RHAP: We Know Big Brother — “Why You Should Watch The Amazing Race”

Date: September 15, 2025
Host(s): Mike Bloom, Jessica Liese
Guest: Taylor Hale (Big Brother 24 Winner, BB Unlocked Co-Host, AR38 Competitor)

Overview of the Episode's Main Theme

This episode serves as a preseason primer for fans of both Big Brother and The Amazing Race, focusing on why viewers—especially Big Brother fans—should tune into The Amazing Race 38, which features an unprecedented all-Big Brother alumni cast (each paired with a loved one). With guest Taylor Hale (Big Brother 24 winner and competitor on the upcoming season), hosts Mike Bloom and Jessica Liese break down what to expect from the season, how the two fandoms might mesh, what makes The Amazing Race special, and offer an AR101 crash course for newcomers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Big Brother Takeover of The Amazing Race

• Taylor Hale shares her casting journey:

  • She was originally contacted to do The Amazing Race (AR) before ever appearing on Big Brother (BB).
  • Initially declined “because I didn’t want to ruin a real friendship for a TV show.” [07:12]
  • Describes the process of finally being cast with Kylan and their “friendship duo” dynamic.
  • Notes online chatter wrongly suggesting casting was handed to them:

    “It's funny seeing the Internet chirping now, being like, it was handed to Taylor or like it was handed to Kyland. It's like, no, like, we really, really had to convince them…” [09:41]

• Jessica: “It’s Amazing Race, it’s always going to be at least a little bit fun and good… even season 24 was kind of fun.” [21:36]

2. Taylor’s Preparation for The Amazing Race

• Intensive Training Regimen:

  • Excel spreadsheets for tracking strengths/weaknesses.
  • Physical training: running, fitness, kayaking, mock AR legs, map reading, driving stick shift.
  • Mock races using ChatGPT for clues.
  • Binged old seasons to study race dynamics and personalities.

    “We had Chat GPT do mock races for us in different cities… I took a cartography class… Both learned how to drive stick shifts!” [12:05]

• Falling in Love With AR Legends:

  • “I miss that old school era of CBS reality tv. And being introduced to the Amazing Race in that era was so cool.” [13:02]

3. Differences Between Big Brother and The Amazing Race

• Taylor: “More fun? Oh my God. Amazing Race.” [14:24]
• Contrast of gameplay:
  • BB: intensely strategic, manipulative, and exhausting:

    “Big Brother is the ultimate complex game of strategy and manipulation and like, the name of the game is Exhaustion...” [14:33]

  • AR: fast-paced, physical, focused on navigation/coordination, fun, less about alliances & strategy.

4. Anticipated Dynamics: Big Brother Personalities on The Amazing Race

• AR fans may be wary of BB’s “big, dramatic” energy entering a more “relationship and travel” based show:

  “We are these crazy psychopaths that lived in a house for 90 days stirring up drama and lies against each other. Right? So why would you want to watch those idiots do the Amazing Race?” [25:27]

• Taylor hopes personalities will shine in a new context:

  “In the context of the Amazing Race, we are not Big Brother people. We are just racers.” [25:28]

5. What Makes The Amazing Race Unique (AR 101)

• Episode Structure:

  1. Teams begin in a city, often told to fly to another location.
  2. Must complete route tasks: Detour (choose 1 of 2 tasks), Roadblock (1 team member does the task).
  3. Race to Pit Stop; last team is typically eliminated. [30:38]
  4. Sometimes have non-elimination legs (with “Speed Bump” penalty next leg) [31:53]
  5. Finale: first of 3 final teams to arrive wins $1,000,000. [32:36]

• Key Terms Explained:

  • Phil Keoghan: Longtime host, “the dad in the relationship.” Taylor shares her admiration:

    “It was just really cool being… with someone who cares so much about their product and cares about the people that run the race.” [35:08]

  • Types of Tasks:

    • Fetch/Delivery, dancing/local traditions, strength/endurance, puzzles/“needle in haystack,” cultural costumes.
    • Importance of navigation, orienteering, and map reading—especially post-COVID era. [41:07]

  • Self-Driving Legs & Stick Shift:

    • “If you're going on the Amazing Race, at least one of you's got to drive stick shift.” [39:45]
    • Taylor confirms she and Kylan both learned in prep.

6. Twists & Modern Variations

• Classic Twists:

  • U-Turn: Force a team to do both Detour tasks. Sometimes vote-based now.
  • Express Pass: Skip any one task. [53:03]
  • Head-to-Head/Face-Off: Direct team vs. team showdown.
  • Fast Forward: Complete one unique task to skip to the Pit Stop.
  • Yield: Force another team to wait out a penalty.

