No. of Episodes 13 Distance traveled 44,000 mi (71,000 km) Number of episodes 13 Continents visited 4 Number of legs 13 | No. of legs 13 Air date May 29, 2003 Cities visited 24 Countries visited 9 | |
Season Run May 29 – August 21, 2003 Filming dates January 18 – February 14, 2003 Winning team Reichen Lehmkuhl and Chip Arndt |
The Amazing Race 4 is the fourth installment of the U.S. reality television show The Amazing Race. The show features twelve teams, divided in pairs based on pre-existing relationships. These teams then race around the world. Season 4 premiered on May 29, 2003 and concluded on August 21, 2003.
Contents
- Development and filming
- Cast
- Awards
- Results
- Episode titles
- Prizes
- Leg 1 United States Italy
- Leg 2 Italy
- Leg 3 Italy Austria
- Leg 4 Austria France
- Leg 5 France The Netherlands
- Leg 6 The Netherlands India
- Leg 7 India
- Leg 8 India Malaysia
- Leg 9 Malaysia
- Leg 10 Malaysia South Korea
- Leg 11 South Korea Australia
- Leg 12 Australia
- Leg 13 Australia United States
- References
Married couple Reichen Lehmkuhl and Chip Arndt were the winners of the race and are the first gay couple to win the competition.
The complete season was released on DVD on November 29, 2011.
Development and filming
The fourth season of The Amazing Race spanned 44,000 miles (71,000 km) across four continents with previously unfilmed locations in Netherlands and South Korea. Filming for the show began on January 18, 2003 and finished on February 14, 2003.
This was the last season where ties at the end were allowed at the mat (and the subsequent distribution of additional first place prizes should there be a tie for first place). In subsequent seasons, even if several teams arrived at the mat on the same time, a chronological order would be determined and the official check-in times for teams arriving simultaneously would be set a minute apart to avoid ties. Oswald and Danny, and Uchenna and Joyce of The Amazing Race: All-Stars completed a Fast Forward together via the Intersection, so they were the exception to this rule. This was also the last season where the Fast Forward appeared in every leg.
Cast
This season's cast included a gay married couple, NFL wives, female models, clowns and air traffic controllers. "NFL Wives" Monica and Sheree are respectively married to Ashley Ambrose and Ray Buchanan, both of whom played for the Atlanta Falcons the season before the television series was filmed.
At the time the show was filmed and broadcast, same-sex marriage had not yet been made legal in the United States. Reichen and Chip were never legally married, although they were married in a religious ceremony. CBS decided for the purpose of the show to respect the fact that they recognised themselves as a "married" couple.
Contestants Kelly and Jon became the first team to make it to the final leg without using a Fast Forward.
Tian and Jaree were originally slated to be contestants on The Amazing Race 3. They were held back until the fourth season due to the production team losing their paperwork.
During the final leg of the race, David and Jeff were stranded in Sydney, Australia for so long that they were not able to reach the final part of the leg in Phoenix, Arizona. Along with Joe and Bill of Season 1, they are one of the only teams in The Amazing Race to reach the final leg but not cross the finish line.
During the first few weeks of the race, Jaree suffered from sickness and a high temperature. It was suggested by doctors that she be pulled out from the race but she decided to continue. This clip was not aired on the show.
This is one of three seasons among the first ten that was not represented in The Amazing Race: All-Stars.
Awards
In 2004, this installment of the race won the series its second consecutive primetime Emmy Award for "Outstanding Reality Competition Program".
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:
Episode titles
Titles for episodes are often taken from quotes made by the racers.
- "Cheaters Never Win ... And They Cheated!" – Sheree
- "It Doesn't Say Anything About First Come First Served ... And We're Bigger" – Reichen
- "I Wasn't Even Going To Touch You Until You Slammed My Head Backwards" – Millie
- "Check Your Tires Because ... Oh God, You Never Know What'll Happen!" – Steve (of Steve & Dave)
- "You Are Just Deliberately Trying To Make Us Lose!" – Jaree
- "I Could Have Never Been Prepared For What I'm Looking At Right Now" – Reichen
- "We're Going Down The Wrong Side Of The Freeway ... And The Lights Are Off!" – Tian
- "The Priestess Reminded Me of My Grandmother. She Was Very Old But Still Very, Very With It" – David
- "We're Not at Charm School Learning How to Be a Gentleman, We're Racing" – Jon (of Kelly & Jon)
- "That's Me. That's My Face. Just Hit My Face. Hit My Face!" – Jon (of Kelly & Jon)
- "Such a Nice Pheromone Smell to You; Just Makes Me Want to Stay Close to You" – Jon (of Kelly & Jon)
- "He's A Couple Of Ticks Away From Having A Heart Attack" – Jon (of Kelly & Jon)
- "It's Like Adam Building His First House!" – Kelly
Prizes
Individual prizes were awarded to the first team to complete a leg:
Leg 1 (United States → Italy)
Airdate: May 29, 2003
For the first Fast Forward, one team had to find a field in the nearby Passo Giau, put on snowshoes and trek to the top of a snowy hill. If successful, the team member would win the Fast Forward award.
