Plot: What’s it about?
With the onslaught of reality television, it’s really a treat when the shows on are genuinely entertaining and fun to watch. Fortunately for us “The Amazing Race” is one of those shows. After “Survivor” started the revolution, these shows were popping up everywhere. And, as of this writing, the show just picked up its third Emmy for “Outstanding Reality Competition Program” beating out “Survivor” and “The Apprentice” among others. Though it’s not quite as popular as the aforementioned shows, this one has a come a long way in a short time. For one, the Executive Producer of the show is none other than Jerry Bruckheimer who seems to have the golden touch in TV and Movies. And as the show enters its eighth season (with a highly questionable “Family” installment) it shows no sign of slowing down. Not bad for a show that faced cancellation just a few years ago. “The Amazing Race” started off on a bad foot, airing just after the September 11 attacks – suddenly that reality was much more than a race around the world. Still, the show went on and through casting genius or an “amazing” concept, managed to win its first Emmy just a couple years ago. This is probably what saved it from cancellation.
And what of the show? Whenever someone asks me what the show is about, the most basic answer I can give them is that “…it’s like a worldwide scavenger hunt.” Which, for the most part, is true. Eleven teams (Twelve in Season Three) composed of two people in a pre-existing relationship race around the world. They’re completely on their own and are given a stipend of money and must allocate accordingly. The only thing that they don’t have to pay for is airfare, which is paid by the show’s producers. Teams are given clues at the beginning of the race and must literally make their way to whatever part of the world that clue resides. Along the way, they battle the elements, each other and have certain “Road Blocks” (mini-competitions along the way that one member of the team is required to complete) before they can meet Phil Koegan (host of the show) at the check-in point. The last team to check in at a point is eliminated from the race and loses their chance at the million dollar purse. Quite simply, the first team to make it to the end first wins. Not a bad concept for a show, right?
As with most reality television, it’s the casting that makes all the difference on how the show will work. This first season contained some of the more colorful characters in the history of the “Race” with dueling New Yorkers Drew and Kevin, Mother and (voluptuous) daughter combo Nancy and Emily, yuppie lawyers Rob and Brennan and who could ever forget Team Guido – words can’t do them justice! The first season of any show is usually the best because it’s new and fresh. The Producers of the show hadn’t really done anything like this before, so they were learning along with the contestants. In some cases, they were on the same plane as the teams racing (in first class, of course). I’m an avid fan of “The Amazing Race” and have almost even applied for the show (with my brother who was going to do it until he realized he’d be away from his wife and kids for six weeks, so no dice). It’s my belief that the first season of this show is certainly the best, but not by much. The season contains some memorable performances and one of the most emotional finishes in reality television’s short history. Fans of the show will want to…(sorry) race to pick this up. Highly recommended.
Video: How does it look?
“The Amazing Race” is shown in a full-frame format (consistent with most shows on TV). The colors are rich and bright and adequately reflect the atmosphere; the show looks as good as any others I’ve seen (television-wise). I saw no real compression artifacts, the black levels were dead on and the detail was incredible. This looks as good as I remember seeing it the first time (though I didn’t have my widescreen TV then) and that’s about all we can expect.
Audio: How does it sound?
“The Amazing Race” is presented in a Dolby Digital Surround mix and it’s nothing that we didn’t hear while watching it on TV the first time around. There isn’t a whole lot to the mix here and dialogue is crisp. Suffice it to say you can hear every footstep, confessional and argument that comes out of the show. Surrounds are used very sparingly as well. This mix is best classified as a good surround mix…which it is.
Supplements: What are the extras?
The supplements on “The Amazing Race” are sure to please fans, though hardcore fans will undoubtedly endeavor for more. Four audio commentaries are included by various teams racing Team Guido and Rob and Brennan among them. The tracks are fairly good, and even four years later, these guys are still pretty excited about the show that changed their lives. I have to admit that I didn’t really care for Team Guido on the show, but their track was pretty funny. What’s more important that the audio commentaries are the deleted scenes – some 90 minutes worth – that’s included in this set. These “deleted scenes” are shown in the episode, and it varies from a few scenes in some episodes to a few minutes in others. Each episode is detailed with how many minutes of additional scenes that are included on the disc. There are a few featurettes included as well starting off with “The Lost Roadblock” in which the teams were required to eat an Ostirch egg (about the equivalent of 24 regular eggs). There’s a brief introduction on this by the Producers as well. “Reliving the Race” features new interviews with racers Rob and Brennan, Team Guido, Kevin and Drew and Lenny and Karyn. Kevin and Drew are by far the most entertaining in this segment (as well as the show) and a word to casting director’s out there: get more people on your shows like this – they’re funny! Lastly, we have “Creating and Coordinating” which interviews the people behind the show (Mr. Bruckheimer included) and they go behind the scenes to show what it takes to bring something like this to life. Suffice it to say they have their hands full and are more than deserving of those Emmy’s that the show has garnered over the years. Bottom line, fans of “The Amazing Race” will be in heaven and with another season already announced (Season 7 with “Survivor’s” Rob and Amber), more are sure to be on their way.
