Why Boston Rob & Parvati Shallow Weren't Asked Back for Survivor 50

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‘Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans’ Cast Revealed

The tribe producers have spoken.  

Ahead of Survivor season 50—which features all returning players—host Jeff Probst explained why fan favorites Rob "Boston Rob" Mariano, Parvati Shallow, and more season 40 alums weren't asked back.

"We made a decision not to bring any of the winners from Winners at War because we had just seen them and it was a big season," Jeff explained on the Oct. 22 episode of his On Fire podcast, which he cohosts with winner Jeremy Collins. "And I know a lot of people are going to miss players like Jeremy, but that was the reason why. That simple." 

Although the season 40 castaways won't be outwitting, outplaying and outlasting for that $1 million prize, there are still plenty of stars who will reignite their torches, including season 37's Mike White and Christian Hubicki, season 13's Ozzy Lusth and season 12's Cirie Fields.

And this certainly isn't the same game old school Survivor alums Jenna Lewis-Dougherty and Colby Donaldson once played.

"In the seasons prior to 41, it was a different game," Jeff explained of the twist that began after Covid in 2021. "Every single element contributes to shaping the game and thus, the gameplay. I can't say this enough. When we birthed Survivor 41, we birthed a new game."

"It is still fundamentally the same format, but we changed a lot of dynamics and we forced a different pace," he continued. "You are playing hard out of the gate in the new era because you have to." 

Among the most significant changes is a shorter game: Castaways now compete for 26 days instead of 39.

Rob Latour/Shutterstock/Rob Latour/Shutterstock

"Let's just remember seasons before 41 did not have things like a Beware Advantage or a Journey or the Shot in the Dark," Jeff said of the new twists in the game. "All of that changes the nature of the game."

So come season 50, it'll be a true face-off between old school and new school players.

"What's going to be interesting about 50 is somebody like Jeremy or Colby who have played many times, but they played a slower pace," he teased. "Not an easier or more difficult game, but a different pace because of the game design. How's that going to work?"

See for yourself when season 50 premieres in 2026. Until then, keep reading to see who is returning to the beaches of Fiji.

Robert Voets/CBS

Mike White

Season 37 (DAVID VS. GOLIATH)

Jeffrey Neira/CBS

Cirie Fields

Seasons 12 (PANAMA-EXILE ISLAND), 16 (MICRONESIA – FANS VS. FAVORITES), 20 (HEROES VS. VILLAINS), 34 (GAME CHANGERS)

Robert Voets/CBS

Ozzy Lusth

Seasons 13 (COOK ISLANDS), 16 (MICRONESIA – FANS VS. FAVORITES), 23 (SOUTH PACIFIC), 34 (GAME CHANGERS)

Robert Voets/CBS

Benjamin "Coach" Wade

Seasons 18 (TOCANTINS – THE BRAZILIAN HIGHLANDS), 20 (HEROES VS. VILLAINS), 23 (SOUTH PACIFIC)

Monty Brinton/CBS

Stephanie Lagrossa Kendrick

Seasons 10 (PALAU), 11 (GUATEMALA), 20 (HEROES VS. VILLAINS)

Monty Brinton/CBS

Jenna Lewis-Dougherty

Seasons 1 (BORNEO), 8 (ALL-STARS)

Monty Brinton/CBS

Colby Donaldson

Seasons 2 (THE AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK), 8 (ALL-STARS), 20 (HEROES VS. VILLAINS)

Robert Voets/CBS

Tiffany Ervin

Season 46

Robert Voets/CBS

Charlie Davis

Season 46

Robert Voets/CBS

Q Burdette

Season 46

Robert Voets/CBS

Emily Flippen

Season 45

Robert Voets/CBS

Dee Valladares

Season 45 Winner

Robert Voets/CBS

Jonathan Young

Season 42

Robert Voets/CBS

Christian Hubicki

Season 37 (DAVID VS. GOLIATH)

Robert Voets/CBS

Angelina Keeley

Season 37 (DAVID VS. GOLIATH)

Robert Voets/CBS via Getty Images

Kyle Fraser

Season 48 WInner

Jeffrey Neira/CBS

Aubry Bracco

Seasons 32 (KAÔH RONG – BRAINS VS. BRAWN VS. BEAUTY), 34 (GAME CHANGERS), 38 (EDGE OF EXTINCTION)

CBS

Chrissy Hofbeck

Season 35 (HEROES VS. HEALERS VS. HUSTLERS)

CBS

Rick Devens

Season 38 (EDGE OF EXTINCTION)

CBS/Paramount Networks

Kamilla Karthigesu

Season 48

CBS/Paramount Networks

Joseph Hunter

Season 48

Robert Voets/CBS

Genevieve Mushaluk

Season 37

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