No. of Episodes 11 Air date February 19, 2012 Cities visited 22 Countries visited 9 Winners Rachel Brown, Dave Brown | No. of legs 12 Number of episodes 11 Continents visited 5 Number of legs 12 | |
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Season Run February 19 (2012-02-19) – May 6, 2012 (2012-05-06) Filming dates November 26 (2011-11-26) – December 19, 2011 (2011-12-19) Winning team Rachel Brown & Dave Brown, Jr. All-Stars Brendon Villegas & Rachel Reilly,
Mark Jackson | ||
The Amazing Race 20 is the twentieth installment of the reality television show The Amazing Race. The Amazing Race 20 features eleven teams of two, each with a pre-existing relationship, in a race around the world.
Contents
- Development and filming
- Casting
- Results
- Episode title quotes
- Prizes
- Leg 1 United States Argentina
- Leg 2 Argentina
- Leg 3 Argentina Paraguay
- Leg 4 Paraguay Italy
- Leg 5 Italy Germany
- Leg 6 Germany Azerbaijan
- Leg 7 Azerbaijan Tanzania
- Leg 8 Tanzania
- Leg 9 Tanzania India
- Leg 10 India
- Leg 11 India Japan
- Leg 12 Japan United States
- Ratings
- US Nielsen ratings
- Canadian ratings
- References
The twentieth Race premiered on Sunday, February 19, 2012. It aired on CBS in the United States on Sunday nights at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT with the two-hour season finale on May 6, 2012. The show is hosted by Phil Keoghan.
Married couple Rachel and Dave Brown, Jr., were the winners of The Amazing Race 20. They also set a record on the American version of the show for winning the most legs in a single season, at eight.
Development and filming
CBS renewed the series for its 20th season in June 16, 2011. This season spans a little over 36,000 miles (58,000 km) in twenty-two cities and five continents with first-time visits to Paraguay and Azerbaijan. It featured tasks where teams are forced to skydive in Argentina, visit a famous castle that inspired Disney in Germany and train with Maasai warriors in Tanzania. Italy was also confirmed for this season.
In Leg 8, two teams (Brendon and Rachel and Vanessa and Ralph) survived a Double U-Turn and were not eliminated.
During Leg 10, Bopper and Mark won the Fast Forward, yet were eliminated on the same leg, marking the second time in the show's history that this has happened (the first time being Dennis and Andrew on Leg 3 of season 3).
Casting
The cast includes former Big Brother contestants Brendon Villegas and Rachel Reilly as well as Major League Soccer players Elliot and Andrew Weber, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus clowns Dave and Cherie Gregg and professional golfer Maiya Tanaka who previously appeared on the Golf Channel's reality competition The Big Break. It also includes a pair of federal agents (who lied to other teams by saying they were kindergarten teachers), United States Border Patrol agents, and dating divorcees.
After the completion of the race, fan favorites William "Bopper" Minton and Mark Jackson were awarded a check for $10,000 from the hosts of the daytime talk show The Talk.
On September 8, 2012, Brendon and Rachel were married, and they were later selected for The Amazing Race: All-Stars along with Bopper and Mark – however Bopper was unable to compete with Mark due to signs of pancreatitis and was replaced with Mallory Ervin of season 17 and Unfinished Business; Mallory and Mark competed in the All-Stars race as a composite team.
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 due to inclusion or exclusion of some data. Placements are listed in finishing order:
⋑ indicates that the team was U-Turned, but they used the second U-Turn on another team.
Episode title quotes
Episode titles are often taken from quotes made by the racers.
- "Tears of a Clown" – Cherie
- "You Know I'm Not as Smart as You" – Rachel (of Brendon & Rachel)
- "Bust Me Right in the Head With It" – Bopper
- "Taste Your Salami" – Kerri
- "Uglier Than a Mud Rail Fence" – Mark
- "This Is Wicked Strange" – JJ
- "I Didn't Make Her Cry" – Vanessa
- "Let Them Drink Their Haterade" – Rachel (of Brendon & Rachel)
- "Bollywood Travolta" – Art
- "I Need Hair to Be Pretty" – Rachel (of Brendon & Rachel)
- "It's a Great Place to Become Millionaires" – Dave (of Rachel & Dave)
Prizes
The prize for each leg is awarded to the first place team for that leg. Trips are sponsored by Travelocity
Leg 1 (United States → Argentina)
Airdate: February 19, 2012
At the starting line in Bridlewood Estate Winery, teams had to search through 100 balloons with baskets for one of a total of eleven clues to the first destination. Once they got a clue, they drove one of the Ford Tauruses provided to Los Angeles International Airport where they went to the American Airlines counter to get tickets to Buenos Aires' Ministro Pistarini International Airport. The first six teams were given tickets to an earlier connecting flight to Salta's Martín Miguel de Güemes International Airport, after which they had to drive to Santa Bárbara.
