Boston Rob Finally Wins 'Survivor,' Goes Straight Back to Work

By Zach Dionne Posted May 16th 2011 12:25PM

If it wasn't cemented sometime in the decade since "Boston" Rob Mariano's 'Survivor' debut in season four, he's now a professional reality TV guy.

Moments after winning the $1 million title of 'Sole Survivor' during his fourth shot at playing the game, Boston Rob told PopEater at the Ed Sullivan Theater in NYC on Sunday night he wouldn't have much time for celebration.

"I'm going to work tomorrow. I'm doing a new show for the History Channel called 'Around the World in 80 Ways,'" Rob said. "Gotta make a dollar, brother."

Making a buck is indeed one of the Rob-father's specialties; he masterminded "Survivor: Redemption Island" to a flawless win and also took home the $100,000 Sprint Fan Favorite prize. Despite all that cash -- and the fact his wife, Amber, won $1 million on "Survivor: All Stars" in 2004 -- Rob won't kick back any time soon.

"After 10 years [in TV], I've learned the production side of things and I'm really interested in that and I wanna get involved in that," he told us.

As for betrayed alliance member Grant Mattos' sentiments that he hadn't forgiven Rob even months after the show filmed, Rob didn't seem overly fazed.

"Man, you're playing a game for a million dollars -– if you draw yourself a line in the sand, I think you're just handicapping yourself. And I'm not gonna do that. I might as well stay home if I'm gonna do that. I wish things had worked out differently with Grant, but every man's entitled to their opinion," Rob told us. "You learn to play the game and you learn to adapt and I think that's important no matter what you do in life, to always go to the next level."

Fourth-place player Ashley Underwood told PopEater she had a hard time being bitter about losing in the face of Rob's big win. "It's such a story, and he played the best game I think anyone has ever played. I'm proud of him," Ashley said. "He's a good guy. He deserved it."

With Boston Rob's 'Survivor' success story drawing to a close, we'd love to see a memoir from him. Something like 'How to Get Anyone to Trust You in Four Easy Steps,' 'On Living and Growing a Sweet Mustache,' 'I Survived 39 Days with Phillip Sheppard (And Don't Forget Coach),' or, simply, 'The Rob-Father,' perhaps?

See Boston Rob win 'Survivor: Redemption Island':

Tags: Boston Rob, Survivor

Comments

(122)

Monday 16 May

By TB

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Rob's game = psycological warfare at its best. He controlled everyone of them in one way or another!

By nevadamoxie

The only reason Rob won was that the other two finalists were despicable. The three girls had the control and could have been the finalists if they would have stuck together, but stupidly didn't see that. When Phil so easily played the race card he lost a lot of people. And the dumb girl who couldn't think for herself didn't get a single vote.

By steveh9801

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How did they have the power when he had and played the idol? The three girls had no chance to vote him off. Like him or hate him he played a great game

By Wayne

The first time Boston Rob was on Survivors (about ten years ago), I couldn't stand him. But over the years, he mellowed out. Boston Rob played an excellent game. This was the best game ever played by a Survivor's contestant. He appeared to control this game from beginning to end. Congratulations, Boston Rob! P.S. Rob's team took advantaged of his experience, while Russell's Team was a bunch of physically stronger idiots and losers. Sorry, I just got a little bit emotinal.

By macstuff1

Why do some of you hate Rob so much. He played a brilliant game. I think the other players mistake was that they should have studied past seasons with Rob and Russell. WAY TO GO ROB

By Richard

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Richard Fields who was a winner on one of the earlier survivor shows summed it up when he said it was a game designed where you had to cheat, lie, and stab each other in the back to win. He was right....these contestants who talk about being moral, loyal, and betrayal just don't get it...the challenges are just a part of the game....manipulation, alliances, switching sides and voting off strong contestants make it Survivor. These are people you love to hate--but keep watching them. Boston Rob had power because the others gave it to him..they were to stupid to realize he would eliminate them in time.

By Jethrine

To have maintained a friendship with Grant, Rob could have "drawn a line in the sand" that had nothing to do with game play: Rob could have refrained from the ugly remarks he made about Grant and the others when it was only Rob and the camera around. How is it really part of the game when, in the absence of all the other contestants, you announce to the world that Grant is an idiot? Rob always talks smack about people to the camera, and that is much more indicative of his duplicity than anything that he did in the game.

Wednesday 18 May

By Tina

Well said! He played the game, but as he knifed his "friends" in the back he bragged about it and personally attacked each one. Ive got to give it to him, he deserved to win. I wish he hadnt, but there wasnt much choice once the other tribe was gone.

By andrewswarwick

The whole thing was fixed

By Doug

Before this season, I would argued tooth and nail that Survivor was never fixed. But after this season, I totally agree with you! It's especially apparent now that Rob is getting his own show!

By Jim

Rob is a douche. He refered to the final few he played with as "idots" and got to play 4 friggen times. I've seen enough of him and more than enough of Russell ...

By Joan

Survivor is a game, it's not to make life long friends. Congratulations to Rob. I also liked all of the contestants. They were a great group of people.

By Jerry Pozner

Rob You remind me of Don Ameche. You could be an actor. Good luck

By Eric

ROB ROCKS !! I was so shocked by the other players feeling and bitterness !! ROB worked them so good and IS THE GREATEST PLAYER EVER ... the rest of the cast were played for fools and hopefully they learned a good leason from Rob..on how to play Survior.. Congrats again Rob... Your deserve the win.. Good luck on your new show

By William

He played a great game but at the same time,some ot the others didn't play well at all.Were stupid.Tehy should have known he had the idol and got rid of him before the finale.The girls should have stuck together about 2 weeks ago.Shoul ahve known they wouldn't get the votes from the jury.

Tuesday 17 May

By joann

wow another loser nobody whos gonna make millions off of the morons in america

By shantanz

I am soooo happy for you. Have watched the show from day one and you are a favorite. I wish you and Amber the best. Stay true to your family and keep your feet on the ground. Best of luck.

By jamie

grant , an ex NFL player in great shape, lost 2 important challenges to those 2 blonde girls. he cant really blame rob

By leh

OMG if they give Russell the troll another chance I will be sick!

By Linda S

I have loved Boston Rob since Day 1 - as soon as I saw his sweet Sox baseball cap and heard his great Beantown accent. I'll be checking out his new show on the History Channel and would Love to see him take over Survivor if Jeff "retired"

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