Our Amazing Race hits the road
By the time The Amazing Race Canada makes its debut on Monday night, we’ll probably know who won the whole thing.
Well, maybe not, but the spoilers for the inaugural season of CTV’s homegrown spin on the critically acclaimed CBS ratings hog have been spreading like wildfire, with trigger- happy Canadians tweeting the whereabouts of the nine teams crossing the country in hopes of winning the race.
That’s what happens when you film The Amazing Race so close to home. Or, in CTV’s case, at home.
Some may have already written the show off because they “know what happens.” Others may have already written the show off because it’s just another Canadian version of an American reality TV series that will soon be yesterday’s hype (rest in peace, Canadian Idol, So You Think You Can Dance Canada, Project Runway Canada, etc.).
Then there are others who will have written TARC off already because it’s a reality show. Fair enough.
But consider this: just because you know where the show was shot doesn’t mean you know what sorts of tasks the contestants faced, who got to the finish line first, and how Canadian Olympian Jon Montgomery fares as a host. And just because CTV is tackling yet another untouchable American reality show doesn’t mean it won’t get renewed for a second season. And just because you can’t stand reality TV doesn’t mean you won’t take pleasure in gawking at all of the stunning Canadian spots you might not be able to afford to visit this summer on TARC.
Oh, and besides, who doesn’t want to see Body Breakers-turned-Racers Hal Johnson and Joanne McLeod bicker over who’s going to participate in the Roadblock?
What I can tell you, with what little I’ve seen of CTV’s shiny new show so far, is that it might not be worth writing off quite yet. I’d hate to give anything away (not that I’d be the first to do so) but Monday’s premiere definitely has some edge-of-your-seat moments involving underwater panic and a very narrow plank. (9 p.m., CTV)
It’s guest stars galore on Satisfaction. Gordon Pinsent (Away From Her) plays a medical marijuana-prescribing doctor, comedian Andy Kindler plays Mark’s new boss, and Tommy Chong plays — who else? — Tommy Chong in the episode entitled The Pot and the Pirate, in which Jason and Maggie try to prove they’re a hip urban couple by scoring weed for their suburban friends. (8 p.m., CTV)
It’s down to Brooks, Chris, Drew and Zak on The Bachelorette, and this week Desiree is meeting their families to find out who’s still worth her efforts. Though as you might remember from The Bachelor, it’s her brother who will likely scare the guys away, rather than the other way around. (8 p.m., ABC, CFMT)
What is this Siberia show all about, anyway? Apparently it’s a drama about a season of Survivor gone very, very bad. Like, so bad the contestants’ camp goes up in flames, while a tiger runs around looking for its next meal. At least, that’s what’s in store for Monday’s episode, (10 p.m., NBC)