Survivor is one of the best reality shows in TV history, and is a and groundbreaking show that's influenced countless projects that followed. New seasons regularly air on CBS (and streaming with a Paramount+ subscription), and the generations of fans are hyped for the upcoming 50th season, which will feature returning players. That includes Mike White, who recently shared how playing the game in Fiji will help The White Lotus Season 4.
The cast of Survivor 50 is stacked, and there are plenty of fans who are hyped to see what Mike White does in his second go at becoming Sole Survivor and the show's million dollar prize. While some fans might have hoped he'd dive right back into The White Lotus, the Emmy-winner spoke to EW about how his time in the game will actually benefit the beloved HBO dramedy. He explained that he really needs to stop thinking about the show in order to return to it with a fresh perspective. In his words:
I know it sounds totally insane, but Survivor is so immersive and it's kind of like this thing where I can’t really think about something else. I don't know any other situation like that. If I go away and take a little vacation or whatever, I'm going to be talking on the phone and thinking about the show the whole time.
Shortly after its release, The White Lotus joined the ranks of HBO shows that got the world talking. And in order to make the upcoming fourth season as great as possible, Mike White needs to be able to step away, get new ideas, and then bring them to the table. So returning for Survivor 50 came at a perfect time.
The first three seasons of The White Lotus (which are streaming with a HBO Max subscription) were quintessential water cooler talk, and consistently went viral thanks to its steamy scenes and wild twists. Later in the same interview, White explained why he needed to take a break from his show ahead of Season 4, saying:
To be totally honest, it's one of the appeals of coming here is I need to stop thinking about The White Lotus. I love it, but I also feel like it's a fire hose into my mouth of feedback on the show coming up. And I want the next season [of The White Lotus] to be inspired. I want it to really be great and not just trying to fulfill another slot or something. And I think the only way it can be that is if I really get a reset.
This makes a great deal of sense... even if White Lotus fans would like to see Season 4 arrive sooner rather than later. Luckily development on the next season, which will be set in France, is happening. The ensemble cast is already coming together, including the great Helena Bonham Carter.
Survivor 50 will premiere on February 25th as part of the 2026 TV schedule. It's currently unclear when The White Lotus Season 4 will return, but hopefully its sooner rather than later.
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