For TAR fans, the new season begins tonight at 10 p.m. on CBS. In a change from the usual format, 22 contestants will pair up on the starting line into 11 teams and race around the world. Not sure how that pair-up will happen but it should make for some interesting viewing with teams who do not know each other.
I’ll be watching - but not tonight so I’ll chime in later. I also think that Thursday night at 10pm EST is just for tonight? - then it goes back to Friday? I could be wrong.
Thanks for the reminder. I agree about 10 pm, might need to record this episode.
@abasket It’s also on at 10 on Thursday next week. I’m not sure if it switches after that or not. I read that they started it earlier than planned so they could replace a show that wasn’t doing well.
I still haven’t watched but bumping for others to comment if they watched. 
Actually kind of interesting watching them pair up. Clearly, they’re all pretty open-minded about trying to make it work - they wouldn’t have signed up for this season if they weren’t up for it.
I just find it disappointing that they’re almost all so young, healthy, attractive, physically fit. I get it . . . you can’t have just “average” or older competitors in the mix - whoever had gotten stuck with them wouldn’t have been happy. But still . . . I really would have liked to have someone on the race I could identify with. There’s one slightly older guy who apparently gave up life in the business world to open a butcher shop, but he’s already struggling - don’t know how much longer he’ll be around.
I was surprised the ‘team happy’ duo did so well. She seems very flighty but made the roadblock work for them. Of the last two, I didn’t care which one won, as I’m sure the other group will be out soon too. I was surprised more of the ‘pickers’ didn’t pick the same sex as a teammate. Two big strong guys usually do well together.
I thought it was interesting how they decided to form the teams. With this format, it would have been somewhat unfair to have older, less fit contestants. It’s one thing if you decide to do the race with your mom or dad, but when it means pairing with a stranger, it’s not surprising that for this season, there will be no older couple to cheer for.
I liked a few of the couples, and think that a few others will likely have difficulties ahead, but who knows. It’s impossible to predict with this show. Becca and Floyd made me smile, I hope they go far.
The butcher is only 37 and isn’t the oldest one this season. One of the cops is in his 40s. One article I read said that 14 contestants were in their 20s, 7 in their 30s, and 1 in 40s.
DH, who doesn’t usually watch TAR, immediately commented that almost all the players were young. No gray hairs like him.
Maybe not - but he definitely didn’t look like he’s at the gym every day like most of his competitors. He said upfront that he’s counting on his high IQ to get him through the race. We’ll see.
Give me a hint - who are they?
It doesn’t
It replaced Training Day (which moved to Saturdays), which was not only low rated, but needs to deal with Bill Paxton’s death in the unlikely event it gets renewed.
Got it, @alwaysamom - Team Boulder! 
Kinda cool they didn’t realize they had the same hometown (or darned close to the same hometown!) 'til after they were paired up.
I was a little surprised at the career breakdown— 4 of the 22 are cop/firefighters, 3 have a military background, and 3 have sports/athletics as a career. Two are real estate agents and 2 are from Wall Street. The remaining 8 are scattered (medical device sales, recruiting, student, auctioneer, artist, butcher, model, attorney).
I don’t know whether certain types are attracted to the show or if the show is looking for certain types that trend to certain careers.
I guess I just noticed the fact that 10 of the 22 have jobs where being physically fit and strong is usually part of the job description. Maybe this was purposely done so at least hypothetically every team could have one fit/strong member? Not that it worked out that way in practice (but really, most of the contestants look pretty darn fit).
I’m already rooting for Becca and Floyd - I like every single thing about them. I am a fan of quirky types.
Also rooting for the drill sergeant and her k-9 police officer teammate. I am a fan of strong women!
And honestly, if the eliminated team included the model, I’m glad she’s gone, because I cannot bear that “type” of contestant – I really was hoping I wouldn’t have to listen to her talk about herself very long.
I liked the way the pairs were picked. In the beginning with so many teams I kind of struggle with who is who.
I really liked the season premiere. I liked the happy team, the first guy and Olive and the second guy with the amputee. I hope the two-women team does well. Funny that they fussed at each other and then laughed it off.
I’m confused … when will be on each week? Thursdays or Fridays and at what time?
Thursdays at 10.
I love this show!
I thought it was a good first episode. First mpressions I also like the same teams as @Youdon’tsay. I think Thursday at 10. I have it set to record as it is a tad late for me. H and I watched it last night and it was a nice way to end the week.
I found the red haired male to be a bit annoying.