It’s the Ultimate Blind Date…Racing Around the World!

If you’ve ever gone out on a blind date you know how awkward it can be. From not knowing what to talk about to having nothing in common – now imagine being paired together on a race around the world. That’s what the producers of the Amazing Race have done for the 26th season of the show.

For the first time in its history the 11 teams competing on the show will all be dating couples. The twist – five of the pairs racing have never met before. They will meet for the first time at the race’s starting line.

I have mixed emotions about this new twist in the show. I think it’s going to be interesting watching the pair’s get to know each other. I also get so frustrated with the couple’s on the show that argue non-stop and fight the entire way during the race. I think with the pairs that don’t know each other it’ll bring a whole new dynamic to the show. I don’t think there will be as much fighting. In my opinion, usually you don’t start to argue or fight with your partner until you’ve known them for a little while. But is it fair to ask a couple, who may not really connect on that personal level, to race around the world? I guess if it’s for $1 million it is…

The teams will also have an opportunity throughout the race to win the new “Date Night” reward, which allows one couple to enjoy a romantic activity like a night at a hot springs resort in Nagano, Japan, or star-gazing at the Bavarian Public Observatory in Munich, Germany.

The Amazing Race will feature New Kids on the Block’s Jonathan Knight, who will be competing with his boyfriend, Harley Rodriguez; and Olympic athletes Aly Dudek and Steve Langton, who won bronze medals for the U.S. in short track speed skating and bobsledding. As for who’s going to be set up on the blind dates…guess we’ll have to tune in to find out!

The 90-minute premiere of the Amazing Race will be on Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 9:30 p.m. before moving to its regularly-scheduled timeslot on Friday, Feb. 27 at 8 p.m. What do you think about the twist? And would you be willing to be part of the ultimate blind date on a race around the world?