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Thoughts on RHAP 5000
🕑 Added 2024-02-26 15:01:45 +0000 UTCSo you've probably heard by now, I dropped the 5000th episode of RHAP last night with my interview with Jeff Probst. If not, what are you waiting for...
https://robhasawebsite.com/rhap-5000-jeff-probst-on-the-state-of-survivor/
I really was very happy with how it all came together and how hard the team worked behind the scenes to bring it to you. Here's a little bit of the backstory about how this all came together.
In coordinating with CBS for the Survivor 45 post-season interviews back in January, I asked the head of publicity at CBS if Jeff might be up for coming back on the podcast for what would be the 5000th episode of RHAP. I was told that they would but the request in with Probst and I was very surprised that he was up for it.
We coordinated the time and date, which happened to be on February 12, the actual anniversary of the first episode of RHAP. I was going to have a few weeks to prepare how to use the thirty minutes in the most interesting way.
From the start, I always wanted to make this an interview about my big picture questions for Jeff. In the last year, I feel like Jeff has actually already answered many of the specific questions about bringing back or removing certain aspects of the game on the official Survivor podcast. I really wanted to find some topics that Jeff hadn't gone into previously.
I was certainly nervous on the day of the recording but once we got into it, I thought it all went really smoothly. Jeff was worried about that his dogs might bark at some point but we got through the interview uninterrupted.
I was really happy with how the interview with Jeff came out. First, I wanted to do a really good job for our community. I treied to conduct myself as professional as possible because I didn't want to blow this opportunity for RHAP.
I found Jeff to be very candid discussing his vision for the show. Personally, I would prefer a version of Survivor that is more foucsed on the strengths of the players rather than their struggles but I respect Jeff's vision. I really admire how much he cares about Survivor and how hard he works.
I know there's been a lot of criticism of Jeff online about him not wanting true villains on the show but I think the uproar is a little hyperbolic. In my optinion, Jeff is saying you won't see another Jonny Fairplay or Russell Hantz any time soon. Do you think they wouldn't kill for another Boston Rob or Parvati or Tyson or Tony?
Survivor casting has changed a lot and what I believe this means is that they want 3-dimensional characters who may make an underhanded move - but they want the viewer to know WHY they're doing it. Survivor is not looking for cartoonish type villains in the way they might have during the shows early days.
I actually found Jeff's opinion on where the show is going to be really positive. The show came back from COVID and was trying to do and be a million different things. Each year since 41, I think Survivor has settled more into a groove of figuring out the right balance. Just listen to all the places that Jeff talks about getting to knife the rice, getting tougher at tribal council and how vicious the 46 cast will be. I believe that the show is headed more and more in the right direction.
If you're taking the time to read this, I imagine that you probably listened to the full interview as well. I think that if you agree with Jeff's ideas or vehemently disagree, I'm just really happy that we had the opportunity to discuss them in an interesting conversation. I think we need more of this in Survivor and just about everywhere elese.
I have been particurly been blown away by all the positive feedback about the epsidoe and the 5000th episode milestone. I watched along last night and the coolest part was that my oldest son, Dominic, was around to follow along. It was such a thrill for me to see his reaction to so many positivie comments in the chat about his Dad. It's a memory that I'll cherish.
Looking forward to all the fun in store as we kick off Survivor 46 this week. Hope you are too!
-Rob
Comments
Stephanie
Congrats on 5000! Just finished watching & what a great interview! We have a lot of podcasts about strategy & advantages, etc. but this interview went deeper than just surface level game play. It was great to see your passion & Jeff’s passion for the game & your respect for each other! Congrats again!
Rob Cesternino
Thanks, Colleen
Colleen Glatfelter
Congratulations on 5,000!! :)
John Puterko
I loved both the interview and reading your thoughts about it. I've been a patron for a few years now and I enjoy the content. Thank you!
Rob Cesternino
Always great to hear from you, Suzy!
Chelli Esser
I love the blog post! Would totally read more of these. Loved the vision and thought process going into this particular interview.
Susana Perez
Congratulations Rob! You are amazing! I still love listening to you like it was the first pod! Always keeping it fresh!
Caitlin Soliz
It must be so surreal to interview Jeff after the long journey you two crazy kids have been on! I thought this was a fantastic interview and you both gave and took. Thanks for everything you do for the community.
Rob Cesternino
Really appreciate that, Kristy. I am always nervous to make changes so that makes me very happy to hear you like what we did
Kristy Griffis
I absolutely love the new picture/head shot/graphic/slogan/branding. It looks phenomenal and an update was definitely needed! Perfect timing. Keep up all the wonderful work!
