Mother and Daughter
Stars Hollow, CT
Rory and Lorelai are a mother/daughter team hailing from the quaint, small town community of Stars Hollow, Connecticut. Only sixteen years apart in age difference, Rory and Lorelai consider themselves to be best friends as well as family, and share everything with each other. Shared interests between the two include the band The Bangles, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and a good cup of coffee.
Lorelai began work at fifteen years old, starting as a maid in an inn located in Stars Hollow, and eventually working her way up to manager. She is now the proud new owner of her own bed and breakfast that she describes as, “the second greatest accomplishment of [her] life—the first being the birth of [her] daugher.” A lover of all pop culture, Lorelai brags that she owns every one of Audrey Hepburn’s movies on DVD, and can do a great Eliza Doolittle impression.
Rory is a student at Yale University, studying Journalism. She plans to travel the world reporting the news, and considers The Amazing Race a good opportunity to get a head start. An avid reader, Rory admits to finishing a book a week. Her favorite author is the late 1920’s vixen, Dorothy Parker.
Lorelai and Rory look forward to meeting new people, and trying new things, though Lorelai fears ending up in a country without a working coffeemaker. They agreed to being competitive and strong-willed, but as Rory says, “have a tendency to get sidetracked by cute boys or shiny objects.”
Co-Workers
Slough, Berkshire, England
David and Gareth are co-workers in a paper company located in Slough, England. They met five years ago when David was promoted to regional manager of the company. Gareth is the assistant (to the) regional manager, and boasts about also being named “team leader” and holding many important responsibilities.
David claims to have extensive leadership and motivational speaking experience. He says that he’ll bring the comedic element that the show needs, and claims his inspiration comes from such geniuses as John Cleese, Spike Milligan and John Sessions. David mentions that he’s also a musician, philosopher, poet, dancer and humanitarian.
Gareth says that his time with the Territorial Army gives him first hand experience with any extreme or dangerous situations they may face over the course of the race. He also claims to have leadership potential, though David denies this. He says he has no fears, save for an irrational aversion to jelly, “though that shouldn’t come up at all.”
Gareth and David believe their team has the right combination of strength, skill, smarts and charisma, and they have no doubt they’ll win the million dollars. They make the perfect partnership, though as Gareth claims, “partners in the game…only. We’re not poofters or anything.”
Father and Daughter
Los Angeles, CA
Sydney and Jack are a father/daughter team from Los Angeles, California. Until recently, they’ve had a very strained relationship due to a misunderstanding regarding the unfortunate death of Sydney’s mother, Laura, some twenty years ago; an event Sydney says she doesn’t like to talk about. Both players hope that working together on the show will help improve their relationship, and bring them closer together.
Jack gruffly claims to sell airplane parts, but declines to comment any further about his occupation. He’s worked in the same airplane factory for twenty years, and assures us that he’s very good at his job. Jack claims that his calm under pressure, self-defense training and extensive world travel will aid him in the race. He states that if his team wins the million dollars, he will give it to Sydney, because money is not important to him.
Sydney works as a banker, and recently received her Master’s Degree in English Literature. She claims she used to aspire to be an English Professor like her mother was, but now “wants nothing whatsoever to do with that woman.” Sydney speaks fluently thirteen different languages, including German, Japanese, Spanish, Italian and Arabic. She thinks this will greatly increase their chances of winning the race.
Jack and Sydney are both capable and competitive people, who push to bring out the best in each other. Though they were estranged for so long, they’re very much alike in strength and discipline. However, while Jack retains a stoic, frosty exterior, Sydney admits to, “being sort of emotional about stuff. I mean, but if you lived my life, you would be too.”
Best Mates
Manchester, UK
Stuart and Vince are best mates dating back sixteen years. They met each other when Stuart moved from Dublin, Ireland, to Manchester, England and started school with Vince. Stuart claims that Vince looked at him and “he just knew.” Though they have very different personalities, they’ve remained the closest of friends since that day.
Stuart, whom Vince jokingly refers to as a “self-centered cunt,” works as an ad executive at a prominent UK-based advertising agency. He enjoys “copping off with fabulous blokes” and going out to Canal Street with Vince. A new father, Stuart says if he wins the million dollars, he’ll give a good chunk of it to his child’s surrogate mother for his college fund. He says his unwillingness to ever lose will get them the money.
Vince works at a supermarket. Though not the most stimulating job, he says he enjoys most of the people he works with each day. A self-proclaimed “anorak,” Vince loves all things Dr. Who, and has a large collection of movies, recordings and other memorabilia stored in his Manchester flat. Stuart affectionately claims that Vince’s passion for the erstwhile science fiction show, “is more proof that [Vince] is the saddest bastard on Earth.”
