| iTV2’s THE RACE |
I’ve wanted to make this post a while ago. There is this show I got a little addicted to (though it doesn’t mean I manage to catch all episodes…). It’s a reality TV kind of show, from the UK. It’s called The Race. 8 people, sorted into 4 couples, are racing to go from Greenwich, UK, around the world and back to Greenwich in 13 weeks. They get missions every week and each have a camera crew with it to document everything. The point? They only got 200$ once at the begining of the week, plus $40 every week since, which should include everything - food, sleep, buses - everything! Another rule - they can’t travel after 19:00. The show tracks the couples to see how they get cheap tickets, hitch hike, try to outrun one another - and mainly - how they get along. (They don’t really get along that good from the 4th week on, at least for now). You get to see places and do really bizarre stuff - really exciting!
I watch the show on the Israeli Channel 8 (Science Channel) which is way behind the actual shows of the program in the UK (where the show have ended almost a year ago!). In here they have just aired week 5, so I do a effort to catch every episode (which isn’t practical cause I work late…)
Anyway, since I’m too tired now to code correctly, I’ll spend the next few minutes writing about the show so far.
First of all, it’s an EXCELLENT show. The fact that the teams not only have to race but the missions themselves involved in backpacking around the countries they visit, and force them to join local activities, is superb. It really makes each place special and highlight some of it’s unique features. The producing company also made an effort to try and bond each couple using missions like learning to give Thai-Massage and then massaging each other (a mission in Thailand). All in all there is beautiful scenery and a challenge both in racing and in getting along with your partner.
Now we come to the couples. First, to be honest, I’ll have to tell you who I like and who I don’t. Well, so far (only seen until week 5, remember) Jo and Dominic are my favorite couple. She’s absolutely adorable, and he seems like a merry fellow, also. Together, this team doesn’t win every week, but they sure have fun and a tendency to travel with class. And as a backpacker myself (who didn’t have the extreme limitations the show poses) I know to value backpackers with class. If only Dominic wasn’t gay, I think it could have been a beginning of a good relationship. On the other hand, maybe the fact that there is no sexual tension between the two is what makes them enjoy more and fight less among themselves (like other couples). Another great thing about them is that they support others too, and try to win fairly. So to sum it up - Jo and Dom are absolutely my favorites.
The person I dislike the most is Jo Simpson. When she was with Marcus, I kinda had mercy on her cause the guy was a dick. But turns out she’s a witch herself! She’s over-competitive and she’s doing almost everything she can to sabotage other teams instead of winning fairly. And that guy, Andy, that she just got in replacement of Marcus, makes an impression of a nasty type either. This is the couple I really dislike, cause they’re playing dirty. And Jo Simpson really have a tendency to walk around a little bossy, like a strict teacher or such. Ho well. I’ve got an X marked all over them for now.
About Amanda and Naill now. Well, I hoped they would become a couple. They sure look like a nice couple. But the truth is that they are just not getting along too good. Amanda does have her times acting a little childish, and Naill is regularly get into this “closed” mood, and it’s pity cause they are not working as a team many times which is why they keep coming 2nd and 3rd. I haven’t seen past week 5, again, so I hope things are getting better.
Kelli and Gareth. Well. So far I don’t have anything to say about them beside that Gareth keeps getting pissed off of Kelli and distance himself, and she keeps trying to sort things out by getting TOO close. Ho well, I need to see more to make my mind about this couple.
The show made me think how would I behave in such a race. I’ve backpacked considerably - almost 4 months in Scandinavia, and about 1 and a half in Ireland (I’m not including 10 days in Prague and the time I spent in Amsterdam - these were extremely enjoyable but would not count as “on the road”). But still, I either was alone or with fellow backpacker which have joined me for a specific part of the route. I’m trying to think what would have happened if we had to go on extremely low budget ($40 a week!) spend 13 weeks 24/7 together and RACE on top of everything. This could be really stressful. Now add a partner which you’re not sure you can get along with for long and which you didn’t choose - and you’ve got a recipe for troubles. I once had a 4 days trip with an American girl, in Northern Ireland. She was after a disappointing romantic relationship with a local boy and she was a real headache. I was trying to be nice the whole trip but she was just ranting all the time. She looked good, but was so cold I didn’t even thought about her as a romantic option. We hardly even talked cause she kept on ranting about everything. I consider myself a fairly easy to get along with, and I’m getting along fine with many people. But 13 weeks, under stress… Hmm… Don’t know. Sounds interesting to find out!!
Hey!! Where to I sign for the next show!?
(I wonder if they pick Israelis as well… The tests they do for the wannabes are in a military-style pressure. As someone who served in the army already (and still does a month a year) I don’t really think that will have any effect on me… But I’m willing to TRY!!)
Links
The Race website (itv2) - No longer Available!
Report from CSM - The College of Southern Maryland had the pleasure of assisting Amanda and Naill completing one of their missions. This is their report.
