentially making a comeback, who will outwit, outplay, and outlast in this epic season? 0:00 Survivor Fandom Revealed by Paul 06:20 Revisiting Richard Hatch, Rudy, Legacy 13:08 Jeff Probst’s Role and Presence 22:44 Wishes for Marooning Return 27:01 Survivor’s Food Rewards Impact Game 34:09 Fire-Making Challenge Stirring Debate 39:00 Mike White’s David vs Goliath Dilemma 45:14 Should Survivors Speak at Exit? 50:20 Villain Play Versus Hero Play 58:22 Returnees Haunted by Past Mistakes 01:10:17 Traitors Strategy—Rob’s Faithful Method 01:21:03 Secret Pairs and Tribes Discussed 01:26:56 Survivor Loot Crates and Kid Nation To pre-order Rob’s book, The Tribe and I Have Spoken, visit www.robhasabook.com Never miss a minute of RHAP’s extensive Survivor coverage! LISTEN: Subscribe to the Survivor podcast feed WATCH:  Watch and subscribe to the podcast on YouTube SUPPORT:  Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks!

Everybody, what's going on? Boy, have we got an exciting podcast for you here today? Because we are honored to be joined by somebody who, an incredible comedian, and that we have recently found out a big Survivor fan, reality TV fan. Here is Paul Shear. Paul, how are you? Rob, I am thrilled. Thank you for giving me the ding of the bell.

I'm thrilled to be here. I'm a listener of the pod. I am a fan of Survivor. And I think, you know, it's interesting to talk to you because obviously I'm a fan. Not obviously. This is like news to me. Oh, well, yeah. No, I'm a fan.

I've just been reading your book, which is great. And, you know, there's a section at the end that I found to be really interesting, which is like all your tips and tricks on like how to survive on Survivor, right? They're like they're kind of these little ways of looking at things, thinking about things. And Survivor to me is the scariest show because I feel like I would be medevaced out instantly. Like I feel like on day one, I would think, oh, I could climb that and then just rupture my Achilles. And occasionally we get to see that on the end. That does happen.

Yeah. And I look at that and I go, all my want to be there, I know that like, oh, my body would never be running. Like I watch these people duck up. under big wooden logs. I'm like, I'm knocking myself out instantly. I just know it. I might want to be there. My coordination are not going to line up.

But I will say the closest experience I've ever had to being on Survivor was on Mr. Beast, Celebrity Beast game. Yes. Yes. Right? So they brought out to me, I think the hardest challenge in Survivor, which is where you just have to hold on to a log.

You basically are going to second base with a log and for as long as you can. And I was thrilled that it was there. But the thing that I realized in this moment, because I've never done a reality competition like this, like a physical competition, is when you're up there, you start thinking a little bit about your legacy.

And in the sense of, I was like, oh, I don't want my kids to see me fall off this log. And that oddly gave me a little bit more like, time on the log. I was able to, you know, I survived that challenge. And, but I was wondering about that, like, does that come into play like at a certain point? Or are you just like kind of lulled into your starving, your sunburned, you're sore? Like, are you ever like, like in those moments going, like I have to bring it through not for the million dollars, but I don't want to become a meme. I don't want to become this person that is, you know, that is just the joke of the franchise.

Wow. This is a tough question. And I like that you've come to me for tips on immunity challenges and how to really persevere through that. So I would say that I think that there is some level of, I don't want to be greatly embarrassed. I personally, when I was in the Amazon, that there was a, fish that would swim up your urethra. And I was very, yes. I'd wear a speedo, but I did that because I was like, well, I don't want to also be the person who gets medically evacuated for having this, this parasite

swim into my urethra hole. So. Yeah, you don't want to have your legs spread on the beach with the medical team there. I mean, it was bad enough in this season 50 where Christian pooped his pants. Yeah. And, you know, it's like and and you don't see it but sometimes the blur I think is even worse yeah uh you know but yeah those are the moments that you want to avoid and I I guess I didn't ever think about that other element of it you know just like that the fear of yeah but yeah are you like you don't want anything up no you don't want that I mean yeah I mean I want to yuck anybody's yum but I don't want that I would hope that that's not so many people's yums it seems more painful than most I would imagine yeah knows and God bless and

And I, you're right. I don't, we should not be doing it. Yeah. Well, Paul, I'm so honored that you're here, of course, that you have so many different things that people know you from. And of course, you have a book out yourself, which is joyful recollections of trauma. Yep. It's a comedy book, even though the title sounds like that.

I basically believe that we all are forged in the fire of our traumas, whatever they are, right? Well, that's survivor. I mean, right there, right? Yeah. So yeah, and it's, if you listen to my podcast, how did this get made? You know that I tell a lot of stories for my childhood. And this is kind of a more well-rounded picture. But I don't care about that.

I want to get into Survivor with you because there's so much, there's so much to talk about. Yeah. And yeah, go ahead. Tell me about how your Survivor fandom was forged. Have you been a lifelong survivor fan? Well, Rob, I'll tell you. This is how I came to Survivor. Day one, I'm a survivor watcher because it was this idea of television that you would never really seem before.

I remember I was in New York City and there was like, have you heard about this show? Yeah, let's watch a show. And you know, we and fell in love with Richard Hatch, you know, Rudy, right? He was season one. You know, like this whole kind of crew. And I really, you have to kind of push people to remember like this was never before seen. And in many respects, the original Survivor was like, this is the end of television.

They're eating rats on camera, right? It wasn't like, right now, Survivor is the crown jewel of reality competition television. That's the irony. Yes, right? And that was the thing that people forget. But I was such a fan that I even bought the DVD, like the best of DVD at the end of Survivor won to live my favorite moments. I have it right over there. Yeah.

You see, yeah, that was like, and it was, it was really, really, it was just a wild show because it was, you felt like you were watching something really special and something different. And, and I also think it's important. And, you know, especially as we get into this, I mean, I know that we have hoarders and we have all these shows that show different types of people like gator people and stuff. But there was something really amazing about the playing field of that show. You know, when you look at a guy like, and again, not to go back to Richard Hatch, and really. the two people I've already mentioned, but they are, here's an old guy. Here's a guy doesn't look like he's in that great of shape. And they're shirtless and they're out there and they're competing with the people who look,

you know, like they're sporty and ready to go. And I think there was an element that's so pure to, I don't even know what this show is, but I like the idea of it. And it's like people that wanted to compete on it, not to get famous from it, which is, which is you get that in the first season of real world, which I absolutely love. It's like they don't know what they're in store for. So you almost capture a more genuine picture. I mean, Richard Hatch, for better or for worse,

I think created a lot of the gameplay that Survivor is known for, the double crosses and the plannings and all that sort of stuff. And obviously people, you know, jumped on it. And I think that you were, you know, you to me were one of those people that, you know, created this, you kind of made it like a show. And you embraced like, oh, I'm like, because didn't you bring, what, you bring a magic eight ball? Did you have a bad to pay ball?

Yeah. So yeah. So right. So you, you know, like you're doing bits on there, which I also feel like you're kind of aware of what it is, but also playing the game as well.

I just, I love the evolution of it. But to answer your question, probably first three seasons, Avid Watcher and then probably dropped off for like 10 years. Yeah. Like, you know,

and it was sort of like, oh, I know survivors on. And I think it's like one of those shows where I'm in my early 20s. So it's also like being home. I'm trying to do what I'm doing now. And, you know, I'm out late and it's a long show. And, you know, so you forget to watch.

And then about two or three years ago, we watched it with my kids. And they were like, whoa, what is this? And then my wife went back. She's like, we'll just start from season one. And we'll move all the way up to like the 40s. And I was like, that's a tall task. I was like, can we just maybe jump around? And so I've really watched a lot in the last two or three years.

I kind of meeting these characters that I knew. I knew about, you know, parvety, but I didn't know her season. You know, and I watched probably here. Second season before I watched her. I'm all out of order. I'm watching this thing out of order. So I've really been, I've been able to avoid some seasons that might be duds, you know. And I've looked at a lot of Reddits and places to find which ones should be watching.

But yeah, we pounded through. I would easily say about like, you know, 15 seasons in like two years. And your kids were pushing you all to watch the show? Well, yeah, I think I can't remember there was some sort of special season. And we're like, oh, this will be a fun show to watch with them. And that was our entry point. And then they're like, I want to watch more of it. Oh, as a matter of fact, I'm sorry, I remember right now.

We watched traders with them. Okay. And then they're like, what else is like this? And I was like, well, the granddaddy of them all is Survivor. And that's how we found it. Yeah. So, and, you know, kind of going back into it. And so, you know, and then I also wade into the waters of talking to my fans, sorry, talking

to my friends who are been fans for a long time, who are like, what? You like season 45? That's not, that's not the way it's supposed to be. You know, it's like, it's a new generation. Yeah, it's like in the new era. And so I came in pretty, you know, the only thing that I've really suffered through is the bad quality of the video. Because when you go back to season one, two, you know, I really through the first six years, quality is really bad. Standard deaf.

Yeah, standard deaf. It's rough. It's shocking. But yeah, no, so that's, I'm, I've definitely been much more in a survivor. And our family's been in a survivor kick. I think the kids like it because what they loved about traders was that there were challenges. And my wife and I love like the lies and the backstabbing and the manipulation. And we're like, oh, well, this is a show that the challenges are way better than traders.

And you're also going to get that. So it became like a family favorite. And my wife desperately wants to be on the show. And I said to her, I said, you know, you can never go on this show because I've seen my wife without coffee. And it's not a pretty thing. My wife is an amazing person, but if you take away that coffee, it's a different, it's a different character out there. Yeah. How old are your kids? Nine and 11. So we probably started watching maybe like at seven and ten or seven and nine. Yeah.

