Rob Cesternino

Robert "Rob" Cesternino is a contestant from and.

Considered "the smartest player to never win" at the time by Jeff Probst, Rob became popularized as a strong social competitor introducing the strategy of "flip-flopping" on alliances while still maintaining many strong alliances that controlled the later-half of his time in The Amazon. He also taught "student" Matthew von Ertfelda about Survivor while on The Amazon.

The Amazon
Rob Cesternino currently works as a computer projects coordinator for an insurance general agency. He has been previously employed as a store clerk, a waiter and a bartender. After receiving 1420 on his SAT's, he eventually went on to graduate from the honors program at the State University of New York at Oswego with a Bachelor of Arts degree in broadcasting. Cesternino wrote his college senior thesis on "The Impact of Reality Television" and received an A. While in college, he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.

Cesternino's favorite hobbies include telling jokes, watching sports and singing karaoke. He believes he is a master strategist that is always pulling shenanigans on people who suspect he's just an innocent kid. He describes himself as mischievous, hilarious and creative. If he could hold any office, he'd like to be member of Congress because "it looks like they can do anything they want with no repercussions." Cesternino cites a last minute college road trip where he and two buddies drove 21 hours to go to Mardi Gras in New Orleans (without hotel accommodations) as his single greatest accomplishment. His favorite sport is baseball and he is an avid fan of the New York Mets and New York Jets. His hero is Bob Barker because, since a child, he always admired how he ran the show and was so funny about it. Superman is his chosen superhero—besides the obvious strength and flying, "the x-ray vision would keep me busy for hours." He is doing this because he is an avid fan of SURVIVOR and has dreamed of being a castaway. If he wins the $1 million, he's buying a "fully equipped bachelor pad with a big neon sign that will say 'OPEN.'"

Cesternino is married to Nicole Palmieri.

All-Stars
After Rob Cesternino's third place finish on SURVIVOR: THE AMAZON, Jeff Probst declared him "the smartest player to have never won SURVIVOR" during the live finale show. Since then, among other things, Rob has written a weekly newspaper column for his local paper, made speaking engagements, endorsed Mattel's "Magic 8-ball" (which was his luxury item) and has been writing and performing stand-up comedy.

Rob graduated from the honors program at the State University of New York at Oswego with a Bachelor of Arts degree in broadcasting. While at Oswego, he worked extensively with both the university's television and radio stations. He wrote his college senior thesis on "The Impact of Reality Television" and received an A. During his time in college, Rob was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. After college, he worked for more than two years as a computer projects coordinator for an insurance general agency. His other previous work experience has included a store clerk, a waiter and a bartender.

Rob's favorite hobbies include telling jokes, watching sports and singing karaoke. His all-time favorite pastime is watching television, and he is a self-described pop culture encyclopedia. If he could hold any office, he'd like to be member of Congress because "it looks like they can do anything they want with no repercussions."

Rob cites a last minute college road trip where he and two buddies drove 21 hours to go to Mardi Gras in New Orleans (without hotel accommodations) as his single greatest accomplishment. His favorite sport is baseball and he is an avid fan of the New York Mets and New York Jets. His hero is Bob Barker because, since a child, he always admired how he hosts THE PRICE IS RIGHT with such humor. Superman is his chosen superhero: besides the obvious strength and flying, "the x-ray vision would keep me busy for hours."

Rob currently lives in Plainview, New York, but originally hails from Wantagh, New York. His birth date is October 20, 1978.

Survivor: The Amazon
Rob Cesternino was placed on the all-male Tambaqui tribe. Throughout the game, Rob made many witty  comments. Like most of the men, Rob felt the men would easily defeat the all-female Jaburu tribe. He could tell that Dave Johnson was planning to play an honorable game based on his speech. That works fine for him because he was planning to lie to get ahead. Rob was impressed by Butch Lockley's survival skills. He also didn't mind being called a "kid" by Roger Sexton. The men made fire quickly and built shelter. Rob offered his luxury item, a magic 8-ball. He stated that the only condition was if you don't ask the magic 8-ball if the tribe win or lose challenge, because it will freak them out or be a sham. Most of the men talked about the women, namely the three young beauties(Heidi Strobel, Jenna Morasca, Shawna Mitchell). Rob's favorite girl was Heidi. At the immunity challenge, the men was leading for the most part. However, Ryan Aiken and Daniel Lue couldn't cross the balance beam. This allowed the women to catch up and surpass the men. Rob and Dave also had problems with the puzzle. The women won immunity. Rob was approached by both Roger and Ryan to vote out the other. After weighing his options, Rob cast the deciding vote against Ryan.

