Australian Survivor scored a world-first TV event. Then it sacked the host...
So what makes it so good? 'People always say that Australian Survivor just feels nostalgic,' said Fisk. 'It's respected because it goes back to the grassroots of what Survivor is: great players and getting a great game out of them.'
On social media, international viewers often praise the show's humour, casting and player-led gameplay. That last point stands in stark comparison to the US version, which has come under fire in its 'new era' for throwing too many twists, idols and advantages in the mix. It has also compressed the game into 26 days, as opposed to the original 39.
'The 'new era' has ruffled a few feathers among the fans and has perhaps drifted from what the show was originally,' said Iadanza on set.
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Others are less careful with their words. One recent Slate headline states, 'I miss the old Survivor ', while another from Vulture simply says, 'Fire Jeff Probst'. That same Vulture article also called the Australian version 'pretty much perfect'.
' Australian Survivor is the disruptor on the scene, trying to get the attention of the big brother,' said Iadanza. And evidently, it's worked. Iadanza was on set as part of the team from popular US podcast Drop Your Buffs. The show is this year's official companion podcast featuring Iadanza, former US player Ricard Foye and longtime fan Sean Ross.
Australia v The World will be the show's biggest test yet. Can the franchise keep its nostalgic appeal while pushing forward with a novelty concept? Is 14 days even enough time for Survivor to work? And, of course, what comes next?
The future of the franchise
'Part of me wishes we did it for a full season,' LaPaglia said on set in Samoa. It's a bold statement considering, at the time we speak, he's already three months into a rigorous filming schedule away from his family home in LA, recording two seasons back to back. 'This shortened hyper-season is a bit of an experiment ... It's really compressed things. We've had some big, crazy moments in the show and I think that's partly because of the duration and partly because of the big players.'
Watching the action behind the scenes, there are times when the crew – who communicate about gameplay developments day and night via WhatsApp – aren't even sure if players are telling the truth about alliances or idols. Production staff, meanwhile, say this season has come with extra challenges as the players are so experienced, they know what positions cameras will be in if certain twists are coming and they over-analyse who has been seated together at tribal council.
'The cast is trying to outwit, outplay and outlast each other,' Fisk said. 'We're just trying to do the same to the cast. To stay in front of the game is exciting.'
During my 48 hours on location in Samoa, LaPaglia – a powerful presence on set, who treated the game and its mechanics with great reverence – was the only one with anything negative to say. When I asked if this season proved Australian Survivor was officially the superior franchise, he replied with a simple 'no'.
MW: 'You think US is the best?'
JLP: 'Yep.'
MW: 'Still?'
JLP: 'Uh, yeah. You don't?'
'We do an old-school version of the show,' he said. 'And that's what the audience likes. But I admire the fact that the US is trying new stuff … I feel like there's a reluctance to try some new stuff here.'
In addition to a new host, Ten has confirmed the next season – which is now filming – will have a few more changes, including fewer non-elimination shows, a different location in Samoa and the return of a live finale.
'The new host is doing an amazing job, and both the crew and contestants were thrilled when they arrived on set,' a spokesperson said.
Some past contestants, however, have been quite outspoken about the change. Commenting on a post former executive producer David Forster made about working with LaPaglia over the past 10 years, Titans v Rebels contestant Raymond Chaney wrote this was the 'end of an era. Start of an error'.
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That's bad press for Ten to turn around. But Forster is still hopeful about what comes next, noting the show still has 'a really strong, dedicated Survivor team' including Phoebe McMahon as the new EP, who has worked on the series for eight seasons.
'The show is bigger than me,' he says. 'And it's bigger than Jonathan … At the end of the day, if the cast is great, the show is great. And that's what producers should be concentrating on.
'If the new host is David [Genat], good luck to him ... All they have to do is keep their hand on the rudder and hope they don't steer into a storm.'
The writer travelled to Samoa as a guest of Network 10.
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