The Amazing Race 7

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The Amazing Race 7
Season 7
Amazing Race Seventh Season Region 1 DVD.png
Region 1 DVD cover
Presented by Phil Keoghan
No. of teams11
WinnerUchenna & Joyce Agu
No. of legs12
Distance traveled40,000 mi (64,000 km)
No. of episodes12 (including 1 recap)
Release
Original network CBS
Original releaseMarch 1 (2005-03-01) 
May 10, 2005 (2005-05-10)
Additional information
Filming datesNovember 20 (2004-11-20) 
December 19, 2004 (2004-12-19)
Season chronology
 Previous
Season 6
Next 
Season 8
List of episodes

The Amazing Race 7 is the seventh 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 five continents and ten countries, traveling approximately 40,000 miles (64,000 km) over twelve legs. Starting in Long Beach, racers traveled through Peru, Chile, Argentina, South Africa, Botswana, India, Turkey, England, and Jamaica before returning to the United States, traveling through Puerto Rico, and finishing in Miami-Fort Lauderdale. A new twist introduced this season includes an expansion of the non-elimination leg penalty where teams also were stripped of their possessions excluding their passports and the clothes that they were wearing. The season premiered on CBS on March 1, 2005, and concluded on May 10, 2005.

Married couple Uchenna and Joyce Agu were the winners of this season, while engaged couple Rob Mariano and Amber Brkich (of Survivor) finished in second place, and dating couple Ron Young Jr. and Kelly McCorkle finished in third place.

Overview

TAR Route Info clue.jpg
TAR Detour clue.png
TAR Roadblock clue.png
TAR Fast Forward clue.png
TAR Yield clue.png
The clues which contestants receive during the course of the race generally fall into five categories: Route Info, Detour, Roadblock, Fast Forward, and Yield.

The Amazing Race is a reality television show created by Bertram van Munster and Elise Doganieri, and hosted by Phil Keoghan. The series follows teams of two competing in a race around the world. [1] Each leg of the race requires teams to deduce clues, navigate foreign environments, interact with locals, perform physical and mental challenges, and travel on a limited budget provided by the show. At each stop during the leg, teams receive clues inside sealed envelopes, which fall into one of these categories:

Most teams who arrive last at the Pit Stop of each leg are progressively eliminated, while the first team to arrive at the finish line in the final episode wins the grand prize of US$1,000,000. [2]

Production

Development and filming

The starting line was located in the vicinity of RMS Queen Mary in front of the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California. Hotel Queen Mary, Long Beach 01.jpg
The starting line was located in the vicinity of RMS Queen Mary in front of the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California.

The Amazing Race 7 took place over 29 days and traveled nearly 40,000 miles (64,000 km). Filming began on November 20, 2004, and finished on December 19, 2004. [3] The teams raced through ten countries, five of which were not previously visited on the series: Peru, Chile, Botswana, Turkey, and Jamaica. Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory in the Caribbean, was also visited for the first time.

In this season, a change was made to the non-elimination leg penalty. In addition to being stripped of all their money and receiving no allowance for the next leg, teams were forced to surrender all of their possessions, except for their passports and the clothes they were wearing, for the remainder of the season. [4]

Controversy surrounded the final leg of the season when Rob and Amber and Uchenna and Joyce arrived at the airport in San Juan. They were both sold tickets for a flight leaving later than one whose gate was about to close. While Rob and Amber managed to get on this earlier departing flight, Uchenna and Joyce were shown through the gate as the boarding corridor between the gate and airplane began to shut. After a commercial break, the boarding corridor reopened to allow Uchenna and Joyce to board. No explanation was given as to why the gate reopened, which led to speculation about intervention by the production staff. [5] [6] In the "Revisiting the Race" special feature on the season 7 DVD, Uchenna, Rob, and Phil Keoghan denied the accusations of intervention by the production crew. Uchenna described his experience of finding the same airline agent at the gate who had previously informed him that there was no earlier available flight. Rob described Uchenna running around frantically trying to get onto the flight, which the final edited version of the show did not portray. Phil cited the fact that the decision to reopen the door rested solely with the pilot, and that intervention by the production crew would have resulted in someone leaking such information out.

Contestants

Brian Smith Brian Thomas Smith 2016.png
Brian Smith
Rob Mariano Boston Rob Mariano.png
Rob Mariano

Joyce Agu (credited as Joyce Robinson) previously appeared on Star Trek: The Next Generation in a recurring role as Ensign Gates. [7] Ron Young was a former Apache helicopter pilot who was shot down in Iraq and held as a prisoner of war for 22 days, and Kelly McCorkle was a former Miss South Carolina. [8] Brian Thomas Smith previously competed on Christmas Fear Factor . [9] Amber Brkich originally competed on Survivor: The Australian Outback, [10] Rob Mariano competed on Survivor: Marquesas , [11] and both also competed on Survivor: All-Stars , [12] where they got engaged at the live finale. [13]

