Producers Shake Things Up for 'Survivor: Redemption Island'

Is it just us, or does it feel like 'Survivor' TV is a year-round? Last night, shortly after announcing the winner of 'Survivor: Nicaragua, "Jeff Probst and CBS Unveiled details of the upcoming Season 22 And we Learned That it will usher in "some" big changes "to the show's format.

In the past we've HAD an All-Star seasons, Fans vs. Favorites, Old and Young vs. Heroes vs. Villains. We've HAD nudists and celebrities. Some seasons had occurred two Tribes, others have had occurred in Four, But the basic premise - once you're Voted off the island, the show's over for you - hasn't changed.

HOWEVER, coming out of a season That Several gimmicks tried out with mixed success, the show's in Danger of Becoming tired and Predictable.

So, Following the example of "American Idol" and others, Producers have introduced a twist: Eliminated contestants Will not go straight home. Instead, they'll head to 'Redemption Island "Where they'll get Another Chance Thurs compete.

The location for 'Redemption Island' will be familiar to 'Nicaragua' Viewers as the season was shot this past August in San Juan del Sur Beach, Nicaragua.

Speaking Thurs Entertainment Weekly, Jeff Probst, host Explained The New twist: "When you're Voted out at Tribal Council, you do not go home. ... You go to Redemption Island and you live alone. And at a Certain Point in The Game Another person will join you. You will compete in a duel. The winner stays. The loser goes home. So you're Continuing to live out there on your own with very basic supplies. But you're still in the game. And at a Certain point you'll be allowed Thurs reenter the game and have a shot at the money. "

This Is not The First Time 'Survivor' contestants Have Been Offered a shot at redemption and Another chance of winning the $ 1 million grand prize. In Season 7, "The Pearl Islands," six eliminated players Returned as the "Outcast Tribe," much to the disgust of the other players, and Many fans.

Referring to the Season 7 twister as a "haphazard" version of "Redemption Island," Probst said they anticipate doesn't Backlash Because The Same Now that everyone knows what the twist is, They Can not complain That The Rules have changed. "I have no problem with people coming back into the game Because everybody knows up front. A rule Can not Be Unfair if you know going in. It's an Equal Opportunity."

Another change to the format is That Because Of The Duel Between eliminated contestants, Each episode will feature only one Combined reward / immunity challenge for the non-eliminated players. "This is the most excited I've been in a Long Time When It Comes to a twist. I really hope [it] ADDS a new layer That We Can use for years to Come," said Probst. "It's a big risk. It nudged fail miserably. I do not think it's going to."