I have two boys. They're 12 and 10. And so I wish that they were as interested, but I kind of feel like that if this is like what your dad does, it's not as cool. Yeah. No. Well, I mean, you know, it's interesting because it's probably like it felt to them like we were finding it together I think like our kids are really boys are really sporty so I think that just seeing challenges and seeing people do challenges is exciting to them which is also led to us watching a lot of jackass right now so we're in a little bit of a jackass wormhole but you know and I explained to them there's differences but but yeah no I think what I really love about the show is I

definitely think it's cast dependent, right? Like when you get a great cast, you, uh, it is, you can't wait until the next week. And I, and I do think there is an element of the show that even transcends that because now I think they have enough of a, a mechanism working where I got to tell you, I'm tuning in to see, uh, Jeff because Jeff is just, I'm in awe of Jeff in the way that he does this thing. Apparently I heard he doesn't have an email. So he's not being fed lines. And it's that the act of what he is doing is like mind boggling to me.

When you look at a world in which people are attached to teleprompters, people are feeding things into their ear. Like he is calling that game live. And he's, yeah, he's got the spice. And he's not as spicy as when it was like, I hate, I hate being here, Jeff. But, but, but he's got like this energy to him. I actually put Jeff in a show, Adam Scott and I made this show called the greatest event. Yes. And so, and, and he's so funny and such a good guy. But I also can,

but he also feels like a father figure to you all. Like, you guys got in that fight on the beach. Like, right? Like, it's like, you know, he, he's, he's listening to this podcast and he's taking his accounts, you know, with everybody. Like, so you, you know, you got to deal with that. You know, it's, it's funny the way that he's kind of, he is this grandfather figure. And I've said this a million times until somebody listens or Jeff says yes get Jeff on traders I want to see Jeff play I don't think that's yeah I don't think that that's likely too likely to happen I think that Jeff is very comfortable in the role that he's in and especially to go on another show I don't think that that's in the cards a big leap for him to go on Mr. Beast yeah and I feel like watching him do

it and like watching him give Mr. Beast's notes and then also I think you just realize how good he is and how small, like, not small, but he's not yelling all the time. He's just, he's creating commentary that's interesting and fun. It really is, I'm very, very impressed by that part of it. So I'm always, I will always tune in for seeing what Jeff is up to. Was that a thrill for your kids to participate in the Celebrity Beast games? You know, so I didn't even know I could bring them there. And when they called me, that's another big family watch, right?

We watched Beast, you know, a Mr. Beast. And so I was going to do it. And I thought it would be so fun if my kids would just turn on Mr. Beast one day. And then I would be on it. I was like, ah, look. You didn't tell them. I did not tell them. But unfortunately, we have a shared family calendar.

Yeah. And then my son was like, what's Mr. Beast games? And I was like, oh. Yeah. And then, but Jimmy was very nice. And let me bring my youngest son to set. And they treated him really, really well. And Jeff was supposed to be there for that event.

but he could not make it that day. So it would have been fun to actually do the Survivor challenge with him in the room. Yeah. Okay. Paul, tell me some of your favorite players, whether or not they're on season 50. Oh, yeah. Okay.

Well, first of all, I got to say, I think season 50 is perfectly cast, right? There's something about this cast, and I know it's the fans choose. And I think they chose right. Like, it's, you know, there's certain people I don't ever need to see again, right? Who's the guy with the fedora that was on like five seasons? in like four years. Russell? I got it.

I'm full of Russell. I got it. You know, and, you know, so the only guy that I would love to see on the show that I, that I thought was such a great presence. But I think he claims to be too injured by the show is Joe, right? That's the cop who was like spying on people. Joe, like that, it was that guy, the New York City cop or Tony? Tony.

Sorry, thank you. I told Rob before the show. I said, Rob, that's okay. I watch a show a lot. and I'm going to be terrible at names. It's because I'm watching too many shows with 16 contestants. It's hard to keep track.

But I think what is interesting about Survivor versus other shows, and I'm going to compare it to traders at this one moment is traders, they penalize you for being interesting. Like if you're too interesting, you get out. Believe me. I know how this goes.

And that's a bummer because you want to go, you don't want to just go with, the was a bunch of like not goats what they call them on survivor yeah goats yeah yeah yeah like you want to you want to you want to follow them through like you want to follow the interesting people through i'm crushed that cue is out because you has just the right amount of crazy that is fun for the show and i feel like anybody can keep people off balance i think christians like that as well like i like i like the caroline you know i like i like people that are you the show doesn't even know what they're doing. Like, you know, and that to me makes it really fun. And, you know,

even the way that Mike White played his first game on the show, uh, and comparatively now he's different because now he's famous. And back then, like, I feel like he was kind of curbing his fame. Like he was, yeah, leaning into the people who knew him from school. He certainly had a lot of accomplishments at that time. But people didn't know. And, and it was nice because he was able to keep it. But then there's like, those seasons where, you know, it's like you got the guy from the Portland Trailblazers. He's like, we got to get him out because he doesn't deserve a million dollars. I'm like, I hate that. I'm like, oh, no, I like the anonymity.

I like the idea that you don't know when people are hiding their professions. Like Tony, he was like, I'm not going to tell anyone I'm a cop. I love those like little tricks. And, you know, and then I think which makes Parvety so interesting because she's like, oh, we know she's dangerous. And then how is she going to play under the guise of like, you know that I'm coming after you? So I love that kind of chance to not redeem, but play in a different. I think coach is too obsessed right now with trying to break something. I don't know. And yeah,

there's like, you know, it's interesting to watch everybody's gameplay. What I really, what I'm always kind of amazed at, though, is, and you say it in your book, never say tonight, I'm totally safe because when you get booted out, they will play that. And I know you've talked about this here before, but does it like, when you watch. watch it, do you feel like you can watch a show and be like, oh, that's mixed and matched? Like I know now in Survivor, if they're leading towards somebody as they go to travel council, that person is not going to be out. Like I can kind of get a sense of it.

Like, you know, I'm like, okay, I can start to game it a little bit. I know they try to sneak you around things as well. Because they want you to feel that same kind of blind side. But are you, like, can you watch it and feel like you are. Can you, do you see the editing too much? Is that like, because now you've watched so many, you've been there, you know this, how the, you know how the soft is. So I think that you can really see the editing when, you know, you were there and certainly

like I have that with the traders. Like, okay, well, that happened before that day. And so I don't think it's necessarily so transparent when you weren't actually there. But I think there's little things you could look at where it's like, okay, well, this person's wearing a different, different clothes than when they were in the last scene. and so things are sort of coming together. But I do think they do a really good job where it is hard to tell

where the seams are on a lot of this stuff. Yeah, and they're not like, it's not like, and you know, when I say editing, it's like I'm not saying, oh, the show is, by the way, it is scripted to a certain degree and like they're creating momentum in the hour, right? It's everything that's happening, but they have to put things in different orders

to create a fulfilling ending. It's not about, it's not about like they're cheating you. But they are trying to, I think, make you guess. I think that's the fun of the show because you're, you're watching like, how would I do this? What would I do? And although they tell you all the time, it seems so much easier from at home, which is something I know from playing on Wheel of Fortune, way easier at home than when you're on wheel of Fortune staring at blank letters on the screen. But yeah, it's like, it's, it's tricky. But I'm always impressed with the way that they,

they do it and how you kind of follow those little, those little story points. Well, I mean, there's 24 different people's stories in the season. And then the show is going to pick like one version of events to be the official version of events. And they're putting everything together. And then also sometimes they have to simplify it where it's like, okay, well, this whole like side quest is way too complicated. So what does it look like if we take that out of the mix? So they really have to like just keep like getting it down to like fit in the amount of time that they have. So it's not an easy feat that they have to do every week.

No, I mean, and make it interesting. And make it interesting. And I feel like that's the thing that I'm just constantly. And that, I think like what right now it's really fun about 50. And I don't know what the public consensus is. But I'm enjoying it from the point of view of being like, I really like these players. I think they are aware enough of the game. But they're not like fans because sometimes we get into that issue where it's,

like, oh, you're just a fan of survivor. I don't know if you're a great survivor player. It's like they're just so psyched to be there. These characters, I feel like are, and I call them characters. They're all, they're playing the game really well and smart. And I feel like I've watched a quicker amount of strategy playing out that doesn't seem like aggressive strategy. Sometimes it's like, we're an alliance right from the day one.

But it's like, these characters are really, they're really smart. And I just feel like, oh, wow. And I've seen, obviously, you've seen seasons where people come back. But this one feels different. I think it's a balanced thing. I mean, maybe it's like heroes and villains is different than, because it's like, oh, we're playing into some sort of archetype already. But I feel like here it's like they're all interesting players.

And I feel like that's why the fans got it right. And the fans are cool because they really are giving them weird things. It's like, let's start y'all out with food. I don't understand that. And the other thing I'm really mad at, the one thing I want. The one thing I want, maybe you can help me with this. Maybe you haven't, you've already talked about it. Why do they, I always thought the best seasons were when you jumped off a boat.

I liked, I like the boat part of the game. Yes. Yeah. That's what I want. Like, like, or push everybody out of an airplane. Like, let's do it. Grab what you could get and swim to that island. Like that, those moments to me were like, I was like, yes, that like, because it just gives

you one other level. I want boxes on the beach. And I want you to be like, what did you grab? What did you have? What's in this box? Is it a bunch of Rubik's cubes? Great. You got that.

How can you use it? Like, I'm down for it. I feel like that's the one thing I would like more from the show is a little bit more of those. I love like man versus, is it man versus wild where they kind of all go alone in the, in the wilderness or alone is the one I like. You know, and they get to bring their own little things. I know everyone's got their safety item. Safety item doesn't ever come into play that much.

Well, they don't really do it anymore. They used to have the luxury item way back when, but they kind of like when they start taking away all these other things, they said, okay, well, why do they even get an item? I like an item. I like that, like that, because that's kind of like the idea, right? You're marooned on this island with what you have. And I guess like the idea is like, well, you have nothing. You crash and you literally have nothing. All right, that's fine.

