Amazing Race Season 1 Episode 1 - "Air or Land"

First ever episode of Amazing Race!

Knowing that Amazing Race premiered September 5, 2001 just days before the events of September 11th, made me rewatch this episode with new intent. The starting city was New York City so my eyes were peeled for the Twin Towers and I spotted them. It's so odd to think that a little over 15 years ago these buildings were staples of the NYC skyline.

Back to the race...

Here are the first ever Amazing Race contestants!

• Frank and Margarita - the "Let's Stay Together" couple
• Paul and Amie - Engaged Couple
• Kim and Leslie - Single Teachers
• Lenny and Karyn - Thinking about Getting Engaged
• Dave and Margaretta - Token Old Couple
• Matt and Ana - Military Spouses
• Joe and Bill - Team Guido
• Pat and Brenda - Working Moms
• Rob and Brennan - Eye Candy
• Nancy and Emily - Mom and Daughter team or as I like to call them Ellis Grey and Meredith
• Drew and Kevin - BFFLs

And Phil Keoghan looked so young. Through the magic that is Google I discovered he was 34 years old when AR aired.

Places Visited

- Johannesburg, South Africa (2nd Largest City in Africa)

Image Source: here

- Knife's Edge, Victoria Falls, Zambia (Victoria Falls is one of the seven natural wonders of the world)

Image Source: here

- Batoka Gorge (A gorge is a narrow valley between hills or mountains, typically with steep rocky walls and a stream running through it).

Image Source: here

- Songwe Village - Pit Stop

Image Source: here

Tasks

- Detour: Air or Land

Contestants had a choice between the quick but anxiety-inducing zipline and gorge swing or the relatively tame, hiking option. Suffice it to say, everybody chose Air. Git 'er done!

- Fast Forward

To get the fast forward, contestants had to take a steep hike down to the Boiling Pot on the Zambezi River. Rob and Brennan and Team Grandparents (Dave and Margaretta) both attempted the Fast Forward. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to guess who won, but I was quite impressed with Dave and Margaretta's persistance.

Stray Observations

• Theme song is the same but there's a sweet Phil voice over that the more recent installments don't have.
• Wow, back in the day just getting a flight was a huge deal. In the newer seasons, the contestants are totally spoon fed, but the change probably has to do with stricter airport regulations.
• The contestants are wearing jeans and khakis and not the usual sportswear we're used to seeing. Ah, it was a simpler, less competitive time.
• You could tell that this was the early days because there weren't the classic visuals one associates with Amazing Race. White and yellow flags marked where they go next instead of yellow and red and there was a little dinky bucket instead of the usual box.
• The graphics were very old-timey.

• That was a pretty intense road race to Knife's Edge. I'm surprised nobody got hurt.
• The pit stop was shown very early on in the episode.
• Other notable things about the pit stop 
• A leopard print rug awaited the contestants - no world map just yet
• Phil didn't greet the winners or the contestants that were safe. Phil only talks to losers

End of Leg One Results

1st - Rob and Brennan - Team Diplomatic Eye Candy (passing out money and flags for the good ol' USA)

2nd - Joe and Bill - Team Mitt Romney (seriously Bill looks like Mitt Romney)

3rd - Frank and Margarita - Team "Let's Not Stay Together"

4th - Lenny and Karyn - Most Invisible Couple

5th - Pat and Brenda - Team Working Girl

6th - Kim and Leslie - Most Cautious

7th - Dave and Margaretta - Most Adorable

8th - Paul and Amie - Team with the Rudest Contestant (Amie's irate "You live here. How do you not know?" to a local was a shining example of why Americans get a bad rap.)

9th - Kevin and Drew - Most Quotable aka My Favorites

10th - Nancy and Emily - Team that Made Me Eye Roll the Most (mother/daughter drama is not enjoyable to watch)

Eliminated - Matt and Ana - First Couple Ever Eliminated from the Amazing Race, there's a prize for that, right? Also, there seems like there's a HUGE age difference between these two but they were both in their 40s. Matt just looked younger. He was also a sweetie and very supportive of his wife.

Favorite Quotes

“What concerns me the most is dying.” - Teacher (black haired)

“It’s amazing you got up this morning and tied your shoes.” - Drew and Kevin

“Leon, you just might be our ticket out of the ghetto.” - Margarita

“That’s Namibia, jackass.” - Kevin and Drew

“Swing, you fat bastard, swing.” - Kevin and Drew

Inquiring Minds Want to Know

1. Why is Nancy holding two drinks as Emily bungees? Doesn't she know her turn is going to be soon?

2. What did you think of Rob and Brennan's diplomatic efforts (passing out the money/U.S. flags to African kiddos)?

3. Who do you feel sorry for more, Margarita or Paul, for their respective partners?