Upon arriving in Salta, teams made their way to follow a series of Road Signs to locate the next clue, sending them to Aerodormo Gilberto Lavaque in Cafayate for the Roadblock, asking "Who's got a great sense of direction?". One team member had to use a provided map to navigate to a skydiving drop zone; meanwhile, the other team member had to board an airplane and tandem skydive to that location. Once the team was reunited, the jump master gave them their next clue.
This clue sent them to Patios de Cafayate Winery where teams had to make 120 empanadas, 60 filled with meat and 60 filled with cheese. They were left to figure out that the two types had different crimping patterns. Once the proper quantity of empanadas was made correctly, the empanada champion would direct them to continue and search the grounds for the nearby Pit Stop.
Leg 2 (Argentina)
Airdate: February 26, 2012
At the start of the leg, teams were sent to Cafayate Town Square and had to wait for a chasqui who gave them their Detour clue: Boil My Water and Light My Fire. In Boil My Water, teams traveled to one of three nearby small villages and grabbed equipment from a pickup truck to build a solar kitchen. Once the oven was completed, they had to put a kettle full of water into the middle of a dish and wait for it to come to a boil and whistle before the solar master gave them their next clue. In Light My Fire, teams traveled to a nearby river where they had to gather 40 pieces of firewood and clay, load it onto a donkey, then deliver their goods 1 mile (1.6 km) to a local pottery workshop called Taller "El Obelisco" where the potter gave them their next clue.
The Detour clues sent the teams by bus to the capital city of Buenos Aires to find Mercado de Hacienda de Liniers where they picked up the clue for the Roadblock, which asked "Where's the Beef?". One team member had to go to a cattle auction and listen to the auctioneer give the total weight of the cattle in the pen. Teams then had to calculate the average weight of a head of cattle in the pen, without using a calculator, and give the number to a gaucho. If the auctioneer moved onto another pen before they got to the gaucho, they would have to start over with the next pen. Once they gave the correct answer, the gaucho gave the teams the next clue, sending them to El Gomero for the Pit Stop.
Leg 3 (Argentina → Paraguay)
Airdate: March 4, 2012
At the start of the leg, teams were told to fly to Asunción, Paraguay. Upon arrival, they were directed to travel to Metalúrgica Punta de Rieles and to search the metal equipment yard at the playground for their next clue for the Detour: a choice between Stacked Up and Strung Out. In Stacked Up, teams traveled to the Mercado Central de Abasto, Paraguay's largest fruit market, and stacked watermelons into a 10-by-10 pyramid. Once the pyramid was complete, the fruit monger gave them their next clue. In Strung Out, teams traveled to an auditorium at the Universidad Nacional de Asunción where they had to properly string a harp, Paraguay's national instrument. Once the harp was properly strung and ready to be tuned, the harp conductor gave teams their next clue.
The Detour clues sent the teams to Plaza de la Democracia to pick up the Roadblock clue which asked, "Who's ready to use their head?". One team member had to perform a traditional Paraguayan bottle dance, performing a choreographic routine with a glass bottle on their head. If the bottle broke, racers had to start over with a new bottle. Teams were given a limited number of bottles, and if they broke all of them without being able to complete the task, they would incur a 2-hour penalty at the Pit Stop. Once complete, the leader of the dance gave the team their next clue. They rejoined their teammate and traveled on foot to Escalinata de Antequera for the Pit Stop. The co-host was Fiorella Migliore.
Leg 4 (Paraguay → Italy)
Airdate: March 11, 2012
At the start of the leg, teams were informed their next destination city was Turin, Italy. Upon arrival, they headed to Lingotto and where they could take the Fast Forward. The Fast Forward required one team member to pilot a remote controlled helicopter and land it on a replica of the Lingotto building's helipad placed on a helmet worn by their teammate. Once the helicopter landed, that team would win the Fast Forward.
Other teams had to do the Roadblock in the Lingotto where they were told "What goes up must come down". One team member had to rappel down 120 feet (37 m) in the spiral ramps of the Lingotto building within two minutes, stopping to retrieve a clue on the way down. If time expired, the team member would have to start over.
