Rob Mariano

Infobox actor television


imagesize = 150px
|name= Rob Mariano
birthname= Robert Carlo Mariano
birth_date= Birth date and age|1975|12|25
birth_place= Canton, Massachusetts
age=31
alias=Boston Rob
occupation= TV personality
gender= Male
status= Married
family= Bob & Linda (parents)
Mike & Heather (siblings)
spouse= Amber Brkich Mariano
ethnic= White
credits= "The Amazing Race" (CBS)
"" (CBS)

Rob Mariano (on his original name Robert Carlo Mariano on December 25, 1975 in Canton, Massachusetts, better known as Boston Rob) is an American reality TV participant, best known for appearing in several reality TV shows, partly as a contestant on "The Amazing Race" and "" along with his wife, Amber Brkich Mariano.

Biography

Early life

Rob was born and raised in Canton, Massachusetts. Growing up, he was very involved in athletics, especially hockey, baseball and football. He attended Xaverian Brothers High School, where he played golf. In 1999, Mariano graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Boston University.

"Survivor"

In 2002, Rob appeared on "", the fourth season of "Survivor", where he finished in tenth place. After his appearance on "Survivor: Marquesas", Rob acted as a host for the Hawaiian Tropic Model Search Competition in Boston and threw out the first pitch at the Red Sox game on Labor Day of that year. [cite web | title =Survivor All-Stars Biography | work =Survivor All-Stars | publisher =CBS| url = http://www.cbs.com/primetime/survivor8/survivors/bio/robm.shtml | accessdate = ] In 2004, Rob returned to compete in "", where he formed an early alliance with fellow Chapera tribemate Amber Brkich that developed into a romantic relationship over the course of the show. In the season finale several months later, Mariano proposed on live TV, and Brkich accepted. Rob finished as the show's runner-up and Amber was crowned the Sole Survivor.

"The Amazing Race"

Rob and Amber competed as an engaged couple on the seventh season of "The Amazing Race", where they finished as runners-up. On April 16, 2005, Rob and Amber were married in a private ceremony at Atlantis Paradise Island, in the Bahamas. CBS aired a 2 hour special about the wedding on May 24, 2005. After their marriage, the couple moved to Pensacola, Florida. In 2006, Rob decided to work toward becoming a professional poker player. He and Amber took up residence in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Rob began taking poker lessons from Daniel Negreanu. In 2007 Rob and Amber competed in "", where they finished in eighth place. According to a post-race interview conducted by TV Guide, Rob and Amber announced that they were in the process of planning a secret, new project. [cite web | title =The Amazing "Romber" Q&A You Just Have to Read! | work =TVGuide.com | publisher =TV Guide| url =http://www.tvguide.com/News-Views/Interviews-Features/Article/default.aspx?posting={1B0CD440-BC65-484D-91B3-915D997A4ECC} | accessdate =2007-04-30 ]

"Tontine"

"Boston Rob" revealed in a June 19, 2007 press release that the project is a new reality show, "Tontine", that will follow 15 contestants competing for keys on all seven continents, over 100 days. The winner will receive $10,000,000.00. Contestants have to be mentally and physically fit to last the entire time. As of September 11, 2007 all casting calls have come to a close and 50 contestants, out of thousands who have auditioned, will be selected to attend a final interview in Hollywood. Casting director "Tad Frank", along with the Series' key creatives, will make the final decision regarding the fifteen cast members. "Tontine" will be notable in that its destinations will include the South Pole at the Amundsen-Scott station. The website TontineNation.com is a social website dedicated to the new show and offers a forum for potential contestants and fans alike to share ideas and predictions on who will be cast for the show.

