Credit: Robert Voets/CBS
The Amazing Race has not been shy about having former CBS reality stars on the show. Boston Rob Mariano and Amber Brkich of Survivor fame played twice, while Big Brother‘s Jeff Schroeder and Jordan Lloyd, as well as Alison Irwin (and her non-Big Brother boyfriend Donny) all have appeared on the program. But now, for the first time, two winners will team up to compete as Survivor: Africa champ Ethan Zohn and Survivor: The Amazon victor Jenna Morasca head up the cast for the show’s 19th installment (premiering Sept. 25 on CBS), which will also feature some new twists to the game.
For Zohn, racing across the world with his longtime girlfriend is especially sweet considering his recent medical battles after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. “Last year I was attached to a pump in complete isolation in a f—ing hospital room, and now I’m out traveling the world with the woman I love. Whatever happens, it’s gonna be okay,” Ethan told EW.com just before embarking on the race. “But if she screws up, I’m gonna kill her.”
Among the 10 other teams joining the longtime Survivor couple will be Zac Sunderland — who, at 16, became the youngest person to sail around the world alone — and his dad Laurence, former NFL tight end Marcus Pollard and his wife Amani, and Olympic snowboarders Andy Finch and Tommy Czeschin. (A full list of teams is below.) The duos will experience a few new twists this time around, including the show’s first ever double elimination, and something called the Hazard, which is a penalty that one team will incur right at the starting line. And for the first time ever, The Amazing Race will be visiting the countries of Belgium, Denmark, Malawi, and Indonesia.
Credit: Sonja Flemming/CBS
Seeing as how Ethan and Jenna both won their seasons of Survivor, which one of them will get to make the big decisions on the race? “We actually made a list of things that each of us is good at and not good at,” Jenna says. “I’m surprisingly more nervous than Ethan so I told him unless it’s a horseback riding, pole dancing, circus, animal, or shopping challenge, that he’s doing the first Roadblock.” But don’t be surprised if nice guy Ethan and his less-helpful partner have their differences along the way. Witness this one exchange:
Ethan: “I played Survivor different than Jenna played Survivor. And if Jenna wants to stab someone in the back and do something evil and mean, it’s going to be tough for me to do that. I’m okay with helping someone fix their flat tire.”
Jenna: “That’s not gonna happen.”
Ethan: “I’m okay giving people food.”
Jenna: “That’s not gonna happen. If we’re racing for first place and the person in front of us has a flat tire, I’m probably going to pass you by without a second thought. I mean, I’m not going to run them over in the process to make sure they’re never going to get up. I’ll safely pass, with my flashers on.”
The full cast list for season 19 of The Amazing Race is below. Also make sure to check out all the team pictures in our Amazing Race cast gallery. And for more reality news and views, follow me on Twitter @EWDaltonRoss.
The 11 teams competing on season 19 of The Amazing Race:
Ernie Halvorsen
Age: 29
Hometown: Chicago
Current occupation: Project manager
Cindy Chiang
Age: 30
Hometown: Chicago
Current occupation: Brand manager
Connection to Teammate: Engaged
____________________________________________________________________
Justin Young
Age: 31
Hometown: Stone Mountain, Ga.
Current occupation: Doctor
Jennifer Young
Age: 26
Hometown: Stone Mountain, Ga.
Current occupation: Special education teacher
Connection to Teammate: Siblings
____________________________________________________________________
Liz Canavan
Age: 24
Hometown: Deerfield, Ill.
Current occupation: Marketing Assistant
Marie Canavan
Age: 24
Hometown: Deerfield, Ill.
Current occupation: Soul searching
Connection to Teammate: Twins
____________________________________________________________________
Ron Zeitz
Age: 44
Hometown: Laguna Niguel, Calif.
Current occupation: Flight attendant
Bill Smith
Age: 49
Hometown: Laguna Niguel, Calif.
