The Amazing Race TV show is another in a long line of reality TV shows that dominate network television programming. The premise is common. You drop a bunch of people in unfamiliar surroundings with an elimination challenge each week leading to the awarding of a large cash prize at the end. Then you sit back and watch to see how ruthless and back stabbing they can become in route to riches and most probably eternal damnation; and, of course, each week, mayhem ensues. The idea that you can place people in totally ludicrous situations with completely disproportionate rewards at the end and call it a reality show is about as silly as television can get. So then, how come so many of these shows like the Amazing Race TV show make it to air? Not only do they make it to air, but they dominate the ratings. One of the reasons is the cost of production. The costly item is the prize at the end or perhaps the hosts wages. The filming is very low quality with paparazzi feel requiring no artistry. The writing is almost nonexistent, but, truth be told, there is a lot more scripting and scene setting than the makers of the show want to admit or the viewing public realizes.
Shows like the Amazing Race TV show do bring out some of the best characters and worst character traits in the range of human behavior we can see. Is it a real question we need answered weekly as to how devious and underhanded can an individual act? Apparently, the world wants to know because the only problem producers face is finding a new location that will allow the participants to do the same thing they do every season: back stab and betray their way to the top. Each week it is like slowing down to watch an emotional auto accident. You know you shouldnt be this interested in other human beings suffering, but you just cant help it. At least we have the solace of knowing all of the sufferers signed release forms and want us to watch their depravity. The Amazing Race TV show doe allow people to display urban survival skills that could come in handy if life ever becomes a mad, mad, mad, mad world. The other thing that shows like the Amazing Race TV show is how much TV is lacking in terms of solid dramatic and comedic content. There is a definite shortage of great new ideas and a reluctance of producers to take chances on new ideas. With so much money at risk, producers want a formula that is already working. This leads to repetition and stagnation. You are much more likely to get the same formula repeated over and over with only the setting changing rather than having to develop new ideas and then have the courage to produce them. The Amazing Race TV show does give us some good entertainment value, but not much hope for the future of mankind.
Discover more facts and trivia by visiting Rick's Amazing Race TV Show Page or talk about the show with others at Rick's Amazing Race Forum.
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