Despite having the better camp life, the men lost the reward challenge. This was demoralizing, but they won the immunity challenge. At this time, Rob wanted Roger out badly and witness a argument between Roger and Alex Bell about being gay(Despite both men being straight). Both, Rob and Daniel lobby for Alex's vote. At the reward challenge, Rob learned that his "witty partay" was viewed favorably among women. The men praised him, and Rob hoped for a merge soon. Tambaqui lost the reward challenge, which was for toiletries. Rob didn't mind losing because he felt that the women need it more. That night, Rob envisioned the young women bathing. He voiced also a dislike of Joanna Ward claiming that God loves Jaburu. Jaburu won immunity, sending the men back to tribal council. Alex did not vote against Roger, forcing Rob to do the same. Things took a turn for the better, when the men won the next two challenges.

The tribe receive tree mail asking for its youngest member to have a night of fun and wine. Rob wanted to go, but Dave was younger that himself. When Dave returned, he announced a tribe switch. Rob, along with Alex and Matthew von Ertfelda would be transferred to Jaburu. Rob was angered by Dave's decision, viewing him as looking out for his, Butch and Roger's best interest. The men made a big entrance and was welcomed by the the women. The men's presence sparked Shawna back up, who had a breakdown a few days ago. The new tribe won immunity. Rob decided to make an alliance with Deena Bennett, who he felt the people would least likely to have an alliance with. At the reward challenge, Rob only went up once and lost against Butch. Rob also made an alliance with Matthew. Matthew was thrilled because he felt that they were the next two to go on the original Tambaqui. Jaburu lost the immunity challenge. Alex and Shawna revealed they was voting against Matthew. Not wanting to lose his new ally, Rob and Deena decided to vote out Shawna. While showing his voting confessional, Rob describe Shawna as a wonderful person because she put others needs before her own. But that what make her a terrible Survivor player.

Alex was saddened by Shawna's departure. Rob felt that Alex can focus on the game. Rob told everyone a plan to make it appear the men was sticking together, so their can divert their votes. The intended target was Dave for his athleticism. However, the target quickly shifted to Roger because of his bossiness and sexism toward women. Rob was amazed when Jenna and Heidi stripped for peanut butter and chocolate. Rob stepped out for Pizza. Both Deena and Christy Smith decided to end the challenge for Spaghetti and Meatballs. Deena won rock-paper-scissors, giving her immunity. Rob's plan worked and Roger was voted out in a 7-3 vote. Rob and the others made fun of Roger and his underwear. He was ready to get rid of Dave because of he viewed him as arrogant. Rob was teamed with Butch and Christy, but they lost. At the immunity challenge, Rob was the fourth person knocked out. Jenna eventually won immunity and Dave was unanimously voted out.

Matthew was the initial target. However after Alex won the reward challenge, Deena started to target him if Matthew won immunity. Deena approached Rob to vote him out. When Alex learned of this, he tried to recruit Rob to oust Deena. At the same time, Rob used Matthew to form an alliance with Butch. As he says, Rob was the most powerful player in the game. Matthew won immunity after Deena refused to eat the live grub worm. After careful consideration, Rob swayed the vote against Deena, sending her to the jury. In the majority, Rob, Jenna, Heidi and Alex got lazy at camp. This irritated the others. Matthew and Butch tried to get Rob on their side. At the Survivor Auction, Rob brought a protein bar. Later that night, Alex told Rob that he would likely be the one to go at the final four. Refusing to take that lying down, Rob formed a counter alliance with Butch, Matthew, and Christy to oust Alex. Rob explained to Matthew that he was manipulating him though the game. Matthew accepted it well and acknowledges the fact that Rob is the reason he is still in the game. At the immunity challenge, the tribe was given a survey. The tribe had to guess the most common answer. Rob beat out Matthew for immunity. Rob's plan came too fruition and Alex was blindsided.

After Alex's expulsion from the game, Rob started a conversation about Alex being likable but untrustworthy. Heidi and Jenna was extremely angry with Rob and his betrayal. Rob was planning to take Matthew to the Final Two. Rob questioned Matthew's ability to be beaten when he gave up a visit from his mom so the others can see their loved ones. Rob was able to his mother, Roseanne. He told her that he was a "bad boy" in the game. Rob tried to make a finals deal with Jenna, but she was too disgusted by him to accept. Meanwhile, the girls was trying to get Christy to come to them. Rob nearly won immunity but Jenna won it instead. Rob talked to Christy about her choice, which she replied that her decision would be based on what will win the game. Terrified by Christy's swing vote status, Rob formed a plan with Heidi and Jenna to get Christy out. The women happily accepted and Christy was blindsided

