TVLINE | I always look forward to the roadblocks that bring some sense of danger — bungee jumping, skydiving, anything stunt-worthy. What kinds of roadblocks are up ahead for the racers this season?
I’m sure you realize, it’s always perceived danger, right? Our goal is to take people around the world and get them home safely. So it’s what you call perceived danger. “Oh, bungee jumping looks so dangerous.” Is it really that dangerous? It’s not really that dangerous, but it messes with people’s heads. We’re always trying to do things that mess with their heads. I promise you that there are challenges where they will be tested physically and mentally, and it’s more pushing people outside their comfort zones, doing things that they didn’t think they could do or maybe facing up to some fears they have of claustrophobia or heights or animals, bugs, whatever that might be.
TVLINE | Next season is quite a milestone. Season 40! Have conversations begun about what that could potentially look like?
Yeah, definitely. We’re in conversations right now. We’re also talking to fans about that because we want to know what the fans want. There have been all kinds of ideas, everything from repeating what we did on “Hacks” with celebrities, like a “Celebrity Race,” to Second Chances to favorites. If you were in charge, what would you do?
TVLINE | I think celebrities could be fun. But maybe it’s returnees, but only people who began their careers on “The Amazing Race.” Keep it 100% in-house. No “Big Brother” or “Survivor” players.
Yeah, it’s an interesting thing to cross over and we’re seeing that a lot with contestants, even on other networks. It’s a lot more pulling from here, there, and everywhere. People are, like you said, turning it into a career. For me, I still find the most exciting teams to watch are the ones that are kind of wide-eyed, and naive and innocent. They’re not jaded by anything because they’ve never been a part of something like this before. The awe and wonder is increased exponentially because of that. I just love to see that. You’re going to see that this season with Doug and Dylan, the grandfather and grandson. They’ve dreamed of doing this together. They’ve waited for Dylan to be old enough. He’s only 18 when he comes on the show, his grandfather’s 71, and they’ve been waiting and waiting for this moment, this opportunity. Whereas, sometimes if you have returning contestants from other shows, they’re kind of like, “Yeah, yeah, yeah, we’re gonna do a soundbite and what do you need from me?” They’re media savvy. It’s just a different mindset.
TVLINE | As a huge “Hacks” fan, I have to circle back before I let you go. How was your experience working with Jean Smart and Kaitlin Olson?
[It was] super cool working with them. I think one of my favorite moments this year was ad-libbing with Jean after we got the written scene done. Just sort of riffing with her and going off-copy a wee bit. That was a highlight this year, for sure.