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of ''The Amazing Race''. Logos for the international versions of the show are adapted from this logo.]] ''The Amazing Race'' is a Reality Television Game Show in which teams of two Race around the world in competition with other teams. Contestants strive to arrive first at the end of each leg of the race to avoid the possibility of elimination. Teams are progressively eliminated until three teams are left; at that point, the team who arrives first in the final leg is awarded a large cash grand prize. Created by Elise Doganieri and Bertram Van Munster , the Original Series has aired in the United States since 2001 and has earned seven Primetime Emmy Award s, including all four " Outstanding Reality-Competition Program " awards that have been given. Contestants travel to and within multiple countries in a variety of transportation modes, including Plane s, Taxi s, Rental Car s, Train s and Boat s. The clues in each leg point the teams to the next destination or direct them to perform a task, either together or by a single member. Each task showcases the geographic region or indigenous culture and customs it is held in. If a team is in last place at the end of a leg of the race, they may be forced to stop competing or have a significant disadvantage in the following leg. THE RACE ''Unless otherwise indicated, the seasons refer to the American Version of the series.'' Teams ) in Sri Lanka ]] Each of the eleven or twelve teams (10 on the first Asian edition) on ''The Amazing Race'' is composed of two individuals who have some type of relationship to each other. The exception in the series so far has been Season 8 , which was a family edition of the race that featured teams of four. The teams represent a wide demographic of different ages, races, sexual orientations, and relationships. Relationships have included long-time married couples, Sibling s (including twins), parent/child, friends (roommates, Fraternity brothers, platonic friends, High School friends, lifelong friends etc.), romantic partners (both Heterosexual and Homosexual ), and couples who are separated or formerly dating. The various relationship dynamics between the team members under the stress of competition is one focus of the show. Teammates must race the entire race together: they cannot split up (except when instructed to do so by a clue, albeit temporarily) or continue on without each other. If one teammate becomes Injured and is unable to finish the race, the team must forfeit (for example, Marshall & Lance during Season 5 ). Both teammates must also arrive at each Pit Stop together in order to check in.TAR FAQ: Basic Rules. What happens if both members of Team A step onto the mat after one member of Team B, but before the other member? Retrieved on June 19, 2007. Many aspects of the production - casting, promos, premieres, and Phil's discussions with eliminated teams - make heavy emphasis upon the effects of the race on relationships. The kinds of effects possible, however, have been constrained by interrelated limitations on the length and the type of relationships between racers. = Length and Exclusivity Originally, the race required team members to have a preexisting relationship and to have known one another for at least three years. In addition, racers from different teams could not have previous acquaintances with one another. This provided preexisting intra-team relationships to film and broadcast, without complications of preexisting inter-team relationships. It is unclear whether producers have loosened either of these rules for more recent races, but they have made exceptions: Kris & Jon from , 2007 . Additionally, the team of Eric & Danielle from Season 11 's All-Stars edition had only met each other one year earlier when they had been on opposing teams during Season 9 . Otherwise, however, teams members have had long personal histories, and only with each other. = Type and Nature Save for those exceptions mentioned above (e.g. Kris and Jon from Season 6 ), every team has had a preexisting relationship which has been either extensively or primarily personal. None of the teams have had a primarily professional relationship - such as teacher/student, doctor/patient, businessman/customer, client/server, or mentor/mentee - put to the test of the race to observe the kind and degree of personal relationship that might ''emerge''. There has thus not been the opportunity to see how a relationship might build during the race, from a strong but less personal connection to something intimate and intense. Instead, the race is shown as strengthening or weakening only ''existing'' personal relationships - and often portrays at least the threat of weakening, at least in suspense-building edits, rather than the potential for something new. Money ( Season 5 ) receive money for a leg in Kenya and Tanzania ]] At the beginning of each leg of the race, each team receives an allowance of cash with their first clue. During the race, all expenses (food, transportation, lodging, attraction admission, supplies) must be purchased from this allowance. The exception to this is the purchase of airline tickets (and, in Season 8 , gasoline), which the teams pay for using a Credit Card supplied to them by the show. The Amazing Race 5 FAQ Any money left over after a leg of the race can be used on subsequent legs. This money is usually given in U.S. Dollars regardless of the current location of the race. The one exception was leg four of Season 10 , where money was given in local currency. The amount varies from leg to leg, ranging from no money to hundreds of dollars. (In Season 1 and Season 10 , teams were allocated zero dollars during one of the legs, and in Season 4 , teams were given only one dollar for each of the final two legs.) On Leg 3 (Mongolia-Vietnam) of Season 10 , teams had to earn their money for that leg by selling flowers in the Roadblock. From Season 5 to Season 9 , teams were penalized for finishing last on a non-elimination leg. Teams were forced to surrender all collected money, and would not be given any to start the subsequent leg. If a team spends all of their money or has it taken away in a non-elimination round, they may try to get more money in any way that doesn't violate the local laws. This includes borrowing money from other teams, begging from locals or selling their possessions. One rule that was clarified in Season 7 is that teams may not beg for money at United States airports. Further, on Leg 3 (Mongolia-Vietnam) of Season 10 , teams were not permitted to beg for or sell items in exchange for money. Teams have reported on the existence of an emergency fund of approximately US$200 that is carried by their crew and can only be used in extreme circumstances, but generally not as a means to pay for any activity related to the Race. However, the exact amount is not known, nor are the exact circumstances when it can be used. Route markers Route Markers are the flags that mark the places where teams must go. Most Route Markers are attached to the boxes that contain clue envelopes, but some may mark the place where the teams must go in order to complete tasks. Route Markers are always colored yellow and red, with the following exceptions:
