It was supposed to be a victory lap. When CBS announced The Amazing Race 24 as the third "All-Stars" edition in the franchise's history, the hype was real. But then the cast list dropped. Honestly, the collective groan from the fanbase was loud enough to be heard from the starting line in Santa Clarita. Instead of a clash of the titans, we got a weird mix of three-time racers and teams that felt like they were just there to fill a slot. It was messy.
Reality TV lives and dies by its casting. If you don't care who's winning, you're just watching people run through airports. The 24th season, which aired in early 2014, remains one of the most polarizing stretches of television in the show’s long run. It wasn't just about who was there; it was about the missed opportunities and the strange sense of deja vu that permeated every leg.
The Cast That No One Asked For (Mostly)
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. When Phil Keoghan stood at the Orpheum Theatre to kick things off, fans were staring at a lineup that included three teams competing for the third time. Dave and Connor, Jet and Cord, and the "Afghanimals" Leo and Jamal were back. Again. It felt repetitive. Why bring back teams we had just seen a season or two ago?
The selection process for The Amazing Race 24 felt rushed. You had the "Cowboys" (Jet and Cord), who are undeniably popular, but seeing them a third time felt like CBS was playing it too safe. Then you had Bopper and Mark. Everyone loved them in Season 20. But just before the race started, Bopper was pulled for medical reasons—pancreatitis—and replaced by Mallory Ervin from Season 17 and 18. It was a "Frankenteam." They had zero chemistry and were out by the second leg. It was heartbreaking and awkward all at once.
Then there were the teams that people genuinely didn't understand the "All-Star" label for. Joey and Meghan? Natalie and Nadiya? The twins are legendary for their stint on Survivor later on, but their first-leg exit in Season 24 left a sour taste for their fans. The balance was off. You had heavy hitters like Flight Time and Big Easy competing against teams that felt like they were just happy to have a free vacation.
From Guangzhou to Guangzhou: The Route Problems
The race started in Los Angeles and headed straight to Guangzhou, China. Now, China is a staple for the show, but starting there felt a bit... uninspired? The tasks didn't help. Watching All-Stars do a ferris wheel task or dress up in costumes felt a bit beneath the skill level we expected.
🔗 Read more: The Reality of Sex Movies From Africa: Censorship, Nollywood, and the Digital Underground
One of the most frustrating things about The Amazing Race 24 was the lack of "difficulty" in the navigation. The show was moving away from the "find your own travel" era and into the "everyone gets on the same flight" era. This neutralized the advantage that smart, savvy travelers had. If everyone lands at 4:00 PM, the first five hours of the leg are basically a wash.
We went through Sri Lanka, Italy, and Switzerland. The Swiss legs are usually gorgeous, and they were, but the tasks were repetitive. More chocolate. More mountains. By the time the racers hit Rome, the fatigue wasn't just hitting the contestants; it was hitting the viewers. The "Gladiator" task in Rome was okay, but compare that to the brutal tasks of Season 5 or Season 7. It felt like "All-Stars Lite."
The Dave and Connor Controversy
You can't talk about The Amazing Race 24 without talking about Dave and Connor O’Leary. They made history. Dave became the oldest person to win the race at age 58. That’s an incredible feat, especially considering they had to withdraw from their previous season because Dave ruptured his Achilles tendon. It’s a great underdog story on paper.
But the edit told a different story.
During the race, a "U-Turn" drama erupted that lasted for what felt like an eternity. Brendon and Rachel (the "Brenchels") used the U-Turn on Dave and Connor. It’s a standard game move. It’s literally a mechanic built into the show to help people win. However, Dave and Connor took it personally. Very personally. The rest of the season featured a lot of complaining about the "ethics" of U-Turning a father and son.
💡 You might also like: Alfonso Cuarón: Why the Harry Potter 3 Director Changed the Wizarding World Forever
Fan reception was split down the middle. Half the audience admired Dave’s resilience. The other half was shouting at their TVs because, well, it's a race for a million dollars. You're supposed to use the tools given to you. This conflict dominated the narrative, overshadowing some of the actual racing. It turned the season into a "love them or hate them" experience.
