On October 24, the top three teams embarked on the 2009 Championship Race. We always tell the participants to “expect the unexpected”. And this championship is like no other. Unlike all the races, this time, teams were set out on The Amazing Hunt’s new feature – “Trivia Hunt.” Instead of searching for a red and yellow route marker and compete in a preset racecourse, teams have to map out their own route and answer all the questions to local history and landmarks.
This new type of urban adventure allows people to gain a deeper appreciation to local hidden treasure… its culture, history, and landmarks. And the three teams, Dave & Jeff, cousins from Northshore, Kevin & Victor, best friends from Vancouver, and Lisa & Shelley, running partners from Mapleridge fought for the ultimate title in a two part race in Downtown Vancouver.
Prior to each leg of the race, one member from each team had to complete a task. The first one is to test teams’ motor skill and patience. After all three teams have accomplished their first challenge; they were out to find answers to the trivia challenge. Most of the answers in Gastown involving famous landmarks like world’s first steamed power clock, Gassy Jack statue, the tallest lookout point in Vancouver etc. The second task required teams to have a eye for details by searching 1 different card out of 120 of them. Then, teams ran to the busiest street in Downtown, Robson Street, to search for things like old Vancouver Public Library, Hotel Vancouver, and one of the many Starbucks…
In the end, Dave & Jeff cross the finish line first but with two incorrect answers, they received a 30-minute time penalty. Kevin & Victor arrived second with one incorrect answer and incurred a 15-minute time penalty. Even though Lisa and Shelley arrived last, with all the difficult questions answered correctly which the other two teams all made the same mistakes, surprisingly, they missed an easy one.
Everyone had lots of fun and learned a lot about Downtown Vancouver. As a result, Kevin & Victor became the winner of 2009 Championship! They are the youngest winning team ever in The Amazing Hunt.
This is the fifteen season of this Emmy-winning reality TV show. After watching the first six legs, which is the half of this season, many avid fans and viewers were sort of let down by the structure of the race this year. As a race co-ordinator myself, there are a few things I would like to point out about this season’s The Amazing Race.
The Amazing Race 15 once again taking teams to exotic locations that no other reality TV show can offer. Unfortunately, the poor racecourse planning, mediocre tasks execution, lousy casting and bad post-production may cause this season to be worse than the infamous Amazing Race 8: Family Edition.
One thing we have been saying about The Amazing Race is its predictable structure. Even with its 12-teams format, we know something unfortunate is going to happen with one team. And what surprises the viewers even more is that they don’t even get to leave the starting line. It is a good way to draw publicity and lower production costs, but this twist is truly against the concept of the show. Why can’t they just eliminate two teams at the first pit stop and call it a “double elimination”? That’s a new twist!
Then, with numerous teams fighting for their lives to escape the sudden elimination, teams were running towards the mat not far away from the license plate walls. With teams rushing towards the mat and lining up to await for Phil’s permission, it is so much like an amateur Amazing Race production that can be seen on Youtube or on the streets in your local cities. Everything seems so rush, poor-planned, and heavily depending on the editing to make it look plausible.
Later, 11 teams were issued the airline tickets on American Airline and The United with 30-minute departure time difference and head to Japan to look for Tokyo Tower Studios. Upon arrival, teams must take part in an Amazing Race style Japanese game show. In order to start the challenge, there was a bunching point which the 11 teams must all be at the studio. As fans pointed out, it was really pointless and not fair for people who actually got on to the earlier flight. Some asked, “Why don’t they just issue the same tickets for all 11 teams?” However, The Amazing Race possibly has agreement with both airlines and must feature them in the show… but regardless, it is indeed poorly planned.
At the Tokyo Tower Studios, it was a roadblock with one team member must finishing eating a wasabi bomb. But, having not only every team waiting there with one member attempts the challenge and another doing nothing, but also the task mainly depending on the luck of where the wheel lands, teams were out of control. What it could have been done is that teams can pull a number at this roadblock and having one member from each team to spin the wheel themselves and then attempt the same challenge. Then, each team must take turn if there were multiple teams. In addition, rather having Phil and the teams inserting explanation about how the challenge played out, it could be simply done with Amazing Race’s famous roadblock puns like “Who is ready to add some spice to their lives?” or “Who has some spice in their personality traits?”
