Podcast: 25 years ago he won the very first Survivor. Here's what he's doing now
Ratings were good everywhere that summer of 2000. But in the Hamilton-Toronto area, they were unusually high.
It's easy to forget how big a deal it was back then. Offices were filled with debates about who should be voted off the island, Wednesday-night watch parties became a thing, and local stores had Survivor promotions. It became such an enormous talking point that The Spectator even assigned a reporter to cover the show as her beat.
A quarter-century later, eventual winner Richard Hatch talks about that pop culture phenomenon, how it changed TV and whether being part of something so massive was good for his life.
Placeline Hamilton explores issues about the city and stories of interest to those who call it home.
This podcast explores issues about the city and stories of interest to those who call it home. Every week, Spectator columnist Scott Radley will dive into hot-button topics with newsmakers, explore stories with the reporters covering them, and chat with those who add to the fabric of this community. Whether it's serious or lighthearted, Placeline Hamilton will keep you informed and engaged.
Listeners can expect new episodes every Wednesday. Follow or subscribe at
Apple Podcasts
,
Spotify
, Amazon Music or wherever your favourite podcasts are found.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Refinery29
2 days ago
- Refinery29
Who Is The New Australian Survivor Host?
The Tribe has spoken: Jonathan LaPaglia will not be returning as the Australian Survivor host in 2026. The presenter has been at the helm of the reality TV show since its revival on Channel 10 in 2016, and he has called his axing an "epic blindside". The much-loved TV personality will be returning to ask scathing questions at Tribal for one last season, as Survivor: Australia V World has already been filmed. Watching the new seasons of Australian Survivor without LaPaglia is now going to be bittersweet, after all, he has been hosting the show for a decade. So why was LaPaglia axed from Australian Survivor, and who will be replacing him as the new Australian Survivor host? Why was Jonathan LaPaglia axed? Jonathan LaPaglia shared an emotional post on Instagram revealing he was "blindsided" by Channel 10's decision to replace him, and claimed the decision was made due to low ratings. " 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. 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," he said. "I wish I could say, 'Before we go to vote, tonight is a little different... no one's going home'. But I can't. None of that non-elim bulls**t tonight! Someone is going home. And with no idol in my back pocket, that someone is me." He told fans not to worry, because Survivor: Australia V World is the "best season ever", with popular Australian players like Shonee Bowtell and Kirby Bentley facing off against Survivor US legends Parvati Shallow and Cirie Fields. "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," he said. "PS. Whoever said a blindside is the most humane way to put someone down is an idiot. It hurts like a bitch!" Who will be the next Australian Survivor host? Channel 10 confirmed they will be announcing the new Australian Survivor host soon, and thanked Jonathan LaPaglia for all his work on the previous series. "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," a Channel 10 spokesperson said in an online statement. "We look forward to JLP hosting the next epic instalment of Survivor: Australia V World coming soon to 10... we will be making an announcement shortly about who will take over hosting duties for the 2026 season of Australian Survivor." According to Daily Mail, David Genat is set to take over LaPaglia's hosting duties in 2026. Genat previously won Australian Survivor: All Stars and will be competing on Survivor: Australia V World, airing later this year. "He doesn't fit the brief," one production insider claimed. "He's charismatic, sure — but Survivor needs someone with gravitas. David is not Jonathan, and viewers will notice that." Australian Survivor contestants have been sharing their disappointment over the news on social media, but Shonee Bowtell took it to a new level when she photoshopped her baby Vally in an Australian Survivor buff as a tribute to Jonathan LaPaglia on her Instagram Story. "Vally was really looking forward to playing with JLP," she joked, while also saying her child would be "socially diplomatic" when playing, but also a "backstabber". In another Instagram post, Bowtell called the decision "rude" and said she would be playing Irreplaceable by Beyoncé for LaPaglia. Perhaps that could become the new Australian Survivor theme song?
