Jeff Probst has a lot of gas left in the tank for hosting Survivor, but as with all long-running hosts, the question of who will replace them when the time comes is a frequent question on fans’ minds, including Ethan Zohn‘s. The winner of Survivor: Africa (Season 3) has two specific ideas for the type of person who could take over Probst’s hosting gig if/when he decides to snuff his torch and say “the tribe has spoken” for the last time.
TV Insider caught up with Zohn to get his analysis on the events of Survivor Season 51 so far (as of the time of writing, five episodes have aired), including Rob Antonson quitting and the fact that every player voted out so far has been a woman. You can check out the in-depth interview in the video above. The topic of Probst’s successor came up as we discussed Zohn’s recent experience playing a fan-made Survivor game for charity with reality TV alums.
Zohn has an idea for Probst’s retirement that would keep him involved in the final episodes after his tenure ends, whenever that may be, one that he got from fellow Survivor alum Tyson Apostol.
“I’d like to see someone from outside the Survivor universe, or maybe it’s a host from a Survivor in a different country, something along those lines,” Zohn tells TV Insider, adding, “There’s a case to be made that Jeff stays on board as a voiceover. Do we really need a host?”
In Zohn’s mind, there could be a host present to “go through the motions” of the game for players, but “Jeff could open the show, he can close the show, he can lead into challenges, he can do the voiceover. Maybe there’s a hybrid role for Jeff Probst and some new person in the future.”
Zohn also thinks there could be a rotating host, like Jeopardy! did for a time with Ken Jennings and Mayim Bialik, followed by a fan vote for the permanent spot.
“Does someone who hosts Survivor need to have won the show?” Zohn asks. For him, the answer is yes, and the three-time contestant is throwing his hat in the ring.
“Do you need to go through the full experience of Survivor, having been voted off and won, and maybe, I’m just throwing it out there, have survived something in real life, like a cancer diagnosis,” Zohn says. “I’ve been voted out, I’ve won the show, I’ve survived cancer twice. Hey, I’m throwing my name in that hat. Why not? Let’s do it. I’ve been close to death on Survivor and in real life, I have some experience.”
Zohn is a two-time survivor of a rare cancer called CD20-positive Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He was first diagnosed in 2009 after his second Survivor season (he played in Africa, All-Stars, and Winners at War) and then again in 2011. After beating the illness twice, he now raises money for cancer research.
The former professional soccer player recently launched a new philanthropic effort that combines fandom with charity called the Reality Run Club. The club invites Survivor and reality fans to run, jog, or walk alongside their favorite reality TV stars while supporting meaningful charitable causes, followed by a Survivor watch party. The next one takes place on Wednesday, October 28, in New York City.
Check out the full interview above to get Zohn’s analysis of Survivor 51, including his updated winner pick after his first choice, Patt Cannaday, was voted out.
Survivor, Wednesdays, 8/7c, CBS