Jeff Probst: Surviving 16 seasons of `Survivor'

How to explain it? Probst theorizes that success has stemmed from starting with a good idea, then sticking with it.

"We go back to the start, every season," he says. There have been variations (like the current "Fans vs. Favorites" format). "But we don't deviate too far from the original premise."

He thinks back to the first season, as the series took the plunge with its distinctive style and pseudo-mythology.

"We wanted to make an impression, and we wanted our own vernacular: 'castaways,' 'survivors,' 'the tribe has spoken.'

"I knew it was corny," he adds with a laugh. But, to his everlasting credit, he never let on. From the premiere -when Sonja (remember her?) made history as the first castaway to be "voted off" and told "it's time for you to go" -Probst nailed his compound role as master of ceremonies, counselor, ringmaster and provocateur.

Just a few weeks later, he was taking on more roles: directing an indie film from his own script. "Finder's Fee," an edgy drama that begins with someone finding a wallet that contains a winning lottery ticket, was released in 2001.

"It was a small, little movie -we just had a million dollars -but I got to make the movie I wanted to make," Probst says. "The script was good enough to get James Earl Jones to sign on for $500 a week. He said, `I'll take it -and a treadmill in my dressing room.'" Thanks to Jones, landing other actors at a bargain got easier.

"I'm not sure how well it holds up now," Probst says. "I'd be a much better director today. I've learned a TON about storytelling from `Survivor.' I'd love to make another movie."

Whatever he does, the 46-year-old Probst wants to do something as innovative as "Survivor." Easier said than done.

"I go out on these meetings and I talk to people, and it's like, `You're kidding me. THAT'S what you're going to do?' It sounds so derivative!"