Why the Amazing Race has lost its magic

[Joab]

Draw your own conclusions.

Agree 100%.

I didn't really realize how much bunching there was this season until Neobie showed us his amazing maps.

And yes, then it suddenly struck me and made me realized Phil was always doing the voiceover of -

Teams #1, #2, #3 are flying to ____ via ____.
Teams #4, #5, #6 are flying to ____ via ____.
Teams #7, #8, #9 are flying to ____ via ____.

There are always so many different connecting points, but teams always ended up on the same place almost at the same time.

[Neobie]

Have they had a race that doesn't cross into the Southern Hemisphere before? (Besides FE of course.)

Not too significant trends here, but it seems to be happening more frequently...

TAR 3 (Southernmost point: Singapore 1°N)
TAR 6 (Southernmost point: Galle 6°N)
TAR 12 (Southernmost point: Ouagadougou 12°N)
TAR 14 (Southernmost point: Phuket 7°N)
TAR 15 (Southernmost point: Ho Chi Minh City 10°N)

[Zack.]

What's odd is that, even with the reduced budget, TAR12 managed to be a very good season in terms of quality and ratings. Plus there was enough geographic diversity (we managed to get *5* new countries plus 2 new cities in 11 legs).

Not to mention there was still a good bit of airport maneuvering that could be done (Ouagadougou to Vilnius/Vilnius to Dubrovnik).

[Raymond]

Have they had a race that doesn't cross into the Southern Hemisphere before? (Besides FE of course.)

Not too significant trends here, but it seems to be happening more frequently...

TAR 3 (Southernmost point: Singapore 1°N)
TAR 6 (Southernmost point: Galle 6°N)
TAR 12 (Southernmost point: Ouagadougou 12°N)
TAR 14 (Southernmost point: Phuket 7°N)
TAR 15 (Southernmost point: Ho Chi Minh City 10°N)

More southern hemisphere countries please.

[Joab]

I actually like the African legs alot more because the self driving in those country is always a killer.

[TARAsia Fan]

Going to Central America is kind of tough. Lots of political upheaval, but going to Brazil, Argentina, Peru or Chile would be nice.

[Caelestor]

Instead of Brazil, let's have Belize.
Instead of China, let's try Indonesia/Singapore/Phillipines/South Korea.
Instead of India, let's go to any country in Africa.

[Moo]

Instead of Brazil, let's have Belize.
Instead of China, let's try Indonesia/Singapore/Phillipines/South Korea.
Instead of India, let's go to any country in Africa.

True enough. Though most of them are of high risk countries because of profiling thus TAR might have a harder time to guard the teams, especially that security crews are even included in a team, aside from the sound and camera man.

[Raymond]

Instead of Brazil, let's have Belize.
Instead of China, let's try Indonesia/Singapore/Phillipines/South Korea.
Instead of India, let's go to any country in Africa.

True enough. Though most of them are of high risk countries because of profiling thus TAR might have a harder time to guard the teams, especially that security crews are even included in a team, aside from the sound and camera man.

If they had "If you go there, they will kill you" in Season 2 and near-jail instances in Morocco & Tanzania during Seasons 3 & 5, they can do risky legs again.

[maxjla]

I don't know, i love the show, don't focus on the tasks as much as people and where they are in the world but that is me.

I think this season has a strong final four, and nobody that shouldn't have gotten that far.

[georgiapeach]

  maxjla! Welcome to RFF!

[Joab]

Instead of Brazil, let's have Belize.
Instead of China, let's try Indonesia/Singapore/Phillipines/South Korea.
Instead of India, let's go to any country in Africa.

True enough. Though most of them are of high risk countries because of profiling thus TAR might have a harder time to guard the teams, especially that security crews are even included in a team, aside from the sound and camera man.

If they had "If you go there, they will kill you" in Season 2 and near-jail instances in Morocco & Tanzania during Seasons 3 & 5, they can do risky legs again.

Switchback? They must find a way to try and get into jail like Colin?

[Coutzy]

Instead of Brazil, let's have Belize.
Instead of China, let's try Indonesia/Singapore/Phillipines/South Korea.
Instead of India, let's go to any country in Africa.

True enough. Though most of them are of high risk countries because of profiling thus TAR might have a harder time to guard the teams, especially that security crews are even included in a team, aside from the sound and camera man.

