Jeff Probst on Early Show

Jeff Probst interview on Early show

Video:

Transcript (thanks to James Barber): 

Harry Smith: Survivor has taken us to almost every corner of the world. Edition #15 - I was right, Julie was wrong - 15 premieres tonight, as 16 new castaways try to outwit, outplay, and outlast one another in Survivor: China. And of course, Survivor wouldn't be Survivor without Jeff Probst. 

Jeff: Always good to see you, Mr. Cool, Calm and Collected. (Harry asks how he's doing) I'm good.

Harry: So you go to China, and what did I read, that you and your brother camped out?

Jeff: Oh yeah, after the show was over, we slept on the Great Wall of China. Spent the night in these stanky sleeping bags. It was a wonderful night. (Harry says "how cool was that") It was great. A little wine, a little music, your brother. Come on.

Harry: Maybe you could have done better than your brother. (laughs)

Jeff: We had some more friends there. I'm talking blood. We share a...(Harry keeps laughing) You're right; we need to rework that story.

Harry: So...China. No network television show has ever shot an entire season there.

Jeff: No. We've been trying...I'm not sure why they finally said yes. If it's because they have the Olympics coming up and they want to open their arms, or if they watched Survivor and said we've always treated other countries pretty well. (Harry asks if they were hanging over the show's shoulder) They weren't hanging over our shoulder, but there was one rule, which was they had a representative who at any time, could look at any tape they wanted, to make sure we were portraying China in a positive light, and not talking about...(can't hear the last bit)

Harry: Did it ever come into play? Did they ever say...

Jeff: No, it never came into play...oh, that's not true. We did a gross food eating challenge, and they heard it and said, 'Gross food eating? This is not gross. This is our normal everyday lunch.' We had to kind of explain that it was a cultural thing, that we don't eat this.

Harry: Like every season, there are all kind of twists and turns. We want to show a little clip, so people get a little flavor. 

<clip>

Jeff: A big theme in buddhism is the leaving behind of your worldly possessions. That applies to suitcases. It means you will be going into this game wearing the clothes on your back.

Ashley: These are, like,20 pound each.

: I don't have on a bra.

Jeff: That's going to make you either very popular or a big pliability if you let it get in the way of challenges, or camp life. All right, the game is about to begin. We're going to divide into tribes.

<end of clip>

Harry: With the clothes on your back. What were the conditions like? Sometimes there's bugs...

Jeff: This was mainly heat, and lack of food, so we gave 'em rice. Sometimes we don't give 'em anything, and tell them they have to fish, but the fishing was really difficult. Which comes into play, because one tribe's rice gets moldy really quickly. It was a hard Survivor. 

Harry: There have been good reviews out for this season already. The people say, the reviewers say, the cast is really good.

Jeff: Great characters. 

Harry: Let's go through some of 'em very quickly. Jean-Robert.

Jeff: (pronounces name the right way) Get it right, because he'll let you know. He's a professional poker player and he thinks just because he was a poker player and is, that he can read anybody. That guy is gold. He's the guy you want going to Tribal Council, because he'll give you something every time. 

Harry: Who's Todd Herzog?

Jeff: Todd is a Survivor fanatic. This kid was 13 when it started. He knows everything about Survivor, and it actually comes into play. He can tell you merges always happen on this day, and this happens here. 

Harry: Frosti Zernow.

Jeff: Frosti's that guy you just saw right there (in the clip) in the light blue shirt. He's the youngest kid...Harry, Frosti was 12 when Survivor started. 12. 12. I'm old. When did this happen? (Harry laughs) Frosti does parkour as well. He jumps over things. He's acrobatic.

Harry: Ashley Massaro.

Jeff: Ashley's the woman you saw in the clip who had the knee-high leather boots, fishnet leather stockings...

Harry: Oh, she's a wrestler.

Jeff: A wrestler. And (wearing) a boustier. You won't forget her.

Harry: And Courtney Yates. I want to see her. 

Jeff: She's from New York City. A girl after my own heart. Lippy.

Harry: Attitude. 

Jeff: Attitude.

Harry: Jeff, always great to see you, pal. (shakes Jeff's hand) Jeff Probst, everybody. The season premiere of Survivor: China is tonight at 8, 7 Central, right here on CBS.