SGSS - The Post-Production & Sound composing company that worked on the show
Drama leads ITV1 autumn line-up - A BBC.co.uk post with information about new shows in the uk, including The Race.
Tony Lee Moral CV - Tony was AP & Director of The Race.
Kinetic Team - a theatre team which Amanda is listed as past Actor.
Photolinaker - A photography studio Amanda modeled for a little.
All these were collected using google. I couldn’t find any personal sites with thoughts about the show or about the people. Anyone know any?
The Teams
Kelli Nelson |
Gareth Taylor |
Jo Leach |
Dominic Webb |
Jo Simpson |
Andy |
Amanda Winslet |
Niall Boyle |
On Going Report
Well, as I see more episodes, I got more and more comments. Still, instead of doing a separated post for each I’ll post them all here. This will be a Mega-Page about the show… 
After watching week 6 (first week in Australia) I have these additional comments. First, Jo and Dominic continue to be my favorite couple, absolutely. Jo is just so damn sweet! I’m not sure if she’s always like that or does the ride with Dominic is less stressful for her (since there isn’t a sexual tension) then for the other girls. Amanda is really cute too, and I still think Niall should give her a chance. Talking about Niall, I just LOVE his Irish accent! (which isn’t much of a surprise for anyone who read about me or some of my other posts) I keep finding myself sitting in front of the TV and repeating out loud the things he says, trying to repeat his exact accent. Now am I a loony or what?
I’m starting to understand Gareth more and more. Kelli is just acting too much. I know what we see on TV is an edited 40 minutes of a whole week, so naturally, each team is getting less then 10 minutes and it’s not fair to judge people by this short amount of time - but she starts getting on my nerves as well! This couple gotta sort things out soon. Unless you work as a team you don’t stand a chance.
Amanda and Niall got this fantastic luck this time, finding Rob, the Australian millioner, which practically fixed them the winning. Sometime you just can’t believe how great are some people can be on this planet.
I won’t discuss Jo Simpson and Andy. They made some really excellent moves this time that showed they are quite innovative and smart people, but I still like them the least.
06.02.2003, Thursday.
I haven’t bothered to comment about Week 7, since it was quite boring (at least the edited episode, I’m sure the couples had lots of fun). However, I’ve just finished watching Week 8 (or LEG 8, as they call it) episode and I got A LOT to comment! Boy, that episode was FULL!!! I bet they left some cool stuff out cause they had a time restriction but the episode was one of the best they had so far!
First, I must say the task of learning and then performing ‘El Condor Pasa’ in the public was AWESOME! I laughed so hard at this part… These guys should get more public tasks like this one! Amanda and Niall preformed really good and Amanda was really beautiful with the dress and the hair… So was Jo, when she and Dominic had to perform. Dominic was really funny, doing some exaggerated bum movements in the middle of the dance, but Jo was… well.. REALLY fine… 
That girl got class, got to tell you. (I was surprised Amanda complimented her, she don’t usually say good things about Jo and Dom). Andy and Jo Simpson were a little pathetic, trying to copy the little kids dancing instead of practicing like the rest, but the kissing part made the dance a little better…
I will skip the Coy making. I’m not gentile, and I’m pretty meaty guy myself, but I don’t know how I would have felt watching a cute guinea pig and then having to cook it. To be frank, I know I would have done it if needed, but it’s still feels uncomfortable. REALLY uncomfortable.
The most charged issue was Amanda and Niall’s relationship. Actually, the two could make a nice married couple. She’s so upset he’s not sharing things, he feels something might be a little wrong, but he’s having fun so he doesn’t really care. Then it all explodes in a conversation full of tears, when each blames himself and try to support and comfort the other. Damn, it doesn’t get any more typical then this. What can I say. It was very sad to watch, and I felt really bad for Amanda. Niall should be more open with her and talk more, on one hand, yet, on the other hand, he might be just the quiet closed type - nothing wrong with that. It’s not like they became a couple on their own, they became a team by the producers, just like the others. However, they have the biggest potential to become a couple - and a REALLY sweet couple. I hope that starting next week, as a result from the conversation, things will change for the better.
Next. Jo Simpson and Andy. I’m starting to wonder if there is going to be a week these two are NOT going to piss me off. Those bloody bastards are just playing dirty, plain and simple. Jo Simpson telling Andy not to behave like a kid? Damn, she switched the signs on the doors of the local hostel from “open” to “close” just to deceive Jo and Dominic! I think the production house should have kicked them out already, like they did with Marcus. Jo Simpson is effortlessly earning the title Bitch. Really. Andy isn’t a sweet guy either, but at least he shows a hint of conscious in him. Jo Simpson doesn’t even have that! Man, I would love to see them suffering. I see Australia haven’t taught them a lesson.
