Among some of the crazy challenges the teams will face is skydiving in Argentina, training with Masai warriors in Tanzania and racing through Africa’s “Garden of Eden.” The teams will also embark on a culinary tour of Italy (color me jealous!) and visit King Ludwig’s quarters in the German castle that served as the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty’s castle in the infamous fairytale. Color me jealous, again!

And like it or not, Big Brother alums Brendon Villegas and Rachel Reilly will be competing this season! Safe to say Rachel will not be allowing anyone to get between her and the million dollars!

This season’s cast also features Guido best friends and a border patrol team. Meet the eleven new race teams below!

CBS recently released a sneak peak of the upcoming season, which features tons of insane adventures and looks, frankly, amazing.

In the end, engaged couple Ernie Halvorsen and Cindy Chiang came out victorious, crossing the finish line at Atlanta’s historic Swan House to take home the $1 million prize.

Ernie and Cindy’s win was a bit surprising as the couple had spent most of the season being stuck in second place. Front runners, Jeremy Cline and Sandy Draghi, who actually started the race in first place ended up coming in second.

Jeremy and Sandy lost their lead in the competition when their clue instructed them to head to a residence once known as “The Dump.” Failing to do their own research, the duo simply relied on a guy in a truck who sent them to the wrong location — a furniture store called “The Dump.”  On the other hand, Ernie and Cindy found the right location when they arrived at “The Dump” — an apartment in which “Gone with the Wind” was written.

Project manager Ernie, 29, and his fiancée Cindy, 30, a brand manager, won the competition following a journey that took them through 40,000 miles, four continents, 10 countries and 20 cities.

“This has been the best premarital counseling that you could ever get,” said Cindy following the win. “I can’t think of anything better in life than to have a husband that could be so supportive and caring even when I’m at my low.”

The couple revealed they plan on using the $1 million prize to start a charity to help those in need around the world. Former NFL player Marcus Pollard and his wife Amani came in third.

TELL US – THOUGHTS ON THE AMAZING RACE FINALE & SEASON? DID ERNIE AND CINDY DESERVE TO WIN?

CBS loves a reality crossover! Unfortunately for viewers, Survivors turned Survivors turned Amazing Race contestants turned Survivor (you get my drift) Rob and Amber Mariano have been replaced with a new over-exposed celebreality power couple.

Rachel Reilly and Brendon Villegas were the Big Brother couple many people loved to hate. We watched the pair fall in love on Season 12 of the hit show (who thought that would last?) and get engaged before returning for Round Two on the following season. Season 13 brought more of the same for the hot-and-cold, drama-loving pair when they returned with other former BB twosomes to switch up the show’s dynamic (sound familiar, Survivor?) with Rachel going on to win the $500,000 grand prize after her honey got the boot (yet again).

Well, now it seems the couple will have another chance to win over our hearts as they compete in the twentieth season of Amazing Race. Thanksgiving weekend, there were several reports that the new season was filming at Los Angeles International Airport, and among the traveling partners were Rachel and Brendon. Someone has to fill Ethan Zohn and Jenna Morasca’s shoes though, right?

Perhaps the pair will be the first CBS power couple to actually win Amazing Race. There have been several past crossover pairs, but only Rob and Amber have come close to taking home the title when they finished second on Season 7… not to be confused with when they traveled the world on the “all-star” edition of the series. If these airport sightings are accurate, maybe the couple will find the popularity needed to have CBS foot the bill for a televised wedding!

The new season of Amazing Race is set to premiere early next year.

DID YOU WATCH RACHEL AND BRENDON ON BIG BROTHER? HOW DO YOU THINK THE PAIR WILL DO IN THE AMAZING RACE? THOUGHTS ON CBS RECYCLING REALITY STARS?

It’s the kind of news I hate having to write about, but former Survivor winner Ethan Zohn’s cancer has returned.

In an interview with People, the thirty-seven year old reality television star explains that doctors told him on September 14 that the cancer had returned to his chest. Ethan had spent the previous twenty months in remission from Hodgkin’s lymphoma. However, even while in remission, Ethan was concerned that the cancer could come back.

