The Amazing Race Television Show

The Amazing Race television show takes viewers and contestants on an awesome adventure around the world. Along the route, participants in this reality show take part in a variety of difficult challenges and travel by various and sometimes unusual means all while keeping their eyes on the grand prize: $1 million.

The Amazing Race came to CBS in September 2001. Its premise is to have 11 or 12 teams of two individuals who have been in pre-existing relationships race around the world. The goal of the show, which is hosted by Phil Keoghan, is to be the first team to reach the pit stop. The team to arrive last has a chance of being eliminated. The team arriving first at the pit stop is usually awarded prizes.

The Amazing Race has received seven Primetime Emmy Awards, including six for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program, every year since the award's inception. Jerry Bruckheimer is the show's producer. Since 2001, the show has branched out to include several international versions in Asia, Brazil, Egypt and Central Europe.

The Amazing Race usually starts somewhere in North America, where contestants are given their first set of instructions. From there, they do all they can to be the first team to reach the final destination. Along the route, they are given clues and challenges to make the journey more difficult.

During each leg of the race, teams are given instructions and a specific amount of money to use to arrive at their next destination. Cell phones and computers can only be used during the race if they are borrowed. Players cannot use their own. Credit cards can only be used to purchase airline tickets. Everything else has to be purchased with the money given. If a team runs out of funds, they are allowed to beg or borrow from other teams or from anyone else who wants to help them out. To get to the pit stop, teams must travel across their designated countries by one of several means including:

• Bicycles
• Airplanes
• Taxis
• Trains
• Rental cars
• Buses
• Boats
• Sometimes walking/running

Each race has between 11 and 13 legs, all of which start and end in different cities or countries. Along each leg are route markers, which tell the team members about their next challenge or clue. Each route marker is usually yellow, red and white and is usually placed in a location that is not completely obvious, yet not impossible to find either. Each route marker has a clue box that leaves clues and instructions for the next leg of the race. Route information clues in the race can be one or more of the following:

• Roadblock: This clue is usually extremely vague and only one team member is allowed to complete the task assigned. It's done completely unassisted by the other member of the team except through verbal advice and support.
• Detour: Allows each team to decide between one of two tasks, with each one having its ups and downs. One may be very physically demanding, while the other may be extremely tedious. Teams are allowed to go back and forth between tasks until one is completed.
• Fast Forward: This clue allows team members to skip the rest of the tasks in a leg and go directly to the pit stop if a specific challenge is completed first. This task can only be completed by one team, which is usually the first team to reach the route marker.
• Yield: This allows one team to prevent another team from advancing for about 30 minutes.
• U-Turn: This follows a detour clue and requires the team who receives it to go back and complete the challenge that was not originally chosen or completed.
• Intersection: This clue requires one team to partner up with another team until further notice. All tasks and challenges must completed together.

Phil Keoghan

Team members could be eliminated if they approach the pit stop, where the check-in mat and host Phil Keoghan are located. Both members of the team must step foot inside the mat in front of Keoghan and a local greeter to be considered valid. However, if a team has incurred any penalties, they will be asked to step outside of the mat and wait out their allotted penalty time.

For most of the legs of each race, the final team to arrive is eliminated. However, there are times -- unbeknownst to viewers and team members alike -- when the legs are predetermined to be non-elimination legs. The last racers to arrive at this time have been able to continue, however, they have had to either give up all of their belongings and money, or complete an additional task, called a Speed Bump. The rule seems to change every few seasons.

While the rules may vary a bit from season to season, the majority of the competition has remained the same. There have been two exceptions, however. In season eight, instead of two-member teams, contestants consisted of four-member families. This was the only time since the show's inception when the 21-year-old age limit was thrown out. Children as young as 8 years old competed. Also, in season 11, instead of new contestants, the show brought back competitors from seven of the previous 10 seasons, giving teams yet another chance at the grand prize.

The following couples and/or families have won the $1 million grand prize on The Amazing Race during the first 12 seasons:

• Season One: Rob and Brendan
• Season Two: Chris and Alex
• Season Three: Flo and Zach
• Season Four: Reichen and Chip
• Season Five: Chip and Kim
• Season Six: Freddy and Kendra
• Season Seven: Uchenna and Joyce
• Season Eight: The Linz Family
• Season Nine: BJ and Tyler
• Season 10: Tyler and James
• Season 11: Eric and Danielle
• Season 12: TK and Rachel

Individuals interested in trying out for The Amazing Race television show should be familiar with the ins and outs of the show. They also need to complete an application and present a three-minute video explaining why your team should be chosen to participate. Applications and a complete list of rules and regulations can be found at the CBS website.

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