Hmm.. I haven’t even mentioned Gareth and Kelli so far, have I ? No. This couple was so off the race, I don’t even know why they’ve bothered this week. They’re not working as a team at all. They don’t like each other (I’m getting more and more on Gareth side) and they that’s why they don’t succeed. Kelli really have a bad case of attention seeking. She’s cute and all but she’s not true. She’s acting. I can’t tell to what extent, since I’m not traveling with her, but she seems to have a lot of cases of acting in the wrong places instead of being true and speaking her real feelings. Gareth is just happen to be more blunt then I would have been. On second thought, if I had to be with her on a 24 hours/7 days bases for 13 weeks I would have freak out, too. (Seems the production crew knew that in advance, I just wonder why was Gareth the one chosen to suffer…)
All in all this has been an excellent episode. Jo and Dominic are still my favorite couple, closely followed by Amanda and Niall. Can’t wait to see the next episode. The Race Rulez!
15.02.2003, Saturday.
More thoughts on leg 9 and leg 10.
First, I want to say that the production crew made some bad planning for the 2 weeks on South America. In both logs only 1 team made it to the deadline, while all 3 others were disqualified for being late. I’m really support the multi-missions weeks but distances should have been shorter to allow a serious race, specially in a region where transportation is so problematic.
By the way, seems that if you search for “the race” itv2 on Google, this page comes up first, while the show’s own web site comes 2nd… I hope to see more fans of the show thanks to that.
Week 11 (leg 9) : There were 4 missions this week: Making a pot (traditional style), Playing football with locals, catching 6 fish/visiting a 100 years old villager (depending on route) and visit a Shaman to get a blessing. At least for this leg the missions were the center of attention, much more then the traveling or the relationships.
Niall and Amanda, as usual, chose to be unique and took the jungle route. All the rest took the coast one. Amanda and Niall seems to be correct with each other, nothing more. The couple that was the only hope of romanic relationship seems to be ok (at least Amanda isn’t ranting anymore) but I was kind of hoping for more… They had a really bad luck this week with the bus getting into mud (which is not something controllable, and I’m not sure if it’s that fair to disqualify them on this). However, they did managed 3 missions out of the 4. I don’t know why they dislike Jo and Dominic, since Jo and Dom REALLY support them more then the others. But I guess seeing the big picture is only something we TV spectators enjoy. While on the road you don’t really get to see it as a participant.
Talking about Jo and Dominic, I’m getting the feeling Dominic isn’t doing that much. Jo seems to be on top of everything and quite enjoying it. Dominic confessed on several occasions that he wouldn’t get as far as he got without Jo. Actually, Dom sometimes behave quite strongly (for me). He’s way to gentile when it comes to getting dirty (fishing, for example) and usually over-defensive. Still, I guess the fact that this couple had no romantic expectation towards each other resulted in no disappointments and more acceptance of the other for what they are. This made them avoid the relationship falls the other teams experienced. BTW, Jo just amazes me in the ability to get things for free and in getting people to make an exceptional effort to help her. It’s due to the fact that she’s female and looks very attractive, in addition to personal charm.
Andy and Jo Simpson had some bitter fights this week, which reflects their dominant personalities, Jo Simp. is just totally loosing it when she have to trust and relay on someone else, and Andy is the perfect person to travel with her cause he’s not afraid of going head to head with her. They fight intensely, but it seems that they’re also make up just as easily. Andy proves to be a great planner. He makes good schedules and they keep them pretty good (that’s why they were the only couple to complete all tasks and arrive in time to the check point, while all the other couples were late and disqualified). One of the best parts this week was the shaman that kept spitting on Jo and Andy during the ceremony…
Gareth and Kelli seems better with each other then ever before. Maybe if they’ll keep cooperating they’ll start WINNING some legs, too! When asked about “2 months without sex”, Kelli said she’s a nun. Gareth, on the other hand, was direct and (maybe too) honest - Masturbation. Seems the crew needed more action, and since nothing developed between any of the couples, they resorted to frontal questions that will make things more interesting.
Week 12 (leg 10) : They had 2 missions: To get on Mexico TV and to make Pinatas. Andy and Jo Simpson, efficient as ever, were quick to complete the task, clean and simple. I still don’t like this couple, and Jo simpson is a real pain in the a**, but they’re good. Really good. Andy proves to be very efficient and succeed to plan ahead and execute plans smoothly. He’s a little bastard, but he’s good, got to give him that.
Anyway, there were 4 things which were really cool this week.
Hotel rooms - 3 nights, 3 bloody nights, Jo Leach fixes Dominic and herself a night in a hotel for FREE! Damn it, not only these guys continue to travel in class, they also do it for FREE!. That Jo Leach must have more then just looks, she’s so full of charm, apparently, it’s almost unreal. Dominic won by getting her as a companion, that’s for sure.
