“Survivor” winner John Cochran wants to see Jeff Probst 'really degrade himself'

Dalton RossThu, July 2, 2026 at 2:15 PM UTC

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John Cochran and Jeff Probst on 'Survivor: Caramoan'Credit: Greg Gayne/CBSKey Points -

Survivor winner John Cochran has the perfect challenge for host Jeff Probst to compete in next.

The former champion also describes the one change he would make to the show if he was in charge. LESS MATH!

Who is the player he would most like to see return? Read on and find out.

Former Survivor contestant John Cochran went through his share of indignities on the CBS show. From sunburn complications to being on the receiving end of a Whitney Duncan diatribe, Cochran went through the reality TV ringer twice and lived to tell the tale.

But the law student-turned TV writer also overcame adversity (such as his father turning too “Hollywood” on a reward) to become a Survivor champion. One key moment in his winning Caramoan campaign was when Cochran shocked players and viewers alike by winning immunity on the dreaded “gross food” challenge. And if contestants have to be put through the culinary ringer, why shouldn’t the host, especially now that Jeff Probst has started competing in Survivor challenges?

We caught up with Cochran at the recent Survivor 50 finale, and he answered some hot-button franchise questions — which included an explanation for why he would like to see the Hostmaster General “really degrade himself.”

John Cochran on 'Survivor'Credit: Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty Images

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: As a viewer, what was the best Survivor 50 moment for you?

JOHN COCHRAN: I selfishly liked that first challenge with Ozzy and Coach with the stick trying to get the key because that was like taking me back to the South Pacific season, seeing the same ancient dynamics played out in front of me. And I was on Coach's side. Not everything has to revolve around Ozzy's sense of how the game is played. God forbid somebody else wants to win!

So I just enjoyed seeing those tensions kind of come to the surface again. And then it kind of settled again. But I think that was such a fun start to the season.

Jeff Probst competed in his first challenge during Survivor 50, so what is the competition that Jeff should do next?

From what I know, I think he eats, like, Subway sandwiches every day or something. I want to see him do the gross food eating challenge. You can't hide your discomfort with something like that. I want to see him gag. I want to see him throw up. I want to see snot coming down his face. I want to see him really degrade himself. I want to see him do that challenge where he has to bite off the giant hunk of pork. I just want to see Jeff have to get down and dirty.

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John Cochran on 'Survivor: Caramoan — Fans vs. Favorites'Credit: Monty Brinton/CBS/Getty Images

You and I agree that he is the best in the biz when it comes to hosting, but if and when Jeff ever does decide to hang it up, who should be the next host?

Oh gosh. It's hard to imagine him being replaced because he's built up 50 [seasons] of authority and gravitas that anybody else, whether it's a former contestant or another host walking in, I don't think it will command the same respect of the players. It will be tough.

What is the one change that you would make to Survivor if you could?

I don't like losing votes. That's the one thing that I find just as a viewer, it makes me feel like you're doing math equations going into Tribal Council. And to follow the Mike White of: Is this fun, having to do math of like, “Wait, can that person vote?” I don't know. I feel like everyone should have a vote every Tribal Council. That should be the one constant. So I guess that would be one of the twists that I'd wanna see maybe dialed down a little bit.

Dawn Meehan, John Cochran, and Sherri Biethman on 'Survivor: Caramoan — Fans vs. Favorites'Credit: CBS

Who’s the one person you would like to see come back and play Survivor again?

I will say I was just on the red carpet, and I just met Todd for the first time, who I see is now potentially leading the best winner of all time poll that you've been running. But Todd, for me, was a huge inspiration as this guy who doesn't seem very physically imposing but is gifted with this ability to articulate himself in a way that left the jury speechless. His final Tribal Council performance is one of my favorites.

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