He states, “I don’t want fear or cancer to define me, but it’s always in the back of your mind.” Ethan continues, telling the magazine, “It’s localized in my lung area, [but] it’s good that it’s not all over my body.”

Ethan reveals that his long time girlfriend, another Survivor winner and Zohn’s recent Amazing Race partner, was with him when he received the news. Of thirty-year-old Jenna Morasco, Ethan admits, “We’re both filled with fear and anger and anxiety and gratitude and frustration. But there’s so much love there. It’s this whole spectrum of emotions.” He is grateful for his love of eight years who “[is] taking it like the rock star that she is.”

Ethan began a new form of chemotherapy on October 18, which will continue for twelve weeks. SNG-35 is a type of treatment that only targets cancerous cells, meaning, says Ethan, “I won’t lose my hair again.”

Once finished with the chemo, Ethan will likely go through another stem-cell transplant. One of his brothers is hopefully a match for Ethan, although his doctors won’t tell him which one. Zohn explains, “They didn’t want me to start treating one differently than the other. Of course my whole family is taking bets on who it is.”

Not the kind of person to let this news take over his life, Ethan reveals that on November 6, he will run the New York marathon as planned. He is participating in the race to raise money for his Grassroot Soccer organization, which Zohn founded to promote AIDS awareness, as well as prevention and education of the disease.

“The doctors think I’m crazy but they gave me the okay,” Ethan admits. He continues, “Cancer isn’t going to slow me down. I want people to know that you can still live a fulfilled life and move forward.”

What an amazing attitude to have and one that will definitely help him on his road to recovery. We here at RT are praying for Ethan’s quick return to good health!

The new season of the Amazing Race marks a decade of entertainment from the CBS series, so expect to see lots of new twists and turns.

The nineteenth season is highlighted by a cast headed up by former Survivor winners Jenna Morasca and cancer survivor Ethan Zohn. Joining them are a retired NFL player, Olympic snowboarders, a set of twins, the youngest person ever to sail solo around the world, and, of course, a pair of former Vegas showgirls…just to name a few.

This year’s race around the world will span four continents, twenty cities, and almost 40,000 miles of global travel. The eleven teams will start their trek in Southern California before heading to Taiwan. Thailand, Denmark, Malawi, and Indonesia will be other destinations for those fortunate enough to survive elimination.

This season, hosted by Phil Keoghan, also boasts a new “Hazard” penalty and the first ever double elimination. The new season of Amazing Race premieres Sunday, September 25, on CBS. Meet the teams below!

CLICK THE CONTINUE READING BUTTON TO SEE THE TEAMS!

Ethan Zohn, 37, “change maker” and Jenna Morasca, 30, TV host/student
Dating couple/former Survivor winners from New York City

Bill Alden, 63, farmer/rancher, and Cathi Alden, 62, college instructor/retired principal
Married for forty years/grandparents from Albany, Oregon

Ernie Halvorsen, 29, project manager, and Cindy Chiang, 30, brand manager
Engaged couple from Chicago, Illinois

Jeremy Cline, 35, commercial real estate broker, and Sandy Draghi, 33, nurse practitioner
Dating couple from California

Amani Pollard, 36, business owner, and Marcus Pollard, 39, retired NFL player/football coach
Spouses from Pine Mountain, Georgia

Ron Zeitz, 44, and Bill Smith, 49, both flight attendants
Domestic partners from Laguna Niguel, California

Kaylani Paliotta, 33, and Lisa Tilly, 32, both cocktail waitresses
Friends and former showgirls from Las Vegas, Nevada

Laurence Sunderland, 48, yacht manager, Zac Sunderland, 19, record-setting sailor
Father and son from Thousand Oaks, California

Andy Finch, 30 and Tommy Czeschin, 32, both professional snowboarders
Friends and former Olympic snowboarders from California

Liz Canavan, marketing assistant, and Marie Canavan, “soul searcher,” both 24
Twins from Deerfield, Illinois

Justin Young, doctor, 31, and Jennifer Young, special education teacher, 26
Siblings from Stone Mountain, Georgia

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE NEW TEAMS? WHO DO YOU PREDICT WILL WIN THIS SEASON’S AMAZING RACE?

LaKisha and Jennifer beat out two other teams, father/daughter team Gary and Mallory, and Globetrotters Herb and Nate, to win the $1 million prize. The sisters’ win makes this only the second time in the show’s history an all women’s team has won.

“It was such a hard race,” Kisha, 30, stated. “From the start, it was like they had really stepped it up. And we’d get to the end of a leg, and there would be Phil Koeghan, giving us another clue and telling us to keep running!”

“You get so ready to go to a pit stop and rest,” adds Jennifer. “And then to keep running, it really wears you down.” Both sisters dedicated their win to their mother on the show last night. “We’re doing it for Mom,” said Jennifer promising to give some of their winnings to their mother. Aww.

Meanwhile, previous Amazing Race winners Meghan Rickey & Cheyne Whitney also tied the knot this weekend.

Meghan and Cheyne, the 2009 winners of season 15, got married on Saturday in front of over 200 of their closest friends and family. PEOPLE magazine reports the romantic and stylish wedding took place at the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego.

“I’m a little bit hoarse, a little sick, but I’m excited,” Meghan told PEOPLE. “This is our day!” Cheyne added, “It’s been perfect. The ceremony couldn’t have been better.”

Meghan wore a strapless satin A-Line dress with sweetheart neckline and jeweled bodice, with the bridesmaids wearing long, Slate chiffon dresses. Their first dance was to “Is This Love” by Bob Marley.

Wedding Photo Credit – Aaron Feldman of True Photography Weddings!

TELL US – THOUGHTS ON SISTERS LAKISHA & JENNIFER WINNING THE GAME?

Eleven former teams who fell short of winning $1 million during their inaugural races around the world return for another adventure and a second chance in The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business aka All-star season!

The 18th season of the show will feature some familiar faces and fan favorites from previous seasons including the cowboys, goths, Harlem Globetrotters and more.

These contestants will travel 40,000 miles through five continents and 23 cities. Teams will begin their journey around the globe from the second-windiest place on the planet, and travel to such picturesque locations as Sydney, Australia, where they find themselves swimming with sharks; Liechtenstein, where they must measure the length of the entire country while riding a motorized bicycle; and Tokyo, Japan, where they must endure the freezing waters from Mount Fuji as part of a spiritual ritual.

The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business premieres Sunday Feb. 20 at 8/7c on CBS.

CLICK THE CONTINUE READING BUTTON BELOW TO SEE THE TEAM PHOTOS & BIOS!

Jaime Edmondson, Age: 31 and Cara Rosenthal, Age: 28

Relationship: Former NFL Cheerleaders/Teammates
Previous Season/Result: Season 14/2nd Place
Why they’re returning: During the final leg, Jaime and Cara fell victim to a bad taxi driver in Hawaii and lost to Tammy and Victor.

Ron Hsu, Age: 61 and Christina Hsu, Age: 29

Relationship: Father/Daughter
Previous Season/Result: Season 12/2nd Place
Why they’re returning: After struggling during their final leg in Alaska, Ron and Christina finished in 2nd place to TK and Rachel.

Kent Kaliber, Age: 35 and Vyxsin Fiala, Age: 32

Relationship: Dating/Friends
Previous Season/Result: Season 12/5th Place
Why they’re returning: Kent and Vyxsin self-destructed in Italy and were unable to fight back to stay in the game.

LaKisha Hoffman, Age: 30 and Jennifer Hoffman, Age: 26

Relationship: Sisters
Previous Season/Result: Season 14/4th Place
Why they’re returning: LaKisha and Jennifer missed out on a spot in the final three by minutes after stopping to use the restroom in China.

Zev Glassenberg, Age: 28 and Justin Kanew, Age: 31

Relationship: Best friends
Previous Season/Result: Season 15/9th Place
Why they’re returning: Zev and Justin finished in 1st place during their Cambodia leg, but quickly discovered that they had lost their passport and would not be able to continue in the Race.

