Jeff Probst Says "Nothing Has Changed" On 'Survivor' After Paramount Scrapped DEI: "We Need Diversity"
News Source
β’Sun, 27 Sep 2026 19:17:43 +0000
π° What Happened
Survivor host Jeff Probst says nothing has changed about how the show handles diversity. He spoke after Paramount rolled back its diversity, equity and inclusion policies.
Probst told The New York Times that the casting changes were one of the biggest positive shifts for the CBS show. He said the cast brings together people from very different lives, which makes better stories.
He also said he feels no pressure to count numbers. Casting boss Jesse Tannenbaum keeps pushing for a diverse group because the show needs it.
π The Backstory
Survivor started in 2000. For many years its casts were mostly white. In 2020 the show promised that half of each cast would be people of colour.
Many US companies cut their diversity programs after Donald Trump returned to office. Paramount was one of them. Reality shows have also been accused of using race for drama rather than real change.
Supporters say diverse casts reflect real life. Critics say some shows treat people as tokens.
π― Why It Matters
TV shapes how we see each other. Who gets cast decides whose stories millions of people watch each week.
Survivor host Jeff Probst says nothing has changed about how the show handles diversity. He spoke after Paramount rolled back its diversity, equity and inclusion policies.
Probst told The New York Times that the casting changes were one of the biggest positive shifts for the CBS show. He said the cast brings together people from very different lives, which makes better stories.
He also said he feels no pressure to count numbers. Casting boss Jesse Tannenbaum keeps pushing for a diverse group because the show needs it.
Survivor started in 2000. For many years its casts were mostly white. In 2020 the show promised that half of each cast would be people of colour.
Many US companies cut their diversity programs after Donald Trump returned to office. Paramount was one of them. Reality shows have also been accused of using race for drama rather than real change.
Supporters say diverse casts reflect real life. Critics say some shows treat people as tokens.
TV shapes how we see each other. Who gets cast decides whose stories millions of people watch each week.