Phil Keoghan blamed busy schedules for why an all-celebrity season of “The Amazing Race” may never happen.
“I think one of the hard parts of it would be aligning everybody’s schedules, because so many celebrities are so booked up and their schedules are so tight,” Keoghan exclusively told Page Six while promoting the show’s crossover episode with “Hacks.”
The host of the CBS reality series said “Celebrity Amazing Race” would only work if it were shorter than regular seasons.
“It would have to be a limited run, maybe reducing the number of episodes and maybe running a shorter distance,” he told us.
“I just don’t know about getting celebrities that people would want to watch on ‘Amazing Race’ away for that long, and traveling that far and going through the challenges of what’s involved.”
But Keoghan, 58, clarified that he “wouldn’t say no” to doing the celebrity season.
Multiple celebrities have competed on “The Amazing Race” since it premiered in 2001, including “The White Lotus” creator Mike White, pro surfer Bethany Hamilton, “Vanderpump Rules” alum Stassi Schroeder, former NFL player DeAngelo Williams, New Kids on the Block singer Jonathan Knight and more.
Keoghan told us that according to production data, the most successful seasons of the show have featured “real people” — and not celebs.
“When I say real people, unknown people from heartland America who maybe have never traveled, never owned a passport, never had the opportunity to do something like that,” he explained.
“That scenario does seem to resonate more with viewers,” Keoghan continued. “And I think it’s because they see themselves in the racers. It’s fun to watch a celebrity, but I think it’s harder to see themselves in it, and it’s harder for them to live vicariously through the racers.”
The ten-time Emmy Award winner also pointed out that since other reality shows are stacked with celebrities, he wants “Amazing Race” to continue casting everyday people.
He explained, “You don’t need to be a great dancer. You don’t need to be a great singer. You don’t need to be a great baker or cook. You’re literally on the show because you’re interesting and dynamic and captivating, and I think that’s what has always set this show apart.”
After last season featured all “Big Brother” stars, Keoghan promised that Season 39, set to premiere in the fall, has “a great cast.”
“It’s back to so-called everyday people,” he shared. “It’s like everyday people who are extraordinary. It’s such a good season and it’s literally just real people from heartland America.”
Keoghan also teased that the show has “exciting” plans for Season 40.
“We’re definitely looking at it as a milestone season,” he said. “I mean, it has to be. And fans already, or have been for a long time, throwing out ideas about what the theme could be and what we could do with it.”
“There’s lots of fun ideas that we’re throwing around and it’s exciting,” Keoghan added.
Season 39 of “Amazing Race” is set to return this fall.
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