Ellen and I went to Washington DC on Wednesday for a live Survivor event with Rob Has A Podcast. Here’s the recap – and the Survivors we met in real life!
The winner of Survivor 42 – Maryanne (left) – and fan favorite, Omar (top)!
Survivor IRL!
As you likely already know, my friends Ellen, Hillary and I are huge fans of Survivor. We’ve seen all 42 seasons – and counting!
And we’ve even done our own Survivor weekends.
Rob Has A Podcast aka RHAP
We all listen to Rob Has A Podcast, which is the most famous Survivor podcast produced by former Survivor contestant Rob Cesternino, who was on Amazon (season 6) and All-Stars (season 8).
Every week Rob and his team produce recaps of the show and interview players.
Our event on Wednesday was a gathering of RHAP Survivor fans and a live recording of the Know It Alls Episode, which you can watch here.
Ellen and me with Rob at the after party
Pre-Show Dinner at Zaytinia
Ellen and I drove up in the afternoon and spent the night at a Courtyard by Marriott that was in walking distance to the events.
After we donned our Survivor buffs, we went to dinner at Zaytinya. Ellen researched great spots in the area and we both love Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese cuisine.
All the flatbread!
Cocktails
Ellen had the Za-atar Margarita with “za’atar air” foam, and I loved my spiced mezcal drink.
The Food
We ordered 5 dishes, ending with the famous grilled octopus.
HTIPITI
marinated roasted red peppers, feta, thyme
FALAFEL
traditional crispy chickpea fritters, tumeric pickles, cherry tomato, tahini
This was my favorite dish!!
BANTIJIAN BIL LABAN
crispy eggplant, roasted garlic yogurt, pistachio, mint-cardamom spice
MUSHROOM KAPNISTÁ
smoked mushrooms, dates, roasted walnuts, cumin, labneh
OCTOPUS SANTORINI
grilled Mediterranean octopus, marinated onions, capers, yellow split pea purée
Everything was incredible!
Walk to The National Press Club
We took a brisk walk to the National Press Club where the event was held.
We got there an hour early and snagged some great seats.
Rob Has An Announcement
Our host for the evening let us know some Survivors were in the house! We knew this was likely, but it was SO COOL to get to mingle with former players!
Ellen and I jumped up right away with our seat-neighbor Maisie to meet Maryanne and Omar from season 42.
It was madness in there! (Also really hope our boosters keep us healthy…..!)
We also met Tori from 42, who was super nice! We ended up going down 13 flights of stairs with her later and now we are BFFs. Haha.
We met all the Survivors in attendance. So so fun.
And then we all watched the live episode.
Live Podcast
After the episode concluded (with lots of gasps and cheering), Rob came back on stage with Maryanne to discuss what happened.
You can listen to the live podcast here.
Mike Turner + Omar joined the panel
Also on the stage: Wendell Holland, winner of Survivor 36: Ghost Island and Brice Izyah of Survivor 28: Cagayan.
This was our first live event, and it won’t be our last!
The After Party
Brice and Wendell hosted the after party across the street which was more time to mingle with players and fans.
Ellen fangirling so hard
I was up way past my bedtime and sipping ice water : )
Night night Maryanne!
We walked home at midnight and slept till almost 8. I was so thankful my body clock didn’t wake me up at 6. This old gal can’t stay up late anymore.
Breakfast at Tatte
After a quick shower, we went to Tatte for coffee and breakfast. I had the best coffee and eggs with tomatoes and whipped goat cheese on sourdough. We need a Tatte in Cville!
Pamela Talley says
I thought of you this summer! Wendell Holland filmed a commercial at my house this summer and was the famous “host” of the garage makeover being filmed. I think he was expecting me to know who he was and I just didn’t lol. I don’t watch survivor. But he was super nice and I loved learning a little bit about the show!
Kath Younger says
THAT IS SO COOL!!
Mandy says
This is super cool. I love Survivor. I’d love to play because I am so impressed by the pure endurance and physicality of it all, in addition to the sense that everyone seems transformed by their experience on Survivor. I know I could not handle the social aspect though (I mean probably not the physical part either). I would be so paranoid all the time and would get myself kicked off just for being a spaz, like the lady that got voted off a few episodes ago. I do not understand how some players can be so confident about their safety in the game. Always blows my mind. 🙂 I’ll have to check out the podcast! Thanks
Kath Younger says
I would love to play too, and I really need to apply again. But I honestly have no idea how I would do. I think the bugs and sleeping outside would be the hardest part, but you’re right that the paranoia would probably be really hard as well. They talked about how safe everyone seemed to feel on the podcast, and they said that they might have just said they felt safe so their alliance members heard them but that inside they might have really been terrified.
Sarah says
Great post! I attended the event as well and it was such a blast!
Kath Younger says
I can’t wait to go to the next one!
Sarah says
Me too!
Andrea says
Amaaazing! I am a big RHAP fan and so hope he does a Canadian show sometime!
Amanda says
HOW FUN! I don’t watch Survivor any more (I only watched the first few seasons) but this sounds like it was a great event. And the dinner beforehand…YUM!
Elizabeth says
I just started listening to Rob’s podcast last year, and I love it! I listened to the live podcast and it sounded like such a fun time—so cool that you were there!! I’m not sure how I feel about all the changes that they’ve made starting with season 41…still love all the players and the show overall, but all the twists and advantages are a lot to keep track of.
Kath Younger says
I’m fine with all the twists, but I wish it were still 39 days. The seasons feel too short to me now!
mallory says
I’m not a survivor fan but I am a fan of Tatte!! Best breakfast in Boston