TAR in the Media

[Taeolas]

I wonder if TAR 33 will stay on hiatus until international travel returns to something similar to 'normal' (which could be years away at this point) and instead they'll fire a TAR 34 that is US centred again (the family edition way back then wasn't too well received, but a US focused TAR might have some value now).

As is, Canada's in no rush to reopen the border to the US, and the international flights are in no rush to return either, so even doing a North American TAR would probably be rough to fire. (Canada's in no rush to reopen the borders between provinces until at least July, so international travel is gonna be sketchy)

[Lamb18]

CBS All Access still says The Amazing Race is starting in May.

[doodlebug]

On ‎5‎/‎2‎/‎2020 at 10:28 PM, Taeolas said:

I wonder if TAR 33 will stay on hiatus until international travel returns to something similar to 'normal' (which could be years away at this point) and instead they'll fire a TAR 34 that is US centred again (the family edition way back then wasn't too well received, but a US focused TAR might have some value now).

As is, Canada's in no rush to reopen the border to the US, and the international flights are in no rush to return either, so even doing a North American TAR would probably be rough to fire. (Canada's in no rush to reopen the borders between provinces until at least July, so international travel is gonna be sketchy)

A US focused TAR with adult two person teams figuring out really tough clues and facing impressive challenges would be very welcome at this point, IMO.  With the current limitations on air travel, give each team a road atlas and an SUV and turn 'em loose. Give them a tent to pitch at each pit stop.  Social distancing and restrictions on large gatherings could also work in favor of keeping spoilers minimal.  If only CBS/BTB would use some imagination, they could actually turn this situation into a really cool race.

Edited May 4, 2020 by doodlebug

[pennben]

15 hours ago, Lamb18 said:

CBS All Access still says The Amazing Race is starting in May.

Originally they were going to air the previously filmed season over the summer. They’ve pushed it until fall now. 

[ApprenticeFan]

It is official that TAR 32 will now be in fall schedule later this year.

Source: Phil Keoghan's Twitter

[chaifan]

On 5/4/2020 at 10:45 AM, doodlebug said:

A US focused TAR with adult two person teams figuring out really tough clues and facing impressive challenges would be very welcome at this point, IMO.  With the current limitations on air travel, give each team a road atlas and an SUV and turn 'em loose. Give them a tent to pitch at each pit stop.  Social distancing and restrictions on large gatherings could also work in favor of keeping spoilers minimal.  If only CBS/BTB would use some imagination, they could actually turn this situation into a really cool race.

Part of the appeal of TAR is the international aspect.  A US based race would probably get very low ratings, and wouldn't be worth the extra hassle.

It would be just as easy to charter flight all teams to somewhere in Europe and start from there.  As you suggested, travel would mostly be self driving/navigating, but they could arrange for some quasi-public transport.  That could be done with either staggered groups (first three teams to complete the task get on bus A, next 3 have to wait for bus B, etc., where the buses are public buses but TAR has bought the whole bus) or use as intentional bunching (all teams end up on the same night train from point X to Y, and TAR has bought out an entire train car).  And it ends in Europe - no final leg back to the US.  I don't think most fans would care if TAR did an entire season and never touched US soil. 

As COVID testing becomes more reliable and more available, they could ensure that teams and crew are COVID free when crossing borders, which may allow them special permission from participating countries.  Same could be done of any local participants, to protect the racers and crew.   Routes & tasks could be planned to reduce (but not eliminate) interaction with the general public.  There will still be risk of exposure from the general public, but in 6 months who can say that running through the streets of a random town in the US will be any safer than that in Germany. 

 

 

[pennben]

I just think testing, tracing, treatment and vaccine availability dictate when restart can commence. I’m not sure Europe is going to be happy to be home base for US travel reality show with notion that we charter flight & set them loose so they don’t have to start/stop in the US. 

[Lantern7]

Right now, I'm just concerned about when we'll see TAR32. One of the few nice side effects of the pandemic and quarantine is that most reality shows are suspended. I reckon if TAR32 gets great ratings, we'd get a new season sooner rather than a lot later. Or at all.

