Besides its basic structure, the Survivor the game doesn’t have a ton of strict rules. Players are allowed to negotiate with the host Jeff Probst for supplies, cheat each other in puzzle competitions, and essentially rule themselves in their own camps.

Probst, 63, doesn’t even have a problem with players blatantly lying to him during tribal council, as he revealed on the Wednesday, Nov. 13 episode of his “On fire” podcast. There is only one place where players cannot lie – and this rule is absolute.

“Here’s how it works: In your private interviews with the producer, you have to answer the questions because that’s how we tell the story, and you have to tell the producer the truth,” Probst explained. “He’s the only person you need to tell the truth to.”

These interviews take place outside of camp and out of earshot of other candidates, allowing players to express themselves to the producer interviewing them. It is also essential that viewers at home know what the players are thinking as the match unfolds.

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Jeff Probst has confirmed that Survivor’s 50th season will feature returning players. The decision came from Probst on Saturday, April 27, during a Survivor Q&A event held at the Ovation Hollywood complex in Los Angeles. “I just had an idea,” the host and showrunner said at the end of the event, according to Entertainment Weekly. (…)

Probst added that players can answer his questions at Tribal Council however they want – as long as they answer them.

“When you talk to me during challenges or tribes, you have to answer questions, but you can lie as much as you want,” he said. “You can lie to me directly. Maybe I don’t even know you’re lying. I don’t care. I just want any story to be followed. True or false, it’s your choice. And as long as that happens, everything is fine.

The subject was discussed following the last episode of Survivor 47. Co-host of Probst’s “On Fire” Jay Wolff asked the longtime face of the franchise if he was frustrated when the candidate Andy Rueda told him he would rather participate in Live Tribal (in which players still whisper and strategize before voting) than answer Probst’s questions.

“No. In a situation like this, I’m not frustrated at all,” Probst replied. “I’m constantly reminding players that it’s your game. Don’t go vote if you’re not ready to vote. But in a broader perspective, that doesn’t mean you can just choose to ignore my questions. No, it’s situational, that’s for sure. I’ll just wait.

Related: Survivor’s Jeff Probst explains how the game has evolved over 45 seasons

Robert Voets/CBS Jeff Probst has seen his share of tribal councils since Survivor premiered 23 years ago — and he hasn’t aged. “There’s a phrase I said to myself years ago that has stuck with me – and it’s one of the things I learned from Survivor – everyone has a story,” Probst, 61 years old, (…)

There was a similar incident earlier in the episode. During the immunity challenge, Probst attempted to ask the candidate Gabe Ortis a question as he focused on maintaining his balance during the endurance portion.

“Politely, don’t talk to me,” Gabe said.

Probst agreed, and Gabe was granted immunity, keeping him safe from voting at the chaotic Tribal Council where Sol Yi was ultimately rejected.

Survivor airs Wednesday nights at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.