# What's up with The Amazing Race? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 24, 2015, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-amazing-race/713476 "2015-02-24T01:42:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2015, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-amazing-race/713476/1 "2015-02-24T01:42:15Z")
I’ve been seeing ads on CBS for a month now about Survivor (debuts Wednesday) but it wasn’t until this weekend that I saw a brief addendum after the Survivor ad that said The Amazing Race was _also_ debuting on Wednesday, right after Survivor. I might have missed it entirely as I usually TIVO Survivor and watch it without commercials later. I went to the TAR site and sure enough, I had never seen or heard anything about the show or the contestants. It was a complete surprise to me, which is odd because there is a big twist to this season (I’ll spoiler it). About half the teams are meeting for the first time at the starting line in what is being called a blind date. They don’t know their partner’s name nor what they look like. For a show that doesn’t have _too_ much contrived drama in it, this is a huge departure. I’m wondering if it turned out to be a disaster and they are deliberately downplaying it for that reason. Is my experience the same as others or have I just missed all the publicity this season? ---
**Author:** ![USCDiver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uscdiver/32/354_2.png) [@USCDiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/USCDiver)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2015, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-amazing-race/713476/2 "2015-02-24T01:51:08Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > I’m wondering if it turned out to be a disaster and they are deliberately downplaying it for that reason. This is my interpretation ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2015, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-amazing-race/713476/3 "2015-02-24T03:09:44Z")
I saw a blurb about it and it was discussed on here briefly in the thread of last season’s finale. I had no idea TAR was premiering on a Wednesday so thanks for the head’s up. I also hate the idea. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2015, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-amazing-race/713476/4 "2015-02-24T03:16:39Z")
I was wondering if it was starting soon. This new twist doesn’t sound good. We’ve kinda seen it done once already, and it didn’t end well. ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2015, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-amazing-race/713476/5 "2015-02-24T12:42:48Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > I was wondering if it was starting soon. This new twist doesn’t sound good. > > We’ve kinda seen it done once already, and it didn’t end well. When did they try something like that before? Unless it was for a different show I don’t remember anything like it before. I kind of like the idea, and it seems to me they might want to try a full season of no one knowing each other but they wanted to try it on a smaller scale first to see how well it works out. I’m sure the reason they are starting it on Wednesday is because they want people to watch both Survivor and TAR. Which reminds me, I need to check to make sure my DVR is set to record TAR. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2015, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-amazing-race/713476/6 "2015-02-24T12:57:48Z")
> [@Edward\_The\_Head](#): > > When did they try something like that before? Unless it was for a different show I don’t remember anything like it before. I think he’s referring to Mark and Mallory from the recent All-Stars season. Mark’s partner Bopper had to drop out before the race started for medical reasons, so they brought in Mallory. Mark & Mallory were from different seasons, and AFAIK had never met before. They did not do well. ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2015, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-amazing-race/713476/7 "2015-02-24T13:08:21Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > I was wondering if it was starting soon. This new twist doesn’t sound good. > > We’ve kinda seen it done once already, and it didn’t end well. > [@muldoonthief](#): > > I think he’s referring to Mark and Mallory from the recent All-Stars season. Mark’s partner Bopper had to drop out before the race started for medical reasons, so they brought in Mallory. Mark & Mallory were from different seasons, and AFAIK had never met before. They did not do well. Oh yeah, I had forgotten about that since they went out so fast. It might be different this time though as the people who signed up know what they are getting in to before it starts. Could be a complete cluster fuck too. Is it moving back to Friday after this week or is it going to be on Wednesdays now? ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2015, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-amazing-race/713476/8 "2015-02-24T13:24:40Z")
Moving to Fridays. In fact, the second episode will be this Friday 2/27, two days after the premiere. Survivor 2/25 8-9:30, then every Wednesday at 8. TAR 2/25 9:30-11, then every Friday at 8. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2015, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-amazing-race/713476/9 "2015-02-24T14:41:45Z")