The clue sent teams to Museo Nazionale dell'Automobile and they had to use the Race-sponsored car's active park feature. They then had to find the 1916 Tin Lizzie and find the 2 cent euro coin clue. Teams had to figure out that the next location was the Mole Antonelliana building depicted on the coin and was the location of the next clue.
The clue turned out to be for the Detour choosing between Clean That Statue and Name That Salami. In Clean That Statue, teams had to go to L'Arte Marmi and use the equipment provided to completely and properly clean a marble statue. Once it was pristine, they received their next clue. In Name That Salami, teams had to go to the Gastronomia Salumeria to taste and memorize the names of fourteen different kinds of salami: piccante, cacciatorino, tartufo, mucca, toscano, 'nduja, aglio, cotto, cinghiale, finocchiona, felino, noci, barolo, and mandola. They then had to travel to the Piazza Vittorio Veneto and find the designated salami vendor to correctly identify and name all fourteen types of salamis they had tasted. Once they got all fourteen correct, the salumiere gave them their next clue. Both clues directed them to Piazza Castello for the Pit Stop.
Leg 5 (Italy → Germany)
Airdate: March 18, 2012
At the start of the leg, teams were told to travel to the German state of Bavaria. They travelled first by train to Ehrwald, Austria and continued to drive to the border. Upon arrival, teams made their way to Gasthof zum Rassen in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and searched for the Travelocity Roaming Gnome which they had to keep for the entire leg. However, for Bopper and Mark encountered their Speed Bump and had to dress up in traditional Bavarian clothing, then learn how to yodel a specific tune by listening to a master yodeler. When the World champion was satisfied with their work, they continued racing.
The next clue was for a Detour: a choice between Fairy Tale and Champion Male. In Fairy Tale, teams followed a trail of gingerbread, picking up pieces along the way, leading them to a witch's house. Once there, they used the pieces they had picked up to make the roof to a gingerbread house. When they finished, the witch gave them their next clue. In Champion Male, teams had to travel to the Wetz-Stoa Stub'n restaurant in Unterammergau where they had to choose a beard enthusiast and style his beard to match a champion from the World Beard and Moustache Championships using the haircare products provided. Once complete, the judge gave them their next clue.
The clue directed teams to "find the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty's castle", leaving them to figure out it referred to Neuschwanstein Castle in Schwangau, and not the nearby Hohenschwangau Castle. Then teams had to locate Ludwig II of Bavaria's bedroom to obtain their next clue.
This clue sent teams to Bundesleistungszentrum in Füssen for the Roadblock, which asked "Who's ready to put it on ice?". One team member had to use the Travelocity Roaming Gnome to participate in a game of ice stock sport, known in German as Eisstockschießen. Teams had to push the Roaming Gnome onto a white bullseye on the ice in order to receive their next clue, which sent them to Landhannes Farm for the Pit Stop.
Leg 6 (Germany → Azerbaijan)
Airdate: March 25, 2012
At the start of the leg, teams were told to fly to their next destination: Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. Upon arrival, teams headed to Temple Ateshgah, known as "Temple of Fire", where they could take the Fast Forward. The Fast Forward required teams to travel to a nearby market called Saman Ot Bazary where they had to unload 150 bales of hay and stack them ten bales long, three bales wide, and five bales high. Once complete, they would receive the Fast Forward clue.
Other teams were handed their next clues which sent them to Occupational Training International for the Roadblock which said "What goes down must come up!". One team member had to participate in a helicopter crash training exercise by donning safety gear and boarding a helicopter simulator that then submerged and inverted in a pool of water. Racers then had to evacuate the simulator through a window and swim to a lifeboat to retrieve the next clue.
The clue instructed them to go to Old Baku and find Toghrul Karabakh Carpet Shop where they found the Detour clue: a choice between Apples or Oil. In Apples, teams traveled to the fruit market where they had to unload and search through an Soviet-era car filled with a ton of apples for one apple marked with a Race Flag. Once they found the apple, they traded it in for their next clue. In Oil, teams traveled to the Naftalan health spa where they had to clean crude oil off a client, first by using a shoehorn and then by scrubbing them clean. Once done, the spa official gave them their next clue, sending the teams to Boulevard Esplanade Estakada for the Pit Stop.
Leg 7 (Azerbaijan → Tanzania)
Airdate: April 8, 2012
At the start of this leg, teams were told they were next headed to Tanzania. Upon arrival, teams were told to head to Arusha Airstrip in Arusha and sign up for one of three charter flights the next morning to the Ngorongoro Crater.
