I'm basing this review on season 2, which I just started watching. In spite of a weak-sounding show title, they've done a great job of creating real-life stakes that matter and heart-wrenching moments that make you want to keep coming back. We quickly found ourselves pulling for every team, not wanting anyone to drop out. But they can't all win...
This is a perfect blend of family entertainment and reality TV. And it makes you love family more without ever being preachy. Kudos to BYUtv.
75 Reviews
Inspiring and family friendly
dramahorse8 October 2018
The best of reality tv
meljoefam16 December 2019
I don't normally watch reality tv and all the lame drama, but this shows rises above it all. It makes me laugh and cry. It is something we can watch and enjoy as a family. The contestants are so real and vulnerable as they search for and meet family. Love it!
A Touching Show
lwc-140-48715317 December 2019
When I first started watching this show, I didn't expect it to be so emotional for the contestants or how touching it was to watch as they discover family. Once I got started I wanted to see another season without hesitation. This is an inspiring show.
Truly a gem on TV!
artsygirl-4064716 December 2019
Wholesome in every way, and a must-watch for the entire family. Four teams of 2 people - Red, Green, Blue and Black - have their DNA tested and it is used to find family members they have not met or have been estranged from for some reason. All of the teams have compelling back-stories, and every team's search is unique. Each of the first 9 episodes in the 10-episode season is spent traveling to meet these relatives. The teams are given a designated amount of time for travel, without smartphones or GPS, but plenty of good-old-fashioned paper maps. The team with the best time wins the week, while the team who goes over their allotted time the most receives a strike for that week. Once a team has accumulated 3 strikes, they must leave the race. After the teams reach their destination each week, the they must complete a "challenge," and are then given their relative's address. Then be ready with the tissues. The face-to-face meetings are often quite emotional, but in the end they grow family connections that help them complete their personal stories. Never a dull moment, and full of compassion and grace, this show delivers...EVERY. SINGLE. WEEK. During the last episode, the remaining teams with fewer than 3 strikes compete in a series of final challenges, and the winning team receives a prize of $50K. In the end though, they are all winners with the new family they find, and with the relationships they build with the other teams in a shared experience. Dan Debnath is an excellent host, and draws on the teams' emotional experiences each week as he recaps at the end of every episode, awarding wins and strikes as they video-chat together. We started watching during the first season, and look forward to every new season as they air. We are hooked, and each season is better than the last. Give this one a go - you will not be disappointed!
Great Show- 10 Weeks Never Passed So Quickly
papasnake17 December 2019
We binged the first couple of seasons after stumbling across this show one evening. Since then, we have waited impatiently for the next season to start, and mourned its passing ten weeks later.
Four teams, two people each, submit their DNA and then allow professional genealogists to identify and locate relatives the members of the team have never met. At the start of the race, team members surrender their smart phones and other GPS devices. They are given paper maps to work with in stead.
Naturally, each team is sent to a different address where one of their relatives lives. Along they way they must overcome a challenge (same activity for each team), and prove they have arrived in the correct city before they can receive the exact address of their relative each trip is given an allotted time, and the team this overshoots that time the most gets a strike. Three strikes and the team is out.
That's the bones, and it would probably be interesting just for that.
Where the real allure comes in is the life stories and raw emotion each of these meetings brings out. I have a favorite team every season, but never once have I rooted against a team.
I've not done the show justice, but hopefully I have sparked enough interest that you'll watch just one episode.
If so, DO start with the first episode of any season- whatever you do, don't start with the final episode you will miss most of the best parts.
If so, DO start with the first episode of any season- whatever you do, don't start with the final episode you will miss most of the best parts.
Season ending today, 18 Nov 2018
gwendolynnchapo19 November 2018
I have loved watching all of the relative race seasons, however this season's finale was a disappointment in my opinion. Letting one team destroy the hard work of another team is just not in the spirit of fair play.
Kindly,
Gwen Chapo
High quality, low drama
sbperkins-8837227 May 2019
I've followed Relative Race since season 1 and IT. IS. LIFE. Literally, because it's all about finding your roots. I love that this show has so much heart and authenticity and focuses on human connection with family. And bonus-there is minimal drama! (You can tell the studio amps it up a little for viewers. But I just do a little eye roll and move past it.)
We love Relative Race!
billnholly25 November 2018
What a Great Show!
pacexub28 May 2019
I watched Relative Race Season 5 and I thoroughly enjoyed it - starting from episode 1 to episode 10.
