The Exclusive With Sharon Tharp

Sharon Tharp is joined by fellow journalists Kelli Boyle (TV Insider) and Stephanie Petit (PEOPLE) to take you behind the scenes of their Survivor 50 set visit in Fiji—what a weeklong press trip actually looks like, what it’s like interviewing the cast, and the wildest moments they witnessed up close (including running challenges, watching the marooning and Tribal Council unfold, and the little production details fans never get to see).

Maura Higgins joins The Exclusive after The Traitors Season 4 finale to reflect on losing the game to her friend Rob Rausch and why she ultimately gave him “fair play” for his winning move. She opens up about trusting him until the very end, why she believes loyalty was both her greatest strength and biggest vulnerability, and reveals she wishes she’d been chosen as a Traitor. Maura also shares what surprised her most watching the season back, how entering the castle without seeing the show shaped her strategy, and whether she’d ever return for a Traitors All-Stars season.

Host Sharon Tharp hits the red carpet at the Survivor 50 NYC premiere, talking to the cast ahead of the milestone season. In these exclusive red carpet interviews, the players react to their preseason interviews, respond to what their fellow castaways said about them, and share which classic themes they’d love to see return. Sharon also puts them on the spot about whether they see themselves as heroes or villains, and if they’d ever compete on Big Brother.

Sharon Tharp is back to break down The Traitors Season 4 finale and reunion with special guest Jimmy Heagerty from Big Brother 27. The two recap how the season felt different compared to the previous two season, what the show needs next year (more gamers in the turret!), and whether Rob Rausch's win was earned or more luck. Plus, they break down Maura Higgins' reaction, the Eric Nam cut, and why the reunion felt too tame. They also dive into Candiace Dillard Bassett’s cheating accusation, Colton Underwood’s messy reunion moment, Michael Rappaport’s constant interruptions, the “Secret Traitor” twist flop, and the never-ending debate of strategy vs. entertainment.

The runner-up of Season 47, Sam Phalen, makes his debut on The Exclusive to break down the "perfect blend of nostalgia" in the high-stakes Survivor 50 premiere. The reality standout reflects on the "beautiful" opening that served as a reminder of the show's status as a cultural institution and why he was "choked up" by the emotional return of the game's icons. Sam analyzes the devastating first vote that sent Jenna Lewis-Dougherty packing, the "misreading of relationships" that led to her early exit, and why he was so moved by the "composed" way Kyle Fraser handled his heartbreaking medical evacuation. He also dives into the "older, wiser" version of Colby Donaldson, the difficulty of managing the "Cirie factor" on the Cila tribe, and why he’s officially "obsessed" with the "fire" he sees back in the eyes of the returning legends.