The Amazing Race

Today's reality show feature is The Amazing Race. The series, together with all versions has 10 American versions and one Asian version at the moment. A Central Europe version is due. Season 11 of the American version is or already has been filmed and is an All Stars season.

As the teams race around the world, they receive different types of race information - route information, detour, roadblock, yield and the newest, intergration. Non-elimination legs require the last team to arrive at the check-in point, called a pit stop, to give all their money to the host and start the next leg without receiving any money. While teams on the Asian version are very kind, with each team leaving an amount of money for the last team, the American version has people who have plain out refused to do so (Rob & Amber versus Meredith & Gretchen, Season 7).

The race has numerous participants of different ethnicities and backgrounds and personalities. There have been Asian, Hispanic and African American racers, and more so than on Survivor. In the most recent race, Season 10, there was even a Middle Eastern team and an Indian team. There have also been fame whores on the show (Rob & Amber). Collectively, they have been on 5 reality shows to date and even had their wedding filmed and telecasted.

Rob Mariano
Survivor: Marquesas
Survivor: All Stars
The Amazing Race 7
The Amazing Race 11: Return of the Racers (All Stars)

Amber Brkich-Mariano
Survivor: The Australian Outback
Survivor: All Stars
The Amazing Race 7
The Amazing Race 11: Return of the Racers (All Stars)

Others include former drug addicts, teachers, a former prisoner of war in Iraq and former Miss USA contestants (Dustin & Kandice). The race is often stressful on the teams as they compete to come in the top positions for each leg. Each leg poses various tasks for the teams to complete, such as rock climbing or driving a go-cart around a track. They need to finish these in order to get the "clue" in the form of a route info. Detours are tasks from which the team may choose to complete. There are pros and cons to each task. A roadblock is a task which one member of the team may perform. In some seasons, the number of roadblocks that may be performed must be equal among both team members.

Generally, the editing is good and the race intense, even for the homeviewers. Suspense can mount when it comes down to a foot race for positions when nearing the pit stop. Here's hoping that season 11's All Stars will really be All Star players and out to race the best ever.

Not forgetting, there are many times where teams simply meltdown. A few famours ones:
- Flo at Zach taking off his pants before the bike ride
- Victoria suddenly getting cut in the mud task
- Colin's "My ox is broken!"

Enjoy.







-LIVESTRONG!-
Heads Up and Stay Strong
Be Proud