ContestantsAgeRelationshipHometownStatus
Ryan Phillips31Best Friends Landrum, South Carolina Eliminated 1st
(in Cusco, Peru)
Chuck Horton32 Inman, South Carolina
Megan Baker26Roommates Oak Park, California Eliminated 2nd
(in Santiago, Chile)
Heidi Heidel31
Debbie Cloyed25Lifelong Friends Woodbridge, Virginia Eliminated 3rd
(in Las Heras, Argentina)
Bianca Smith26
Susan Vaughn54Mother & Son Hamilton, Ohio Eliminated 4th
(in Vicente Casares, Argentina)
Patrick Vaughn26
Ray Hosteau44Dating On and Off Canfield, Ohio Eliminated 5th
(in Makgadikgadi Pans
National Park, Botswana)
Deana Shane27 Youngstown, Ohio
Brian Smith 27Brothers Santa Monica, California Eliminated 6th
(in Khwai, Botswana)
Greg Smith24
Lynn Warren30Boyfriends West Hollywood, California Eliminated 7th
(in Jodhpur, India)
Alex Ali22
Meredith Smith69Married & Retired Easton, Maryland Eliminated 8th
(in London, England)
Gretchen Smith66
Ron Young, Jr. 28Former POW
& Pageant Queen
Villa Rica, Georgia Third place
Kelly McCorkle 26 Greenville, South Carolina
Rob Mariano 29Engaged Canton, Massachusetts Runners-up
Amber Brkich 26 Beaver, Pennsylvania
Uchenna Agu40Married Houston, Texas Winners
Joyce Agu44
Future appearances

Rob and Amber and Uchenna and Joyce were selected for The Amazing Race: All-Stars . [14]

On May 25, 2005, CBS aired Rob & Amber's wedding at Atlantis Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas: a trip they had won during the season, during a special entitled Rob and Amber Get Married . [15] After competing on The Amazing Race, Rob later competed on Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains , Survivor: Redemption Island , and served as a non-playing mentor on Survivor: Island of the Idols . [16] Rob and Amber also both returned to compete on Survivor: Winners at War . [17] On May 23, 2016, Rob also appeared on a Survivor-themed primetime special of The Price Is Right . [18] In 2024, Rob competed on Deal or No Deal Island . [19] Later in the year, Rob competed on the third season of The Traitors . [20]

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 8a [a] 8b 9 10 11 12
Uchenna & Joyce8th4th2nd3rd6th3rd3rd3rd1stƒ1st3rd3rd1st
Rob & Amber3rd1st5th1st5th2nd1st1st3rd3rd1st> [b] 2nd2nd
Ron & Kelly10th2nd4th4th2nd1st2nd2nd2nd4th2nd< [b] 1st3rd
Meredith & Gretchen6th7th7th7th7th5th5th [c] 5th4th2nd4th
Lynn & Alex5th5th1st5th4th4th4th4th5th
Brian & Greg4th9th3rd2nd3rd6th6th
Ray & Deana7th3rd6th6th1stƒ7th
Susan & Patrick2nd8th8th8th
Debbie & Bianca1st6th9th
Megan & Heidi9th10th
Ryan & Chuck11th
Notes
  1. This was a double leg with two Detours and two Roadblocks shown over two episodes. The placements listed for the first half are the order of the teams' arrival at the Pit Stop in Lucknow.
  2. 1 2 Rob & Amber chose to Yield Ron & Kelly.
  3. Meredith & Gretchen initially arrived 4th, but had missed their clue at the end of the Roadblock and had to retrieve it before checking in. Lynn & Alex checked in during this time, dropping Meredith & Gretchen to 5th.

Race summary

The route of The Amazing Race 7. The Amazing Race 7 map.png
The route of The Amazing Race 7.
Destinations ISO 7001 PI TF 001.svg Air travel    Legenda kolej.svg Rail travel    Ferry.png 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    Fast Forward icon.svg Fast Forward    Yield icon.svg Yield    TAR-pitstop-icon.png Pit Stop

Leg 1 (United States → Peru)

One of the Detour choices in Peru required teams to lead llamas to a pen. Lama glama in Machu Picchu.jpg
One of the Detour choices in Peru required teams to lead llamas to a pen.
Locations
Episode summary

Leg 2 (Peru → Chile)

Teams finished the leg at the Neptune fountain on Santa Lucia Hill in Santiago. Acceso Cerro Santa Lucia.JPG
Teams finished the leg at the Neptune fountain on Santa Lucía Hill in Santiago.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional note

Leg 3 (Chile → Argentina)

Teams traveled through the Andes Mountains near Mendoza Province in Argentina during this leg. RNSiete.JPG
Teams traveled through the Andes Mountains near Mendoza Province in Argentina during this leg.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional notes

Leg 4 (Argentina)

Teams found a clue at the English Clock Tower in Buenos Aires. Torre Monumental.jpg
Teams found a clue at the English Clock Tower in Buenos Aires.
Locations
Episode summary

