'I didn't get a call': Jonathan LaPaglia reveals the blunt way he was dumped as Survivor Australia's host by Network 10 after nearly a decade on air
The 55-year-old television host has claimed that despite years at the helm of one of Network 10's biggest shows, he was not even given the courtesy of a phone call.
"The speculation online was that I received an email. But no, it was a call to my manager in Australia," LaPaglia told The Watchlist on Sunday.
"I didn't get a direct call, which, I'll be honest with you, was disappointing.
"After 10 years of helming their flagship show, it would have been nice to get a direct call from the people at the top, but I didn't."
Fans were stunned back in June when the Adelaide-born star confirmed his departure in a fiery Instagram post.
"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," he captioned a clip of himself being hit by a giant boxing glove.
LaPaglia signed off with a stinging punchline: "(Ps. Whoever said a blindside is the most humane way to put someone down is an idiot. It hurts like a b****!) #SurvivorAU."
Reflecting on the post, the father of one acknowledged that his honesty was likely the reason he was let go.
"I'm sure the network wasn't happy, but I've always been honest with the audience, and I think that's part of what they appreciate about me," he said.
"Honestly, that's who I am. And maybe that's why I'm in this position, because I am a little too honest about stuff, and maybe I'm not very good at playing the game."
Despite the blow, LaPaglia said he is happy to be back on screens in what will be his swansong season, Survivor: Australia v The World, which premiered on Sunday night.
The blockbuster edition sees homegrown favourites George Mladenov and Shonee Bowtell battle international legends Cirie Fields, Tony Vlachos and Parvati Shallow in a high-stakes contest filmed in Samoa.
Also in the mix is Perth model David Genat, the All Stars winner tipped to succeed LaPaglia as host.
Genat has already carved out an impressive reality TV resume, having claimed the $500,000 Survivor prize in 2020 before pocketing a staggering $US5.8 million (about $AU9.2 million) in March on NBC's Deal or No Deal Island.
LaPaglia conceded it is fitting that his final outing coincides with such a monumental season.
"If you're going to be dispatched as host of Australian Survivor, this is the one season that it should happen, right?" he joked.
"This is the one season that all the fans have been screaming for years (to see). And I've always thought it was a great idea to do it."
Still, he wishes he had been told "prior to filming" that it would be his last.
"I didn't actually get to say goodbye to Australian Survivor; Australian Survivor said goodbye to me," he laughed.
But with no hidden immunity idol to save him this time, the longtime host admits he may now follow in the footsteps of his older brother, 66-year-old actor Anthony LaPaglia.
For now, though, he's still waiting on his next gig. "I haven't received any calls yet," he said.
"I'm just busy refreshing the LinkedIn profile."
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