Clues Route Information Route Info clues instruct the teams where to go next. The clue usually only provides the name of the team's next destination; it is up to the teams to figure out how to get there. However, the clue may make specifications about how the teams have to travel. For example, the very first clue of the race specifies which flights teams may take. In addition, teams may be required to take public transportation, drive a marked car or other vehicle, or walk, according to the clue's instructions. The Route Info clues can instruct teams to go to several types of locations, including a specific location in another city or country, another location within the team's present city, the Pit Stop of the leg, or the Finish Line of the race. In the first season, the clue box contained exactly the number of clues as teams racing, thus a team was able to surmise what place they were presently in. In subsequent seasons, the clue box has included a variable number of clues (placed by spotters near each clue box just prior to racers arriving at the box) so that a team can usually not determine its present standing by counting the remaining clues. Detour One task is typically less physically demanding but is tedious or requires some amount of time or thinking to complete, while the other is usually a more physically demanding or frightening option that, depending on the team's ability, may take less time to complete. The decision on which task to attempt lies solely with the team. A team may choose to switch tasks as many times as they wish with no penalty other than the time lost in attempting the tasks and traveling between task locations.Switching a Detour option has become known by fans as "Bald Snarking" the detour, in honor of Ken and Gerald of Season 3 and their frequency of switching detours. Because of this freedom to choose between tasks, the penalty for not completing ''either'' task is significant (see Penalties And Time Credits ). In the first three seasons, a Detour preceded a Roadblock in every leg. In more recent seasons, however, the order in which these tasks have occurred has varied with each leg. Although there has been little change to the Detour format over eleven seasons, the only unique Detour arrangement thus far has been the first Detour in Season 5 , where failure to complete one option (based solely on luck at gambling) required the team to complete the second, more physical task. Roadblock A Roadblock is a task that only one team member may perform. Before heading into a Roadblock, teams read a vague clue about the task to come, e.g., "''Who's really hungry?''" (for an ostrich-egg eating challenge), or "''Who wants to get down and dirty?''" (for a task involving making mud bricks). Often, a team may figure out the specific task by observing their surroundings, using common sense, or even seeing other teams already performing the Roadblock task. They then must decide which team member would be best suited to complete it. Once a choice has been made, the teammates cannot switch roles. For the first three seasons of the race, Roadblocks came after a Detour in every leg. Unless the clue indicates otherwise, the other teammate(s) cannot assist in the task though they may verbally offer advice and encouragement, usually standing in a designated area off to the side. In a select few Roadblocks, the team member that did not opt to do it may be required to participate; for example, in Season 1 , one Roadblock required the selected team member to ride a camel, while the other team member was forced to walk along aside it to the next clue box. A similar arrangement occurred in the final Roadblock in Season 10 , where while the selected member sky dived out of a plane, the other member was treated to a "surprise" nosedive of the plane itself after the start of the sky dive. The participating team members from other teams are able to help each other, however, unless otherwise indicated by the clue. A Roadblock is featured (although, in some episodes, not aired) in every leg except the first one. In Season 1 , even the first leg had a Roadblock, but it was not originally aired; it was, however, included as an extra in the DVD release. Season 10 became the first season to have and air a Roadblock on Leg 1. Beginning in 's final three teams featured three male-female teams that split the Roadblocks 11-1 or 10-1, with the male member of the team taking the load; many speculate that it was for this reason that the six-Roadblock rule was introduced in Season 6.The 6-roadblock rule is sometimes called "The Bowling Moms' Rule" by fans, in honor of the thought that if this rule had been in place during the leg that Linda and Karen (the Bowling Moms) were eliminated against the 3 male-female teams, they would likely have stayed in the race. The six-Roadblock limit was dropped for only Season 8 ; additionally, that season's four-member-team format required some Roadblocks to be completed by two people. Season 10 had 13 Roadblocks; therefore, the maximum for each team member was increased to seven. While this Roadblock rule has not been specifically mentioned in some later seasons, team behavior and statements (such as Eric in All-Stars) imply that it still applies. Fast Forward The Fast Forward allows the team that receives it to skip all remaining tasks on that leg of the race and proceed directly to the Pit Stop. To receive the Fast Forward, the team must be the first team to perform and complete the task described on the