What the Amazing Race Should Have Done in Seattle
Last night, everyone's favorite reality TV host Phil Keoghan crowned a new champion of The Amazing Race, a competition in which teams of two travel around the world completing different challenges.
The 35th season began in Los Angeles and concluded, after pit stops in places like Jaipur and Dublin, in home sweet Seattle. And while the final three teams landed on what appeared to have been an absolutely perfect summer day, the producers of the show timed things to mostly happen indoors (boo) and at night (double boo). We know, we know—logistics. But still.
[For Amazing Race fans, spoilers ahoy!] Teams flew into Sea-Tac and hustled their way up to the Space Needle. One view-filled walk across the roof of our city's icon, and they were ducking into the Chihuly Garden and Glass glasshouse. From there, it was a do-at-your-own-pace scramble to complete three challenges: blowing a glass float at Seattle Glassblowing, executing a trapeze move at the School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts, and acting as a roadie for local bands like Smokey Brights and the Black Tones at Showbox.
Disappointingly, the sun was setting as most teams completed the first scramble challenge. And by the time all three teams made their way to the final puzzle up at Kenmore Air's hub (in actual Kenmore) and the finishing mat (in Redmond's Clise Mansion), it was dark.
Where, we wondered, were the cheesy but enduring fish tosses at Pike Place? The shots of contestants kayaking and comically falling into Lake Union or Elliott Bay? The footage of T-Mobile Park's innards? So, for next time, here's what we'd line up for an Amazing Race redo, Seattle style.
Pull a perfect espresso shot
Contestants must visit one of Seattle's quintessential coffee shops and learn how to pull the *chef's kiss* shot of espresso. Each must pass the most scrutinizing of taste tests from a local coffee connoisseur. Tack on a round of latte art for added frustration and difficulty.
Catch a ferry to Bainbridge
Earlier in the season, one team was eliminated after they took the wrong ferry in Frankfurt, Germany. Imagine the chaos that would ensue if teams had to hop on a ferry to Bainbridge and scan Elliott Bay for clues to their next location during the 35-minute voyage. (At least they won't be on that one ferry that ran aground.)
Find a clue stuck in the Gum Wall
Needle-in-a-haystack challenges are notoriously difficult on Amazing Race. Add in our city's infamous attraction, the gum wall, and we'll have a nauseatingly good roadblock.
Shuck oysters and serve 'em up
Set up the dugout at T-Mobile Park
Can teams set up bats, gloves, helmets, and tubs of Dubble Bubble to exacting perfection within the Mariners dugout? There's only one way to find out.
Memorize a local brewery tap list
Hope teams can tell their mega-imperial lagers from their double IPAs. In this challenge, we'd send contestants out to one of our plethora of craft breweries and have them memorize a hearty tap list and related tasting notes. Just for fun, we'd let them taste them too.
