The Amazing Race 18

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Contents

The Amazing Race 18
Season 18
Amazing Race Eighteenth Season Unfinished Business Region 1 DVD.png
Region 1 DVD cover
Presented by Phil Keoghan
No. of teams11
WinnerLaKisha "Kisha" & Jennifer "Jen" Hoffman
No. of legs12
Distance traveled40,000 mi (64,000 km)
No. of episodes11
Release
Original network CBS
Original releaseFebruary 20 (2011-02-20) 
May 8, 2011 (2011-05-08)
Additional information
Filming datesNovember 20 (2010-11-20) 
December 12, 2010 (2010-12-12) [1]
Season chronology
 Previous
Season 17
Next 
Season 19
List of episodes

The Amazing Race 18 (also known as The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business) is the eighteenth season of the American reality competition show The Amazing Race . Hosted by Phil Keoghan, it featured eleven teams of two, each returning from a previous edition of the series, competing in a race around the world in order to win US$1,000,000. This season visited five continents and nine countries and traveled over 40,000 miles (64,000 km). Starting in Palm Springs, California, racers traveled through Australia, Japan, China, India, Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and Brazil before returning to the United States and finishing in the Florida Keys. New twists introduced in this season include the no-rest leg, where teams immediately began the subsequent leg after finishing the previous leg, and an automatic U-Turn for the last team to finish the first task. This season was also the first to be filmed and broadcast for high-definition television. The season premiered on CBS on Sunday, February 20, 2011, and the finale aired on May 8, 2011.

Sisters Kisha and Jen Hoffman from The Amazing Race 14 were the winners of this season, while Herbert "Flight Time" Lang and Nathaniel "Big Easy" Lofton of the Harlem Globetrotters from The Amazing Race 15 finished in second place, and father and daughter Gary Ervin and Mallory Ervin from The Amazing Race 17 finished in third place.

Production

Development and filming

The starting line was at the San Gorgonio Pass wind farm near Palm Springs, California. Windmill Field outside Palm Springs, California.jpg
The starting line was at the San Gorgonio Pass wind farm near Palm Springs, California.

The Amazing Race 18 was the first season of the United States series to be broadcast on high-definition television. [2] While most other prime-time television shows had transitioned to high definition, including other reality television shows, previous seasons of The Amazing Race used standard-definition television due to the cost and fragility of high-definition recording equipment. [3]

Filming started on November 20, 2010, at the San Gorgonio Pass wind farm near Palm Springs, California. [4] Teams were spotted at Oceanworld Manly around November 22, 2010, [5] and a day later around the mining town of Broken Hill, New South Wales, in the Australian Outback. [6] Other locales cited as destinations were Yokohama, Japan, where teams swam in freezing waters near Mount Fuji, and the series' first visit to Liechtenstein. [7] In total, this season traveled a little over 40,000 miles (64,000 km) across 23 cities and five continents. [8]

The Express Pass, introduced in the previous season, returned and allowed a team to bypass one single task later in the season. The last team to complete the first task was forced to complete a U-Turn in the next leg, performing both tasks of the leg's Detour. [9]

The double-length legs format previously used were changed in this season to legs without a mandatory rest period between them. At the end of the first leg in Sydney, Australia, and the fourth leg in Lijiang, China, teams were ordered to keep racing and given their next clue. The first team to check in was still awarded a prize, but the last team to check in was not eliminated and did not have to perform a Speed Bump. [10]

Casting

Phil Keoghan described all the contestants as teams that "came so close to winning but for one reason or another just didn't quite make it over the finish line in first place.” [11] Keoghan gave examples of two teams: Zev & Justin from season 15, who had finished first on a leg, but lost a passport too late to continue racing; and Kisha & Jennifer from season 14, who took an ill-timed restroom break while racing to the Pit Stop and were eliminated. [11] The prior experience of all the teams in previous seasons allowed the producers to increase the difficulty of the various tasks and challenges. [11] All of the teams were from recent seasons of The Amazing Race with the earliest season being season 12. According to Bertram van Munster, they stayed with more recent teams because "if we're digging too far back, people might not even remember who they were". [7] Season 14 was represented by five of the eleven teams; van Munster called this particular season of The Amazing Race "a very unique season" and justified its larger proportion of teams. [7] Though they had considered mother and son fan-favorites Toni and Dallas Imbimbo from season 13, Keoghan stated they felt the other selected teams "have the best stories and the best motivation" for casting. [12] During an interview with CBS's The Early Show, season 17 runners-up Brook Roberts and Claire Champlin revealed they were asked to take part on the season, but couldn't due to the latter's pregnancy. [13]

