The Amazing Race (2001– ) User Reviews

Seasons are hit and miss

[smooth_op_85 · 8/10 · 25 December 2021]

All in all, I would start with Season 1, 5 and 31. 28 and 29 were good too

So, it really depends on what season you're watching. Some are good, some are aweful (Season 26 Blind Date twist for example as well as Family Edition of Season 8)

At times there is a team that makes it worth watching, but other teams are bleh like Season 9. BJ asnd Tyler and Eric and Jeremy were the best part of the season and bluntly the bulk of airtime was for BJ and Tyler because they were awesome

Sometimes the season will fall flat depending on what you like. So take each season with a grain of salt. Casting may be ON like in Season 31 or OFF like in Season 4 which is forgetable but only stands out because the first gay couple won it

Watch each season, see what you like and discard the rest. Binge it, watch it on PLUTOTV online or Google search it. Season 6 was tough to watch because of an abusive husband.

Best reality TV show I've seen.

[johnnymacbest · 9/10 · 15 July 2009]

I gotta say I hate reality TV. Sure "Survivor" had it's moments, but it got tiresome after awhile. The Amazing Race? Now HERE's a show with variety and personality to match the frantic, fast-paced action with such ingenious use of game set-pieces I couldn't help but dig this show. I watched this series for nine years and it still never fails to entertain me. That's something that can't be said for most reality TV programs; well at least for "American Idol". One of the most moving moments of the show was when they had one of the contestants was a female dwarf but despite her physical limits, she managed to get far near the end of the race. I can vividly recall the the emotions of the host who greeted them at the pit stop; however coming in last place eliminated them from the race. Sorry if that sounded a little poetic but I couldn't help but be touched by his reaction. Still, it's a great show, filled with a surprising amount of suspense. Yes, SUSPENSE. In a reality show; a rarity. Never in the history of TV has a series been this gripping, this entertaining, heartwarming and exciting, and above all, original as The Amazing Race.

That's a real reality show

[christhjian · 8/10 · 20 September 2009]

Though I find most of US reality TV-series quite boring I must admit that's the one I really love. Mainly because it's so global, mixture of different cultures and traditions. You can see difference between developing countries and developed countries and so on. It's fun to watch teams pushing themselves over the top with some rather weird quests and having an arguments over nothing. The tasks are usually tied with the country they're competing and that's very cool too.

The series budget is huge. They were racing in Estonia (Where I live :) in summer and my friend took part of it too and revealed how the show was being made. It's just amazing, local TV stations were paid for not to show or write anything about the series. Every smaller detail is checked and must complete the checklist of 5 pages of contract. The story also is usually confirmed on the very last minute after searching for optimal tasks and routes by the producers. And that is what makes the show special.

Only thing I don't like in the series is the fact that some conflicts are shown too prolixly. For example when one of those black sisters called Luke "bitch" in the last season.

But otherwise it's brilliant show and I think everybody find it exciting when one bothers to watch it.

It's still one of the best shows on TV.

[llihilloh · 26 December 2002]

'The Amazing Race' is without a doubt the best reality show on television right now. It's way better than 'Survivor', which seems to get all of the attention every year leaving 'Race' in dire need of viewers.

The first season was great, the second was the best, and the third was also fantastic. You won't hear any complaints out of me. The activities and tasks were just as interesting, if not more. Each episode was fast-paced, as it is designed to be.

I wasn't too crazy about the teams, but I was cheering for one or two by the near end of the series.

'The Amazing Race 3' was just as good as the others. I still love it; it's one of my favorites. I sure hope that it comes back for at least one more season. Any more than that would be even better.

So, Phil was looking his best, I'm sorry that Derek and Drew didn't win, but I am glad that Zach won even if it was with Flo. Great editing and snappy music helped this show roll right along.

More people need to watch this show. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it!

Good season with a horrible ending

[Jonger_2002 · 10/10 · 17 August 2005]

I just finished watching season three on GSN. Overall, I enjoyed it, but I absolutely hated seeing Zach and Flo cross the finish line first. Every dime of that money should go to Zach for keeping his cool and not smothering Flo in her sleep. That girl has to be the whiniest, most annoying person that I've ever seen on TV. She threatened to quit nearly a dozen times! I was hoping that Zach would knock her upside the head with one of the paddles during the water challenge in the second to last episode. Maybe that would get her to shut the hell up.

Flo is a horrible person who I hope Zach seriously distanced himself from after the race. But knowing him, they're probably still best friends. That dude definitely has something in him that most people do not. In the dictionary, the new definition of the word patience should read "See Zach Behr."

