One of the more interesting reality shows, The Amazing Race broke precedent by going international, compiling scenes of contestants circling the globe rather than playing silly games in sterile, confined settings. The winner of two Emmy Awards for Best Reality Program, this innovative show pits 22 competitors—11 couples, actually—against each other in a series of incredible challenges calling for extraordinary strength, endurance, and ingenuity, as the teams race from nation to nation using all kinds of transportation, including animals on occasion. Over the course of the 13 episodes from 2001's first season collected here, viewers will see contestants pushed to their limits (some come perilously close to cracking) in a contest that is exceptionally suspenseful (at least by reality-show standards), especially when the competition narrows to the last few couples. DVD extras include 90 minutes of unaired additional scenes, four audio commentaries, and a trio of featurettes. Let's face it, most reality shows aren't worth the plastic used for the DVDs on which they're pressed, but The Amazing Race is a definite exception. Highly recommended. (E. Hulse)
The Amazing Race: The First Season
Paramount, 4 discs, 769 min., not rated, DVD: $38.99 Volume 20, Issue 6
The Amazing Race: The First Season
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