‘The Amazing Race’ gets back to basics
Off to the races: “The Amazing Race” returns as Season 32 premieres Wednesday, Oct. 14, on CBS. This epic adventure series follows 11 pairs of partners around the world in a race for a million dollars. Show host Philip Keoghan (“Tough As Nails”) has said this season is poised to be the most physically demanding race yet.
For the first time ever, the race will head to Trinidad and Tobago as its first destination and conclude in New Orleans, Louisiana, which, in past seasons, has only been a pit stop. In an interview, Keoghan also let fans know that despite past seasons having themed pairs — such as people who were social media influencers or champions of their specific fields — this season was getting “back to the basics.” That being said, sports fans are likely to recognize one of this season’s teams as former football stars DeAngelo Williams and Gary Barnidge, both of whom played for the Carolina Panthers at the beginning of their NFL careers and are now joining forces.
What can fans expect from this season? The true spirit of “The Amazing Race” and a major milestone as the series hits one million miles of international travel. Teams have to travel the world and compete in physical and mental challenges, while the teams farthest behind slowly get eliminated until one team completes the journey and wins the million-dollar prize.
You don’t want to miss the Season 32 premiere of CBS’ “The Amazing Race” on Wednesday, Oct. 14.
For your eyes only: From the same award-winning team that gave us “48 Hours,” CBS’s new true crime series is about to be your new favorite show. “The FBI Declassified” is set to air Tuesday, Oct. 13.
Alana De La Garza (“FBI”) narrates this six-part series, which will give viewers never-before-seen access to some of the most prominent cases the FBI has ever handled. The network isn’t new to the world of true crime, so if anyone was going to give us an inside look at the FBI, it would be CBS.
Even more exciting, the brains behind this not-so-top-secret operation are the award-winning producers who handle the hit CBS series “48 Hours,” so you’ll be sure to get a firsthand look into the work of actual agents and analysts who’ve closed these cases.
Be first on the scene when this new series premieres Tuesday, Oct. 13, on CBS.
Blood in the water: By now, everyone has a few quarantine-fueled business ideas that they think could really sell. Well, the contestants on “Shark Tank” Season 12 are ready to make their ideas a reality as the show returns to ABC on Friday, Oct. 16.
A new trailer for the upcoming season shows members of the production team wearing masks while the five Sharks all maintain a safe physical distance from one another. Some of the presenters make comments about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected their business as the season preview packs emotion, drama and plenty of tough sells into the three-minute teaser.
This financial pool has two new Sharks now: Blake Mycoskie, the founder of Toms, and fashion designer Kendra Scott. According to Entertainment Weekly, we’ll also be seeing some special appearances from guest judges, such as former Major League Baseball star Alex “A-Rod” Rodriguez and Daniel Lubetzky, the founder and majorityowner of Kind Healthy Snacks.
Some of the products in the “Shark Tank” sneak peek include a self-cleaning water bottle, a portable, modular and super-fast electronic vehicle charger and sustainable charcoal made entirely from repurposed sawdust. But will any of the ideas be good enough for the Sharks to bite?
Dive in with ABC’s fiercest Sharks on Friday, Oct. 16.
Top the charts: Mark your calendars music lovers — awards season is back. The 2020 Billboard Music Awards air Wednesday, Oct. 14, on NBC. The inperson show was originally planned to take place, as usual, in April, but was moved back due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kelly Clarkson (“The Voice”) has reclaimed her role as host for the third year in a row, despite the pandemic changes and, while Billboard has not yet announced the format of the show, other awards ceremonies have gotten creative with Zoom calls from various locations to announce awards.
Regardless of how it happens, the show is already promising a star-studded evening. The Icon Award recipient is country star Garth Brooks but, aside from that one detail, Billboard is proving to be quite secretive about what to expect from the show.
Few details have been revealed, keeping fans on their toes, but you can count on the Billboard Music Awards to feature your favorite artists. Unlike the Grammys, these awards are not based on votes — they’re based on the data from Billboard’s analysts: song sales, touring, social engagement, time spent on the charts, radio play and the number of streams. The biggest awards on their docket include Top Album, Top Artist and Top Single across many genres.
While rapper/hip hop artist Drake and pop sensation Ariana Grande dominated the awards last year, this year, Post Malone is leading the way with 16 nominations, closely followed by Lil Nas X and Billie Eilish, who each have 13 and 12 nominations, respectively. Tune in to NBC on Wednesday, Oct. 14, to find out who comes out on top.