'Survivor,' 'Amazing Race' Renewed

Fans of 'Survivor' can breathe a little easier today, as CBS announced they have renewed the pioneering reality series for two more record-breaking seasons. But will Jeff Probst still be around to see it? Or has his torch been snuffed out?

On 'Survivor,' of course, fire represents life, and if that's the case then the producers of 'Survivor' are likely to suffer spontaneous combustion today, because it turns out there's still plenty of kick left in the series: Despite uncertainty over Probst's contract (he is currently unsigned past the upcoming 'Heroes vs. Villains' series, which debuts on February 11), Entertainment Weekly is reporting that the network has given the go-ahead for the show's 21st and 22nd seasons.Fans of 'Survivor' can breathe a little easier today, as CBS announced they have renewed the pioneering reality series for two more record-breaking seasons. But will Jeff Probst still be around to see it? Or has his torch been snuffed out?

On 'Survivor,' of course, fire represents life, and if that's the case then the producers of 'Survivor' are likely to suffer spontaneous combustion today, because it turns out there's still plenty of kick left in the series: Despite uncertainty over Probst's contract (he is currently unsigned past the upcoming 'Heroes vs. Villains' series, which debuts on February 11), Entertainment Weekly is reporting that the network has given the go-ahead for the show's 21st and 22nd seasons.

Probst has previously indicated some hesitation at returning to the series, which he has helmed since its inception in 2000. But while 'Survivor' no longer commands the same figures it did in its early seasons -- last fall's 'Survivor: Samoa' finale brought in 13.97 million viewers compared to the first year's 51.69 million -- the show still remains a perennial top 20 hit, meaning that whether or not Probst returns, the show is too valuable for the network to let go.

While there's no word on possible replacements for Probst, we do know who won't be taking over for him: 'The Amazing Race' host Phil Keoghan. That's because 'Race,' which has won the Outstanding Reality-Competition Emmy in each of the seven years it has been awarded, has also been renewed for a 17th season. And though 'Amazing Race' has never enjoyed the widespread popularity of 'Survivor,' over the years it has become a solid performer, with the last several seasons actually improving in the ratings over early editions.

That trend bodes well for the upcoming 16th season of 'Amazing Race,' which is set to debut on February 14 and which, as we reported last week, will feature 'Big Brother' favorites Jordan Lloyd and Jeff Schroeder. In the past, 'Amazing Race' has used cast members from other CBS reality shows such as 'Survivor''s Rob Mariano and Amber Brkich to help boost ratings, but with 'Race''s turnaround, it may now be unique in the position of helping the struggling 'Big Brother' instead.

But don't worry, Julie Chen fans. Because, after all, if 'Big Brother' gets canceled, that might free her up to replace Probst and host some tribal councils instead. Now that would be a true 'Survivor' blind side.

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