Seven Reasons I Love 'The Amazing Race

Last Sunday, at the 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, "The Amazing Race" remained undefeated in the Outstanding Reality-Competition Program category by winning the award for the seventh consecutive year. That's right! Seven for seven! Eat your heart out, Ryan Seacrest. In honor of this "amazing" accomplishment, here are seven reasons why I love "The Amazing Race":

1. A Different View of the World

The race has taken us to some of the most recognizable places and landmarks in the world -- the Eiffel Tower, the Great Wall of China, and the Sydney Harbor Bridge, to name just a few. But it has also taken us to obscure towns, remote villages, distant beaches, crowded marketplaces, and residential neighborhoods -- places we would never visit on our own. In doing so, it has given us a tiny glimpse into what life is like in other countries and has provided us with a unique perspective on the world -- one unlike any offered by other shows, movies, and ... yes ... even documentaries.

2. Awesome Challenges Involving Temperamental Animals

It's a simple formula: Take an annoying and/or unlikable team. Throw them into a roadblock or detour involving animals. Add a little bit of karma. Stir and you get reality-TV comedy gold. Remember last season when the birds in China kept biting Luke's hand as opposed to bringing back the fish? Fantastic! Or, in season 12 when Ari & Staella's donkey stubbornly refused to budge despite Ari's pleas, tears, and tantrums? Priceless! Yes, many obnoxious teams have gotten their comeuppance at the hands of our four-legged (or two-winged) friends. However, to this day, no such encounter has managed to top Colin's run-in with the ox in Season 5. Watching Colin struggle to keep his ox tilling on the right path while trying to control his anger at having fallen into last place was good enough. But when all of his rage, helplessness, and frustration culminated in his screaming out, "My ox is broken!," I was in stitches and knew that this was our reward for having put up with him all season long. Colin's quote continues to be the most memorable one thus far.

3. Photo Finishes

These do not happen very often. However, when they do, they make for some of the most satisfying moments in reality TV ... in fact, all of TV. Don't believe me? Go back and watch the final minutes of the episode in Season 7 when brothers Brian & Greg smoked Ray and Deana in a footrace to the fifth pit stop. Or, even better, check out the finale for Season 2 in which best friends Chris and Alex beat the ever quarrelling Tara and Will in the only footrace ever for the million dollars. Hands down the best finale of any reality-TV competition to date!

4. The Editing

"American Idol" and "Dancing With the Stars" episodes (especially the results shows) sometimes tend to go on forever. "Survivor" tends to drag between the immunity challenge and tribal council. The editors of "The Amazing Race," however, keep things moving, blending multiple teams, locations and challenges into fast-paced and airtight episodes. Even after 14 seasons, the episodes never feel sluggish, and there is rarely (if ever) any filler.

5. The Cab Drivers

Sometimes they are too slow. Sometimes they don't speak any English. Sometimes they don't know where they are going and get lost. Other times they drive extremely recklessly in response to the contestants' pleas for speed. A few times, they've even been stiffed by the racers and have had to settle for either less than the full fare owed or bartered items. But, at all times, regardless of country or stage in the race, cab drivers subject our racers to moments of extreme pressure, frustration and despair that can be entertaining or heartbreaking depending upon the team. They also add an element of unpredictability that makes the race exciting and keeps our hopes alive that the team we are rooting for might just squeak by after all.

6. Phil Keoghan

Jeff Probst may have the Emmy, but Phil is the better host. He shows up at various points in each episode to introduce locations, explain tasks, and eliminate the unlucky teams. Beyond that, he just steps aside and lets the show be the star. He never picks favorites and does not interfere with the events of the competition (as Jeff Probst is prone to do lately). Nor does he attempt to outshine the show (as Ryan Seacrest tries to do). He maintains a low profile, moves things along from start to finish, and never overstays his welcome.

7. The Concept Itself

You have to admit ... after all these years, it's still a pretty cool concept. Put your life on hold, hop on an airplane, and jump from country to country having little adventures along the way. Even without the million-dollar prize, I don't know too many people who would turn down such an opportunity. For me, it is the perfect escapist fantasy. The sheer scope and spectacle of "The Amazing Race" remains unrivaled in reality TV.