As the 50th season of “Survivor” is set to premiere next week on CBS, fans flocked to Baltimore in search of one of the reality competition show’s famed hidden immunity idols.
Off the Fijian islands, the talismans lose their power to grant immunity from a tribal council vote. But here, they hold a new ability that is likely even more alluring to fans: a chance to win a trip for two to the live Survivor 50 season finale in Los Angeles on May 20.
To be eligible, fans must find an idol and submit a picture through a digital hub.
As part of the Survivor 50 Challenge, 50 immunity idols were hidden across 50 states – one in each U.S. state.
Maryland’s idol was hidden in the Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower in downtown Baltimore. On the Survivor 50 Challenge map, Maryland is marked as “Completed” with a note that the “The idol has already been found.”
“Here in Baltimore, we’ve had a great turnout! People are climbing the interior stairs of the building and reaching the idol at the tippy top of the clock tower. For many, it’s been their first time here and our team is really excited to be here and celebrate the arts community in Baltimore,” a CBS representative said in a statement.
Starting as early as 3 a.m. Monday, hundreds of fans gathered along South Eutaw Street in hopes of finding Maryland’s idol.
Emily Flippen, a resident of Laurel, Maryland who originally competed on Season 45 of “Survivor” and returned to compete on the show’s 50th season, showed her support.
“It’s awesome to be here today surrounded by so many Survivor fans and so many local Marylanders that have all come out to support not only Survivor, but local arts here in Maryland,” Flippen said in a statement. “The turnout has been incredible. Despite the cold, everyone is facing it together and that’s absolutely awesome!”
Create Baltimore, which manages the Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower, worked for months with the “Survivor” events team to coordinate the use of the 115-year-old building for this challenge. The Mayor’s Office of Arts, Culture and Entertainment also worked with the “Survivor” team to secure permits and ensure all safety measures and practical logistics were planned for the event.
“We are proud that the Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower was selected as Maryland’s home for the Survivor 50 Challenge,” Create Baltimore CEO Robyn Murphy said in a statement. “This moment places one of Baltimore’s most iconic creative landmarks at the center of a national fan experience and reinforces what we know to be true — Baltimore is a city where culture, history, and major entertainment moments come together. Seeing fans show up with this level of excitement reflects the energy and pride that define our city.”
“It’s great to see this kind of energy and excitement at one of our city’s most iconic landmarks,” Mayor Brandon M. Scott said in a statement. “I’m grateful to MOACE and Create Baltimore for their work to make this collaboration possible, and their commitment to uplifting our arts community each and every day.”
Hosted by Jeff Probst since the show first premiered in 2000, “Survivor” brings together contestants from various walks of life, divides them among tribes, and has them compete with/against one another in different challenges. Each episode, tribe members attend a “tribal council,” where they must vote out one of their fellow contestants. Eventually, the different tribes merge into one tribe.
The game continues until there are only two or three competitors left. At this point, the contestants who have been voted out since the tribal merge now form a jury, to whom the remaining contestants must plead their case as to why they are deserving of the prize money and the title of “Sole Survivor.” That jury of their peers then votes for the season’s winner.
Over the 49 seasons so far, the show has added various twists, like the “Hidden Immunity Idol” which players must discover and play (for themselves or another player) to grant immunity from being voted out, as well as other advantages, disadvantages, tribe swaps, and twists.
Some seasons have brought back previous contestants, ranging from former winners to competitors who got voted out and are seeking a second (or third or fourth) chance. This 50th season will comprise entirely returning players.
Ahead of Season 50, the show enlisted the help of fans to vote on different aspects they would like to see in this milestone season, including aesthetics — like tribe colors and the design of the immunity necklace — as well as gameplay — like whether tribes should be given rice or have to earn it, and whether the season should keep or scrap the final four fire-making challenge.
As of this article’s publication, 37 out of 50 hidden immunity idols have been found across the United States.
There are currently four states – Alaska, Iowa, Mississippi, and Oklahoma – where clues are live and the idol hunts are still active.
There are also nine states – Alabama, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Nevada, New York, Texas, Wisconsin – whose clues will be released this week.
“Survivor” will kick off its 50th season with a three-hour premiere at 7 p.m. Feb. 25 on CBS. Subsequent episodes will be 90 minutes.
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