RHAP: We Know Big Brother – The Amazing Race 38 Preseason Draft
Episode Date: September 17, 2025
Panel: Mike Bloom (Host), Jessica Liese, Taran Armstrong
Episode Overview
This special preseason episode dives into the unique “Big Brother” crossover theme of The Amazing Race 38: European Adventure, where every team features at least one former Big Brother houseguest. Mike, Jessica, and Taran conduct a spoiler-free draft of the 13 teams—recorded six months in advance to avoid the inevitable leaks and speculation from the Big Brother fandom. Together, they break down whether reality TV experience gives teams an edge, analyze the cast's dynamics, and discuss which pairs could go far racing around Europe.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Setting the Stage: Why This Season Is a Big Deal
- The season features a full “reality TV crossover”: EVERY team includes one Big Brother alum and their real-life loved one (e.g., sibling, fiancé, friend).
- Recorded March 2025; spoiler-free to avoid leaked results (02:09–04:00).
Quote:
"We are doing an RHAP classic, people—a draft. So I got together with our Amazing Race chief correspondent Jessica Liese and our Big Brother chief correspondent Taran Armstrong ... to do our own draft of the 13 teams racing around Europe."
—Mike Bloom [06:45]
- Reality TV Synergy: CBS is leveraging the Big Brother fan base and the growing trend of casting crossover reality personalities, similar to the success of The Traitors (14:00).
2. Panel Perspectives: Where BB and TAR Worlds Collide
- Jessica: Pure Amazing Race expertise, only casual with Big Brother—brings a 'race skills over social media drama' viewpoint (12:51).
- Taran: Hardcore Big Brother expert, lifelong Amazing Race fan, sees this as “more of my friends' chance to win a million dollars” (13:30).
- Both agree: former reality TV contestants may have a production/social edge—but that doesn’t always translate to Amazing Race success.
Quote:
"Big Brother people are very good on The Amazing Race typically... It levels the playing field somewhat... Once you've had Big Brother Twitter on your head, you don't really worry about how you're going to come across on the screen."
—Jessica Liese [15:21]
- Panel expects alliances and crossgame relationships might be a factor but cautions that TAR’s real challenge is navigation, communication, and in-the-moment decisions—not voting blocs (18:34–19:48).
3. Draft Rules & Approach
- 13 teams, each panelist drafts in a snake format.
- Draft position determined randomly—Taran picks first, followed by Mike, then Jessica (21:08).
- Discussion for each pick: BB background, dynamic as a team, potential strengths/weaknesses on TAR, and possible social alliances.
Draft Picks Analysis & Notable Moments
1. Top Draft Picks & Rationale
Taran, Pick 1: Taylor & Kyland
- Only all-Big Brother player team; both have extensive comp/strategy experience.
- Taylor: BB24 winner, famed for overcoming adversity and social resilience.
- Kyland: BB23's Cookout alliance star, "Kaiborg" persona in The Challenge.
Quote:
"She has always done well... Taylor is someone who is going to have a lot of connections... as long as they are able to work together well, I think this could be an absolutely lethal team this season."
—Mike Bloom [28:14]
(22:20–29:27)
Mike, Pick 1: Tucker & Eric
- Tucker: BB26 comp beast, “America’s Favorite,” infamous for bold (and sometimes hare-brained) strategic swings.
- Eric: Academic “cooler” may provide needed balance.
- Well-connected, potential alliance bloc with Rubina/Chelsea.
Quote:
"The thing about Tucker ... not only taking big risks, but also a little bit known for having a little bit of a hot head... I could definitely see Tucker getting frustrated... That could be his Achilles heel."
—Taran Armstrong [31:00]
(29:55–37:50)
Jessica, Picks 1 & 2: Izzy/Paige & Jag/Jazz
- Izzy & Paige: Fan-favorite couple, huge TAR superfans—deceptively low-key at events, deeply knowledgeable, high teamwork potential.
- Jag & Jazz: Physical prowess (Jag is the BB record-holder in competition wins), tight siblings, universally liked.
Quote:
"Izzy is a very fun personality. I’m hoping this is a case where we see not only her personality truly shine, but alongside the person she loves more than anything..."
—Mike Bloom [43:30]
"Identical twins tend not to do as well on Amazing Race... but Jag played so well. He's a great player, and he's good at competitions, social, smart..."
