by Marc Shapiro

Created on: February 18, 2007   Last Updated: May 09, 2007

The Amazing Race is still the best reality show on TV!

I can't wait for the next season to come along and thrill us with the exciting travel, beautiful and interesting locations, and lots of interpersonal drama as teams race around the globe to calim the prize.

For those who haven't seen it, The Amazing Race pits a series of two-person teams who are in some kind of relationship - parent-child, siblings, engaged couples, married couples, friends, domestic partners, etc. - on a helter-skelter, 4-week race around the world to win One Million Dollars. Teams will travel approximately 50,000 miles, and visit many countries during the competition.

Racers start with only their passports and a backpack of clothing and other personal gear. At the starting point of the race, they are given an envelope a small amount of money and a clue or directions to get them to the next challenge or roadblock. Challenges or roadblocks entail either one or both teammates completing a physical or mental task. Typically, teams are sent to exotic locations and participate in culturally-themed activities that reflect life and history in the featured location. Once the task is completed, the team is given its next clue and the race continues. Teams often are required to take flights; in this event, the sponsors have an arrangement that allows racers to simply book flights while the bills are paid separately by the producers. Other than that, racers are not allowed to use outside resources such as credit cards, their own personal money, their own cell phones, etc.

The last team to arrive at a roadblock - signifying the end of a segment of the race - is eliminated from further competition. Because the racers do not get a lot of sleep and are often pushed physically in the challenges and roadblocks, they often experience frayed nerves and their true personalities bubble to the surface. Relationships are strengthened and torn apart, friendships are formed and crumble, and alliances are made and broken, all in the space of a few short weeks.

As the race continues, and each elimination takes place, the competition can be cutthroat and intense, particularly toward the end, when the prospect of winning the million dollars becomes more realistic.

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