The Amazing Race 7
Everything You Always Wanted To Know
About How The Race Really Works
by Cari C.
May 10, 2005
I wanted to write a final piece for everyone before the finale aired but I was not sure what I wanted to do. I thought about writing a piece about Kelly but I decided to not waste your time. We all know what kind of person she is and I don't want to waste any more of my time or yours on her. I thought about writing a piece on Uchenna and Joyce but to be honest I couldn't think up enough for a whole article. I could have written a piece about Romber but why beat a dying horse. I don't like them and that is not going to change. Plus I don't wish to give anymore ammo to the Romber fans. So where does that leave me? I could do a piece about who I think will win. That would be a short piece consisting of Uchenna and Joyce win! Rob and Amber lose. So what does that leave me? I get emails all the time asking about how the show actually works. So instead of doing of the above mentioned articles I am going to do a piece on the one thing we can all enjoy:
Everything you ever wanted to know about TAR!
First off I would like to say that I have been working on this piece for a while. I have read many interviews done by past contestants. I have scoured the CBS website and many other websites to come up with what I think is one the best pieces on the ins and outs of TAR.
Are there official rules?
As far as I can tell, there are no official rules that the public can access.
What is the basic idea of The Amazing Race?
The show involves teams of two people with preexisting relationships who want to have the adventure of a lifetime. The show so far has always began and ended in the United States. The race is divided into 13 legs. some of these legs are non-elimination rounds but it varies season to season to how many there will be. The first team to make it to the finish line wins a million dollars.
Do the teams know which legs are non-elimination?
No, they changed the rules after season two. During the first two seasons the contestants could figure it out by the wording of the clues but they stopped doing that.
Do the losing teams win anything?
Like in Survivor, the losing teams do receive cash prizes based on how they finished. It has never been published and no one is really sure why. Based on rumors and from hints given by past contestants it looks like 3rd place gets $25,000 and 2nd gets $50,000.
Since you never see cameramen so how do they film the show?
Every team always has a two person team following them, the camera man and the sound guy. The camera man is always in the front seat when the camera is rolling. This is why you always see one team member in the front and one in the back. The sound guy sits in the back-seat on the passenger side. If you have ever noticed that the teams look a little tight in the taxis it is because the camera man and the sound guy are in there with them. There are also extra crews located at the Detours and Roadblocks and of course Phil has his own crew.
Do the teams keep the same crew the whole time?
No, the crews are switched so that the teams don't have the same people the whole time. This question came to light this season when Rob did not stop to check on the camera man. Since the crews switch out, it is very possible that Rob and Amber were familiar with the hurt camera man.
Do the contestants have to take into consideration the crew when planning flights and train rides?
Yes, if there is no room for the crew then the teams must look for another flight or train. Even though on camera they always ask for two that is for television only.
Are teams required to pay for their crew?
No, the crews pay for all their own expenses.
How much money do the teams receive?
The teams are given so much money per leg. It ranges from $0 to $500. This money must cover everything but plane tickets. Teams will be allowed to keep this money the entire race unless they come in last on a non-elimination round. Teams may also beg for money in countries that allow it. They may also earn money by doing a service or by selling things in their backpacks.
How do the teams pay for plane tickets?
They must use the production crew's credit card to purchase their tickets and their crew's tickets too.
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