The Amazing Race 36

The Amazing Race 36is the thirty-sixth season of the Americanreality competitionshowThe Amazing Race. Hosted byPhil Keoghan, it features thirteen teams of two, each with a pre-existing relationship, competing in a race around theAmericasto win US$1,000,000. This season visited two continents and eight countries and traveled over 11,711 miles (18,847 km) during eleven legs. Starting inPuerto Vallarta, racers traveled throughMexico,Colombia,Chile,Argentina,Uruguay,Barbados, and theDominican Republicbefore returning to theUnited Statesand finishing inPhiladelphia. Filmed during the waning days of theCOVID-19 pandemicglobal health emergencyand prior to the35th aired season, this season features chartered air travel rather than commercial air travel and other accommodations for the safety of the racers. The season premiered onCBSon March 13, 2024, and concluded on May 15, 2024.
Boyfriends Ricky Rotandi and César Aldrete were the winners of this season, while military pilots Juan Villa and Shane Bilek finished in second place, and married coupleRodand Leticia Gardner finished in third place.
Filming for this season began on October 25, 2022, outside of theUnited Statesfor a second time inPuerto Vallarta, Mexico,with teams spotted withluchadoresatPlaza Hidalgoand running along theMalecón.Much like the33rdand34thseasons, teams traveled by chartered plane. AGlobal Crossing AirlinesAirbus A320was used to transport teams and production crew between locations while reducing personal interactions associated withCOVID-19infections.On November 4, 2022, the show was inCórdoba, Argentina.This season also included first-time visits toBarbadosand theDominican Republic.The final episode was filmed inPhiladelphiain mid-November.This season also had teams take part in a Mexicanrodeo,paraglideinColombia, racerally carsinArgentina, swim through waterfalls in the Dominican Republic, and visit the childhood home ofRihannain Barbados.
Casting for the season began on June 13, 2022,and closed on September 16, 2022.
On November 13, 2023,CBSofficially announced this season's premiere date as March 13, 2024, following the third episode ofSurvivor 46in the 9:30 pm time slot.Though this season is the 36th to air, it was the 35th to be filmed, with the35th aired seasonbeing filmed in mid-2023.This change to postpone the season was made following the decision to air 90-minute episodes as a result of the2023 Writers Guild of America strikerather than re-edit the episodes for an additional 30 minutes.This decision was changed following season 35 with season 36 also including 90-minute episodes, and the episodes were re-edited to include cut footage.
The first trailer for this season was released on February 28, 2024.
The cast of thirteen teams includes formerNFLwide receiverRod Gardnerand his wife Leticia, who were revealed early on February 6, 2024, in the lead-up toSuper Bowl LVIII.The remaining twelve teams were revealed on February 21, 2024.
The following teams are listed with their placements in each leg. Placements are listed in finishing order.
The Amazing Race 36received mixed reviews.Andy Dehnartofreality blurredwrote, "thisAmazing Raceseason just feels weird or off in several ways, though it's also not bad."In addition he wrote, "I do think it was a mistake for the show to edit out the charter plane travel and the explanation of why teams were starting in groups. I understand that—it's kind of weird to go backward after a season with airport travel—but since that's what happened, why not admit it on screen?"Mack Rawden ofCinemaBlendwrote, "Questionable decisions aside [regarding Angie & Danny's elimination], this season ofThe Amazing Racehas been terrific, as always."Dustin Rowles ofPajibawrote, "the 36th season ofThe Amazing Racehas been a solid one, thanks in part to some solid casting. Former NFL running backRod Gardnerand his wife, Leticia, have been a particular highlight, although Ricky and Cesar — who have been dominating the race since the opening episode — are fun, too."Film criticGrace Randolphwrote, "This season of [The Amazing Race] is probably the worst I've ever seen - and I've watched all 36 seasons. Apparently it was filmed during Covid and before the last season… they should've just shelved it permanently."In 2024, Rhenn Taguiam of Game Rant placed this season within the bottom 13 out of 36.