Seriously, I want Game On! to tank. HARD. No offense to Keegan-Michael Key, I like his work, but he's hosting the Million Dollar Mile of 2020.

[bunnyface]

I've seen some of the British show that Game On! is based on, and it's okay.  Not fantastic, but okay, and that's mostly because of the people.  I don't care about watching this one.  I did see a promo for the other Phil show, Tough As Nails, I think.  I need to see more about that before I get too excited.  I guess some Phil is better than none.

 

[Carey]

On 5/8/2020 at 1:39 AM, Lantern7 said:

Right now, I'm just concerned about when we'll see TAR32. One of the few nice side effects of the pandemic and quarantine is that most reality shows are suspended. I reckon if TAR32 gets great ratings, we'd get a new season sooner rather than a lot later. Or at all.

Seriously, I want Game On! to tank. HARD. No offense to Keegan-Michael Key, I like his work, but he's hosting the Million Dollar Mile of 2020.

Pretty neutral about Game On!  I might watch; I might not.  Even with the stuff going on, my TV schedule of watching first run stuff during a dead period stay the same.

 

I probaboy won't be surprise if, when we get to autumn, TAR32 is pushed back again due to Survivor and other shows finding a way to return.  Which would suck since several would complain that they were better off leaving it where it was.  Though to be fair, the show should have aired a long time ago.

 

I'd personally be pissed, but as mentioned, it may be impossible to tape the Amazing Race in the foreseeable future, if ever again unless it's done within the continent.  Even that right now is not easy.  I would understand if CBS and company pushed it back to spring of 2021 to coincide with the show's 20th anniversary.  However, in doing so, it could spell the end of an incredible run.  I hope not but JMO

[Lantern7]

4 hours ago, Carey said:

Pretty neutral about Game On!  I might watch; I might not.  Even with the stuff going on, my TV schedule of watching first run stuff during a dead period stay the same.

Once again: I hope it tanks harder than Million Dollar Mile.

4 hours ago, Carey said:

I [probably] won't be surprise if, when we get to autumn, TAR32 is pushed back again due to Survivor and other shows finding a way to return.  Which would suck since several would complain that they were better off leaving it where it was.  Though to be fair, the show should have aired a long time ago.

Like I said before: I believe CBS is bullish on Survivor getting to film at least one season. Following that logic, TAR32 would be inserted into the Wednesday night slot this Fall, and then Survivor would air in early 2021. Also, I think traditional TV schedules will be barren by September/October, since little to no new content would have been filmed. Basically, CBS is testing and/or burning Game On! now, as opposed to risking it be a dud in the Fall. Of course, these maneuvers -- however logical -- shows TAR fans exactly where their favorite series stands with CBS.

[Quilt Fairy]

I can't see how additional testing capability would allow TAR to continue.  Testing in and of itself does not prevent you from catching COVID-19.  Assuming everyone starts off clean, what happens if somewhere along the way one of the teams or the crew or (God forbid!) Phil gets it?  The whole thing comes to an abrupt stop because one infected person could have infected every other team they came in contact with and everybody will end up in quarantine.  

TAR can't even think of resuming until there's a vaccine widely available.  I only hope by that point in time that CBS is still committed to it.  

[doodlebug]

4 hours ago, Quilt Fairy said:

I can't see how additional testing capability would allow TAR to continue.  Testing in and of itself does not prevent you from catching COVID-19.  Assuming everyone starts off clean, what happens if somewhere along the way one of the teams or the crew or (God forbid!) Phil gets it?  The whole thing comes to an abrupt stop because one infected person could have infected every other team they came in contact with and everybody will end up in quarantine.  

TAR can't even think of resuming until there's a vaccine widely available.  I only hope by that point in time that CBS is still committed to it.  

If they quarantined all racers and personnel for 14 days prior to the race and tested for COVID at the start, they could be fairly certain that the racers and staff were ok.  However, they'd then have to run a race where every single person they encountered had similarly quarantined and been tested.  The logistics would be overwhelming. They would also have to be very careful of the locations since, if a member of cast or crew got sick, they'd have to be sure that there were top notch medical facilities readily available,  In much of the less developed world, this is not possible.  Even young, healthy people have suffered severe complications, even death, from this thing.

