94 reviews
I gotta say I hate reality TV. Sure "Survivor" had it's moments, but it got tiresome after awhile. The Amazing Race? Now HERE's a show with variety and personality to match the frantic, fast-paced action with such ingenious use of game set-pieces I couldn't help but dig this show. I watched this series for nine years and it still never fails to entertain me. That's something that can't be said for most reality TV programs; well at least for "American Idol". One of the most moving moments of the show was when they had one of the contestants was a female dwarf but despite her physical limits, she managed to get far near the end of the race. I can vividly recall the the emotions of the host who greeted them at the pit stop; however coming in last place eliminated them from the race. Sorry if that sounded a little poetic but I couldn't help but be touched by his reaction. Still, it's a great show, filled with a surprising amount of suspense. Yes, SUSPENSE. In a reality show; a rarity. Never in the history of TV has a series been this gripping, this entertaining, heartwarming and exciting, and above all, original as The Amazing Race.
- johnnymacbest
- Jul 14, 2009
- Permalink
All in all, I would start with Season 1, 5 and 31. 28 and 29 were good too
So, it really depends on what season you're watching. Some are good, some are aweful (Season 26 Blind Date twist for example as well as Family Edition of Season 8)
At times there is a team that makes it worth watching, but other teams are bleh like Season 9. BJ asnd Tyler and Eric and Jeremy were the best part of the season and bluntly the bulk of airtime was for BJ and Tyler because they were awesome
Sometimes the season will fall flat depending on what you like. So take each season with a grain of salt. Casting may be ON like in Season 31 or OFF like in Season 4 which is forgetable but only stands out because the first gay couple won it
Watch each season, see what you like and discard the rest. Binge it, watch it on PLUTOTV online or Google search it. Season 6 was tough to watch because of an abusive husband.
So, it really depends on what season you're watching. Some are good, some are aweful (Season 26 Blind Date twist for example as well as Family Edition of Season 8)
At times there is a team that makes it worth watching, but other teams are bleh like Season 9. BJ asnd Tyler and Eric and Jeremy were the best part of the season and bluntly the bulk of airtime was for BJ and Tyler because they were awesome
Sometimes the season will fall flat depending on what you like. So take each season with a grain of salt. Casting may be ON like in Season 31 or OFF like in Season 4 which is forgetable but only stands out because the first gay couple won it
Watch each season, see what you like and discard the rest. Binge it, watch it on PLUTOTV online or Google search it. Season 6 was tough to watch because of an abusive husband.
- smooth_op_85
- Dec 24, 2021
- Permalink
Though I find most of US reality TV-series quite boring I must admit that's the one I really love. Mainly because it's so global, mixture of different cultures and traditions. You can see difference between developing countries and developed countries and so on. It's fun to watch teams pushing themselves over the top with some rather weird quests and having an arguments over nothing. The tasks are usually tied with the country they're competing and that's very cool too.
The series budget is huge. They were racing in Estonia (Where I live :) in summer and my friend took part of it too and revealed how the show was being made. It's just amazing, local TV stations were paid for not to show or write anything about the series. Every smaller detail is checked and must complete the checklist of 5 pages of contract. The story also is usually confirmed on the very last minute after searching for optimal tasks and routes by the producers. And that is what makes the show special.
Only thing I don't like in the series is the fact that some conflicts are shown too prolixly. For example when one of those black sisters called Luke "bitch" in the last season.
But otherwise it's brilliant show and I think everybody find it exciting when one bothers to watch it.
The series budget is huge. They were racing in Estonia (Where I live :) in summer and my friend took part of it too and revealed how the show was being made. It's just amazing, local TV stations were paid for not to show or write anything about the series. Every smaller detail is checked and must complete the checklist of 5 pages of contract. The story also is usually confirmed on the very last minute after searching for optimal tasks and routes by the producers. And that is what makes the show special.
Only thing I don't like in the series is the fact that some conflicts are shown too prolixly. For example when one of those black sisters called Luke "bitch" in the last season.
But otherwise it's brilliant show and I think everybody find it exciting when one bothers to watch it.