Current occupation: Flight attendant
Connection to Teammate: Domestic Partners
____________________________________________________________________
Ethan Zohn
Age: 37
Hometown: New York, N.Y.
Current occupation: Change maker
Jenna Morasca
Age: 30
Hometown: New York, N.Y.
Current occupation: TV host/student
Connection to Teammate: Dating
____________________________________________________________________
Bill Alden
Age: 63
Hometown: Albany, Ore.
Current occupation: Farmer/rancher
Cathi Alden
Age: 62
Hometown: Albany, Ore.
Current occupation: College instructor/retired High
School principal
Connection to Teammate: Married for 40 Years/Grandparents
____________________________________________________________________
Andy Finch
Age: 30
Hometown: Truckee, Calif.
Current occupation: Professional snowboarder
Tommy Czeschin
Age: 32
Hometown: Crowley Lake, Calif.
Current occupation: Professional snowboarder
Connection to Teammate: Friends/Former Olympic Snowboarders
____________________________________________________________________
Amani Pollard
Age: 36
Hometown: Pine Mountain, Ga.
Current occupation: Business owner
Marcus Pollard
Age: 39
Hometown: Pine Mountain, Ga.
Current occupation: Retired NFL player/football coach
Connection to Teammate: Married
____________________________________________________________________
Kaylani Paliotta
Age: 33
Hometown: Las Vegas
Current occupation: Cocktail waitress
Lisa Tilley
Age: 32
Hometown: Las Vegas
Current occupation: Cocktail waitress
Connection to Teammate: Friends/Former Vegas Showgirls
____________________________________________________________________
Laurence Sunderland
Age: 48
Hometown: Thousand Oaks, Calif.
Current occupation: Yacht manager
Zac Sunderland
Age: 19
Hometown: Thousand Oaks, Calif.
Current occupation: Record setting boat captain
(Zac was the youngest person to ever sail around
the world alone)
Connection to Teammate: Father/Son Adventurers
____________________________________________________________________
Jeremy Cline
Age: 35
Hometown: Alamo, Calif.
Current occupation: Commercial real estate broker
Sandy Draghi
Age: 33
Hometown: Dublin, Calif.
Current occupation: Nurse practitioner
Connection to Teammate: Dating
TAR is one show that doesn’t need stunt casting (DWTS) or messing with the formula too much: If it ain’t broke don’t fix it!
I totally agree! I will say that I really like Ethan and Jenna though. When he was documenting his treatment they both seemed very interesting and genuine. I find them likeable and I’m glad there is going to be one team that I am rooting for. I’ve found in recent years the casting on TAR has been a bit lackluster and the teams that make it to the end tend to be uber unlikeable so really you end up rooting for someone to not win.
I think the so-called “stunt casting” is like the yearly twists on Big Brother and the goofy experiments on Survivor: they have found that the ratings for new seasons start out slow, because the real interest has to develop as we start to like or hate various teams. So to juice casual interest, they have these artificial things that don’t really have to do with what’s exciting about the game.
The appeal for us with AR has always been that the contestants were normal folks of all ages and background plucked off the streets and provided with this amazing opportunity to see the world. It allows anyone to imagine that they could legitimately score a chance to be on the show.
Whenever they add a known entity such as a past game winner or sports figure, the concept of the show changes. Now it becomes a show where people who have already been given a chance receive yet another opportunity. Meanwhile a couple of average everyday Americans are left sidelined. That’s a turnoff.
I suppose the one positive is that at least we do not have to watch Boston Rob once again.
You and I could have been separated at birth! I swear that Rob being on the show almost ruined it forever for me. The only saving grace in the All Star version was that Charla and Mirna were the ones to kick his a$$.