I think you're right, until there is an effective vaccine that is widely available, it is going to be nearly impossible to run the race.

[TheRabbi]

CBS unveiled their fall schedule today, TAR32 is scheduled to air Wednesdays at 9 this fall. Deadline is keen to note that TAR is the ONLY show on CBS's fall schedule that has actually filmed. The rest of their schedule is business as usual, with the hopes that Hollywood will be able to restart in the summer.

 

As for TAR33, CBS did make some comments about it in this article: https://deadline.com/2020/05/cbs-navigates-tricky-international-waters-with-the-amazing-race-survivor-1202938568/ 

The highlights: “In terms of Survivor and The Amazing Race, we’ll get those into production as soon as we can safely get back into production. That’s going to be a little more complicated because we literally have to navigate some international waters,” CBS Entertainment President Kelly Kahl told Deadline.

“If we get back into production [on The Amazing Race], you can trust that we have plotted out all of the safe and smart ways of doing it. Some countries are more affected than others and these producers are some of the best in the business and they will plot out a race that sticks to countries that are safe,” added Kahl.

 

The cynic could note that he says "IF we get back into production on TAR", rather than WHEN, but it does seem like they are committed to completing it, if they can do it safely.

[ByaNose]

Yeah, I saw the fall schedule and TAR will most definitely air on Wednesday’s. That said, I can’t say for sure that Survivor will air before it and Seal Team after it. Obviously, TAR has already been filmed and is almost 2 years old so it’s a given that it will air. I’m just glad that CBS actually gave it a slot. It’s also made it easier for them since it’s the only thing ready. I was hoping to watch it starting this week to get me through the summer but I guess it will be even better in the fall since we have no earthly idea what shows (on any network) will return. 

[Carey]

I think I'd be actually shocked this time if TAR were to get bumped for any reason.  You'd have to add the optimism of TAR33 for me to be shocked.  Whatever happens, I'm glad that it's on the schedule, and I'm casually optimistic that if all goes well, and if Season 32 is a good one, TAR could follow Survivor going forward.  Of course, S.W.A.T. is a great show and with that delay it could easily work its way back to Wednesday with Seal Team

[ByaNose]

Right now, the winners of TAR are counting down the days till September and beyond. They want their damn money people!!! LOL!!! Over two years and counting is a longtime to wait for a payday y’all. 

[biakbiak]

The show has a “cameo” in the Netflix movie The Lovebirds.

[scrb]

On 5/27/2020 at 9:21 PM, biakbiak said:

The show has a “cameo” in the Netflix movie The Lovebirds.

Listened to a discussion, sounded like more than a cameo as the two main characters go on the show and win it.

Movie is not getting great reviews though.

 

 

[biakbiak]

25 minutes ago, scrb said:

Listened to a discussion, sounded like more than a cameo as the two main characters go on the show and win it.

 

That isn’t actually what happens but I also didn’t want to spoil the movie for those interested. 

[iMonrey]

I'd be down for a U.S.-centered season of AR. Obviously, the scenery porn is the main draw on this show, especially of late, so I wouldn't be interested in seeing teams running around in Milwaukee or Omaha (sorry, Milwaukee and Omaha). But there are plenty of scenic places in the U.S. they can film. National parks, monuments, historic places, etc. 

Quote

A US focused TAR with adult two person teams figuring out really tough clues and facing impressive challenges would be very welcome at this point, IMO.  With the current limitations on air travel, give each team a road atlas and an SUV and turn 'em loose. Give them a tent to pitch at each pit stop.  Social distancing and restrictions on large gatherings could also work in favor of keeping spoilers minimal.  If only CBS/BTB would use some imagination, they could actually turn this situation into a really cool race.

Yeah, the key is making the race itself more interesting like in the earlier seasons. Unfortunately I don't see the show reinventing itself this way. The trend has been to dumb it down more and more with each passing season. That's really it's main problem now. That, and poor casting.

[dgpolo]

I read this and was surprised at #s 3-11-13-19.

