The Amazing Race 12

The Amazing Race 12
Season Run November 4, 2007[1] – January 20, 2008
Filming dates July 8  – July 29, 2007[2]
No. of Episodes 11[3]
Winning team TK Erwin & Rachel Rosales
Unfinished Business Ronald & Christina Hsu,
Kent "Kynt" Cothron & Jennifer "Vyxsin" Fiala
Season Stats
Continents visited 4
Countries visited 10
Cities visited 26
No. of legs 11
Distance traveled 30,000 mi (48,000 km)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 11
Next →
Season 13

The Amazing Race 12 is the twelfth installment of winning reality television show The Amazing Race. It featured 11 teams of two, with a pre-existing relationship, in a race around the world.

The 12th season premiered on November 4, 2007 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. It took the timeslot of the canceled CBS series Viva Laughlin.[4] The finale aired on January 20, 2008 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Newly dating couple TK Erwin and Rachel Rosales were the winners of this Race.

A DVD for this season was released on March 24, 2014, via Amazon's CreateSpace program.

Production

Development and filming

In May 2007, CBS confirmed The Amazing Race was picked up for a 12th season. It was originally to be scheduled in the mid-season of the 2007-2008 TV season.[5] However, when Viva Laughlin canceled in October of the same year, The Amazing Race 12 started early to take the time slot.[4]

The Amazing Race 12 spanned 30,000 miles (48,000 km) in 21 days, making it the shortest Amazing Race course since Season 8. The race covered four continents, visiting ten countries, five of which were previously unvisited, while traveling entirely in the Northern Hemisphere. The newly visited countries were Ireland, Burkina Faso, Lithuania, Croatia and Taiwan (Republic of China). This was the first time the former Yugoslavia was visited on the race. Also, for the first time, the finish line was not in the contiguous United States.

The shortened filming schedule was initially attributed, in part, to the removal of non-elimination legs, which would have been a first on the Race.[3] However, Phil told Kynt & Vyxsin in Leg 7 that there are two non-elimination legs in this race. The penalty for coming in last place on a non-elimination leg, however, was changed. Additionally, most seasons without "To Be Continued" or "superlegs" have four non-elimination points. With this race only having two non-elimination legs, the number of episodes was reduced by two.

This season also introduced two new twists to the race, the U-Turn and the Speed Bump. The U-Turn allowed racers to force another team behind them to complete the other side of the Detour they did not just previously complete.[6] The Speed Bump required a team that finished last in a non-elimination leg to perform an additional task in the next leg, while other teams are still racing. The U-Turn and the Speed Bump each occurred in two episodes of The Amazing Race 12.

The Alaska finish line was the northernmost finish location in Race history.

Cast

Applications for The Amazing Race 12 were due on January 16, 2007. Semi-finalist interviews were held sometime in February 2007 or March 2007 and final casting interviews took place in April 2007.[7][8]

This season's 11 teams included married lesbian ministers, dating Goths, and siblings. Executive producer van Munster felt that "it was not intentional" for casting to leave out young-male teams commonly found in past seasons. He also said that it was pure coincidence for 15 of 22 racers to be residents of California.[3]

The grandson and grandfather team of Nicolas and Donald are, respectively, the son and father-in-law of singer Robbie Fulks.[9] Shana was the on-and-off girlfriend of TV personality Ryan Seacrest,[10][11] while racers Staella, TK, Rachel and Nathan all attended Fountain Valley High School in Fountain Valley, California.[12] Kynt had originally applied for an unknown season of the reality television show 'Survivor'.[13]

Ron & Christina and Kynt (as Kent) & Vyxsin raced again on The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business among a cast of returning teams from seasons 12–17. Additionally, during the Unfinished Business race, Christina revealed she was engaged to fellow season 12 racer Azaria Azene; they married in March 2011.[14]

This is one of the seasons after the first All-Star season that is not represented in the race cast for the second All-Star edition.

Marketing

Two days after the series premiere, CBS launched an Amazing Race page on social networking site Facebook via Facebook Ads.[15] The site contained interactive contents such as maps, trivia, a travel log, and prizes. The site also included a tie-in with the Where I've Been application.