- christhjian
- Sep 19, 2009
- Permalink
- Jonger_2002
- Aug 16, 2005
- Permalink
Last December, Survivor South Pacific ended and I had to find something to watch while the 3 months passed until Survivor came back. So I decided to try out this show, Amazing Race. I was hooked after 1 episode and watched an entire season in 1 night. By the end of the 3 months I had watched all 19 seasons of the show. It became my new obsession. Easily the best show on TV, even the duller seasons such as 4, 8, or 13 are still awesome and entertaining. I know this show is definitely not for everyone, you need to like reality shows to enjoy this (obviously), but if you are a fan of survivor, big brother, or even fear factor, I would definitely suggest giving this amazing show a chance.
- Critter1223
- Aug 29, 2012
- Permalink
'The Amazing Race 5' is the BEST of all six complete seasons to date. If you've never seen the show, I recommend this season over all others. Why? Season 5 had a combination of interesting and amiable teams as well as original locations, only 2 of which had already been visited in previous seasons. The 'Bowling Moms', Linda and Karen, added a lot of fun to the show - they were almost always lively and seeing them go so far on the race (to 4th place) was a highlight. Although I liked Colin and Christie, seeing Chip and Kim win was great - it was unexpected - and this is what added to this season's success. What I particularly liked about the locations visited was that producers for the most part avoided Europe (save for Russia, which was interesting) and visited other places, more interesting places, like South America and the Middle East. I'm just hoping that CBS releases the seasons on DVD - if they do, choose this one! 5 Star Entertainment - so much more refreshing than Seasons 6 and 7.
- monsieurbond
- Jan 13, 2005
- Permalink
Is it time to give up on Amazing Race? What made the show great was seeing around the world, overcoming language barriers, navigating unfamiliar places and airports, watching a race where if you came in first, you left by yourself in first. We have lived vicariously through the competitors who raced around the globe to new places, allowing us to see the world through their eyes. This season was the worst. Post-Covid, the show has lost its luster, favoring Spanish-speaking players going to their hometown. Group starts take away the advantage a team gains by coming in first. Eliminations on every leg take away the drama of not knowing if a team might still be in the game. If there is another season, go all over the world, challenge the teams with languages they are unfamiliar with, let the team who crosses the line first have the privilege of leading the pack out of the gate, and bring back the drama (and more episodes) by continuing the race. And bring back the memory challenge at the end, it is a great recap.
- rschmig-75945
- May 16, 2024
- Permalink
My husband and I look forward to every new season... We choose our favorites in the first episode and cheer them on throughout the season. It's a true reality show (there's no time for the contestants to be anything but real). It is the best entertainment on television.
- ReviewbyMichele
- May 26, 2019
- Permalink
- heyfunnymom
- Apr 11, 2024
- Permalink
The Amazing Race has always been fantastic. Easily 8-10 stars. Until recently.
The last few (post COVID) seasons 34-36 have removed all the travel aspects and it's essentially watching the Detours, Roadblocks, etc in some exotic location.
They no longer show ANY of the travel.. no scrambling for "first flight" anywhere. No dealing with non-English speaking travel agencies. What's the point of a "race around the world" if you never actually see any of the travel?? Just have them all compete in challenges outside the studio lot in the US. Would it really be any different?
The lack of actual travel has made it FAR FAR less "adventure" overall. Some of the best parts were watching the contestant interactions at airports or bus stations when they were NOT competing in a challenge. Now, all you see are challenges and driving to challenges. They rarely even do the "take a taxi" and always seem to provide a race vehicle.
It's diminished the show considerably. They need to bring back the travel aspect.
This series started by showing clips of teams at the pit stops.. when they were NOT racing. Those moments were fantastic... it was a poor choice to removed those several years ago. Now, they've removed all travel. They've slowly lost sight of what made this series popular and have essentially ruined the entertainment value at great deal. Producers would do well to go back and watch seasons 1-4 themselves and see what drew viewers in.
I'm sure there's some reason for starting every leg with all teams already in some country and at a mat and merely ripping clues in order. But it's not nearly as interesting or entertaining.