I thought there were rules against bartering, that begging was not allowed in many places and that 'best friends' was a perfectly reasonable 'relationship' (one relationship I've never seen and wondered about was boss/employee)

https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/g32344008/the-amazing-race-contestant-rules/

 

Edited June 11, 2020 by dgpolo

[iMonrey]

Quote

Although these tapes were vital in getting cast on the show early on, in later seasons production started scouting for contestants as a means to get the most interesting contestants possible.

And . . . that's where they show started to go downhill. As with all CBS reality shows, instead of getting people who want to do the Race, you get people who want to be on Reality TV.

[doodlebug]

On ‎6‎/‎11‎/‎2020 at 12:33 PM, dgpolo said:

I read this and was surprised at #s 3-11-13-19.

I thought there were rules against bartering, that begging was not allowed in many places and that 'best friends' was a perfectly reasonable 'relationship' (one relationship I've never seen and wondered about was boss/employee)

https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/g32344008/the-amazing-race-contestant-rules/

 

In the early days, contestants were allowed to beg and barter with people encountered on the race.  We saw people offer wristwatches to cab drivers and such.  There was a ton of begging in airports between flights.  Some of the contestants who had some sort of talent would perform and pass the hat.  I think the clowns who were in one of the early races did that. 

Anyway, there was a lot of comment online and elsewhere about how unseemly it was to see middle class Americans begging for change in developing nations so they could continue on a game show.  It was cringe-inducing to see them asking for spare change in India and Indonesia and a lot of other places where there are so many poor people.  Also, one couple, I think it was Chip and Kim in Season 6, actually won the race by coercing a cabbie to take them to a destination for free when they ran out of money.

After these sorts of things kept happening, the rules were changed and teams were told that they could not beg for money from strangers or trade stuff and that they couldn't leave their cab until they had paid.

I think best friends are still allowed, however, producers are looking for teams that have a 'hook' to them and any pair that applies needs more than just the relationship to get picked.

Edited June 12, 2020 by doodlebug

[Hera]

2 hours ago, doodlebug said:

Anyway, there was a lot of comment online and elsewhere about how unseemly it was to see middle class Americans begging for change in developing nations so they could continue on a game show.  It was cringe-inducing to see them asking for spare change in India and Indonesia and a lot of other places where there are so many poor people.

Yeah, I was one of the people who didn't like it. I still cringe watching early seasons where the team that came in last had to give up all their stuff, including their money, and therefore beg for cash from locals and other teams. The Speed Bump was a major improvement. Same for the double U-Turn replacing the Yield.

[SVNBob]

Never mind.  I was mostly wrong.

Edited June 13, 2020 by SVNBob
deletion of incorrect statement

[Guest]

On 6/12/2020 at 2:31 PM, doodlebug said:

Also, one couple, I think it was Chip and Kim in Season 6, actually won the race by coercing a cabbie to take them to a destination for free when they ran out of money.

I don't recall Chip and Kim doing that, but Uchenna and Joyce did something like that in Season 7, on their final cab ride to the finish line. They said something vague to the cabbie at the beginning of the ride like "we'll figure it out", then when he found out they had nothing, he was ticked. So they had to beg for money so they could pay the cabbie and run to the finish line. Joyce even tried the "it's for charity" line while begging. It was not a good look for them, and kind of soured their feel-good story up to that point. But of course the show included Uchenna saying "we have to make sure this man gets paid" as if they were doing it out of a sense of honor, when it was actually just the rules.

[doodlebug]

3 hours ago, tracyscott76 said:

I don't recall Chip and Kim doing that, but Uchenna and Joyce did something like that in Season 7, on their final cab ride to the finish line. They said something vague to the cabbie at the beginning of the ride like "we'll figure it out", then when he found out they had nothing, he was ticked. So they had to beg for money so they could pay the cabbie and run to the finish line. Joyce even tried the "it's for charity" line while begging. It was not a good look for them, and kind of soured their feel-good story up to that point. But of course the show included Uchenna saying "we have to make sure this man gets paid" as if they were doing it out of a sense of honor, when it was actually just the rules.

You might be right, it could've been them.  I don't remember it real well, just remember that their behavior was pretty awful; all the guy wanted was to be paid for his work and they tried to con him into a freebie.  Whoever it was, didn't they win the race, get some cash from some of the other teams at the finish and go back and pay the guy?  Or. at least, that's what we were told later after so many people questioned it and whether they really won without paying for the cab.  

