06/09/2008 15:45 - (SA)
Around the world for a pile of cash
Who would have thought that a show about a bunch of people running around the world would be such a smash hit? The ever-astute Jerry Bruckheimer, that’s who. FARRAH FRANCIS takes a look at those who accept the challenge in the new season of ‘The Amazing Race’
The show has won a whopping 10 Emmy awards and with all this action and drama packed into one adrenaline-pumping show, it’s no surprise. Now Sony Entertainment will broadcast season 12 of the 48 000 kilometre race this September. This race will be the shortest one since season eight, and contestants will have only 21 days to finish the race.
What makes The Amazing Race so entertaining is not only the fact that the contestants get to travel the world so quickly, but also the fact that all the teams are so unique. With time running against them and tough challenges to face, it’s often the resilience of the human spirit that keeps the viewers coming back for more. This latest season debuted at an amazing 13,5 million viewers in the United States, according to realitytvworld.com.
Sony Entertainment, (Channel 101) has snagged the rights to the latest series from SABC3, which has aired the previous 10 seasons, with season 11 still to air on that channel.
Series 12 features a lesbian Episcopal couple, who are ministers. Pat Hendrickson and Kate Lewis will no doubt raise a few eyebrows. The couple dated for seven years before getting married three years ago. Will they have what it takes to win this game in which morality sometimes gets left at the door? I predict an early send-off for the couple, but not before they ruffle a few feathers.
In every season of The Amazing Race there are the ‘Barbie dolls’ and this time is no different. Actress Shana Wall
and Jennifer McCall, a legal assistant are both blonde, pretty and almost perfect to look at. This is usually the team that the viewers and other contestants hate and who usually become the underdogs in the race. I expect this negativity will render them weak and I doubt they’ll make it to the final three teams.
The father/daughter duo of Ronald and Christina Hsu are an interesting team. The inter-generational vibe may have us all rooting for them. Ronald’s age may slow him down physically, but Christina should make up for it. What Ronald lacks physically he compensates for with the wisdom acquired through age. Keep an eye on this team and you may be pleasantly surprised by their tactics.
Staying true to its ability to choose contestants who are different and unique, The Amazing Race brings us the weirdly named Kynt and Vyxsin Fiala. Their ‘us against the world’ stance makes them strong competitors.
The couple most likely to spice up the race are Lorena Segura and Jason Widener. The couple met three years ago in a bar, but are still struggling to find out if they’re meant to be. They’re using the race to test their relationship. This could be tricky as they could easily lose sight of the game. Besides, The Amazing Race has never been a relationship fixer and could actually work to their detriment. I predict an early departure for these two.
But Azaria and Hendekea Azene are the team to watch out for. Both members of this brother/sister team have degrees in engineering and their intellect is sure to give them a distinct advantage. Or will it? Intellect doesn’t necessarily mean street smarts. And the big brother/little sister power struggle may get in the way. This team is sure to keep us entertained.
Marianna and Julia Ruiz are sisters who describe themselves as best friends and worst enemies. Not very original and this sister duo is unlikely to cause a big hoo-ha in the show. I suspect they’ll go home early as they don’t bring anything particularly special to blow the other contestents’ socks off.
While the team mostly likely to slip under the radar, is made up of a substitute teacher called TK and Rachel Rosales, a florist. Neither of their jobs scream ‘Winners!’ (No offence to the teachers and florists out there!) Dating for less than a year, their laid back approach could really work for them and allow them to inch past the other teams without anyone noticing. Look out for these dark horses and don’t be fooled by their initial congeniality.
There’s nothing exceptional about best friends, Ari Bonia and Staella Gianakakos. They are young and relaxed and Stella is apparently willing to flirt her way to the front of the pack. This approach to this game has failed in the past and will inevitably fail again. They’ll be gone quicker than you can say: “You’re the last team to arrive, I’m sorry to tell you that you have both been eliminated.”
The team I’d bet good money on is the grandfather/grandson combo of Nicolas Fulks and Donald Jerousek. Twenty-three-year old Nicolas is a pilot, which could work to their advantage. Donald is 68 and his experience could balance the young Nicolas’ fiery approach. Could the 45-year age gap work against them, though? Watch this team closely.
And keep your eyes peeled for Jennifer Parker and Nathan Hagstrom. This young and athletic couple will probably use the challenges and road blocks to claw their way to the top. Their ages, though – 23 and 24 respectively – may be their downfall.
Previous Winners of The Amazing Race:
Season 1: Rob and Brennan, both lawyers and best friends, narrowly beat out team Guido. As the first winners of the race, they had no previous races to learn from.
Season 2: Chris and Alex were one of the luckiest teams who lost both of the non-elimination legs of the race and then went on to win. A glutton for punishment, Alex is now travelling the world with no money to see how far he’ll get. They played fair and deserved to win.
Season 3: After throwing a tantrum about getting on a 24-hour train ride to New York, even before the race started, Flo eventually got into the spirit of things and went on to win the third season of the show with her team mate Zach. Flo’s constant carping was enough to drive even the viewers insane.
Season 4: Reichen and Chip made their way through morning traffic to cross the finish line first. Despite the fact that their counterparts managed to figure out the final clue quicker than they did, this did not stop them from finishing first.
Season 5: Chip and Kim made their way to the second last pit stop with an 18- minute lead of their rivals, they struggled in the final leg, eventually figuring it out and crossing the finish line first. They played strategically and with integrity and gave it their all.
Season 6: Kendra and Freddy, the all-round overachievers made it to the final leg where they had to eat a deep dish pizza in order to make it to the final stop. Kendra famously asked: “What if it’s like the size of a table?” To which Freddy replied: “Then we’ll just vomit and keep eating.” Very classy, indeed.
Season 7: Season seven winners, Uchenna and Joyce, suffered a number of setbacks in the game, including a flat tire and getting lost more than once. The couple played fair and extremely smart and eventually beat hopefuls and former Survivor contestants, Rob and Amber.
Season 8: The Linz family just couldn’t seem to pull it together throughout the family version of the game. Despite many near-fatal errors, they ran a perfect final leg to narrowly beat the Bransens, who were the more deserving winners in my opinion.
Season 9: Definitely one of the most entertaining teams to watch BJ and Tyler were the underdogs throughout the game. Constantly mocked for their hippie style, they persevered and beat out the all-American jocks, Eric and James.
Season 10: Pretty boys Tyler and James won the anti-climactic victory in Season 10. The poster boys played safe for most of the game. Because audiences rooted for the single mothers in the game, Tyler and James’ victory was disappointing to watch.
Season 11 has not yet aired on SABC 3, and as much as this channel annoys me, for your viewing pleasure, I will not reveal the winners.
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