“The Amazing Race” Review: Still Amazing…

A few years ago, I was a huge “The Amazing Race” fan. I even went to a friend’s house for a viewing part once.

But I haven’t seen a single episode of “Race” in several cycles. And after watching this season’s premiere, I honestly can’t tell you why…

I also can’t tell you why Heidi Klum received an Emmy nomination instead of Phil Keoghan, but that’s another story…

This season is once again filled with an eclectic mix of friends, relatives, couples and ex-couples that make things so interesting…

Terence and Sarah are newly dating. And all “Race” fans know that means trouble…for them, but fun for us. Sarah proves that in the premiere when she throws a fit after a team doesn’t answer her when she speaks to them (?!)…

Marisa and Brooke are the token “dumb blondes.” The show refers to them as “Southern Belles”…

Andrew and Dan are fraternity brothers. But if you ask me, they’re trying a little too hard to live up to their title…

Aja and Ty are dating long distance and are hoping the race will allow them to get closer by spending more time together. Uh-huh. Trouble…

Mark and Bill are comic book geeks. Don’t laugh. That may give them more of an edge than you think…

Toni and Dallas are mother and son looking to improve their relationship. Tissue alert!…

Nick and Starr are brother and sister and that’s all I’m going to say about that…

Anita and Arthur are the token older couple. The show refers to them as “married beekeepers”…

Kelly and Christy are best friends and newly divorced…

Ken and Tina are newly separated after Ken, an ex-NFL player, cheated on her. They’re looking to see whether they can put their marriage back together. Oh yeah. No drama there…

Anthony and Stephanie are dating again after a year-long breakup. Anthony says he will propose to Stephanie if they make it through the race. We’ll just see about that one, now won’t we?...

This year’s race starts in Los Angeles, but in the blink of an eye, the teams are off to Brazil and mishaps with lost taxi drivers, secret alliances and crazy detours…

“Race” is really the only reality show that actually gets your adrenaline pumping as you watch the teams race each other. And then there’s the “Race” trademark—the frantically edited ending to each episode that keeps you guessing until the very last second who will be eliminated.

It’s really no wonder that “Race” has won the Outstanding Reality-Competition Series Emmy every year of its existence.

After all, it truly is amazing…

“The Amazing Race” premieres Sunday, September 28th at 8 p.m. on CBS…

Photo Credit: Monty Brinton/CBS