Sucking a Kohiba - Andy and Jo simpson found an American couple that is willing to pay for their bus to Chihuahua City if Jo will smoke a whole Kohiba cigar in 30 minutes. She’s ruins her health but succeed. She also promise never to touch another cigarette. We’ll see how long it will last…
Jo Leach got no underwear! - Holy Moses!!! I can’t be sure of it, but when Jo and Dominic were filmed by that clown show on TV, Jo asked the “Captain” to sign on her hip, but since he wrote a whole letter there, the slowly peeled her trousers more and more… …and there were no underwear in sight! (just a lot of smooth skin…) I was speechless.
Street Show - Niall and Amanda found themselves penniless and with a brilliant idea, went to a bar and started telling the tourists about their adventures so far in the race. They have collected about 900 pesos (pizzas, as Amanda calls them) which were enough to take them to the next place. Now THAT’S resourcefulness! Good thinking and good performance! I gotta keep this idea in mind next time I’ll go traveling… (although I did got a lot of help from people when I asked. Both in Scandinavia and in Ireland!)
This week, as before, only 1 team reached the checkpoint in time, while all the other 3 teams were disqualified for being late. Jo and Dominic, my favorite couple, had won yet another leg.
27.02.2003, Friday.
I’ve lost the notes I made about the 2 episodes in the US, but I can tell you already that the episodes are getting better and better the closer we got to the ending of the show.
Leg 11 started at El Paso, Texas and the destination was San Francisco. The first task was to stop at Las Vegas, Dress as Elvis (girls) and Marilyn Monroe (guys) and perform. It was pretty funny, and I thought Gareth was the best Marilyn!! Hilarious! Dominic was a little pathetic, as it shows he lives for these moments. I don’t really like the parts when he gets these little “ego-trips”. Anyway, the real bummer was that the editor of the episode decided, quite stupidly!, to cut off all the performance parts! What the hell…!?
Anyway, all the couples had to witness a Las Vegas wedding. I thought the couple Kelli and Gareth joined (the small asian guy and the much taller blond) were really funny!! Boy, what kind of people you get to meet… Anyway, from Las Vegas they had to go to the Big Sur, and the Esalen Institute, where they had to go for a dip in the hot springs there, nude, and tell each other what they do and don’t like about the other. Andy and Jo Simpson were quite alright, Andy describing the adventure as “It’s like being married - No sex, we fight all the time and she keeps the money!”
By the way, is it only me or was Gareth the only one not censored? All the rest had gentile ’soften’ effect on the private parts that managed to “pop” out…
To sum this leg - Niall and Amanda still keep getting all the wrong decisions when it comes to choosing a route, and were disqualified yet again (4th time!!!) I found this episode a little boring and not as exciting as some of the previous ones. Things were slow and no solutions were in sight to the problems of any of the couples. The really strange thing was finding this sentence in the show’s website: “But romance was in the air for Kelli, who met a traveler called Jess.” - Was I sleeping in some parts of the show or did they forget to put this in the episode!?
Leg 12 was fantastic! The missions were cool, specially the ‘get drunk’ one! Seeing Amanda singing out loud “Show yer tits out for the lads!” on the street was really funny! Niall was so drunk on his diarycam he fell asleep while talking… Andy found some girls ready to show some bare skin on telly, and I was thinking “New Orleans… Gotta get there some day!”
Kelli and Gareth did well with Kelli getting truck drivers to get them EVERYWHERE. What some little female charm can do… They still don’t get along at all. I lost all hope to see them fix their problems anymore. Jo and Dom, AGAIN, manage to get a free flight! Damn, this couple rock.
This was one of the best episodes of the series for another thing - Jo Simpson and Andy got disqualified for not doing one of the missions (watching a training video instead of actually training themselves) Well, they had it coming… Anyway, I’m much less anti towards this couple now. Jo Simpson haven’t done any dirty tricks in a while, and Andy seems more and more like a nice guy with an excellent planning ability. They both (usually) work very hard to end up first, and they currently have the best winning rates so far (5 winnings).
Another moment was seeing Jo Leach crying. Damn it. When she said she really needs a hug I was sorry I wasn’t around her that time… (I was watching this episode with my flat mates and they all had a little laugh on my account that moment - seems I was making a sad face or something…)
Amanda and Niall are starting to enjoy for real now. Jo and Dom are still my fav. couple, but Amanda and Niall are close runner-ups.
02.03.2003, Saturday.
FINAL LEG!!!
They made the last leg totally different. Instead of a 5 days, the couples are getting 24 hours. In addition, they don’t get all instructions up ahead, only instructions where to get the next instructions. They only had one “real” mission, which was to make a 5 min. speech about the race, each.
The special quote of the episode goes to Gareth : “Fuck’n british drivers are crap!” (after wasting a half a night getting rejections for a lift from drivers)
Jo and Dom were really “sticky” near the end, apologizing to each other and stuff. Yuck.
This was a REALLY close race, and the most thrilling! And guess who won???
JO Leach and DOMINIC!!
Just to show you being a good sport and good people DOES pay up in the long run! They got 24,000 Pounds each, which a considerable sum. I’m really happy they won, though I’m a little sorry for Niall and Amanda, who really were close to winning this time.