But I just love the mad dash of everyone ripping everything off the boats and there's chickens and people are flying. into the water. You know, there was something fun about that that just made it feel like we're on an adventure, you know, from moment one. Yeah. I'm not sure the reason why they haven't done that in a while. I feel like that they tend to be like kind of like looking to do repeatable things and that they seem to start the same way every season in the new era.

I know one of the issues was that Sia used to give out a prize to people. And Sia didn't like it when they threw the chickens off of them. of the boat. But other than that, I don't really know why, other than maybe it's a little less controlled where they have like 200 people like filming this and all these camera angles

where maybe they feel like on the boat in the middle, they don't get as much coverage. I don't really have a, like Jeff hasn't given a good reason why they don't do a marooning anymore. I have a feeling that there's probably safety issues as well. As we saw this week when, it was a coach who got the, or was it two weeks ago?

two weeks ago. Yeah. And, you know, and then they sent out the medevac boats. Like, oh, yeah, we do have boats out there to make sure. Something I always wondered and I never knew that there were boats ready to save you right away. I suspect that was more a boat was there to film them. And that boat that was there to film them just gave him a ride back. Is that cheating?

I don't think it's cheating. I mean, we're going to lose coach. So, you know. Let him go. Let him go. If you slim that deep, you're off the show. Like, it's like that there was a part of me. It was like, I think he should.

be gone. If you can't make it back to land, you're done. And there it's like, and I say that with the utmost love. If you can't come back in, why are we like, then let's let's, let's do it. Let's call the show the way it should be. He doesn't have to die, but if he accepts the ride back, that's it. Right. If he got the ride back, it's as good as you're off the show. Like, in the show's lore, you're dead. You didn't make it back. And now, because if you had the other version of it, well, Jonathan's trying to carry him on his back, then Jonathan's going, do I save him, potentially kill myself?

Because you could go back with two guys who can't both need the boat back. You're both off the show. It just adds a little bit more stakes. And I guess what I'll say is like if you get injured, that's different. But if you're out there swimming and you can't do it, I'm sorry. You're done with the fishes. I guess it's like the same as if you like were like so hungry. Like, hey, I need the cheeseburger.

Okay, fine. You have the cheeseburger, but then you're out of the game. Yeah. Well, okay, this is the thing that I was obsessed about. And this is something that they don't really do anymore. I mean, obviously they have like the Applebee's. The best Applebee's commercials are always, you know, by Jeff. But back in the day, the things that I loved were when people get wasted. When people get wasted, it's like, no, no, this is a terrible idea. Like your body hasn't. Everyone's drinking beers. I can't remember what season that was. Like they were on a boat full of beers. and it's like, and that's the part of the show that I also want to see. Like I don't care that much about the Ponderosa. I do want to see, oh, we are just in diarrhea zone nonstop. I want to see, I want to see the pain of that. Like, because there's a thought, maybe I'm wrong on this.

Everyone that goes to Applebee's is just vomiting like two hours later, right? I mean, your body cannot take. Does it in real life or? Yeah, in real life. We love that. We love it. But I'm sure that's a reason why we're eating good in the neighborhood. But yeah, you can't be eating baby back ribs after nothing.

And your body is like, no, no, no, no, no. This isn't, it doesn't go down. Yeah. Well, honestly, I think they overindulge sometimes. I think that's where they get themselves into trouble. But, you know, I'm thinking back to alcohol. And I'm just trying to think about like, you know, a lot of things with Survivor, we're a little bit like the frog in the boiling water of like that we don't necessarily notice that something has changed.

And I'm trying to think of how much alcohol they've got. in the new era. And I do feel like... They get a margarita or wine. Yeah, we do get a margarita. I feel like that we tend to get, like, they've sort of like classed up survivor where sometimes that we have like, they serve wine at the sanctuary where good things happen. But it's rare with that.

You don't really get a lot of beers and certainly no more hard liquor. Yeah. And I feel like it's, it's, like you get it when they do the food auction, sometimes beer, like an ice cold beer. And that's another question I have. Okay. Yeah. I don't know how long it takes.

I can tell you that the thing I shop for Mr. Bees took a very long time for 41 minutes. So I'm looking at that. And I'm going, I know it takes a long time. I know that auction is taking a long time. Are those nachos are as are they cold nachos? Like I want to know like, like, because it's like, oh yeah, I just spent all my money. Yeah. To get wings.

But are they going to be like, have they been under that table for that law? So that I have not been out there in a minute. We did have an auction way back when. But so from what I've read, Jeff says they do like keep everything very like hot and fresh. And so it's coming out like really, you know, I don't believe it. I feel like by the time they get it out there,

I feel like they're cooking it in some place. And look, I've eaten, I'm an actor. I eat the crew food all the time. The minute you bring that thing five minutes away from where you are, it's called it's done. It's like unless they're, they should have a chef there cooking it. Oh, but I mean,

and those are the moments. too. When you watch somebody eat an eyeball and you're like, oh, and then you, that's, the kids love that. Yeah. That's a big hit. Yeah. That's a big hit. Yeah.

No, but like, yeah, you're, I'm thinking about those things, like, what are those little moments? Because it is. It's a constant evolution of what's changing. I will say at this point in season 50, I'm not loving that we got to say Billy Eilish, boomerang idol. I don't like it being sponsored. I don't like, and I love Billy Elish. That's great.

But it's a little too weird to keep on saying the bill. Because it's also like I don't even view Billy Elish as like an ultimate. Like it's like I don't know who I would view as an ultimate survivor fan. But I don't like it as like the, it's like, oh, the Billy Elish boomerang out. Come on. What are we doing? Paul, as a celebrity survivor super fan, are you upset that you were not contacted to, contribute any advantages to survive for 50.

You know, I've talked about it. Yeah, no, I've talked about some things on the podcast. Obviously, my podcast is in passing because, you know, there are, there are issues that I, that I have. But no, I feel out of every show, they don't need my help. They don't need it at all. They've got it figured out. You know, I, I'm always suckered in.

Sometimes I'm like, okay, I won't like it. And then I'm brought in. So I trust it. I always look forward to the marble or whatever it is where you have to have to the end game where it's like going down those like, you know, those ramps and you got to catch one and put the next one in. So motion. Yes.

Oh, I love that. Okay. But if you could make an advantage, much like when they went to Billy Eilish and said, Billy, give us your ideas for advantages. What kind of advantage would you make? This is a good question. And then you'd have to write a letter, a note also of like, hey, hey, it's Paul Shear. Yeah, I would, like, I'm a big, I'm coming up as a video game person.

I like opening up loot crates. I want there to be something fun in there. Like, I would love to be like, in addition to the idols, you're walking around and you find a pair of amazing, like, Nike's. Wow. And you're like, okay, but guess what size they are? They're size nine. I'm size 12. I can't wear them.

But then you have the advantage of going, I got size nice, Nike's. I can now use that to bribe somebody. Like, hey, I'm going to give you these Nikes. Like, but like to replenish them or kind of goose it. It's not a cheat. It's not like a, it's not a backstab. But it is, it would be an advantage. If you have a nice pair of dry sneakers, great.

Like if you can find, you know, like, like, like, like, I want the jungle to be full of the plane crashed. Here's some items that you might find. I would go nuts for little things like that. I think that would just make it like, that's the one issue that I have with the show. It's like I want to feel more like it's, you're harvesting like.

Because right now we all, we know what happens. Yeah. You go there, you form the camp. Everyone complains. You're not working too hard. You're working. I'm doing all the work. You're bossing me around.

I'm not the build is now a part of the thing. But that's why I really loved the addition of the firemaking in the finale, like in the, like the two runner ups go out. I love that. I'm like, yes, that's what you want. Like, I want to see people have to like go head to head on. It's always so fulfilling. It's like, it's so challenging.

It's like, oh, you're living off the land. This is cool. So, okay, that's so interesting because that now a lot of the super fans, They really don't like that. They really feel like that that's not part of the pure game of voting people out. And especially the way – and it's part of the show this season because Chrissy, who was the first person to have that sprung on her, kind of feels like, hey, this wasn't right that you didn't even tell us at the start of the season. And so a lot of the super fans are like – that's one of their least favorite things. But I do understand that, you know, I feel like that the survival elements are important to people.

who come in and we're watching the show. Well, that's, I think maybe that's my issue with it is, because it is Survivor, right? And it's, but it really does not lean that much on surviving. It's more about playing the games, you know, out, what is it, outwit, outlast. Out, without play at last. Yeah.

So it's like, you know, so I got the hat and I got, by, we all have buffs in this family. Yeah. But, and I get that. Like, but I would, I think that those are the elements that I feel like are also interesting. And I understand like, oh, well, aren't you a great player if you have somebody else always starting to fire for you or aren't you a great player? You know, but then you could just work that in. Just be like, okay, you have the fire challenge. You can pick anyone here to make the

fire or you could be, you could, I just want to see, I guess I like seeing elements of the survival thing because the games are the games and the games are great and the games will be fun. I could go probably if I never saw ball on table again. I'm fine with that. Like I, ball on table is fine. I mean, it's a staple. There's certain things. It's sort of like, we're going to mom's house for Thanksgiving. Is that like a table maze or you sort of like balance the ball and don't let it fall?

Table maze. I'm like, I got it. All right. Yeah. And, you know, it's like, you know, and I know that the games makers are very adamant about, you know, but there are certain ones I don't look forward to, but the ones like the game that I love. And again, I'm talking about I like survival elements, but this is. So not that is like when they have to like stack the plates and then walk back.

Like you got to balance and you got to keep on walking before the balance goes off. It's like it's sometimes towards the end. You know what I'm talking about? Maybe it's like I may be describing it wrong. It's like you you have to keep this like both sides. Now I don't know what I'm. I don't know if I'm explaining it the right way. But you basically are balancing something on one side.

