For nearly 20 years, Sharon Tharp has been breaking news, landing exclusive interviews, and covering reality television’s biggest stories. On The Exclusive, she takes fans behind the headlines with insider analysis, exclusive conversations, and behind-the-scenes access they won’t find anywhere else.
221: Survivor 50: Christian Hubicki Shares Massive Secret He's Keeping From Other Players
Feb 05, 2026
Show notes
In this preseason interview filmed in Fiji, Christian Hubicki opens up about his long-awaited return for Survivor 50 and the major life shifts—including earning tenure and becoming a father just six weeks before the game—that have reshaped his approach to the season. Christian explains his new "narrative warfare" strategy, a lesson he’s stealing from Mike White to control the stories told on the island, while breaking down his fascinating "four role" hypothesis on how this legendary cast was built. From his pre-game observations of Coach and Cirie to his plan to become an "ace in the hole" that his competitors won't see coming, the robotics professor reveals why he is finally ready to crack the code of the final three.
223: The Traitors Season 4: Ron Funches Expects Some Costars Will 'Fake Apologize' at the Reunion
Feb 04, 2026
Show notes
The fifth player banished on The Traitors Season 4, Ron Funches joins The Exclusive to unpack his emotional exit after being targeted by a house of reality veterans. The comedian and actor compares the castle dynamics to a toxic high school, reveals why he’s expecting "fake apologies" from certain costars at the upcoming reunion, and breaks down the "popular kid" strategy that led to his downfall. Ron also opens up about his unexpected bond with Rob Rausch, the real reason he believes Candiace Dillard Bassett and Rob were such effective Traitors, and the deeply personal way his experience on the show led to a life-changing autism diagnosis.
220: Survivor 50: Chrissy Hofbeck Says Being 'Robbed' Last Time Could Help Her Win
Feb 04, 2026
Show notes
After nearly a decade away from the game, Chrissy Hofbeck is back for Survivor 50—and she believes the timing couldn’t be better. In this preseason interview, the Survivor 35 finalist sits down with host Sharon Tharp on set in Fiji to break down her strategy heading into Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans. Chrissy opens up about why being a “lone wolf” from her season could work to her advantage, how jury dynamics may shape the endgame, and why she thinks New Era players could become early targets. She also reflects on the “robbed” narrative from her original season, discusses managing her challenge reputation, and explains why she genuinely believes she has a path to win this time around.
219: Survivor 50: Aubry Bracco Plans to Play as a Free Agent
Feb 04, 2026
Show notes
In this preseason interview filmed in Fiji, Aubry Bracco opens up about returning for Survivor 50 after stepping away from the Survivor community and how that time off — along with becoming a parent — has reshaped her perspective and strategy. Aubry explains why she plans to play as a free agent in the early game, focusing on one-on-one relationships, keeping her options open, and avoiding early commitments in a cast full of returning players with pre-existing alliances. She also reflects on adapting to the modern game and what she’s watching for in the critical opening phase of Survivor 50.
218: Survivor 50: Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick Says the Game Started at the Airport
Feb 03, 2026
Show notes
In this preseason interview filmed in Fiji, three-time Survivor alum Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick opens up about returning for Survivor 50 more than two decades after her original seasons. Stephenie reflects on balancing motherhood with coming back to the game, her concerns about physical endurance, and why she believes the game begins the moment players arrive. She also shares her thoughts on old school versus new school Survivor, navigating pre-existing relationships, modern twists and advantages, and which players she’s hoping to align with as the season begins.
217: Survivor 50: Ozzy Lusth Sizes Up the Cast and Talks Old School vs New School
Feb 03, 2026
Show notes
In this preseason interview filmed in Fiji, Survivor legend Ozzy Lusth sits down with host Sharon Tharp ahead of Survivor 50 to size up the cast and reflect on how the game has evolved over the years. Ozzy shares his thoughts on old school versus new school Survivor, returning to the island after more than two decades with the franchise, and how existing relationships and reputations could shape the early game. He also opens up about who he’s excited to play with, which unknowns intrigue him most, and what he hopes to do differently in this landmark season.
215: Survivor 50: Dee Valladares Calls Out Who She’s Not Vibing With on the Cast
Feb 02, 2026
Show notes
Survivor 45 winner Dee Valladares returns for Survivor 50 with confidence, clarity, and nothing to prove. In this preseason interview, Dee sits down with host Sharon Tharp on set in Fiji to break down how she’s approaching the game as a returning winner — from managing her threat level to why she sees her perceived disadvantages as advantages. Dee reacts to the Survivor 50 cast, opens up about who she’s vibing with (and who she isn’t), and explains why personal connections matter more to her than early-game strategy. She also reflects on playing with old-era competitors for the first time, navigating pregame dynamics, and what she truly wants out of her Survivor 50 experience.
216: Survivor 50: Kyle Fraser Admits Which Player Scares Him the Most
Feb 02, 2026
Show notes
In this preseason interview, Survivor 48 winner Kyle Fraser sits down with host Sharon Tharp on location in Fiji ahead of Survivor 50 to break down his mindset returning to the game so soon after winning. Kyle opens up about why being a winner isn’t his biggest concern, which players and unknowns worry him most, and how pre-existing relationships and groups could shape the early game. He also reflects on adjusting his strategy for a returning-player season, balancing loyalty with cutthroat gameplay, and what he wants to experience differently this time around on Survivor 50.
214: The Traitors Season 4: Omar Zaheer Recaps the Banquet Chaos & Turret Showdown Ahead
Jan 31, 2026
Show notes
Survivor alum and The Traitors Canada star Omar Zaheer joins Sharon Tharp on The Exclusive to break down the most hyped episode of The Traitors Season 4, diving deep into the dramatic Banquet murder, Yam Yam’s shocking exit, Lisa Rinna’s gameplay and defense, Natalie’s desperate fight for the antidote, and Rob’s increasingly powerful position in the game. Omar analyzes the strategy behind the murder in plain sight, whether Yam Yam’s final words should matter, the fallout at the roundtable, and what the looming turret showdown between Rob and Candiace means for the rest of the season — plus bold predictions on who’s set up to win and who’s in serious danger next.
213: The Traitors Season 4: Yam Yam Arocho Fires Back After Controversial Banquet
Jan 30, 2026
Show notes
The fifth player murdered on The Traitors Season 4, Yam Yam Arocho joins The Exclusive to unpack his shocking banquet exit, after being murdered in plain sight by Lisa Rinna. The Survivor winner breaks down the controversial moment that sparked online debate, why he believes murdered players should be allowed to speak, and how his growing suspicion of Lisa ultimately played into his fate. Yam Yam also reflects on navigating early heat in the game, the misunderstood “gamers vs. non-gamers” narrative, and what future Traitors players should learn from his experience.
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