—Jessica Liese [44:52]
(37:58–47:54)
2. Draft Highlights & Strategy Debates
Navigating Relationships
- Several teams are likely to have pre-existing bonds (Tucker-Rubina, Taylor-Joseph), which could be beneficial for informal alliances.
- Discussion around whether these ties serve as “meat shields” or paint targets.
Quote:
"Tucker strikes me as the kind of guy that would stay back to help Rubina in a challenge if she’s still going. He’d be like, 'I’m willing to take that risk, let’s work together.'"
—Taran Armstrong [37:36]
Parent/Child Teams
- Chelsea & dad Jack: Strong precedent for parent/child teams on TAR, especially with competitive, athletic parents (Jack is a firefighter).
Quote:
"Father/daughter teams do tend to do very well... and knowing how good Chelsea is as a competitor ... speaks well for them."
—Jessica Liese [62:51]
Social Dynamics: Fan Favorites Vs. Wildcards
- Joseph/Adam & Turner/Megan seen as “sweet, likable guys” who could fly under the radar.
- Angela & Lexi projected as pure chaos—"she is drama personified"—potential for wild entertainment, less likely for win (75:29).
Quote:
"Angela is pure chaos. Who sews chaos wherever she goes... she is drama personified."
—Jessica Liese [75:29]
Old School vs. New School
- Only one team (Natalie/Stephanie) from an “old school” BB season (BB18); most of the cast is from BB21–26, recent familiar faces for fans (65:39–69:26).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On former contestants' camera savvy:
“You know what they're looking for in terms of how to behave in front of a camera ... once you've had Big Brother Twitter on your head, you don't really worry about how you're going to come across.”
—Jessica Liese [15:21] -
Taran on this season’s “alliances”:
"Amazing Race fans are probably gonna hate this... Big Brother fans approach this differently... There might be a lot of weirdness."
—Taran Armstrong [14:20] -
Jessica’s “Izzy and Paige” party story:
“They convinced me so thoroughly... I walked out of there thinking, when this cast drops, it's gonna suck because Izzy and Paige aren't on it... and look at this. They're on it. So kudos to them.”
—[38:25] -
Panel on “targeting” in The Amazing Race:
“Targeting is something that happens less often in Amazing Race... You still have to be good at racing. You can't coast on somebody else’s skills for the entire time.”
—Jessica Liese [74:21]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Introduction & Context: 02:09 – 06:45
- Panel Introductions & BB/TAR Perspectives: 08:47 – 18:34
- Draft Rules & Philosophy: 21:08 – 22:20
- Pick 1 (Taylor & Kyland): 22:20 – 29:55
- Pick 2 (Tucker & Eric): 29:55 – 37:50
- Jessica 1/2 (Izzy/Paige & Jag/Jazz): 37:58 – 47:54
- Navigating Social Alliances: 36:21 – 37:36
- Mid-Draft (Analysis, Chelsea/Jack, Natalie/Stephanie): 60:07 – 70:54
- Later Rounds (Female Teams, Chaos Factor): 71:05 – 80:04
- Least Favored Teams (Enzo, Kat): 89:38 – 97:29
- Full Draft Recap & Closing Thoughts: 98:35 – 104:55
Final Draft Teams (by Panelist)
Taran Armstrong
- Taylor & Kyland
- Hannah & Simone
- Chelsea & Jack
- Kat & Alex
Mike Bloom
- Tucker & Eric
- Joseph & Adam
- Natalie & Stephanie
- Turner & Megan
Jessica Liese
- Izzy & Paige
- Jag & Jazz
- Rubina & Christine
- Angela & Lexi
Closing Thoughts
- The cast is considered both modern (mostly post-BB21) and highly competitive, with a notable number of female teams and sibling/family pairs.
- Panelists express genuine excitement about the season’s entertainment potential, particularly with several "chaos agents" and dynamic pairs.
- The draft is a mix of prediction and friendly shade, with repeated caveats: It's all meant in good fun, and fans should embrace the lighthearted, speculative spirit as the Amazing Race 38 begins.
Quote:
"We want to make sure we put verbal pen to paper before any of the results start dripping out... We want to see how all this goes down, whether it be the fall, the spring, what have you."
—Mike Bloom [100:08]
For weekly recaps, exit interviews, and more Amazing Race content, subscribe at Weknowamazingrace.com or the RHAP YouTube channel.
This summary captures all the major draft analysis, strategic debates, and predictions made by the panel, structured for those who have not listened but want a full, detailed understanding of this preseason “Big Brother meets The Amazing Race” event.