Probst changes his mind

Jeff Probst is really good at hosting "Survivor." And he deserves a lot of credit for that.

Hey, how many people could say, "The tribe has spoken" every week and not sound foolish? Or, worse yet, make the show seem foolish?

It's not as easy as it looks. Remember, CNN news star Anderson Cooper hosted ABC's "The Mole," and he wasn't so good at it.

It's a definite talent. And Probst is to reality shows what Bob Barker is to game shows — the cream of the crop.

Probst is also, apparently, smart enough to know a good thing when he sees it. After making noise earlier this year about wanting to quit "Survivor" after its next season (which begins in early 2006), he has changed his mind.

"I was thinking about retiring and spending my time traveling to exotic locations around the world, meeting new and interesting people," Probst said in a statement. "Then I realized — uh, wait a second, I'm already doing that with 'Survivor' and getting paid for it."

Don'tcha love TV stars who have a sense of humor about themselves?

Frankly, the biggest mistake "Survivor" producer Mark Burnett and CBS made with the show was having someone other than Probst host the first four "reunion" specials — Bryant Gumbel the first three and Rosie O'Donnell the fourth. Even O'Donnell, who was a big fan of the show, couldn't do the job that Probst did because he was there during taping of the show, he knew the contestants and he knew what to ask.

Hey, he called out Judd — also known as Reality TV's Sorest Loser — in the finale of "Survivor: Guatemala" on Sunday. Judd, if you missed it, lied repeatedly and backstabbed his supposed allies, then got all bent out of shape, pouted and acted the fool when he was lied to and backstabbed.

And Burnett is sharing credit for the continuing success of the show with its host.

"Jeff is not only the genius that exposes the political maneuvering at tribal council, but has also played a major role in the overall creative shape of the ever-evolving game of 'Survivor,' " he said.

I don't know about "genius," but Probst is a great host.

I WAS ROOTING for Rafe to win "Survivor: Guatemala," but, geez, why in the world would he release eventual winner Danni from her promise to take him to the final two? She might not have done it anyway — it was smarter to take unpopular Stephanie — but, geez!