Jeff Probst hosts "Survivor"

Much has changed in the entertainment industry in the past 20 years, and this is especially true in the world of television. When Y2K came and went without a peep, DVDs were just starting to become a big deal, and there was no such thing as streaming. Furthermore, we were just entering the second Golden Age of Television, and Peak TV was still years away.

Since then, the television landscape has been dramatically altered, but there are still a few remnants from that bygone era. In a couple of months, "Survivor" will celebrate its 20th anniversary, and, incredibly, its 40th season. But before we get there, join perennial host Jeff Probst to find out who will emerge from the Island of the Idols as the winner of the current season. Season 39 comes to an end on Wednesday, Dec. 18, on CBS.

Since its debut, the award-winning reality show has used "Outwit. Outplay. Outlast" as its tagline, and while those three verbs are spot on for describing the competition's entertaining action, it also perfectly encapsulates its nearly two-decade run. How many series that premiered in the year 2000 can you name offhand? Now, how many of those are still on the air? 

When "Survivor" premiered in the summer of 2000, reality television was not the behemoth that it is today. Yes, Fox's "Cops" and MTV's "The Real World" were huge hits that had dominated the 1990s, but to most, the aforementioned unscripted series were no more than conflict-heavy shout fests. There was no real substance to them; they were novelties not to be taken too seriously. "Survivor," on the other hand, was a completely different beast.

Millions of viewers tuned in to the first few episodes of the landmark series in a purely voyeuristic fashion -- they wanted to see if the competitors would starve, or if the treacherous elements would turn on them. But before long, those watching at home were hooked on the teamwork, the strategy and the physical and mental competitions that still define the competition to this day.

The inaugural season of "Survivor" ushered in a new era of television and legitimized the reality genre, resulting in countless imitators and rivals. In order to stay fresh, relevant and ahead of the competition, the long-running reality show has had to constantly reinvent itself year after year. To those who do not watch "Survivor," the changes that it undergoes yearly might not seem important (if they are even noticed), but they greatly affect the gameplay.     

For this current season, CBS decided once again to shake things up by going back in time and inviting former contestants to participate -- but not in the way you would think. This time around, Sandra Diaz-Twine, the self-proclaimed queen of "Survivor" and winner of "Survivor: Pearl Islands" and "Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains," and "Boston Rob" Mariano, winner of "Survivor: Redemption Island" -- two of the most successful contestants in the show's history -- were selected to act as mentors to the players.

Jeff Probst during a Tribal Council in "Survivor"

Before the season premiered, host and executive producer Jeff Probst discussed the genesis of the season with Entertainment Weekly: "The idea came from wondering how to get a player like Boston Rob, who has said he'd never compete again because he doesn't feel he'd ever really have a shot to win, to return to the show."

While this is not the first season to feature returning contestants, it is the first time returning contestants have been ineligible to win the $1-million prize, with the exception of one past winner who made a small cameo during "Survivor: Game Changers." Beyond giving general game advice and teaching strategies, the mentors have attended Tribal Council (albeit in secret), have taught certain castaways survival skills by running a "Survivor" boot camp and have given contestants the opportunity to win advantages in the game. Will the mentors have any impact on the final outcome? Travel to Tribal Council one last time to find out.

Despite the potentially game-changing addition of mentors to the season, the current installment of "Survivor" has also relied on a couple of successful elements from its past with the inclusion of notable contestants such as an Olympic swimmer, a former professional hockey player and a professional poker player. Additionally, after many seasons of filming in exotic locations all around the world, it seems "Survivor" has finally found a permanent home in Fiji. It returned to the picturesque Melanesian island for a seventh consecutive season, and eighth overall.     

On Wednesday, Dec. 18, tune in to CBS and head to the Island of the Idols one last time to witness the crowning of the Sole Survivor and winner of the $1-million prize. Then reunite with the competitors and Probst in the live reunion special to discuss the twists, turns and most memorable moments of the past season.