The Amazing Race
The Amazing Race is different from other reality shows in that it does not take place in a single dwelling or even a single city, but all around the world. CBS began airing The Amazing Race in 2001 and it has completed elevent seasons and Season 12 is in progress.
The Amazing Race features teams of two people (although there was a family season of four members) that race around the world, with the first team to reach the final destination winning a $1,000,000 prize. Starting in a city in the United States, the teams race around the world searching for clues that lead them to the next checkpoint. Like other reality shows such as Survivor and Big Brother, teams are eliminated. This elimination is normally based on the last team to arrive at a specified pit stop (the final destination of that particular leg). The route markers are used so the participants know where to go next. The route markers are often attached to boxes that contain clues. The clues may contain only the destination of their next stop, but it may also list:
- A Detour - the team has to choose between two tasks. The team must complete the task before they can see another clue.
- A Roadblock - a task that only one member of the team can complete.
- A Fast Forward - where the first team that finds this clue gets to skip any additional tasks and go directly to the pit stop.
- Yield - allows a team to force another team to stop for a predetermined amount of time.
The teams consisted of any two individuals including married couples, siblings, parents and children, friends, or simply romantic partners (both gay and straight). A couple of teams were even those that married but separated or were formerly dating. Season 8 was the family edition, in which there were four family members and the contestant age was dropped to 8.
At the beginning of each race, each team receives an allowance, which can vary from leg to leg in their journey. The allowance must be used for all expenses such as traveling, lodging, food, etc. Participants do use a credit card for airline tickets, but that is the only exception. Sometimes it can be just one dollar, making the team rely on their wits to get them from place to place or earn money. They can beg for money, sell possessions, or even borrow money from other teams.
** The Winners for Season 12 are Rachel Rosales & TK Erwin.
Season 12
| Team | Eliminated |
|---|---|
| Ari Bonas & Staella Gianakakos (Best Friends) | Week 1 |
| Kate Lewis & Pat Henderson (Married Lesbian Ministers) | Week 2 |
| Marianna & Julia Ruiz (Sisters) | Week 3 |
| Lorena Segura & Jason Widener (Dating) | Week 4 |
| Shana Hall & Jennifer McCall (Friends) | Week 5 |
| Azaria & Hendekea Azene (Brother/Sister) | Week 6 |
| Kynt Cothron & Vyxsin Fiala (Dating) | Week 8 |
| Nathan Hagstrom & Jennifer Parker (Dating ) | Week 10 |
| Ronald & Christina Hsu (Father/Daughter) | Eliminated Week 11 |
| Donald Jerousek and Nicolas Fulks (Grandson/Grandfather) | Eliminated Week 11 |
| Rachel Rosales & TK Erwin (Dating) | Winners of Season 12 |
Latest Amazing Race Show Recaps
Amazing Race: Dan and Jordan Win
Posted: 9 May 2010
The “Amazing Race” teams all left Shanghai for San Francisco. Brent and Caite got to the airport first, then Jet and Cord, and arriving last was Dan and Jordan. Jordan put his backpack next to Caite’s and jumped in front of Jet and Cord in line. Then, Dan and Jordan smoozed their way into first [...]
Amazing Race: Louie and Michael are Eliminated
Posted: 2 May 2010
The “Amazing Race” teams stayed in Shanghai. Their first task was to search for the Garden Bridge, but the Chinese knew it better by the Chinese name. Brent and Caite lucked up and found someone that knew it, but Dan and Jordan decided to wait 2 hours on Louie and Michael after they couldn’t find [...]
Amazing Race: Louie and Michael are Saved
Posted: 26 Apr 2010
The final four “Amazing Race” contestants were all hoping to make it to the finale. The teams left Singapore for Shanghai China with everyone on the same plane, so it was even again. But, once there, Michael and Louie and the Brothers had their cabbies get lost, so they fell behind.
The teams took boats to [...]
Amazing Race: Brandy and Carol are Eliminated
Posted: 11 Apr 2010
The “Amazing Race” teams traveled from Malaysia to Singapore this week. The train left late, so everyone was on the train together. Brandy and Carol tried to push their way through, but that didn’t work.
Everyone headed to the Victoria Concert Hall to find Allan Wu, the host of the Asian version of “Amazing [...]
Season 11 - All Stars
This All Star version included teams from Season 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 10 including Season 7 winners Uchenna & Joyce and newly formed team Eric & Danielle from Season 9. The race finished in San Francisco with Eric & Danielle being named the winners.
Season 10
New rules were implemented in Season 10 - the Intersection and Marked for Elimination. Rob and Kimberly finished second to male models Tyler and James as the teams circumnavigated the glove in a westward fashion from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean.
Season 9 Amazing Race
Back to teams of two, season 9 just finished up in May of 2006. The winners, B.J. & Tyler, raced through such countries as Italy, Oman, and Japan before reaching the finish line in Denver.
The Amazing Race starts season 10 in September 2006 and promises to be just as exciting as previous seasons.
Season 8 Amazing Race
There were only 10 teams in this family season. Because teams did consist of families, they did not travel outside of North or Central America and the challenges were easier. The Linz Family won this season of The Amazing Race.
Season 7 Amazing Race
Uchenna & Joyce were the winners of season 5, with The Amazing Race going to new countries such as Botswana, Turkey, and Jamaica. The race ended in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Season 6 Amazing Race
A limit of six roadblocks per teammate was set for this season, forcing the team members to split them equally. Teams traveled through Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Senegal, Germany, Hungary, France, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, and China before returning back to the US where Freddy & Kendra were crowned the winners.
Season 5 Amazing Race
Beginning in season 5, teams were penalized (forced to give up their money and weren't given any for the next leg) for finishing last in a leg that didn't include elimination. This season the teams traveled such locations as Russia, Egypt, Tanzania, and the Philippines. Chip & Kim were announced as the winners in Dallas.
Season 4 Amazing Race
Again traveling to such countries as France, India, Australia and even South Korea this time, Reichen & Chip, a gay couple, were the winners.
Season 3 Amazing Race
This season took the teams to the United Kingdon, Mexico, Portugal, Morocco, Germany, Switzerland, Singapore, and Vietnam. When they finally returned back to the United States (Seattle), Flo & Zach were crowned the winners.
Season 2 Amazing Race
Season 2's race went through Brazil, South Africa, Namibia, Thailand, China, Australia, and New Zealand before heading back to California. In the closest finish in the series history, Chris and Alex beat Tara and Wil.
Season 1 Amazing Race
Season 1 saw Nancy and Emily receive a large penalty of 24 hours when the voluntarily quit a detour. That has not happened in any season since. In season 1, the teams raced from the United States to such countries as Zambia, Tunisia, Thailand, and China. It ended in New York City with Rob and Brennan barely beating Frank and Margarita.
Additional Amazing Race Resources
Amazing Race 10 TV Listings, Episode Guide, Photos, Message Board, Cast and More TVGuide.com
