Next ‘Amazing Race’ to feature members of ‘Survivor,’ ‘Big Brother’
CBS series will return earlier than expected, put reality TV bragging rights on the line
“The Amazing Race” is returning earlier than planned and will feature an intriguing reality-TV smack-down among some memorable players from “Survivor,” “Big Brother” and past editions of “The Amazing Race.”
Kicking off at 9 p.m. April 17 on CBS, the new season has 11 teams competing on the 25,000-plus mile journey around the world to be crowned winners of the $1 million prize. Phil Keoghan returns to host.
According to CBS, Racers, Castaways and Houseguests will not only compete for the cash prize but for bragging rights for their respective shows. Will the former Racers’ travel experience be the most helpful? Will the former Survivors’ outwit, outplay and outlast the competition? Or, will the Big Brother players’ abilities to adapt and expect the unexpected make the difference?
Here are the teams:
— Art Velez (49) and John James “JJ” Carrell (49). Friends from Temecula and San Marcos, Calif. Previous season: “The Amazing Race 20.”
— Colin Guinn (38) and Christie Woods (40). Life Partners from Austin, Texas. Previous season: “The Amazing Race 5.”
— Becca Droz (28) and Floyd Pierce (23). Friends from Boulder and Highlands Ranch, Colo. Previous season: “The Amazing Race 29.”
— Leo Temory (31) and Jamal Zadran (30). Cousins from Pasadena, Calif. and Houston, Texas. Previous seasons: “The Amazing Race 23” and “The Amazing Race: All-Stars.”
— Tyler Oakley (31) and Korey Kuhl (33). Friends from Los Angeles and San Francisco. Previous season: The Amazing Race 28.
— Chris Hammons (40) and Bret Labelle (44). Friends from Moore, Okla. and Dedham, Mass. Previous season: “Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X.”
— Corinne Kaplan (39) and Eliza Orlins (35). Friends from Denver, Colo. and New York. Previous seasons: “Survivor: Gabon” and “Survivor: Caramoan” (Corinne); “Survivor: Vanuatu” and “Survivor: Micronesia” (Eliza).
— Rupert (54) and Laura (49) Boneham. Married from Indianapolis, Ind. Previous seasons: “Survivor: Pearl Islands,” “Survivor: All-Stars,” “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains,” and “Survivor: Blood vs. Water” (Rupert); “Survivor: Blood vs. Water” (Laura).
— Janelle Pierzina (38) and Britney Haynes (30). Friends from Lakeville, Minn. and Tulsa, Okla. Previous seasons: “Big Brother 6,” “Big Brother All-Stars” and “Big Brother 14” (Janelle); “Big Brother 12” and “Big Brother 14” (Britney).
— Rachel Reilly (34) and Elissa Slater (32). Sisters from Van Nuys, Calif. and Las Vegas, Nev. Previous Seasons: “Big Brother 12,” winner “Big Brother 13,” “The Amazing Race 20” and “The Amazing Race: All-Stars” (Rachel); “Big Brother 15” (Elissa).
— Nicole Franzel (26) and Victor Arroyo (28). Dating from Ubly, Mich. Previous seasons: Big Brother 16, winner of Big Brother 18 (Nicole); Big Brother 18 (Victor).
“The Amazing Race” was originally scheduled to premiere May 22, but CBS is bringing it back early to replace “Million Dollar Mile” on the schedule. A new reality competition hosted by Tim Tebow, “Million Dollar Mile” has drawn modest ratings so far and will move to Saturday nights beginning on May 4.