Seems to me they are doing their best to create something they can sell in syndication.. a simple 1hr block for 10 episodes. Either that or Phil is tired of it. If Phil's tired.. find a new host for heaven's sake. I doubt anyone watches this show for Phil's short explanation narratives.
If the AU and CA versions can still show travel, why can't the US version?? Lack of travel has moved the US version to the bottom of the list.
Season 36 has even done away with the final "Remember the Race" detour. Perhaps because the "race" isn't really what this show is about any longer.
The last few (post COVID) seasons 34-36 have removed all the travel aspects and it's essentially watching the Detours, Roadblocks, etc in some exotic location.
They no longer show ANY of the travel.. no scrambling for "first flight" anywhere. No dealing with non-English speaking travel agencies. What's the point of a "race around the world" if you never actually see any of the travel?? Just have them all compete in challenges outside the studio lot in the US. Would it really be any different?
The lack of actual travel has made it FAR FAR less "adventure" overall. Some of the best parts were watching the contestant interactions at airports or bus stations when they were NOT competing in a challenge. Now, all you see are challenges and driving to challenges. They rarely even do the "take a taxi" and always seem to provide a race vehicle.
It's diminished the show considerably. They need to bring back the travel aspect.
This series started by showing clips of teams at the pit stops.. when they were NOT racing. Those moments were fantastic... it was a poor choice to removed those several years ago. Now, they've removed all travel. They've slowly lost sight of what made this series popular and have essentially ruined the entertainment value at great deal. Producers would do well to go back and watch seasons 1-4 themselves and see what drew viewers in.
I'm sure there's some reason for starting every leg with all teams already in some country and at a mat and merely ripping clues in order. But it's not nearly as interesting or entertaining.
Seems to me they are doing their best to create something they can sell in syndication.. a simple 1hr block for 10 episodes. Either that or Phil is tired of it. If Phil's tired.. find a new host for heaven's sake. I doubt anyone watches this show for Phil's short explanation narratives.
If the AU and CA versions can still show travel, why can't the US version?? Lack of travel has moved the US version to the bottom of the list.
Season 36 has even done away with the final "Remember the Race" detour. Perhaps because the "race" isn't really what this show is about any longer.
Cant wait for the new season to begin! This show always delivers great excitement, quality production and a great host/casting.
The older seasons are not my cup of tea, but anything from 2010 and until now is a must watch in my opinion.
The older seasons are not my cup of tea, but anything from 2010 and until now is a must watch in my opinion.
- oscar-tegni
- Oct 23, 2021
- Permalink
I am generally NOT the sort of person to watch and enjoy reality television shows. However, I have enjoyed watching "The Amazing Race"....at least some times. When I say that it's because how much I enjoy the show is highly dependent upon the contestants. Many you really like. A few, however, are human garbage....nasty, smack-talking jerks who take away from the audience's enjoyment of the show. Some of these contestants have been so nasty and awful that my daughter and I have now taken to only watching the show AFTER it's completed and we read up to find out what sort of contestants a particular season has. After all, life is too short to spend our time watching ugly, nasty people. So, consider doing this and just skipping a few seasons where the participants seem more interested in drama and chaos than anything else.
- planktonrules
- Jul 13, 2020
- Permalink
Worse season in the history of the amazing race!!! No capps for this latest season. It was completely contrived for the winners to win. I won't watch another season now that they've made another agenda first show. We stopped watching BB, And Survivor several years back for this very reason. No wonder this channel's parent company is being bought out from some major players and I doubt this channel stays around much longer.
Basically a set up from the beginning. We were pretty quick to catch on to what they were doing and were both like "yip they jumped the proverbial shark. I don't know what to do with these last few characters except say what a let down from what used to be the best reality show on tv.
Basically a set up from the beginning. We were pretty quick to catch on to what they were doing and were both like "yip they jumped the proverbial shark. I don't know what to do with these last few characters except say what a let down from what used to be the best reality show on tv.