All teams were likable. It is very rare that I watch a show and like all teams that are competing against each other.
The winners from Season 5 won 50k and were so deserving.
The challenges were very fun to watch, they were great challenges.
It was both amazing and emotional to watch the teams meet their relatives. I was so very happy for each and everyone of them.
I will be watching the next season and I've been recommending this show to my family and friends.
Enjoy!!!
All teams were likable. It is very rare that I watch a show and like all teams that are competing against each other.
The winners from Season 5 won 50k and were so deserving.
The challenges were very fun to watch, they were great challenges.
It was both amazing and emotional to watch the teams meet their relatives. I was so very happy for each and everyone of them.
I will be watching the next season and I've been recommending this show to my family and friends.
Enjoy!!!
One if my favorites
cmelrgr25 November 2018
BEST REALITY SHOW ON TV
tobelknight16 December 2019
I don't often watch reality shows--if at all--but this is one I never miss. Being a genealogy buff, I love watching how families are found and instant bonds are created with long-lost cousins, aunts, uncles--and sometimes birth parents and siblings.
I keep tissues near because every week I am moved to tears by the family discovery. The show gets better each year as the teams also bond with each other. It's not as much of a competition as it is a coming together in love, hope, friendship, and acceptance.
I can't wait for the next season!
lackluster race and family related chaleenges
taliaferro_family26 May 2019
The race part of the show needs revamping. The selfie should be changed from a sign to a specific location within the city where they will receive a map showing the location of the challenge and of the relatives home, but with no road names and certain roads black out hey they are not allowed to use. The contestants should should not be able to ask for directions only ask to be shown on the map where their present location is on the map. The challenges should be more family or genealogy related.
delightful, rivoting, emotional, refreshing reality tv
jaweadon19 December 2019
What a great show! I've been a fan since I discovered it during season 2. I love watching the family connections made. I have rejoiced when with all the mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers (and not to mention the countless cousins and wonderful grandparents) that the contestants meet along the way. The Game element adds a bit of friendly competition. You'll be rooting for them all by the end of the first episode. The host, Dan, keeps it all flowing together. The evening video check-ins are so fun to watch--unless your favorite is sent home with too many strikes! I look forward to each new season, the staff are so creative with the daily games. And, just when you think they've outdone themselves yet again, just hold on, the next episode is on! So get your popcorn ready, keep your box of Kleenex handy, and sit close to those you hold dear. It is a delightful, rivoting, emotional, and refreshing roller coaster ride with a beautiful family waiting behind the next door.
For a Good Time
mlmower-0901826 May 2019
Awesome Show!
gironelaine16 December 2019
Best family show
brynleymosley27 May 2019
Great show!
susan21226 May 2019
Family time
pitnpat25 November 2018
I love this show. Have watched every season and I celebrate with the joy and cry with the sad and some joyous. Being able to find family members must make all the struggle to get there worth it. Thanks to you all for sharing your lives with us.
Best show!!!
nichelle257126 May 2019
Great show
taliaferro_family25 November 2018
The race part is good but some the challenges are stupid. Overall the race part needs more excitement. The family stories are mostly great. The seasons are too short though. On a personal side finding out one of your teams are related to you makes it a lot more fun to watch. Season 4 finale was great. Can't wait for season 5 to start.
We wait anxiously for each new season and every episode.
fligamapoof26 May 2019
This is the one show we never miss. Our daughter and grandchildren love watching the tender meetings with family members. I'm thankful for he production crew and all their efforts. It's mind-boggling to think of the logistics for each show. We've followed it through all the seasons and will continue
My FAVORITE reality show EVER!!!
beccamonna27 May 2019
We've been watching this show since day one and look forward to it with every new season. It's real. It's raw. We get excited with every new family member they meet. We have to keep a box of tissues near us because the happy tears flow constantly.
It's inspired us to reach out to family members we have never met. First meeting is set for this summer!
Best Show on TV
tmj-7826520 December 2019
I love this show! I've watched every Relative Race episode multiple times because I like it so much. This show combines heartwarming fun with suspense and mystery and is something every member of the family can watch together. The contestants on the show are always awesome too. The creators of Relative Race do an awesome job coming up with great ideas for challenges, and their team of genealogists always find relatives ready and willing to participate in the show. I just can't say enough about how good this show is!
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