★★★★★ 0/5

Amazing Race Australia: launch

At The Amazing Race Australia launch last night, Grant Bowler told the crowd he agreed to host the show when he realised Seven wasn't producing a 'backyard' version.

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For the launch of the Amazing Race Australia launch in Melbourne last night, guests almost got a taste of the Race themselves.

Held in a hangar at Essendon Airport, guests had to battle Melbourne’s chilly wet weather and gruelling traffic snarls to reach the location. Some took the shuttle buses provided by the network from the CBD and others made their own way to the destination. Not too sure who was last to reach the pitstop.

But there was a good turn-up, including stars from Winners and Losers, Dancing with the Stars, My Kitchen Rules, joining media and network staff.

The evening was hosted by Johanna Griggs, who interviewed host Grant Bowler.

“The main reason I came back to do this was because everybody feared the Amazing Race Australia would be the backyard version racing from Ballina to Ballarat and maybe get down to Hobart at some point. And I had a similar fear, I’m not going to lie,” said Bowler.

“But the Seven heads of the network threw the wall at this thing and I couldn’t be prouder.

“This thing is a logistical nightmare and it’s also incredibly grinding on the crews. So from everybody who made the Race, I’d particularly like to thank our running crews who stayed ahead of all the contestants, the zone crews, my host crew who are a very tired and debauched group of people, all of the editors who assembled 400 hours of footage into the first episode alone, and all the post-production staff.

“First and foremost I want to give a shout-out to them. They never get to come to the openings, the launches or anything else.”

Ever the professional, Bowler also also thanked producers activeTV, David Leckie, Tim Worner, Brad Lyons, Lewis Martin, Graeme Hill, Disney and named the  show’s major sponsors.

With that the hangar doors opened to reveal the 11 teams emerging from a classic airplane to answer questions from Griggs.

The show starts 8:30pm Monday on Seven with a 90 minute episode.

Said Bowler, “Personally, and they all get scared when I say this, I think it not only matches the US version but is better. Because it’s Australian.”

18 Responses

  2. @Fan TARA is already used for The Amazing Race Asia.. The Amazing Race Australia should be TARAUS.. anyway.. Can’t Wait! seriously.. i am obsessed with the amazing race and i am heaps excited about this series! Seven is sure to have a winner here! If it doesn’t rate to well, i hope they bring back the mole. That show is equally as awesome!

  3. Also I love the idea of MKR and BATG teams on and from what I’m herd Tracy & Anna Maire are a team to love and Joey & Richard and Riot and Libarty are the villains.

  7. This show sums up 7s year so far. Succesful and sustained. There seems to be a bit of thought and effort put into their shows and channels. The 2 digi channels have a fairly distinct content differential (gem/go seem to be very samey on some nights), the main channel has improved existing shows like MKR & AGT for example. They have kept a couple of old faves, introduced new stuff and to be fair seem to have put a lot of effort in ensuring TAR isn’t a second rate cheapo spin off of the original. I personally don’t watch half the shows referred to, but a lot of folk like the quality and dependability of them. This just goes to show how badly ch9 have stuffed their year up.

  9. Can’t wait!

    Actually cannot think of a better host for this! The Mole was superb and Grant has the likeability, seriousness and smirkiness that Phil has!

  15. I’m a huge AR face and am really excited to watch the Aussie’s give it a go!

    David, any hot tips on which of the teams who we’re going to love and hate?!

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