Australian Survivor: Jonathan LaPaglia’s insane filming schedule

Hosting a reality show in Fiji for two months sounds like a dream gig but the reality is far from just “sipping cocktails by the pool”.

If you thought just the Survivor contestants had it tough also spare a thought for how Jonathan LaPaglia fares on the gruelling reality TV shoot.

The actor turned TV presenter is now in his fourth season of hosting Australian Survivorand still barely gets a chance to relax in the lush tropical location he films in for two and a half months every year.

On a humid day in June, news.com.au caught up with LaPaglia on location in Fiji during a rare break in his filming schedule.

He had earnt some needed rest after narrating a challenge which had run for more than an hour — exceeding producers’ predictions it would take just 15 to 20 minutes — but LaPaglia said it was all in a day’s work for him.

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Jonathan LaPaglia. Picture: Nigel Wright

“People think, look at that tropical location, you must be sipping cocktails by the pool and having a great time, but I seriously don’t do anything but the job once I get here,” he said.

“I always bring books with me but I never read a single word because there’s just so much (to do).”

For LaPaglia a typical day on Survivor starts at around 6-7am when he heads out to film the immunity challenge (which has been rehearsed previously, usually in the afternoon the day before).

After the challenges have been filmed and tested LaPaglia heads to a story meeting with producers.

These meetings prove crucial in helping him keep up with what’s been unfolding between contestants and to prepare questions for the all important tribal council.

“Then we do the tribal at night,” he said. “And of course you can learn as many questions as you want, but when you get there they can take you in a different direction. So you’ve got to be agile enough to go with them.”

Tribal councils finish as late as 10pm sometimes and then LaPaglia is back to his hotel room where he’s watching episodes of American Survivor or doing other research to prepare for the next day.

“Everyday I feel like I’m doing a new play and I’ve got the afternoon to learn the play, and then I’m going to put it on in the evening,” he said.

Jonathan LaPaglia of Australian Survivor: Champions Vs Contenders poses with the Logie for Most Outstanding Reality Program. Picture: Darren England/AAP

Jonathan LaPaglia and wife Ursula Brooks. Picture: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for for Australians in Film.

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“It’s a pressure cooker, that amount of focus and work to put up a new play every day.”

But keeping busy has its benefits, and LaPaglia credits it with helping ease the homesickness he feels being away from his wife Ursula and daughter Tilly for months at a time.

“In a way that makes it easier to be away from my family for a long period of time because I really don’t have much time to ruminate over that,” he said.

“It’s weirdly a blessing to be so busy. If I’m going to be away for two and a half months personally I prefer to be nose to the grindstone … everyday you’re working from 7 to 10 at night.”

Filming in Fiji also takes LaPaglia away from acting opportunities, something he acknowledges could impact his career.

Prior to his Survivor hosting gig, LaPaglia made a name for himself in the acting world with roles in The Slap, The District and Love Child.

“It takes me out of the system. Every time I’m here for two and a half months I’m out of the system. It’s not a very forgiving system the acting industry — if you’re gone for too long they just forget,” he said.

Australian Survivor: Champions V Contenders premieres Wednesday 7.30pm on Network 10 News.com.au travelled to Fiji as a guest of Network 10