The Amazing Race International Versions > TAR Australia

TAR Aus Media **may contain spoilers**

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RichInSydney:
An interview with Chris & Anastacia:

http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2011/05/reality-check-for-relaxed-chris-anastasia.html


--- Quote ---Reality check for relaxed Chris & Anastasia
By David Knox on May 26, 2011

Any good Reality show needs its heroes and villains, somebody for the audience to cheer and hiss. In The Amazing Race it’s an essential ingredient for the audience.

In The Amazing Race Australia, Perth’s “Big W” ladies Anne-Marie and Tracy are emerging as early heroes, and if some press is to be believed, Sydney couple Chris and Anastasia are early villains.

Under the pressure of the race Chris dropped a remark in Monday night’s episode that “they don’t make women like they used to.”

The power of editing in such storytelling is enormous, but the US version of the show has been on air for years. It’s reasonable to assume you know what you’re in for when you apply for the show.

As the couple explain to TV Tonight, they aren’t overly familiar with the original series, but nor are they too fussed by what people think.

“I haven’t really watched too many episodes of the US,” says Anastasia, 22. “I only watched one before the audition for the Australian one.

“We saw the ad on TV and thought it would be a great adventure. We love adrenalin, so we just thought it would be a lot of fun to do.”

24 year old Chris concurs: “I saw the series back when I was about 14, but not since then.

“We’re not the kind of people to say ‘No,’ so as soon as something comes up she’ll ask and I’ll agree.”

On the show with Farmers, Surfers, Models, Workmates and Married Entrepreneurs they are branded as a “Dating” couple -but it could have been more extreme.

“A lot of the couples are very diverse. We didn’t go into it pretending to be something we weren’t but at the same time, knowing our background we thought we would be portrayed as the ‘sports couple’ or token ‘Greek couple,’” says Anastacia.

“One team called us ‘Muscles and Bambi’ and then there was ‘Fabio and the GF (GirlFriend)’ and the ‘Loved Up’ couple.

Chris is aware his temper may result in him being depicted as one of the show’s more fiery contestants. He is already generating passionate feedback in online forums.

“It’s got to make good TV one way or another. At the end of the day whatever was said was said,” he says.

“But we’re still here, still together, still strong. All is forgiven and it all remains on the Race.

“My temper always gets the better of me. It’s who I am. But it makes me say some things sometimes I don’t mean. But Anastasia knowns me a lot better than that.

“The bottom line is it doesn’t really matter what other people think.”

Neither had seen an episode prior to it airing last week, but Anastasia says while production techniques may be selective, they won’t be able to manufacture anything fake.

“They’re not going to add anything we haven’t said. So whatever you’ve actually said will be on there,” she says.

“The editing process may dramatise things, but at the end of the day it’s TV, it’s entertaining.”

“Putting people out of their norm will make good TV,” says Chris, “so people will have opinions of me and others on the show. But if you’re true to yourself and you know who you are then it doesn’t really matter if it’s one little moment or mistake you might have made.

Adds Anastasia, “We didn’t really go on the race to do anything other than have an exciting journey.”

--- End quote ---

Sash:
So they haven't even watched the show before...that stinks! There were so many people trying to get on the show who actually loved the show and these blow-ins got on.

They should have to pass an Amazing Race quiz before being accepted! (You can't half tell I'm a failed wannabe contestant  :'()

Coutzy:
From The AusTAR facebook:


--- Quote ---24 hours to go! (AEST) Don't forget your first clue to 'The Amazing Online Race' will be released tomorrow!

--- End quote ---

No word on whether this online race will be Australia only or International, but no harm in having a look tomorrow.

Coutzy:
http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2011/06/11/238621_mockingbird.html


--- Quote ---HOW much are we loving Mo and Mos, people?

If you don't know them, Mo and Mos are two of the contestants on the Australian version of The Amazing Race, currently screening on the Seven Network.

They're Aussie blokes, both on the largish side, who are really struggling with the physical challenges on the show. These mates are buoyed only by their shared sense of humour, self-deprecating banter, backpacks, and a couple of prayer mats.

Yep, they're Muslim, and in perhaps the most positive move for assimilation ever seen on prime-time television, they have done plenty to improve the slightly suspicious relationship that our largely secular population, until now, has had with those who follow the Muslim faith.

Yes, you can be Muslim and have a sense of humour - who knew? Jokes aside, if these two don't score jobs as radio hosts after this season finishes, I'll go hee (jab).

But The Amazing Race and Masterchef aren't the only reality shows that have entrusted us with a local version.

We're about to see our own production of Wife Swap, where two wives from vastly different households are sent to live in each others' home for a couple of weeks.

Let me guess; there will be the initial shock of the new living arrangement, followed by inevitable tears, possibly a tantrum or two, then an element of begrudging acceptance, before the follow-up visit a few weeks later, which will show both households are marginally better off for the experience. Predictable? That's why you won't find me, lover of most things reality, tuning in.

Sure, I have been a fan of the genre since 1992, when bogan Baby Boomer Noeline Baker burst on to our screens in the ABC-BBC co-production of Sylvania Waters, Australia's first taste of reality TV.

But 20 years on, I think I have become slightly more discerning. Only slightly, I am a reality tragic after all. Because even after surviving around 20-something seasons of Survivor; touring the world many times over in The Amazing Race, and thinking, "Even I could do better than that" on Project Runway, I am still strangely compelled to watch almost any group of strangers brought together to complete some kind of task.

But when it comes to translating overseas success to local dollars, sometimes more than a change of scenery is required, due to our easy-going natures.

Remember the Australian Survivor? Nope, me neither. None of the contestants made much of an impression, because they were too nice. It just wasn't the Aussie way to vocalise your every thought, to bitch and backstab, or to scheme and subvert - intrinsic elements of the game.

Our local entrants supported each other, and generally got on like a house on fire, which was good for them, but made for bad TV. Perhaps a good villain is hard to find, so if you are one, let someone know, there's obviously a shortage.

So it will be interesting to see how our Aussie wives fare in their swaps. No doubt we'll be confronted with the loudest, most outspoken type of wife to ensure the promised fireworks go off as planned.

Polite, accommodating women just won't cut it - not when there are extreme stereotypes to be had. And there are plenty - most reality shows have it down pat.

Cast a couple of hot blonde models, hot guys who'll take their shirts off, a fiery-tempered chauvinist, a couple of retirees and a typical Aussie bloke (who will either win, or end up with a role on Neighbors or Home and Away) and you've got something to appeal to most demographics.

But while many knock reality TV as a lame-brained exercise, it's not all about vacuous famewhores, as the six Aussies who signed up for the upcoming SBS three-day event (screening from June 21-23) Go Back Where you Came From can probably attest.

Chosen from 70 applicants, these average Australians with differing views on the refugee situation get to meet refugees locally, before being sent overseas.

Stripped of wallets, phones and passports, life in Iraq and the Congo takes on a whole new meaning for this group of instant Aussie refugees.

Sneak previews look fascinating, and set to challenge the entrenched perceptions we have of this difficult and emotive issue. It's an inventive use of the medium, and while I'm all for a bit of harmless competition and tearful send-offs, what's not to like about reality television that educates, informs, and challenges prejudices?

Of course, that doesn't mean I'm not hanging out for the next season of The Bachelor, but with Mo and Mos setting female hearts aflutter, maybe it's time for a local version.

--- End quote ---

RichInSydney:
Interview with Active TV from Today Tonight website:

http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2011/06/amazing-reputation-opens-doors-for-the-race.html

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