The COVID-19 pandemic has affected each Hollywood manufacturing in 2020, and solely in current weeks have some exhibits discovered a technique to resume manufacturing on new seasons. How does that work for a present like Amazing Race, which pits groups of two in opposition to one another as they journey the world and compete in challenges?
The sequence was in the midst of capturing Season 33 when COVID-19 pressured everybody to return residence and follow social distancing. Consequently, Season 32, which was filmed in 2018 and was initially slated to air within the spring, was delayed till fall. Season 32 will premiere on Wednesday, Oct. 14, lastly giving Superb Race followers new episodes after months and months of ready. Collection host Phil Keoghan stated he believes that the followers are able to welcome the present again into their lives and can welcome some escapism, even when they’re nonetheless caught of their properties and ready for the world to return to regular.
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Forward of the season, Keoghan advised TV Information that the brand new episodes of Superb Race will really feel like older, easier seasons. There isn’t any large twist or gimmick for Season 32; it is simply groups touring the world and making an attempt to win challenges — one thing that followers have demanded and that ought to be a consolation in these making an attempt occasions. Try what else Keoghan needed to say concerning the new episodes and when Superb Race is likely to be again up and operating for Season 33.
This season of The Superb Race is premiering when lots of people are nonetheless caught at residence and unable to journey. What are you hoping followers get out of watching the sequence throughout a pandemic?
Phil Keoghan: Escapism, only a reduction of [getting] out of the home vicariously. Sit of their most snug chair and get to journey in a world that they cannot proper now.
The season was filmed a superb whereas earlier than the pandemic occurred. Did something should be edited to make 2018 really feel extra like 2020?
Keoghan: Our exhibits are very evergreen, so we do not timestamp stuff within the present. There wasn’t something that wanted to be adjusted. The laborious half has simply been ready. I actually felt for the forged. That is one thing they did fairly a while in the past, and so they’re actually itching for the world to see it. So that’s all the time robust to ask individuals to attend, after which our followers who’ve been extremely affected person. Fortunately, they now get to see the present that they’ve missed.
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You’ve got stated in earlier interviews that this was essentially the most difficult season for you bodily. Why was that?
Keoghan: In case you take a look at the the forged, you possibly can see that there are very bodily forged. I believe followers have been eager for us to get again to the elemental parts of the present: groups of two touring to new locations, doing new and various things…I believe what the viewers was saying to us [was], “You’ll be able to twist and switch and add, and do all of those promotable issues all you want, however on the finish of the day, we would love groups of two touring world wide going to new in other places. So simply give us that.” That is actually what [Season] 32 was about, [returning to basics].
What are you most excited for followers to see in Season 32?
Keoghan: Folks have been binge-watching Superb Race. Lots of people have been bingeing, lots of people have caught up. The concept now we have one thing new and completely different and recent for them, like a brand new season is actually thrilling. I am simply actually excited for one thing new and completely different to be out. It is the escapism…We have to see the world is the way in which that it was, the way in which that will probably be once we get by way of this. This season is for me, and we did not understand it on the time, however this season is about again to fundamentals. It is about escapism. That is about giving individuals an opportunity to only journey the world and never be apprehensive about all of the issues that everyone is so apprehensive about as we speak.
You have been within the strategy of filming Season 33 when manufacturing was shut down. Do you assume you possibly can resume the place you left off, or will you must begin over?
Keoghan: That might be the intention, to only choose it up. There’s lots of issues that must go into that. Quite a lot of thought must go into that, however that, to me, could be the easiest way ahead.
Is there a COVID-friendly technique to shoot this present, or will you must wait till there is a vaccine broadly accessible to actually do that present once more?
Keoghan: I do not know what the long run holds, whether or not it is the vaccine that can carry this underneath management, or whether or not it is us collectively making some sacrifices to should carry it underneath management. I do not know…In case you do a studio present, you possibly can have inexperienced zones and purple zones, and you may ensure that everyone follows a specific process, and you may separate individuals, and you are able to do all of these items. It is a lot simpler to create a COVID compliant location, however our studio is the world. We will be tens of 1000’s of miles away from residence. You’ll be able to’t simply apply a COVID plan to that…We’re extra affected by this case than different exhibits, which is once more, a part of what makes it particular, what makes it new and completely different, but in addition, what makes it more difficult to shoot. And if we have been to place restrictions on the way in which we shot it, it simply would not be the race that everyone knows and love.
The Superb Race airs Wednesdays at 9//8c on CBS.
Phil Keoghan, The Superb Race