But if you let go the tension, it all falls down. It's like they've played it a handful of times. But now I'm, and this is where I get. He's like a house cards like a. Yeah. It's kind of like a house of cards, but it's a bunch of bricks or something like that. Some sort of stack in bricks. Yeah, is it the one where you have to like pull the rope?

Yes. To pull the rope one. I don't know what that's called. We don't really have good names for all these things. Right. And I appreciate that they don't. Like I appreciate that Jeff is like, now you're entering in the gauntlet. Like, nope, we don't have names.

It's not like the price is right where it's like, oh, today we're playing Lucky Seven. Everybody knows how this works. But you know, to your point, I wonder, and you could tell me, and this is, I'm sure now fans are now even mad at me for my own opinions on this, but I will say this. What I love is before the food challenge, when they go, oh, there's a bunch of money hidden in the jungle, go find it. Oh, the auction.

Yeah. The auction. And that kind of freneticness is so fun to me. Like, even like, I think two seasons ago where they had like the race around the island to start the game and everyone was kind of like you were doing. Like, I like some more longer play, endurance. games or like some more sneaky games. And

yeah, I'm always enjoying that like a, you know, building I mean, one of the best inventions of all time in this game I thought was like the paint, not the paintball, but when they put like a, like, I mean basically like paint dust in a vase and when you cut it down,

it explodes all over you so then you are covered. It's like, oh, it's harder to lie. It just makes it a little bit more. I like that's the kind of stuff that I feel like because it puts people on a back foot because some people are born good liars. Some people are born as a great player. And I think you would agree that it's not always,

the best person doesn't always win. And it's like, oh, they manipulated it or there's a story attached to it. It's like, well, we can't give it to that person because, like, Mike White, I feel like essentially lost because it was like, well, he's a celebrity, right? Like, he's a celebrity, so we're not going to give it to Mike. Yeah, so the backstory on that is that

I think that they would have given it to Mike White, but that and I believe this is the story that Mike White felt like the story of the season was and Mike White, a storyteller, the season was David versus Goliath. And Mike White's like, here I am. I'm in the end of the game. Like I'm a well, you know, well off person. Right. Who's like a known quantity.

And here I am against this guy who's like a David who is coming from, you know, Kentucky who, you know, had, you know, like, you know, a very humble background. How is this the show? The show is called David versus Goliath. And Goliath's going to win. And I think that Mike White was a little bit like twisted up going into the final tribal council. Yeah.

It's like, is this going to ruin the show if I win? Are people going to not like this if I'm the winner? Well, it's tricky, right? Because he definitely didn't make the best argument. Yeah. I feel like he kind of like self-eliminated. But look, here's what I'll say, at any given point, when I was unnailed that, they asked me to be a judge and I said, I didn't want to be a judge.

I wanted to be a contestant because I wanted to see how it felt to be on the other side. And obviously I'm competing against people who the money meant a big deal, where, you know, it is a big deal. And not to say it's not for me. I'm just saying, but it was, I am. And so I said to them, I was like, put me on the show. And if I win, I will give my money. to somebody else.

And they knew that like under the radar. And I was like, and that would be the way to go and do it. You can't just give it to somebody else. Like who cares? But have the victory. Take, you know, like, you know, how do you be, you know? Like, can you beat this person? I think we should have more people giving away the million dollars.

And Mike White could have like just like wanted to win. And then I'm going to give it a million dollars to whatever, you know. Yeah. Although people didn't love that when Gabler did it. But I think they would like it more. They would like it more if Mike White did it. Paul, did you have a winner pick coming into this season? You know, I normally play a Survivor pool with a fantasy league.

A fantasy league, if you will. There's a special website that we got everybody involved in. And you pick your favorites. This season was too hard. We didn't do it this season. Because what I love about the pool, for the most part, is you don't know any of them. And you're really just looking at them and going, what do I? I think, or I'm watching the cat, like, not the casting videos, but they're intro videos.

I'm like, what do I think? This one, it can really go any direction because I was shocked at how, you know, I'm, I'm, like, I like, the first person who was kicked out was like the person was on the first survivor, or second survivor. Jenna. I was like, oh, I would never have picked her going out first. By the way, that's the, I mean, that's always the tricky one. The going out first is a hard.

I was so upset. that John Lovett. When he was on, went out first. It was such a bummer. But that was ageism. They were like, this old guy. Like, they didn't even really know what he was around. And I was like, oh, he's old.

I'm like, and then I'm definitely old. But they were like, they got out quick. So, yeah, I, sorry, I got lost in the question in saying, what, the winner pick. I don't know. I don't have one. I can. Yeah, because I just think it could go any...

This is going to be a wild season because I do think you're playing with, dare I say, some of the... Collectively, this might be the smartest season. Is that a fair assessment to say that? I think that's very fair, because I think that these people are so well-seasoned and you have so many people who are coming back again and again.

And even, like, the people from the new era are all super fans who are, like, you know, like live and breathe the show before they were even on it. Well, let me ask you about this. Yeah. Has anyone ever stumped for, or is this in the dark ages of Survivor,

the early 2000s, where people want the duel back? I thought the duel is a fun. Like, again, these are the, I like some of the game year things. What's the duel? Like, when they would do, like, do like a sort of like a pillow fight on the, like,

well, they were like, wouldn't they, weren't they sent, maybe I'm Mr. Remembering, but like, weren't they sent to like a vacant eye? And then there was, you had to fight another. Redemption Island. Yeah. Yes, Redemption Island.

That's, I like. Yeah. So Redemption Island is, you know, you get voted out and then you have a chance to get back into the game. And then they did it a couple seasons. People didn't really love it. I think the biggest issue was that somebody would come back right at the end of the game, which is personally like, I don't mind if they did it in the pre-merge.

But I think it was actually Mike White who told Jeff not to do Redemption Island again. that Mike White, before he was even a survivor contestant, used to, like, really have Jeff Prope's ear. And so then they didn't do Redemption Island for when they did the Blood versus Water season, but then they did do the edge of extinction. Right. And that was then everybody was all.

It wasn't a duel. Just they all went and lived in, like, purgatory. It's, like, and I guess you're right. Like, I feel like a large part of this game is being, it is getting the right people off at the right time, right? I mean, that's really what it is. And being strategic about that. And it does mess up your game.

That I can see as something that really messes up your gameplay. Because it's like, oh, no, that's not fair. But then is it fair to kick somebody off who's strong who gets booted off? But, you know, it's like, yeah. And I do. And the other thing, if I could give a note to Jeff and, you know, I don't know if he's listening, but my note would be, let's take that testimonial that you slam at the end of the episode and pop that up for right when they walk off.

I want to hear those reactions. I want final words. I feel like I like that about traitors. I like that they can say a goodbye. I think that the characters on Survivor away are more interesting and well-spoken and they could really mess up the game. And that's even like, even when you see the moment, like, can I have your jacket?

Can I have your jacket? And then she's ignores her like, I want that. I want a little like the awkward goodbyes. even like when Q went off, he was like, was it you? Great. The rest of us, we're cool. Well, a lot of times, I think they're mad. I think they're like, all right, I'm not talking to you.

Talk to the hand. I'm leaving. Right. But then, you know, so you would like that moment of like the telling the faithful, like stand in the circle of truth and then tell everybody off. I would like a moment to like dress everybody down. Yeah. Because it's like, because inevitably, you know, you get some of those energy out at the end

when people are like, and I just want to say like, you know, when people come in at the when they get the, when they become the jury, the energy that they come in with is, is loaded. And I wonder if it makes the jury better because you have held on to it for such a long time. Or if you could get it out there. Because if you could, not without messing up somebody's game. Like, you know, I think you couldn't, you shouldn't be allowed to be like, we're actually in an alliance and you didn't know. I think that would be cheating. But I do think you could throw some arrows.

Should Jeff say like, hey, Paul, before you go, before I snuff your torch, is there anything you want to say to the group? Yes. I think that that I do because it's like you are like there. I'm open to that there. Right? Because it's like, why not? Like, why not just give it a moment to, especially on a season like this? I want to see like some people are fucked over. And you're and I know that when they really get mad. They're so mad that I have them in my mind. I'm thinking as a producer and I'm going, they walk off. They're pissed. They cool down a little bit. Then they kind of throw them into that thing. And they go, fuck to us. What are you feeling? And you get a little bit more of a, hey, you know what? I went out with a smile. I had a good time.

It was all fair. It's all unfair. You know, it's like, no, I want the anger. I want the immediate, like, no anger towards Jeff, but I do want the, you fuck me over. You promised me. I want a little bit of that. So people can go back with their heads a little bit like, oh, wow. And maybe you start second guessing people because that's been a great little element

on traders, too. Like, what did they say? How did they say it? And it creates, because I do think you need to create a little bit of friction within the group exterior of what you can control. Well, I do think that in the new era specifically, I think they've really tried to foster this era of like good sportsmanship where I think that Jeff

had really highlighted the contestants like, ah, you got me. I think they really like that attitude of like, hey, wow, great blindside everybody. Good work. Okay, I'll see you around. I'll see you when I see you. But I think that the fans really do like what you're talking about of,

and the people that have like given like a negative reaction action and give like the evil eye to everybody that that's what the fans actually really want yeah because you want like you and i feel like you want those you want that johnny fair play kind of energy i don't think that everyone needs to be that right but i do think that like you know cue is that again not going back to q but like cue like the way he was trying to manipulate it and they kind of backfired him that was a beautiful exit it was a great like perfect survivor out. But like Johnny Fairplay lying about his grandma, revealing on it, like, and having like those not, like the knowledge, because, and I feel like to call somebody out to like just do

something, I don't think the game, I think the game can have like, I'm saying like 20% more edge or room for edge because there aren't as many fights like that. Like there aren't that, like, you'll have those moments where it's like someone is going like, who's that young kid on this season. Riz God. But, oh, yeah, right. Yeah, they're like, he's annoying.

