Australian Survivor fans were devastated when Jonathan LaPaglia was axed as the host of the show after almost 10 years, with over 7,500 people signing a petition to have the decision reversed. However, there are now rumours JLP has already snagged another job, which could leave Survivor US fans feeling slighted.
New Idea recently reported that there could be an international tribe swap, with JLP tipped to take Jeff Probst‘s job as host of Survivor US in the future. Probst has just recently wrapped filming on Survivor US Season 50, which welcomed returning cast members like Mike White, Cirie Fields, Benjamin ‘Coach’ Wade, Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick, and more.
Probst has hosted Survivor US since 2000 and has appeared in 701 episodes so far. He’s extremely involved behind the scenes, also working as an executive producer. Plus, he nabbed four Emmy Awards as an Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program. It would be an understatement to say that swapping Probst for JLP would be a blindside because, for many fans, Probst is considered the heart of Survivor.
Shannon Gaitz, who covers international versions of Survivor on the popular Rob Has A Podcast (RHAP) network, hasn’t heard any rumours about Probst leaving. “Jeff Probst is the face of US Survivor in so many ways, not only as host but as executive producer,” she tells Chattr. “While JLP is an amazing host that any Survivor franchise would be lucky to have, I can’t imagine Jeff giving up the reins this soon.”
Another insider says there have been no rumours amongst the former Australian Survivor cast, so it’s possible there’s no truth to them.
What has Jonathan LaPaglia said about Jeff Probst?
Jonathan LaPaglia has mentioned Jeff Probst from time to time over the years, with one of his most recent being in an interview with ABC. After being asked who would win in a fight between himself and Probst, JLP admitted he probably wouldn’t come out on top.
“Jeff, he looks pretty fit, he looks wily. He’d probably take me out. Like I said, my muscles are kind of useless,” JLP joked.
He also told New Idea he was friendly with Probst, saying they talk on the phone. “We have got together for breakfast several times over the years to catch up, but not recently to discuss Australia V World,” he said. “But thanks for reminding me, I need to give him a call!”
At this point, it seems unlikely JLP would take Probst’s job, considering their friendly relationship and the Survivor US host also has an executive producer role. But then again, we didn’t see JLP’s blindside coming, so who knows!
You can watch Australian Survivor on 10Play
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