The Detour was a choice between Search or Rescue. In Search, teams used a locator beacon to find a beeper somewhere within a 160-acre (0.65 km2) area. After finding it, they had to dig in that spot in search of a set of keys for a snowmobile that would then drive them to their next clue. In Rescue, teams made their way to marked rock towers and crossed a traditional alpine rescue bridge of 4 steel cables. They then had to use a long zip-line to travel 250 feet (76 m) across a ravine to receive the next clue.
Leg 2 (Italy)
Airdate: June 5, 2003
The Detour in Ponte delle Guglie was a choice between Waterway or Pathway. In Waterway, teams traveled by gondola using only a map to guide their Gondolier to Campo Querini Stampalia (Italian). The teams could not ask anyone for directions. In Pathway, teams traveled by foot to the same plaza through the city's streets and bridges without a map, but, unlike in Waterway, they could ask for directions.
The Fast Forward required them to head to the Rialto Bridge and join a group of traveling players to form the street theater known as Commedia dell'arte until the Fast Forward pass appeared in the skit.
For the first Roadblock of the race, one team member had to take a picture of one of four Venetian masks from the doorman, enter the Palazzo, and search among rooms filled with masked revelers to find the mask shown in the picture. If they found the right person, they would get their next clue. If they chose wrong, the reveler would take the picture and silently walk away. If this happened, the person would go back outside to wait to receive another picture.
Leg 3 (Italy → Austria)
Airdate: June 12, 2003
The Fast Forward in this leg required one team to enter Schönbrunn Palace to find a ballroom and put on formal attire. Each team member then needed to carry a tray of full champagne glasses through waltzing couples without spilling any of the drinks to win the award.
The Detour was a choice between Mozart or Beethoven. In Mozart, teams carried a string bass 6 miles (9.7 km) to the well-known house where Mozart wrote The Marriage of Figaro. There, a Mozart impersonator handed them their next clue. In Beethoven, teams had to carry a portfolio of sheet music 11 miles (18 km) to a lesser-known house where Beethoven wrote The Heiligenstadt Testaments. When they found the right house, a Beethoven impersonator handed them their next clue.
In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to take a 460-foot (140 m) bungee jump off the Donauturm, the tallest tower-jump in Europe, and pick up the next clue at the bottom.
Leg 4 (Austria → France)
Airdate: June 19, 2003
In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to change four tires on one of the marked race cars, then drive a high-speed lap around the race track with a professional driver. Once the lap concluded, they would receive their next clue at the winners' podium.
The Fast Forward required one team to find the Musée de Tapisseries in Aix-en-Provence and then arrange a 20-piece puzzle to form a picture of the Pit Stop: the Chateau Des Alpilles in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
The Detour in Gorges du Blavet was a choice between Ropes or Slopes. In Ropes, teams rappelled 230 feet (70 m) down the cliff, then hiked a short way to the clue below. In Slopes, teams took a much longer sloping trail to the same clue.
Leg 5 (France → The Netherlands)
Airdate: June 26, 2003
This leg's Fast Forward required one team to make their way to Molen van Sloten. There, each team member was strapped onto the sails of a windmill, which was then set in motion. Once the team completed 10 revolutions, the miller would give the Fast Forward award.
This leg's Detour was a choice between "500 kilograms" or "15ft". In 500 kilograms, teams drove 30 miles (48 km) to Alkmaar to an outdoor market, donned traditional wooden clogs and used a wooden stretcher to carry cheese from a stockpile to a scale. Once it weighed-in exactly at 500 kilograms (1,100 lb) of cheese, they received their next clue. In 15ft, teams drove 12 miles (19 km) to a ranch outside Amsterdam, which processed cow manure into fertilizer. Teams searched barehanded through a pile of manure 15 feet (4.6 m) high for the next clue.
The Roadblock required one team member to get on a marked boat, catch 25 eels with their hands, and put them in a marked container. Once all of the eels had been collected, the fisherman would give them their next clue.
Leg 6 (The Netherlands → India)
Airdate: July 3, 2003
This leg's Detour was a choice between Suds or Duds. In Suds, teams had to find an outdoor laundromat in Dhobi Ghat near Mahalaxmi railway station and hand-wash a bundle of clothing to reveal the next clue printed on one piece of the clothing. In Duds, teams needed to locate a clothing shop near Kalbadevi Road and search through hundreds of saris to find one with the clue printed on it. To get to either Detour option, teams were required to travel by train or bus.