Yeah, he's annoying. But they very rarely, like, confront each other about it. And I do miss, that's to me, such a staple part of reality television. Yes. And yeah,

you get it. The, when they're talking there, but you never get so heated. And that's what's so great about traitors, too, is like people, they do jump on each other.

Like, and look, I'm a very big fan of saying, I know everything good has come from Survivor. And anything that I like from another show is somebody saying, well, Survivor does it like this. What's our spin on a Survivor move? So I hail Survivor as being the end-all be-all. And I think, you know, look, it is a family show. I think it's a big show to watch with your family.

You probably don't want to show people being total assholes. But it doesn't hurt every now and then either. No, well, I think you're talking about a lot of the things that I've also said where I think that one of the reasons that I think that Traders does have, like, you know, a lot of popularity is that, you know, everything on Survivor, you know, we do it in secret. It's not really a show about confrontation in the way that it once was, where in the way that traders is structured at the roundtable, you have that it's designed for a big public confrontation. And it can get a little messy sometimes.

But Survivor seems to want to shy away from that, where it really does try to be so. positive where in the beginning when people really captured people's hearts and minds, it was a story about what are people willing to do to earn a million dollars? And what will you do? Like, who will you cut? Where Survivor in the new era, it's a little bit more of like, well, they were the biggest threat. So I had to get them. It's not about personal animosity. Right. It's a game night mentality, which is still fun to watch. But I do think that edge or that sort of that kind of battle internally because I think where that becomes interesting for the game is it helps like the more drama you can create the better player you have to be

to survive the storms of that because once people see oh you're doing this and I think that this this is why again I really like this season you're watching people course correct you're like oh, I came in too hot. I realized in previous seasons, I didn't play a social game that was good enough. Now I'm playing it like this. Like people are correcting with in-game and correcting. I mean,

that's always happening when you bring people back. But it's you are, I don't know. I feel like I, I feel like to dig yourself out of a hole is also an interesting arc. It's like, oh yeah,

people stop liking you. And I think that's why I was kind of mad at coach. I'm like, stop apologizing for stealing the thing. You did it. You fucking did it. Like embrace it. Like, yeah, you're the villain.

He's like, no, I'm not playing like that. I'm playing like a hero now. It's like, get out of here. You're playing. It's a game. And that's a thing. And I love that about Richard. I love that.

Well, Richard actually brought that through too. He understood it's a game. We're playing a game. But Rob on the new season of Traders is like, it's a game. It's a game. Like I, my job is to do. this to you, to lie to you. And whenever I see somebody come on going, I'm coming on here and I'm not lying,

I'm playing an honorable game. No, no thank you. That's not fun for me. It's not, it's one of the, it's, you're missing one of the things on the, on the hat or the buff. Paul, if you were on this season, who do you think you would align with? Uh, I mean, probably just because I would, uh, love to be on White Lotus, Mike White. Uh, I, I, I, but I love a lot of these characters.

I guess right now, hmm. I like, I think I'm definitely going to be in, I'm probably going to have to lean on my social skills for the most part. And so you don't want to be up against somebody like Mike. You know, you want to kind of be in a camp where there's a little bit more. Like I actually think my play would be to be, now I know they just switched up the tribes. I'm trying to remember where they're all out right now. But like in the Jonathan coach world. Because it's like, oh, they might see me as, you know, this sacrificial land that they can take.

Like that would be my, that would be my plan. It's like the Carolyn plan. Like, it's like you lay low, be friendly, keep it going. You know, we'll see how it pays off for Christian because I think Christian is playing a very dopey game, but a very manipulative under the, like, radar game, which I really am enjoying. And I really, I like that a lot. but I think it's like you have to kind of I think you align with the strongest if your social game is good you align with the strongest because they'll keep you around because they don't think you're a threat that's how I would I would kind of live in that world did you like when Christian and Rick hid the fake idol at tribal council oh yeah yeah that was good yes like and again it's I mean I was so funny how much they were comparing it to oceans 11 it's ocean's 11 with one move But, but, but I wonder if that's going to pay off. I hope that it does.

I like that level of subverting the game, but playing within the game's parameters. I think that that's the stuff that is really fun for me. And yeah, like I, I can't wait. And I really, really hope that someone, you see, that look when someone sees that. But it's also a dangerous game because, like, are they, are you hoping that they see it and then hold on to it? Or are you hoping they see it in a moment where they feel panic?

Oh. I wanted to feel panic. That's what I think what they're doing is that I think they hit it there and I think that they're going to go and grab it. And I think it's going to be sort of like a situation where one of them is going to be in trouble. And then at tribal council, then they're going to say like, oh, wait, hold on. And they're like, I got an idol.

Newsflash, everybody. Change of plan. I'm not going home tonight. Now, you know, by the time this airs, we don't know what, what's going to happen. But I did hear a rumor that the next big thing in here, the next super fan is Zach Brown. Right.

That's because they have like, so again, I have never seen Billy Eilish talk publicly. We got to like get some more. The one thing I would love to go do is like a live reveal, although they don't do that anymore. They really just do it online. something, I, I didn't even know who Zach Brown is. I know, that's what I'm saying.

Like, I'm a little bit like, guys, these are your, like, we got Adam Scott, huge survivor fan. Yeah. By the way, like, put a little coalition together. And we would name it better. We wouldn't name it the Zach Brown, you know, load your pants up idol. I don't know. Like, I don't want to, like, I don't want to have an Applebee sponsored.

The Staples Center presents this idol. What about the Adam Scott Severance Idol? where there's like two halves and it's like, oh, this is your iny and this is your Audi. By the way, you just gave somebody a great idea.

They're doing that by episode eight. Yeah, no, that's, I'm like, let's, maybe Jeff needs to meet some more, some more celebrity fans. You got to get them out there. We got to, I didn't, again,

and I feel like it's fun to see, I don't, I guess like my question is, and this is probably too much about how the sausage is made. Is Billy Isle up with the Boomerang Idol? Are they saying,

so, Billy, yeah. Jeff, I think, just did an interview where he said they showed Billy Elish a bunch of different idle ideas. And she said, this, I like the boomerang was what he said. Okay, got it. So she kind of attached her. It's like if you're a celebrity coming out with like a soda line or something like that, they let you taste and you know, that's the that's the cherry Coke. That's my idol. You know, who, I mean, I guess the question is on this season is, you know, you know, So do you think it's a deficit to come in with baggage? Everybody has baggage.

That's why I think that's actually the biggest problem with traders is that like when Boston Rob comes in, it's like, well, he's definitely a traitor because he's been on Survivor any minute and it's no, that that's not how it works. It's like we can't just, you know, like that was how it works, but yeah. It did. It did. Yeah, that did. That one did.

That one did. But like it's like, I'm so curious about how as you get, further and further down how the past will affect these people. And that's, that's the thing that I think is going to make the end on, not unfair, but a roller coaster. Because I think that people who are sitting on stuff, people who don't want to make the same mistake again, people who are trying to redeem themselves are going to make wild moves. Yeah. And you're going to be, wait, I don't understand that. And it's, it's all about, no, no, no, no, this time, I won't. do that. Like, I mean, you know, I think we've already hinted at the fact that, uh, what is it,

uh, the young guy, is that Charlie? Charlie. Yeah. Like Charlie's got, we're, we're just touching it. Yeah. We don't know yet, but he's got something to prove a little bit. You know, it's, it's there. But Paul, can I say that I think this is my favorite part about this season, because I think that where we've explored that so many of these people are wounded and like, we sort of like know in the ways in which they're broken. I think that Joe has been interesting in this season where Joe, Kyle and Camilla got one over on him. And he's like, well, I'm not going to let that happen again. And we sort of like, as opposed to new players, we kind of know that the things that like these are these like wounds that we've seen exposed on television. And so I think it's

sort of fun to watch them and sort of like have to navigate these flaws that they have in their, I wouldn't even say flaws is not the right word. But the, just like these very like human wounds that they're dealing with and how are they trying to operate around them of like, I'm not going to let that happen again. Yeah, they're playing two games. Yeah. Which is like they're playing a game against themselves and they're playing the game that's in front of them.

Yes. And that makes them bait. Like I think Q, the elimination of Q was a perfect encapsulation of what I love and he's got out the same exact way. Like, it's like you thought he, like, you didn't, he didn't learn. He was like, oh, I'm big-brained. I got this. And then it totally bit him in the ass.

And I, yeah, so I, that's why I feel like I like it because it's baggage. And I also know it's going to be, it's anyone's game. Yeah. Because at any point, I think the past is affecting the present. Yeah. So I know you said that your wife would be open to go on Survivor, but. I think from what I'm hearing from you is that I'm wondering, would you be open to taking a trip to Scotland and going to the traders? I think I would.

I, again, I think I would be medevacked out. Because I just was there with Ron Funches. Yes. Well, and that's why I'm like, I'm thinking back to that. And I'm like, you guys, it's like, and you watch what Ron went through. Yeah. And that's the thing that's so hard is you all. go through this thing and I think that well in my opinion as a as a viewer it's very like you'll get

painted as whatever you are and it's very hard to kind of like unseat that that way that you are painted who you are by the show and the majority of people like and I the one of the things I saw that was really upsetting was oh well this guy's a comedian I don't think so it's like oh well that don't judge this by that and it's it's hard like that like that's that's hard like that's That's why I loved going on Mr. Beast. It was one day, I got to compete, I had fun. And I like this, like nailed it one day. I'm in and out.

I can control myself for one day. But here's what I'll tell you I would be open to. And this is the idea that, to me, the million dollar idea that I have about Survivor. You get a four seasons, Fiji, that is built around Survivor. you go there and you can be in groups and you are going to do all the challenges and you get to basically live out it's like Survivor Fantasy Camp

you have a few Jeffs that are running like daily activities and stuff like that and I was like that would be to me what I would love to I would love to try all these games I would love to try them all but I would not want to be on the show So this to me sounds like

okay once we get the Warner Paramount merger complete, okay? Yes. We now build a white lotus Fiji. I mean, by the way, yes, yes. And like, I mean, because don't you think that would be packed? People would love this.

