Jeff Probst changed the dynamics of Survivor when he played an active role in keeping Stephenie in the game, by manipulating Janu into quitting.

Reality Reel Media
04.26.05

Like a good defense lawyer seeking any type of stay for his client, he kept his client, Stephenie alive.

Probst played to the fragile ego of Janu, showing her that the only way that she could have an effect in this game, was by quitting. He knew that Janu essentially was a true outcast. The tribe viewed her with contempt and she dislike all of them in return.

With her one friend, Coby on the jury, she wanted to leave but only decided to do so, when Jeff had to point out to her, this was precisely what her enemies on the tribe ironically didn't want.

Call it unfair if you want, but it was masterful. Jeff could have convinced Janu to confess to the Limburgh baby kidnapping had he wanted.

Janu wanted the comforts of the modern world and wished to be reunited with her partner in bitching, Coby. Her game play, if you can call that was among the very worst in Survivor history. Yet, despite this or because of it, her ego was intact and needed some sort of validation. She seemed to think that by being able to start a fire and survive a night on her own, minus the camera and soundman of course, was that victory. Probst however gave her a chance to be noble in quitting. Probst had basically called Olsten gutless, seasons back, when he had laid down his torch. Yet with Janu, he made doing so, similar to throwing herself on a grenade.

This isn't the same as a Ref tackling a running back on the way to the end zone. It's a Reality TV show, some would say THE Reality TV show and it changes the rules season by season.

Probst has been increasing his callouts at the Tribal Councils and even of late makes comments during competitions. It all seemed merely a desire to keep things interesting.

But by the tone of the questioning, his handling of tribal coucil, Probst seems to have shown that kicking Stephanie out while retaining Janu wouldn't have been so utterly wrong, that he had to try and prevent it.

And he did.