'The Amazing Race' Season 33: Here are the 15 rules contestants need to follow
The newest season of ‘The Amazing Race’ is just around the corner and fans cannot wait for the teams to travel the world in order to win the grand prize. The reality TV show sees 11 teams literally travel around the world and perform tasks to win the show. Teams are progressively eliminated at the end of most legs, while the first team to arrive at the end of the final leg wins the grand prize.
The series is being hosted by Phil Keoghan since the first season and he has been an integral part of the show as he is not just the host, he is also one of the producers on the show. As ‘The Amazing Race’ is a reality show, so there are some rules that are needed to be followed by the contestants.
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Some can be really harsh, but they are necessary as they make the game even more interesting. So, let’s take a look at the 15 rules that the contestants of ‘The Amazing Race’ need to follow.
Rules ‘The Amazing Race’ contestants need to follow
1) Teams needs to meet age requirements
The contestants need to be 21 or above to be even considered for the show. Although the process of the applications getting considered is slow, if you are not 21 by the start of the show, then you won’t be considered for the competition.
2) Teams should have a ‘relatable’ relationship
Well, no random two people can form a team and enter the show. All teams should have people who are actually related to each other. Mother-daughter, husband-wife, husband-husband, wife-wife, brother-sister, these are the relationships that could form a team. Being best friends doesn’t count.
3) Submitting audition tapes isn’t required anymore
When the show began, people had to send audition tapes in order to be a part of the show. However, in recent years, the producers have actually given this task to scouting managers so that more and more interesting people could become a part of the show.
4) Teams aren’t allowed to tell anyone they are going on the show
Yes, you heard it right. If you and your partner are selected for the show, no one can know that you are going there. Only parents or a spouse are allowed to know that a person is going to be a part of the competition. There is a non-disclosure agreement involved as well, if broken, that could result in a $10 million lawsuit.
5) Contestants carry the crew’s equipment before filming starts
Now, this is actually interesting because we see the filming crew beside the teams across the globe. However, it is the contestants who carry the equipment before the show starts. The revelation was made by one of the previous contestants on the show.
6) Teams are not allowed to bring their own money
If you are wondering how these teams manage to travel the world throughout the course of the show, then you need to realize that they don’t do it with their own expenses. The production gives each team a sum of money at the start of each leg to cover all the expenses.
7) Cameras are not allowed
Even if you are a celebrity entering the show, your phone will be taken away as soon as they spot you with it. Contestants are not allowed to have camera phones so that nothing gets leaked on the internet.
8) No reservations can be made in advance
From the moment I saw watching the show, I thought that all the flights and everything else would have been booked like months back because of the shooting schedule. However, that’s not the case, the flight bookings are actually done just 3-4 days before the shooting begins.
9) Teams book tickets for crew members
Two camera operators are given to each team and they travel with them everywhere. So, when the team makes their reservations, they have to make reservations for the crew members as well. This means they would have to make reservations for themselves and two camera operators.
If a team is unable to secure four flight tickets, then that team won’t be allowed to fly.
10) No interaction with real-life friends
Even though there will be 11 teams on the show and you’ll make connections with them, but if you are missing your real-life friends during the show and want to talk to them, then we have some bad news for you. Teams are not allowed to contact real-life friends till they are a part of the show.
They can only talk to people they have met during the competition.
11) Teammates can’t be 20 feet apart
Once the competition starts and the race has begun, you and your teammate can’t separate from one another. But, when the shooting starts, teammates aren’t allowed to stray more than 20 feet apart.
12) You can’t run or walk while reading a clue
Now, this is one rule that seems to be most challenging. During the course of the race, teams get a lot of clues and that’s how they get to the destination. While reading a clue, teams cannot take the liberty of walking or running. Yes, you heard it right. Teams need to read the clues while standing still or else the camera won’t be able to capture it.
13) No communication with families
The contestants are not allowed to contact their families during the show. The rule has been introduced so that nothing gets out. However, even if you have been eliminated from the show, you are not allowed to talk to your family before the show ends.
14) Few pit stops are necessary
Contestants have to go through a grueling schedule. However, they are allowed to take a few pit stops to rejuvenate themselves. The duration of these pit stops is determined by how much rest the crew needs.
15) Eliminated teams can’t go home until the end of the show
Once you are on board and you have signed the contract, they would have to commit to the full 21-day shooting period. Even if you are the first team to get eliminated from the show, you have to stay at an undisclosed location. Teams are given an amount of money so that they can live without any tension in that place.