CBS released this video introducing the latest batch of 11 Amazing Race teams. I can’t wait for the new season to premiere on Sunday, February 19th at 8/7c on CBS!
Team 1: Dave and Rachel, Married
Dave Brown Jr., 33, Madison, Wis., U.S. Army Officer
Rachel Brown, 30, Madison, Wis., Project Manager
Team 2: Mark and Bopper, Best friends
Mark Jackson, 45, Manchester, Ky., Former State Inspector
William “Bopper” Minton, 41, Manchester, Ky., Motorcycle Mechanic
Team 3: Nary and Jamie, Friends
Nary Ebeid, 32, Los Angeles, Federal Agent
Jamie Graetz, 33, Los Angeles, Federal Agent
Team 4: Brendon and Rachel, Engaged
Brendon Villegas, 31, Westwood, Calif., Ph.D. student at UCLA
Rachel Reilly, 27, Westwood, Calif., Event Hostess
Team 5: Joey and Danny, Friends
Joey “Fitness” Lasalla, 29, Whitestone, N.Y., Trainer/Supplement Company Owner
Danny Horal, 27, Holbrook, N.Y., Nightclub Promoter
Team 6: Misa and Maiya, Sisters
Misa Tanaka, 27, San Diego, Car Buyer
Maiya Tanaka, 25, San Diego, Professional Golfer
Team 7: Dave and Cherie, Married
Dave Gregg, 44, New Port Richey, Fla., Ambassador of Laughter
Cherie Gregg, 44, New Port Richey, Fla., Ambassador of Laughter
Team 8: Elliot and Andrew, Twins
Elliot Weber, 28, Scottsdale, Ariz., Musician
Andrew Weber, 28, Menlo Park, Calif., Professional MLS Player
Team 9: Kerri and Stacy, Cousins
Kerri Paul, 30, Gulfport, Miss., Program Coordinator
Stacy Bowers, 30, Gulfport, Miss., Self-Employed/“Basketball” Wife
Team 10: Vanessa and Ralph, Dating
Vanessa Macias, 31, San Antonio, Texas, Freelance Writer
Ralph Kelley, 36, San Antonio, Texas, Bar Owner
Team 11: Art and JJ, Friends/Co-workers
Art Velez, 43, Temecula, Calif., Border Patrol Agent
J.J. Carrell, 42, Carlsbad, Calif., Border Patrol Agent
My initial thoughts:
I like when The Amazing Race sticks with non-celebrities and non-reality TV “stars”. I can’t stand when people make a career out of being on reality TV shows, and I have never liked Buh-ren-Don and Rachel, so I’m really disappointed to see them here. I really hope they are gone quickly.
While Brendon and Rachel are just annoying, I suspect the potential dirt bag teams of the season will be the Jersey Shore team of Joey “Fitness” and Danny, and the dating divorcees, Vanessa and Ralph.
I was surprised to see that there are no parent/child teams this season. While they never seem to do that well, they are usually among the teams I root for.
I’m not a big fan of clowns, but I hope that the Ambassadors of Laughter (give me a break!) can win me over. Though, being a twin, I guess I kind of have to put my support behind Elliot and Andrew.
Let us know what you think of this latest cast, and who you are rooting for, in the comments!