Results

The following teams participated in the Race, each listed along with their placements in each leg and relationships as identified by the program. Note that this table is not necessarily reflective of all content broadcast on television, owing to the inclusion or exclusion of some data. Placements are listed in finishing order:

Team Relationship Position (by leg) Roadblocks
performed
1 2 3 4 5ƒ 6 7 8 9 10 11
TK & Rachel Newly Dating 3rd 6th 2nd 7th 1st 4th 4th 1st 4th 2nd 1st TK 5, Rachel 6
Ronald & Christina Father/Daughter 7th 9th 5th 3rd 3rd 1st 3rd 3rd 1st 1st 2nd Ronald 5,Christina 6
Nicolas & Donald Grandson/Grandfather 5th 8th 6th 4th 6th 5th 1stƒ 2nd 3rd 3rd 3rd Nicolas 6, Donald 4
Nathan & Jennifer Dating 10th 2nd 3rd 2nd 5th 3rd1 2nd 4th 2nd 4th Nathan 5, Jennifer 5
Kynt & Vyxsin Dating Goths 2nd 4th 4th 5th 2nd 2nd 5th 5th⊃2 Kynt 4, Vyxsin 4
Azaria & Hendekea Brother/Sister 1st 5th 1st 1st 4th 6th Azaria 4, Hendekea 2
Shana & Jennifer Friends 6th 3rd 7th 6th⊃ 7th Shana 3, Jennifer 2
Lorena & Jason Dating 4th 1st 8th 8th⊂ Lorena 1, Jason 3
Marianna & Julia Sisters 9th 7th 9th Marianna 2, Julia 1
Kate & Pat Married Ministers 8th 10th Kate 2, Pat 0
Ari & Staella Best Friends 11th Ari 0, Staella 1
  1. ^ Nathan & Jennifer initially arrived 2nd, but did not take legal transportation to the Pit Stop. They were asked to go back to the end of the Detour and take a taxi back to the Pit Stop. Kynt & Vyxsin checked in during that time period, dropping them to 3rd.
  2. ^ Kynt & Vyxsin used their U-Turn power on Nicolas & Donald. However, Nicolas & Donald were actually ahead of them, thus the U-Turn had no effect.

Episode title quotes

Episode titles are often taken from quotes made by the racers.

  1. "Donkeys Have Souls, Too" – Christina
  2. "I've Become the Archie Bunker of the Home" – Ronald
  3. "Please, Lord, Give Me Milk" – Lorena
  4. "Let's Name Our Chicken Phil" – Shana
  5. "We Really Burned Bridges, For Sure" – Jennifer (of Shana & Jennifer)
  6. "Cherry on Top of the Sundae That's Already Melted" – Nathan
  7. "This is Forever, Now" – Donald
  8. "Honestly, They Have Witch Powers or Something!" – Jennifer (of Nathan & Jennifer)
  9. "I Just Hope He Doesn't Croak on Us" – Ronald
  10. "Sorry, Guys, I'm Not Happy to See You" – Jennifer (of Nathan & Jennifer)
  11. "The Final Push" – TK

Prizes

The prize for each leg is awarded to the first place team for that leg. All trips are sponsored by Travelocity.

Elimination Station

The first five teams eliminated were sequestered at a villa in Portugal to await the finale. Subsequent eliminated teams telephoned the villa to inform the teams at the villa of their elimination, but continued to run the race as decoys to throw off potential spoilers of the Race. The sequestered teams met up with the decoy teams in the final destination city to cheer on the final three teams as they crossed the Finish Line.

CBS posted short videos on its website after each episode aired in the Pacific time zone to show the eliminated teams interacting at the villa.

Race summary

Complete Route Map
Destinations Air travel    Rail travel    Water travel    Bus travel
Route Markers Detour    Roadblock    Fast Forward    U-Turn    Speed Bump    Pit Stop

Leg 1 (United States → Ireland)

While in Ireland, teams spent overnight at Teampull Bheanáin around Inishmore on the Aran Islands.