Release

Marketing

Snapple served as a sponsor this season of The Amazing Race, with "Snapple Real Facts" introduced during commercial breaks. The sixth leg of the season in Kolkata, India, featured several tasks involving a papaya-and-mango flavored tea Snapple developed and named after the show. [14] Ford also sponsored the season, with their new Focus serving as a prize during the eighth leg.

Cast

Mel white christmas.jpg
Mike White in 2011.jpg
Jaime Faith Edmondson 2011.jpg
Margaret and Luke Adams (cropped).jpg
TAR Jet.jpg
TAR Cord.jpg
Vyxsin Fiala & Kynt Cothron at WonderCon 2009.JPG
Zev Glassenberg.png
Mallory Ervin (cropped).jpg
Flight Time Lang.jpg
Big Easy Lofton.jpg
From left to right: Mel White, Mike White, Jaime Edmondson, Margie Adams, Luke Adams, Jet McCoy, Cord McCoy, Vyxsin Fiala, Kent Kaliber, Zev Glassenberg, Mallory Ervin, "Flight Time" Lang, and "Big Easy" Lofton

This season featured eleven returning teams from previous seasons vying a second chance to win.

ContestantsAgeRelationshipHometownStatus
Amanda Blackledge25Engaged
The Amazing Race 14
Pismo Beach, California Eliminated 1st
(in Broken Hill, Australia)
Kris Klicka27
Mel White 70Father & Son
The Amazing Race 14
Lynchburg, Virginia Eliminated 2nd
(in Yokosuka, Japan)
Mike White 40 Los Angeles, California
Jaime Edmondson 32Former NFL Cheerleaders
The Amazing Race 14
Fort Lauderdale, Florida Eliminated 3rd
(in Kunming, China)
Cara Rosenthal28 Boca Raton, Florida
Margie Adams53Mother & Son
The Amazing Race 14
Colorado Springs, Colorado Eliminated 4th
(in Kolkata, India)
Luke Adams25
Ron Hsu61Father & Daughter
The Amazing Race 12
Tacoma, Washington Eliminated 5th
(in Ramnagar, India)
Christina Hsu29 Washington, D.C.
Jet McCoy31Cowboys & Brothers
The Amazing Race 16
Ada, Oklahoma Eliminated 6th
(in Zermatt, Switzerland)
Cord McCoy 30 Tupelo, Oklahoma
Kent Kaliber35Dating Goths
The Amazing Race 12
Los Angeles, California Eliminated 7th
(in Zermatt, Switzerland)
Vyxsin Fiala32
Zev Glassenberg28Best Friends
The Amazing Race 15
Sherman Oaks, California Eliminated 8th
(in Niterói, Brazil)
Justin Kanew31 Los Angeles, California
Gary Ervin53Father & Daughter
The Amazing Race 17
Morganfield, Kentucky Third place
Mallory Ervin 25
Herbert "Flight Time" Lang 34 Harlem Globetrotters
The Amazing Race 15
Brinkley, Arkansas Runners-up
Nathaniel "Big Easy" Lofton 29 New Orleans, Louisiana
Kisha Hoffman30Sisters
The Amazing Race 14
The Bronx, New York Winners
Jen Hoffman26 Louisville, Kentucky

The teams cited the following details from their respective races as their reason for having "unfinished business":

Future appearances

Margie & Luke, Flight Time & Big Easy, and Jet & Cord returned for a third time to compete on The Amazing Race: All-Stars . [16] Mallory returned on the same season forming a composite team with Mark Jackson when his partner, William "Bopper" Minton, was not medically cleared to compete. [17]

Outside of The Amazing Race, Mallory appeared on the Discovery Channel reality show Backyard Oil in 2013. [18] On May 25, 2016, Flight Time & Big Easy appeared on an Amazing Race-themed primetime special of The Price Is Right . [19] Mike White later competed on Survivor: David vs. Goliath . [20] Flight Time & Big Easy also appeared on 100 Day Dream Home in 2021. [21]

Results

The following teams are listed with their placements in each leg. Placements are listed in finishing order.

Team placement (by leg)
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Kisha & Jen3rd4th4th5th4th6th3rd4th2nd2nd2nd1st
Flight Time & Big Easy5th2nd5th [a] 6th6th [b] 7th1st2nd5th [c] 1st3rd2nd
Gary & Mallory1st9th2nd3rd2ndε [d] 1st4th6th4th3rd1st3rd
Zev & Justin4th1st1st8th8th4th2nd1st1st4th4th
Kent & Vyxsin10th7th7th9th [e] 5th [f] [g] 5th6th3rd3rd5th [h]
Jet & Cord11th [e] 3rd6th2nd1st2nd5th5th6th [c]
Ron & Christina8th10th3rd4th7th3rd7th
Margie & Luke7th5th8th1st3rd8th
Jaime & Cara6th8th9th7th9th
[f] [b]
Mel & Mike9th6th10th
Amanda & Kris2nd11th
Notes
  1. Flight Time & Big Easy initially arrived 3rd, but were issued a 30-minute penalty when Ron & Christina told Phil that Flight Time & Big Easy had taken their fanny pack by accident and did not return it. Ron & Christina were moved up to 3rd; Kisha & Jen checked in during this penalty time, dropping Flight Time & Big Easy to 5th.
  2. 1 2 Jaime & Cara chose to use the U-Turn on Flight Time & Big Easy.
  3. 1 2 Flight Time & Big Easy chose to use the U-Turn on Jet & Cord.
  4. Gary & Mallory used their Express Pass to bypass the Roadblock on this leg.
  5. 1 2 This team arrived last at the Pit Stop, but they were instructed to continue racing. There was no Speed Bump task in the next leg.
  6. 1 2 Kent & Vyxsin chose to use the U-Turn on Jaime & Cara.
  7. Kent & Vyxsin initially arrived 4th, but were issued a 30-minute penalty for not taking the required flight to Kunming. Kisha & Jen checked in during this penalty time, dropping Kent & Vyxsin to 5th.
  8. Kent & Vyxsin initially arrived 3rd, but were issued a 30-minute penalty for taking a taxi instead of going on foot to the Pit Stop as their clue had instructed. Gary & Mallory and Zev & Justin checked in during this penalty time, dropping Kent & Vyxsin to last.

Race summary

The complete route of The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business. The Amazing Race 18 map.png
The complete route of The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business.
Destinations Legenda lotnisko.svg Air travel    Legenda kolej.svg Rail travel    BSicon BOOT.svg Water travel    Bus-logo.svg Bus travel
Maki-heliport-15.svg Helicopter travel    Maki-bicycle-15.svg Bicycle travel    Maki-aerialway-15.svg Gondola travel
Route Markers Detour icon.svg Detour    Roadblock icon.svg Roadblock    U-Turn icon.svg U-Turn    Speed Bump icon.svg Speed Bump    TAR-pitstop-icon.png Pit Stop

Leg 1 (United States → Australia)

At Oceanworld Manly in Sydney, racers participated in a Roadblock where they did a scuba dive in the aquarium's shark tank. Oceanworld Manly Shark Dive Extreme.jpg
At Oceanworld Manly in Sydney, racers participated in a Roadblock where they did a scuba dive in the aquarium's shark tank.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional notes

Leg 2 (Australia)

Teams traveled to the city of Broken Hill in the Australian Outback. Argent Street, Broken Hill.jpg
Teams traveled to the city of Broken Hill in the Australian Outback.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional note

Leg 3 (Australia → Japan)

The Roadblock in Kamakura had racers participating in yabusame: traditional Japanese mounted archery. Yabusame Archer - Tsurugaoka Hachimangu.jpg
The Roadblock in Kamakura had racers participating in yabusame: traditional Japanese mounted archery.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional note

Leg 4 (Japan → China)

In Lijiang, teams rode yaks on the terraces of the Baishui River beneath Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. 1 yulong xueshan yak 2012.jpg
In Lijiang, teams rode yaks on the terraces of the Baishui River beneath Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional notes

Leg 5 (China)

