Rob Cesternino
Born
Robert Kristopher Cesternino

(1978-10-20) October 20, 1978 (age 45)
Wantagh, New York, U.S.
OccupationPodcaster
Notable workRob Has a Podcast
TelevisionSurvivor: The Amazon
Survivor: All-Stars
SpouseNicole Cesternino
WebsiteRob Has a Website

Robert Kristopher Cesternino (born October 20, 1978) is an American reality television contestant and podcast host, known for his appearances on Survivor: The Amazon (2003) and Survivor: All-Stars (2004). In 2010, he launched Rob Has a Podcast, a platform to discuss and analyze reality television, most notably Survivor, Big Brother, and The Amazing Race. In 2014, Cesternino and Hollywood Reporter journalist Josh Wigler launched Post Show Recaps, a companion platform that covers scripted television.[1]

Personal life

Cesternino is originally from Wantagh, New York. Cesternino attended the State University of New York at Oswego, graduating in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in broadcasting.[2] He was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. His college thesis was titled, "The Impact of Reality Television."[3]

At the time of his first appearance on Survivor, Cesternino was employed as a computer projects coordinator for an insurance agency[4][5] He had previously worked as a store clerk, a waiter, and a bartender. He originally applied to compete on Big Brother and advanced to the final stages of the casting process, but was ultimately not selected to appear on the show. Several months later, he was offered an opportunity by the same production team to compete on Survivor.[6]

In August 2010, Cesternino married his longtime girlfriend, Nicole Palmeri. The couple's first child, Dominic James, was born on September 29, 2013.[7] The couple's second child, Anthony Joseph, was born on November 12, 2015.[8]

Survivor

The Amazon

Main article: Survivor: The Amazon

Cesternino appeared on Survivor: The Amazon in 2003. Originally assigned to the all-male Tambaqui tribe, Cesternino opted to keep a low profile early in the game, following orders from the older tribe members and using self-deprecating humor to disarm potential rivals. Once the tribes merged, he began forging multiple alliances and striking deals with other players. While most Survivor contestants in prior seasons tended to remain with their original alliance, Cesternino frequently flipped between groups, double-crossing allies and dictating the game strategy.

Cesternino was voted out on Day 38 (of 39) by Jenna Morasca, making him the fourteenth person eliminated and placing him third overall. Despite this, he cast his jury vote for Morasca to win the very next night. Morasca defeated Matthew von Ertfelda to be named the winner of the season. While he fell short of victory, Cesternino's performance is frequently cited as one of the best non-winning games in the history of the show.[9]

All-Stars

Main article: Survivor: All-Stars

In 2004, Cesternino was invited back to play again on Survivor: All-Stars as a member of the Chapera tribe. Due to his impressive gameplay in Survivor: The Amazon, he was considered a major strategic threat by the other returning players. He was the fourth person eliminated (and third voted out) after a unanimous decision by his tribemates, finishing in 15th place. Cesternino's fellow Survivor: The Amazon castaway Jenna Morasca had already withdrawn from the game to be with her ailing mother, but was never voted out.

Post-Survivor

Rob Has A Podcast

Main article: Rob Has a Podcast

In 2010, Cesternino launched Rob Has a Podcast, also known as RHAP, a podcast network focused on the discussion of reality television, with an emphasis on CBS' three main programs in the category – Survivor, Big Brother, and The Amazing Race. The podcast began by covering Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains. RHAP has expanded to cover a wide range of other reality programs and now features podcasts not hosted by Cesternino himself. He frequently has alumni of Survivor and other reality shows as guests on the podcast. As of 2022, RHAP typically features ten weekly podcasts covering Survivor during the season, with five hosted by Cesternino and five hosted by other RHAP hosts.

Other media

Cesternino was inducted into Xfinity's Survivor "Hall of Fame" in 2012, alongside Amanda Kimmel and Ethan Zohn.[10] In addition, both of his seasons were voted by viewers into the top 10 greatest seasons of all time - The Amazon was 8th, while All-Stars was 6th.[11][12] In a 2015 interview shortly before the premiere of the 30th season, Jeff Probst stated that Cesternino and Spencer Bledsoe were his personal favorite non-winner contestants.[13]

Rob Has a Podcast has won five Podcast Awards: best entertainment podcast (2012, 2014), best video podcast (2013), best produced podcast (2013). Most notably, RHAP beat hit podcast Serial in the category of people's choice podcast of 2014.

In June 2013, Cesternino appeared as a co-host and executive producer of Reality GameMasters, a YouTube show documenting six reality stars competing in a game of Risk.[14]

Cesternino was approached to compete on The Amazing Race 31 with Survivor: Tocantins contestant and RHAP co-host, Stephen Fishbach. The pair showed interest but declined due to Fishbach's upcoming wedding.[15]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2003 Survivor: The Amazon Contestant Eliminated; 3rd place
2004 Survivor: All-Stars Contestant Eliminated; 15th place
2010-present Rob Has a Podcast Host

References

  1. ^ "About Post Show Recaps". PostShowRecaps.com. Retrieved 2022-05-25.
  2. ^ Whitehouse, Beth (October 10, 2001). "CASTING CALL / Who will be the next Sean or Kimmi? / Maybe these 'Survivor IV' audition tapes will tell". Newsday. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
  3. ^ Rob - Survivor Cast Member, retrieved 2022-05-25
  4. ^ Petrozzello, Donna (January 14, 2003). "'Survivor' River Rumble Will Be Guys vs. Gals". Daily News. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
  5. ^ Petrozzello, Donna (February 13, 2003). "Survival is a Ball for L.I. guy plays for laughs". Daily News. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
  6. ^ "Rob Cesternino | What Reality TV Teaches Us About Real Life (Bonus) • The Art of Charm". The Art of Charm. 2015-02-06. Retrieved 2022-05-25.
  7. ^ Stanhope, Kate (30 September 2013). "Survivor: The Amazon Alum Rob Cesternino and Wife Welcome a Baby Boy". TVGN. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  8. ^ Helling, Steve (November 13, 2015). "Rob Cesternino Welcomes Son Anthony Joseph". People. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  9. ^ "The 20 Best Non-Winning Games". Inside Survivor. 2020-07-29. Retrieved 2022-05-25.
  10. ^ Holmes, Gordon (December 12, 2012). "'Survivor' Hall of Fame 2012 Inductee – Rob Cesternino". Xfinity. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  11. ^ "Get Insider Answers in the Survivor 30th Season Extravaganza". CBS.com. February 3, 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  12. ^ Blickley, Leigh (January 30, 2015). "The 10 Best Seasons In 'Survivor' History". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  13. ^ Ross, Dalton (February 25, 2015). "Jeff Probst names his favorite Survivor winner, non-winner, twist, challenge, and season ever". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  14. ^ Cesternino, Rob (2013). "Reality Gamemasters, A Rob Has A Podcast Original Web Series". Rob Has A Website. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  15. ^ Rob Cesternino; Stephen Fishbach (2019-04-11). "Survivor Know-It-Alls | Edge of Extinction Episode 9 Recap". Rob Has a Podcast. Retrieved 2020-03-21.

External links

Survivor contestants
Categories