The team believes that Stuart’s charisma and Vince’s deceptively sweet persona will be what it takes to win the money. They’re used to working and thinking as a team, since they do everything together. And if that doesn’t work, Stuart says, “Vince’ll listen to whatever I say, so I don’t think we’ll have any problems.” To which Vince succinctly responds, “Oh, fuck off.”
Partners/Best Friends
New York, NY
Dan and Casey are sports anchormen for the show Sports Night filmed in their hometown of New York City. They’ve been working together for almost ten years, and consider themselves “of one mind” because of it. They’re joining the ranks of The Amazing Race because, as Dan says, “Our friends dared us to audition.” They’re taking a hiatus from Sports Night, but plan to go back to their writing and anchoring duties once they’ve completed the race.
Dan is Dartmouth educated, and something of a ladies’ man, though Casey denies this claim. He’s an outspoken liberal and social activist, and sites one of the best and simultaneously most embarrassing moments of his life as when he had a conversation with the then First Lady, Hillary Rodham Clinton. The best moment, because he admits to having something of a crush on the strong politician, and the most embarrassing because during their chat, he misused a word and fears he came off sounding stupid.
Casey is a proud father of one son, who refers to partner Dan as “uncle.” He was once asked to host an NBC late night talk show. He declined in order to stay with Danny, and in sports, where he was most comfortable. The show eventually went to Conan O’Brien. Casey sheepishly admits to a love for the seventies’ musicians, the Starlight Vocal Band, particularly their hit single, “Afternoon Delight.” Casey believes his wit and guile will lead their team to victory.
Dan and Casey have years of working as a team under their belts, a fact they think will give them an advantage over the other teams. Plus, as Casey points out, “We’re used to being on television, so the cameras aren’t going to bother us.”
Aquaintances
Sunnydale, CA
Xander and Andrew grew up in the now completely obliterated Sunnydale, California. Xander describes it as a “one Starbucks town,” when it still stood, but assures us that there was never a boring minute to be had. Xander and Andrew met six years ago when, as Xander says, “Andrew tried to kill my best friend.” Eventually, truces were reached between the two, and now the men think they have the experience and know-how it takes to win this race.
Xander works as the head of a construction company when not helping to rid the world of unspeakable evil. Though he has no real special talents, and due to an unfortunate accident involving a clergyman, is missing one eye, Xander insists that he has the drive and determination to see this race through to the finish. He’s had years of practical self-defense training, and claims that no situation they could ever possibly face would be too weird for him to deal with.
Andrew is a Trekkie (though he prefers “Trekker”) and all around science fiction lover, and brags about being able to name every episode of The Next Generation “in order, from ‘Encounter at Far Point’ to ‘All Good Things.’” Though admittedly once one-third of an evil Triumvirate and responsible for the murder of his best friend in cold blood, he assures the show that “[he’s] totally good now.” Andrew has traveled around Europe and Asia, and feels this knowledge of those “ancient and beautiful lands” will give him a lead over everyone else.
Xander and Andrew entered the race to prove that they were more than mere sidekicks, and could do things on their own. They intend to work hard and plan ahead; and if that fails, Andrew jokingly notes, “there’s always Magick. And…uhh…that’s ‘Magick’—with a ‘k’.”
Dating
Manhattan, NY
Carrie and the mysteriously named “Mr. Big” hail from Manhattan, where they both live fabulously ostentatious lives. Recently reunited after a nasty, long-term break up, this couple hopes that facing the challenges on the show will make their relationship stronger. Carrie states, “as long as there’s vodka, I’ll be fine.”
Carrie writes a popular magazine column about sex and gender in New York City. She has three best friends, and describes a perfect night as one spent out to dinner, gossiping with the girls over Cosmopolitans. Aside from writing, “Big” and her friends, Carrie says her passions include chocolate, the city life and shoe shopping.
“Mr. Big” is a rich businessman living in upper class New York. He first met Carrie by knocking into her on the street, and then later seeing her in a popular bar. With this race, “Big” hopes to rid himself of the commitment issues that proved problematic to his and Carrie’s relationship. “Big” is confident that their strong-mindedness and desire to try new things will help them win the big money.
Carrie and “Big” think the street smarts gleaned from life in the big city will put them ahead of the pack. As Carrie says, “If I can survive walking home alone thirteen blocks in the middle of the night after five hours of drinking and chain smoking Marlboros, I can survive anything.”
Co-Workers
Washington D.C.
Toby and CJ are both advisors to the President living in suburban Washington, D.C. They received special dispensation from President Bartlet to appear on the show. In exchange, however, CJ must don a “Fighting Irish” baseball cap for the entirety of the race, probably as an homage to Notre Dame, the President’s alma mater.
