History has announced a familiar reality TV face will serve as one of the stars of Around the World in 80 Ways, a new reality competition series that will premiere later this year and follow two rivals as they race around the globe.
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Around the World in 80 Ways will follow Survivor and The Amazing Race contestant Rob "Boston Rob" Mariano and Dennis Anderson, the creator of the Gravedigger monster truck, as they use 80 different modes of transportation -- each of which can only be used once -- attempting to travel around the globe faster than their competitor.
As they race around the world, Anderson, who is a four-time Monster Jam world champion, and Mariano -- who currently stars in Survivor: Redemption Island, previously competed on Survivor: Marquesas, Survivor: All-Stars and Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains, and also raced in the seventh and eleventh editions of The Amazing Race -- will also highlight the different modes of transportation.
"I think The Amazing Race gave me a foundation for traveling," Mariano told People. "However, the approach that we are taking in Around the World in 80 Ways is completely different from anything I've done before in that this show will be a celebration of transportation throughout history."
Each episode of the 10-episode series will feature the hosts using several types of transportation that will range from a blimp to an ostrich, and everything in between -- including a fighter jet, canoe, chariot, and hitchhiking. Mariano and Anderson will also be required to build their own vehicles and work together during some parts of the race.
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While the stars of Around the World in 80 Ways will seemingly have their work cut out for them, Mariano told People the traveling challenges won't be the hardest part of taking on the new reality series.
"Being away from my family is always the toughest part about doing these shows," he said. "Luckily, I have a wonderful wife that understands my thirst for adventure and consistently supports me in my quests."
Around the World in 80 Ways -- which History first announced it had ordered last May -- is being produced by Original Productions with Thom Beers and Philip D. Segal serving as its executive producers and Jeff Conroy as its co-executive producer.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski