OK, would YOU leap off of a 700-foot dam for an opportunity at 1,000,000 dollars? It is terrifying, nevertheless it's simply one other day on "The Wonderful Race." Over the previous 21 years, the CBS actuality present has taken greater than 600 intrepid souls on a race around the globe, two-by-two – a world odyssey that checks the boundaries of their endurance, the bounds of their dignity, and the energy of their relationships.
And as with nearly any recreation present, you may't assist however marvel what you'd do for those who had been of their footwear.
It was in that spirit that "Sunday Morning" correspondent Tracy Smith went alongside final Might for the beginning of season 34 of "The Wonderful Race."
Earlier than the pandemic, the groups flew business airways. However for security's sake they now use a chartered 757. "We would by no means performed it earlier than; this can be a good change-up," mentioned Phil Keoghan, who's been the host for all 34 seasons. "And possibly after 20 years of doing the present, we'll take it, yeah!"
Smith and Keoghan knew the airplane was sure for Munich, Germany. However not one of the contestants aboard had a clue. "I simply suppose it is wild that we're taking a look at them; they don't know!" mentioned Smith.
"No concept the place they are going," mentioned Keoghan. "I imply, are you able to consider anyone who will get on a airplane and actually has no concept the place they are going? Are you able to think about?"
However they may sense that issues had been about to get form of hectic, as soon as they started their wonderful race in Germany.
Govt producer Bertram van Munster has directed nearly each minute of each leg of each race because it started in 2001. Van Munster is very near co-executive producer Elise Doganieri; the 2 are married and have traveled the world collectively within the title of nice TV.
She was the one who thought this complete factor up, impressed by a backpacking journey that she'd taken together with her school roommate. "I believed, 'If we put individuals who know one another collectively, there's positively gonna be drama,'" Doganieri informed Smith.
And what's occurred since is TV historical past: "The Wonderful Race" has turn out to be a perennial favourite on this community's schedule, and the winner of 10 Emmys for greatest competitors present – greater than some other.
In 21 years of manufacturing, the race has been to almost 100 nations, logging nicely over 1,000,000 miles, and counting.
Smith requested, "Did you envision this?"
"No," Doganieri replied. "The primary season we filmed the present, I used to be working in promoting. I took a depart of absence. I mentioned to Bertram, 'Ought to I give up my job? We offered the present.' He mentioned, 'No, no, no. Do not give up your job. It is tv. You by no means know if it is gonna get renewed or canceled.' After which the present obtained picked up. And I mentioned, 'Bert, what do you suppose?' And he goes, 'It's best to give up your job.'
"And so, we took a danger."
However now, 34 seasons in, van Munster says all of it nonetheless makes him as nervous as ever.
Smith requested, "So, final night time, did you sleep?"
"No, no, I slept possibly three hours," he replied.
"Since you're considering what's coming subsequent?"
"Even in spite of everything these years."
"It is a lotta particulars!"
"It is a lotta particulars, however I find it irresistible," van Munster mentioned. "As they are saying, the satan is within the particulars."
And there are quite a lot of particulars:
For the Munich leg alone, the racers needed to full not one however three duties, all impressed by Oktoberfest: First, roll a beer keg by an impediment course in underneath one minute; second, noticed by a log; and three, smash an infinite block of ice. As soon as full, they will have the three components of the clue they should end the leg.
"The Wonderful Race" producers usually do a check run the day earlier than, rain or shine, to verify a process is protected and really do-able. And for this leg of the race solely, they let Smith and her producer (her husband, John D'Amelio) do the honors.
The log sawing went a bit of higher than the beer keg rolling.
And the ice block problem was one thing else. The thought was to patiently chip on the ice till you discovered a tiny gold puzzle piece. However Smith's producer shouldn't be precisely a "affected person" man.
After this, the producers took away the large mallet.
They usually make changes earlier than the race begins, however as soon as it begins, there are not any do-overs, ever. "There is not any stopping," mentioned van Munster. "It is all the time go, go, go, go, go. We do not intervene. We do not do second takes. By no means do second takes. Completely none. As a result of it is a recreation present."
Sure, a recreation present, however a number of the areas are actually wonderful, and also you by no means know when a priceless second goes to occur … or a uncommon second of calm, amid the cacophony of bells ringing in Munich.
The subsequent morning, it was time to do what they got here for. Earlier than the beginning, the digicam crews stretch like distance runners, preparing for the mad sprint to come back. After which – lastly – Phil Keoghan says the phrases that each contestant is straining to listen to: "The world is ready for you. Good luck, journey protected … go!"
We will not let you know which workforce completed first in episode one (you will discover out later this week), however we will let you know that the race began as deliberate, and that it was as wild as ever.
Smith requested Doganieri, "Thirty-four seasons and the present has not been eradicated. Why do you suppose the present survived?"
"Our backdrop of the world is eternally altering," she replied. "We're by no means going to expire of areas to movie in. And it is tremendous entertaining. It is humorous. We're form of laughing at ourselves, but additionally touring the world and attending to see locations it's possible you'll by no means get to see in your lifetime."
For the contestants (even the faux ones), it is an opportunity to be taught a bit of bit in regards to the world and themselves in methods they by no means thought doable.
And for the creators of the present, you get the sense it is all nonetheless fairly wonderful for them, too.
"We thought we'd be simply two seasons, possibly one season," mentioned Doganieri. "By no means in 1,000,000 years did I feel that we might nonetheless be doing this."
To observe a preview of the thirty fourth season of "The Wonderful Race," click on on the video participant under:
For more information:
- "The Wonderful Race" – New season debuts Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT on CBS; additionally streams on Paramount+
"The Official Wonderful Race Journey Companion: Extra Than 20 Years of Roadblocks, Detours, and Actual-Life Actions to Expertise Across the Globe" by Elise Doganieri (Simon & Schuster), in Commerce Paperback, eBook and Audio Codecs, accessible October 4 by way of Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Indiebound
Story produced by John D'Amelio. Editor: Steven Tyler.