Discoinferno | Wednesday, November 07, 2001 - 07:54 am   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 |