JONATHAN LAPAGLIA
The actor, 47, returns as host of ‘Australian Survivor’ (Sundays and Mondays, 7.30 PM; Ten).
How did you enjoy your experience running the game for the second time?
I thought it would be easier, but it really wasn’t! When you watch the show it looks like cocktails and sunny days on the beach for the crew, but the reality is something else entirely. However, the unpredictability makes it fun to work on.
Did you change the way you approached how you would perform your duties this year?
Last season, I made a bunch of little tweaks here and there, thinking the audience would appreciate me not copying US Jeff Probst. But they really didn’t! They were even upset when I changed “tally” to “count” at tribal council! They just wanted me to be exactly like Jeff. So that’s what they got this year—carbon copy. Except the beard—i even considered shaving it off to keep them happy.
Will the castaways encounter new twists?
The producers have introduced a few twists to the game, but we learnt last season that the format is finely tuned and any changes can result in unforeseen consequences. It’s a house of cards that it’s best not to mess with too much.
Many contestants said they were less concerned about mateship this time.
They managed to circumvent the restrictions of loyalty by not forming large alliances but rather small groups coming together in voting blocs at tribal council. So things would flip every couple of days, making for a very fast-paced game. That being said, people inherently want to belong to a group, so feelings still get hurt when [people get] voted out.
Which contestant will surprise fans most?
If I had to pick someone, I guess it would be Sarah. She proves the stereotype of models to be completely wrong.