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Legendary 'Survivor' Player Reveals How 'Cult-Like' Upbringing Prepared Her for the Show
Legendary 'Survivor' Player Reveals How 'Cult-Like' Upbringing Prepared Her for the Show originally appeared on Parade. Parvati Shallow, 42, is perhaps one of the most prolific reality competition show contestants in history, having competed on Survivor five times (including an upcoming stint on Australian Survivor), Traitors, and Deal or No Deal Island. Now she's opening up about how the dark side of her childhood gave her the skills needed to excel in those environments. In her new memoir, Nice Girls Don't Win, Shallow explains that she grew up in a "cult-like" commune in Florida led by a controlling guru who led extensive meditations, took members' money, arranged marriages between them, doled out punishments, and even tried to adopt their newborn children. It was an environment Shallow described as "pure chaos," but it's also taught her skills that made her a reality competition maverick. "My early childhood set me up for success on Survivor," she told he told Us Weekly on June 20, 2025. Though Shallow was very young during her parents' involvement with the group, she interviewed them for her book and realized that it definitely left a lasting impact on her. 'It was just really interesting to hear my parents' stories and then overlay them on my adult life because I recreated so much of the same emotional themes that they had gone through without even knowing it,' she told Us. She realized that she was even using cult survival tactics in her reality TV endeavors without knowing it. "Fawning is one of the most widely used survival strategies, and it's just this sort of overt people-pleasing, overly complimentary kind of love bombing," she said. "One of our basic needs is love and belonging, so if we experience a lack of that in childhood, we develop a hunger for it." She's also taken inspiration from the cult-like leaders and gurus she's experienced themselves. 'My go-to strategy to win reality competition games is to make people fall in love with me," she admitted. "I am just naturally very enthusiastic and warm. I can also turn it on in context like competitions to win.' That said, it worked. And she doesn't feel bad about it. "One of the ways you get what you want is by being really warm and friendly. I wanted to articulate these survival strategies and share stories of me using them, to take away the judgment and destigmatize it," she said. "[But I'm also] a huge proponent of everyone going to therapy." Shallow's book is set to be released on July 8, 2025. Legendary 'Survivor' Player Reveals How 'Cult-Like' Upbringing Prepared Her for the Show first appeared on Parade on Jun 24, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Beloved 'Survivor' Host Cut From the Show After 10 Years in 'Epic Blindside'
Beloved 'Survivor' Host Cut From the Show After 10 Years in 'Epic Blindside' originally appeared on Parade. The network has spoken! The longtime host of Australian Survivor, Jonathan LaPaglia, stunned fans on Sunday, June 29, 2025, by revealing he had been fired from his hosting duties after a decade at the helm in what he called an "epic blindside." "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 wrote in the lengthy Instagram post, which also featured a video of him being punched by a massive boxing glove on set. "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'." LaPaglia shared that Channel 10's reasons for letting him go included declining ratings and a desire to "do something drastic to shake things up." He threw in some classic Survivor jokes to his statement, saying "None of that non-elim bulls--t tonight! Someone IS going home. And with no idol in my back pocket, that someone is me." On a sentimental note, the longtime host called hosting the show the "greatest adventure of [his] career" and admitted he would "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," he concluded. "Ps. Whoever said a blindside is the most humane way to put someone down is an idiot. It hurts like a b--ch!)" #SurvivorAU" For their part, Channel 10 credited JLP with bringing the show "a unique blend of authority, intelligence, and empathy" and called him "a compelling and memorable figure in the world of Survivor." Both LaPaglia and Channel 10 confirmed he would still be the host for the upcoming Australia v The World installment, which will feature Survivor stars from across the planet, including Survivor legends Cirie Fields, Parvati Shallow, and Tony Vlachos, as well as former Australian Survivor winner David Genat, who also won season 2 of Deal or No Deal Island. Fans and players alike were shocked and outraged by the news of JLP's firing. "HUGE MISTAKE!!! It honestly won't be the same without you!!! This news breaks my heart!" wrote AU player Logan Johannisen in the comments. "Thank you for being the most incredible host ever -- you really made Survivor Australia what it is today. So no matter what they say, know that you are a huge part of the reason why it has been as successful as it has." "The change no one asked for," added fellow AU player Matt Tarrant. Survivor US legend Kelley Wentworth voiced her displeasure as well, writing, "No thanks." The replacement for the longtime host has yet to be announced. Beloved 'Survivor' Host Cut From the Show After 10 Years in 'Epic Blindside' first appeared on Parade on Jun 30, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
