There’s no another bullish about the way forward for The Wonderful Race than the present’s longtime’s host Phil Keoghan. Ever because the present switched from two cycles to at least one cycle per 12 months, a typical fan chorus (a minimum of amongst my Race-watching friends) is that we want we could possibly be on the identical cycle as Survivor and do two seasons per 12 months. Whereas the powers that be haven’t granted us that want, the host of the truth competitors collection on CBS did lately give us a chunk of fine information: Season 37 is lastly on the 2025 TV schedule.
Keoghan lately made the announcement on social media, confirming CBS’ winter TV schedule, but additionally addressing the fan grievance I’ve heard most frequently in recent times. Per his Instagram publish:
We have now an airdate for Wonderful Race Season 37. We’re gonna be again March the fifth, that’s in 2025. Ninety-minute episodes, I promise it’s actually, actually good. I do know you’d love extra Wonderful Races; I do know that you’d love us to be again sooner. However pay attention, we’re again and we’re enthusiastic about sharing this new season with you. Can’t wait, you’re gonna like it.
Survivor and The Wonderful Race have lengthy been tied collectively by followers, lots of whom do watch each. The 2 exhibits have been on the air for greater than twenty years (with Race beginning in 01 after Survivor premiered in 00), each air on CBS, each have fanbases which have aged with the exhibits, and now each are even airing 90-minute episodes. There’s lots of commonalities, however Survivor nonetheless will get two seasons a 12 months whereas these days Race has solely gotten one, and that is remained true as Survivor Season 47 has performed out on TV.
I’d hedge Race has been reduce for a number of causes. First, its scores, whereas not method decrease than Survivor, are decrease than Survivor. In recent times, the Jeff Probst-led present has additionally been capable of reduce on price range by filming repetitively in Fiji, chopping the variety of days and reusing challenges and puzzles slightly than globe-trotting and extra. Race doesn’t actually have that potential, as its complete premise revolves round touring throughout various components of the globe. Actually, throughout the pandemic, the present even needed to lease a non-public jet so as to transfer contestants round. Assumedly that value a reasonably penny. In addition fandom for Survivor can also be extremely excessive throughout streaming, podcast, Twitter (X) and different platforms whereas Race followers appear to benefit from the present extra quietly, so it will get extra curiosity that method, as effectively.
As a longtime viewer myself (who has even re-watched the collection previously with my Hulu subscription), I completely get why it’s a bummer we solely get one season per 12 months (often) now. However on the identical notice, I at all times attempt to keep in mind there have been a slew of competitors exhibits which have come and gone in the timeframe since Survivor and The Wonderful Race first began. The very fact they’ve survived and thrived for thus lengthy is an achievement, and it’s a testomony to all of us who make it a degree to tune in. Amazingly (pun supposed), longevity is one thing Phil Keoghan himself continuously brings up when discussing the present.
So, sure, I’ll be watching when Season 37 kicks off on March fifth and I’ll rely myself fortunate to have the ability to accomplish that. And sure I additionally hope Survivor’s Franny and Matt finally say sure to showing on the present. As a result of nothing is actually higher than when two fandoms collide on one actuality present.