The makers of "Tontine" claim it will offer the largest prize in television reality show history. Filming is scheduled to start in January 2008 and the show will air in the fall of 2008. [cite web | title =Rob Mariano Announces Reality TV Show Plans | work =realitytvscoop.com| url=http://www.realitytvscoop.com/2007/06/rob-mariano-announces-reality-tv-show-plans/]

"Survivor"

Survivor contestant
name = Rob Mariano
birthdate = birth date and age|1975|12|25
location = Canton, Massachusetts
season =
finish = 7th voted Out (Marquesas)
Runner up (All Stars)
tribe = colorbox|#BFFF00 Maraamu
colorbox|#99FFFF Rotu
colorbox|#F400A1 Soliantu
colorbox|red Chapera
colorbox|green Mogo Mogo
colorbox|blue Chaboga Mogo

"Survivor: Marquesas"

During "Survivor: Marquesas", Rob fronted a highly successful opening alliance in his initial Maraamu tribe. A tribal swap in the fourth episode effectively denied him the control he enjoyed in his old tribe, as he was switched to the "new" Rotu tribe in which he was outnumbered by former Rotu members 5-3. Ultimately he was the first person voted out of the game when the tribes merged in the seventh episode. His original Maraamu tribe was outnumbered by members of the original Rotu tribe 7-3. Since the Rotu tribe thought that Rob caused too much drama in camp, he was the first Maraamu tribe member targeted.

Prior to his elimination, Rob provided information to Kathy Vavrick-O'Brien about possible betrayal by former members of Rotu who were not switched during the tribal switch that may have later impacted Kathy's (along with Paschal English's and Neleh Dennis') decision to "turn" on their former tribemates, ultimately impacting the winner of the game.

"Survivor: All-Stars"

During "", Rob developed an early alliance which eventually developed into a romantic relationship with fellow contestant Amber Brkich. He was able to form a dominant long-term alliance with Rupert Boneham and Jenna Lewis, taking them all the way to the final four. Rob dominated this season physically and strategically. In the "Survivor: All-Stars" reunion, Jeff Probst called "Survivor: All-Stars" Rob's Season.

In the season's premiere episode, Rob and Amber agreed to form an alliance, with Rob citing his reasoning as: "She's beautiful; any idiot can see that." The group faced its first Tribal Council in the fourth episode. Rob and Amber's relationship was a matter of discussion at the Tribal Council, but Amber claimed to have come to play "Survivor", not "The Dating Game."

In the next episode, due to a twist that "absorbed" one of the three tribes, Jenna Lewis and Rupert Boneham joined the Chapera tribe. Rob and Amber quickly fortified a long-term alliance with the tribe's two new members, one of many of the pair's "agreements." The Chapera tribe then enjoyed a lengthy winning streak, winning immunity the next three times. The group did lose one member, however, when Sue Hawk opted to leave the game due to an encounter with Richard Hatch.

In the season's ninth episode, a tribal shuffle managed to merely make each contestant switch buffs, with the exception of Amber, who remained on the Chapera tribe with Lex van den Berghe, Shii Ann Huang, Jerri Manthey, and Kathy Vavrick-O'Brien. The tribe went on to lose the next challenge and, in one of the season's more infamous moments, Rob said to Lex, "If you take care of her, I'll take care of you." In perhaps an ironic twist of fate, it came down to Amber and her former Outback ally Jerri at that night's Tribal Council. Jerri was eliminated, but Lex stayed true to his deal with Rob, and Amber was spared.

In the following episode, the merge occurred, and Rob voted to eliminate Lex, despite promising to "take care of him" in return for sparing Amber at the previous Tribal Council. In the episodes following, Rob and Amber managed to maintain several "alliances," including their agreement with Rupert and Jenna, an agreement with Tom Buchanan, and an agreement with Alicia Calaway. With all these castaways believing themselves to be safe, Rob and Amber proceeded through the game, eventually finding themselves in the final four with Jenna and Rupert.

In the final four, Amber won her first individual Immunity challenge, and she and Rob convinced Jenna to vote out her ally Rupert instead of forcing a tie. In the final three, Rob won immunity and chose Amber to continue with him to the final two. Facing the jury, Rob and Amber met much criticism for their aggressive and underhanded gameplay.

In the season finale several months later, Rob and Amber revealed they were still dating, Amber even wearing a yellow "I Love Rob" shirt. Just before the votes were read, Rob proposed to Amber and she said "yes." Moments later, it was revealed that, in a 4-3 decision, Amber was the Sole Survivor.

Mariano was the first "Survivor" contestant in history to play twice, make the merge both times, and never sit on a jury, followed by Amanda from Survivor China and Survivor Fans vs. Favorites.