Fast Forward clue. The clue is found along with a regular clue at one of the Route Markers. Only one team may use each Fast Forward. Any team that is beaten to the Fast Forward will have wasted their time and must go back and pick up where they left off. Also, prior to Season 10 , each team was allowed to use only one Fast Forward during the whole race, requiring teams to decide when it was most advantageous to use it. With the introduction of the Intersection route marker ('' See Below '') in Season 10, a team can claim two Fast Forwards in a single race, one while part of a grouped team during an Intersection, and another as a single team. Originally, Fast Forwards were offered in every leg of the race (provided that there was as least one team left that had not used one), except for the final two legs. Starting in Season 5 , the number of Fast Forwards was reduced to two on the entire race. In the event a Fast Forward was not attempted by any team on a leg, the task involved was not shown, though clue envelopes with the green Fast Forward marker can usually be spotted by the viewers. A Fast Forward usually results in the team arriving at the Pit Stop first, but does not guarantee it. In the history of the show, two teams who earned a Fast Forward still arrived last at the Pit Stop. In Season 1 , Joe & Bill won the Fast Forward but still arrived last (but were not eliminated due to a penalty received by Nancy & Emily). After winning the Fast Forward on Leg 3 (Mexico-United Kingdom) of Season 3 , Dennis & Andrew were still eliminated due to their late arrival into England. Similarly, NFL wives Monica and Sheree of Season 4 earned the Fast Forward but only placed 4th in the first leg (behind a three-way tie for first). On Leg 8 of Season 10 , Tyler & James and Rob & Kimberly both won the Fast Forward as a result of the Intersection , the first time two teams have ever won the Fast Forward on the same leg. They, however, arrived second and third respectively behind Dustin & Kandice, becoming only the second and third teams ever to place neither first nor last after winning a Fast Forward. Chip & Kim of Season 5 , Freddy & Kendra of Season 6 , Eric and Danielle of Season 11, and the Linz siblings of Season 8 are the only teams to have ever won without the use of the Fast Forward. Yield )]] The Yield, which was introduced in , 2004 . Retrieved on January 16, 2007. Each team is required to stop at the Yield station, and state aloud whether or not they were yielded by another team, and (if the Yield wasn't already played) whether or not they choose to yield any of the teams behind them. In the early use of the Yield, teams were required to remove a numbered marker as well when they performed this act, though beyond tracking their placement in the leg, these appeared to have no additional purpose. In Season 5 , when the Yield was first introduced, the sign was larger than in the subsequent series of the Yield. Teams weren't aware from the clues whether or not there was a Yield ahead. In addition, the teams didn't have to pull a number for priority, only when two or more teams were fighting to choose whether to yield a team or not. This happened only once, when Chip and Kim grabbed a number to reserve the option of yielding Kami and Karli, whom Chip and Kim knew were fast approaching. However, when they realized they were the last two teams, rules changed so that all teams were aware of their positions. Like the Fast Forward, each team may use only one Yield during the game, and only one team may use each Yield. However, a team may be yielded multiple times by various other teams. From Season 6 to Season 7 , the number of Yields totaled three in the entire race, instead of one on every leg. Like with Fast Forwards, Yields that are present in the race, but aren't used and have no effect on the outcome, may not be aired or mentioned. For example, Season 8 mentioned only having two Yields available on the entire race, but a third Yield on Leg 1 (New York-Pennsylvania) went unaired and unmentioned. From Season 9 and onwards, only two Yields were present in the entire race. Season 10 also featured two Yields but one was unaired and unmentioned. Season 11 had two Yields, both of which were used. Intersection The Intersection, introduced in Season 10 , requires each team to pair up with one other team and perform all tasks and make decisions together until further notice. Should there be no other teams present when a given team arrives at the Intersection route marker, they must wait there until another team arrives, though they do not have to partner with that team and can opt to wait for another team instead. Teams are free to choose their partner team if multiple teams are present. In both occasions that it has been present, it has also included a Fast Forward, which is allowed to be claimed by one full group of two teams working together, regardless if either team has already claimed their Fast Forward; furthermore, teams that claim a Fast Forward during an Intersection are free to claim a non-Intersected Fast Forward if one is available after that point. It is not yet known what the rules are when an Intersection appears in conjunction with a Yield. Alternatively, the teams were given a usual Detour choice selection with its introduction. This new type of route marker is similar to pairings that were done in another reality TV series, '' Treasure Hunters ''. Race legs Pit Stops Pit Stops are the final destination in each leg of the race. Each Pit Stop is a mandatory rest period which allows teams to eat, sleep, and mingle with each other. The production staff provides food free-of-charge to the teams at the Pit Stops (food during the legs must be purchased with the money the teams receive). During the Pit Stop, teams are also interviewed to provide commentary and voice-overs for the completed leg. Teams have been greeted at every Pit Stop by Phil and a local of that country (typically dressed in the local costume), except in Season 1 , when a local greeted them and Phil was only present to greet the last place team and inform them if they had been eliminated or saved by a non-elimination leg. The eliminations themselves have now earned the name "Philimination" in the Amazing Race fan community, a Portmanteau of the host's name and the word "elimination". |
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