‘Hurts like a bitch’: Jonathan La Paglia blindsided by Survivor axing
Longtime Survivor host Jonathan La Paglia will leave the show after the forthcoming season, after being dumped by Network Ten via phone.
La Paglia revealed in an Instagram post he was dumped from the show after 9 years during a phone call from the network telling him they are “going in a different direction” with the 2026 season.
“Australian Survivor has seen some of the most epic blindsides over the last 10 years, but this one might just be the craziest of them all….because it happened to me,” his post started.
“I received a call from the network thanking me for all my hard work and dedication to the show but for next season they are ‘going in a different direction’. Ratings had dipped a bit recently and they wanted to do something drastic to shake things up. So for the first time ever this is not a tribe swap, but a HOST SWAP. Yes, you read that right.
“I wish I could say, ‘Before we go to vote, tonight is a little different….no one’s going home'”, he joked, referencing one of the common plot twists on the show. “But I can’t,” he continued. “None of that non-elim bullshit tonight! Someone IS going home. And with no idol in my back pocket, that someone is me.
“I have loved and will dearly miss the immensely talented crew, all the crafty players and our loyal sassy audience. I’m a huge fan of this incredible game, always have been, always will be. It has been one of the greatest adventures of my career to helm Australian Survivor, so it is without a doubt the hardest challenge of all to snuff my own torch but here goes; ‘JLP…..the tribe has spoken’.
“But don’t pull out your hankies just yet, I’ll still be at the helm for Australia v World…. probably our best season EVER!”
He added a post script: “Whoever said a blindside is the most humane way to put someone down is an idiot. It hurts like a bitch!”
Network Ten confirmed the axing in a statement sent to Mumbrella: “JLP has brought a unique blend of authority, intelligence and empathy to his role as host of Australian Survivor over the last 10 years.
“Acting as a referee and managing the intense pressure of the game while also acknowledging the human drama unfolding, JLP has been a compelling and memorable figure in the world of Survivor.
“We look forward to JLP hosting the next epic instalment of Survivor: Australia V World coming soon to 10. We extend our sincere gratitude to JLP for his outstanding contribution over 10 years on Survivor. We wish him continued success in his acting and presenting career.”
Earlier this year, La Paglia told Mumbrella the Survivor hosting gig is one of the hardest jobs he’s ever done.
“Unlike an acting gig, where I get another take if a scene doesn’t go as planned, this is reality, so it needs to be right the first time every time. You can’t go back and fix stuff,” he said in February.
“I feel the pressure of that and I’m constantly prepping, rehearsing, and shooting. And once the game starts, it doesn’t stop. There are no weekends.”
Network Ten said it will make an announcement shortly about who will take over hosting duties for the 2026 season of Australian Survivor.
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Nathan Jolly is the Features Editor at Mumbrella. He joined the team in July, 2023.
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Take your top off LaPaglia!
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Yes, I’m pretty certain that Network TEN will be “going in a different direction” …. down the drain.
10 great years, JLP a great Host, and a difficult but great production. If the management could do as well, they wouldn’t need to ditch JLP.
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