My wife and I have been watching through from the beginning on Hulu Plus. They really have an annoying habit of casting “Dating Models,” through the first 6 seasons at least (that’s where we’re at so far). ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2015, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-amazing-race/713476/10 "2015-02-24T16:01:14Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > I think he’s referring to Mark and Mallory from the recent All-Stars season. Mark’s partner Bopper had to drop out before the race started for medical reasons, so they brought in Mallory. Mark & Mallory were from different seasons, and AFAIK had never met before. They did not do well. Yes, that’s what I was thinking of. The race can get pretty stressful as is, and racing with someone you’ve never met could get ugly. Could result in a wonderful new friendship too. Guess we’ll see. This season is all (potentially) dating couples isn’t it? That adds another level of stress, I’d think. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2015, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-amazing-race/713476/11 "2015-02-24T16:31:35Z")
We’ll be watching, but I’m not holding out hope it will be anything but a great big train wreck. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2015, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-amazing-race/713476/12 "2015-02-24T16:31:46Z")
If you’re entertained by meltdowns & team arguments, which I am, this season has a lot of potential. Mark and Mallory arguing about the his backpack that she left behind was great television IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2015, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-amazing-race/713476/13 "2015-02-24T16:40:49Z")
That was good drama. Mark was from an extremely poor background, and it wasn’t even his backpack. He had to borrow it. You don’t just throw things away. Mallory was all, “who cares! Just buy more stuff! I’ll buy you more stuff!” Definite culture clash. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2015, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-amazing-race/713476/14 "2015-02-24T16:46:35Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > That was good drama. Mark was from an extremely poor background, and it wasn’t even his backpack. He had to borrow it. You don’t just throw things away. Mallory was all, “who cares! Just buy more stuff! I’ll buy you more stuff!” Definite culture clash. Plus Mallory was missing the point that Mark would have to complete the next 10-11 legs of the race with nothing but the clothes on his back. You can’t buy anything during the race with your own money - you can only use the cash they give you at the beginning of each leg - remember the college kids who had to buy new shoes in Moscow because they left theirs behind at a dressup task? So they’d be constantly deciding whether to buy him a coat, or save the money for a taxi. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2015, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-amazing-race/713476/15 "2015-02-24T17:03:57Z")
Please tell there is a contestant named [Jill and she will be out in a cornfield](http://www.ispot.tv/ad/7YMu/farmersonly-com-jill). You don’t have to be lonely, at Amazing Race dot com. ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2015, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-amazing-race/713476/16 "2015-02-24T17:17:07Z")
I’m fine with them randomly putting teams together and then having whatever issues fall out of that (though I don’t watch the show for team drama I’m not totally opposed to it). Not interested, though, in it being presented as a romantic endeavor and a really long blind first date. Definitely not looking for relationship drama. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2015, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-amazing-race/713476/17 "2015-02-24T17:25:20Z")
In my mind we, the audience, would be able to pause the race midway through, and rematch the teams according to who we like, and who is a whiny baby. I know that’s impossible because it was filmed months ago, but it would be fun. ---
**Author:** ![fiddlesticks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddlesticks/32/18129_2.png) [@fiddlesticks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fiddlesticks)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2015, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-amazing-race/713476/18 "2015-02-24T19:01:43Z")
If anything, CBS looks to be trying to attract attention to TAR by having it premiere on the same night as Survivor. The move to Fridays basically cost the show a full point Nielsen ratings-wise from the previous season. They’ll likely get a nice number for the first episode, but Friday being Friday, it’ll be back down again on its normal night probably. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2015, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-amazing-race/713476/19 "2015-02-24T19:12:27Z")
> [@fiddlesticks](#): > > If anything, CBS looks to be trying to attract attention to TAR by having it premiere on the same night as Survivor. The move to Fridays basically cost the show a full point Nielsen ratings-wise from the previous season. They’ll likely get a nice number for the first episode, but Friday being Friday, it’ll be back down again on its normal night probably. It’s true that Survivor will give it a boost, but the almost complete absence of any promotional effort is what is confusing me. As several others have said in this thread, they had no idea it was even starting on Wednesday. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2015, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-amazing-race/713476/20 "2015-02-24T19:15:54Z")
I don’t even watch Survivor anymore. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-amazing-race/713476.md?page=2)