- alexandertom-86032
- May 16, 2024
- Permalink
Once upon a time I really enjoyed the Amazing Race. It was fun, exciting, and sometimes heartbreaking. The contestants were people you could cheer for... or against. Of late, though, I have lost interest because of a decision by the executives to move away from what made the show appealing. At one time the racers were common people, just like you and I. A couple of coal miners from Kentucky. Two cowboys who were brothers. The list is too long to continue. This made the race fun. You could sit down and compare yourself to your peers. Now, however, the executives have decided to feature teams made up of ex professional athletes. models, stars from other reality TV shows and YouTube stars. In short, people who are not like the average American. I watched a couple of episodes this year and realized I just did not enjoy the show anymore. If the producers decided to go back to the original format, maybe they get my viewership back.. Until they do consider me an ex-fan.
- gregr-76475
- Feb 25, 2018
- Permalink
- shelbythuylinh
- Nov 24, 2021
- Permalink
Am so disappointed with the team work going on this season. I think it's cheating. It's one thing to help now and then it's another to do the work for a struggling team. The two teams ahead are doing most of the work themselves and are doing good. The teams getting eliminated do not stand a chance. Rules need to be updated. Maybe can only help other teams once? I love this show and will keep watching. Maybe reintroduce the non elimination, with only not being elimination once. I really enjoyed seeing the fast forward challenges. Does anyone out there agree? This show will always be my favorite keep up the good work!
I absolutely love watching The Amazing Race! The challengers are always entertaining to watch as they interact with each other and face the obstacles thrown their way. I especially enjoy seeing beautiful locations worldwide and learning about traditions I may not be familiar with.
However, while watching the show, one of my pet peeves is when the teams struggle with driving a Volkswagen. It seems like they can never figure out that to put the car in reverse, they need to push down on the shift, push it to the left, and then push it up. It's frustrating to watch them continually struggle with this simple task and end up in first gear instead.
Overall, The Amazing Race is a thrilling and captivating show that never fails to keep me on the edge of my seat. I just wish the teams would learn how to operate a Volkswagen properly!
However, while watching the show, one of my pet peeves is when the teams struggle with driving a Volkswagen. It seems like they can never figure out that to put the car in reverse, they need to push down on the shift, push it to the left, and then push it up. It's frustrating to watch them continually struggle with this simple task and end up in first gear instead.
Overall, The Amazing Race is a thrilling and captivating show that never fails to keep me on the edge of my seat. I just wish the teams would learn how to operate a Volkswagen properly!
- christinafitz
- Jun 6, 2024
- Permalink
I didn't watch AR as it originally aired...I started watching around 2015 but have since watched all the seasons (thanks Paramount Plus!).
It's been amazing to watch the show evolve from teams just making travel arrangements to doing small tasks at the end to now doing some of the silliest and whacked out Detours and Roadblocks.
Every season has teams I hate and teams I love. I really dislike it when someone wins who didn't deserve it. LOL.
I know that each season brings something new...contestants were showing up already knowing how to sneak through loopholes so shaking things up keeps the AR fresh for contestants and viewers. One of my fave things was going to a format with no non-elimination legs. That just piles on the stress!
But now...starting with Season 35...they've made the show 1.5 hours (or 1 hour 5 minutes via streaming) and that's just too long. The extra footage doesn't add anything and...IMHO...makes it difficult for viewers to keep up with what team is where in the leg. So much time is spent on teams still at a Roadblock that I forget about those ahead at the Detour.
Also...it's just team after team after team just saying the exact same thing. Seriously...I don't need to hear 'so-and-so got Double U-Turned...glad it wasn't us' 8 times as each team arrived at the Roadblock with the DUT.
Please go back to 1 hour (43 minutes on streaming).
It's been amazing to watch the show evolve from teams just making travel arrangements to doing small tasks at the end to now doing some of the silliest and whacked out Detours and Roadblocks.
Every season has teams I hate and teams I love. I really dislike it when someone wins who didn't deserve it. LOL.
I know that each season brings something new...contestants were showing up already knowing how to sneak through loopholes so shaking things up keeps the AR fresh for contestants and viewers. One of my fave things was going to a format with no non-elimination legs. That just piles on the stress!