I mean, we would take away the, we would take away to come to the, the race and class issues of White Lotus. Yeah, and somebody doesn't have to die every year. Yeah, we don't have to, well, I mean, it would be fun if you got one person. One, one, maybe there's one person and they're like, oh, Like maybe it's like, they don't even really die, but it's like, okay, oh, somebody in your group died. I told you that this, I didn't tell you because we were just meeting for the first time. My theory is that Universal Studios Hollywood that does like Halloween horror nights every year,

they transform the park into like a horror theme thing, that once a year they should say, okay, so this is open from September 23rd to November 2nd and one night someone is going to get killed. Sorry. And then, and then so the risk is, I might be that person. And we won't tell you when it happened. You just don't know. So you, everyone's like, oh, God, what am I doing? Yeah.

I think it would be. So, like, you were like, oh, I'm not afraid of that chainsaw because there's no chain. But you know what? One night. They're going to get one person. One person going to get, be kidnapped, be pulled out. And that's the waiver that you sign. It would make those things way more scary.

You could be the one person. You could be the one. You don't know. Yeah. Yeah. You go out to the White Lotus, Fiji, and then you get to stay at the White Lotus, and then you get to go play in the Survivor challenges, and then you come back. It would be, I mean, that would be so, because I think that that's the thing that is so fun

about, about the show is like, I would love to do this. And the truth is, the chances are so small that you will even get a chance, like, that even the most ardent fan won't get on the show. Because maybe your personality is crap, you know, and, and that's okay. You can still play the games. I just feel like that would be such an amazing experience. I don't understand why No Survivor has not, like, built a hotel. You know what?

Put it in Orlando. Just like make it simple. Like build a, put it in Orlando. Get it going. Like, let's do something. Yeah. I think, you know, and I think it would be so much fun. Yeah.

They have like these little cafes that they do, like little pop-ups where you could go play the challenges, like some of the challenges. Right, some of the challenge. I mean, puzzles, sure, whatever. I don't care. Not as exactly. But, you know, it's like, you know,

I want to be jumping off a post. Yeah, I want to get in that net. I want to get all turned around in that net. I want to do the wheelbarrels. I want to, you know, I want to go in the mud, though. If I was staying at a four seasons, yes. Yes. Because after the challenge, I'm going to go shower.

It's fine. And I'm going to use the toilet. Yeah. I know, I also know that you are not just a, fan of the regular U.S. traders. You also, you watch the international traders. You watch all of them? I do. And I believe that the best season of traders is Australia.

I believe they only did two seasons and the second season of Australia. And there's a third one that's coming. Oh, it is. A different host, yeah. Okay. Well, what I loved about it and what I really think is the, and no offense to you, because I loved having you on that show. But I think that the biggest problem with traders is we know these people.

It's what I think makes, I think the show is more interesting when it's real people who want to win that money. And season two of Australian traders, the most famous person was a, like a guy who was held as a war criminal. Like, not it, not a war, he was a P-O-W. Like he was a prisoner, he was a photographer.

That's as famous as you got. And it was like an electrician. And it's like because it puts everyone on equal playing field. And that's why I hate, I don't hate, but there is this thing right now with traders where it's like, well, you're a gamer. Yeah. Well, you're a housewife. It's like, oh, like, well, that's not like, you know, we're separating people by what they were.

Not, it has nothing, there's no bearing on the show. And I think it actually like creates these like tribes that create an unfair advantage or create these alliances that are not earned, you know. And that to me feels like what I love about this show, uh, sort of. is that people have to figure that out for themselves. And that to me is way more fulfilling than seeing my favorite, whoever, on that thing where they can be painted as something that they're not. Yeah.

And I mean, do you watch the UK traders? Oh, of course. And that's, they don't have the meta. And they're going to do this U.S. civilian season that's not going to have that either. I think it's going to be good. Yeah. So I'm excited about that. And I love like, by the way, UK to me is the gold standard.

I just think season two of Australia is like the best gameplay. That is although rivaled with season four of UK, which is very good. They're very good. But I just, I think that there's a desperation that is to your point a very interesting part of the game. I need to win this money. I've now left my job. I've done all this sort of stuff. And I think in Australia, it felt like these people were leaving their jobs where

sometimes, you know, you watch these shows and you're like, oh, you are a permanent reality fixture. Like, if it wasn't this, it would be that. And if it wasn't that, it would be that. Like, your goal is like, I need to do this. I'm going to get a branding deal. And I'm going to get, you know, it's like, I want a person who's like, I'm a locksmith.

I left my job. It may, I may not have a job when I get back. I need $10,000. I mean, like, even the people that I was on, the season four of the traders, like the people at the end, like, you think like, Mora Higgins was like, oh, like, I really needed that money, like, Eric NOM. So, you know, they don't want to like get embarrassed on TV, but nobody is like, oh, I really, you know, need this prize money. Well, you, I mean, I always find the money on that show is comical because it's small.

You split it. You split it. Yeah. Yeah. And then, and then, yeah, you're losing half of that to taxes. Yeah. You're getting like, you're like, it's going very quickly. Like, I feel like Rob buying that Birken bag for, uh, more.

It's like, well, that's it. There's your money. It's gone. Like, you know, it's like $100,000. 50. That bag was like 10, you know, so then you have to hope to. She was so happy, though, to get that Birken bag. Yes, she was very.

Well, I mean, that's the other thing, too. Like, I love, you know, I'm, I love last season with, oh my gosh, she was, she's now, like, kind of blown up. She dates Robbie Hoffman. She was a bachelor contest. I, like, and that's the thing. It's like, I love seeing people like you on there. I love the personalities on there.

I just wish that element of the gameplay was eliminated of just, like, assuming, assuming like the gamers game and housewives are an alliance. It just feels like it just feels like it's creating a, it's creating a fictional thing that actually I think takes away from some of the actual scheming. Yeah. Because it's, it just creates a fake baseline.

Yeah. That's my only point. But did you have fun? I mean, I know you're talking about it. But did you like, I mean, you know, was your time there fun? Yes. I really, I had the best time.

I thought it was so fun and cool. I mean, and I haven't been on a show like that in over 20 years. So it was really a thrill for me to go do it. I know not everybody. And against when it turns into like a really big mind F was probably later on. But yeah, I had just. You had the best version of it. Like I feel like you were in it.

It was fun. And you didn't have to worry about all the stuff. But now, now, did that? I think the other Rob had the best version of it. But. Well, yes. Yeah. But like, you know, and that, well, here's what I think about that.

And I mean, I'd be curious what you think about his gameplay. I think that I've never seen someone play the dumb game as well as he did. Yeah. Like his body language, the way that he was like on a couch, spread out, kind of talking off the, like, I almost feel like he, it's brilliant gameplay. brilliant gameplay but it's like he was playing as a faithful i think he was method acting faithful and i was blown away by it you know and now um because i think that like even when you watch christian on survivor like there's a great shot where he's talking to i think it was ozzie or joe yeah when he's like in the like you can see his face through the hammock fan i'm like this is hilarious like

but it's like that smoothness i mean did you find did you pick up on that like what like in your dealings like What were you like, yeah, because you don't know either, right? I don't know. I thought that he just seemed like, okay, he's a young guy. He was the youngest person in the cast. I just felt like that he didn't even seem like he wanted to be there. He was like eating cookies. He was like, hey, can I get another drink over here?

Like, he just didn't seem like. And again, maybe he in the early days was not really doing that much and then like really picked it up later on. No, I just thought, like, I'm like, does this guy even care? Like, he's not even playing nearly as. hard as I am. But that's what I think is so good. Oh, and by the way.

And it was, yes, that was incredible that he did that. No, this is, if you were talking about it, what I would add to traders, I would also add, and this is a thing that I don't understand at all, and it fucking drives me crazy, which is when you're doing the testimonial, then, right? So you get out, you say, and I am not, and I am a faithful. Great. You go into the room and you talk. Tell me who you think the traders are.

Yeah. Just go. Like, all right. So, Rob, we're not. We're a traitor. They do that like, it's like they put it online, but you're, yeah, they can put it a part of the show. I want it there.

Then what I would want them to do to do to you is say, by the way, and then do they do this too? They say, okay, it's actually Rob. And it's, and do they tell you who it is? They do. Oh, so that's all online? Yeah, it's online. You know, it's, again, it's, there's probably better ways to use that segment, but.

Yeah, because I'm like, that's, that to me is like, all I want to see is the people who kicked, like, there are people who are kicked out's reactions to, oh, well, I got to get online. I'm not, I'm still, I'm still, I'm not sure this internet's going to take off. So I'm not sure. I haven't really gotten into online stuff. Yeah, they do a lot of it for social media content. Okay. So, I see, so that you've just, you've helped open up a whole world to me. Yeah. So Paul, is there anything else that's on your mind with the Survivor, the traders, any other reality TV? You know, I'm a big Summerhouse fan. There's been a lot of drama in Summerhouse, but that's, you know, that is to me, my Bravo show is Summerhouse. I like the, I like the, I like

the house lives. If you go to the traders, you might know all this stuff. Oh, I would love it. I would love to get on there and see. I've talked to them. I like them. I've gone on watch what happens live. I love Andy Cohen. I do think, though, the worst part of me would come out on these shows. And I imagine when you went on traders, there's a part of you that obviously you're a super funny, talented guy. You haven't gone on a show in a long time, but you've been watching a lot of these shows. and you're like, okay, are you more aware of how you are? Because you're not going to fall for the tricks. I mean, not that there are tricks, but you have to like, are you wearing a mask at all

times, I guess is my question. Yeah, that's such a good question. You know, I think that my biggest problem was that I think I just like was like, I thought that I would, when I got there, I was going to know everything. And I think I was a little most worried about like, well, I'm going to, I don't want to look stupid. Like, because I think that for what I do, if I come off and I look dumb,

it's going to be really bad and everybody's going to be like, oh, know it all knows nothing. And so I think that that was really what was, and so I put a lot of pressure on myself. And I think that, like, what was the best things about Rob was, I don't think he really cared that much.

