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You’ll see a lot of bizarre and exotic people, places and things on “The Amazing Race,” but you’ll never see the target moose – unless you penetrate the show’s inner sanctum.
Beginning its 13th season on Sunday, CBS’ reality show sends its two-person teams of contestants on globe-circling adventures, where they see incredible sights and participate in grueling challenges, all in pursuit of a million-dollar prize and hearty congratulations from host Phil Keoghan.
The show has had high-profile success – including many Emmy wins. But a fan could be standing right in the parking lot of the nerve center of “The Amazing Race” and be utterly unaware it’s even there.
The home base of married executive producers Bertram Van Munster and Elise Doganieri sits in the midst of aviation, financial, technology and other corporate headquarters in El Segundo, Calif. The seaside town chosen for its location south of Los Angeles International Airport.
Just inside the office entrance is a life-size target moose, which has yet to make its debut on the show.
The large space includes open areas with tables and computers, private offices, editing bays and the show’s “war room,” a map-lined conference space where the race is sketched out and tracked.
The “AR” staff must do all the logistical heavy lifting necessary to send 11 two-person teams across several continents.
This involves arranging flights, visas, immunizations and challenge details for the teams, along with additional travel details for camera crews and producers.
On this day, the staff is working on post-production for the current season and is in preplanning for season 14.
“It’s not improvised,” says Van Munster. “It’s laid out. We look at every camera position, every location, everything that goes into the logistical package. It has to fit into the dollar number; it has to fit in the time schedule.”
