40 unknown rules 'Survivor' contestants have to follow
The most recent season of the reality survival show has kicked off with some drama, and viewers have questions.
For 25 years and 48 seasons, 'Survivor' has been sending contestants to remote locations to live off the land and hopefully win $1 million.
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Contestants must work together, but ultimately, it's everyone for themselves.
There has been iconic drama, ruthless backstabbing and lovable favourites throughout the entirety of the series, and the new season is no exception.
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Hours before filming of 'Survivor 49' began, two contestants broke the rules and were sent home, which led to alternates taking their place.
Host and showrunner, Jeff Probst, explained the situation during an episode of the official 'Survivor' podcast, 'On Fire with Jeff Probst'.
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He said that in the days leading up to the start of the game, all the players are together, in a place they call 'Ponderosa', but they are not allowed to talk.
That's why we have so many handlers there to make sure nobody's talking. You can obviously look at each other, you can try to make eye contact. That might work for you, it might not. The only thing is, we have rules. The rules are you cannot talk to each other, for obvious reasons. And in this season, season 49, we had two players who were disrespecting that rule. They just kept talking.
Probst shares that he received multiple phone calls stating that the level of disrespect had escalated to a more blatant level and that the contestants were not complying, despite having received a warning.
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They were removed and replaced.
While there might be some obvious rules viewers are aware of, there are many that are not common knowledge.
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Here are 40 'Survivor' rules.
The contestants must sign contracts before being cast: The show's production team doesn't take any risks, so contestants sign their contracts before heading to Los Angeles for the final round of casting.They must disclose their medical history: They ensure that each cast member is physically fit for the challenges and request medical information from contestants to ensure that each player receives all necessary medication during filming.
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Personal items are limited: Each contestant is allowed to bring one handheld item to the campsite, referred to on the show as a "luxury Item."
Their clothing must be pre-approved: The production team goes through each contestant's luggage, primarily to ensure that they're not sneaking in prohibited supplies. They also need to make sure that they aren't all wearing the same colour T-shirt and that their wardrobe will look good on camera.
There are rules against wearing logos: The show has a strict rule against shirts or caps with corporate logos.
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Everyone must abide by both local and U.S. laws. Even though contestants are isolated in the wilderness of foreign countries, as per their contract, they still have to obey all laws set forth by the local and the United States governments.
Contestants are divided into tribes. Upon arrival, the show splits the contestants into tribes. Although there are usually only two tribes, the show's producers can split the contestants into as many tribes as they want.
They must stick to their tribe's camp. Cast members are not permitted to visit the opposing tribe's camp or communicate with them in any way. Doing so is grounds for elimination.
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A lot of zones are off-limits. There are several areas designated off-limits by the producers, including a base camp with living arrangements for the crew.
You can't injure another contestant. Any cast member who deliberately injures another cast member will be eliminated and could face criminal charges, if relevant.
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Contestants can't steal from one another. Contestants are not allowed to take anyone else's private property. A contestant's private property includes their personal luxury item, any clothing they may have brought to their camp, and anything specifically given to them by the producers.
But they can search through their things. A loophole! Contestants can search through one another's belongings. Think your tribe mate might have a hidden immunity idol? Nothing is stopping you from taking a quick look, as long as you don't take anything.
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Contestants have to follow directions. In terms of safety, contestants are required to follow all instructions from the production crew.
They agree to being filmed 24/7. Due to safety concerns, the cast members are never alone in the wilderness. The show also mentions explicitly in their contract that the "contestants will have no expectations of privacy."
The show is allowed to record the contestants, both nude and partially nude, legally. Zero privacy means zero privacy.
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Damaging the environment is cause for elimination. 'Survivor' is allowed to film in countless breathtaking landscapes because they take care of it. There are strict rules against disturbing the environment, whether that means removing rocks, shells, or leaving litter behind.
You can only build a shelter with what you find. Cutting down trees would be detrimental to the environment and would violate the rule as mentioned above. Contestants are only allowed to build their camps by foraging or using items given to them by the producers.
Contestants can forage for food. Contestants are only given a supply of small sacks of food, like rice and beans. If that isn't enough, they can supplement their food supply by foraging in the wilderness.
Everything they eat has to be approved. As contestants forage across the landscape for fruits, plants, and wildlife to consume, the producers are there to double-check that everything is safe.READ: Six areas you're forgetting to put sunscreen
Endangered species are off-limits. Endangered species are not on the 'Survivor' menu. If any endangered species inhabit the area, producers will inform the contestants that they are not to be hunted.Hunting is only allowed for food. Contestants can fish and hunt for their food supply, but hunting for sport is not permitted.Contestants must remain physically fit. Competing on 'Survivor' is taxing, which is why production requires each contestant to undergo a medical evaluation before participating in the physical challenges. If a contestant does not appear to be in good enough physical health, they can be eliminated.
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Mental fitness is also a priority. Throughout the competition, a contestant's mental health is challenged as well, due to prolonged isolation and intense competition. Contestants must also be mentally strong to compete.Contestants can talk to the camera crew. Contestants are allowed to communicate with the production team throughout the competition, but they cannot respond.They can't talk to other contestants off-camera. Before challenges or eliminations, the contestants are transported to various locations, during which the cameras aren't rolling. As a way to prevent the drama from occurring off-tape, contestants can't talk to one another until the camera crew is back up and running.READ: Hollywood legends announce remake of iconic snake horror
Most toiletries are forbidden. Contestants are stripped of personal toiletries, including razors, hairbrushes, and toothbrushes. The only things they do have access to are necessities, such as medication, sunblock, insect repellent, or contact solution.Contestants only get treated for major injuries. A medical team is on location at all times, but they only intervene in cases of serious health concerns and during the mandatory health check before challenges.READ: Major changes coming to SA toll plazas
Contestants have to participate in challenges. The challenges are compulsory for the show, and failing to compete in one may result in elimination.Votes must be written AND spoken out loud to count.
They can't vote for themselves. Although a contestant can drop out of the competition voluntarily, it is against the rules to vote for oneself to be eliminated. Per their contract, this would result in a re-vote.
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Contestants must avoid dangerous wildlife. Producers make a point to educate the contestants on the dangerous plants and animals within the region they're inhabiting. Afterwards, all cast members are expected to avoid interactions with them.
You don't get to return home after elimination. Cast members are required to stay with the production until the season is completed, win or lose.
Some contestants become jury members. The production crew gets to select which eliminated competitors will stay on the show as the jury. Jury members are sent to live in the Ponderosa house together, and they can each earn up to $40,000 for their continued appearance.
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The others go on vacation. The remaining eliminated cast members are sent to a separate location, where they remain until filming is complete. The good news: It's basically a free vacation.
They can't strategise during emergencies. Throughout the series' 40 seasons, there have been extenuating circumstances that have put the competition on hold, such as in Season 33 when production was shut down due to a cyclone in Fiji. According to the show's host, Jeff Probst, the cast is expected to uphold their good faith agreement and to refrain from strategising or forming alliances while sequestered.
Only one person can win.
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There's a prize for second place. The runner-up can bring home anywhere from $100,000 to a sponsored prize, it varies each season and is up to the discretion of the producers.
Contestants can't scheme to share the prize. Agreeing to share any portion of the $1 million prize after the show ends, as a means to ally, is prohibited.
You have to pay taxes on winnings. The winning contestant is responsible for all taxes on the money earned.
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Image: IMDb