The truly Amazing Race

I just had to comment on The Amazing Race, which I've started watching on the Game Show Network at midnight every night. I normally don't care for reality shows, but this one is phenomenal.

In case you haven't heard of it or watched it before, 12 teams (usually 2 per team...this season it will be families of 4) embark on a race across the globe starting in the US and ending in the US. There are 13 "legs" (episodes) of the race...usually 10 of those resulting in the last place team for that leg being eliminated from the race.

On each leg, teams are given clues as to where they need to go to find the next clue or marker (designated by a yellow and red flag), eventually leading them to the finish line of that particular leg of the race. It's not as easy it it may sound. Most legs involve teams having to catch airplanes (since they are traveling all over the world), taxis, buses, trains, etc. They are given so much cash for each leg of the race and are to use a corporate credit card for airplane tickets only; each team has a camera man and sound man with them, so cheating is hard to get away with.

Also, during each leg, each team has to complete various tasks to find clues (marked in yellow envelopes)...these may be something that both team-members can do together, or they may be "Roadblocks", which only one person can do. Roadblocks can be tedious, and they can be daring (bungee-jumping or being tied to a windmill). Also, there are "Detours", which gives a team a choice between two tasks with vague clues as to what they are (e.g. "strong stomach" = eating live octopus!). One detour I watched involved skydiving vs. searching a river for the clue.

The first team to arrive at the "pit stop" (finishing point for a leg of the race) may receive a nice prize (vacation to be used later or digital camera, for instance) or they may just be congratulated. Of course, the ultimate champion receives $1,000,000...with the others receiving lesser monetary awards.

"Pit stops" give the teams a chance to rest, do laundry, plan, etc. They last for approximately 12 hours, sometimes longer. They also get free food at the stopping points. But they are not allowed to leave the area without supervision, so that they don't accidentally stumble onto the next leg of the race.

I love how the show has really thought everything out...the teams have to really work together and work hard to win. Of course, being human, many have arguments with themselves and with other teams. The teams are usually pretty diverse too. The show offers a glimpse of several different cultures as well...this is one show I would love to audition for...I just need to find a good teammate! lol

So you can catch it every night on Game Show Network at 9pm and midnight, and Season 8 begins on CBS Tuesday Sept. 27th at 9pm.

For a lot more info on the show and rules of the game, check out: Tarflies.com FAQ

So who wants to audition with me???