Producer John Kirhoffer shares the stories behind the show’s greatest challenges.
But he did more than that.
He also shared the stories behind the competitionsand gave us a special tease for a challenge coming up!
Credit: Monty Brinton/CBS (2); CBS
Quest for Fire,Survivor: Borneo(Season 1)
“The original,firstSurvivorchallenge ever!
I wassoooooonervous, as our pyrotechnic prowess had not yet been perfected.
It was barely considered actually, and it was the cause of much of my anxiety.
CBS
With something like 40 little fires to light, we didn’t have propane or waterproof flame technology.
We could see rain clouds surrounding us and coming in from the horizonthe enemy of fire challenges!
But back in the very beginning, it was the entire challenge.
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When they run out of breath, they swim to the surface to get air and rest.
In that first season, we had no Dream Team.
The producers, myself, and even Jeff andMark Burnettwould test these challenges.
CBS
For this one, I was on Mark’s team, and I consider myself a strong water guy.
As I run out of breath, I go to the surface.
Mark pops up after me and looks at me in shock, ‘John!
Richard Hatch, Kelly Wiglesworth, and Rudy Boesch on ‘Survivor: Borneo’.MONTY BRINTON/CBS
Don’t be a wussy, we need to win this thing!’
And yes… we won!”
It is memorable for me because we were thinking that former Navy SEAL Rudy is 72 years old.
MONTY BRINTON/CBS
AsJeff Probstsays, ‘This challenge was theperfect final immunity challenge.’
Butch Cassidy,Survivor: Australia(Season 2)
“What makes a great home… or challenge?
Location, location, location.
MONTY BRINTON/CBS
This was one of those epic challenge spots that we created the challenge around the location.
That philosophy has been what has keptSurvivorpure.”
This is the one where the tribe rolled huge rebar andfiberglass bouldersacross the African Savanna.
MONTY BRINTON/CBS
I can see how the similarities could confuse people!"
The players' hands are extended up, tied to a rope, which is attached to the bucket.
When they met at a common intersection, they would grapple to knock an opponent into the water.
MONTY BRINTON/CBS
Lots of choking, cheating, and battling!
It set the tone for future physical challenges."
This classic is one of my absolute favorites but requires perfect shallow lagoon controls to make it happen.
MONTY BRINTON/CBS
This is where staying calm in a stressful situation really pays off."
Seeing a prisoner tying sticks together to reach out and grab a key.
Mark wouldn’t let me use barnacles!"
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Face Off (a.k.a.
or ‘Who on your tribe does not deserve to be called an all-star?’
Then you had to guess whom the majority of the tribe chose for the answer.
MONTY BRINTON/CBS
We have played with this decision-making dilemma many times since."
Just then a wave came through, Dan caught it and surfed away…
I sat there thinking:Genius!
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He’s done it again!
I loved it.We knew it was a future classicwhile we were testing it with the Dream Team!"
You see that one pop up every few seasons."
MONTY BRINTON/CBS
Named after its creator, our art director, Simon Ross."
We built these massive, three-bladed windmills.
When the bucket is filled with water, the water tips, releasing puzzle pieces.
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So fun to watch, so stressful to produce!"
Gulliver’s Travels,Survivor: Nicaragua(Season 21)
“I love this challenge.
The tribe would then race to fire coconuts at five large wooden masks.
MONTY BRINTON/CBS
And it lived up to its hype!
Thanks, no pressure, Jeff!
This is also the challenge where I bonded with Christopher (Millhouse) Marchand as a creative partnership.
Jeffrey R. Staab /CBS
It was his first season and we needed a killer final immunity challenge and we were struggling.
So we had the first of our now traditional ‘cigar and wine’ meetingsafter work, of course.
Only a couple glasses into it, we came up with a new classic!”
CBS
As you know, Dalton, I am a huge classic rock fan.
It felt like she would never get enough water to retrieve the key.
Great example of how often you NEVER GIVE UP onSurvivor…or in life!"
Bill Inoshita/CBS
It is called theElemental Obstacle Course.
Austin came to location in Nicaragua as a visit from the Make-A-Wish program.
Austin still remains a close friend and a legit member of ourSurvivorfamily."
Monty Brinton/CBS
Final Fortitude,Survivor: Worlds Apart(Season 30)
“Ilovedthis season.
Great location,great characters, and great stories.
When they fatigue, the disc drops and they lose.
Monty Brinton/CBS
Again, looks so easy and is so excruciating!
Serpent Turf,Survivor: Game Changers(Season 34)
35.
Best final immunity challenge ever!”
Robert Voets/CBS
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