Survivor Alum Michael Yerger Shares Why He Hasn't Returned to TV
Michael Yerger was made to survive one show only.
The former Survivor contestant—who was just 18 years old when he filmed the 36th season of the show, which aired in 2018—hasn't been seen back on the franchise or on another competition series since. However, that doesn't mean he never would, as long as he gets to stay true to his roots.
When a user on X questioned why a beloved player like Michael wasn't returning for Survivor 50, the now 27-year-old cleared the air, saying that it isn't because he doesn't want to return to the island—but rather because he wasn’t asked back.
"Never done another show hoping that i’d get the call again one day," he responded on X Nov. 3, "cause i’m #loyaltothegame."
However, Michael isn't the only fan-favorite that wasn't called in for the milestone season, with Rob "Boston Rob" Mariano and Parvati Shallow being two of the star players that didn't make the cut.
"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," the CBS competition series’ longtime host Jeff Probst explained of the reasoning for their absence 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."
In other words, just because a contestant is popular, it doesn't mean they were guaranteed to be asked to return. However, some contestants didn’t want to return, particularly Rob, who also recently appeared on Traitors.
“At this point, I'm kind of just hanging out,” Boston Rob told People in April. “I don't have a desire to go back and compete in that realm right now. I'm going to take a little break, the kids are off for the summer.”
So, who is appearing on the 50th season, which is airing next spring? Survivor 2018 contestant Mike White, with Jeff confessing he feels “so grateful" to see the White Lotus creator make his comeback.
“He’s arguably the single best storyteller we’ve ever had on Survivor,” Jeff told The Hollywood Reporter in an interview published in August. “Mike is one of the most peculiar and loving people I’ve ever met. He’s so authentic. He does exactly what he wants on his terms, and the results clearly speak for themselves."
He went so far as to call Mike "one of the best of all time."
Keep reading to see who else will be a part of Survivor 50.
Season 37 (DAVID VS. GOLIATH)
Seasons 12 (PANAMA-EXILE ISLAND), 16 (MICRONESIA – FANS VS. FAVORITES), 20 (HEROES VS. VILLAINS), 34 (GAME CHANGERS)
Seasons 13 (COOK ISLANDS), 16 (MICRONESIA – FANS VS. FAVORITES), 23 (SOUTH PACIFIC), 34 (GAME CHANGERS)
Seasons 18 (TOCANTINS – THE BRAZILIAN HIGHLANDS), 20 (HEROES VS. VILLAINS), 23 (SOUTH PACIFIC)
Seasons 10 (PALAU), 11 (GUATEMALA), 20 (HEROES VS. VILLAINS)
Seasons 1 (BORNEO), 8 (ALL-STARS)
Seasons 2 (THE AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK), 8 (ALL-STARS), 20 (HEROES VS. VILLAINS)
Season 37 (DAVID VS. GOLIATH)
Season 37 (DAVID VS. GOLIATH)
Seasons 32 (KAÔH RONG – BRAINS VS. BRAWN VS. BEAUTY), 34 (GAME CHANGERS), 38 (EDGE OF EXTINCTION)
Season 35 (HEROES VS. HEALERS VS. HUSTLERS)
Season 38 (EDGE OF EXTINCTION)
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