But now...starting with Season 35...they've made the show 1.5 hours (or 1 hour 5 minutes via streaming) and that's just too long. The extra footage doesn't add anything and...IMHO...makes it difficult for viewers to keep up with what team is where in the leg. So much time is spent on teams still at a Roadblock that I forget about those ahead at the Detour.
Also...it's just team after team after team just saying the exact same thing. Seriously...I don't need to hear 'so-and-so got Double U-Turned...glad it wasn't us' 8 times as each team arrived at the Roadblock with the DUT.
Please go back to 1 hour (43 minutes on streaming).
- danekera-97717
- May 27, 2024
- Permalink
I have been watching The Amazing Race since season one. This season is by far, without a doubt and above all the best Amazing Race I have watched. WHY? I hope I am able to remember ALL the reasons.
What it boils down to is that there wasn't a single team I yelled at and got upset with due to bickering, giving up, not putting in 110% effort and being likable participants. Yea, I had my favorite team that I wanted to win, but at the end I was fully vested into the final three teams. Unbelievable.
The places they visited were incredible. I'll never get to see all the countries, and experience the warmth of the citizens of all the countries, this is probably one of the main reasons I watch this show.
What a fantastic season, I am already looking forward to next season.
WOW!!!
What it boils down to is that there wasn't a single team I yelled at and got upset with due to bickering, giving up, not putting in 110% effort and being likable participants. Yea, I had my favorite team that I wanted to win, but at the end I was fully vested into the final three teams. Unbelievable.
The places they visited were incredible. I'll never get to see all the countries, and experience the warmth of the citizens of all the countries, this is probably one of the main reasons I watch this show.
What a fantastic season, I am already looking forward to next season.
WOW!!!
Whoo-hoo! The Amazing Race is a fast paced, challenge driven, trek that spans the globe! It starts out with thirteen teams of two, and whatever team arrives last at the check point at the end of the episode is eliminated. There have been over 20 seasons of the show so far, so I would venture to guess it's been pretty successful :) I usually find myself picking a couple of favorite teams and on occasion will be sitting there yelling at the screen, "Go! Oh god, don't let them beat you!" There may be an expletive thrown in there if some team I've deemed to be jerks suddenly pulls ahead. Buuuuut, that's the best part; you get to see these teams go through ups and downs and you imagine how tired and insane you would feel flying from continent to continent, being put into physical challenges like bungee jumping, rappelling, hang gliding, miles and miles of hiking, and that's just the tip of the ice-burg. It seems like the true character of these individuals comes out, some impress you, some disgust you. It's all just part of The Race.
- faithwebb1
- Jul 6, 2013
- Permalink
I wish they would stop using wild that are in captivity for challenges. It really ruins it for me.😠😠😠😠😠😠
- carriecoles
- Oct 6, 2018
- Permalink
I think one of the reason we favor this show over shows like Survivor is that, for the most part, the contestants are in charge of their own fates. In a race around the world, if you avoid finishing last on each leg, you stay in the game ... no voting beyond the contestants' control exists to spoil their effort.
Outside of the drama of the contest, the show is an educational travel show in many ways. For example, the show often goes through India. After seeing what happens to contestants there, I'll never travel to India.
An entertaining and for the most part intelligent show, I highly recommend The Amazing Race to fans of TV reality contests.
Outside of the drama of the contest, the show is an educational travel show in many ways. For example, the show often goes through India. After seeing what happens to contestants there, I'll never travel to India.
An entertaining and for the most part intelligent show, I highly recommend The Amazing Race to fans of TV reality contests.
- VetteRanger
- Jun 17, 2009
- Permalink
The show itself is exciting to watch, I like all of the different challenges that they end up having to do. A lot of them look really fun, and I would like to do them. I really really hate that the background music is too loud and it is very difficult to hear the contestants.
Loud, loud, LOUD!!! PEOPLE SCREAMING WOOOOOOOO thousands of times. No wonder the world hate obnoxious, Americans!!! All they do is scream and scream and scream.