Airdate: November 4, 2007

The first Roadblock of the Race that one team member had to ride a high-wire bicycle across a windswept ravine suspended almost 200 ft (61 m) above the North Atlantic, while their partner, sitting 8 ft (2.4 m) below, is taken for the ride until reaching their next clue above the wire.

Additional tasks

Leg 2 (Ireland → The Netherlands)

During the teams' visit in the Netherlands, they went to the rural village of Ransdorp for the Roadblock.

Airdate: November 11, 2007

In the first Detour of the Race, teams had to choose between Hoist It or Hunt It. In Hoist It, teams had to use a traditional rope and pulley system to hoist five pieces of furniture up a typical Amsterdam apartment. Once all of the items loaded, the head tenant would get their next clue. In Hunt It, teams made their way on foot several blocks to a bicycle parking lot called Fietsflat (Dutch) to search through thousands of bicycles for two bikes tagged with a specific color designated in their clue. After finding their bikes, teams had to ride them five miles to an attendant who would give them their next clue.

In the Roadblock for this leg, one team member had to play a sport called fierljeppen by completing a single vault over a 12 feet (3.7 m) wide irrigation ditch and landing on both feet on the marshy grass at the other side. Once the vaulting ditch is okay, run across the side to pick up their next clue and vault back to their partner. This task would reappear in Season 21 as a switchback.

Additional task

Leg 3 (The Netherlands → Burkina Faso)

The Roadblock in Burkina Faso required one team member to milk a Dromedary camel and then drink the milk.

Airdate: November 18, 2007

In this Roadblock, one team member had to milk a Dromedary around an area inhabited by Tuareg people, and collect the camel milk in a dried gourd bowl, up to a marked line. Once finished, they had to show their bowl to a local for approval and then drink all the milk to receive their next clue. If a team member was unable to obtain the sufficient amount of milk from his or her own camel, he or she had to wait until another team has completed their Roadblock and try milking their camel.

The Detour of this leg teams had to choose between Teach It or Learn It. In Teach It, teams had to teach schoolchildren who did not speak English to memorize ten words of English, in which they will later be tested by a local teacher until the children recite the words to receive the next clue. In Learn It, teams have to learn from the local schoolchildren ten words in the More language. Teams will later be tested for these words by a local teacher until receiving their next clue.

Additional task

Leg 4 (Burkina Faso)

For this leg's detour, teams took part in panning for gold.

Airdate: November 25, 2007

The Detour of this leg in which teams had to choose between Shake Your Pans or Shake Your Booty. In Shake Your Pans, teams had to use traditional methods to pan for one ounce of gold. Once done, they can trade their gold (after weighing), at a nearby tent, for their next clue. In Shake Your Booty, teams had to learn a traditional local dance, along with Winiama masked dancers and then perform it in front of 3 local celebrity judges and a crowd of locals. Once successfully got the moves, they received their next clue. Teams must also infuse some of their own dance moves. A lack of creativity or a bad performance will incur teams a 10-minute penalty.

In this Roadblock, one team member had to ride a bicycle and deliver a large amount of cumbersome goods, including a small goat. Teams had to deliver the items to a specific person stated in their clue at a nearby market. Once the items delivered, they received their next clue.

Additional task

Leg 5 (Burkina Faso → Lithuania)

This leg of the race (mainly the Roadblock) focused around the city of Vilnius, Lithuania

Airdate: December 2, 2007

In this Roadblock, one team member had to choose a local Lithuanian woman working outdoors in Nautilus courtyard who would give them a package and tell them where to take it. Then, traveling on foot through the confusing streets of the Vilnius Old Town, team members had to deliver the package to the correct person in Vilnius University Courtyard, who would then hand them their second package and one of four final destinations: Gabi Kavine, Saint Germain Restaurant, Hair Salon Sidabrynas and Shakespeare Hotel. When either deliveries are found in right location, they receive their next clue.

In this leg's Detour, teams had to choose between Count Down or Step Up. In Count Down, teams made their way through the traditional Mid-Summer's Festival to a marked section of picket fence. Once there, they had to count every picket that makes up the fence and then reveal their calculation to a villager. If they were correct, they would receive their next clue. In Step Up, teams had to stilt-walk along a marked course to the finish line. If a person fell off before reaching the end, that person had to go back to the beginning and start again. When they reached the end, they would receive their next clue.