Marci Cannitello
You’re a king Rob 👑
Lydia
I’m a new patron and I feel honored to have joined around such an important milestone. Above all Rob, your sincerity shines through and I feel a new appreciation towards you and all of the podcasts in your network.
Ben Martell
A phenomenal interview, such professionals the both of you, and it feels like Jeff himself has come a long way in terms of understanding and appreciating your function in the overall picture, which I love. Asking what Jeff wanted to say about coverage and having him say ‘ask why’ - that’s peak journalism right there. I felt proud to be a patron in the context of that interview.
KinCanada
Congratulations!! It was a terrific interview, and definitely worthy of the milestone 5000th podcast! How awesome that you were able to share it with Dominic.
Gary Kirtley II
I’ve been critical of Jeff a lot, but it’s obvious he’s coming from a good place. Thanks for the interview. It made me appreciate him much more.
Rob Cesternino
We will miss you, Emmi
Justin Bertelsman
This is so wholesome. Thank you Rob and the RHAP team for everything you do for us rabid fans! It does not go unappreciated for a second.
Julie Artz
Thank you to the whole RHAP team for making such a welcoming, safe space for us survivor fans! I am so happy to be a part of it and I'm grateful for all the work you put in.
Jackie Keast
Great interview!
Ame
You did such a great job and it was a great way to celebrate the 5,000 episode milestone. You sounded so genuinely thrilled to be doing the interview and I think he was very sincere in his reverence to your podcasting skills. It was awesome.
Heather Maxwell
What a way to celebrate 5000 RHAP episodes and your anniversary!! 🎉 You did a fantastic job, and should be proud of yourself. It truly was an unique interview with Jeff and was quite refreshing to hear. 😃 Jeff has an admiration for you, and it shows. I find it endearing how you still seem so nervous when talking to Jeff. 😊 He's just a man, trying to do his best to serve his audience great content, just like you do as well, Rob. 💜 (but I get it, I've been nervous talking to you!) Much thanks to Jeff and TO YOU for caring so much about your fans. 🙌 Blessed to be in this community. *Now... about scheduling the Dallas RHAP Live event this fall.... 🙏
Rita Owens
A fantastic interview! It doesn’t get more exciting than this for episode 5000! Thanks for sharing the details behind the scenes with us, and I love that Dominic watched the interview with you. I am excited for this season, and to see the RHAP community keep growing.
Cindy Bowlin
So fun to see you in a little bit of a different role. Usually you are analyzing and recapping the show and now others are analyzing and recapping your interview with Jeff. Great job and all analysis I've seen has been positive too.
Brian O'Connell
Great job Rob, you were a true gentleman and your preparation really showed. Your questions were really what I wanted to know, and you are amazing at channeling your RHAP community.
Rob Cesternino
Now I’m crying!
Emmi Nakazawa Haddock
Congratulations on the 5k and on the interview with JP. Glad to hear Dominic was there. Sorry I can’t make it to Chicago 🥲
Hector Acevedo
Fantastic interview. I don’t usually thumbs up on YouTube but I did it for this.
Eric Gordon
It was a great interview! I had no idea Jeff was a (new) dog guy
Alec Hester
STELLAR episode for number 5000. Always hoped that one day Jeff would agree to an RHAP interview and what a perfect way for it to happen! You did a terrific job as an interviewer too, and it was hella cool to hear that Jeff thought so too
Laureen Vermillion
Loved the interview and enjoyed reading this behind the scenes about how it came to be. Keep up the great work Rob - it’s such a joy to be part of this community!
D
Loved the interview! Thanks for sharing some of your thoughts on the whole process, too! Here’s to the next 5,000!
Warwickri
I’m in tears with pride & admiration of you. Not only are you a hard-working podcaster with the insight of how the shows are played/made, you’re a fantastic husband & father. I’m glad your boys have you as their role model. Thank you for all that you do. I’m proud to be a patron of Rob Has a Podcast.
Wendy Austin
As someone who has been with RHAP (and Survivor) since the beginning I really enjoyed this perfect 5000 celebration. What a great interview. You struck a perfect balance between relaxed, friendly banter and insightful questions. The bond and mutual respect you and Jeff share was apparent. He seemed to genuinely enjoy the interview. I'm even more excited about the new season now. Thanks Rob.