[Guest]

4 hours ago, doodlebug said:

You might be right, it could've been them.  I don't remember it real well, just remember that their behavior was pretty awful; all the guy wanted was to be paid for his work and they tried to con him into a freebie.  Whoever it was, didn't they win the race, get some cash from some of the other teams at the finish and go back and pay the guy?  Or. at least, that's what we were told later after so many people questioned it and whether they really won without paying for the cab.  

Oof, I don't remember hearing about that part. It did show them scraping together money from bystanders and ultimately paying the guy before running in.

[dgpolo]

5 hours ago, doodlebug said:

Whoever it was, didn't they win the race, get some cash from some of the other teams at the finish and go back and pay the guy?  Or. at least, that's what we were told later after so many people questioned it and whether they really won without paying for the cab.  

I believe that is not allowed. You have to take care of your cab driver before you are allowed to go to the finish. They need to say it's OK. I tried to find where I read this but no luck so far.

Edited June 14, 2020 by dgpolo

[Guest]

2 hours ago, dgpolo said:

I believe that is not allowed. You have to take care of your cab driver before you are allowed to go to the finish. They need to say it's OK. I tried to find where I read this but no luck so far.

Miss Alli said this in her recap at Television Without Pity back in the day. Not sure how she knew, but she was personally acquainted with several racers of that era, so probably got it from them.

http://www.brilliantbutcancelled.com/show/the-amazing-race-1/five-continents-25-cities-and/21/

From that link (emphasis mine): 'Uchenna, incidentally, makes a comment about "we can't just run in; we have to make sure this man is covered," and what they don't tell you is that this is not altruism -- they were apparently told that they couldn't check in at the finish line when they hadn't paid their driver, which makes perfect sense, because you have to finish the race, and that means having money for your cab, unless you can get your cab to accept less, which, really, why should he?'

[doodlebug]

13 hours ago, tracyscott76 said:

Miss Alli said this in her recap at Television Without Pity back in the day. Not sure how she knew, but she was personally acquainted with several racers of that era, so probably got it from them.

http://www.brilliantbutcancelled.com/show/the-amazing-race-1/five-continents-25-cities-and/21/

From that link (emphasis mine): 'Uchenna, incidentally, makes a comment about "we can't just run in; we have to make sure this man is covered," and what they don't tell you is that this is not altruism -- they were apparently told that they couldn't check in at the finish line when they hadn't paid their driver, which makes perfect sense, because you have to finish the race, and that means having money for your cab, unless you can get your cab to accept less, which, really, why should he?'

Thanks for the info.  I knew there was a cab problem at the finish line but forgot the details.  Miss Alli's recap also reminded me how annoying it was when Uchenna, who was constantly praising God for letting them win, had no problem at all asking a cabbie to forget about a $50 fare on the way to their big payday.  As I recall, they were forced to beg when the cabbie refused to let them stiff him for the fare which is what Uchenna originally wanted him to do.

Edited June 15, 2020 by doodlebug

[ByaNose]

Only, 2 more months for a new season of The Amazing Race for us fans. Of course, for the actual racers it will about 2 plus years of waiting. That just isn’t right. LOL!!!

[Lantern7]

Just now, ByaNose said:

Only, 2 more months for a new season of The Amazing Race for us fans. Of course, for the actual racers it will about 2 plus years of waiting. That just isn’t right. LOL!!!

I’m not counting the days. I made that mistake before. CBS will probably air the first episode three days before the heat death of the universe.

[ByaNose]

15 minutes ago, Lantern7 said:

I’m not counting the days. I made that mistake before. CBS will probably air the first episode three days before the heat death of the universe.

Point well taken. CBS hasn’t cared in years so why would they start now?!  Fingers crossed. 

[Lantern7]

Tough as Nails premieres tonight. Has a thread or forum been set up? I can’t seem to find it. 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[TVbitch]

I started one here...

https://forums.primetimer.com/topic/110397-tough-as-nails/

I only watch one hour of the premier, but I must report that it literally put me to sleep. 