Just an amazing show

[Critter1223 · 10/10 · 30 August 2012]

Last December, Survivor South Pacific ended and I had to find something to watch while the 3 months passed until Survivor came back. So I decided to try out this show, Amazing Race. I was hooked after 1 episode and watched an entire season in 1 night. By the end of the 3 months I had watched all 19 seasons of the show. It became my new obsession. Easily the best show on TV, even the duller seasons such as 4, 8, or 13 are still awesome and entertaining. I know this show is definitely not for everyone, you need to like reality shows to enjoy this (obviously), but if you are a fan of survivor, big brother, or even fear factor, I would definitely suggest giving this amazing show a chance.

'The BEST season of The Amazing Race'

[monsieurbond · 10/10 · 14 January 2005]

'The Amazing Race 5' is the BEST of all six complete seasons to date. If you've never seen the show, I recommend this season over all others. Why? Season 5 had a combination of interesting and amiable teams as well as original locations, only 2 of which had already been visited in previous seasons. The 'Bowling Moms', Linda and Karen, added a lot of fun to the show - they were almost always lively and seeing them go so far on the race (to 4th place) was a highlight. Although I liked Colin and Christie, seeing Chip and Kim win was great - it was unexpected - and this is what added to this season's success. What I particularly liked about the locations visited was that producers for the most part avoided Europe (save for Russia, which was interesting) and visited other places, more interesting places, like South America and the Middle East. I'm just hoping that CBS releases the seasons on DVD - if they do, choose this one! 5 Star Entertainment - so much more refreshing than Seasons 6 and 7.

Best Entertainment on TV...

[ReviewbyMichele · 10/10 · 27 May 2019]

My husband and I look forward to every new season... We choose our favorites in the first episode and cheer them on throughout the season. It's a true reality show (there's no time for the contestants to be anything but real). It is the best entertainment on television.

Generally enjoyable...but....

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 14 July 2020]

I am generally NOT the sort of person to watch and enjoy reality television shows. However, I have enjoyed watching "The Amazing Race"....at least some times. When I say that it's because how much I enjoy the show is highly dependent upon the contestants. Many you really like. A few, however, are human garbage....nasty, smack-talking jerks who take away from the audience's enjoyment of the show. Some of these contestants have been so nasty and awful that my daughter and I have now taken to only watching the show AFTER it's completed and we read up to find out what sort of contestants a particular season has. After all, life is too short to spend our time watching ugly, nasty people. So, consider doing this and just skipping a few seasons where the participants seem more interested in drama and chaos than anything else.

Great Locations and You Get Exercise Too LOL!

[shelbythuylinh · 10/10 · 25 November 2021]

Couples travel over in whether they are best friends, siblings, married or an engaged couple, or couple that got together recently dating.

As they go about in the only carrying the clothes on their backs and money there. And have to use either advantages to their liking or trying to stop another couple to help out their own usage.

It is brain and brawn, working together, and surviving like language barriers and that it is very creative and last one either leaves the game due to elimination or that they are still in it but need to give their money to host Phil Keoghan.

I would give more stars but...

[carriecoles · 7/10 · 7 October 2018]

I wish they would stop using wild that are in captivity for challenges. It really ruins it for me.😠😠😠😠😠😠

One of the most exciting shows out there

[oscar-tegni · 10/10 · 24 October 2021]

Cant wait for the new season to begin! This show always delivers great excitement, quality production and a great host/casting.

The older seasons are not my cup of tea, but anything from 2010 and until now is a must watch in my opinion.

A race about the world

[atomius · 7/10 · 13 March 2008]

The Amazing Race is a show where teams of two race about Earth to win a million dollars at the end (the first to win, of course gets said million dollars). On the way they stop at various locations and must complete tasks. The teams are generally all a type of human or a minority and rarely are normal people used in the series. The tasks involve doing things that happen or are to do with local things, like making pottery or laying bricks or carrying a local creation about. For the most part vehicles, usually cars or 4WDs are provided to help them get about and they are given money for some legs. Since this is reality TV it is always different with no contiguous consistent plot or continuuity apart from reality itself, and so its enjoyability depens greatly on certain variables at the time. However the general gist of the show is quite amusing. It is amazing how weird and unintelligent Americans are, as is clearly shown with many of the teams. Also social observations can be made, as some teams gang to form 'alliances' against others and teams often become aggressive to one another or in the team itself.