Leg 5 (Argentina → South Africa)

For the season's first Fast Forward, one team had to traverse one of the Orlando Cooling Towers in Soweto. Orlando Power Station HDR.jpg
For the season's first Fast Forward, one team had to traverse one of the Orlando Cooling Towers in Soweto.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional note

Leg 6 (South Africa → Botswana)

Before heading to Botswana, teams fed lions at the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve in Krugersdorp, South Africa. African lion, Panthera leo at Krugersdorp Game Park, South Africa (30493458193).jpg
Before heading to Botswana, teams fed lions at the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve in Krugersdorp, South Africa.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional note

Leg 7 (Botswana)

Teams encountered many African animals, including elephants, during their drive through Botswana. African elephant (Loxodonta africana) reaching up 3.jpg
Teams encountered many African animals, including elephants, during their drive through Botswana.
Locations
Episode summary

Leg 8 (Botswana → India)

Bara Imambara Second Gateway 03.JPG
Meherangarh Fort 1.jpg
After arriving in Lucknow, teams found their next clue at the Bara Imambara (above), while the Jaswant Thada in Jodhpur (below) served as the Pit Stop for this double-length leg.
Locations
Episode summary (Episode 8)
Episode summary (Episode 9)
Additional notes

Leg 9 (India → Turkey)

In Istanbul, teams visited the Kiz Kulesi, where they searched for a Travelocity Roaming Gnome. Maiden's Tower, Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul.JPG
In Istanbul, teams visited the Kız Kulesi, where they searched for a Travelocity Roaming Gnome.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional notes

Leg 10 (Turkey → England)

From the London Eye, teams surveyed the city for the location of their next clue. London Eye 2011.jpg
From the London Eye, teams surveyed the city for the location of their next clue.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional note

Leg 11 (England → Jamaica)

Teams spent the night at Frenchman's Cove in Port Antonio. Frenchman's cove1.JPG
Teams spent the night at Frenchman's Cove in Port Antonio.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional notes

Leg 12 (Jamaica → Puerto Rico → United States)

The finish line for The Amazing Race 7 was on the grounds of the Bonnet House in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Bonnet House Museum & Gardens (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) 003.jpg
The finish line for The Amazing Race 7 was on the grounds of the Bonnet House in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Locations
Episode summary
Additional note

Reception

Critical response

The Amazing Race 7 received mostly positive reviews. Andy Dehnart called this season satisfying by the end. [26] Reagen Sulewski of Box Office Prophets called "one of the most competitive, entertaining and just plain fun seasons of the show to date." [27] In 2016, this season was ranked 4th out of the first 27 seasons by the Rob Has a Podcast Amazing Race correspondents. [28] Kareem Gantt of Screen Rant wrote that it was "a season in which The Amazing Race was firing on all cylinders." [29] In 2021, Jane Andrews of Gossip Cop ranked this season as the show's sixth best season. [30] Val Barone of TheThings ranked this season as the show's best season. [31] In 2022, Jason Shomer of Collider ranked this season among the show's top seven seasons. [32] Conversely, Linda Holmes of Television Without Pity wrote that it was an "incredibly ungenerous, pinched, unpleasant season" due to it turning "into such a bitchy, moralizing, self-righteous morass, and it's not Rob and Amber who made that happen. It's primarily Lynn and Alex, with help from Meredith and Gretchen, Ron and Kelly, and -- unfortunately -- Uchenna and Joyce." [33] [34] In 2024, Rhenn Taguiam of Game Rant ranked this season ninth. [35]

Distribution

The DVD boxed set for season 7 was released on December 20, 2005. Lynn and Alex, Brian and Greg, Rob and Amber, and Uchenna and Joyce provided commentary for four episodes. [36]

Awards

In September 2005, The Amazing Race 7 won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program, the third consecutive award for the television series. Although seasons 5 and 6 were also eligible, producers chose season 7 since it was the most recent installment of the show. [37]

References

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  2. Castro (2006) , pp. 15–20
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  15. Morales, Tatiana (May 24, 2005). "Rob And Amber's Prime-Time Wedding". CBS News . Archived from the original on June 15, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  16. Tharp, Sharon (September 25, 2019). "'Survivor' Legends Boston Rob Mariano and Sandra Diaz-Twine Break Down Being Mentors for Season 39's 'Island of the Idols'". Us Weekly. Archived from the original on October 31, 2019. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
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  18. "Big Brother, The Amazing Race, And Survivor Stars To Play The Price Is Right". CBS . April 25, 2016. Archived from the original on July 22, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  19. Ross, Dalton (January 8, 2024). "Deal or No Deal Island cast includes Boston Rob and Claudia Jordan". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  20. Brockington, Ariana (June 5, 2024). "'The Traitors' Season 3 cast is revealed — and it's the most 'treacherous' yet". TODAY. Archived from the original on June 9, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
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  25. 1 2 "TAR7 finale deleted scene" on YouTube
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Works cited