The 'Race' Returns
Fasten your safety belts! The fourth season of "The Amazing Race" gets under way Thursday, May 29, on CBS.
Twelve teams, each comprised of two people who have a pre-existing relationship, will race around the world and compete for the $1 million grand prize. This race kicks off at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
Phil Keoghan, "The Amazing Race" host, visited The Early Show to give a preview of what to expect from the latest season of globe-trotters.
Among the varied teams to compete are a married couple who describe themselves as "fat, 40 and fun," a couple that identified themselves as "dating 12 years – virgins," circus clown friends, and buxom models.
Keoghan says "The Amazing Race" is a test of physical and psychological endurance, as well as a dandy travelogue. But, he says, it's mostly a test of relationships.
The following are the 12 teams competing in the summer of 2003 "The Amazing Race," listed in no specific order:
- Name: David Dean
Occupation: Owner of a Marketing Agency
Age: 32
Hometown: Los AngelesName: Jeff Strnad
Occupation: Commercial and Residential Broker
Age: 37
Hometown: Manhattan Beach, Calif.Relationship: Best Friends
- Name: "Tian" Kitchen
Occupation: Model
Age: 30
Hometown: Miami BeachName: Jaree Poteet
Occupation: Model
Age: 33
Hometown: Miami BeachRelationship: Friends/Models
- Name: Millie Smith
Occupation: Environmental Teacher at Aquarium
Age: 29
Hometown: Chattanooga, Tenn.Name: Chuck Shankles
Occupation: Self-Employed
Age: 28
Hometown: Chattanooga, Tenn.Relationship: Dating 12 years/virgins
- Name: Reichen Lehmkuhl
Occupation: Pilot
Age: 28
Hometown: Beverly Hills, Calif.Name: Chip Arndt
Occupation: Consultant/Entrepreneur
Age: 36
Hometown: Beverly Hills, Calif.Relationship: Married
- Name: Debra Carmody
Occupation: Director of an Artists Colony
Age: 49
Hometown: Louisville, Ky.Name: Steve Carmody
Occupation: Radio News Director
Age: 40
Hometown: Louisville, Ky.Relationship: Married Parents
- Name: Monica Ambrose
Occupation: Mother/Homemaker
Age: 29
Hometown: Duluth, Ga.Name: Sheree Buchanan
Occupation: Mother/Homemaker
Age: 31
Hometown: Duluth, Ga.Relationship: NFL wives/mothers
- Name: Kelly Parks
Occupation: Model
Age: 30
Hometown: Miami; originally from Mansfield, TexasName: Jon Corso
Occupation: Real Estate Agent
Age: 28
Hometown: Miami; originally from Franklin Lakes, N. J.Relationship: Engaged
- Name: Steve Meitz
Occupation: Air Traffic Controller
Age: 46
Hometown: ChicagoName: Dave Cottingham
Occupation: Air Traffic Controller
Age: 43
Hometown: ChicagoRelationship: Air Traffic Controllers
- Name: Amanda Adams
Occupation: Physical Rehabilitation Technician
Age: 25
Hometown: Sioux Falls, S.D.Name: Chris Garry
Occupation: Freelance Graphic Designer
Age: 28
Hometown: Sioux Falls, S.D.Relationship: Dating
- Name: Steve Cottingham
Occupation: Supervisor at a Juvenile Detention Facility
Age: 47
Hometown: Santa Barbara, Calif.Name: Josh Cottingham
Occupation: Computer Technician
Age: 21
Hometown: Los AngelesRelationship: Father/Son
- Name: Russell Brown
Occupation: Model/Actor
Age: 32
Hometown: Hermosa Beach, Calif.Name: Cindy Duck
Occupation: Inventor
Age: 39
Hometown: Los AngelesRelationship: Friends/Dating
- Name: Jon Weiss
Occupation: Clown ("Human Cannon Ball")
Age: 40
Hometown: Long Island, New YorkName: Al Rios
Occupation: Clown for a Cruise Ship
Age: 34
Hometown: Long Island, New YorkRelationship: Best Friends/Clowns
The fourth installment of "The Amazing Race" premieres Thursday, May 29, 2003, 8 p.m. ET/PT.