Toby is the White House Communications Director, in charge of crafting the President’s speeches, as well as dealing with foreign policy issues encountered on a daily basis. A bit cranky and cantankerous at times, Toby claims to only be entering this race to help his young children, Huckleberry and Molly, and their mother, Congresswoman Andrea Wyatt. He enjoys smoking cigars, watching the New York Yankees play baseball and debating politics. He says the personality trait that will give him the edge over his competition is “always being right.”
CJ works as the White House Press Secretary, providing a face for the Bartlet Administration. A National Merit Scholar, she received her Master’s Degree at U.C Berkley, and considers herself extremely well educated. Before working for the President, she was involved with EMILY’s List, a political organization that raised money for pro-choice female candidates. The word “EMILY” is actually an acronym that stands for: “Early money is like yeast, it helps raise the dough.”
CJ and Toby think their considerable combined intellect will be the deciding factor in the race. Plus, as an added incentive, CJ tells us that more than money’s at stake in this game: “If we don’t at least make the top five, Josh [Lyman, White House Deputy Chief of Staff] is never gonna let us hear the end of it. Seriously, relentless heckling for the rest of our lives. He thinks that he’s an outdoorsman.”
Fox and Dana
Partners
Washington, DC
Fox (who insists on being referred to by his surname, Mulder) and Dana are partners employed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. They currently reside in the suburban Washington DC area. They’ve been working together for several years and have been through much together. They are the best of friends and feel that their ability to work as a team would greatly benefit them on The Amazing Race.
Fox is a psychology graduate of Oxford University, England and has spent his entire career with the FBI. He has a reputation for being ‘spooky’ around headquarters, but he insists that he’s justified in his intense paranoid behavior. He enjoys jogging, film, and searching for the truth. He’s devoted to his work and his partner, Dana.
Dana is a medical doctor, and the daughter of a Navy-employed father. This resulted in a great deal of moving during her childhood, which Dana insists will help in her team’s travel. She believes her medical knowledge will also come in very handy in case of any scrapes during the Race. Dana believes that her level-headed thinking and ability to remain calm under pressure will lead her and Fox to the million dollar finish.
Fox and Dana work well as a team, as long as Fox maintains his focus. He tends to “run off, spouting conspiracy theories. He’s always claiming that the government is out to get him,” Dana notes with a laugh. Fox believes that by participating in The Amazing Race, he may come one step closer to the truth. “It’s out there,” Fox asserts, “and we will find it.”
Phoebe and Joey
Friends
New York, NY
Joey recently decided to move out to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career, but he is excited to be teaming up with his friend Phoebe from his hometown of New York City. By participating in the Amazing Race, Joey insists that they will keep their friendship going. Joey and Phoebe lived in the same apartment building for ten years along with their other closest friends, and the separation has been difficult for all of them.
Joey is an actor best known for playing recurring character Dr. Drake Remoray on the soap opera Days of Our Lives. He admits to being a bit slow at times but assures our show that he’s quite capable of the intense discipline needed to succeed on The Amazing Race. He believes his experience in acting and genial nature will endear him to any people he encounters along the way.
Phoebe is a free spirit who enjoys meeting new people and sharing her unique outlook on life. Phoebe’s hobbies include guitar, singing, and baking. She’s a vegetarian and hopes she won’t encounter too much “icky” food along the way of the Race. She drives a taxi cab. Phoebe was recently married to a man named Mike, but she hopes he’ll understand the importance of teaming up with one of her best friends.
Together, Joey and Phoebe are a powerhouse of friendliness. However, Joey is worried that Phoebe can be “a bit too flighty, ya know, like a bird or something” while Phoebe is concerned that Joey “will do something like, really freakin’ stupid like get sick from those airplane peanuts”.
Lex and Lana
Friends through a Friend
Smallville, Kansas
Lex and Lana decided to team up for The Amazing Race in order to get to know one another better. Usually their friend Clark is along, but Lana notes that “Clark would be at a distinct advantage over the others” if he came with them. Lex and Lana are excited to travel, since Lex has the financial means to help them out and Lana has the drive to discover new adventures.
Lex describes himself as “well off” financially and feels that he has determination and willpower to get through any obstacles they might face. He thinks Lana would be a good travel partner because of her upbeat attitude, as he feels he gets a bit rough and angry when the going gets tough. He’s a competitive young Racer.
Lana has a tragic past. She says, “My parents died when I was exceptionally young, and I’ve tried my best to deal with it.” She moved on by working hard to achieve her dreams, including running a small coffee shop in town called The Talon. Lana loves art, and she recently spent a great deal of time abroad in Paris, France. She feels her travel experience will undoubtedly aid her team.
Lex is excited to compete against the other Racers, feeling that his drive for success will overwhelm everyone that gets in their way. Lana hopes she’ll be able to contribute to Lex’s strength with her own sense of right and wrong. “I hope I’ll be able to help my team as much as Lex does,” Lana says. “It’s not always about me, you know!”