'Survivor: Micronesia': EW's On Location Preview

Image credit: Monty Brinton

DAY 2 OF THE GAME. 11:45 A.M. There is screaming coming from the Favorites camp. But this is screaming of the celebratory variety, because another chapter has just been added to the legend of Yau-Man, as the 55-year-old has done the near impossible: making fire without the aid of flint. (You'll have to tune in to see how.) Eliza and Cirie walk along the beach in search of wood, as well as something even more valuable — privacy. It doesn't take long for the claws to come out: Eliza is concerned about Parvati (who may have formed an alliance with James, Ozzy, and Amanda) and has targeted the flirtastic one for ouster should they lose tomorrow's immunity challenge. Yet they worry how such a vote might play with Ozzy. ''We kinda need him to win challenges,'' says Eliza, who believes she can keep nature boy in line even while moving against one of his allies. ''He's not stupid,'' responds Cirie. ''He's not that smart,'' counters Eliza.

It's the type of island intrigue we've seen a million times before, yet it never seems to get old. Which leads to the question, How long can the show go on? Just this week CBS picked up Survivor for two more seasons, while Probst signed a new contract, committing to four new installments — taking him through spring 2010. ''I was certain when I signed my last contract [after season 12] that that was it — four more and done,'' says Probst. ''And here comes 16 and we're still doing well. Then you start thinking, God, 17 and 18, and if that's possible, it's possible to hit 20. It's crazy! We could hit 20 seasons! That would be the end. I can tell you, if we hit season 20, that will be it.'' He pauses, smiles, and looks out at the sun setting in the Palau sky. ''And you can ask me about that when we're on 19.''

For on-location scenes — including a challenge rehearsal, Tribal Council tour, and Jeff Probst singing Hall & Oates — see Dalton Ross's new EW.com video series Inside Survivor: Micronesia.