Filming Australian Survivor in Samoa not all paradise for LaPaglia

Jonathan LaPaglia is back hosting Ten’s reality show Australian Survivor, which is set to return with some surprising new faces.

Given they were back filming Australian Survivor in the tropical paradise Samoa rather than the searing heat of the Aussie outback, you’d think life was pretty sweet for host Jonathan LaPaglia and the crew.

Think again. Quite apart from the challenges of the remote location – food poisoning and Covid swept through production.

LaPaglia dodged the tummy troubles but was struck down with his first dose of the virus, testing positive on the last day of filming Season 8 of the local version of the much-loved global franchise. And he was out for the count.

“I heard a lot of anecdotal stories, you know, people saying it was nothing but a little cold and it was done and dusted,” the former doctor said.

“But it kicked my arse. It knocked me out for about six weeks.”

He’s thankful shooting had wrapped.

“We’re working with an Australian budget and (ours) is pretty healthy, but when you compare it to the US – it’s paltry,” LaPaglia explains.

“So, we don’t have a lot of redundancy when it comes to crew.

“Once we lose people, I mean someone else needs to take up that job, and when you have at least 30 people go down, and then another 50 go down with food poisoning – it’s just tough. really tough.”

Host Jonathan LaPaglia on the set of Australian Survivor: Heroes V Villains.

It’s tricky enough to replace crew, but another thing altogether to replace the host of the show – perhaps they could have subbed in the legendary Jeff Probst, who has notched up a whopping 43 seasons on US Survivor – as LaPaglia’s replacement?

“He’s probably a little busy on his own show,” the 53-year-old laughs, as he adds it really did feel right to be back in the tropics.

“It feels like your favourite pair of shoes – they just feel right when you put them on,” LaPaglia says.

“That being said, you know, initially I was kind of sceptical about shooting in the Outback. But it actually works, works well. I really liked the point of difference and I just had to eat my words.”

This season is themed Heroes v Villains and it taps into perhaps the biggest question the reality show asks: how would you play the game? Do you follow your real-life moral code and play like a Hero or do you do whatever it takes to get ahead like a Villain would?

“It’s a great theme – everyone understands it – heroes vs villains, good vs evil,” LaPaglia says.

“But what’s interesting is that there’s an overlap between the two categories.

“You actually need to have both characteristics to win in the end.

“And that’s certainly what we see as the season progresses.”

There’s a mix of familiar faces and “newbies”, as LaPaglia dubs them, in this latest instalment of Ten’s reality show, with the Heroes including author and journalist Benjamin Law; Brains v Brawn sole survivor, Hayley Leake; daughter of US Survivor royalty, Nina Twine, who had her game cut short in Blood v Water; former Home And Away star Sharni Vinson; and “Mr Megan Gale” and former AFL player Shaun Hampson. And then there’s the Villains, including former Real Housewife of Melbourne Anjali Rao and King George (Mladenov) of Bankstown – who, we hear, is not seeking redemption, but rather is back badder than ever.

Survivor Australia winner Hayley Leake and runner-up George Mladenov. Picture: Supplied

LaPaglia laughs again as we ask if he has a favourite.

“They’re all my children – I love all of them,” he says.

“But you mentioned George. I definitely have a soft spot for George, just because he’s such a great player.

“He’s a big risk taker, and I love that in a player. And he’s very inventive and just so much fun to watch. And there’s some hilarious and crazy dynamics.”

George and Hayley have become real-life friends off screen despite Hayley revealing him as a double agent in their season. They’re not alone – there’s a strong sense of community among former castaways.

“That can be an advantage and a disadvantage when you come back to play the game again because you can have an automatic ally,” LaPaglia warns. “But as soon as other people get wind of that, you become an automatic target.”

Each year reality shows boldly proclaim “this is the best one ever”. And, again, we’ve heard it in promos as the air date looms.

“The marketing department definitely says that and OK, I think all the seasons have been great but this, this one actually could be the best,” LaPaglia hints, with a wry chuckle.

“It may not be hyperbole this time.

“It’s translated into a fast-paced show with people willing to make big moves.

“The returnees were all willing to take big risks. And I think that for the newbies that was a little confronting initially. So it was sink or swim for the newbies, you know, and they really, they stepped up also.

“So I think the audience is in for adventurous fun ride this time.”

The actor – who has had roles in US shows The District, NCIS and The Sopranos, and starred in Love Child and Underbelly locally – has made no secret of his desire to get back to his first passion.

“It’s still early in the year and things are just starting to boot up,” LaPaglia says down the line from his wet Los Angeles base. “So at the moment I’m scratching around for something else. And you know, we’ll see how this season goes and, if it rates well, I anticipate I’ll have another to do.”

Australian Survivor: Heroes v Villains, January 30, 7.30pm, Channel 10

Originally published as Filming Australian Survivor in Samoa not all paradise for LaPaglia