Loudest show in history

[cujorocky · 1/10 · 12 December 2021]

Loud, loud, LOUD!!! PEOPLE SCREAMING WOOOOOOOO thousands of times. No wonder the world hate obnoxious, Americans!!! All they do is scream and scream and scream.

No longer a fan of The Amazing Race

[gregr-76475 · 26 February 2018]

Once upon a time I really enjoyed the Amazing Race. It was fun, exciting, and sometimes heartbreaking. The contestants were people you could cheer for... or against. Of late, though, I have lost interest because of a decision by the executives to move away from what made the show appealing. At one time the racers were common people, just like you and I. A couple of coal miners from Kentucky. Two cowboys who were brothers. The list is too long to continue. This made the race fun. You could sit down and compare yourself to your peers. Now, however, the executives have decided to feature teams made up of ex professional athletes. models, stars from other reality TV shows and YouTube stars. In short, people who are not like the average American. I watched a couple of episodes this year and realized I just did not enjoy the show anymore. If the producers decided to go back to the original format, maybe they get my viewership back.. Until they do consider me an ex-fan.

Best Reality Show On Television - Period

[Blackace · 9/10 · 3 June 2011]

There are hundreds of reality shows on television now, all over the world, but only one captures the excitement. fun, drama, exhilaration, competition and intelligence of a great show. That show is The Amazing Race. Eleven paired contestants travel all over the world completing objectives and challenges on their way to the final "Pit Stop" of the day. Not only are these challenges physical, but all mental and frustrating. Players have to keep it together with themselves and their partner if they are to make it to the end ahead of everyone else. The last couple who makes it to the "Pit-Stop" is usually eliminated. The show is so fun to watch not only for the incredible locations and exciting race on foot, in car, by plane and train through each city, but also because of all the drama between contestants and their partners. Many partners are so competitive, that they get frustrated with their partner or themselves and it shows on camera in many different ways. Every episode is a blast to watch. you never know what's going to happen next or what location they will travel to. It's fun seeing the world and culture of other people. It's even more fun watching the couples navigate though an unfamiliar environment. One wrong turn or flat tire could push them into last place. There are other great reality shows like American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance. Top Chef, Chopped, America's Got Talent, but none of them are as creative or interesting as The Amazing Race. No wonder it's already on it's 18th season, as they've decided to do 2 seasons a year now. The show is so popular. Definitely check this show out.

Usually great, but last season was terrible

[bull-frog · 8/10 · 4 January 2007]

I would rate this show a 9 if it wasn't for last season. The family edition three seasons ago and the one after that with the hippies were awesome. I loved every episode of those.

But last season I stopped watching after the 4th or 5th episode. I don't remember seeing a show in which I didn't like a single contestant. They either had no personality or were too bitchy. TAR's aim for diversity produced some of the most ridiculous array of contestants that I've seen. We had an equal helping of Muslims, handicapped, Indians, homos, and ho's. I hope they have better characters next season.

The BEST season's race

[bmiller59 · 10/10 · 14 December 2023]

I have been watching The Amazing Race since season one. This season is by far, without a doubt and above all the best Amazing Race I have watched. WHY? I hope I am able to remember ALL the reasons.

What it boils down to is that there wasn't a single team I yelled at and got upset with due to bickering, giving up, not putting in 110% effort and being likable participants. Yea, I had my favorite team that I wanted to win, but at the end I was fully vested into the final three teams. Unbelievable.

The places they visited were incredible. I'll never get to see all the countries, and experience the warmth of the citizens of all the countries, this is probably one of the main reasons I watch this show.

What a fantastic season, I am already looking forward to next season.

WOW!!!

Traveling on steroids

[felix-35958 · 9/10 · 24 December 2020]

The Amazing Race is the right name of this show. As a traveler myself I really appreciate seeing places in different countries. For me it's like travel teasers where to go or places I may skip (like India). Because of this show I started traveling 2-3 times a year having15-17 countries and even more cities under my belt. It is amazing that The Amazing Race and Survivor are the first reality competition shows and after so many years they still one of the best.

Interesting idea, bad execution

[interestingstuff · 7/10 · 7 November 2021]

The idea is interesting and intriguing but the way they execute this idea is very lacking.

First, the edit is pretty bad. It's impossible to focus on any of the teams and impossible to tell who is leading, who is behind until the very end. The edit is extremely confusing and impossible to follow. The way they edit the contest looks like they just randomly put together some clip montage like in 80s movies.

