Amazing Race 2

The ClubHouse: Archives: Amazing Race 2

Discoinferno

Wednesday, November 07, 2001 - 07:54 am Click here to edit this post
An 'Amazing' sequel
Eye web runs 'Race 2' despite low ratings

By JOSEF ADALIAN

HOLLYWOOD -- Despite disappointing ratings, CBS is bringing back "The
Amazing Race."
The Eye on Tuesday announced plans for "Amazing Race 2," a follow-up to this
fall's low-rated Wednesday reality skein from exec produce Jerry
Bruckheimer. Series is from Touchstone Television and CBS Prods., with
Bertram van Munster also on board as exec producer.

"A2," targeted for midseason or summer 2002, will feature 12 teams of
players in a mad dash around the globe over 30 to 40 days. That's up from 11
teams this season. As in the original, the winning team will snag $1
million.

Down 10% in slot

Since the season began Sept. 24, "Race" has averaged 8.6 million viewers an
episode -- down 10% vs. what CBS had been averaging with the first hour of
its Wednesday movie a season ago. Among adults 18-49 -- an audience targeted
by most networks, but not CBS -- "Race" has averaged a 3.7/9 in the slot, up
28% vs. a year ago, according to Nielsen Media Research.

CBS had planned to air the first "Race" last summer, but after viewing the
show's first episode, decided to take a shot on launching it in the fall.
While critics generally praised the series, viewers have never been that
interested: Despite an avalanche of summer publicity, the skein's first
episode bowed to much lower than expected ratings.

"Race" will wrap up its first season of episodes next month.

Date in print: Wed., Nov. 7, 2001