Meet Jon Lovett: Ex-Obama Speechwriter Competing on ‘Survivor’ Season 47

“Survivor,” the iconic reality TV show known for its eclectic mix of contestants, is gearing up for its 47th season. The new season promises a diverse cast that includes an emergency room doctor, a construction worker, a graphic designer, and a flight school owner. Among them will be a notable personality: political podcast host Jon Lovett.

At 42, Jon Lovett is no stranger to the public eye. He previously served as a speechwriter for former President Barack Obama. Currently, he co-hosts the popular political podcast “Pod Save America” alongside fellow former aides Jon Favreau, Dan Pfeiffer, and Tommy Vietor. Together, they founded Crooked Media, a progressive podcast company, in 2017 during Donald Trump’s first term as president. Lovett also hosts “Lovett Or Leave It,” a weekly comedy podcast that tackles major and often absurd stories in politics and culture.

On “Survivor,” Lovett will compete against 17 other contestants on a remote island in Fiji. The goal? To be crowned the “sole survivor” and win a $1 million prize. However, Lovett openly admits his lack of outdoor experience. In a teaser for the show, he humorously recalled his brief stint as a cub scout: “What am I doing here? I went camping as a cub scout. I threw up and went home,” he said.

The competition will require players to build shelters, make fires, scavenge for food, and participate in grueling physical challenges. It remains to be seen how far Lovett will advance, as players face the risk of elimination each episode.

Season 47 of “Survivor” premieres on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, with a special two-hour episode on CBS. The episode will be available for streaming on Paramount+ the following day, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. Subsequent 90-minute episodes will air on Wednesdays on CBS and Thursdays on Paramount+.

Source: USA TODAY