Like, not to say that he wasn't trying, but I think at the end of the day, like, he wanted to win, but I don't think his identity was wrapped up in, I have to win. Right. I agree. I feel like I think that the key of that game, which is not interesting to watch. And it's the reason why you always have like the stuffy British professor exists for a long time. Because it's like, you're boring, bro. Like no one cares. Like you're not moving the needle. We know it's not you. You're too. You're not famous enough.

Yeah. Like, you know. And it's like, but it's like I think he was he he locked into that what exactly you're saying. He's like, Let me get drunk. Let me have some more cookies. Yeah. Let's go. Whatever. You know. Can I ask you?

Anything. Yeah. No, because there's like, to me, I really, I think one of the things that I really love about Survivor is that it's a constant mechanism that is adjusting to fans to what worked. I think that Jeff is incredibly smart to listen to people and try something. And that to me is something we just don't get to see. And I guess when you get to a season 50 of a show, which is crazy, it does allow you this confidence. Like, we're not going anywhere. We're not like it, you know, so.

But in your mind, as somebody who is now written the book on it, the, I would say the definitive book on it. Do you believe that that is a good, like it's never finished? Like, Survivor is never finished because I think what you are always doing is you're alienating some fans and you are engaging others. And I've talked to so many people who have so many strong new era versus old era and what they want and what they need. We need to be longer.

You know, we now less twists. You know, we want that. You know, it's like, and I, but I guess what I was, I guess it's a question, but also like, do you agree with this? I think part of the game of Survivor is that Jeff Probst and Co are outwitting us. Like, the anger makes you want to tune in, right? It's like it's almost like we're, we are a permanent member of Survivor Island. And I do think that like tweaking things and maybe like, we don't know if this works. Maybe this does work.

Yes, they're experimenting. but it also is a way to keep us like on the hook. Like you can't get ahead. You can't get ahead of the show because they keep on trying to not subvert it. Yeah. Like do you think that that's a good thing or a bad thing? I mean, I feel like we're pawn. And I guess what I'm saying is you believe that the fans are also pawn.

So I don't think that the fans are pawns. I actually wish that they would do some more like, I don't know if experimenting is the right word, but it used to be in the early days that they would play with the format more in some ways where it's like, okay, this season is two tribes, this season is three tribes, here's this theme. Whereas I feel like that there's a lot of like random things that happen, but I feel like that they've really sort of like landed on,

okay, this is the show now. It's three tribes, and then there's going to be journeys, and then people are going to lose their votes, and this is, and this is what it is. And I think that we would like there to be more, hooks into getting people to tune in of this season is going to be blah, blah, blah, versus blah, blah, blah. This season, right.

Street Smarts versus, uh, book smart. I love that. I mean, because it's fun. It's, again, I also think that brings in an audience to. Mr. Bees basically stole that. Not stole it. Like I said, everybody is borrowing from Survivor, but they did strength versus, you know, smarts versus strength.

And they didn't really do a lot with it. They just sort of like, okay, this is what you're divided. I think Survivor could do a lot more with that thing. By the way, yes, and we're big, Mr. Beast, fans over here too watching that show which is an interesting one as well but yeah but yeah like I like at least wrapping my head around and going

oh you're a smarty you're a strongy you know and it's like you know it is I think that that is kind of cool but I think it's up to the players really to push the like the evolution of the game for like I think that Survivor should come up with like fun ways to get the viewers more engaged but I think it's really

on the players to sort of like push the direction of where the game is going. Yeah, and I think that that's, maybe this is why this season has been so fun for me because I feel like you have very passionate players who are trying to, again, work within the framework and struggle. They're not trying to break it,

but they're like, oh, what if I did this? What if we could do that? And that to me feels like it's the right style of play, which I think sometimes it's hard when we were talking earlier about like the fans. because the fans are just excited to be there. But you kind of want somebody who's like, I want this game to run around me.

And it's like, and every now and then you'll get a player who can really play it. But it's like it's fun when everyone is kind of on that same page. Yeah. And they've resisted bringing players back for a while. This is the first season with the returning players since season 40. And we're not spending these first couple episodes getting to know these players where a lot of times like, okay.

Hardly any flashbacks. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Or anything. Yeah. where it takes us sometimes until after the merge until we really have a sense of like,

who's this person, who's this person? And so we've been able to just sort of like jump right in. And so I think that that's made it really fun too. I like it. I feel like we, you know, look, I'm curious. I'm going to keep watching. I don't know about you. Oh, I mean, look, I'm in.

I'm ready to go. And to me, it's just, I think we got a lot of surprises. Sounds so silly to say, but I mean, I feel like they're pulling out all the stops. And I think you're right. Like there's, there's an energy about this season. There's a, there's a, I felt like 40 had an element of that. But this season does feel like it's a victory lap in a really good way.

It's like, oh, maybe if you haven't watched a couple seasons, check out what we got going on here. We got some stuff. Zach Brown is involved. Jack Browns involved. Wait a second. Zach Brown's involved. I'm in. What should they do for Survivor 51, Paul?

Back to basics. What you do is, I think, I think for Survivor, 50. What you do is you say, hey, everybody, we have a brand new show. It's called, you know, it's called Housewives and Hot Husbands. And it's just about people living, wealthy people living. And you have everybody submit, they pick them. And they go, great, you're going to be on Housewives and Hot Husbands. We're putting this beautiful mansion. Everyone's like, oh, my gosh, where we're going? We're going to Fiji. And then you blindfold them. You drop them on the beach and go, Go play Survivor.

I think people not knowing the game would be a brilliant entry point. Yeah, that would be so fun. So are the housewives married to the hot husbands? I don't know. I don't know. Like at any point, I think what I want is just people, by the way, that would be great. Husbands versus wives. I mean, we had the mother daughter, right?

But that kind of is really fun too. Didn't they do a men versus woman season two? That was my first season with men versus women. Oh, right. Yes. Oh, my gosh. So this is a good idea that I've had. And of course, like on the traders UK, they do this all the time.

They have like secret pairs. Would you think it was unfair if like, okay, we have, say, two tribes and there's like a husband and a wife are secretly playing the game? Yes. I love that. I mean, I like the friendships. I like those elements. I mean, what made it so fun.

I mean, I know it's happened a handful of times. The love when love relationships pop up, it's so fun. Yeah. Because it's like, it's a really funny energy of we shouldn't be doing this. Oh, no, it's working our game. Are we being subtle enough? It's like, I love that. But I think going in secretly is really interesting.

Or is this too much out of the game? You put in a plant. Maybe there's one, a planted person like. So they look like they're a regular person, but they're working for Jeff. Yes. They, like that's our secret spy. That I haven't figured out yet. We're just in the, we're in the brainstorming.

But I feel like it's like it would be interesting to, I think, stir up stuff or be like, you know, it's like. And if they get them out, like maybe if they get them out before the merge, they get the prize or like, can you sniff out this person who is there to clearly mess up yourself? I don't know. I got to think more on this because it just came to me right there. But I like the idea of a cat. I like just more secrets. I think that that's to me. And maybe what we're getting,

what I'm getting at is I like when the show has a little bit more tension, has a little bit more stakes in the sense that they're not just happy to be there. They want to win. They don't know everything. They don't have this relationship with Jeff. they are truly, and I think that Jeff likes it, and I think it's nice. It's like, oh, I've been watching since I'm five years old

and now I finally play. Great, fine. But let's bring that hot husband on there who has no idea. He's never, he's not been working out for a month. You need a mix of some people, like, because everybody is, and they, sometimes will people, they talk about the show and they'll talk about it.

Like, it's just like a, it's kind of like a work retreat where everybody is like very excited to be there and very positive and everybody just goes on and on on how much they love Survivor. But, you know, it's also fun to have some people there who it's sort of like you have to work around of like, hold on, Jeff, what you mean? Wait, what is that idol? What is that?

Like, that's an immunity idol. Wait, hold on. What? Yeah. I would love it. By the way, did you, did you like, please help me? Oh, send help. Yeah, send help.

Yeah. Yeah. So I have to, so I didn't see it. I wasn't invited to any of the screening. But I will say this. I will just say this. No, and I, I can pick up and just say, yeah, I just, I think it's, we are, I think part of the fun is fish out of water. And what we were talking about, but the early seasons is like the game was evolving.

People were figuring it out. And at this point, they understand the game and they understand what they're doing. Oh, that's the other, sorry, that's the other thing I really want. Sorry, you've just, you've incited a couple things. Yeah. I want a season 51 should be legit survivalists. Okay. Like give me like real survivalists out there.

And I think that would be really fun too because that's the part of it that I'm like, again, that's where I'm like it would just be fun. It would just be a fun way of playing the game. Like these people can start fires. They can make shelter. They are in, you know, and they're fishing really well.

You're on to something. I think that you could break it up where it's like, okay, we have like, and they love to do three tribes, so I'm not sure what the other thing is. But even if, so basically you have like people that are like, well, hear me out. So you have survivalists who like, we are survivalists. We don't really know anything about Survivor.

And then you have like nerds that are like, we know everything about Survivor, but we can't camp for one second in our life. Love it. I'm not sure if there's a third group you can have. Maybe that's the, what's that, the hot house wives. By the way, I would love the whole tribe just of married couples. Just it's, it's every, that could be the third tribe.

Just like, okay, then they're like married couples that they watch Survivor. Right. You know. They're interested, but they have to work together. And that's the other part of it too. They have to like, all of a sudden you're like, why is my husband talking to this other wife on the show? Not that they're going to be doing anything, but it's like, would you vote out your own husband or wife? Because they're holding down your tribe. I'm in.

