CBS is gearing up for a television mashup like no other: the new season of “The Amazing Race” will bring “Big Brother” contestants out of the house and onto the global racecourse. In an exclusive interview with Parade, longtime host Phil Keoghan previewed how the strategy that defines “Big Brother” is shaping this high-stakes season—and teased surprises that may shake up viewers’ expectations. With the premiere just days away, fans are already speculating how competition, alliances, and twists will collide.
Big Brother Meets The Amazing Race: A New Experiment
Keoghan confirmed that every team on “The Amazing Race” Season 38 includes at least one former “Big Brother” houseguest, racing alongside a friend or loved one. This crossover has raised the stakes: these contestants already know how to play social games, form alliances, and execute blindsides—skills that could give them an edge on the road. Keoghan called this season “an experiment,” noting that he has never witnessed so much emotion across a full cast.
He acknowledged the inherent risk: such a cast might favor manipulative or strategic players, perhaps at the cost of raw racing ability. But Keoghan expressed confidence in balancing those dynamics with physically and logistically demanding challenges.
This coupling of “Big Brother” strategy with a global scavenger hunt could redefine how viewers perceive both series.
Strategic Borrowings: How Big Brother Thinking Shapes the Race
In his Parade interview, Keoghan said that “Big Brother” strategy already influenced how producers designed this season’s course. He suggested that hidden alliances, trust-related decisions, and surprise reversals might emerge more frequently than in past seasons.
Nevertheless, he insisted that the core of “The Amazing Race”—navigation, stamina, adaptability—remains central. The new cast won’t get a free pass just because they have game experience. “You still have to run, you still have to plan, you still have to pivot under pressure,” Keoghan told Parade.
Keoghan also touched on fans’ ideas, calling one suggestion—bringing back teams eliminated in past seasons—the “worst” he’s heard. He argued that not all contestants have the requisite racing instinct, and reinstating early-outs could weaken the integrity of the competition.
Where & When to Watch the Premiere
The season premieres Thursday, September 25 at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. From the start, the competition promises to twist expectations: challenges may appear even before teams cross the official starting line, and advantages or penalties—such as Express Passes or Hazards—could be assigned immediately.
The route spans Europe, sending teams through the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Croatia, Romania, Greece, Italy, and France before ending in New York City. Along the way, racers will confront cultural tasks, physical challenges, and social maneuvers that test more than just endurance.
As Keoghan put it, this season isn’t just another edition; it’s an evolving experiment in cross-genre casting. Viewers and competitors alike will soon find out whether “Big Brother” experience becomes a winning asset—or a liability—on the road.