Teams visited Stone Forest outside Kunming for a Roadblock paying homage to Yunnan's contributions to the field of paleontology. Shilin Yunnan China Shilin-Stone-Forest-01.jpg
Teams visited Stone Forest outside Kunming for a Roadblock paying homage to Yunnan's contributions to the field of paleontology.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional note

Leg 6 (China → India)

The grounds surrounding the Victoria Memorial in Kolkata served as the Pit Stop on this leg. Victoria Memorial - Kolkata.jpg
The grounds surrounding the Victoria Memorial in Kolkata served as the Pit Stop on this leg.
Locations
Episode summary

Leg 7 (India)

Teams visited the holy city of Varanasi on the shores of the Ganges River in this leg of the race. Varanasiganga.jpg
Teams visited the holy city of Varanasi on the shores of the Ganges River in this leg of the race.
Locations
Episode summary

Leg 8 (India → Austria)

Teams' first destination in Austria was Schallaburg Castle in Schollach. Schallaburg - Schloss, nordseitig.JPG
Teams' first destination in Austria was Schallaburg Castle in Schollach.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional note

Leg 9 (Austria → Liechtenstein → Switzerland)

Karte Liechtenstein.png
Liechtenstein asv2022-10 img25 Balzers Burg Gutenberg.jpg
For the Roadblock in the Alps, racers traversed the entire country of Liechtenstein on a motorized bicycle, ending their trip at Gutenberg Castle.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional note

Leg 10 (Switzerland)

Teams traveled to the Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps where they participated in mountain rescue-themed Detour tasks. Hdr matterhorn (3018611289).jpg
Teams traveled to the Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps where they participated in mountain rescue-themed Detour tasks.
Locations
Episode summary

Leg 11 (Switzerland → Brazil)

While visiting Rio de Janeiro, teams traveled to the famous Escadaria Selaron and searched the tile-covered steps for their next clue. Selaron Stairs, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.jpg
While visiting Rio de Janeiro, teams traveled to the famous Escadaria Selarón and searched the tile-covered steps for their next clue.
Locations
Episode summary

Leg 12 (Brazil → United States)

Pigeon Key Historic District, located in the middle of the Old Seven Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys, was the finish line of The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business. Seven mile bridge2.jpg
Pigeon Key Historic District, located in the middle of the Old Seven Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys, was the finish line of The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional note

Phil's Video Diary

A new feature to this season is an online show, allowing the viewers to see what happens behind the scenes of The Amazing Race, hosted by Keoghan. [1] This feature replaced the "Elimination Station" videos as seen in previous seasons.

Reception

Critical response

The Amazing Race 18 received mixed reviews. Scott Von Doviak of The A.V. Club wrote that by the end of the season, it was "finishing (mostly) strong after so many lackluster weeks along the way." [24] Daniel Fienberg of HitFix wrote that "this 'Amazing Race' season was almost conspicuously designed to prevent memorable moments." [25] Luke Dwyer of TV Fanatic wrote that "the start of The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business was chock full of dynamic challenges, interesting legs and surprises. As the number of teams got whittled down, the legs became less creative." [26] Michael Hewitt of the Orange County Register wrote that "the show still has much to recommend it: spectacular locations, engrossing human drama and brilliant editing. But it needs to be a race once again." [27] Patrick Hodges of CinemaBlend wrote that it was "all in all, a very good season. Lots of great locations, lots of sportsmanship, very few assclownish moments." [28] In 2016, this season was ranked 13th out of the first 27 seasons by the Rob Has a Podcast Amazing Race correspondents. [29] Kareem Gantt of Screen Rant wrote that this "the legs are fantastically planned and executed, the suspense was high, and viewers even got some emotional eliminations that made for great TV." [30] In 2021, Jane Andrews of Gossip Cop ranked this season as the show's 7th best season. [31] In 2022, Rhenn Taguiam of Game Rant ranked this season as the sixth-best season. [32] In 2024, Taguiam's ranking was updated with this season becoming the eighth-best season. [33]

