How long would Toronto Mayor Rob Ford last on "Survivor"?
The question was put to the man who would know best, Jeff Probst. The 52-year-old host and executive producer was in Toronto Thursday promoting the 28th season of the long-running reality series.
"That's a good question," said Probst, who has hosted every one of the nearly 400 episodes so far. "It would depend which group he is with."
The current season, "Survivor Cagayan," started by dividing the players into three tribes: Brawn vs. Brains vs. Beauty.
Probst was well acquainted with the Toronto mayor, but seemed stumped as to which category he might best fit.
No matter which tribe he was on, concluded Probst, "he's a guy you might want to keep around.
"There is something about the strategy of 'Survivor' that would say, 'What about you can I use to my advantage?"' says Probst, speculating on Ford's value to other players. "And one thing is, 'I think I'm going to beat you in the final."'
Cagey players often try to "carry" an unlikable tribe member all the way till the end so that when the jury of ousted players vote at the final tribal council, it's no contest.
Probst, however, thought there could be a whole other, more favourable scenario for the embattled mayor.
"It could become a redemption story," he says.
"Survivor" introduced Redemption Island several seasons ago as a place where ousted players could stick around long enough to attempt to win their way back on to the island. Those players, stripped of their powers, have to weather a series of challenges to get back to the game. Depending on how Ford did on the island, Probst could see some viewers getting behind him again.
"I'm rooting for you," he felt they would say. "You're trying!"
Probst agreed casting the right heroes and villains has kept "Survivor" near the top of the ratings, especially in Canada, where it now trounces "American Idol" on Wednesday nights.
Whether you love 'em or hate 'em, viewers have to have some emotional reaction to the players, he adds.
"We want the audience to either root for or root against, but if you don't have one of those two feelings, we don't want them on the show."
In some ways, then, Rob Ford would seem like the ultimate "Survivor" player.
He notes that every type of person has won the million dollar prize over the years.
"Smart, dumb, attractive, unattractive ... there is no secret to 'Survivor.' You just have to get out there and play."
CBS CEO Leslie Moonves, says Probst, still signs off on each and every person cast to participate in the series.
But would Toronto's mayor even be eligible? So far, no Canadian citizen has ever taken part. Probst says people who want to participate in the CBS series need to at least have a U.S. passport.
Probst says he's discussed eligibility with Ontario-born comedian Tom Green, a "Survivor" fan who has lived in Los Angeles for years and would love to play the game. A few celebrities have snuck onto the series over the years, including former Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson and "Facts of Life" actress Lisa Whelchel.
Probst could not think of anyone like Ford who has ever landed on "Survivor." Oddball characters have gone deep in the past, including Jonny Fairplay, who lied about the death of his grandmother to win a challenge, Benjamin (Coach) Wade, who claimed to have mastered a secret form of martial arts and Phillip Sheppard, a self-appointed "former special agent" who dubbed his tribe "Stealth R Us."
Then there was original winner Richard Hatch, who later did jail time for refusing to pay taxes on his winnings.
As for Ford's declaration that he's determined to lose weight before the next election, Probst says "Survivor" will make that happen.
"If food is a big issue for you, this will help, because there just isn't any."