If they had "If you go there, they will kill you" in Season 2 and near-jail instances in Morocco & Tanzania during Seasons 3 & 5, they can do risky legs again.

Switchback? They must find a way to try and get into jail like Colin?

Maybe they should go back and repair Colin's Ox

[Raymond]

I also miss the old great dollars to dinars moments (Dave & Margarette losing Linda & Karen mishearing 'dinars' for dollars' )

[Raymond]

Rewatching the early season finales. Loved Phil's "Previously On..." segments. MUCH more than the ones recently.

[Caelestor]

Rewatching the early season finales. Loved Phil's "Previously On..." segments. MUCH more than the ones recently.

Why did they change the epic music? Even in TAR 13, I looked forward to listening the awesome score. Now, not so much...

[Hooky]

Rewatching the early season finales. Loved Phil's "Previously On..." segments. MUCH more than the ones recently.

Why did they change the epic music? Even in TAR 13, I looked forward to listening the awesome score. Now, not so much...

Yep. It certainly doesn't feel right.

[Moo]

I believe this week's episode brought back old TAR. Gotta hand it to the producers!

And a point of opinion, we have seen in previous seasons the taxi racing, or too much dependence on taxis, could it be that it was the team's decision to take taxis all the way instead of riding buses or the metro from recent seasons (12, 13, 14, some 15)? I thought of that once I saw Brian and Ericka and the Globetrotters take buses and metro to risk their placements... - which completely made a GREAT SHOW.

[Raymond]

Rewatching the early season finales. Loved Phil's "Previously On..." segments. MUCH more than the ones recently.

Why did they change the epic music? Even in TAR 13, I looked forward to listening the awesome score. Now, not so much...

Yep. It certainly doesn't feel right.

This. I miss the old music now.

[WalterC]

Speaking of taking public transportation and cutting costs, I think teams should do that, from the starting line to LAX. Either that, or start in some place near LAX, saving money from using cars.

I just don't find it interesting to see teams drive to LAX and book tickets there, and think the race really begins when they arrive at their first destination.

[Dånooky ✟]

Speaking of taking public transportation and cutting costs, I think teams should do that, from the starting line to LAX. Either that, or start in some place near LAX, saving money from using cars.

I just don't find it interesting to see teams drive to LAX and book tickets there, and think the race really begins when they arrive at their first destination.

well, for once, they can't risk the exposure of the race beginning, so public transportation is out of the question. And I think the drive to LAX is the time when teams finally realize it's on. I wouldn't mind seing the race begin in the first country, but it would probably lose the effect of a real start and a real finish. It works for other editions because teams are from different countries, but I thinkbeginning and ending in the U.S. is a vital part of the original edition.

[Hooky]

Another problem: Casting. The growing number of "celebrities" or those on the "fringe" of celebrity status.

Probably been mentioned before, but I needed a place to complain.

[Caelestor]

Another problem: Casting. The growing number of "celebrities" or those on the "fringe" of celebrity status.

Probably been mentioned before, but I needed a place to complain.

The stunt-casting is growing, but remember, celebrity teams help bring the ratings. (And of course, good leg structure and interesting tasks.)

[WalterC]

well, for once, they can't risk the exposure of the race beginning, so public transportation is out of the question. And I think the drive to LAX is the time when teams finally realize it's on. I wouldn't mind seing the race begin in the first country, but it would probably lose the effect of a real start and a real finish. It works for other editions because teams are from different countries, but I thinkbeginning and ending in the U.S. is a vital part of the original edition.

I don't mind beginning and ending in the US. I just thought they could save money by not using cars.

The thought came up after watching the first part of Season 14, after the intro, they skipped through the LAX part and went straight to show teams arriving at their first destination in Switzerland.

[Dånooky ✟]

well, for once, they can't risk the exposure of the race beginning, so public transportation is out of the question. And I think the drive to LAX is the time when teams finally realize it's on. I wouldn't mind seing the race begin in the first country, but it would probably lose the effect of a real start and a real finish. It works for other editions because teams are from different countries, but I thinkbeginning and ending in the U.S. is a vital part of the original edition.

I don't mind beginning and ending in the US. I just thought they could save money by not using cars.

The thought came up after watching the first part of Season 14, after the intro, they skipped through the LAX part and went straight to show teams arriving at their first destination in Switzerland.

I do think they really f***ed it up with the start line elimination challenge taking up most of the episodes. I think they should really avoid doing that (taking air time away from a foreign country).