Ratings

U.S. Nielsen ratings
#AirdateEpisodeRatingShare Rating/Share ViewersRankRankRankRank
Households18–49(millions)Timeslot
(Viewers)
Timeslot
(18–49)
Week
(Viewers)
Week
(18–49)
1February 20, 2011"Head Down and Hold On"5.182.5/79.15 [34] #2#1 (tied)#30(<#25)
2February 27, 2011"I Never Looked So Foolish in My Whole Entire Life"4.372.1/57.68 [35] #2#3(<#30)(<#25)
3March 6, 2011"We Had a Lot of Evil Spirits Apparently"5.592.7/79.78 [36] #2#2#22#23
4March 13, 2011"This is the Most Stupid Day Ever"5.392.7/89.44 [37] #2#2#21#17
5March 20, 2011"Don't Ruin the Basketball Game"5.792.8/810.13 [38] #1#1 (tied)#13#18
6March 27, 2011"I Feel Like a Monkey in a Circus Parade"6.2103.2/910.96 [39] #1#1#12#14
7April 10, 2011"You Don't Get Paid Unless You Win"6.092.9/810.48 [40] #1#1#21#18
8April 17, 2011"I Cannot Deal With Your Psycho Behavior"5.182.4/78.78 [41] #1#1#22(<#25)
9April 24, 2011"We're Good American People"5.392.6/89.37 [42] #1#1#17#15
10May 1, 2011"Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen"5.382.6/79.20 [43] #20#18
11May 8, 2011"This is Where It Ends"5.082.5/78.97 [44] #2#1(<#25)#24
Canadian ratings

Canadian broadcaster CTV also airs The Amazing Race on Sundays at 8 p.m., with only two exceptions: Episode two aired an hour earlier than its normal start time due to CTV's broadcast of the 83rd Academy Awards. Episode six aired an hour earlier due to the said network's broadcast of the 2011 Juno Awards.

#AirdateEpisodeViewers
(millions)
Rank
(Week)
1February 20, 2011"Head Down and Hold On"2.66#4 [45]
2February 27, 2011"I Never Looked So Foolish in My Whole Entire Life"1.62#20 [46]
3March 6, 2011"We Had a Lot of Evil Spirits Apparently"2.79#1 [47]
4March 13, 2011"This is the Most Stupid Day Ever"2.53#3 [48]
5March 20, 2011"Don't Ruin the Basketball Game"2.44#3 [49]
6March 27, 2011"I Feel Like a Monkey in a Circus Parade"1.81#12 [50]
7April 10, 2011"You Don't Get Paid Unless You Win"2.44#5 [51]
8April 17, 2011"I Cannot Deal With Your Psycho Behavior"2.57#1 [52]
9April 24, 2011"We're Good American People"2.33#5 [53]
10May 1, 2011"Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen"2.74#3 [54]
11May 8, 2011"This is Where It Ends"2.70#2 [55]

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The Amazing Race 20 is the twentieth season of the American reality competition show The Amazing Race. Hosted by Phil Keoghan, it featured eleven teams of two, each with a pre-existing relationship, competing in a race around the world in order to win US$1,000,000. This season visited five continents and ten countries and traveled over 36,000 miles (58,000 km). Starting in Santa Barbara wine country, racers traveled through Argentina, Paraguay, Italy, Austria, Germany, Azerbaijan, Tanzania, India, and Japan before returning to the United States and finishing in Oahu. The season premiered on CBS on Sunday, February 19, 2012, and the two-hour finale aired on May 6, 2012.

<i>The Amazing Race 21</i> Season of television series

The Amazing Race 21 is the twenty-first season of the American reality competition show The Amazing Race. Hosted by Phil Keoghan, it featured eleven teams of two, each with a pre-existing relationship, competing in a race around the world. This season visited three continents and nine countries and traveled over 25,000 miles (40,000 km). Starting in Pasadena, California, racers traveled through China, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Turkey, Russia, the Netherlands, Spain, and France before returning to the United States and finishing in New York City. New twists introduced in this season include the Blind Double U-Turn and the Double Your Money prize. While the prize for winning the season remained at US$1 million, if the team that came in first in the first leg had also won the final leg, the prize would have been doubled to US$2 million. The season premiered on CBS on September 30, 2012, and the two-hour season finale aired on December 9, 2012.