Some pics from this leg (taken from the official site images directory)
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Special Episode: Back at Home
Making this 16th episode was a brilliant idea. Filming the people back at their homes at the first 24 hours after the race, and then again after 2 weeks. Here are MY remarks:
Everybody seems to release some steam off at the first 24 hours without the partner. Well, reasonable after spending 24/7 with someone… (I would have probably freak out).
Dominic’s father is really acting the same when it comes to manners and being a little posh… He really support Dom which is really nice to see.
Kelli’s family managed to outrage me. Was Gareth supposed to “look after” her or “take care” of her!? What is this, the 19th century?! Is Kelli so gentle she can’t take care of herself!? Man, I see why she was so problematic, it’s not her fault - her whole family behaves like they’re some royal family or something. I have to say Gareth’s mother was right, and said it in gentle words - Kelli might be a really nice girl in her own circle, but Gareth and her are from totally different worlds. I don’t say Gareth was an angel, and he did patronized her most of the trip, but boy, she was IRRITATING!
Niall seems to be needing a strong woman in his life. It hasn’t been 24 hours and he already misses Amanda “bossing” him… Amanda seems to have him on her mind too, but she’s quite happy not to wake up with 8 “shit” on the morning, and not sharing a bed and a bathroom with anyone.
Jo Leach is going back to an empty apartment. It’s so sad… A really nice flat, but no people in it… Come to think of it, beside the part that she cried in leg 12, I hardly seen any DiaryCam of her. She didn’t really open up on to the camera, she was always polite and cute. Always.
Dominic, however, do the best thing possible on the morning after - He sleeps!! And no noisy cameraman will wake him up! I would do exactly the same thing - sleep the whole day!
— 2 weeks after
They all get to see the episodes at home before they react.
Niall and Amanda: Niall needed some time to have all the experience “sink” and he really appreciates everything. Amanda is much more realistic, seems she’s aware that some of the bad feelings she had during the beginning of the race weren’t all Niall’s faults. Niall is totally right in saying she was more interested he’ll go to her side instead of meeting in the middle. Seems to me Amanda couldn’t had fun on the trip while she expected to be cared of and that the fun will “come to her” on it’s own. Lucky for her, she grew out of it and enjoyed the end of the race really good. (Unlike kelli, for example)
The really cool part was when Niall and Amanda had a date. Amanda dressed up and all and looked… WOW! However, from the way the “date” went, I had a feeling Niall was interested, but she was disappointed for some reason.
Kelli and her family pissed me off again. What aristocrats! Kelli’s sister seems even worse the she is. What’s all this bullshit about “looking after” kelli and “safer under gareth protection”!? Damn it, there were PARTNERS, not a Lady and her servant knight! What a pack of crap!
Gareth had his own shit of course (smirking was the highlighted feature, but he also had a nasty habit of talking to kelli like she’s a little girl) (which is a harder case of patronizing). But it came no near Kelli’s behavior. Really.
Jo Leach looks even better when not on the road, and I would really enjoy meeting her. Amanda appears to be a great person also - got the looks AND being a little spicy… Both Andy and Jo L. left they jobs and consider a new path to life.
Well, that all folks. The show is over - and it was GREAT!
I’m now recording the reruns, if anyone missed an episode.
55 Comments so far
Leave a reply
Do you know why Marcus was kicked off?????
Like your site.
Bev
Marcus was kicked off cause he was too nasty on one of the first weeks - He tried to convince the conductor on the train that another couple (I think Jo and Dominic) has stolen the IDs of his friends and should be arrested and get off the train, and when that didn’t work, he waited until they fell asleep and tried to tie their backpacks to the shelves, to stall them while he and Jo Simpson will run to catch a taxi, thus gaining a time advantage.
The production crew felt this was way out of line and kicked him out.
By the way, starting week 8, the production crew presented a new rule that will apply for the rest of the race - "The teams could not consult anyone along the way with whom they had had any previous contact." I was quite happy to hear this, as it turned to be a little dirty and unfair when teams start to put sticks in others’ wheels.
11pm tonight can’t wait!
From anothre addicted race fan in Tel Aviv
Hey, if you watch the show as well, drop a note here! I was wondering if I’m the only one…
Im a big fan too, and this is a great site.
Im a big fan too.
and i love your site.
this is a great site, but does anybody have a clue whether there are similar "Race"-related sites on the web?
i just saw the last leg, it was so great!!! i cant wait to the next episod and i am sorry it will be the last.
adi
let’s hope that now when it’s over, ( it was a great show -one last episode left.. ) something does happen between Niall and Amanda! ( she is cute.. )
i love the show too. will there be another cast for a new race?? is there a web sight with info about the cast?? Nial rocks!!
hi u all,
3 things:
1. we enjoied th eshow and think that the best team won. long lives dominic……..
2. are u sure that this is the reason marcus was kicked off? where did u get the info?