"The Amazing Race"

The Amazing Race contestant
name = Rob Mariano
bgcolour = red
birthdate = birth date and age|1975|12|25
location = Canton, Massachusetts
Pensacola, Florida
Las Vegas, Nevada
season = Season 7
All-Stars Edition
teammate = Amber Mariano
finish = 2nd place (Season 7)
8th place (All Stars)

=Season 7=

As an engaged couple, Mariano and Brkich participated in the seventh season of "The Amazing Race" and came in second place. The duo became known for using a partly cutthroat, partly strategic level of gameplay that had not been used in the "The Amazing Race" before.

During a Roadblock challenge in Mendoza, Argentina, in the third leg of the race, contestants had to eat four pounds of meat. Mariano began the roadblock but very quickly determined he would not or could not eat that quantity. The penalty for not finishing the Roadblock was a 4-hour delay. By convincing several other contestants to refuse to participate, he ensured that several contestants were on the same timetable as he and Brkich. Also in South America, Mariano pooled his money with some other racers to bribe the bus driver to let the teams that contributed off earlier. When he did bribe the driver, Mariano used none of his own money.

In Botswana, during the sixth leg of the race, the couple was criticized by fellow racers, as well as host Phil Keoghan, when they drove by the car accident of another team, brothers Brian and Greg, without stopping. Their fellow competitors all checked in with the brothers prior to continuing on to the next stage of the race. While in southern Africa, Mariano and Brkich saw their own photo on a magazine cover. They were also recognized in countries all over the world and assisted by locals who recognized them, helping to keep the team in the race until the last leg.

Ultimately, Rob and Amber finished in second place behind married couple, Uchenna and Joyce. Amongst fans, there has been much speculation surrounding the final leg of the race. It has been argued that the production crew had intervened with the airport authorities and aided Uchenna and Joyce onto the same, earlier plane as Mariano and Brkich. In the "Revisiting the Race" special feature on the Season 7 DVD, Rob, along with Uchenna and Phil Keoghan deny these accusations. Rob describes Uchenna running around frantically trying to get onto the flight, which the final edited version of the show does not portray. Phil cites the fact that the decision to re-open the door rested solely with the pilot, and that intervention by the production crew would have resulted in someone leaking such information out.

Although Rob & Amber lost the final leg of the Amazing Race, they managed to place 1st in the 2nd, 4th, 7th and 10th legs.

=

Rob and Amber then competed in the All-Stars season of "The Amazing Race", which began airing in February 2007. Their racing status was listed as "newlyweds."

While they had set a record for the Race, coming in first place for the first three legs, they were eliminated on the fourth leg.

"Rob and Amber: Against the Odds"

Between their two appearances on "The Amazing Race" Rob and Amber filmed a 10-episode show for the Fox Reality Channel, "Rob and Amber: Against the Odds" in 2006, which aired in 2007. Set in Las Vegas, the program follows Rob's attempt to become a professional poker player and features professional player Daniel Negreanu tutoring Rob. The series ended abruptly after Rob and Amber accepted the offer to appear on "The Amazing Race: All-Stars".

Additional television appearances

Notes

References

*cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/superstartosuperstar/exclusives/ashleymariano1|title=I'm a survivor: Interview with Ashley Massaro|publisher=WWE.com|accessdate=2007-09-19|date=September 19, 2007

External links

* [http://www.jointhetontine.com/ Tontine Reality Television Show]
* [http://www.tontinenation.com/ Tontine Nation]
*imdb name|id=1152785|name=Rob Mariano
* [http://www.cbs.com/primetime/survivor4/ Official CBS Survivor: Marquesas Website]
* [http://www.cbs.com/primetime/survivor8/ Official CBS Survivor All Stars Website]
* [http://www.cbs.com/primetime/amazing_race7/ Official CBS Amazing Race 7 Website]
* [http://www.cbs.com/primetime/amazing_race11/ Official CBS Amazing Race 11 (All Stars) Website]
* [http://www.foxreality.com/show.php?id=4372/ Official Rob and Amber: Against the Odds Website]
* [http://amazingracewiki.cbs.com/page/Rob+and+Amber/ Rob and Amber - Amazing Race Wiki]