There are a lot of big names that returned to playSurvivor: Winners at War.
Twenty of them, in fact.
Thats what happens when you stage a season of all former champions.
But getting them back was not so easy.
All had already conquered theSurvivormountain, so why would they want to scale it again?
Sure, there was the appeal of appearing on a big anniversary season.
Yes, they were offered anice appearance fee.
For some, perhaps the guarantee they wouldnot be done after just three dayshelped.
Which is what makes the list of names who agreed to appear so impressive.
But who is the biggest get of them all?
Who is the one person the show thought they could never lure back on to the island?
I askedJeff Probstwhom he considered the biggest get when we spoke out in Fiji on day 1 of filming.
Thats a really good question, he said.
Heres what I think the answer is.
And it again goes back to Kelly Kahl over at CBS.
I said, Let me call everybody.
I started to say, No, she has four kids, and I went, Noooooooo idea.
Let me call her.
We had no idea what we were doing in 40.
Its gonna be big.
Its gonna be fun.
And he said, Im thinking about it.
And I go, Well, since youre on the phone, what do you think about Amber?
The four girls, shes never left them.
Okay, I get it.
But let me talk to her.
Let me see what I can do.
The host did not have to wait long to find out.
Were going to do it.
And who is the next biggest get, according to Probst?
Right under that is Parvati.
Because Parvati was a hard no, because she has a brand-new baby.
It was just timing.
Its just six weeks.
My husband will be there with the baby.
And she said yes.
Once the Marianos and Parvati were on board, the rest all fell into place.
And then it just started rolling, Probst said.
Then Yul said yes.
And then Danni said yes.
We didnt know if Danni wanted to play again or not.
Despite knowing there are 19 people that dont want her to be the only two-time winner.
She did that onIsland of the Idols.
She didnt even know what the deal was.
I said, You cant win a million dollars.
Youre going to be a teacher.
Oh, lll teach them.
I know how to play.
Thats the kind of enthusiasm that you want.