Rob didn't sense any animosity from neither woman. In fact, both women was thankful because he saved them both. They didn't mind being told that Rob was planning to vote them out. Butch made Rob help him collect firewood, which camp was overflowing with it. Matthew select Rob to join him on reward. At this point, Rob admitted that he told every lie he could and his fate was in Matthew's hands. After eating, they returned to a burnt camp. Rob felt this was one of the worst things that can happen. In a confessional, Rob blamed Butch for the disaster. After Matthew won the immunity challenge, Jenna had a breakdown. After careful consideration, the men decided to vote out Heidi for being the bigger threat. The men were planning to vote out Jenna next. However, Jenna won immunity. Rob was in danger due to lack of relationships with Butch and Jenna. Matthew did save him, convincing Jenna that Rob was more deserving than Butch for playing the game. The trio got a scale from tree mail. Jeff later came to camp, saying that the final three reward would get a seaplane ride to view the Amazon. After that, they would adorn themselves with paint and jewelry for the Final Immunity Challenge. Rob was unable to win immunity. Although she considered taking Rob because he was easier to beat, Jenna took Matthew because he was more deserving. Rob was the last person to be voted out and became the final member of the jury. At Final Tribal Council, Rob asked the finalists why shouldn't the other one win. Matthew said that Jenna didn't contribute at camp as much as the others and asked to be voted out days earlier. Jenna said that Matthew didn't play the strategic game. That he didn't need the money, didn't care about the people here and viewed the game just as a adventure. Rob gave credit where it was due and voted for Jenna to win.

Survivor: All-Stars
Cesternino was a member of the Chapera tribe. He, like most of the other Chapera members, did not have to worry about voting anyone out due to Chapera's winning streak and an avoidance of tribal council in episode 3 due to Jenna Morasca pulling out of the game. However, Rob found a rival in fellow Chapera tribe mate Rob Mariano, who was the de facto leader that was calling the shots. In episode 4, Rob C. attempted to show that he could contribute to his tribe by hunting down the final key to their rice box, but coincidentally, his rival had found the final key first.

At the immunity challenge, Cesternino and Amber sat out, and Cesternino could only watch helplessly as his tribe was pummeled by the large puzzle pieces carried by the other blindfolded tribe members. Mogo Mogo managed to edge out the dominant Chapera at the last second to send Chapera to their first Tribal Council.

Boston Rob attempted to make a fake alliance with Cesternino to ease his fears over going home. However, Cesternino was skeptical of Boston Rob. At Tribal Council, Cesternino's smart and savvy gameplay marked him as a threat by Amber and Boston Rob, and he was voted out 5-1.

Post-Survivor

 * On January 9, 2010, Rob attended Survivor's 10-year anniversary party.


 * Cesternino is now married with longtime girlfriend Nicole Palmeiri and resides in Los Angeles. The couple, along with Stephen Fishbach, currently hosts podcasts called Rob Has A Podcast, where they talk about Survivor and other reality shows, such as Celebrity Apprentice and Big Brother while checking with previous reality show contestants and their post-show accomplishments. Plus, Rob writes the Immunity Blog on CBS.com. In addition, Rob was inducted into the 2012 Survivor Hall of Fame, along with Ethan Zohn and Amanda Kimmel.


 * At the end of Survivor Know-it-alls episode for the Caramoan Reunion show in May 2013, Rob announced he and Nicole are expecting a baby. On September 29, 2013, the couple welcomed their first child, Dominic James Cesternino.


 * In 2013, Rob won a Podcast Award for "Best Entertainment" at the 2013 Podcast Awards by the fans of Rob Has A Podcast. In 2014, Rob Has a Podcast won "Best Produced" and "Best Video Podcast" at the 2014 Podcast Awards. Later that year, he appeared on the Survivor Live After Show and lost a game of trivia to a kid in middle school.

Trivia

 * Rob's luxury item in was a Magic 8-Ball.
 * His item, however, was destroyed in a fire, along with clothes and the Jacaré camp.
 * Rob was the only original Chapera member to be voted out pre-merge in, as the only other member who left at that stage of the game quit.
 * Rob was nominated in Survivor: America's Tribal Council as Best Villain, but lost to Jonny Fairplay.
 * Rob's elimination in All-Stars made him the 100th contestant voted out of Survivor.
 * In a secret scene, Rob and his tribemates on Chapera held their own pretend Tribal Council on Day 3. Rob played the role of Jeff Probst and Rob Mariano noted that his impression of Jeff was impressive.
 * Rob was voted out of the game in both of his seasons on a red tribe.

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