There was a Fast Forward which went unaired. In a post-race interview, Shana and Jennifer revealed that the Fast Forward was present in a portion of the leg at Trakai Island Castle. However, the objective was unknown.[16]

Additional tasks

Leg 6 (Lithuania → Croatia)

While in Dubrovnik, teams visited Fort of St. Lawrence for the center point of this leg.

Airdate: December 9, 2007

In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had search and correctly find one of eight stones out of 150 stones and fit it into the rock wall at the fort being rebuilt after the Croatian War of Independence. Once it is completely built, the stonemason would hand them their next clue.

In this leg's Detour, teams had to choose between Short & Long or Long & Short. In Short & Long, teams had to rappel down the walls of Fort Bokar and then scale it again on a rope ladder. Then, they had to make their way on foot a longer distance through the confusing old quarter streets to find their next clue. In Long & Short, teams had to tandem zipline from the fort and then swim to the floating platforms where they must row a fishing boat around the city walls to a flagged area and then make their way on foot a shorter distance through the streets to find their next clue.

Additional task

Leg 7 (Croatia → Italy)

Teams ended this Tuscany leg in front of Boboli Gardens's kaffeehaus overlooking a scenic view of Florence.

Airdate: December 23, 2007

The Race's only aired Fast Forward, teams had to travel to Fabio Studios to take part in a local seafaring tradition but didn’t know that the tradition is the art of tattoo. When they arrived, they would learn that they had to have a permanent tattoo drawn on their bodies, the letters FF for Fast Forward, when it was done, that team would win the Fast Forward.

In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to soar through the skies over Tuscany in an ultralight and had to scan a 6-mile radius of the countryside below for the name of their next destination: Vinci. If team members thought they spotted the hint, they had to signal their pilot who would then bring them back down. Once on the ground, they would tell the instructor the word and, if correct, the pilot would hand them their next clue. There was a thirty-minute time limit per flight as team members had to make a mandatory landing for refueling before continuing their search.

In this leg's Detour, teams had a choice between Invention or Tradition. In Invention, teams made their way to a nearby courtyard and chose a replica of a centuries-old crane designed by Leonardo da Vinci. They had to first assemble the crane and use it to lift one large stone a foot off the ground. Then, they had to place a mirror underneath and read a clue printed on the bottom of the rock. In Tradition, teams made their way to Piazza Guido Masi. There, they had to learn a traditional local flag routine, and when they executed the routine correctly, the lead flagman would hand them a flag displaying the name of their next destination.

Additional task

Leg 8 (Italy → India)

The infamous Bandra Fort, a Portuguese fort on a shores in Mumbai, was served as the Pit Stop of the leg.

Airdate: December 30, 2007

In this Speed Bump, Kynt & Vyxsin must find the Yoga Master at Dariya Mahal and successfully perform a series of Yoga poses before being allowed to continue racing.

This leg's Detour was a choice between Paste 'Em or Thread 'Em. In Paste 'Em, teams made their way to a marked underpass in Tulsi Pipe Road of Dadar West Bridge and used the provided supplies to properly paste a 6-panel Bollywood movie poster onto the wall. When the advertisement was complete, they would receive their next clue. The panels are large and unwieldy. If even one panel is out of line, the judge will not accept it they may have to take them all down again and start over. In Thread 'Em, teams made their way to Dadar Flower Market and found a marked flower stall called Shyam Pandurang Bhagat where they had to create a traditional wedding garland by threading 108 flowers in an alternating pattern (red, orange, and yellow). When the judge agreed that the garland had been properly made, teams needed to deliver it to a nearby bridegroom and exchange it for their next clue.

In this Roadblock, one team member had to load a bicycle cart with six tanks of propane gas, pedal to the two addresses listed on their order slips, deliver three tanks to each address, and then take a receipt from the homeowner's door as proof of delivery. Once their deliveries were complete, they had to hand the foreman their two order slips and two receipts to receive their next clue.

