I’m a pretty big believer in living your own exciting life instead of watching others do it on a television screen. However, I’ve sort of gotten into the past few seasons of ‘The Amazing Race’. It’s okay when you PVR a show and watch when you want to watch it and not when the network says so, right? Anyway, the show does provide a decent glimpse into some of the more popular destinations around the world and it makes everyone feel righteous because we all would have done the race differently and won head over heals. Right?
So, while I’m watching, I can’t help but think of things that I would add or change to make the show a little more intelligent and a little more exciting. If not that, at least it would make it a bit different and shake things up.
I’ve come up with eight possible changes that Phil Keoghan and the folks at CBS might want to try in future seasons. By the way, Keoghan has hosted the show since its first episode in 2001. In the winter/spring of 2014, Amazing Race is in its 24th season. Also, the suggestions are for the U.S. version of the show (Despite me being from Canada).
1. Race To The Starting Line
Typically, when the race starts, all competitors are at the start line and must compete in a challenge to determine who departs to the next location first. My suggestion is that each team starts from separate locations throughout the country and their arrival time at the ‘official’ starting point determines in what order they depart to the next location. It would be like a preliminary round in order to get seeding.
2. Each Team Assigned 1 Destination To Brush Up On
It always strikes me how unprepared the teams are in the Amazing Race. What if each team was given a random destination that will be visited at some point during the race. Then, each team is allowed X amount of time on the opening day in a locked room with an internet connection. Each team is given a notebook with an arbitrary number of pages and they can fill that notebook with as much information about their given destination as possible.
Everything must be hand written, or hand drawn. Items that would prove useful would be:
- common phrases if that destination uses a foreign language
- hand drawn maps
- lists of monuments and points of interest and where they are located
- currency information
- customs and popular pastimes
This will give each team an advantage if they arrive at that particular destination before being eliminated. What it might also do is create alliances with teams sharing info.
3. Each Nation Visited Is Represented By A Team In The Race
If the race course goes to Brazil, Japan, France, India, Australia, Morocco, Germany, Vietnam, etc., then have a team from each of those countries competing. If they haven’t been eliminated by the time they reach their home country, there would be a definite advantage. Once again, the opportunity for alliances would exist.
4. Teams Of 4
I’m not sure if this would make the show more interesting or just different. Instead of the usual teams of two, move to a team of four. To throw a twist, all approved contestants come to the starting point as individuals and are randomly divvied up into teams. This would make for an interesting race with teams of two, as well. It would be fun to see how perfect strangers would work together in such a high pressure environment.
5. Two Different Starting Groups At Two Different Starting Points
Instead of everyone starting from the same point and following the same route, break it up into two groups of teams for the first portion of the race. Half the competitors start in North America and the other half start in, say, Australia. When they’re down to the final 2-3 teams, they meet and the two groups then compete to the final as one.
Why? More destinations. A different dynamic formed within the two different groups. What this does for CBS is provide an opportunity to air even more episodes. However, their would need to be a second host if the groups ran concurrent and the production costs would be considerably higher.
6. Specialty Races (All Celebrity, All Pro Athlete, All Politicians, etc)
They’ve in the middle of an ‘All-Star’ race right now with teams from previous Amazing Race seasons. Typically, there is almost always some sort of celebrity or pro athlete competing. Why not do a whole specialty race with everyone sort of being equal?
A different twist would be a season where Phil Keoghan is actually a competitor. Other teams could be led by Jeff Probst of Survivor, Anthony Bourdain of many different travel shows, Survivorman Les Stroud, Scott Wilson and Justin Lukach from the Departures series, Rolf Potts – author of some of the best travel books in print…
7. Race All Within A Tighter Border (All North America, All United States, etc)
Amazing Race Canada made its inaugural run in 2013. The race was entirely within the borders of Canada. A tighter race on the main show might prove interesting and possibly much more competitive. It could be just the continental U.S. or all of North America, including Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.
8. On-Going Scavenger Hunt That Must Be Finished By End Of Race
This idea will keep the teams constantly thinking about the race within the race. At the start line, each team is given a list of items that they must collect throughout the journey in order to cross the final finish line. These items may not be location specific and can be gathered anywhere along the way.
What do you think?
What would you do to make the Amazing Race more exciting and maybe more intelligent? A no money round where contestants must make it from A to B relying on the kindness of strangers? A Dangerous Places Amazing Race where the destinations are less than desirable?
We’d love to hear your ideas and opinions in the comments section!