You know, I liked Rob & Amber on the show. I understand wanting more ‘nobodies’, but I think Rob & Amber get a bad rap. I liked them, because they were one of the most functional couples to ever race on the show. They didn’t belittle each other and really worked well as a team. I didn’t watch survivor, but from what I had heard about Rob, I expected him to be the main force and her to just follow along. Instead I saw a guy who really listened to his partner and included her in decisions. It was kind of nice to see a couple that really worked together and didn’t need to yell at each other in order to get the other one to listen to them.
Totally agree with you, “S”. Rob has mellowed through the years… probably due to a combination of age… marriage… and fatherhood. I loved him on his final season of Survivor… and on his AR appearances.
I agree. I happen to know a great young couple of PE teachers who tried out for the show, but didn’t make it. They’re athletic, attractive, very competitive, with strong personalities and would have been much more entertaining to watch than these repeat reality show contestants. I do like Ethan and I hope he’s made a full recovery from his cancer, but if I ever see Boston Rob on TV again, I think I might throw up!!
Tunnel vision opinions are silly. Don’t say what reality shows like The Amazing Race can or can’t do.
I think in the case though, if the team doesn’t have the goods (i.e., they just can’t cut it/race well), then they get eliminated. It’s not like Survivor or BB where you vote people out, if you’re cut here, it’s because you came in last. I have less of a problem with stunt casting in this show for that reason. Plus I love Ethan and am glad he’s better.
I agree! On The Amazing Race you win on your own merit not on relying on fools to vote for you in the end or America to reward you the win.
Hey Emjay! Those clowns Charla and Mirna the loopy Armenian and her midget cousin may have been responsible for the elimination of Rob and Amber during Season 11 but Rob came roaring back and won Survivor 22 last spring. Where are those two Armenian freaks now. Because I haven’t seen them on my television since. They probably joined a carnival show.
wow, Saline, you seriously need to take a pill
They’ve ruined Survivor to the point I don’t watch it anymore…because of the stunt casting and 4-pete contestants. Now they (being CBS) are trying to kill my love of AR. (Sure, they’ve stunt-cast before, and I didn’t watch those seasons.) Good grief.
Couldn’t agree more ddd.
Hey Alan from Montreal you don’t have to tell we stupid Americans where you are from you dumb Canadian. And alan how about those Expos! Oh yeah I meant the Nationals! Worry about your fellow Canadians and watch Canadian television instead.
Peeved. That’s my reaction, Dalton. You’re making me kind of stroppy here, writing dutifully and supportively of these former great shows that are all now featuring ‘returning players’. It’s like a rap record around here – not good enough to stand on its own, so a lot of ‘featured artists’ have to contribute?
It is the end of reality TV as we know it. Thanks for nothing CBS.
I have to agree. I used to love this show until it became Survivor race around the country. The thing that made it so unique IMO was that it wasn’t cut throat, it was about how smart a team was and how well they worked together. I totally tuned out of the retread one and only lasted a few episodes of the one before. It used to be a MUST SEE program in my house and now it’s a LET’S MISS it program.
Oooops “Survivor race around the world…”
There you go again T2 being stupid. Your a true chronic complainer. A man or woman that spends there whole day whining over foolishness. You’re whining proves one thing to me artificial ignorance. Not only are you a dumb robot but a bad judge of reality shows. It also proves you’re truly not a real fan. Because any fan would love to see past players from Survivor on all different reality shows. After all Survivor is the Mother of all reality shows. All other reality shows owe Survivor for getting them started. So having players from old Survivor seasons or current seasons return in either Survivor or shows like The Amazing Race and Celebrity Apprentice is a true fans get that T2 true fans dream come true. Go eat some ice cream you depressed whiny fool and spare the rest of us your complaining.
you’re one to talk Saline – you repeatedly post statements that bigoted, irrational and just plain offensive. You really need to seek professional help.
Survivor is dead to me now. I wish Dalton would join our revolution in anger against having people return 3 or 4 times on the same show. It’s a joke. But I still support The Amazing Race because I don’t think being on Survivor will have an advantage on TAR, as they are so different.