<i>The Amazing Race 22</i> Season of television series

The Amazing Race 22 is the twenty-second season of the American reality competition show The Amazing Race. Hosted by Phil Keoghan, it featured eleven teams of two, each with a pre-existing relationship, competing in a race around the world in order to win US$1,000,000. This season visited five continents and eleven countries and traveled over 30,000 miles (48,000 km). Starting in Los Angeles, racers traveled through French Polynesia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Botswana, Switzerland, Germany, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and England before returning to the United States and finishing in the National Capital Region. A new twist introduced in this season includes awarding the winners of the first leg two Express Passes, one for them and one to give to another team. The season premiered on CBS on February 17, 2013, and the two-hour season finale aired on May 5, 2013.

<i>The Amazing Race 23</i> Season of television series

The Amazing Race 23 is the twenty-third season of the American reality competition show The Amazing Race. Hosted by Phil Keoghan, it featured eleven teams of two, each with a pre-existing relationship, competing in a race around the world in order to win US$1,000,000. This season visited four continents and nine countries and traveled over 35,000 miles (56,000 km). Starting in Santa Clarita, California, racers traveled through Chile, Portugal, Norway, Poland, Austria, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, and Japan before returning to the United States and finishing in Juneau. The season premiered on CBS on September 29, 2013, and the two-hour season finale aired on December 8, 2013.

<i>The Amazing Race Canada 1</i> Season of television series

The Amazing Race Canada 1 is the first season of The Amazing Race Canada, a Canadian reality competition show based on the American series The Amazing Race. Hosted by Jon Montgomery, it featured nine teams of two, each with a pre-existing relationship, in a race across Canada. The grand prize included a CA$250,000 cash payout, two Chevrolet Corvette Stingrays, and unlimited air travel for a year with Air Canada. This season visited seven provinces and three territories and travelled over 23,000 kilometres (14,000 mi) during ten legs. Starting in Niagara Falls, Ontario, racers travelled through Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, the Northwest Territories, the Yukon, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Nunavut, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador before finishing in Toronto. The series premiere aired on July 15, 2013, on CTV, with the season finale airing on September 16, 2013.

<i>The Amazing Race 24</i> Season of television series

The Amazing Race 24 is the twenty-fourth season of the American reality competition show The Amazing Race. Hosted by Phil Keoghan, it featured eleven teams of two, ten teams returning from previous editions and a composite team with two members that competed on separate seasons, competing in a race around the world in order to win US$1,000,000. This season visited three continents and nine countries and traveled over 23,000 miles (37,000 km). Starting in Santa Clarita, California, racers traveled through China, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, England, and Wales before returning to the United States and finishing in Las Vegas. The season premiered on CBS on February 23, 2014, and the season finale aired on May 18, 2014.

<i>The Amazing Race 30</i> Season of television series

The Amazing Race 30 is the thirtieth season of the American reality competition show The Amazing Race. Hosted by Phil Keoghan, it featured eleven teams of two, each with a pre-existing relationship, competing in a race around the world in order to win US$1,000,000. This season visited four continents and ten countries and traveled over 29,000 miles (47,000 km). Starting in New York City, racers traveled through Iceland, Belgium, Morocco, France, the Czech Republic, Zimbabwe, Bahrain, Thailand, and Hong Kong before returning to the United States and finishing in the San Francisco Bay Area. New twists introduced in this season include the Head-to-Head, where two teams competed against each other in a task, and a leg where teams swapped partners. The season premiered on CBS on January 3, 2018, and the two-hour season finale aired on February 21, 2018.

The Amazing Race 35 is the thirty-fifth season of the American reality competition show The Amazing Race. Hosted by Phil Keoghan, it featured thirteen teams of two, each with a pre-existing relationship, competing in a race around the world to win US$1,000,000. This season visited three continents and nine countries and traveled over 23,800 miles (38,300 km) during twelve legs. Starting in Los Angeles, racers traveled through Thailand, Vietnam, India, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Sweden, and Ireland before returning to the United States and finishing in Greater Seattle. Elements of the show that returned for this season include the use of commercial flights, the Express Pass, and the U-Turn. In addition, the U-Turn Vote returned with a private vote rather than a public vote, and the U-Turn was a Blind U-Turn. Unlike past seasons, the 35th season featured 90-minute-long episodes. The season aired on Wednesday nights on CBS beginning on September 27, 2023 and concluding on December 13, 2023.

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