Herb Lang, Age: 34 and Nate Lofton, Age: 29

Relationship: Harlem Globetrotters Teammates
Previous Season/Result: Season 15/4th Place
Why they’re returning: The Globetrotters incurred a four hour penalty in Prague after failing to complete a Roadblock, which cost them a spot in the final three.

Amanda Blackledge, Age: 25 and Kris Klicka, Age: 26

Relationship: Engaged
Previous Season/Result: Season 14/8th Place
Why they’re returning: Amanda and Kris were unexpectedly u-turned in Siberia by Margie and Luke and were eliminated from the Race.

Gary Ervin, Age: 53 and Mallory Ervin, Age: 25

Relationship: Father/Daughter
Previous Season/Result: Season 17/6th Place
Why they’re returning: Gary and Mallory were unable to avoid elimination after getting lost in Oman for over nine hours.

Jet McCoy, Age: 31 and Cord McCoy, Age: 30

Relationship: Brothers
Previous Season/Result: Season 16/2nd Place
Why they’re returning: Jet and Cord fell behind during the final leg and couldn’t recover, which ultimately led to a 2nd place finish to winners Dan and Jordan.

Margie Adams, Age: 53 and Luke Adams, Age: 25

Relationship: Mother/Son
Previous Season/Result: Season 14/3rd Place
Why they’re returning: Margie and Luke entered the final challenge with a substantial lead, but quickly fell behind and finished in 3rd place.

Not Pictured

Mel White, Age: 70 and Mike White, Age: 40

Relationship: Father/Son
Previous Season/Result: Season 14/6th Place
Why they’re returning: Mike and Mel found themselves lost in Thailand courtesy of a bad taxi driver and were eliminated from the Race.

The finale episode of the Amazing Race season 17 aired last night and for the first time in the show’s history, an all female team won the competition.

Those history making ladies are Doctors Nat Strand, 31, and Kat Chang, 35. Nat and Kat beat out Brook Roberts and Claire Champlin and dating couple Thomas Wolfard and Jill Haney to win the $1 million prize.

During the one hour finale, the three teams had to bungee jump off a giant crane at the Port of Long Beach, decorate a float for the Tournament of Roses parade, and play a trivia contest with veteran game-show host Bob Eubanks.

And also for the first time in the show’s history, the race ended in Los Angeles. “It’s hard to believe, but this is the first time in our series history that we’ve ended the race in Los Angeles. Nothing like maneuvering your way to the finish line through L.A. traffic,” host Phil Keoghan told PEOPLE. “We have one challenge where teams literally have to face their fears and phobias in order to avoid choking with $1 million on the line.”

For this season, the finalists covered four continents, 30 cities and 32,000 miles. “This experience has totally bonded us, and no one will ever understand what we went through except these people,” said Kat to Nat. “You really are my sister, and this is something we’ll share for the rest of our lives,” she added.

The biggest surprise of the night however came in the form of Phil announcing the next season of TAR will be an all-star season! Even better, runners-up Brook and Claire, will be competing in the all-star edition. Other “fan-favorite” teams will include Cowboys Jet and Cord and goth faves Kynt and Vixsin.

“The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business” will premiere Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011 on CBS.

TELL US – THOUGHTS ON NAT & KATE WINNING? AND ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT THE ALL-STAR SEASON?

CLICK THE CONTINUE READING BUTTON BELOW TO SEE THE FULL LIST OF THE ALL-STAR CAST!

The Amazing Race Season 18 All-Star Cast!

Season 17
♦ Home shopping hosts/runners-up Brook and Claire
♦ Princeton singers Jonathan Schwartz and Connor Diemand-Yauman
♦ Kentucky beauty queen Mallory Ervin and her dad, Gary
♦ Kevin Wu and his Internet sensation dad Michael

Season 16
♦ Rhode Island detectives Louie Stravato and Michael Naylor

Season 15
♦ Pink-haired, bandana-ed Matt Tomljenovich and his dad Gary
♦ DQ’d, passport-losing Justin Kanew and Zev Glassenberg
♦ Poker players Maria Ho and Tiffany Michelle
♦ Harlem Globetrotters Big Easy and Flight Time

Season 14
♦ Filmmaker Mike White and his dad Mel
♦ Former NFL cheerleaders Cara Rosenthal and Jaime Edmondson
♦ Luke Adams, the first deaf TAR contestant, and his mom, Margie

Season 13
♦ Out-of-shape frat brothers Andrew Lappitt and Dan Honig

Season 12
♦ Dating Goths Kynt and Vixsin

The all new season of the Amazing Race is set to debut tonight on CBS at 8:30/7:30c.

