Gil Jawetz

Jeff is a large part of what makes the show special. He's great. Last night, when Tom and Ian made jokes about pizza and french fries during the challenge, the dead serious look on Jeff's face spoke volumes. The jokes were intended to show how they weren't considering a deal at that point, but in the temple of Survivor gameplay, Jeff wasn't laughing. Great moment.

Also, I love how he has NO love for people who quit... even when their ankle is broken.

Silly Burrito

What, no love for Backchat on FX? I'd watch that right before old Greatest American Hero reruns!

BDLOU

Unless your a frail woman. Then it's ok to quit if you want.

B.A.

Maybe his wife became an uppity-bitch when he became famous and he simply couldn't take her shit anymore.

Gil Jawetz

He did give her a free ride. But I think he liked the way she was trying to throw a monkey wrench in the alliance's plan.

Big Boy Laroux

jeff probst? anderson cooper? balderdash.

the best reality show host ever is none other than Johnny Mosely.

seriously.

GuessWho

How can you compare Jeff to Amazing race's Phil?

Phil announces the roadblocks to the camera and tells people what place they came in.

jeff actually has to engage the contestants at the tribal council and dig deeop to get them to talk. These councils go for an hour+ and Jeff has to keep it flowing and get to the issues of the tribe.

That deserves a lot more credit than reading the "A detour is a choice between two tasks" cue cards.

Bill Needle

WELL SAID!

I love Phil's understated style, and am a big fan. Johnny Mosely is good in the same way. They have a quirky quality that is endearing, and fun to watch. They are a bit of an everyman, but somehow landed this cool gig.

But Probst is head and shoulders above them as far as being a true host, and driving the game forward. I too get a little tired of the overly done challenge play-by-play, but I'd bet that's not entirely by his choice. And his interview skills are way ahead of the pack, especially the last few seasons. Maybe it comes from an inflating ego, but it works.

Big Boy Laroux

ok, maybe mosely comes in second to probst. a CLOSE second.

oh, and dave mirra sucks.

Groucho

While Phil does very little on the show itself, his "Video Diaries" on the website are pretty damn cool.

Bill Needle

I may have to check those out. Are they behind the scenes (what you didn't see stuff), or just extended interviews?

Groucho

They have those as well, but the video diaries are Phil's thoughts on each episode. He's not shy about giving his opinions on the various racers.

Fok

He is still dating Julie I assume? if so, he's the man!

Bill Needle

That would be worth checking out, as his opinion is likely unvarnished by editing.

chowderhead

So dating a former contestant from the show has nothing to do with hosting the show? Did he show favoritism towards her or other hot women on the show by asking questions or not probing as hard or framing alliances as he would with Immunity Willard during tribal council? If all he did was "host," then I wouldn't have such a problem.
But one of the strong "pluses" raised by people in this thread is the fact that he is willing to interject and "cut through" all the BS. What if there was a ulterior motive for him doing that (namely, I can get into her pants latter) besides good television? Regardless of that, he is a smug asshat IMO.

Red Dog

There is no indication of favoritism with Julie and if there was, it sure didn't help.

BDLOU

I like his rant at the reunion show about the Janu deal. How can he say he didn't help convince her to do that. If he acts like he did when Osten quit then she would have never of done it. He made it "OK" for her to do it because it changed the game in a good way. I really think he has too much control of the game. I have no idea why Ulong didn't refuse to answer any of his questions when Koror got to sit in during their tribal council.

Bill Needle

I wondered that then as well. It seems like the obvious thing to do--just sit stony faced and offer up nothing. Then again, the type of personality that applies for this sort of thing loves being the center of attention, so maybe they couldn't help themselves. Or maybe they were actually looking forward to when there might be a merge and trying to position themsleves with the other tribemembers listening in...Naww, that's giving wayyy too much credit.

atlantamoi

Wasn't aware of this. Thanks.

Jeff does a great job. Can't complain about any aspect of his role.

Chauzer

jeff is great, he seems a lot better than phil

Alyoshka

I agree with all of this.

Does anybody remember when skinny Rob was on All Stars and they showed the outtake of the fake tribal counsel? I thought his impersonation of the arrogance mixed with wit of Probst was spot on.

grunter