This leg's Roadblock saw one team member tasked to find a vendor and carry 20 Palai fish out of a large catch of mixed fish. Once all the fish were brought, the market manager would give them their next clue.
Leg 7 (India)
Airdate: July 10, 2003
In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to take part in Bull Racing. In the sport, they must hang onto a team of bulls running at top speed across a mud course the length of a football field. If they hung on until the end of the course, they would receive their next clue. If they fell off before the end, the activity would be repeated.
The Detour was a choice between Baskets or Trunks. In Baskets, the teams had to load 10 live chickens into baskets on a bicycle-powered wagon. They then navigated to a farm marked on a map to exchange the chickens for their next clue. In Trunks, the teams had to load 2 bales of coir onto an elephant. They then delivered it to the coir shop, trading their cargo for the next clue.
Leg 8 (India → Malaysia)
Airdate: July 17, 2003
The Detour was a choice between Net or Trap. In Net, teams had to take their boat to a marked fishing platform and use a net to catch 15 fish out of a marked pen in order to receive their next clue. In Trap, teams had to take their boat to a group of marked lobster boats where they pulled up one weighted lobster trap to get the clue from inside.
In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to hit three different targets using three Malaysian weapons: a bow and arrow, a blowpipe, and a spear. After hitting all three targets successfully, they and their partner could run to the nearby Pit Stop.
Leg 9 (Malaysia)
Airdate: July 24, 2003
The Fast Forward required one team drive to the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary. There, the participants had to hike deep into the forest to find a feeding station in the jungle, feed two pieces of durian to an orangutan, and claim the award.
The Detour in Trushidup Palm Oil Plantation was a choice between Chop or Haul. In Chop, teams had to use local tools to chop down palm nut bunches with a clue attached. However, out of every four envelopes, only one contained the clue. In Haul, teams used a wheelbarrow to carry 25 palm nut bunches to a corresponding truck. When the truck was fully loaded, it would drive away, revealing their next clue.
In this leg's Roadblock in the Gomantong Caves, one team member had to climb a rattan ladder to a point 50 feet (15 m) above the cave's floor. Once there, they could grab a basket and retrieve their next clue from inside.
Leg 10 (Malaysia → South Korea)
Airdate: July 31, 2003
The Roadblock was in the Hantan River along the Sundam Valley. One team member had to plunge into the icy river and swim under the ice to an exit hole. Once their body temperature rose to a safe level, a doctor would clear them to leave and give them their next clue.
The Detour was a choice between Strong Hands or Strong Stomach. In Strong Hands, teams used a map to find a marked Taekwondo dojang where each team member had to break three sets of wooden boards to receive their clue. In Strong Stomach, teams used a map to find a marked restaurant where each team member had to eat a Korean delicacy called sannakji – a dish made of live octopuses – to receive their next clue.
Leg 11 (South Korea → Australia)
Airdate: August 7, 2003
The final Fast Forward for the Race required one team to drive an hour away to a beach on the Sunshine Coast and pass a lifeguard test: by paddling surfboards in a heavy surf, pulling a swimmer out of the water, and returning her safely to the beach. If successful, they could claim the award.
The Detour was a choice between Face First or Foot First. In Face First, teams had to complete a face-first rappel from the penthouse at Holiday Inn hotel to the ground, a descent of 200 feet (61 m), to receive their next clue. In Foot First, teams had to locate a nearby Sheraton building with a race flag, run on foot downstairs from the penthouse and across the street, then climb 30-stories to the Sheraton's roof where they would receive their next clue.
In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to put on scuba gear, walk across an aquarium tank filled with 100 sharks and assorted sea creatures, and grab a clue from a small chest.
Leg 12 (Australia)
Airdate: August 14, 2003
This leg's Detour was a choice between Saddle or Paddle. In Saddle, teams had to search a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) stretch of beach on horseback to find one of four race flags, then search a 25-yard (23 m) radius for a cluster of clue envelopes. However, only one cluster contained the correct clue, while the other three instructed them to try again. In Paddle, teams inflated a kayak using a hand pump, pushed the kayak into the ocean, and paddled to an orange buoy to get their next clue.
In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to drive a race buggy at high speeds along a bumpy, muddy, 7-mile (11 km) road. After they finished the course and returned to their partner, they would receive their next clue.
Leg 13 (Australia → United States)
Airdate: August 21, 2003
The final Detour of the Race at General Aviation Terminal was a choice between Wing It or Wander It. In Wing It, teams had to skydive 10,000 feet (3,000 m) in tandem with an instructor to reach their next clue in the skydive landing zone. In Wander It, teams first drove to a mangrove forest to find a boat, which they used to navigate out the forest and reach a designated landing zone in order to receive their next clue.
In the final Roadblock of the Race, one team member had to swim out to a floating tiki head, then dive to retrieve a particular rock from ocean floor. They then carried it back to the beach and smashed it open for the clue inside.