Second, the rules of the game are never clearly explained. The viewer never knows what's allowed and what's not allowed. For example there are many cases where someone clearly breaks rules or even engages in illegal activities in order to ahead and it seems to be allowed. Are you allowed to push and shove people in the airports? Are you allowed to steal other people's cabs? Are you allowed to drive well above the speed limit or causing traffic accidents by driving recklessly?

Third, a HUGE part of whether you win or lose is luck. Two different teams call a cab, one of their cab drivers seems to know exactly where to go while the other team's cab driver turns out to be a scammer that just drives them around all day to get their money. How are teams supposed to know which cab drivers are good and which ones are bad? It's all pure luck.

Fourth, contestants are supposed to solve puzzles in order to proceed to the next level but they NEVER show how contestants are actually solving each puzzle. They just show the beginning and end of each puzzle so you don't see how the story develops, you just get to see as each team finally finishes their part of the puzzle.

Fifth, there are way too many equalizers in the game to make it unfair. Every time a team gets way ahead of everyone else, they get punished in a way to ensure that everyone else catches up to them, such as making the next task not available until the next day so the leading team now has to wait for everyone else to arrive or all that drama in the airlines.

Seriously "Amazing"

[faithwebb1 · 8/10 · 7 July 2013]

Whoo-hoo! The Amazing Race is a fast paced, challenge driven, trek that spans the globe! It starts out with thirteen teams of two, and whatever team arrives last at the check point at the end of the episode is eliminated. There have been over 20 seasons of the show so far, so I would venture to guess it's been pretty successful :) I usually find myself picking a couple of favorite teams and on occasion will be sitting there yelling at the screen, "Go! Oh god, don't let them beat you!" There may be an expletive thrown in there if some team I've deemed to be jerks suddenly pulls ahead. Buuuuut, that's the best part; you get to see these teams go through ups and downs and you imagine how tired and insane you would feel flying from continent to continent, being put into physical challenges like bungee jumping, rappelling, hang gliding, miles and miles of hiking, and that's just the tip of the ice-burg. It seems like the true character of these individuals comes out, some impress you, some disgust you. It's all just part of The Race.

I miss the travel aspect. Now, it's just challenges.

[NullUnit · 6/10 · 3 May 2024]

The Amazing Race has always been fantastic. Easily 8-10 stars.

HOWEVER, the last few (post COVID) seasons 34-36 have removed all the travel aspects and it's essentially watching the Detours, Roadblocks, etc in some exotic location.

They no longer show ANY of the travel.. no scrambling for "first flight" anywhere. No dealing with non-English speaking travel agencies.

It's made it FAR FAR less "adventure" overall. Some of the best parts were watching the contestant interactions at airports or bus stations when they were NOT competing in a challenge. Now, all you see are challenges and driving to challenges. They don't even really do the "take a taxi" any longer and always seem to provide a race vehicle.

It's diminished the show considerably. They need to bring back the travel aspect.

I'm sure there's some reason for starting every leg with all teams at a mat and merely ripping clues in order. But it's not nearly as interesting.

One should definitely give this show a try!!

[anu789 · 8/10 · 24 May 2014]

The Amazing Race can be seen as one of the longest running television reality shows in history where contestants can race around the world for one million dollars. This reality show can be one of the most exciting shows on television with the stressful challenges or the emotional bond between the teams, but I find that most people abandon the show after a couple of episodes. I urge anybody to at least give this reality show a chance. At times this show can be extremely boring in what are called equalizer episodes where all the contestants no matter the time placement from the previous leg are fighting it out for last. There are no flight delays or train problems. Essentially all the challenges run smoothly; however, the majority of the episodes have really tense moments and exciting challenges. Most challenges are cultural and help expose daily tasks of the people that live in the region that the contestants are visiting. The contestants, themselves, are extremely interesting as well. Most times there are a mix of nationalities, teams, and personalities on the race creating a unique environment with alliances and hatred. The Amazing Race may be boring at times, but the contestants are interesting and the challenges are tough, so I would hope that someone would give Amazing Race a try.

Good show

[skrochni · 7/10 · 23 April 2017]

The show itself is exciting to watch, I like all of the different challenges that they end up having to do. A lot of them look really fun, and I would like to do them. I really really hate that the background music is too loud and it is very difficult to hear the contestants.

Fake?

[ThunderKing6 · 2/10 · 28 August 2020]

The Amazing Race where somehow the camera guy is never left behind.

The camera people come well-prepared every single time.

A show that I watched only the 1st season of. I'm surprised it has 32 seasons already. WOW!

Verdict: just like that rat race movie. Pass.