What can I say? Season 14 is officially under way. It’s actually pretty crazy to write season 14. I think we’ve really outdone ourselves this time around and also performed some spring-cleaning, if you will. We freshened up the graphics, the music, the maps, and we’re letting the show breathe a little more when we have the opportunity to show off the spectacular places that we travel to each week. Maybe a little less airport process and a little more postcard moments.
Love our cast…so diverse and colorful, including our first-ever deafcontestant, a pair of Harvard grads, a carpenter, a jockey, former NFLcheerleaders, a Hollywood screenwriter and even a gay rightsactivist/minister. Of course, the other big stars of the show are thelocations, including first-ever stops in Siberia and Romania. Becausewe never repeat ourselves by going back to the same locations, we haveendless opportunities to keep it fresh. We have tons of drama,adventure and even a few occasions where I was forced to mediateseveral Mat meltdowns.
The Joint Forces in Los Alamitos, Calif. came out in full force tosupport us with two massive military helicopters. While flying into thestart of the race, the teams were treated to a couple of spectacularrainbows. A good sign that we had a golden opportunity to createanother Amazing season.
As always, the adrenaline started pumping right from the start. Theteams have been waiting in anticipation for months or, in the case ofLuke, who has been an avid fan since season 1, years. They all have aton of built-up energy and they’re eager to start the race. As I alwayssay, the world is waiting for you.
Right out of the starting block our oldest racer, Mel White, suffers agroin injury. Not a great way to start the race, but something tells mehe’s not going to throw in the jock strap just yet. When it comes tocomedy, the Whites are going to be the kings this season.
People ask me if I ever grow tired of racing around the world with theteams. But how could I when everything is so unique every time we makethe journey. This isn’t like going to the same old studio where you canguarantee 69 degrees and perfect weather. Just like the teams, we haveto be ready for anything.
Speaking of unpredictable, Switzerland took us to a whole new level ofmayhem. You know you’re capturing classic television moments when allaround you people are yelling out "watch out for the flying cheese."The locals lost it. The teams certainly lost it. And to be perfectlyhonest with you, no one in production knew what might happen next.Thank goodness for those fences or who knows where those cheese bombsmight have ended up.
Personally there are many special moments that I will treasure when Ilook back on my time hosting The Amazing Race: Gus during season 6 whenhe pays tribute to his ancestors; Ian from Season 3 remembering histime in Vietnam. But being able to sign to Margie and Luke that theywere team #1 on the first leg and knowing how much it meant to himmakes this one of those moments I will never forget.
More on ‘The Amazing Race’:
‘The Amazing Race’ season 14, episode 1 recap
Phil letting Luke in on his moment of triumph via sign language was extremely cool. Watching Linda cower in fear from Phil’s Eyebrow of Death on the mat was also a classic moment. Could be a killer season.
Welcome to the blogoshpere Phil! Can’t wait to hear your insights this season.
I concur with Stevex. You’re learning sign language (maybe you already knew it) proves you
‘re a class act, Phil. Luke’s reaction was wonderful. This season looks great. I’m actually glad the most annoying couple is gone first. There’s nothing worse than listening to people carp on each other as they go around the world.
Phil, the clean-up worked just great. It may have been the most interesting and entertaining episode of The Amazing Race ever. I finally convinced my wife to give the show a chance and watch it with me, and her eyes never left the screen. Well done!
Watching you sign to Luke made me tear up! I think I might be one of the few people that enjoy watching the airport fighting/trying to hide what flights were are on. I like to see how far the backstabbing will go-it is always entertaining. I look forward to your weekly blog and perhaps the extra insight we might get into this show! Keep up the great hosting duties and let Browsie shine!!
Best. Eyebrow. Raise. Ever.
Can someone PLEASE tell me how , where and when to try out for amazing race 15? It has been imposible to find any info
thanks!!!
Didi
Phil, keep up the great work, our whole family loves the show and look forward to it each week.
One of TAR’s best openers ever! Great new opening credits (which still include a brief shot of the CGI airplane, btw) and logo! Awesome revamped editing (the new 24-style split screens provide better flow and idea of when certain events are happening in relation to other teams)! The way Phil announced the winner this leg was touching! The cheese challenge was INSANELY funny! And we got TWO shots of Browsie! This episode alone should win the Emmy for Best Reality Show Competition next year! Phil, welcome to EW!
This is already shaping up to be one of the best seasons ever. Phil, thanks for taking me around the world every week! You’re one of the classiest people in television.
Phil, I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’re blogging TAR. I have never missed a season. I eagerly looking forward to you saying “the world is waiting for you. I cried a bit when you signed to Margie & Luke. They are my pick to win after watching all the pre-interviews for all the obvious reasons. No offense to Jeff Probst or Chris Harrison and I LOVE their blogs, but when I heard you were bloging I thought I’d died and gone to reality tv heaven. Great first episode! Loved the cheese challenge, couldn’t stop laughing at the teams. Thank you soooooo much for doing this Phil! See you next week.
The Cheese Challenge had me laughing so hard I was crying. I can’t wait to see what’s ahead for these teams. Phil, it’s great to hear your thoughts! It was truly sweet when you signed to Margie and Luke that they were number 1. Awesome episode! Keep on the blogs!
Sorry, Phil, but I thought the episode (and your blog) was lame. Loved the editing, though, as you guys focused more on the scenery than the airport fighting. I was underwhelmed with episode 1, but I think there’s some potential with this cast. I’ll certainly be tuning back in the rest of the season. Please also spice up your blog with a little more inside info. Check out Probst’s blog from the other night if you want to see how it’s done…
That eyebrow raise for the “Hick” team was absolutely amazing. My wife and I were already in tears from the flying cheese and that just further cemented that episode as the best ever. I see you hinting at future mat showdowns and I have to say it appeared that the brother/sister team has a contestant that seems rather pushy and grabby and I am assuming she will cause some chaos in the future. This season looks good so far!
Was surprised to see the show tonight without any forewarning or advertising. Glad I was able to Tivo. Always a pleasure.