Amazing Race: Always Ahead Of The Pace...
Yesterday when we talked about some of the fall shows we were keeping an eye on, we mentioned one of our perennial favorites Amazing Race. Since then CBS has posted pics and bios of 12 teams who'll be racing around the world for the million dollar prize when the show premieres on September 27. Once again we're reminded of the reasons why we love this show so much and why we're probably more excited about this show than any other. Even if you're not a "reality show" fan we enthusiastically recommend you watch.
First of all, Amazing Race is more of a competition than a reality show. Yes, it's a race with a pre-determined route complete with pit stops and a finish line. But the routes are always different from season to season as are the tasks that the teams have to perform. For those who don't get to travel you'll see some amazing locations that few will ever get to see. As we mentioned before the teams are eliminated by coming in last to a pit stop. They aren't voted off by fellow competitors nor by an audience. If they break a rule or perform a task incorrectly they either have to do a task over or get a time penalty. Amazing Race is also a very well-produced & well-edited show. The audience really feels a part of the action and often we're on the edge of our seat when the teams reach the pit stops & finish line.
With all this in mind you might think that this show is all about physical prowess. It is true that it's not for "out of shape" people but physical strength or stamina is not the sole determining factor. It takes brains to figure out some of the tasks and a reasonable sense of direction. It requires an ability to deal with other world cultures, languages, and standards of living. Plus, contestants have to get along with their teammates and work together--those that don't or can't overcome their differences usually fail.
Then there are the contestants themselves. A great premise, an interesting route, and spectacular photography have all been extremely important to the show's Emmy-winning success but the producers' casting for the show has always been a standout. You can watch other popular reality shows and see how casting follows very distinct patterns. But the Amazing Race goes out of its way to find teams are as unique as possible and often ground-breaking and inspiring. The two members of the team already have a "pre-existing relationship" so of course the main intent of the producers is to use this to create drama in addition to the excitement of the race.
What we've appreciated about the Amazing Race is the casting of gays & lesbians on the show in a non-stereotypical way. From season to season we've seen the show cast gays & lesbians with just as much of an attention to diversity as with the straight contestants. Naturally we're speaking of the "openly gay" contestants and those whose sexuality was revealed after the show. Here's a recap of past seasons and their gay contestants.
From season one there was middle-aged life-partners Joe & Bill who were so competitive they wound up being the season's villains. They also blew it late in the game and wound up a distant third. Miami best-buddies Oswald & Danny fared better in season and definitely get the award in the "fabulous" gay Thesexy Cubans always managed to look well-groomed & well-dressed. In season three there were three gay contestants---and all were on different teams. Ken, a big friendly bear-type traveled with his straight brother Gerard. They came in third. Cute NYer Aaron went along with his gal pal Arianne. Then there was southern boy and school cheerleader Andrew who was paired with his conservative dad Dennis. Only in this latter team was being gay an "issue" and it reached a hopeful conclusion by the time they were eliminated.
Finally in season four gay winners--married couple Reichen & Chip. The "gay spotlight" may have been on them but there were other gay contestants. There was Al who was teamed with fellow professional clown Jon, and Tian, the model who traveled with her straight best friend Jaree.
Gay brothers on Amazing Race Season 15
There was a drought of open gays until season seven with Weho's own Lynn & Alex. They did really well until a wrong turn in India wound up in their elimination. There was also the sweet red-head Andrew who went along with his mom. Again, not an issue in sight. In season 10 couple Tom & Terry weren't in great shape lasting through only four legs. Out of shape gays? How rude! Season eleven was the All-Stars edition featuring a reformed Joe & Bill but a more competitive Oswald & Danny. Ouch! Gays fared badly on in season 12. Cute Ari & his gal pal Staella lost out in the first leg and married lesbian ministers Kate & Pat went out the next round.
Season Fourteen. After Elton called this one the gayest season ever. There was father-son couple Mel White & son actor/writer Mike White (technically bi). There was Kisha who went with her sister Jen.
Finally there was Luke, the deaf young man who went with his mom Margie. By the way, he's very out & proud too. There's a rumor about another contestant here but he's still in the closet.
That brings us to this season which features Dan & Sam, two gay brothers in their early twenties who just last year came out to each other. Raised in a conservative Christian community these two cuties may be the only gays on this season so we're already rooting for them.
Comments