The 17th season of the show will follow 11 teams as they travel over 32,000 miles, spanning over four continents and 30 cities with inaugural visits to Bangladesh, Ghana and a Trek Deep into the Arctic Circle.

Additionally, for the first time in the show’s history, the Team to finish in first place during the premiere episode will be awarded a surprise, game-changing advantage.

The new season will feature contestants from all walks of life, including a team of home shopping hosts, newly dating couples, an Internet entertainer, Ivy League a cappella singers and a birth mother/daughter Team who were recently reunited after the mother gave her newborn daughter up for adoption over 20 years ago.

Phil Keoghan returns as the show host in tonight’s 90 minute premiere.

The cast photos and bios below!

Katie Seamon, 23 and Rachel Johnston, 24 (Beach Volleyball Players)

Chad Waltrip, 26 and Stephanie Smith, 23 (Dating Couple)

CLICK THE CONTINUE READING BUTTON FOR MORE CAST PHOTOS!

Jill Haney, 27 and Thomas Wolford, 30 (Dating Couple)

Andie DeKroon, 43 and Jenna Sykes, 21 (Birth Mother/Daughter)

Ron Kellum, 45 and Tony Stovall, 42 (Best Friends)

Nat Strand, 31 and Kat Chang, 35 (Doctors/Friends)

Nick De Carlo, 26 and Vicki Casciola, 26 (Dating Couple)

Connor Diemand-Yauman, 22 and Jonathan Schwartz, 22 (Ivy League Students/Cappella Singers)

Michael Wu, 58 and Kevin Wu, 20 (Father/Son)

Gary Ervin, 53 and Mallory Ervin, 24 (Father/Daughter)

Brook Roberts, 27 and Claire Champlin, 30

With the new edition of Big Brother currently airing, a lot of the show’s fans have been wondering what is going on with last season’s favorite Jeff Schroeder.

Jeff, who came close to making the BB final 2 last year, has since appeared on the Amazing Race this year with girlfriend & fellow BB alum Jordan Lloyd.  While the couple came way short of winning the show, it seems Jeff is now ready for a new adventure.

In a new interview with PEOPLE, Jeff discusses being the host of Around the World for Free, a web series for CBS.com that will take him across the world for 100 days with no money and with viewers determining where he goes, how he gets there and where he stays.  Jeff also confirms that he and Jordan are still together, and discusses how they make their long-distance relationship work.

Excerpts from Jeff’s interview below -

You have said that doing a travel show was your ultimate dream and now it’s been realized. How does it feel?
Not to be too philosophical, but I’ve learned that anything can happen if you really believe in it and want it enough. I’ve been saying it for a long time and I know that BB and The Amazing Race were springboards for me to get this show. But it’s an amazing feeling to realize a dream.

So many things can go wrong in 100 days. Are you nervous?
If you look for problems or if you go out looking for the bad, then you’re going to find it. I have to focus on the positive and keep telling myself that there are good people out there and that everything is going to be good. My attitude is that I know things are going to go well but I’m hopping things go even better!

Are you catching up on your world cultures or are you going into this fully blind?

Obviously I’m no world traveler but I kind of want to go in blind. I want to learn as the audience learns. I think I’m an average, everyday guy and I want everyone else to be on my page. I want to go into this with an open heart and open eyes.

How are you and Jordan doing?
We’ve had our bumps but no break-ups and everything is going great. We only get to see each other every two weeks or so. We have to travel back and forth but we vacation together and do a lot of fun things together. Lately I’ve been busy with the show and she’s been busy with school, but having to work with a long-distance relationship really worked out for us because when we finally get a break from what we’re doing we’re so excited to see each other. So far, so good.

You can check out the show here on CBS.