Amazing Race
 

Did you see there is a new Amazing Race starting on July 6!!!!!

Yes, I can't wait...

Please, fill me in. What is the Amazing Race? Thanks.

Iregeo - You be there on July 6th and see the best "reality" show. Better than Survivor - this is a travel show.

What's is about? Well, it seems so long since the last Race, but there are groups of two (husband/wife, sons or daughter with parent, friends, college buddies, grannies, engaged couples, lovers [gays/straights], various ages, whatever) all starting at a spot in the States and with minimal amount of money provided for each leg of the Race, and using clues provided, have to get to the next destination. The airfare is covered by the show, but everything else the groups have to do themselves. Finally, the pair that arrives first at the last destination - WINS! $1-million.

Along the way there are various challenges, which one of the pair have to do (the other encourages); arriving at sites before they open having to sleep outdoors; anything that can go wrong often does. The pairs can travel from one end of the world to the other, requiring necessary changes of clothing, and on and on.

But what is most interesting is watching the individual pairs dealing with "situations" - who drives, who gets lost, screaming and cursing and laughing. Watching the pair that arrives at one destination first, getting messed up at the next destination and arriving last and, therefore, out of the race. Those pairs that get along with one another; those that everyone else dislikes for one reason or another.

Some of the challenges are difficult, if not disgusting - remember the temple of the rats in India?

And to think that CBS wanted to pull the program, till there was a campaign from Fodorites and others to keep it going - and then, last year, they won the Emmy. So apparently CBS has to continue if so many want to see the program. The Amazing Race is a "must see" - so mark your calendar - July 6.

One of the things I like best about the Amazing Race (other than just all the incredible locations!) is that unlike many other reality shows, you don't have to be mean-spirited or lie to the other competitors in order to get ahead. You're still trying to beat everyone else, but it's more about having a sense of adventure and being able to deal with the unexpected. Wish I'd applied for the show when asked by a casting director, but darn, those family and work responsibilities just got in the way :)

Thanks Sandi. Sounds like fun. Don't know how I've missed that so far. I'll look for it.