3. while we were searching for the web sight we found another progarm which looks almost the same. check it out and let us know if u saw it,
it is in the cbs websight undewr the name "race".
will there be a sequal?
d & g signing off from israel.
Just to get everyone updated, the show was produced in July - Dec 2001.
Aren’t we, Israelis, gets the shows while they’re hot…
It was a BRILLIANT show. I’m so glad Jo & Dom won, I’m so sad the show is over. Given the chance, I’d love to be teamed up with Amanda - of the four girls, her’s is the optimal combination of looks and charm.
I’d love for any of you out there who wants to share his views and comments about "The Race" to contact me.
hi, i thought this show was really briliant… It’s funny it has such a small circle of fans (or croud).. i was quite disappointed that the winners that take the cash are the ones winning the last lag -cos it’s not fair for jo s. and andy who’ve won MORE lags - so i think they should have gotten some money too…
I am looking for fans sites and haven’t found anything… the contestants don’t even have homepages which is quite strange according to the fact that "survivor"/"big brother" contestants do, so…
anyways - who was your favorite person on the show? Mine were Jo s., Andy and Kelli (yes she writes it with an I)…
Who would i sleep with - definetely KELLI!
Who should have won? Jo S. and andy!
who should die? Gareth!
who should be married first? - Niall - because he needs some girl cos he is so stupid himself…
write ur opinions too.
udi, hadera
really amazing show
i really hope they have a 2nd one.
to go in the post style above me:
sleep- Amanda, though kelly is quite pretty and Jo (winslet) seems
,welpz ,lets just say Energetic ;p
winners- amanda and niel.
die? none , they were all great.
gareth and kelly had alot of probs only cauz they are both quite immature.
Married? i got no idea.
though Niel does need some good woman to get some sence into him.
x, Raanana
Some answers and comments:
1. D & G - Yes, there is a somewhat similar proram on CBS which is called "the Amazing Race" and is now in it’s 4th sequel. This show predates "The Race" so it probably what inspired the show int he first place. However, the American show it tailored to the american taste that favores individualism and winner/loser concept.
The game is more close to "treasure hunt", and it starts with 11 teams. However, the couples have to apply for the show AS COUPLES ALREADY. In addition, they try to have much more diversity. The couples in the american show are father and son, a married couple, 2 brothers, 2 friends (2 guys or 2 girls - doeasn’t matter).
However, at the end of each route the team that came last is sent home - until only 1 couple left, which then wins 1 million dollars.
In addtion, as this show is a spin off of "Survivor", most physical missions are oriented towards the extreme sports kind.
2. Before they kicked Marcus they explained the decision on the episode. His attempt to tie Jo and Dom’s backpacks to the shelves in order to gain time advantage was what caused the decision.
3. I’m waiting a responce from person who was associate producer on The Race, but seems no sequel was actually made.
4. Udi: !? You seems to like exactly the ones I like the least…
I can understand Andy, but can you explain why you like Jo Simpson and Kelli the most??
Well Jo S., she was really really funny - and her interactions with Andy made her so likeable..
Besides - she is such a city-girl and i love thesekind of girls..
about kelly - she is such a girl i’d like to cuddle with! she is so cute and i love her!! She is a bit immature, but really funny..
Jo L - is a snob and also quite a boring person i think, also Amanda is so troubled abd "Metusbechet" - so i don’t like both of them.
about the boys - Dom is such a little snob- and he also betrayed Jo L. quite a few times making her feel non-comfortable. Niall is dumb! Gareth - although his quite impressive physical measurement (seen in the hot tub scene) - is such a jerk - so i think kelly should have thrown him from the sydney bridge while she could! Andy is generally a nice lad that i would like to have as a good friend so that’s why i like him!
anyways - these r my thought only - don’t spam me!!!
yours, udi
As a boy, I’d most like to be teamed up with Amanda. I thought I liked Jo L. better, but not anymore. Jo L. is too… too PERFECT. She’s pretty, has a great shape and a comfortable personality. But she seems rather boring when you think about it. Kelli’s pretty but too girly. Jo S. is unbearable. Amanda has the best combination of looks and charm - she made me luagh so many times!
Of the boys, the perfect boy would have Gareth’s looks, Dom’s charm and Andy’s sense of humour. Niall seems like a good lad, but nothing remarkable. If I dislike him for anything it’s for letting Amanda down…
Udi asked me if I know any other "the race" fan sites.
Well, I don’t. Apperantly, from talks I had with friends living in the UK, most people there had never seen or heard of the show and not that much even have ITV2 at home… I’m not aware of ANYONE else that had posted a page on the show. And I’ve looked a lot!
In addtion, after swapping emails with the guys (actually, the girls) at First circle Films, I was disappointed to learn that there were no sequels created to "The Race".