Once teams arrived in Cambodia, they need to find an assignment editor in FCC, selling helmets, finding scarf’s, and perform monkey moves. It is honestly not that amazing at all. Of course, we all appreciate the culture references, but the hired-extras as fake editors sitting at FCC handing out clearly cheap self-printed newspaper are too pretentious for a reality TV. What could have been done is to have teams searching the next route marker at an important Cambodia landmark and then find Hotel Le Royal by referencing to the photo. Then, at the monkey roadblock, maybe performing some difficult moves like in TAR14 when teams required performing gymnastics in Romania would be a more suitable challenge. The Amazing Race is famous for bringing the world to the audience on TV but not some staged performance or setup to introduce some stereotypical ideas about any country.
In Dubai, we have the highest building in the world, a roadblock in the desert and a detour in Ski Dubai. In the following episode, we have the water slide and a detour in the Arab Market. Personally, I like the Gold or Glass detour because you would never handle so much gold in your life. On the other hand, the opium building task did indeed challenge the teams to a meltdown. However, with all the possible destinations they could have chosen in Dubai, it seems the course is repeating what TAR5 had featured such as a tall building, a water slide, an aquabus station, a desert and the Arab Market with the fact that a roadblock in there was not broadcasted on TV for production reason.
Other than the racecourse, the casts of this season is also an issue. Many teams were not portrayed by their existing relationships which this show should focus on but labelled as lawyers, Christians/musicians, poker players, globetrotters, yoga teachers, homosexuals or even Asperger’s Syndrome etc… The teams were not shown based on their personality with the exception of Lance’s somewhat “intense” characteristic, Gary and Matt’s stereotypical father and son’s differences, and Karma believer Brian and his interracial marriage with Ericka.
About the post-production, The Amazing Race 14 was freshening up with less airport scenes, some fancy editing transitions, new graphics and up-tempo music. It is truly exciting to see Amazing Race finally took a step to improve but still cannot take a leap into high definition. Despite the lack of HD, in season 15, the unnecessary airport drama is back and so many interview inserts can be seen in each episode. Also, each episode is also filled with much pre-shoot footage and the overall “reality” is inconsistent and choppy comparing to the previous season. In addition, sound inserts are everywhere and it does not seem to be reflecting the real emotion of the teams. A fan also pointed out even the opening intro is inconsistent which some teams are presented in their daily activities, and some appear in their duration of the race. Furthermore, having Phil saying the word “literally” while explaining in three roadblocks, some viewers indeed go “banana” with this laziness. Where are the writers or is Phil just improvising on the spot?
When a TV show is not doing anything to improve and enhance what it originally has, it is like taking a step backward. After 8 years and 15 seasons, The Amazing Race has earned recognition from the audience and the Emmy committee with seven consecutive Emmys. However, the same old concept after more than 180 episodes is definitely losing its edge. In addition, with possible cuts in production costs, recession, and safety issues traveling to different countries, the show further by reducing “Fast Forward”, coming up with non-game changing “new twists”, and re-use of old tasks and even locations from previous seasons. Maybe it is time to re-invent the concept and provide a new feel to it.
For the past five years, our public races have gathered more than 100 teams of two each with a unique relationship. These personal connections between the team members sometimes can help or hinder them and lots of human dramas were created.
Therefore, in 2010, The Amazing Hunt is going to unleash a new theme called “It Takes Two!” The race is going to test the bond between the teammates. You and your teammate definitely have to trust each other and work together as both of you facing more challenging and interesting tasks.
Continuing the twists like “Intersection” and no warning on the pit stop clue, there will be more surprises hidden in the upcoming races. Also, “Yield” is back and “U-Turn” is gone. However, it doesn’t mean that there will be no more new elements to spice up the competition.
Let’s get ready for 2010, the most important year in the city of Vancouver.