Additional tasks

Leg 9 (India → Japan)

Upon arriving in Osaka, teams visited the famous Kishiwada Castle for a clue.

Airdate: January 6, 2008

In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to put on a hat and gloves as local cabbies do and transport a Japanese couple five miles through a maze of confusing, often one-way streets to a specified address (the Osaka Central Post Office (Japanese)). They could not invite a local to lead them or join them in the car and the couple could not help them. However, they could stop and ask for directions. Upon arrival at the correct address, the couple would hand them their next clue. However, the drivers would also have to make their way back to their teammate before they read what was inside.

The Detour of this leg was a choice between Sense of Touch or Sense of Smell. In Sense of Touch, teams made their way on foot to the Shimojima Building and had to use miniature robots controlled by cell phones to play a game of soccer against two robotic defenders. Once each team member had scored a goal, the referee would give them their next clue. In Sense of Smell, teams made their way to the Saera Flower Shop where only artificial flowers were sold. Once there, they had to use their noses (and only their noses) to identify one real flower hidden among thousands of artificial ones in the two story flower shop. When they found a real flower, the shop owner would give them their next clue.

Additional task

Leg 10 (Japan → Taiwan)

While in Taipei, teams must drink a cup of tea with a clue written in Chinese under on it.

Airdate: January 13, 2008

In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to become a passenger in a car driven by a professional stunt driver who would maneuver the vehicle onto a giant teeter-totter and then rock back and forth precariously 25 feet (7.6 m) above the ground. Then, the team member would switch into an amphibious car, don a pair of goggles, and while holding their breath, they would be driven underwater for 17 seconds. If they were successful, they would get their next clue.

The Speed Bump required TK & Rachel to find Heping Elementary School, don on protective gear and run through a barrage of fireworks. Once they completed the run and were doused with water, they were allowed to continue racing.

The Detour of this leg had a choice between Fire or Earth. In Fire, teams made their way to Zhongzheng Park to participate in a mystical Chinese ritual by writing messages of luck, good or bad, on Kongming lanterns. They had to burn "spirit money" under the lanterns, filling them with hot air that would lift the lanterns into the sky and carry their messages to the spirits above. Once a team sent 20 sky lanterns into the air, they would receive their next clue. In Earth, teams made their way to Youth Park to participate in a local custom used to reduce stress. Team members had to take off their shoes and, with their bare feet, walk down a 220-foot path made of jagged stones, turn around, and walk back. When they are finished, they would receive their next clue.

Additional tasks

Leg 11 (Taiwan → United States)

The city of Anchorage, Alaska overlooking Chugach Mountains was the site of the final leg of The Amazing Race 12.

Airdate: January 20, 2008

The final Detour of the Race was a choice of Cut the Cod or Grab the Crab. In Cut the Cod, teams had to cut through several 50-pound Ling Cod and search for a miniature clue hidden in one of the fish. In Grab the Crab, teams had to jump into the hold of a boat swarming with over 500 live crabs. Then, they had to search through the nipping crustaceans for a crab marked with Race colors to receive their next clue.

In the final Roadblock of the Race, one team member had face a field of objects they encountered along the race course. Each team was given fifteen recognizable items from different legs of the Race and had to place the ten specific items that matched two different requirements, it could only be one item in the ten legs of the Race:

While there were several ways to fulfill either of the requirements, only one correct group of ten items fulfilled both to open the clue box and their next clue.

Additional tasks

Ratings

US Nielsen ratings

Order Episode Rating/Share
(18-49)		 Viewers
(millions)
1 "Donkeys Have Souls, Too" 13.82
2 "I’ve Become the Archie Bunker of the Home" 3.1/8[18] 10.48
3 "Please, Lord, Give Me Milk" 3.8/9[19] 11.86
4 "Let's Name Our Chicken Phil" N/A 11.80
5 "We Really Burned Bridges, For Sure" 3.4/8[20] 11.26
6 "Cherry on Top of the Sundae That's Already Melted" 3.8/9[21] 11.95
7 "This is Forever, Now" 2.8/8[22] 8.97
8 "Honestly, They Have Witch Powers or Something" 2.5/6[23] 9.69
9 "I Just Hope He Doesn’t Croak On Us" N/A 11.99
10 "Sorry, Guys, I’m Not Happy to See You" 3.8/9[24] 11.65
11 “The Final Push" 3.1/7[25] 9.75