I have downloaded several "the Amazing Race" episodes (by CBS), which is the original TV show that probably spawned the uk version, only to find out that the american original version is REALLY LOUSY! A totaly shitty version. Maybe it’s just too American flavour, but I found it really unbearable. It was even more boring then "Survivor" (and very very similar)
August 2003
There seems to be a sudden rise of interest in this page the past few days. Anyone care to explain? What there a rerun in the UK or the states of the show?
This page still get about 150 views every day, all seems to come from Google.com or google.co.uk
Anyone care to leave a message if the show have a rerun or something?
Hello Malta!
Apperantly "The Race" is currently being aired in Malta, so all of you from Malta, WELCOME!
Feel free to leave comments as well. Don’t be shy!
Hi,
The Race is being aired on Club Channel these days.
I think the main idea of the show is great, but should’ve been polished a bit. (Maybe an upcoming sequel? Maybe in a different country… ;))
nope
Hi nope!
There isn’t going to be a sequel, according to the guys at First circle Films (I’ve contacted them few months ago on this matter).
I’m currently trying to produce a somewhat similar show (well, it’s not the same format and it’s not the exact concept) for the israeli TV. I hope things will work out…
Anyway, it would be nice to hear your (and others!) views on the participants and the show!
Hi civax,
I’ve seen just a couple of parts, and I always miss the beginning, but my opinion is, that it would’ve been better, if they have had more tasks to do, and there is a better explanation of the rules of winning. (If such a great journey is not a big prize… ;-))
In Hungary a quite similar show just began: some celebrities travelling around exotic countries with backpacks.
I hope your show will be just that fun like The Race is!
nope
Just saw the last episode (here in Bulgaria on Club Channel). Well the best team won( Jo Leach Rocks !!!Just imagine producers teamed her with Andy - they would be the perfect couple to race around the world!). Still i feel a bit sad about Nail and Amanda.
Anyway cannot believe there’s no sequel - the whole concept is brilliant - this show is totally different from other "realTV" shows - "Big Brother" "Survivor" etc. It’s a pitty.
P.S. Your site is simply Great !!! Thanx
Hello! I’ve watched "The Race" on Club Channel(I’m living in Poland). First time i’ve sometimes watch race. But when channel started repeat The Race, i’m watch every episode. But today i’ve read in newspaper that Club Channel will don’t play Race. I’m still want to cry. It wasn’t a last episode! It was only 8 episode!! I’want to see all the episodes…By the way! My fav cuple is NIALL and AMANDA, next I like JO and DOMINIC. I don’t like JO and ANDY. I think that "Race" was really, really interesting and I want to watch all episodes…It’s a pity that the official "THe RAce" site isn’t working…I think that "The RAce" should have a sequel!
That’s all what I want to say. I’m really happy that i found this site! It’s great!!
P.S.I know that I’m doing a great mistakes in my english…SOrry!
I understand there’s a similar american program which suppose to be good (even though it is american!) and it’s called "The amazing Race". It’s aired on the Israeli Satelite "Yes" and has a large crowd of fans..
Hi udi. Yea, as I wrote here before The The Amazing Race 1 predates The Race. The Amazing Race has completed it’s 4th season and they are currently picking up people for the 5th season. You can watch it, here in Israel, on Yes, or download episodes off the net (Kazaa n’ the rest).
As a side note - Channel 8 (israel) has started a rerun of The Race (this time I’m recording all of it). They have an episode almost every evening!
(since the show doesn’t have an official site anymore I presume I’ll start seeing people coming to this page more often…)
yup.
That’s exactly why I am here…
Searched the net for hours just to find out that the site was taken down…
Anyway, it’s a great show, TAR (The amazing Race) is also great by the way..
Hi Tal, and shalom to the 32 other people reached here from google the past 24 hours…
I hope this page doesn’t spoil the fun for anyone that watchs the show for the first time.
However, I’ll be very happy to hear comments about the show since we’re currently writing a similar show for Israeli TV (probably channel 2). It’s not going to be exactly like The Race, we have a different format. However, I hope to grab the same backpacking spirit (something The Amazing Race lakes).
So, any comments about what you liked what you didn’t and what you thought about each episode would be very welcome!
hello
what do this mean is there any idea to made a similar show in israel?
please let me know
eli
Can’t say anything yet. If it will get a ‘go’ to production you’ll all know.
Anyway, feel free to post comments about what you like and dislike in The Race. I can influence on the shape of things.
first thank you for apply
i dont know what its gone to be
also if you can tell me f its gone to be like the original all over the globe?
or if its gone to be in pairs as it was?
let me know and i promise to give you an ideas
eli
Correction:
On my second comment in this page, answering Bev’s question about why was Marcus kicked out of the show, I made a mistake.
I thought he was kicked cause of the behavior he presented on Leg 3, but after watching the episode again, I realized it was not so.
Apperantly he lied about something to the production crew, regarding something they all had to answer. I don’t know what it was, but I can think of several possible issues (such as health problems or stuff like that).
