One of my favorite TV shows is The Amazing Race, the round-the-world reality show on CBS. I've watched since Season 1, Episode 1, which aired 10 years ago in 2001, right before 9/11. Since that time, there have been 18 seasons of the Race here in the U.S., as well as internationally-licensed editions, including 4 versions from Asia, 3 from Latin America, and 1 each from Brazil, Israel, China, and Australia.
The Amazing Race 2 on DVD
Reality shows traditionally don't lend themselves well to reruns since you know the outcome. However, I would argue the travelogue aspect of The Amazing Race actually helps in this sense, while knowing the outcome removes stress from the watching experience.
Over the past few years I've been working my way through rewatching every season of TAR, including the foreign editions. This is usually accomplished by watching downloaded versions of the show found on the 'net or pulling out VHS recordings, as to date there have only been two seasons officially released on DVD (Season 1 and Season 7, both issued in 2005).
First season of The Amazing Race on DVD
Season 1 is a fun watch because it documents the series origins, featuring contestants that didn't quite know how to play the game yet. Season 7 was a breakout season that featured the stunt casting of Survivor's Rob & Amber, but it also produced some of the highest ratings and helped the show win an Emmy.
Note the 4 thin-pack cases on Season 1
With the DVD market collapsing these days, one wondered if we would ever see another release of the Race, as the audience for such a product has to be quite niche. That was answered in January with the release of the second season of the show on DVD.
Season 7 also available on DVD
Unlike the previous two DVD releases, the Season 2 version is an on-demand product, created by Amazon.com's CreateSpace program that has been successfully been cranking out older seasons of Survivor as well. This seems like a good solution to the DVD problem.
More compact packaging: Just 2 thin-packs for Season 7
I recently ordered this DVD release, which is only available via Amazon. The pricepoint is a bit high for what you get, which is 5 discs with no special features. The previous Season 1 and 7 releases had some great value-added bonus features, which made rewatching the show more fun. This Season 2 release has none of that, even forgoing subtitles or alternate language tracks.
Season 2 comes in 2 full-size DVD cases
The packaging is also quite different. Season 1 featured thin-pack cases packaged in a cardboard slipcase. Season 7 maximized space further with double-thin-pack cases and a smaller slipcase. This Season 2 release comes packaged in 2 standard-size DVD cases, with 3 discs in the first and 2 in the second. No slipcase here. It's somewhat of a downgrade in packaging.
Season 2 DVDs sit in the case
But what about the whole purpose of the release itself… the episodes? Well, on that front, this release does not disappoint. Season 2 was rather groundbreaking in the history of the show. It was the first season shot post-9/11. It also featured the introduction of standardized clue boxes and a new color scheme (red/yellow). Phil Keoghan also started the tradition of greeting every team on the mat as they arrived at the Pit Stop (in Season 1, he only greeted the last place team). There are Fast Forwards on every leg. Unlike what we've seen probably in the last 8-10 seasons of the Race, there's actually great competition, clues that require thinking, and some well-constructed route planning. If you are a fan of TAR in any capacity, this is a key season to watch. Order it from Amazon today!
While the DVD release itself is lacking, it's great to have a high-quality release of this season. It's been very enjoyable to view and I'm glad I picked it up.
Now where are the other seasons?
