Have you ever wanted to meet “Survivor” legend “Boston Rob” Mariano in the flesh?
Well, that dream is about to become a reality for a handful of lucky fans as the “Survivor: Redemption Island” champion joins “Survivor: Cambodia” winner Jeremy Collins at Boston’s “Survivor” Ultimate Fan Cafe installation on Wednesday, September 24 to celebrate the highly anticipated premiere of “Survivor 49.”
CBS announced that the two former series champions would be joining forces at the limited-time-only fan installation in an Instagram post on Friday, eliciting frenzied reactions from fans.
Boston Rob ‘Can’t Wait’ to Celebrate Season 49 at His Old Bar
“Oh how I love being a Bostonian,” wrote one fan in response to the announcement, while another added, “Not to be dramatic, but my heart skips a beat everytime I see [Boston Rob].”
“See you there,” added “Survivor: Ghost Island” alum James Limsta, revealing that he would also be attending the live viewing party for the season’s epic two-hour premiere episode.
Mariano himself said he “can’t wait” to return to his hometown – and his home bar – to celebrate Season 49.
The “Survivor” Ultimate Fan Cafe installation is located at Boston’s The Greatest Bar, where Mariano worked as a bartender before rising to reality TV stardom on the cast of “Survivor: Marquesas” in 2002. Since then he has competed on a total of five seasons of the Emmy-winning reality competition series, as well as making appearances on series like “The Amazing Race,” “Deal or No Deal Island” and “The Traitors.”
Mariano’s connection to The Greatest Bar isn’t the only reason CBS chose the location for the first-of-its-kind fan installation, however, as the 4-floor sports bar is actually owned by “Survivor 49” contestant Shannon Fairweather’s parents.
Jeremy Collins Announced as Next ‘On Fire’ Podcast Co-Host
Jeremy Collins, who will join Boston Rob at the Season 49 watch party on Wednesday night, similarly has a storied “Survivor” past. After originally appearing on “Survivor: San Juan del Sur” alongside his wife, Val, for the “Blood vs. Water” season, fans voted for Collins to return to the competition for “Survivor: Second Chances,” which he ultimately won.
Collins and Mariano made their most recent “Survivor” appearances together on the cast of 2020’s “Winners at War” before joining the (now Emmy-winning!) cast of “The Traitors” Season 3 earlier this year.
Wednesday’s watch party will mark the beginning of Collins’ foray back into the world of “Survivor” as the former winner prepares to join the series’ longtime host Jeff Probst on the official “Survivor” podcast – “On Fire with Jeff Probst” – for the duration of Season 49.
“I’m pumped,” said Collins after the news was announced. “I’m pumped to do this. I got 100 days in, a lot of experience, three seasons. I’ve played with loved ones, I’ve played second chances, and I’ve played with winners – I feel like I’ve been through everything. So I want to give my perspective on season 49, and even season 50, and let season 50 know what to expect out there.”
Tickets for the “Survivor” Ultimate Fan Cafe’s premiere episode viewing party are, unfortunately, completely sold out, but fans can still catch the “mind-blowing” debut on “Survivor 49” when it airs on CBS Wednesday, September 24 at 8:00pm ET.