Hey badwife fan passing yourself off as a goodwife fan. You’re nothing but a common house wife that watches CBS on a little tv in the corner of the kitchen while you cook your husband’s dinner so take off that ovenmit and tell your husband that dinner is ready. And don’t defend an artificial robot automated system like T2. You’re a badwife.
C’mon, Dalton – respond! You are a great and funny writer, but have just toed the party line lately. Where’s your fire? Your outrage? You cannot possibly SUPPORT the inclusion of rerun contestants, can you? After all, you railed against the Medallion of Power, which is all kinds of better than returning contestants.
I have to go eat some ice cream now.
This!
Dalon and normal reality fans like myself support the return of previous contestants unlike a whiny misguided fool like you T2. It’s almost like this is just an act or something T2 the way you’re so against returning players from Survivor that you feel the need to type it 20 thousand times. We all read your stupid post the first time. And once is already way more than enough. So shut up about it already you artificial fool.
Get out the cross and nails, guys, we’re goin’ crucifying! Every unimportant thing is about to get magnified under our hammer!
Don’t insult the Lord Jesus our savior for the sake of amusement on this site.
Why are 2 power players from Survivor getting a crack at The Amazing Race ?
And especially 2 of the most boring ones. If TAR HAS to cast well known Survivor contestants, I personally would rather see Russell Hantz, or any of the so-called Survivor villians at least they’d be fun to watch!. Definitely not interested in Jenna and Ethan and hope they go out early as most of the other teams sound much more interesting and deserving.
Becaues everybody likes Ethan and Jenna that’s why.
Not everyone likes Jenna. She’s a b-tch.
I like Ethan… he’s one of the good guys to win Survivor… hate Jenna, one of the worst winners of Survivor
I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited to see any reality stars return. So pumped to see them on the Race and will be rooting for them the whole way through!!!
Looks like you’re a party of one!
Jenna maybe a b-tch sometimes but she’s a hot b-tch. She’s just my type. Hot, sexy, and with plenty of spunk. So Pepper find your friend salt and leave Ethan and Jenna alone.
I agree. Stunt casting is not necessary. I am excited for it to return!!!
If they had to pick another former Survivor I’m really glad it’s Ethan. He’s just terrific…met him at my gym in NYC a couple of times and is just a really genuine nice guy. Hopefully TAR doesn’t ever feel the need to invite someone like Russell or Coach.
I love Coach and if they ever invited him to do TAR I would hope it was like TAR EXTREME where they have to like hunt for their own food and kayak and the challenges are actually challenging. It would be hilarious.
Did you see him naked at the gym?
19 seasons? ow.
Although this is one of the better reality shows.
19 seasons is a bit of a misnomer. TAR has had back to back seasons (meaning Fall and then Spring) which is why it looks like more. It has not been on for 19 years.
RIght. There was even one calendar year that saw 3 races.
What’s with all the bitter dopes posting comments? It’s great Ethan and Jenna are getting a shot at TAR. Bringing former Survivor or Big Brother back to race doesn’t hurt anything. It’s all about teamwork and smarts, just as it always has been. I’m excited.
Agree that comments are not what I expected either. If there had been several previous reality show contestants in Amazing race, I would understand. But there is only this one Survivor team. I think it’s actually fun to see how they manage against other teams. Also agree that seeing everyday Americans is part of the charm of this show.
Yeah, TAR has often cast famous people (Caitie Upton), so what’s the big deal. They’re both Survivor winners AND SHE HELPED HIM THROUGH CANCER. They’ve never run TAR before, unlike what Survivor is overdoing. BTW though, Rob may not have won Survivor before doing TAR, but he has since, so Ethan & Jenna technically aren’t the first Survivor-winning couple to do TAR.
Dan the man makes sense. Listen to him people. He knows the truth. The more interesting people they bring back the better.
