CBS’ “Amazing Race” wrapped up its sixth season Tuesday night with a tense scurry to the finish line and the promise of another suspenseful season beginning March 1. Although “Race” has done well in the ratings–it’s one of the strongest reality shows going–the fan fave is still “Idol.” Which should you watch if you can only follow one?
SETTING THE STAGE
‘American Idol’
Pop star wannabes flock to hot destinations like Cleveland and St. Louis to croon on a stage that looks like it’s stuck in the back room of the local convention center.
‘Amazing Race’
Contestants started this season’s race right here in Chicago, and then jetted off to exotic locales in Iceland, Ethiopia, Hungary and China.
WINNER: “Race.” The world revolves around Chicago, even if “Idol” doesn’t understand that.
CALLING THE SHOTS
‘American Idol’
Simon Cowell has turned himself into a one-man, black-shirted powerhouse of talent judging. The Randy and Paula sidekick effect is a fun touch, but why is Ryan Seacrest there at all? Seacrest out!
‘Amazing Race’
Host Phil Keoghan’s job involves brief appearances in far-flung countries, where he works on his counting abilities. As in “Hayden and Aaron, you’re the second team to arrive.” Amazing, indeed.
WINNER: “Idol.” Had you even heard of Phil Keoghan before?
SHAMELESS PROMOTIONS
‘American Idol’
With judges and contestants all hopped up on Coca-Cola products, you know the show’s gonna move fast.
‘Amazing Race’
They fly American Airlines, they get clues via AOL messages, and one race challenge involved putting together IKEA furniture (not so easy, it turns out!).
WINNER: “Idol.” Does Paula ever stop drinking out of that Coke cup?
KLEENEX MOMENTS
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‘American Idol’
Backstage cameras capture every tear-jerking moment of the auditions. The hugs, the meltdowns, the elation and the anger.
‘Amazing Race’
Watching sisters Lena and Kristy break down in the middle of the night after unrolling bales of hay on a Swedish farm would make any reasonable viewer cry.
WINNER: “Race.” You’ll get to cry while watching the most exotic settings.
HOW LOW CAN THEY GO?
‘American Idol’
“Idol” rejects who can’t let go of the dream can be so entertaining. “Let me sing one more song, Simon! Pleeeaaaasssse!” Or just disturbing, as in contestant Mary Roach’s creepy “Weirdness is originality too.” Watch out, Simon.
‘Amazing Race’
Racing around the world would test any relationship, but it was Jonathan’s relentless treatment of Victoria–“I’m pissed off! Your fault, Victoria! One hundred percent!”–that had viewers screaming back at TV sets for her to dump him.
WINNER: “Idol.” So many contestants, so many chances for disaster.
OVERALL WINNER: “Idol.” “Race” travels all over the world, but the entire world tunes in to “Idol.”