Another 6 teams of 2 with an existing relationship embarked on a race on the newest transit system in Vancouver, Canada Line. Along the way, teams explored, experienced, and enjoyed many old and new landmarks that are nearby Canada Line such as the tallest building in Vancouver, a 61-storey Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver Art Gallery, City Hall, Vancouver Olympic Centre and Oakridge Mall. Then, teams have to find the shared pathway for pedestrians and bikes between the city of Vancouver and Richmond and further take on more challenges in Aberdeen and Vancouver International Airport. In some of these destinations, teams also encountered puzzles, lawn-bowling, and food challenges.
It is a race with full of surprises. Another Intersection has come into play and this time, 2 teams got played. It was a choice between a closer destination with fewer clues and a further destination with more clues. Laura & Liam and Huan & Rob departed from the first pit stop decided to go to the further destination to throw the other teams under a bus and caused Kevin & Victor and Nora & Sean backtracked and wasted valuable time. On the other hand, one team came last at the first pit stop but ended up on top for the second yet fell short in the end.
More twists changed the strategy and gameplay. For the first time, U-Turn appeared at a roadblock where both members from a team require to perform the same roadblock. In addition, unlike previous races, the clue that lead teams to the pit stop did not provide a “Warning!” to inform teams that they may be or will be eliminated from the race. This twist probably caused the game for one team as they were thinking it was just another non-elimination leg since the clue didn’t inform them about the danger of being the last team to arrive at a pit stop.
I guess no one predicted that this race can be more dramatic… It is definitely another successful race with teams fully utilized Canada Line!
[LEG ONE]
1st – Laura & Liam
2nd – Huan & Rob
3rd – Lisa & Shelley
4th – Kevin & Victor
5th – Nora & Sean
6th – Barb & Shannon (marked for elimination) [LEG TWO]
1st – Barb & Shannon
2nd – Kevin & Victor
3rd – Huan & Rob
4th – Lisa & Shelley
5th – Laura & Liam (u-turned by Barb & Shannon)
6th – Nora & Sean (eliminated)
[LEG THREE]
1st – Kevin & Victor
2nd – Lisa & Shelley
3rd – Laura & Liam
4th – Huan & Rob
5th – Barb & Shannon
The Amazing Race 15 has announced and this time, 12 teams of 2 including globetrotters, professional poker players, father/son, dating couples, yoga teachers, and homosexual brothers embarked on the race around the world for another 1 million dollar… A 2-hour premier is scheduled on September 27 Sunday at 8pm. Is there any new twist in this season?
Meet the casts:
One team gets eliminated right at the starting line:
After 5 years of filming 21 events in the traditional standard definition with DV tapes, The Amazing Hunt is officially in high definition. I believe we are the first urban adventure racing series that is presented in HD!
I have tried watching the footage on Youtube in full screen mode, and it is surprisingly clear with so many details. Look at the grass when we do the teams’ interviews, our grass is truly greener than others… In addition, the editing style is tuned-up with less clue-reading, more interaction and resulted in a jammed-packed faster paced footage. It is definitely more reality-heightened than ever.
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The Amazing Hunt is once again starting the race in Vancouver for the fourth time. However, it is the first time that the racers will travel solely on public transit. In addition, The Amazing Hunt is proud to film the race for the first time in 1080 HIGH DEFINITION.
The race started from Thunderbird Arena in UBC, one of the venues of 2010 Winter Olympic/Paralympic Game, where 10 teams of 2 embarked on a foot race and faced mental breakdowns and physical exhaustion in detours and roadblocks like going down hundred of stairs in Wreck Beach, building domino arrangement etc.
For the first time, the Fast Forward provided teams with a special power which one team can switch their depature order with another team. Also, a new twist in the Intersection forced teams to choose between two locations but with limited amount of clues in each cluebox. One team definitely got shafted! With teams having explosive and interesting personalities, alliances were made and broken with memorable backstabbing moment where Danyele and Tim u-turned Colin & Julie right in front of their faces. In the end, Connie & Ken claimed the lead and advanced into 2009 Championship! One side note, Kelly & Phil misread the last clue and ended up almost being last. So, the lesson here is “read the clues very carefully!”
