When Did SURVIVOR Become the Jeff Probst Show?

There were a lot of people surprised that the first-ever Best Reality Show Host prize at this year's Emmy Awards went to Survivor host Jeff Probst, but anyone who saw last night's season premiere of Survivor Gabon knows the kind of impact he's had on the show.

When the show debuted in 2000, Probst impartially oversaw the proceedings, explained the rules at challenges, and asked a few questions at tribal council. Over the years, his questions have become more and more probing, and he's let slip his feelings about some of the contestants and their behavior on the show.

Flash forward to 2008, and Jeff Probst is helping a tribe elect a leader, and giving them props for coming closer in a competition than they had in the one before ("Much better than the last challenge guys, you were right there.")

I don't believe it's a coincidence that Probst has been inserting himself further into the game -- he is now an executive producer on the show, and is part of the casting process. But is it appropriate for him to insert himself quite that much? He knows more about the game than anyone else -- if he uses his knowledge to help one tribe (ie helping them choose a leader), is it unfair to the other tribe? Or is this just part of the game?

Sound off below.