Page 14 - aruba-today-20230228

a14 people & arts
Tuesday 28 February 2023
Jeff Probst a constant for ‘Survivor’ as it nears 44th game

By DAVID BAUDER did his job onscreen, Ross
AP Media Writer said.
NEW YORK (AP) — There “Jeff started to put more
was a time Jeff Probst could opinion and personality into
not imagine doing what his hosting,” he said. “Up to
he will on Wednesday, be- that point, it was more of a
ing on hand as host for the master of ceremonies role.
start of a 44th season of You realized he could be
“Survivor.” That’s not simply the eyes and ears of the
because of the transitory audience and can speak
nature of television, where for the audience. It was
a 44th season of anything one of the most important
is a rarity, even a program changes he made as a
that created a sensation host. It made him an ele-
when it first aired on CBS in ment in the game that the
the summer of 2000. players had to contend
In those early days, there with.” “Survivor” has settled
was a restlessness about on Fiji as a permanent set
Probst. He’d studied after bouncing around for
screenwriting, acted and several years to different
wrote and directed a well- locations. The jungle is a
received indie film in 2001. character in itself. High-def-
He tried a short-lived talk inition photography and
show. He admits “I had a drones makes things more
chip on my shoulder about This image released by CBS shows Jeff Probst in the premiere episode of the 44th season of the visually appealing than
being called a ‘host.’”Yet reality competition series “Survivor,” airing March 1. ever, Ross said.
as series creator Mark Bur- Associated Press Probst demurs when asked
nett began stepping away, his opinion of the best play-
Probst added “producer” bidding — if lovely — en- propriately touching young five Black contestants, er ever, and admits some
to his title and has since vironment along with the women or tweaks that three Latinos and an Asian of the seasons start to run
ascended to the level of social and scheming skills don’t work, like the “fire to- American. together. He’d lose a “Sur-
“showrunner” — industry to remain standing at the kens” that were introduced “People that don’t watch vivor” trivia contest, he
lingo that means he’s in end to collect the $1 mil- and abandoned after one ‘Survivor,’ I think they may said.
charge of everything. lion prize. Even if one cast is season. mistake it for some sort of “I will see an early cut of
At age 61, he’s all in, an a drag, “one of the show’s Other new ideas, like a hid- survivalist’s show or they la- an episode, and I can’t
evangelist for “Survivor.” greatest strengths is that den immunity idol or the bel it with this idea that it’s remember who was voted
“I have never been so ex- every season hits a reset “David vs Goliath” season just a reality show,” Probst out, even though I was the
cited to be part of the button,” said Dalton Ross, that Probst really loved, said. “When, really, ‘Survi- one at Tribal Council who
show,” he told The Associ- executive editor at large at freshen the show as it ad- vor’ is one of the biggest snuffed out their torch,” he
ated Press in a recent inter- Entertainment Weekly and heres to a basic structure. adventures you can ever said.
view. “I hope it’s apparent. a veteran chronicler of the Producers were also or- go on, either as a player or And, yes, he’s excited
I hope it’s clear that I’m re- show. dered by CBS to increase a viewer.” about the new season, call-
ally into ‘Survivor.’” So it can, um, survive a diversity, which Probst said As Probst became more in- ing it one of the most enter-
It remains a marvelously- scandal like a player be- has added to the show’s volved in how the show was taining groups of players
designed game, one that ing kicked off in 2019 after richness. The 18 castaways put together, there was a the show has put together
tests survival skills in a for- being accused of inap- for the new season include clear difference in how he in a while.q

Armani at heart of new doc examining birth of Milan fashion

maker John Maggio. earlier in the day, received Gucci and Versace, which
The documentary gives an enormous round of ap- ultimately failed after Ver-
due credit to Armani for plause at the start of the sace’s 1997 murder under
putting Milan ready-to- film, when producer Alan the insistence of his sister,
wear on the map in the Friedman introduced him Donatella Versace, that
1980s with the creation of to the very-fashion crowd she remain at the creative
the deconstructed jacket as “the man without whom helm.
that made menswear sexy today Milan would not be In the intervening years, Gu-
and relaxed, as epitomized the capital of fashion.” cci, along with many other
by Richard Gere in “Ameri- The documentary also re- Italian family-run compa-
can Gigolo.” counts the competitive nies have been bought up
“Fashion made me grow tensions between Armani by French conglomerates,
up and become someone. and his classic elegance and Versace is now part of
Designer, left, Giorgio Armani and Marisa Berenson pose for It was not easy initially, as I and Gianni Versace, who the U.S. group Capri Hold-
photographers upon arrival for the premiere of the film ‘Milano, didn’t feel up to it, but slow- helped fuel the super mod- ing. Italy has failed to come
the inside story of Milan Fashion’ in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 26, ly I gained courage to want el era with his more overtly up with a fashion group of
2023. to be someone in this ad- sexy collections. its own to challenge the
Associated Press venture,” Armani said upon In the documentary, for- French dominance; fashion
By COLLEEN BARRY Sunday for a premiere of arrival at the premiere. mer Gucci creative direc- houses like Armani and Dol-
AP Fashion Writer documentary “Milano: The The 88-year-old designer, tor Tom Ford and ex-Gucci ce & Gabbana are among
Giorgio Armani and a slew Inside Story of Italian Fash- who presented his latest CEO Domenico De Sole those that remain staunch-
of fashion CEOs turned out ion,” by Emmy-winning film- womenswear collection discuss attempts to merge ly in family hands.q