"Boston Rob" finally wins Survivor in 4th try

Boston Rob Mariano faced some tough choices and challenges on "Survivor: Redemption Island." / CBS Photo

LOS ANGELES — It took four attempts, but "Boston" Rob Mariano finally won "Survivor."

The trash-talking 35-year-old veteran of the CBS reality series overcame wacky 52-year-old former federal agent Phillip Sheppard and 19-year-old dancer Natalie Tenerelli to take home the $1 million grand prize on Sunday's finale of "Survivor: Redemption Island." Mariano said he earned eight votes from the nine-person jury of dismissed contestants.

"You don't know for sure until the votes are read, but I had a pretty good feeling," Mariano said during a phone interview following the finale. "I played my heart out. I love this game, but you've got to get lucky along the way, too. I know what it takes. It's really, really difficult. I'm really, really happy things happened the way they did this time."

Pictures: "Survivor: Redemption Island"

Mariano, who previously competed on the "Marquesas," "All-Stars" and "Heroes vs. Villains" seasons, dominated the Nicaragua-set 22nd edition of "Survivor," securing his place in the final trio by winning four individual immunity challenges and calculating the demise of most of the season's newbie castaways, including several of his own allies.

"I knew from the very beginning that if I was able to get my foot in the door, and if I could get these people to at least play with me, that I would have a shot," said Mariano, who returned to the game with "Samoa" bad boy Russell Hantz. "They didn't realize how nervous that I was the first day out there. They held all the power, but they didn't know that."

Mariano joined the 39-day survival contest with Hantz, his 36-year-old "Heroes vs. Villains" adversary. The pair were sent to opposing tribes of new contestants, but Hantz was swiftly dispatched by his Zapatera tribemates, while Mariano became the undisputed leader of his Ometepe tribe, forming an impenetrable six-person alliance that never wavered.

This season's twist, which sent ousted players to Redemption Island, where they competed to return to the game, was mostly moot because 21-year-old college student Andrea Boehlke and 22-year-old college student Matt Elrod, arguably Mariano's biggest threat, were immediately voted back out of the game each time they overcame Redemption Island.

"He did everything, and most importantly, he managed to blindside Matt," said David Murphy, the 31-year-old Zapatera tribe member who became the first member of the jury. "In the process of doing that, he sent a message to his tribe that if any of you show any signs of not being loyal, you're gonna go home. He controlled all of you. He controlled your minds."

Jeff Probst, the show's host, said it was as "close to a perfect game as anybody's played." At the end of the finale, Probst revealed that the 23rd season would be strikingly similar to the 22nd edition: "Survivor: South Pacific" will feature 16 new castaways and two veteran players, and the return of Redemption Island. It premieres this fall.

[pineapple54]

Survivor is my guilty pleasure also. I love the game, I love watching the people play it and how each one handles the stress. I am so glad Rob finally won. He is a good player and I enjoy watching him. He knows what the game is about and how to go about winning it just took him some time to do it, ;). I don't go in for backstabbing and all the drama that goes on on the show but come on guys, this is a GAME! As long as no one is hurt they have to do whatever it takes to win a million dollars. People who get so upset over this are silly, it is a GAME and one I personally enjoy watching. YEAH ROB!!!!

[HowardRoarked]

It is not a matter of how well Rob played but how poorly his tribemates played. Really? A guy that has played 3 previous times and you are going to let him call all of the shots. Grant, Natalie, Phillip, Andrea and Ashley are sheep. Could they not see this when they got down to the final six. Used to love the show, but it seems more and more scripted.

[Demoserver]

Obviously Rob outsmarted those who thought they were the smartest! I am glad too for him to win,he loves his family which also started with he and Amber meeting there. Now I think he will be content to
finally give the game over to someone else. Good luck Rob!!!!

[atomant59]

For those of you still that idealize Gov. Rick Perry, Texas and the Bush swagger. I would like to point out that Russel Hantz (The New Style Texan) is a sawed off, pompous little prick that truly represents what has become of the Southern Right Wing Conservatives. A sadly bitter, self absorbed, egotistical, braggart that finds fault with everything and everybody but himself. He cries when he looses and wants to take all his toys and go home. He is the typical school yard bully that crumbles in the face of a real adversary. He seethed that his tribe members had thrown a challenge to get rid of him because they feared his prowess at the game of Survivor. In reality Russell, it's like this, people don't fear trailer park trash, they just don't want it around them and they want someone to put it where it belongs, in the dump. BTW, if you ask Russell, he's a good Christian too&..

[cyndifug8]

Way to go Boston Rob! I can't help it, Survivor is one of my guilty pleasures, and I'm glad Rob finally won.

[1176894]

I do not watch this show any more,I can tolerate backstabbing for a time has passed.I see in the news that Boston Rob finally won the grand prize,now maybe he will finally sit himself down and shut up.

[brenvegas]

I have only watched this show the last episode and I must say it's pathetic that you have millions and millions of viewers watching this show and have the same person on the show four (4) times is excessive. He is an arrogant, selfish, jerk. His wife already won $1million that is unfair. I am sure I am not the only person. Poor choice...

[Montana5]

Brilliant observation....check out the ratings. And it is alos very interesting you watched this "pathetic" show....then chose to write about it on this blog. Would hate to see your reaction if you liked it. Go Boston Rob!

[ZunarJ59]

Uhh folks.....the whole fracking world is falling apart and we're discussing "Survivor" like it's something relevant. Next we'll be thinking DWTS means jack. What the hell is wrong with us?

[erasmus111]

"What the hell is wrong with us?"


Nothing. Does everything have to be doom and gloom?

[guyfrompa46]

Uh.. It's a TV show.. we're not allowed to have some entertainment? What is wrong with you? Maybe we show sit and wait for the world to end.. Lighten up dude..