[LEG ONE]
1st – Dave & Jeff
2nd – Colin & Julie
3rd – Pylin & Rob
4th – Connie & Ken
5th – Michelle & Ray
6th – Kelly & Phil
7th – Carmen & Jason
8th – Garry & Tina
9th – Jelena & Graeme
10th – Danyele & Tim (marked for elimination)
[LEG TWO]
1st – Pylin & Rob
2nd – Connie & Ken
3rd – Garry & Tina
4th – Michelle & Ray
5th – Jelena & Graeme
6th – Dave & Jeff
7th – Colin & Julie
8th – Danyele & Tim
9th – Kelly & Phil
10th – Carmen & Jason (claimed Fast Forward)
[LEG THREE]
1st – Connie & Ken
2nd – Dave & Jeff
3rd – Danyele & Tim
4th – Pylin & Rob
5th – Colin & Julie (u-turned by Danyele & Tim) 6th – Jelena & Graeme
7th – Garry & Tina
8th – Michelle & Ray
9th – Kelly & Phil
10th – Carmen & Jason
Thanks to Pure Canada featuring an article about The Amazing Hunt in their May 2009 Issue. I think it perfectly captured the spirit of The Amazing Hunt in comparison to other available Canadian adventure.
“There are guts and glory in this urban adventure race. Based on the reality-TV series The Amazing Race, ‘The Amazing Hunt’ has teams of two decipher clues, navigate their way around the city and complete brainteasers, footraces and other kooky challenges… Those who aren’t up for the frenzied pace can still enjoy the real treasure of this urban scavenger hunt: The various checkpoints showcase Vancouver gems such as Stanley Park and Chinatown, making the course the perfect self-guided city tour.”
In The Amazing Race 14 episode 4, there is a new intro with racing footages. That’s an improvement. So, you don’t have to watch the same intro 11 times. Would TAR also be removing the eliminated teams from the intro and replacing with more beautiful sceneries? I guess not…
A variation of U-Turn appeared in this particular episode. According to Phil, the new “Blind U-Turn” does not require the teams to post their own picture to be known as the perpetrator and can remain anonymous. Well, I believe The Amazing Hunt has outwit and outdone The Amazing Race this time. Since the beginning in The Amazing Hunt, the backstabbing elements like “Yield” and “U-Turn” have always been anonymous to encourage teams to use it. So, for The Amazing Race to add the word “blind” to their so called “new” twist, in my opinion, it should just remain as as “U-Turn” but called it an improved version of the original.
Talking about improvement and U-Turn, here is our new U-Turn logo and with a better and original twist… as mentioned in the previous post, not only it can appear at a Detour but also at a Roadblock which forces both members of a team to perform the same roadblock seperately. Can you imagine your photo to be posted on this new and improved “U-Turn”?
Not only TAR14 gets freshen up, The Amazing Hunt is also revamped and improved in so many ways and we are going to be bigger, better, and wider than the TV show.
First, our official website gets a brand new look. A more simple, functional, and sophisticated design allow you to follow our every move and it is easier to book an event or register a race with us.
Second, we redesign the graphic and layout in brochures and flyers. In addition, for the first time, a promotional post card will be available in participants’ race package when booking or registering with us. Also, a brand new envelope is coming its way. Hopefully, there will be no more frustration while retrieving the next clue… although it is fun to see them feel utterly hopeless on the footage.
Third, a new online group is created through Facebook. So, not only The Amazing Hunt is a great adrenaline filled adventure that you can do on a weekend, but also, it is a friendly and welcoming community that we can get in touch with each other even after the race.
What’s more exciting to know is that other than the huge improvement The Amazing Hunt is having, we will be the first“Amazing Race” based reality TV urban adventure to embark on a HD scale. Yes, that’s right! The Amazing Hunt is now filming in “high definition!” And all the available youtube footage can now be viewed in High Quality setting.
Let’s share this wonderfully exciting news with everyone you know!
