‘Amazing Race’ has lost its way

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But Charla left early and Colin and Christie made it all the way to the end, arriving at the finish line in second place. Between the abrasive personalities and the new rules, producers had injected their show with elements of other reality series. Then the ratings increased, because apparently many viewers weren’t smart enough to appreciate a show that was more than just a popularity contest.

That led the way for future contestants Jonathan and Victoria, Rob and Amber, and others, all of whom gave us more fighting and backstabbing than we usually see on a season of “Survivor.” Specifically, Rob and Amber’s aggressive play changed the face of “The Amazing Race”; instead of focusing getting themselves further in the race, they also focused on slowing other teams down. Their use of strategy was within the confines of the game, but as a result, the competition became more than a race.

It’s not as if the first seasons didn’t have their share of dramatic confrontations or even villains. “The Amazing Race” has seen plenty of abrasive personalities; season three’s winner, Flo, was known for her shrieking fits, during which she often insisted she was quitting the race. And from the first season on, contestants have always shared information—or declined to be helpful—based upon how much they like other teams.

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But whether a team was loved or loathed by the other teams didn’t really matter; what mattered was their ability to get along with each other and make it to the next pit stop before all the other teams. Because other teams couldn’t conspire against teams they hated (or teams they were threatened by), those we loved to hate often made it very far, and even won. As unpleasant as that outcome may have been, it kept the race interesting and competitive, and when the teams we loved arrived first at the finish line, it made their win much more consequential.

That was the genius of “The Amazing Race”; its focus was on teams getting from point A to point B while dealing with each other and with the world. Dealing with other teams along the way was incidental and optional. That worked because the dynamics between couples with pre-existing relationships, whether they’re lovers, cousins, life partners, or best friends, has always offered more consequential tension than contrived conflict between people who’ve known each other less than a month.

But with the introduction of the Yield, teams are now forced to both race and play with each other and with every other team. Annoy the wrong team, and a team might be penalized; teams that are too strong might be stopped.

We are family
Undoubtedly, the new game elements plus Rob’s example of a combative racing style will inspire teams who are part of “The Amazing Race 8.” But that’s not all that will affect this season.

For the first time, teams of two are being replaced by families of four. While some families consist entirely of adults or older teenagers, one family includes brothers who are 8 and 11 years old, and another includes siblings who are 9 and 12. Other teams have teenagers who are 15, 16, and 17. This raises obvious questions: Can the race possibly maintain the level of intensity and danger with such young kids along for the ride? Additionally, rumors about the path this race will take suggest that, at the very minimum, this race’s route will be affected by the presence of kids and larger teams. Whether this will inspire more great “Amazing Race” moments or further drag down the series is as yet unknown.

The past three seasons have consistently delivered dramatic, engaging television, even as they’ve frustrated long-time fans with unnecessary changes. Despite the shift in the way teams must navigate the globe, the show has remained the leader of the competitive reality television pack. But besides its strong production values, unflinching tension, and uplifting stories, there’s one difference between this show and others such as “Big Brother” and “Survivor.”

“The Amazing Race” is not a game, despite what its cast members and producers might insist. It’s a race around the world, one that does not need to mimic others in order to reach the finish line.

Andy Dehnart is a writer and teacher who publishes reality blurred, a daily summary of reality TV news.

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