Yeah, that can be interesting also. Like you're going to work with this other couple. We don't really get along with them. Or like, I like the husband, but my wife doesn't really get along with the wife. It's a good dinner. Like, what happened if you were on a, you are on a boat having a dinner? You were at a table at a dinner party with new people. You're like on a Disney cruise line.

It starts off at the White Lotus Fiji. Yeah, that's what it's like. Yeah. I love it. I think we're finding out stuff. We're finding out stuff. We got secret spies. We got survivalists.

We got marooning. And again, loot crates. I'm going to say it again. Yeah. Lute crates. Yeah, you know, a duffel bag full of clothes. They don't really fit you, but they might fit somebody else. You could swap them.

Wouldn't that be the greatest gift? You would love it. Like, it would be like, oh, here's a, like, it would give you something in the game. Because you would be wanting to find stuff, but not knowing if it's even worth it for you to find, but yet it would be something you could barter with. Because my all-time favorite show, sorry, Rob, I know we probably have to wrap up, but my all-time favorite show, without a doubt. and this may be news to your

audience. A little show called Kid Nation. Oh! They let kids run I think you say like pawn stars. Yes. I know Kid Nation. Sure. Kid Nation, a show that could never air again for all the rules they broke, but they basically just put a bunch of like, I think like 16 year olds

to nine year olds in a town. It's like, run it. And kids are getting burned. And kids are like having to kill animals. It was like an old Westtown. It was wild. If they won a prize, it would be to call their mom. Yeah. Like it was intense.

Yeah. Like one kid got like the star of the week and then they got the call home. It's like, I won $10,000. Kid Nation probably the best show that you could never make again out there. Oh my God. Yeah. That would be great. Okay.

One last thing for you, my idea for Survivor 51, and I haven't been able to figure out a way to make it, work yet. I'd love to do Survivor 51 and the theme is Area 51. What do you think for Survivor 51? I would love it because look, look, look, like, let's theme them out a little bit more, right? You come in and it's like there, you put a spaceship in there. You have a little alien guy. I'm down for that. Like if Jeff's rapping, we can't have a UFO also. Oh, my gosh, I cannot believe that was the moment where I was like, this is the victory lap. When Jeff goes, can we get a little bit of a clap and then he wraps

and he looked like you got it in one take and again no earwork, no reading off paper. I was like, wow. Do you have the confidence in yourself and the show to be like, we're going to introduce rapping. And I was like, are they going to all have to wrap?

Yeah. Like, because that was amazing. Yeah. I look, I mean, look, I know they're in Fiji. It's easy. They got their whole production team, everything there, but we could theme it out a little But I look area 51, season 51. Yeah.

So only alien challenges. So Area 51 and then Survivor 50, you get the B-52s. There's a Love Shack somewhere involved in there. Right? Oh my God. They have something with Rock Lobster. So they'll be 52. They also eat like 52 cards.

That's where the place for good things happen. Right. And everyone gets to eat rock lobster. Survivor 54. We have some sort of like a little, maybe for the old head. out there, but like for some sort of car 54, where are you? Wow, we're really going deep. Yeah.

All right, I like it. But maybe you're a fan of the reboot with the guys who host MTV Raps, get their names that they did get a car Vichy. Jeff is rapping for that. Yeah, there's some sort of Route 56, like Heinz 57. There's things that we can do. But no, I think that like a fully themed season or even, look, let's start small. give me a crash landing

give me something like again if we want to go back to my you know you have an abandoned cargo plane that's crash and you're doing something around the cargo plane like give me something to look at you know just don't give me planks and boards and stuff all the time yeah there's so much you could do with the with the Air 51 and maybe have people

believers versus not believers oh wait this is what I realized you don't tell them it's an Area 51 season So you start creating, this is where the spy comes in. This is what I kind of want is you start creating paranormal activity on the island. So the game is going on perfectly. There's nothing wrong with the game. Everything is fine.

Three tribes, doing your thing. People get voted out. But like one night, did you see that? What was that? And it's like, they see something in the sky. Then they go into, they were walking and they're, oh my God, look at this. It's like a crop circle. Yeah.

Like it's slow burn and then it builds to when the tribes merge to an alien encounter. And it's like a guy runs, you know, a man in aliens, it runs through the camp. And to see a little bit of terror, that's what, now that would be amazing. Yeah. Release a serial killer on the island. Give me something that has gone wrong. Because you need something. Because Survivor, they do the same thing almost every single season.

want something that the like fans are like, okay, you know what? I was, I didn't really want to care about Survivor, but I got to see what's going on. I need a hook. I think it's a good, fun way of playing the game, but adding an extra element on it. That would be, I mean, how fun would it be to see the night vision and seeing a little alien run by a camp? Did you hear that? Did you hear that? You know, it's like, I would, oh, no.

This is the idea. This is the moneymaker, Rob. You got this. You got to get this to Jeff immediately before 51. Probably they probably already shot 52 already. Yeah, we got to get back in there. Yeah. Oh, my gosh.

What should people check out of yours? Of course, we have the book. I have some podcasts. Yeah, you can find me online and all the social media. What year did you start the podcast? Oh my gosh. We're about 15 years in. 15 years.

Yeah. So, you know, in Survivor years, that's 30 seasons. So we, yeah, we started a while ago. How did this get made? And it's a blast. And we talk about bad movies there. I have a podcast where I talk about good movies. Yeah.

And it says, and every week, my friend Rob Heuble and I, who I did Human Giant with back in the day on MTV, we have a show called The Dark Web where we just find the weirdest things. And you know what? I've been sitting on it for a very long time.

And you talk about it in your book. I have the Jeff Prope's like demo reel where he's like dressed as a disco Jeff. Yeah. And it's been just sitting there. We have not ever. brought it on the show because it's online so i found the clip of and i i just because i've been fascinated by it because it's like oh right jeff was a guy who was trying to be a host like you

like you just think like oh jeff props and survivor uh but he was a guy who was like i'll take anything so you see him like making his own survivor tape uh which is it's pretty amazing it's good it's well well done but it's like his demo reel it's great i mean i just know he's in a disco shirt kind of dancing and the Survivor tape is pretty great. Yeah. Paul, well, this was incredible. This is such a delight. What a pleasure. I cannot wait to continue listening to you as you watch the rest of this season because like I said, this has been, it's been a good one. It's been a good one. We're only three in and it feels like so much has happened. Listen, anytime you want to come back, talk about any of these shows, Survivor, the Traders, anything, anything you're...

Let's talk about that Normy season, the Normy season of the U.S. of a normie season of US, which is going to come out on actual real TV. So that'll be interesting. Yeah, on NBC. So, yeah, we'd love that. And yeah, I really appreciate you making all this time to talk about all this. And I get, I feel your passion about these things. They're fun to watch.

And here's what I'm going to say to you. I'm going to end with one, the biggest question. I know that you started off this show or you started off kind of playing around. Like you had hot takes on Star Wars, right? That was kind of a beginning point for you. You were a Star Wars fan, still Star Wars fan? You know, so I used to, like, when I first started just, like, playing with podcasting, that I used to, like, just, like, call my friends up and just talk about things.

And one of the things that we talked about was the Phantom Menace, a true, how did this get made? Well, now that, like, my question is to you, can you rank the Nine Star Wars? Where do they fall for you right here? Like, if you're going to rank the Star Wars, yeah. Okay. This is a gut. I'm a big believer in like, this is your gut.

You don't, like you didn't think about it. We're not going to judge you like, this is the list that you made. You want from one to nine or nine to one? You, I think I'm going to say, okay,

and I'm going to be, I'm a purist on this. I'd say that the empire strikes back is going to be number one. And New Hope is second. Great. And then does anything, does anything top,

uh, return of the Jedi? Like, I guess people really like the eighth one, the last Jedi. But I don't know if I've ever really rewatched them. Like, I went and I watched them all with my older son. He rewatched them all. But the, like, the prequels are so bad, they're good. Right.

So, like, yeah, because this is money. Nobody likes the ninth one. Yeah. No, the ninth one is trash. But is the ninth is the ninth one worse than the prequels? I would say, yeah. Like, my argument is it falls to the bottom of the barrel. It's nine out of nine.

Because there's at least there's like nostalgia for the prequels that you sort of like, like, oh, like what is this? Like a 50s diner that they're going. Like, what is this about? I'm a big fan of movies that make a choice. And those movies, the prequels made choices. They didn't agree with them, but they made, they weren't fan service. definitely. Right. So I think you probably have all three of the prequels ahead of like the ninth one. I think that's the, the seventh one. I think it was pretty well received at the time. I love Last Jedi. The Ryan Johnson one, I'm a big fan of. What was the one? The first of the sequel. Oh, the first one was the one with Daisy Ridley, the Force Awakens. Right? The Force Awakens. Yeah. I think people like people like, people like, uh, people like that. So basically like you're, you're kind of like you're keeping like the Force Awakens last Jedi up higher.

We're dropping down. We got the Rise of Skywalker at the very bottom. And we got the prequels, the other ones above that. I will buy that ranking. People liked when Luke was drinking the blue milk and everything. Yeah, you know, I'm a fan. So I just wanted to hear it. I didn't know if you were a staunch.

I didn't know if you had like a very hot take on it. I'm always curious. Not super hot take on the Star Wars. I love it. I know. Well, Rob, what a pleasure. Thank you so much for having me. Yeah, thank you so much.

And appreciate everybody checking this one out. be back Wednesday night for our episode four recap. Sam Phelan, Survivor 47, is going to join me after the episode. Usually it's Stephen, but Stephen is, he's off with, you know, rubbing elbows with the glitterati. He has his book. He's on a tour. So we're checking with Stephen later on this week. But Tina Wesson from Survivor, the Australian Outback. Ooh, I love. Yeah. He's going to join me on Thursday. And so plenty of Survivor coverage coming your way for Survivor 50, episode four. Thank you so much, Paul Scheer, and thank you so much for listening. Take care, everybody. Have a good one.

Bye.