Jeff Probst Says Survivor 51 'Blows Up The Evolution' Of The Game — Watch

At the finale of "Survivor 50," host Jeff Probst teased the game's Open Era, but not much was really known about what was to come in Season 51 and beyond. Until now. 

When TVLine caught up with Probst Saturday at the Survivor Island event at East Rutherford, New Jersey's American Dream mall, the host was happy to finally share some intriguing details about what will unfold in the two-hour "Survivor 51" premiere (which airs on CBS Wednesday, September 23 at 8/7c).

In the trailer for the season, Probst tells the new castaways that they are "birthing a new game," but what does that mean, exactly? For starters, the New Era is comfortably in the rear view mirror. After evolving the game to 26 days and filling it to the brim with beware advantages and journeys, Probst notes that the show's savvy players were anticipating all of this and more. Therefore, changes were needed and "Permanent Uncertainty" — the title of the first episode — became the Open Era's resounding theme. 

"What the Open Era does, it blows up the evolution," Probst tells TVLine in the video above. "Forget about the evolution. Being a superfan can be a disadvantage now because you have all these preconceived ideas of what's going to happen. They may happen. They may never happen again." 

The host compares the Open Era to a giant treasure chest that can be shaken up as needed. And anything can pop out of that chest at any time. 

"Inside that chest is everything we have ever done," he says. "Every advantage, every twist, every idol, everything, and the question is, what are we going to pull out this season?" 

Come Season 52, the host says they”ll "shake the chest up again" and see what happens. With everything as a possibility, including the freedom to make each and every season truly unique, Probst says the first of the Open Era seasons were "exhilarating" to produce. 

But that's not all that Probst spilled. In the video above, the host reveals that themes could possibly return in the near future. He also teases a few old-school Easter eggs in the "51" marooning, and shares details about the premiere's very "live" Tribal Council. 

Press PLAY on the video above to watch our full interview with Probst, then tell us: Are you ready to take the plunge into the Open Era of "Survivor"?