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Amazing Race Canada, Featured

Review: The Amazing Race heats up in Chile

Having a specialized skill can really help during the marathon that is The Amazing Race Canada. That was certainly the case for Nic and Sabrina and Dujean and Leilani, who might have found themselves at the back of the pack if not for knowledge they brought into the Race.

Dujean and Leilani seemed destined for a total meltdown during the show’s second Leg in Santiago, Chile, when the exes resorted to screaming at each other while attempting to locate five specific outdoor paintings and take selfies in front of them. I admit I’d have lost my cool if someone kept yelling, “Come on, come on, come on,” at me like Dujean did, but deciding to just stop running in protest à la Leilani? Not cool. The pair were lucky the Motion part of Wednesday’s Detour involved dancing, something they both grew up doing. The result? A fifth place finish.

Nic and Sabrina’s prior skill set came into play as well. Their knowledge of language—something host Jon Montgomery told me about last week—came into play with everyone they met in Santiago, from cab drivers to the Emotion part of the Detour: reciting a poem by Gabriela Mistral. As Nic said in the cab on the way to the Pit Stop, they banged out that challenge in half an hour. The duo were also cagey during the art-inspired Detour: instead of running around the neighbourhood they used their cab. I wasn’t sure if that was allowed and half expected Montgomery to assess them a time penalty, but it was all good and they finished in fourth place.

The other high point of the second Leg was the revelation the Express Passes were coming into play. Hamilton and Michaelia were the first to complete the Road Block at the community centre and chased down the Express Passes at Patio Bellavista. The engaged couple quickly used their pass at the Motion Detour when Hamilton admitted the dance costumes were too skimpy for his transgender body. At first I was frustrated they’d used the Express Pass so quickly to advance to the Pit Stop at Cerro San Cristobal, but as Michaelia pointed out, other teams would play nice with them to score that second pass. And at least they used the pass, something other duos have failed to do and been eliminated.

Speaking of eliminated teams, Susan and Sharnjit fought to improve on their weak standing last week, but a bad cab driver and getting lost finding the artwork spelled doom … unless it was a non-elimination Leg.

Alas, it was not.

Here’s how the teams finished:

  1. Hamilton and Michaelia (used Express Pass)
  2. Brian and Cynthia
  3. Nick and Matt
  4. Nic and Sabrina
  5. Dujean and Leilani
  6. Neil and Kristin
  7. Dana and Amanda
  8. Brent and Sean
  9. Simi and Ope
  10. Gino and Jesse
  11. Susan and Sharnjit (eliminated)

Notes and quotes

  • Hey TARC producers, how do you decide what time teams will leave on the next leg?
  • “I already feel like I smell like B.O.” — quote of the night from Sean
  • I understand that sponsors need to be given props, but having someone say they’re paying for their flight with their “BMO Cash Back World Elite MasterCard” is still a little over the top.
  • I love it when the local taxi drivers get into the vibe of the Race and want to see their fares do well.

The Amazing Race airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on CTV.

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Amazing Race Canada, Ratings

The Amazing Race roars out of the gate with 2.03 million viewers

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From a media release:

CTV’s THE AMAZING RACE CANADA confidently sprinted back to its position as the #1 program of the summer last night with more than 2 million viewers (preliminary overnight data) tuning into last night’s Season 3 premiere on CTV. Growing 7% in the key A25-54 demo and holding steady with total viewers versus the Season 2 premiere (2.03 million), the debut is the most-watched premiere of any series this summer and the #1 Canadian premiere of the 2014/15 broadcast season. In the episode, twelve teams from across Canada tackled challenges that tested their bodies and minds – including a TSN broadcasting roadblock and chilly water obstacle course – before Jon Montgomery revealed that Max and Elias had been eliminated from the first leg of the race. Final data for last night’s season premiere will follow.

Also to note:

  • THE AMAZING RACE CANADA overwhelmingly won Wednesday night among total viewers and key demos A18-49 and A25-54 nationally and was #1 for the night in Toronto and Edmonton among total viewers and A25-54.
  • The series premiere was also up compared to last year with key female demos F18-34 (+12%), F18-49 (+13%), and F25-54 (+23%).
  • In Toronto, the premiere delivered an amazing 9.2 rating for A18-34, up 39% over last year’s premiere. In the same demo, THE AMAZING RACE CANADA had an impressive 32% share, translating to nearly 1 in 3 viewers watching TV were tuned into the premiere. The premiere also drew a 7.1 rating for A18-49, up 8% from last year.
  • In Montreal, the premiere delivered an impressive 8.1 rating for total viewers (8.8 for A25-54; 8.2 for A18-49; and 7.9 for A18-34).
  • More than one in four adults in all key adult demos watching television in English Canada last night tuned into the broadcast.
  • In addition, last night’s MASTERCHEF on CTV enjoyed a season-high audience of 1.69 million viewers.

On the next episode of THE AMAZING RACE CANADA (Wednesday, July 15 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV and CTV GO), teams are surprised with an early adventure outside of Canada when they travel to South America. In Santiago, Chile, tensions run high and racers fly higher. Some teams struggle to communicate with the locals, while others express themselves with body language, as they race for a pair of Express passes.

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Amazing Race Canada, Dark Matter, Featured, Murdoch Mysteries, Orphan Black

Comments and queries for the week of July 9

Back to Square One on Dark Matter

“… the ring in his bedside table was apparently taken off his dead father, Emperor Ishida, after he was murdered by his son … a son identified as Four.”