[ByaNose]

10 hours ago, TVbitch said:

I started one here...

https://forums.primetimer.com/topic/110397-tough-as-nails/

I only watch one hour of the premier, but I must report that it literally put me to sleep. 

I probably won’t watch but do the contestants get voted out / eliminated?

[TVbitch]

1 hour ago, ByaNose said:

I probably won’t watch but do the contestants get voted out / eliminated?

Sort of. They get eliminated from the singles competition for the big 200K prize but get to stay in there team to win team challenge money. Most of the people commenting on the show seem to really like it.

[ByaNose]

3 hours ago, TVbitch said:

Sort of. They get eliminated from the singles competition for the big 200K prize but get to stay in there team to win team challenge money. Most of the people commenting on the show seem to really like it.

Thanks.

[kav]

I only watched like the first 15 minutes of Tough as Nails, and Phil kept trying to be Jeff with his talking during the challenge.  I know he does not have much practice, he has only been at like 2 or 3 challenges in TAR.

[SVNBob]

1 hour ago, kav said:

Phil kept trying to be Jeff with his talking during the challenge.  I know he does not have much practice,

He's going to get better at it throughout the season.  Since that cast stays the entire time, but one more becomes ineligible for the individual competition each week, he'll have more and more people on the sidelines with him that he can talk with/to, starting in the next episode.  And that's where Phil's banter specialty really lies; in conversation and interaction.

To bring it back to TAR, that's why there's always that shot of Phil and a greeter at the Mat, and Phil pointing out that a team is about to arrive.  You know, the "Hey, look, they're coming." shot.  That's a bit of silent but natural banter between Phil and the greeters.

[ByaNose]

On 7/12/2020 at 2:04 AM, SVNBob said:

He's going to get better at it throughout the season.  Since that cast stays the entire time, but one more becomes ineligible for the individual competition each week, he'll have more and more people on the sidelines with him that he can talk with/to, starting in the next episode.  And that's where Phil's banter specialty really lies; in conversation and interaction.

To bring it back to TAR, that's why there's always that shot of Phil and a greeter at the Mat, and Phil pointing out that a team is about to arrive.  You know, the "Hey, look, they're coming." shot.  That's a bit of silent but natural banter between Phil and the greeters.

Ah! Phil and the greeters. I miss that. Some were good and others were head scratchers but always appreciated. LOL!!!! I’m really looking forward to September (not really.....I like summer) and, have a new TAR to watch. Especially since it looks like Big Brother (my guilty pleasure) and, Survivor (my all time favorite) aren’t returning anytime soon.  Also, from I have heard it’s people I don’t know. I’m looking forward to meeting a new crop of reality contestants. 

[Lantern7]

Survivor off CBS fall schedule; TAR takes over the 8 p.m. slot.

[ApprenticeFan]

For the first time since 2003, The Amazing Race is not included in the list of nominees for Best Reality Outstanding Program Competition category.

[Babalu]

I haven’t fact-checked this, but according to some super-fans whose information I trust, it wasn’t eligible because the season didn’t start within the necessary parameters.

[displayname]

When's it airing again?

[Babalu]

5 hours ago, displayname said:

When's it airing again?

I don’t think they’ve announced an exact premiere date (someone correct me if I’m wrong!), but it’s scheduled for this fall - so maybe late September or early October? This will be Season 32, which was filmed a couple of years ago. After that, it will probably be quite a while (if ever?) that we get a new season. Season 33 started filming and was “suspended” after it became clear coronavirus was a serious global threat.

[Quilt Fairy]

On 7/13/2020 at 5:34 PM, ByaNose said:

Ah! Phil and the greeters. I miss that. Some were good and others were head scratchers but always appreciated. LOL!!!!

And remember the seasons where something about the greeters (one time it was their hats, IIRC) was the final memory task?  Good times.

[ByaNose]

1 hour ago, Quilt Fairy said:

And remember the seasons where something about the greeters (one time it was their hats, IIRC) was the final memory task?  Good times.

And, now we only have a month or so for the Season 32. That said, watch it get bumped for Big Brother or some other new show. You know how CBS loves to screw around with The Amazing Race and us.