Survivor Australia 2016 contestant backlash: 'Why so White?' Hosting Australian Survivor was not what Jonathan LaPaglia had expected."I didn't know it was going to be as hard as this. It is probably one of the hardest jobs that I have done," he told Fairfax Media from the set - under a palm tree on a remote Samoan beach."It's a crazy schedule and one of the other big things for me is that I am used to scripted drama and there is no script to this, so you are flying by the seat of your pants. That can be a little daunting."The younger brother of Without a Trace star Anthony LaPaglia, whose first job was as an ER doctor before following his sibling into acting, is best known for his roles in The Slap and Underbelly.Many have pondered Channel Ten's decision to draft the Adelaide-born, Santa Monica-living actor to host the show - his first ever presenting gig, but watching him commentate his way through a Reward Challenge, an Immunity Challenge and a Tribal Council, he's got the Survivor lingo down to a tee."It's a very set format. The rules and a lot of the dialogue is just set. I'm trying to bring as much of myself to it as possible, but at the same time I am not here to reinvent the wheel.  
I'm trying to make it spin a little faster," he said.Apart from binge watching some of the 32 American seasons, he had no training for the role. "The training is sink or swim. It's baptism by fire," he said with a laugh.Survivor is the Adelaide-born actor's first presenting gig.  Photo: Nigel Wright/Endemol ShineHe did get the opportunity to sit down and pick the brains of the American host and executive producer, Jeff Probst, aka the Godfather of Survivor, but his guidance was a little blas&eacute;."His big piece of advice was just be yourself," LaPaglia explained.While LaPaglia, 46, and Probst, 54, could pass as brothers - even decked out in a similar wardrobe that consists of a peaked cap, round neck T-shirt and khaki shorts - the Australian counterpart is "trying" to make the role his own, but added: "It's not easy when it has been established.""I am sure there will be a lot of comparisons with Jeff, that is just inevitable," LaPaglia said. "It's kind of a double-edged sword really. If I am too much like Jeff I will get criticised for that and I am not enough like Jeff I will get criticised for that."It's a show that has been established for 16 years and Jeff is so good at doing it, he is the master and he makes it look so easy and seamless."Apart from binge watching some of the 32 American seasons, Jonathan LaPaglia had no training for the role.  Photo: Nigel Wright/Endemol ShineThere's a whole lot more going on for the married father-of-one than just standing in front of the camera narrating the surrounding action.He's the instigator, the shit-stirrer if you will, someone who must get into the minds of the irritable castaways, who are hungry, tired and battling the elements all for $500,000."I think my role is part of the game. More of a coach for the team, a referee, and in Tribal Council, the team psychologist," he said with an American twang, mixed in with some distinct Australian intonations."It's a lot more complicated than I thought it was going to be. Trying to get into all of the layers of Tribal Council is really tricky."Ranging in ages from 23 to 62, the 24 contestants include a private investigator, an ex-professional cricketer, a criminal lawyer, a firefighter and a magician.LaPaglia got to pick the brains of Survivor US host and executive producer, Jeff Probst. Photo: Survivor Australia/TwitterThe majority are well-versed in manipulation - ducking, diving and blindsiding - and LaPaglia is not exempt.When asked if he feels like they have been playing mind games on him, he replied with a laugh: "Sure, most of the time."He added: "I'm pretty sure I know when they are not telling the truth. [When that happens] I press them and try to find out what's going on. Often there will be inconsistencies in their stories and I'll point it out to them, which they don't like. They don't want to expose their game play to everyone else."Sitting firmly on the fence, he claims not to have a favourite cast member."I don't have one person that I thought from the get-go 'that's my favourite'," he said. "The game is so fluid. One day I might admire one person for their performance in challenges or their game play back at camp, but then the next day someone else has done something that is quite remarkable, and I'm like: 'Whoa, I respect that.'"Australian Survivor contestants. Photo: Network TenAll eyes will be on the Channel Ten version of the hit reality TV show after Nine's version in 2002 and Seven's celebrity version in 2006 were canned after just one season each because of dismal ratings.Nine was accused of poor casting and having a low production budget, something that Endemol Shine, the production team behind the show, hopes to avoid by closely emulating the American format, hiring a crew of 156 Australians and 180 locals on the ground in the South Pacific paradise.While the first-timer sounded a little hesitant about his own position as host, he is fully confident they have a hit on their hands."Production is throwing everything at it," he said. "There's no doubt in my mind that the show won't be good. I think it will be excellent, but you just never know how people will respond to stuff. It's the mystery of TV."Australian Survivor contestants. Photo: Network TenLooking around at the makeshift set that included turquoise waters, white sand and a luscious green rain forest as backdrop, he said: "I can't believe [I'm here]. It's incredible I get to wake up and do this everyday."There is "no way" he would ever want to take part as a castaway, saying: "It's so hard what those guys do. Stuck on a beach for 55 days, no way."He was joined on the set by his Australian actress partner, Ursula Brooks, and their daughter, Tilly, who look thrilled by all of the action."She loves the show," he said. "They are here for a few weeks and then on to Australia??? to visit the family."Despite his roots Down Under, he has no plans to ever move back: "We are pretty established in LA. My child is in school there. She's American."When asked if he had any plans to visit Fiji, just a two hour 30 minute flight from Samoa to where the American version is currently shooting season 33 and 34, he said: "I don't have time to scratch my head, never mind fly to Fiji."Australian Survivor set to air on Channel Ten in early spring.Email amy.croffey@fairfaxmedia.com.au