Real Numbers and Historical Context
To understand why this season is viewed the way it is, you have to look at the ratings. According to Nielsen data, the season finale pulled in about 8.12 million viewers. That sounds like a lot now, but in 2014, it was part of a downward trend for the series. It was the first time an All-Star season didn't feel like an "event."
- Average Viewership: Approximately 9 million per episode.
- Winners: Dave and Connor (6 leg wins total).
- Finalists: Caroline and Jennifer (Country Singers), Brendon and Rachel.
- Legs: 12 legs across 9 countries and 22 cities.
The dominance of Dave and Connor was statistically impressive. They won six out of the twelve legs. In any other season, that would be hailed as one of the most dominant performances ever. But because the competition felt lopsided—with several "lower tier" teams sticking around longer than expected—some fans put an asterisk next to that dominance.
The Finale: A Race Through Las Vegas
The final leg in Las Vegas was actually pretty cool, credit where it's due. It involved a high-altitude jump from the Stratosphere and a complex memory task involving magic tricks at the MGM Grand. Seeing David Copperfield show up was a classic "Big Budget" Amazing Race moment.
Dave and Connor cruised through it. Their win was decisive. Caroline and Jennifer, who had survived mostly by forming alliances with the stronger male teams, took second. Brendon and Rachel took third. It was a finish that left many "hardcore" fans frustrated because the "Brenchels" were the only ones who really seemed to be playing a cutthroat game, while the others coasted on a massive "Accidental Alliance" designed to knock out the threats.
📖 Related: Why the Cast of Hold Your Breath 2024 Makes This Dust Bowl Horror Actually Work
Why It Matters Today
Looking back at The Amazing Race 24 from the perspective of 2026, it serves as a cautionary tale for reality TV producers. You can't just slap an "All-Stars" label on a cast and hope for the best. You need a narrative. You need people who actually want to beat each other, not just people who want to be "fair."
It also marked a shift in how the show was produced. After this season, we saw more experimental casting—like the "Social Media Influencers" season or the "Strangers" season. The producers realized that the old well of returning players was running dry, or at least needed a long break to refill.
The legacy of Season 24 is complicated. It’s the season of the oldest winner. It’s the season of the most annoying U-Turn drama. It’s the season where the "Cowboys" finally lost their luster. If you're a completionist, it's a must-watch just to see the O'Leary's historical win. If you're looking for the peak of the franchise, you might want to head back to Season 18 (Unfinished Business) instead.
How to Watch and What to Look For
If you're going to dive back into this season on Paramount+ or Hulu, keep these things in mind to get the most out of it:
- Watch the background interactions: The "Accidental Alliance" between Dave/Connor, Leo/Jamal, and the Country Singers is a masterclass in how social gaming can ruin the competitive tension of the race.
- The Sri Lanka legs: These are arguably the best legs of the season in terms of culture and task difficulty. The fishing task is a standout.
- The Brenchel Factor: Whether you like them or not, Rachel Reilly is one of the greatest reality TV characters of all time. Watch how she manages to get under everyone's skin just by existing.
- Pay attention to the editing: Notice how the show tries to frame Dave as the hero, even when his complaints about the U-Turn become repetitive. It's a great study in reality TV "storytelling."
Ultimately, the 24th season isn't the "worst" season—that honor usually goes to Season 8 (Family Edition)—but it is the most disappointing for what it could have been. It taught the fans that "All-Stars" doesn't always mean the "Best of the Best." Sometimes, it just means "People who were available to film in November."
Next Steps for Fans:
If you've just finished Season 24 and feel a bit let down, go back and watch Season 12 or Season 17. Those seasons represent the "Golden Era" where the balance of travel, task difficulty, and casting was nearly perfect. Or, if you want to see a better version of returning players, Season 18 remains the gold standard for how to do a "re-do" right.