Canadian ratings

# Viewers
(millions)		 Rank
(Overall)
1 2.14 #8[26]
2 2.03 #7
3 2.09 #9
4 1.86 #10
5 2.10 #9
6 2.02 #5
7 1.32 #12
8 1.62 #1
9 1.71 #4
10 1.85 #5
11 2.04 #3

Notes

  1. ↑ The five teams were on the British Airways flight to London that would arrive 20 minutes earlier than the scheduled Dublin flight and it was delayed, allowing the six teams on the Aer Lingus flight from Dublin and arrived in Shannon first.

References

  1. ↑ "CBS announces 'The Amazing Race 12' to premiere November 4". Retrieved 2007-10-23.
  2. ↑ Larsen, Peter (2008-01-22). "For 'Amazing Race' winners, the toughest job was keeping quiet". Orange County Register. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  3. 1 2 3 Rocchio, Christopher (2007-11-01). "'The Amazing Race' producer: Upcoming twelfth edition is a nail-biter". Reality TV World. Retrieved 2007-11-01.
  4. 1 2 Schneider, Michael (2007-10-22). "CBS cancels 'Viva Laughlin'". Variety. Retrieved 2007-10-22.
  5. ↑ Fitzgerald, Toni (2007-05-16). "CBS's fall lineup: Bolder yet still CBS". Media Life.
  6. ↑ "New twist thwarts 'Amazing Race' couple". MSNBC. 2007-11-26. Retrieved 2007-12-05.
  7. ↑ Application and Eligibility Requirements Archived November 27, 2006, at the Wayback Machine.
  8. ↑ Application Form Archived December 2, 2006, at the Wayback Machine.
  9. ↑ "robbie's hoping for a windfall". Archived from the original on December 22, 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-22.
  10. ↑ "New Amazing Race Teams Announced". Archived from the original on December 4, 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-28.
  11. ↑ "Shana Wall kept 'Race' status secret from ex-beau Ryan Seacrest". Retrieved 2007-11-29.
  12. ↑ "INTERVIEW: 'The Amazing Race's Kate Lewis, Pat Hendrickson talk". Retrieved 2007-11-13.
  13. ↑ "Interview with Lynne Spillman, Casting Director for The Amazing Race - Reality TV Interviews, News, and Recaps". Realitywanted.net. Retrieved 2012-05-14.
  14. ↑ Gomez, Patrick (2011-04-13). "Amazing Race Contestants Christina Hsu and Azaria Azene Wed". People. Retrieved 2011-04-13.
  15. ↑ ""CBS Joins "Facebook Ads" to Build an Online Community Around "The Amazing Race""". 2007-11-08. Retrieved 2008-01-09.
  16. ↑ Woodruff, Teeuwynn (2007-12-05). ""We're Very Determined, Competitive People" An Interview with The Amazing Race's Shana & Jennifer". Reality News Online. Retrieved 2007-12-05.
  17. ↑ "Actual newspaper-ad in India with the next clue". Times of india. 2007-07-24. Retrieved 2010-02-24.
  18. ↑ "Top CBS Primetime Shows, November 5–11".
  19. ↑ "Top CBS Primetime Shows, November 12–18".
  20. ↑ "Top CBS Primetime Shows, Nov 26 – Dec 2".
  21. ↑ "Top CBS Primetime Shows, December 3–9".
  22. ↑ "Top CBS Primetime Shows, December 17–23".
  23. ↑ "Top CBS Primetime Shows, December 24–30".
  24. ↑ "Top CBS Primetime Shows, January 7–13".
  25. ↑ "Top CBS Primetime Shows, January 14–20".
  26. ↑ "Top Programs – Total Canada (English), October 29-November 4, 2007" (PDF). BBM Nielsen. Retrieved 2007. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
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