I’ll try to send an email to Tony Lee Moral and ask, though with all the recent documentaries he’s been doing I don’t know if he remembers The Race at all…
Hi,
Was just going to ask you if you knew why Marcus got thrown out…and I see above that you don’t. We thought that it might be that he took money with him!! I’d sure like to know! They just sort of glossed over it.
Great site by the way.
Susan - I’ve emailed Tony (which you can usually see in The Race as the guy waiting for the couples at the end of each week) with the question. I’ll post the answer once I’ll get it.
hello
i wonder what’s happen with all participat in the race(jo andi nail atc’)
if any one know please let us know
second if any one know if i can get avideo of the race i will thank him
Well, in the last episode they pretty much tells you what each is about to do, but I’m not going to ruin it for you, just wait and watch.
The only one from the show I had (an email) contact with the past months is Amanda. We haven’t really discussed personal issues, but I understood that she models and work as an actor in different projects in the UK. I don’t know about the others, though. Haven’t tryed to contact them.
thank you for your comment
but if you in contact with the production you can advice tham to made another episode let call it
"the race-after a year"
ther any one of them can tell what happens in the last year
Thanks - look forward to hearing from you when and if he responds. I don’t know it is so intriguing to find out why Marcus was thrown out…I think it is just the fact that they didn’t say why!!!!!!!
Thanks, I loved your comments, and I feel the same about the couples. Dominic is my favorite.
hello
is any one had any email of one of the race participet?
i will thank him
eli
kocham Dominica!!!!!!!!!!! I love Dominic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
kocham Cie Dominic I love you i see you in club channel, because i don’t have itv2 i live in Poland and itv isn’t in polish tv . I love you
Hi,
I met both Jo and Dominic during filming of the show while on a stop over in Istanbul, Turkey and again when they got to Sydney Australia.
I would love to get a copy of the shows on video if possible and would appreciate it if anyone can let me know if they have a copy they are willing to share.
Please email me on tintin_101@hotmail.com
Eacham
jo i dominic chyba wygrali nie wiem z resztą a Eacham sprawdz e-mail!!!
Kasia Polska you must be insane!
it was such a great show! i was crying watching them winning cos i knew that was the last lag
i miss it..
co ???????????? ty mówisz po polsku??? do you speak polish?? little?? pliss sey something…
what’s your name?
jak masz na imie?
mowie po polsku, mam na imie Aga..skad jestes?
jestem z wroclawia Aga :))) a ty???
jestem z wroclawia Aga :))) a ty???
z Gdanska , masz maila?
Hi everyone, It’s Dominic. Well, it’s really interesting to read all the different comments. It seems a lifetime away, my journey round the world. Reading all your reminising, well, I just had to answer. Firstly, the one big question all of your lips. Why was Marcus thrown off the race? Here goes: his Criminal Record came back to haunt him, and the producers of the show had no choice but to send him packing. He had been a very dangerous man in his past. So, now you know.
Eacham, it was good meeting you and sharing precious time together. For all those wondering, yes, we did have a brief affair.
Well, thank you all so much for writing, and hope to one day meet you all.
Love Dominic x x x
Hi I know it’s years after the fact but I was today doing a search on google for the US show ‘The Amazing Race’ to see if I could somehow get all the episodes on the web as my cable TV station here seems to show them for a while, any old time of the day on different days and then stops before the end etc., also only stubled on them from Series 4 (I think it was S4) - I’m one of these people who likes to see all of something.
Anyway I noticed this site and remember ‘The Race’ on ITV2 from way back when it was aired here in UK - and loved it. I used to record it because my work hours clashed but alas half way through the series I moved into my own council flat and was not allowed to put up a dish and back then ITV2 was only available on cable or satelite etc. so alas I only ever got to see to about episode 9 or 10.
Maybe one day all these old TV shows will be archieved and we will be abble to download them on the net or get them via new tv on demand services that come about so we can watch anything at our lesiure… as I sure would love to see this whole series again especially all the end episodes I missed first time around.
However I’d also like to see all the US ‘The Amazing Race’ series too. So if any one has any clue how to achieve this please post or contact me somehow. I’m really not ofey with the net and downloading and worry about viruses and leagality issues.
Finally I wish I knew how the English version (& US for that matter) recruited for the series as I myself would love to do something like this to learn about my character and see the world as alas I have not traveled much and by my countries standards am trapped as my costs (rent etc.) mean all I do is live to work and thus struggle and cant save much or go back-packing as my out goings back home are just to great to support while at the same time not work as well as be on the road.
However by world standards I don’t complain as I am in rich western country so can eat, live and have good life…. just I dream of traveling - and like rufing it…. think you appreciate more and meet more real people.
So where the hell do these tv companies advertise or get people to apply as I wish to… now I bet the US series is only open to US residents… which sucks! Be nice if they or someone would come up with an international one… I myself would love to be paired with a Dutch person (as they are so good at languages - besides if it was a Dutch girl the accent they have is so sexy when they speak English)