Steven Ramm won a critical Individual Immunity Challenge during the new Survivor 49 episode. But what many people are talking about is how the format of the challenge was altered.
In previous seasons, castaways have also had to spell the word Immunity using blocks. But it was also done on an unstable platform, with players having to balance it by using tension on a rope.
This time, the blocks were placed on a rotating platform, making it a much easier “walking” challenge for many of the players. Yes, it still has its own difficulties, but it has become a new topic of conversation among fans and alums.
Survivor 47 runner-up comments on new challenge
“I did not like that immunity challenge. That was literally just walking from Point A to Point B. I am confused. Why change the classic? #Survivor49,” Survivor 47 runner-up Sam Phalen posted online.
“There was nothing to make it wobble and it totally removed the best part of the challenge which is people dropping their stacks. I can only imagine it’s another challenge tweak so it doesn’t take too long,” a fan responded.
“Fans: stop doing the typical 3-tier challenge that ends in a puzzle survivor: okay we’ll modify a classic challenge that didn’t have an issue in its original form #survivor #survivor49,” joked a frustrated fan.
“So they took an existing challenge and made it easier and worse… got it #Survivor #Survivor49,” shared someone else.
Many additional fans were frustrated that the challenge was made “easier” this time. It also took much of the drama about who might win, as Steven raced out to a huge lead and never looked back.
Below is a video clip from a classic showdown showing how the letter balancing challenge used to look.
Even Jeff Probst weighs in on the challenge
Survivor host Jeff Probst addressed the changes to the challenge during a new episode of his On Fire podcast.
“Even though we have classic challenges, if you can find a way to reinvent them that works, that’s great,” Jeff told his listeners. “We have failed a couple of times in that we have messed with a great challenge, and I don’t think it was better for the change. But the only way you know that is by trying it.”
But that’s not the big takeaway from Jeff’s comments.
Later in the podcast, Jeff states that, “I’ll be honest, I think I like the original better.”
Well said, Jeff. Well said. We here at Tea on TV agree with you. It looked great, but this new challenge is not as good as the former format.
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