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Fantastic Entertainment On So Many Levels
reality TV junkie, Entertainment Writer
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| Cons |
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NOV
15
2007
The Amazing Race, currently in its twelfth season on CBS, has a little something for everyone with interesting contestants, thrilling challenges, and a chance to examine different cultures close up. Easy seasons brings different locations and people, along with all new challenges, and it's sometimes amazing in itself that it can keep on going the way it has, always bringing something new to the table. It's a show that puts you in the midst of the action and has you craving to give it a try.
The Host
Host Phil Keoghan is simply one of the best there is in reality TV. Sometimes overshadowed by his CBS counterpart Jeff Probst over at Survivor, what some people don't know is that Phil was actually a finalist for the Survivor gig, before it was finally won by Probst. CBS knew it had a goldmine with Phil and hired him for The Amazing Race gig. Born in New Zealand, he felt his own mortality at the young age of 19 after a particularly harrowing experience, and decided to never waste another moment, creating a list of things he wanted to do before he died. He has taking this philosophy and become an author and motivational speaker, and it's apparent he brings all that to his gig with The Amazing Race. He's not only knowledgeable about the locations, but always seems to be warm and caring with the Racers, even close to tears during some of the more tender times on show.
The Racers
Somehow, the casting at The Amazing Race finds the most interesting personalities. Cast as teams of two, the pairs are people from every walk of life and consist of siblings, married couples, parent/child, best friends, college roommates, etc. We watch as all these teams not only race around the world, but also live through a time that is make or break for their relationships. Good or bad, these people will know each other better by the end of their time on The Amazing Race. Many dating couples seem to use the show to find out if they can make it together or not, and a few times they've ended their time on the show with a proposal, while other times the relationship ends. Parents and children racing together get a chance to find out who each other is away from their familial roles. And, like with any reality show, there are ones we love to hate, ones we just love, and ones we just hate. Just don't mention the names Jonathan and Victoria to any Amazing Race fans.
The Tasks
The tasks are divided into two separate groups, Detours and Roadblocks. In Detours, the teams get to pick between two different tasks, usually one will be more time consuming, but easier physically, and the other will be quicker, but very physically demanding. In Roadblocks, one member of each team will complete the task, and with a rule added in a few years back to make each member carry some burden, each member of the team must complete a certain number of roadblocks. All the tasks are usually something that is routinely done in that country they are current racing in, turning it into a learning experience. There are also other tasks hidden within the game, that aren't named as such, but still need to be dealt with. Each team is given a certain amount of cash every leg of the race, and you just can't go around bribing people to help you, as you might run out of cash and not have any for something you really need. Racers must also book all their own flights, so timing is everything. They don't have cell phones or computers, but they can get crafty asking for help from locals to book a flight before everyone else does.
The Pit Stops
Each leg of The Amazing Race ends in a 12 hour mandatory pit stop, and the last team to arrive there is usually eliminated. Sometimes the legs are non-elimination, resulting in great relief for the racers, and the rules have changed over what will happen to them if they are unlucky enough to be in that spot. They've been stripped of all their belongings and cash, but that caused people to become common beggars in the street. They've also been "marked for elimination" meaning they had to arrive first on the next leg or be penalized by time. This season we have been promised no more of that silliness, and just straight non-elimination, period.The last pit stop of the race lands the teams back in he United States after a literal race around the world, and the first team in wins the big money.
The Finish Line
The Amazing Race is one reality show that never gets old, being different each season, with new mixes of people and new places on the globe to discover. I've been a fan of it since season three, and have been writing about these how since season six. CBS scared us by not having the show on its original fall schedule, but thanks to some other shows that didn't do so well and a writer's strike, it's back on the air with more viewers than ever. It doesn't seem like The Amazing Race will reach the finish line itself for quite some time.
Amazing Race is recommended by LauraBelle
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