But recall in the pilot that Five said she remembered living in the palace “until they killed my father and came after me. I could have killed them but I didn’t. I carved out their eyes and left them for my stepmother to find, the bitch.” When Two asked her, “You carved out their eyes?” Five answered, “Well, in the dream it was me, but it wasn’t wasn’t really me, because it wasn’t my dream.” Now we know it was Four’s dream, and that it wasn’t a dream, but a memory.

So according to Five’s memory of the events, Four didn’t actually murder his father; it sounds like his stepmother had the father murdered and then pinned it on Four. —Kathode

Thanks for clearing that up; I had totally forgotten that hint from Episode 1.

Is George leaving Murdoch Mysteries?

I live in Pretoria, South Africa, and when ITV choice started we first saw Murdoch, but Season 8 has just ended, so we are are looking for Season 9. Hope George is cleared. Wouldn’t be the same without him, but I believe he leaves the series. —Margaret

Which Orphan Black clone do you identify with? Who is your favourite reality TV host?

I identify with Alison all the way. She’s the one with the most “normal” life of the clones, I know a few women in real life very similar to her. I gotta respect how she manages to hold her family together (rehab stint aside) despite all the craziness going on around here. And you have to respect her ambition to be School Trustee and Drug Queen at the same time.

Also chose Jon Montgomery. He anchors the show well and you can see enthusiasm for it each year. The U.S. one has ran for 26 seasons so you can understand why Phil seems tired but it still dampens things a bit. —Dan

 

Got a question or comment about Canadian TV? greg@tv-eh.com or via @tv_eh.

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19-2, Amazing Race Canada, Rookie Blue

Tonight: Amazing Race Canada, Rookie Blue, 19-2

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Bell Media

From network episode descriptions:

Amazing Race Canada, CTV – season premiere
Season 3 of the most-watched Canadian television show in history kicks off in one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in North America, Québec City. The 12 teams begin their epic journey in the historic and picturesque city of Old Québec in front of one of the most photographed hotels in the world, the Chateau Frontenac. After their first challenge, teams then travel to Canada’s largest city, Toronto, where they will complete their first roadblock of the season. Right out of the gate, teams will test both their mental and physical abilities, and come face-to-face with their fears.

Rookie Blue, Global – “Integrity Test”
With Oliver still the prime suspect in the bombing of 15’s evidence room, Andy, Dov, Gail, and Nick undertake a risky – and potentially career-ending – plan to prove that Commissioner Alonso Santana is corrupt. Meanwhile, Traci shadows Steve Peck, hoping to calm her fears about his involvement in the bombing.

19-2, CTV – “School” 
In the stirring Season 2 premiere originally aired on Bravo, the entire squad is embroiled in an intensely tragic school shooting with consequences that profoundly impacts all of their lives.

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Amazing Race Canada, Featured

Amazing Race Canada’s Jon Montgomery teases Season 3

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Twisted ankles, wrenched joints and mild concussions are always a threat during an intense leg of The Amazing Race Canada. But show host Jon Montgomery acquired one in the most unlikely of places: the editing suite.

The Olympic gold medal winner and now-veteran host of CTV’s summer competition series—returning tonight—recently got his right thumb sandwiched between the telescoping parts of an office chair while doing voice-over work on future episodes. The swollen digit didn’t dampen Montgomery’s enthusiasm for TAR Canada‘s journey across the nation and selected countries around the world; the return bursts out of the gate in Quebec City before the 12 teams jet to Toronto for falls and tomfoolery at TSN’s headquarters.

“Every time I’m in Quebec City, I grow a little bit more fond of it,” Montgomery says from Bell Media’s downtown Toronto headquarters. “My first experience there was as an amateur athlete and Quebecers embrace that. They celebrate their athletes like nobody’s business and celebrate being outside and being part of a community. This trip I learned that the oldest patent in Canada was awarded just down the street from the Chateau Frontenac for a washing and pulling machine.”

Those history lessons, especially regarding Canada, have been an integral part of The Amazing Race since Montgomery yelled “Go!” at contestants in Season 1. This season’s group of teams are once again racing for the chance to win a $1 million grand prize, and it doesn’t take long for several pairs to make an impact. Hamilton, Ont., brothers Gino and Jesse are charming, funny and focussed; Newfoundland cops Dana and Amanda hearken back to Olympic hockey players Natalie Spooner and Meaghan Mikkelson; pro wrestlers Nick and Matt have the bulk to own physical challenges; and Max and Alias are perhaps the best-looking of the bunch.

We got Montgomery to weigh in on four teams that look like early favourites:

Nic and Sabrina
“Real smart and real physical. He’s a former professional soccer player and they’re really both quite bright. They have language abilities on their side. They both speak French and English, Fringlish, Italian and Fritalain and other language combinations that help with linguistic challenges. A team to watch out for.”

Hamilton and Michaelia
“Hamilton’s sexuality is just a part of who he is as an individual and not what he is. I love those two. They are the youngest competitors on the show and are so cute. Their relationship is beautiful. I think they will resonate with Canadians on a few levels given what we learned from Caitlyn Jenner. It’s not that transgender is new, it’s just that the exposure in mass media is new.”

Nick and Matt
“I love those guys! Pro wrestlers and Nick is a Grade 6 teacher! If he was my Grade 6 teacher, just with the beard I’d be intimidated. It looks like he draws it on every morning. Those guys know how to challenge each other and push each other and get the most out of one another because they do it every day.”

Dana and Amanda
“They are physically strong and mentally strong. They come from a strong lineage of people who serve and protect the peace in Newfoundland. They are gamers. They are full-on. They push themselves to their physical limits.”

The Amazing Race Canada airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on CTV.

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