The Exclusive With Sharon Tharp

Padma Lakshmi joins host Sharon Tharp on The Exclusive to discuss creating and executive producing America's Culinary Cup, the ambitious new food competition series she designed to challenge the conventions of reality television. The Emmy-nominated host opens up about taking creative risks, eliminating many of the genre's most common tropes, and why she refused to sequester contestants during production.Lakshmi also reflects on reinventing the cooking competition format, creating a high-end environment for chefs to perform at their best, the strategic elements inspired by shows like Survivor, and the lessons she's learned from decades in television. Plus, she shares candid thoughts on leadership, imposter syndrome, and stepping into a larger creative role behind the camera.

Big Brother 25 and The Amazing Race 38 star Izzy Gleicher joins The Exclusive to break down the emotional Survivor 50 episode that saw Cirie Fields and Rick Devens sent packing just before the finale. The reality TV superfan reacts to Cirie’s brutal exit edit, debates whether Rizo made a game-ending mistake by turning on his closest ally, and explains why she believes Aubry is now the frontrunner to win the season. Izzy also weighs in on Tiffany’s underrated game, Jonathan and Joe’s jury chances, the chaos of the Final 5, and why the Survivor 50 reunion could get very messy.

The latest player voted out of Survivor 50, Cirie Fields, joins The Exclusive to reflect on her emotional elimination and what many fans are calling her most impressive game yet. The Survivor legend opens up about why she knew nobody would let her reach Final Tribal, responds to Stephenie's comments about loyalty, and shares her honest feelings on Rizo writing her name down. Cirie also reacts to Ozzy’s game-ending mistake, explains why certain players were never viewed as real jury threats, and reveals what her relationship with Aubry was actually like on the island. Plus, Cirie discusses whether she’d ever play Survivor again, a wild airport story involving Shannon Sharpe, and why she still has zero regrets about her Survivor 50 game.

The latest player voted out of Survivor 50, Ozzy Lusth, joins The Exclusive for an emotional conversation about the “worst decision” of his Survivor career and the regret he feels after choosing not to play his idol. The Survivor legend breaks down the jury management strategy that backfired, explains why he believes Rizo made a game-ending mistake by turning on him, and reflects on the heartbreaking blindside that left him feeling “numb.” Ozzy also opens up about his complicated family story and the emotional scene involving his father, reveals how closely he worked with Cirie throughout the game, and shares why he was trying to align with Rick and Christian. Plus, Ozzy discusses why winning challenges mattered less to him this season and whether he would ever return to play Survivor again.

The latest player voted out of Survivor 50, Emily Flippen, joins The Exclusive to unpack her “hot mess express” game, the emotional fallout from Ozzy’s shocking blindside, and why she believes getting voted out on Day 21 may have been a “blessing in disguise.” Emily breaks down her failed “Hail Mary” plan with Rick Devens, reveals how worried she was about becoming a no-vote finalist, and reflects on the chaotic relationships that defined her season — including her rocky dynamic with Ozzy, her close alliance with Christian, and her struggles with Jonathan. She also reacts to the infamous rice situation, shares behind-the-scenes insight into Survivor jury management, and explains why she believes Survivor 50 will be her final time playing the game.