ENOUGH of the bringing back former contestants of reality shows!
i’m not against it, just against bringing back WINNERS who are already worth millions
eh – after taxes you have maybe $600-700K (each in their case) which, at that age, is not anything you could just retire on.
You might not be able to retire on it, but you sure don’t need to win Amazing Race to live. I’m getting really tired of AR’s stunt casting over the last few seasons; I liked it much better when most of the cast were just regular people.
this is not make a wish foundation…is being in financial distress the main criteria ? jeez, its about the teamwork and chemsitry…and the meltdowns. may the best team win, regardless of their bank accounts.
Ethan and Jenna spent all that money a long time ago. It was nine years for him and six for her. Trust me neither of them are still millionaires.
I agree wino – even if someone was a billionaire, I wouldn’t mind them being on the show. It’s more about seeing how far you can get and pushing yourselves than about the money. I hate it when shows come down to voting on who ‘needs’ it more to decide the winner. The winner should be the best player, not the neediest.
It’s never enough to see old faces from the past that make great tv.
Those that are complaing about stunt casting seem to think that those that watch TAR also watching all other CBS reality shows. That is narrow minded thinking on the posters part. I don’t watch the other shows and I am fine with Ethan and Jenna being on TAR. In fact, this season’s TAR teams look good and I am excited for the return of the show. As Dan posted — TAR takes more then just being well known and/or popular. You either finish 1st, somewhere in between or last and are eliminated. It’s how you race. Not who you know or how popular you are within the show.
Exactly…that’s why I love TAR as opposed to Survivor or Big Brother where people are voted off because their fellow contestants don’t like them or some other petty reason. You have to earn the victory on TAR.
Unless you are the Globetrotters and another teams feeds you the answers to EVERY SINGLE PUZZLE CHALLENGE
Or Rob and Ambah who were on back to back to back seasons of survivor and people all over the world knew them and did their challenges for them…and yet they still couldn’t win! ugh
come on Stella, other teams beside the Globetrotters received help too. they were able to complete several challenges, including puzzles, by themselves without assistance from others.
I’ve never watched Survivor; for me, it’s just another voting show.
I do like the all-star versions though, because at least we’re familiar with the teams.
Anything is better than that pathetic allstar season 18 where President Obama’s daughters won.
you are a sick individual. please get mental help. you so obviously need it. please keep your offensive comments to yourself.
HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE ETHAN AND JENNA ON AMAZING RACE
Thank you for your polite request of me Goodwife fan, I mean badwife. Request is denied. Because I’ve come to the conclusion that stay at home housewifes like you shouldn’t be having an opinion of your own. I’m talking to your husband about this. You’ve been a badwife.
Not only is this the first time they’ve gone to those 4 countries, I think it’s also the first time they’ve spoiled it.
no they spoil it pre-race all the time actually.
They didn’t used to spoil locations like this. In fact, in the first several seasons, the viewers didn’t find out the next location until the teams opened their clues. It was more fun when it was a surprise.
If it had to be any team from Survivor I’m totally ok with Ethan and Jenna. Ethan is one of the all time great people to play the game of Survivor and win. He’s also one of the all time great people to play the game of life and win. I also like that Jenna has stood by him through everything and they seem like a super cute couple.
why are almost half the teams from California?? there are other pretty people from across the country -geesh!
and I HATE JENNA! I don’t understand that the coupling!
Can’t understand the coupling either, unless it is employing the theory of polar opposites
Yeah – I’m pretty sick of everyone being from California on these shows myself.
I agree, I think next season, no teams should be from Vegas or California. Are you telling me people from NY, DC, Houston, Dallas, Pittsburgh, Philly, and other top 20 markets do not try to get on here? Come on casting, you are better than this!
Only 4 out of 11 teams are from CA. Read before making a comment.
steven: four what ever.i bet if you look at the series as a whole most of the teams were/are from california. and I said almost half – yes half of 11 is 5.5 so i was pretty close huh? maybe you should read before making a comment