ET Canada‘s Sangita Patel chose the right time to fly out to location and interview Survivor contestants. There has never been a season like this, in which 20 former winners have come together to determine, maybe once and for all, who is the best Survivor player of all time.
In her first time out on location, Patel sat down with each Survivor, as well as host Jeff Probst, to preview Winners at War, a concept that many, including Patel, thought may never come to fruition. She talked with Screen Rant this week to discuss the preparation that went into these interviews, the one question she knew she needed to ask Jeff and what it was like touring the set of tribal council.
Screen Rant: What was your reaction to learning you’d be doing preseason press for Survivor?
Sangita Patel: When I found out I was going to Fiji to cover season 40 I was really, really excited for the concept. I didn’t think season 40 would happen with all the returnees coming together because that was something that Jeff always said that he didn’t want to happen. And so when we found out this was going to happen, I was stoked about it. And that meant going back through all 20 years and going back and revisiting everybody that was going to be part of this season 40. We have this Survivor university where we all sat down and went through old episodes and it brought back a lot of memories, especially season two and three and four, and how it’s changed over the years, So I was totally stoked and very nervous about the whole situation.
How much work did you put into studying up on the show before you went out there?
Hours and hours and hours [laughs]. My kids have become fans of Survivor because that’s the only thing I was watching as I was preparing for it. I was like, “I remember that moment.” Or, “I totally forgot about that.” And you get to watch Jeff age throughout the years as well. We took some time and we really wanted to be prepared for this because it truly is epic for any Survivor fan to be able to see season 40 with all the winners coming back together. And two million dollars! That’s a big deal.
Was there one person you were most excited to meet?
For me, it was Boston Rob. I think everybody wanted to see what his game plan would be. Parvati, I’m a huge fan of her game. She’s very sneaky and she’s very good at convincing people. Even when she was walking up to me and I’m looking into her eyes, I’m like, “I can see how people fall for everything you say.” Tony, I mean [laughs], Tony has a way with life. It was great seeing him. Tyson, Sandra, Sophie. I was just excited to see everybody. And every interview I started, I said, “SEASON 40!” I think I scared them off with it, but I think that’s what everyone’s feeling at the time and the fact is, they didn’t know who was on the male side and the males didn’t know who was on the female side and I had that knowledge and I couldn’t release it to them, but I was kind of hinting to certain people during some interviews so they kind of had an idea, but just that adrenaline rush, it was nice.
After talking to the contestants, who surprised you most?
All of them. The reason I say that is everyone has grown and has become a different person. Everyone has redefined themselves, especially new parents. They have families, so their approach to the game is not the same as it used to be. They have aged, they have gone through life, so their game is very different.
Is there a moment from your conversation with Jeff Probst that stood out to you?
When I asked him about Edge of Extinction, I went for it because I know he knows a lot of viewers don’t like it, but he stuck to his guns. He really thinks it’s a very important part of the game and with the fans speaking up over the last year, he still wants that to be a part of it…I almost think you don’t need it for this season.
You’re not alone in feeling that way. Touring the tribal council set with Jeff must have been a surreal experience.
He said wait until the end and I’ll give you a full tour, which I was so excited about. And we went into all the details and why they were so important. And it essentially represents war, this tribal council setting. Just the way all the little details were put out there. The concept of having them voting in an area where nobody can see what they’re doing, that’s different too. You have absolute control of what you’re saying to the camera you don’t have to worry about anyone watching. It’s going to play with your mind out there, for sure.
Do you have a feeling how the season will play out?
I think the older, more experienced players are going to stick together and take out the younger ones. I think someone who we all love is going to win this game, and I have a feeling I know who it is in my mind, but it’s just a sense.
You and Jeff made your winner pick and then stuck it in the urn together. When are we going to find out who you chose?
I don’t know when we’re going to reveal that. If I’m right, I should get the two million dollars.
Do you think by the end of this season, fans will be calling this the best season of all time?
For sure. This show has been on for 20 years! How old were you when season one aired? 10?
I was 7, and I was watching.
And 20 years ago, I was 20. If you’re a fan, this is the season where you get to see the best game played by the best people. I think it can’t be beat.
Survivor premieres Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
Photo credit: ET Canada
This interview has been edited for clarity.
