February 22, 2007
How Boston Rob is a Romance Hero
Written by Jenna Petersen in Jaunty PostI orginally published this on my personal blog in May 2005. And in honor of the new Amazing Race, I am republishing it here.
My husband and I are Amazing Race fans. Actually, I was first and I dragged him along (as I am wont to do). But this season was the best. Because this season we got Boston Rob and Amber. We didn’t watch the Survivor where Rob Mariano first made his appearance. And though I watched Survivor Australian Outback, I didn’t even remember Amber.
So we went into Amazing Race 7 without any preconceived notions about them. But we instantly fell in love with them and rooted for them all the way to the end, without fail. Then I admit, I TiVoed Rob and Amber Get Married and watched that, too. And then I bought Survivor All Stars just to see their game play that brought them to the end and the relationship that brought them together. And I now have a theory:
Rob Mariano is a bad boy romance hero.
1. Bad Boy Romance Heroes are charismatic. Any situation Rob encountered on The Amazing Race, he could flash his grin and get what he wanted. He was polite to the locals (for the most part), always introduced himself, and when he got what he wanted, he generally shook hands with the person who gave it to him. Clearly, he has that magical power some people naturally possess that makes people want to like and help them.
2. Bad Boy Romance Heroes are smart. I was very interested to hear Rob say that Amber made him ‘feel smart’ and that was part of why he loved her. First… awwwwww. But second, dude, don’t you KNOW you’re smart? Clearly, he knew how to strategize. But beyond that, he had the presence of mind to have his tribe pull their boat entirely out of the water to bail it, unlike the other geniuses in All Star. In a traffic jam, he was smart enough to get out and help PUSH the blocking vehicle out of the way. He had real smarts. Smarts that actually do some good in the real world.
3. Bad Boy Romance Heroes are capable. Like smart above, but a little different. Car breaks down? Rob can fix it. Need to build a raft? Let Rob do it. Have a hole in your shack roof? Ask Rob. Need a strong swimmer/runner/diver/climber? Rob’s your guy.
4. Bad Boy Romance Heroes love their women. Yes, he can be a jerk. He lied. He cheated. He conned. And he grinned so charmingly the whole time that I laughed every time he pulled the wool over someone’s eyes. But when it came to Amber… that stuff is out. I never once saw him raise his voice to her in the Amazing Race. If she couldn’t do something, he assumed it was because it was extremely difficult, not because she wasn’t capable. In Survivor, he had a choice to betray a friend or betray Amber. He stuck by her. And in their wedding special, he said, “Anything my girl wants” and he meant it. Every word.
Am I a shameless Romber (Rob and Amber) fan? Hell yeah! I enjoyed every moment of their wild Reality Show Ride. And I wish them all the best and more in their new life together.
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Shana Says:
I don’t watch The Amazing Race or Survivor, Jenna, but from your description, I almost wish I did. From the couple of times I’ve seen The Amazing Race, it almost seems like the situations tear the couples apart. They yell at each other and fight (but I’ve only seen the show once or twice, so I may be way off). How great to find a couple that supports one another no matter what. That’s true romance.
Kristol Says:
Oh I love them too. I remember Amber from her first Survivor season, though she wasn’t one of my favorites then, she was really quiet and best buds with the horrible Jerri! I remember Rob from his season and really enjoyed watching him, hehe. I fell in love with Rob and Amber during Survivor All-stars and I loved them on the Amazing Race. I missed their wedding, which upset me quite a bit. I am so excited that they are on TAR all-stars and hope they kick some serious butt!! I really can’t believe that David and Mary and Charla and Mirna qualified as “all-stars”. The Frat brothers won’t be on the race very long either it seems.
brownone Says:
EEWW!! I must be the only one on the planet that found Rob and Amber to be obnoxious! Same with Trista (not her husband so much) from the Bachelorette! Maybe it is because I am so obnoxious I just can’t stand their obnoxious-ness! I actually have a Happy Bunny bumper sticker that says: “Your anger makes me happy!” and another one that says “I know how you feel, I just don’t care!”
Anne Mallory Says:
Jenna, I remember this blog! You know I so agree with you.
Jenna Petersen Says:
Anne and Jenna go off to form the “We Love Rob” Club.
Shana, TAR is on Sundays after 60 Minutes. It is true that most of the couples do rip each other apart. Which is why Romber TOTALLY rocks.
I have a shameless Rob crush. El Guapo shakes his head (and yet still likes Rob, hence CHARISMA!). But I like a little swagger.
Robyn DeHart Says:
I’ve watched Survivor from the beginning and I didn’t care for Amber or Rob during their individual seasons. She was just sort of blah and he was a total jerk. But then in All Stars, he changed and you could see him falling in love with her and he was totally charming and adorable. I didn’t watch them on Amazing Race cause that show makes me soooo nervous, but I have to agree, he’s a great bad boy hero.
Kristol Says:
Hey Anne and Jenna, what about me? I wanna join!! When I told my hubby they were going to be on TAR he said “woohoo my Amber is back” and I said “who cares I got my Boston Rob”. I have all of their orginal TAR episodes burned on DVD’s and am doing the same this season!
JANET Says:
rob and amber are the only teams that get along so well,,I hate the way some get along..
Jenna Petersen Says:
Kristol, totally. We are an open membership organization! LOL
And Janet, you’re right. So many married or couple teams are absolutely CRUEL to each other.