On landing in Ngorongoro Crater, teams had to pick a driver and safari vehicle. They then had to ask local people for directions to the eastern edge of the Ngorongoro Crater where they met a Maasai warrior who gave them their next clue, the Detour: teams had to choose between Marksmanship and Courtship. Both Detours required teams to use bicycles to travel to Soneto Village, and once they arrived, the Maasai villagers would dress them in their traditional clothing. In Marksmanship, teams had to learn how to use a traditional Maasai weapon called a rungu to hit a clay target attached to a spinning bicycle wheel. Once each team member hit a target, they were given their next clue. In Courtship, teams had to learn how to perform the traditional Maasai jumping ritual called the adumu. Teams had to jump up and down for one minute, (a physically exhausting task as the village is located at an elevation of over 8,000 feet (2,400 m) above sea level), in order to obtain their next clue.
The clue instructed teams to direct their driver to the Simba Campsite along the crater's rim, where they had to set up a campsite, including a bush shower, using all of the materials provided. Once done, they proceeded to the nearby Pit Stop.
Leg 8 (Tanzania)
Airdate: April 15, 2012
Teams began the leg at the Pit Start and traveled down into the Ngorongoro Crater to a safari to the Karatu district, where they were told to look for "Hillary Clington" on a roadside stand and pick up the Detour clue: Water Supply or Air Supply. In Water Supply, teams had to pick up a cart with nine empty water jugs, wait in line at a well to fill the jugs, then return them to the house where they had picked them up to receive their next clue. In Air Supply, teams had to repair a flat tire on a bicycle by removing the tire and inner tube without removing the wheel from the bike, then finding the leak and patching it. They then had to reinstall the tube and tire, inflate the tire, and allow someone to take the bike for a test ride in order to obtain their next clue.
The Detour clues sent them to Jack Seltzer Pub for the U-Turn board, Art and JJ chose to U-Turn Brendon and Rachel acting on their alliance with Rachel and Dave Brendon and Rachel chose to U-Turn Vanessa and Ralph. The clue after the U-Turn, directed teams to The Gem Gallery and Arts. Nary and Jamie encountered their Speed Bump and had to properly set up a display stand using a painting as a guide before they were allowed to continue the Race.
The clue at Gem Gallery and Arts directed teams to Margaret's Farm in Mto wa Mbu for the Roadblock, "To bee or not to bee". One team member had to dress in protective beekeeper's gear and harvest 500 grams (1.1 lb) of honeycomb from an African bee hive. Once completed, the beekeeper gave them their next clue, sending them to travel by foot to the Pit Stop, Lake Manyara.
Leg 9 (Tanzania → India)
Airdate: April 22, 2012
During the Pit Stop, all teams were moved to Mount Meru Hotel to start the leg. At the Pit Start, teams were instructed to travel to Kochi, India. Upon arrival, teams traveled by bus to Sacred Heart College for the Roadblock, asking "Who's got all the right moves?". One team member participated in a Bollywood movie dance routine. After learning the dance moves, they performed them with thirty extras for a film. Once the lead choreographer was pleased, he gave them their next clue.
This clue sent teams to the Indian Coffee House where they received their Detour clue. The choice was Cricket and Clutch It. In Cricket, teams traveled to Dr. Ambedkar Stadium and each team member had to hit one ball bowled by a professional cricket player past a boundary, either along the ground or through the air. Once complete, the team captain gave them their next clue. In Clutch It, teams traveled to A2Z Driving School and had to learn how to properly drive an auto rickshaw and transport passengers around a training course. Once both team members made it through the course without hitting any of the obstacles, their instructor gave them their next clue. The clues directed teams to the Bolgatty Palace for the Pit Stop.
Leg 10 (India)
Airdate: April 29, 2012
At the start of the leg, teams were directed to Daiva Vili Bhagvathi Kshetram, where they encountered the head priest who blessed the teams before giving them the next clue. Bopper and Mark encountered a Speed Bump and had to paint a tiger's face on the belly of a Puli Kali dancer before they could continue racing.
For the Fast Forward, the team had to head to Mutharamman Devasthanam Hindu temple and take part in a traditional good luck ritual: shaving their head. This was a Switchback to a Fast Forward in The Amazing Race 7, when Uchenna and Joyce shaved their heads and ultimately won their season. The other teams were directed to Pattanacaud Coir Mats and Matting for the Roadblock, asking "Who's at the end of their rope?". One team member had to spin 40 feet (12 m) of rope made from coconut husks, then spool four other rope bundles onto a spindle in order to obtain their next clue.
