“Anyone can win” Survivor 48 host Jeff Probst weighs in on what to expect from the grand finale 

As Survivor 48 heads into its three-hour finale this Wednesday, May 21, on CBS. The competition couldn't be more unpredictable as five castaways remain in the fight for the million-dollar prize and the coveted title of "Sole Survivor." Host Jeff Probst, who has guided contestants through countless tribal councils, has high expectations for this season's conclusion:

"It's very rare to have a final five where you can make a legitimate case for any of them to win," Probst told Entertainment Weekly ahead of the finale.

He added:

"That's what we have with this group. Anyone can win. It will all come down to who sits next to who in the final three. Those final two immunity challenges and control over who makes fire will be key."

The remaining castaways: Joe Hunter, Eva Erickson, Kyle Fraser, Kamilla Karthigesu, and Mitch Guerra – face two more immunity challenges, two eliminations, and the final tribal council before a winner emerges. For Survivor 48 viewers unfamiliar with the format, these final contestants must convince a jury of eliminated players that they played the best strategic, social, and physical game to earn their votes.

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The surprising top 5 of Survivor 48

Joe and Eva have emerged as the duo to beat this season. Their alliance began when they were placed on the original Lagi Tribe, where the 45-year-old fire captain formed an unexpected bond with the 24-year-old PhD candidate. Their connection deepened after Eva revealed her autism diagnosis to Joe.

Their friendship produced one of the season's most touching moments in Episode 4 when Joe helped Eva through an autism-related breakdown despite being on different tribes at that point, a scene so moving it reportedly brought tears to Probst's eyes for the first time in the show's history.

Kyle and Kamilla have aligned with Joe and Eva since the tribes merged in Episode 6. These two 31-year-olds, an attorney and a software engineer, have built impressive resumes by orchestrating key eliminations.

Then there is Mitch, the outlier who has survived despite frequently finding himself vulnerable at tribal council.

Probst hasn't been shy about his enthusiasm for this season:

"Survivor 48 is one of my all-time favorite seasons," he shared.

He elaborated:

"I felt it the minute the players got off the boat in Fiji. There was an electricity from the group that was palpable."

He added:

"That same enthusiastic energy is there all the way to the end. It was remarkable! It's a tremendous finale and a fitting end to a great season of 'Survivor'."

The finalists should prepare for intense scrutiny from the jury, which currently includes six eliminated contestants, with two more to join before the final vote.

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What to expect from the showdown?

With the grand finale approaching, the dynamics between the remaining five contestants will be put to the ultimate test. History shows that even the strongest alliances can fracture when individual immunity is on the line and million-dollar decisions must be made:

"There was a lot of overlap with relationships and gameplay, so the final three should expect to really have to explain and defend their game," Probst warned, hinting at a jury that won't be easily swayed by charm alone.

The eight-person jury, featuring eliminated players: Cedrek, Chrissy, David, Star, Mary, Shauhin, and two yet-to-be-determined castaways, will scrutinize every move made throughout the 26-day competition.

Eva's historic participation as the first openly autistic contestant adds another layer of significance to this finale. Her journey alongside Joe has resonated with viewers and contestants alike, but will it be enough to secure their path to the final three?

Meanwhile, Kyle and Kamilla's strategic eliminations have built their résumés, while Mitch's against-all-odds survival story could appeal to a jury that appreciates perseverance.

As the finale approaches, Survivor 48 fans are eager to see whether the dominant alliance will hold or if an underdog can pull off a surprise victory in what Probst calls "a tremendous finale and a fitting end to a great season of Survivor."

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The three-hour finale of Survivor 48 airs on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. If you miss the live broadcast, you can stream the full episode the next day on Paramount+.