we haven't started the latest season yet... but will get to it next.
we just finished S5- all-stars. such an interesting comparison to the current US season. it lacks diversity in a huge way, but everybody is sooo good- as superfans of the show, but also as social, smart AND physical players. lots of epic challenges and inner-drama. and a really deserving winner. really prefer the Aussie versions I've seen. the only small quibble I have- food never seems to be an issue there. plenty to eat, even if it's just rice and fruit (and I think beans?). their food reward challenges- seems like it's more about finally getting to eat a little more and something good rather than being actually starving.
watching the current US version... it's great they have the diversity finally. and those are all genuine super-fans. but couldn't they have had more than 2 or 3 people who are physically capable of doing... anything? I've never seen such a pitiful assortment of superfan nerds- and it definitely gets in the way of my enjoyment watching it- especially knowing they're gunning for any of the handful of actually physically competent players. there has to be a diverse group of potential cast members out there who aren't so physically inept.
getting back to the diversity thing...I visited Fiji once 30 years ago- absolute dream vacation. two things really struck me at that time: the Fijians, as a culture, are insanely nice... we had people go so far out of their way to help us in a few different situations- and refuse any kind offering in response, payment or otherwise. it's just built into their culture to be nice to the people around them. Fiji is a popular spot for Australian tourists- kinda like Hawaii for the US- most of the other tourists we saw there were Australian, which leads me to the 2nd thing. despite this incredible cultural niceness, I watched time and again Australian tourists act in the most despicable overtly racist and rude way to the locals, both native pacific islander or Indian (fairly large Indian population because of the british connection); it was genuinely shocking. I know this was a generation ago since I visited- but when I see Australian survivor so white, it raises some flags. I've watched 3 seasons, and the only aboriginal contestant I've seen was a politician who was voted out, IIRC, first... could be a coincidence... maybe. but tbh- I still completely enjoy the show and prefer it to the US version... just a thought I had after watching the recent season and watching the last couple of the US.