This clue sent them to Fort Kochi where they had to look for a "barber under an ancient tree" for the next clue: the Detour, choosing between Pachyderm or Pack a Box. In Pachyderm, teams had to properly decorate an Asian elephant with a headdress and golden ornaments, then transport fifteen wheelbarrow loads of elephant manure to a nearby truck, before receiving their next clue. In Pack a Box, teams headed to a ginger processing center, collected ten empty boxes, filled them with ginger that they sifted to measure to the right weight, then stenciled a label on each box. Once the distribution manager was pleased with their work, he gave them their next clue. Both clues directed teams to Vypin, where there was a Cheena vala with fishing nets, for the Pit Stop.
Leg 11 (India → Japan)
Airdate: May 6, 2012
At the start of this leg, teams were informed they were headed to Hiroshima, Japan. Upon arrival, teams made their way to Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima, and had to wait at the torii for their next clue, which was given to them by a farmer at sunrise the next day, directing them to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. Here they observed a memorial service commemorating the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6, 1945, before they were given their next clue.
The clue instructed told them to take the Shinkansen to Osaka and find TV 8 Studio for the Roadblock, where teams asked "Who wants to bring home the chicken?". One team member participated in a Japanese game show called "Bring That Chicken Home". Racers ran on a treadmill while trying to grab three rubber chickens hanging from the ceiling. After grabbing the chickens, racers had to jump on a platform at the end of the treadmill. Once completed, the host gave them their next clue.
The clue directed teams to Umeda Sky Building to find the Floating Garden Observatory. Here teams had to find two Windows 7 touchscreens that would display the Detour tasks, the choices were Bingo Shout-Out and Photo Cut-Out. In Bingo Shout-Out, teams traveled to a conveyor belt sushi restaurant and participated in a game of bingo using pieces of sushi. The chef would call out pieces of sushi and teams would have to find the matching sushi with a letter attached and put it on their bingo card. Once they got five pieces in a row, they had to call out "Sushi" to let the chef check their tray. If correct, the team then had to eat the five winning pieces of sushi before the chef gave them their next clue. In Photo Cut-Out, teams had to convince locals in groups of three to pose behind three sumo wrestler cut-outs. Once teams got ten photos, they could trade them for their next clue. The clues directed teams to Osaka Castle for the Pit Stop.
Leg 12 (Japan → United States)
Airdate: May 6, 2012
At the start of the leg, teams were instructed to travel to their final destination city: Honolulu, Hawaii. Upon arrival, teams were only told to find the twins known as "Mauka" and "Makai". They had to figure out that this referred to the twin One Waterfront Towers. They were then instructed to use mechanical ascenders to get to the top of Makai Tower. Once at the roof, teams then had to search for their next clue from the top of the tower, which identified the location at the bottom. Then, they had to rappel face first down the other side of the tower to the ground.
Once teams were on the ground they headed to Sand Island for the first Roadblock and were asked "Who's ready to wield a sword?". One team member had to make a traditional Japanese treat brought to Hawaii known as shave ice. Using a katana, they had to shave enough ice to fill a bucket to a given line. Once complete, actor Taylor Wily gave them their next clue, sending them to a baseball park where they would take a helicopter to the next location on Oahu's North Shore. On arriving at the North Shore, teams joined a Surf Rescue team. One teammate drove a WaveRunner out into the surf, and the other rescued a distressed swimmer from the water. Once they returned to shore, they would obtained their next clue.
This clue led them down a marked path in the Hakipuʻu Valley for the next Roadblock asking, "Who wants to take a Papa Holua and an Ulu Maika? The team member who sat out the first Roadblock had to participate in traditional Hawaiian games. The first game was heʻe hōlua (land sledding) down a hill without falling over, and then a game of ʻulu maika, bowling a lava rock, traditionally used by Hawaiian warriors to break the ankles of enemies, through a goal on a field. Once both games were complete, teams were given their final clue, directing them to an ATV ride to a dock where they had to paddle surf to the Finish Line on Secret Island.
Ratings
No episode aired on April 1, 2012, due to CBS's broadcast of the Academy of Country Music Awards and CTV's broadcast of the Juno Awards.
U.S. Nielsen ratings
Canadian ratings
Canadian broadcaster CTV also aired The Amazing Race on Sundays. Episodes aired at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, Central, and Atlantic (9:00 p.m. Pacific and Mountain). The only exception to this was the broadcast of the second episode which conflicted with CTV's broadcast of the 84th Academy Awards; The Amazing Race was shown instead at 6:00 p.m. in the Eastern, Central, and Atlantic time zones, and immediately after the broadcast of the Oscars in the Pacific and Mountain time zones.