In a summer that's going to be inundated with reality shows, don't you dare miss the best of them all — "Amazing Race" begins running again tonight at 7 on CBS/Ch. 2.
It's not that the fourth edition of this series is the best of the summer offerings, it's the best reality show, period. And even that is selling it short. "Amazing Race" is one of the most entertaining shows of any genre on TV today.
Tonight's 90-minute premiere races along, as do the regular 60-minute episodes of the show.
The concept is deceivingly simple. Twelve two-person teams — all of whom have pre-existing relationships of some kind — race around the world, following instructions that take them to exotic locales and require that they complete various tasks along the way. In the hands of some producers, such a show could be, well, less than scintillating.
But under the aegis of executive producers Bertram Van Munster and Jerry Bruckheimer, "Amazing Race" is nothing short of a thrill ride. Tonight, the contestants start at Dodger Stadium and are immediately on their way to Milan, Italy, and the Italian Alps. Each team has to make travel arrangements, climb mountains, go zip gliding and try to beat the other 11 teams while they're at it.
Plus, the show is beautiful to look at — the sites really are spectacular — and remarkably well edited. Sure, this all took place months ago, but it's edited in such a way that you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat waiting to see which team will finish each week's leg of the race last and be eliminated.
And "Amazing Race" is about more than just the sites. As with all such shows, the casting is of paramount importance. And the stress of the competition tends to bring out both the worst and the best in a lot of the contestants.
This group of teams includes Monica and Sheree, NFL wives whose husbands play for the Atlanta Falcons; Jon and Al, who are clowns in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus; and Millie and Chuck, a pair of virgins (which is, of course, shocking for network TV) who have been dating for 12 years.
The other teams are dating couple Amanda and Chris; best friends David and Jeff; married parents Debra and Steve; engaged couple Kelly and Jon; gay couple Reichen and Chip; friends Russell and Cindy; air traffic controllers Steve and Dave; father and son Steve and Josh; and friends/models Tian and Jaree.
The only negative thing about "Amazing Race 4" is that we had to wait so long to see it. CBS had originally planned to air it earlier this year, but "Amazing Race 3" got beat up on Wednesday nights by ABC's tacky "The Bachelor," so CBS programmers delayed "Race" until the summer months.
Of course, the real negative is that American viewers would prefer the tawdry and boring "Bachelor" to the fun and excitement of "Amazing Race." Let's hope enough viewers tune in so that we get to see "Amazing Race 5."
E-MAIL: pierce@desnews.com