Although he's only had the role for a little over a year, the parenting instinct seems strong in Jeff Probst.
As proof, witness last week's much-discussed drama on Survivor: Caramoan - Fans vs. Favorites (Wednesday on Global and CBS) in which contestant Brandon Hantz exploded in an angry meltdown and was subdued by host Probst, avoiding a possible violent confrontation.
When a troubled Hantz announced his intention to quit the game during a challenge and lashed out angrily at tribesmate Phillip Sheppard, Probst spoke reassuringly to Hantz, massaged his shoulders and made him look Probst in the eye to establish a connection of trust. It seemed very much like what a father might do to calm a child on the verge of a violent tantrum. And it worked.
"When something like Brandon happens, it's very much an empathetic moment," says Probst. "I am clearly producing and hosting a TV show simultaneously, but my concern was safety. And I wanted to make sure that Brandon was safe and everyone else was safe."
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