• Recent/New Twists (some potentially returning this season):

  • Scramble: Complete three tasks in any order (non-linear leg).
  • Fork in the Road: Opening leg split into two simultaneous races.
  • Driver’s Seat: One team assigns penalties or tasks to others.
  • Extra tasks for last-place finishers (hazards/speed bumps).

• Strategic Play?
  Taylor argues AR remains situation-driven, not strategic at BB levels:

  “It's not about who you are working with or who you want to work with. It's literally just where you are in a certain situation. And will I decide to help someone who is right in front of me or right behind me?...The Amazing Race is just you and your partner figuring things out that that most benefit you.” [48:18]

7. Common Newbie Questions (AR FAQ)

• Bathroom breaks—when the camera crew goes, or, if you're desperate, just go; “You can do laundry later.” [59:36]
• Separation between teammates: must stay within 20 feet, except during select Roadblocks. [60:15]
• Eliminated teams: usually sent to a resort, not “traveling with the race.”
• Airport drama: Now lessened due to pre-booked airfare and production logistics. [61:38]
• Sponsorships: Canada’s version is “heavily sponsored,” e.g. Boost shakes, Wendy’s in the house. [62:23]

8. This Season's Unique Twist

• First Challenge Before the Starting Line:
  • For the first time in AR history, teams complete a challenge before the official start. First to finish gets an Express Pass; last to finish receives a hazard (extra penalty task).

    “We Big Brother players, we touched down and were immediately thrown into the Amazing Race. There was no rest…that is consistently what we can expect from the rest of the season. It's just nonstop.” [63:23]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Taylor on AR’s cast preparation:

  “I was willing to shave my head. Pee anywhere. Like, what? I was down.” [59:59]

• Jessica on AR fans:

  “Amazing Race fans are the coolest fans on the planet. Like, they are so much fun and they're just smart, interesting, welcoming, warm people that can forgive coming from another ecosystem and they can wipe the slate clean and watch you guys for you guys.” [26:34]

• On Race vs. Strategy:

  “The Amazing Race is just you and your partner figuring things out that that most benefit you.” (Taylor, [48:37])

• Taylor’s message to the fandoms:

  “If you're a die hard Amazing Race head, you're a race fan, I think you're gonna love the season. There's amazing people, amazing personalities or people who have never even done reality TV before… If you're a Big Brother fan…I also just ask that you be respectful of the Amazing Race community.” [64:00-64:49]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:29] — Introductions and concept of AR38: “Oops, all Big Brother”
• [04:38] — Taylor Hale joins, background on AR casting journey
• [12:02] — Taylor details prepping with Kylan: physical, mental, navigation, AR legends.
• [14:24] — “What’s more fun: AR or BB?” Fun and gameplay contrasts.
• [21:36] — Jessica’s take: “It’s always fun and good… even s24 was kind of fun.”
• [25:27] — Taylor on BB personalities entering the AR ecosystem.
• [30:38] — Amazing Race 101: basic structure, Roadblocks, Detours, Pit Stops explained.
• [35:08] — Taylor meets Phil Keoghan; importance of AR host.
• [39:45] — Self-driving legs, learning stick shift, map skills.
• [42:52] — Twists overview: U-Turns, Express Pass, strategic elements.
• [53:03] — Express Pass and famous blunders.
• [58:59] — “FAQ” — bathrooms, teammate rules, eliminated team logistics.
• [63:23] — Season 38’s unique pre-start challenge & tone.
• [64:00] — Taylor’s closing message to both fanbases.
• [66:19] — Announcement: Rob Cesternino joins AR podcast coverage this season.
• [68:47] — Taylor’s plugs (socials, BB Unlocked, Bachelor Party podcast)

Final Thoughts & Community Call-out

• *Both hosts and Taylor strongly advocate for viewers—regardless of prior knowledge—to give this season a shot, promising diversity, new faces, and fun race dynamics. They encourage mutual respect and open-mindedness for crossover fans of both shows. *
• Mike: “Let us know your thoughts in the comments. What's your Big Brother history? An Amazing Race history as well. What are you expecting from this season? What twist do you hope shows up? Let your voices be heard as we start this race together…”

Episode must-listen for:

• Big Brother fans curious about The Amazing Race
• Amazing Race loyalists not sure about the reality TV crossover cast
• Anyone wanting an approachable but deep-dive AR primer from veteran superfans and a current racer