CBS's Emmy-award-winning reality series, "The Amazing Race," kicked off on another continent-hopping journey last night. In the show's sixth season, host Phil Keoghan will once again lead 22 contestants around the world to face various physical and mental challenges, aiding their hopes of coming away from the show with the $1 million prize.
"The Amazing Race" has gained popularity over the past five years as viewers realize that this show is much better than the average reality fare. The series is kept interesting without sinking into the extreme gross-out gags of "Fear Factor" or the sleaze of "Real World."
For those unfamiliar with the show, the rules are straightforward: the teams, consisting of two contestants each, race around the globe, stopping at 11 cities in the course of 30 days to complete challenges and eventually reach each checkpoint. No cell phones are allowed, each team is given a limited amount of cash to spend, and the teams don't know where they are going next until they have reach the checkpoint immediately prior.
At certain times throughout the race, the last pair to reach the checkpoint is eliminated. If the pair is not eliminated during that leg, they usually are forced to start the next leg with no cash. This means they have to beg it off of locals or find some other way to get to where they need to go, which can make for some interesting situations.
One piece of unsolicited advice for "Amazing Race" casting directors: enough with the models already! They've been given spots on many past Amazing Races, and this season has not one but two more couples who use their beauty as means of making a living: Hayden and Aaron, both 25, and Freddy (34) and Kendra (also 25).
Hayden is afraid of both flying and heights, which should be interesting on a show that involves traveling over 25,000 miles and nonstop physical challenges. Speaking multiple languages also helps, but neither Hayden nor Aaron are fluent in any language but English.
Another couple to watch is the formerly dating, spinning teacher/personal trainer pair Adam and Rebecca. "Amazing Race," like most other reality shows, reportedly searches for people who will freely voice their opinions and run their mouths off at every opportunity. This explains a lot about their choice in Rebecca.
In Rebecca's pre-show bio she declared that her first impression of Adam was that he was gay, and that her biggest fear about going on the series is "that Adam and I will kill each other and will not be able to finish the race because we will be dead."
Don, 69, and Mary Jean, 66, are the standard older couple, who usually don't make it past the first couple of episodes. But these particular grandparent representatives might actually have a chance. They've been married for 20 years and have traveled to six continents.
One thing's for sure: this season's "Race" won't be lacking personality. Some of the other pairs are Gus and Hera, a father-daughter team, Lori and Bolo, who are a pro-wrestling couple, and high school buddies Avi and Joe. Joe is self-described as a cross between "Jerry Seinfeld and Yoda," and says that Avi is "George Costanza meets Napoleon."
"I can't sing, dance or act, but I am a character; reality TV is perfect for a guy like me," declared Joe. He continued, "Besides, I get to travel the world with my best friend, and have a chance to win a huge prize ... without kissing Trump's tush." <$>