Genevieve
I was SO pumped so see this surprise interview pop up on YouTube last night! I am a pretty new convert (I actually “discovered” Survivor literally last year via the YT algorithm 🫣 so pando-fans have a couple years on me!) I’m a Jeff fan and while no one is immune to criticism I like how he seems to have evolved a lot over the past 20+ years. He’s definitely been on his own journey and that’s what life is about imo. It’s been fun watching the different flavors of Jeff as I catch up. You did SO GREAT chatting with him and I just enjoyed every minute. Looking forward to watching 46, y’all’s draft and coverage, and hoping to make a RHAP live sometime. 🎉🎉✨💕
Elizabeth
This was a great interview and highlighted your professionalism and generated new information. I thought you were respectful but not obsequious, unlike some entertainment reporters that privilege access over fact finding. You struck just the right tone. Congratulations!
Scott Juaire
Amazing job. Congrats on your continued success!
Tara Vanessa
Rob, This was such a great interview. Well Done - glad I'm here to listen to the next 5000!
Dishan Wijesinghe
It was such an amazing episode Rob! I was giddy for you! The part you add about Dominic here really ties it all together!
Kellee VanValkenburg
Congratulations on 5000! I loved how Jeff said he had so much more respect for you after doing his own podcast. I loved the interview. I found Jeff so much more likeable and relaxed in the interview.
Kate Shiverdeck
You’re incredible and hardworking. I know your boys are going to be so proud
Rob Cesternino
Seeing it play out with something I created definitely made me have some more context about the rest of the world
Michael Fanelli
An incredible milestone celebrated in a fitting way. Appreciate all you continue to do for this community Rob and all you will continue to do! Episode 10000 when?
Sarah Sparkman
Thank you for giving us the backstory of how this all came together. It was apparent from the interview that Jeff respects you, and I think that respect has deepened because of the questions you asked. I hope this opens the door for even more interviews like this one. I think big picture is overlooked in a lot of modern interviews, especially in a media era that is driven by snippets of information as opposed to longform storytelling. This felt a bit like The Athletic of podcast interviews, which is good. Anyone can write about the facts and statistics of the game, but The Athletic goes deeper and tell the stories of the players and teams to give context. This is what you did here. Maybe in the future, you can do an Athletic-style oral history (see any of the ones written about Zack Greinke). Well done, and I look forward to more content this season!
Bobby Hall
You’ve been in this space for so many years and even before, you studied the science of it, experienced the beating heart of it, and accepted it fully for what it is and what it can be. We owe you so much Rob, for all the work you, seriously. This is such a shining jewel that you’ll always be able to have. Congratulations!
Steve Flowers
I’m looking forward to listening to the episode. I love this reflection on it - I would love to see more written things like this.
Eyerusalem R.
Rob I am so glad all the hard work and the discipline you put in to is getting the recognition it deserves from Jeff and CBS. You can tell you got Jeff's attention as soon as you said I don't want to focus on why you don't bring this and that but dig deep in to the questions that he doesn't get asked often and would love to talk about the creative and producing aspects of the show. We'll done Rob!!
Angel Woodrum
Congrats on 5000!!!! I LOVED this interview with Jeff. In listening to both of you speak (especially Rob before and after the interview) I realized that you mirror Jeff's excited and energy level around Survivor with RHAP. The interview felt like two huge, happy, excited personalities getting to talk about the things that they LOVE and have loved for decades! You are the Jeff of pocasting!
Luke Gobel
Rob you are the best!
Lea Handler
Great interview and really enjoy reading your retrospective thoughts! Here's to 5000 more!!
Jenn Costner
As you mentioned about Jeff, thank YOU for caring so much about this community and making it enjoyable for all. I know a note on an app doesn’t mean much, but I (we) can tell your dedication to this network. Thank you for giving us this opportunity to learn more about one of our favorite shows!
KathieA
This episode was fantastic. I'm glad Jeff mentioned that he could tell you put a lot of prep into the interview. It was evident and it really made a difference.
Alex Thompson
this made me cryyy. the interview was so great and i completely agree with how you’ve interpreted jeff’s discussion on villains. congrats on 5000 rob and all at rhap! can’t wait for 10,000 :))
Stephanie Barilaro
It was a fantastic interview. I love the bit about Dominic watching it with you. It’s cool when you get an opportunity to impress your kids! Congrats on 5000!
Amanda Insanali
Thank you so much for your kindness and thoughtful words, Rob. You continue to provide such wonderful gifts for us and I’m so glad this was able to happen. To 5000 more!
Mica Kohl
You killed the interview!! Congrats on 5K
Aysha Welch
The interview was awesome! You killed it, Rob!! Congrats on 5000 🥳🥳🥳🥳
Lexa Power
Thanks Rob for sharing all of this with us! I enjoyed the interview. I miss so much about old survivor, but I’m enjoying the new era and happy that this community keeps growing. Congrats again on 5000 and for a great interview 🎉
