'Amazing Race' Creator Defends Blind Date Season, Reveals Why Show Is More Emmy-Worthy Than 'The Voice'

“The Amazing Race” wrapped its 26th season and arguably one of its buzziest with fans who either loved or hated what producers called a “supertwist” in which it paired strangers as teams.

In a surprising move to fans, producers cast five “blind date” couples to compete alongside the race’s trademark casting – two people in a long-standing existing relationship.

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The producers hoped to play cupid and spark romance, but they went 0 for 5 in matchmaking with all of their arrows missing. Nonetheless, “Amazing Race” creator Bertram van Munster defended the much-discussed twist in an exclusive season-ending interview with TheWrap on Friday.

“It actually worked better and was more unexpected than we could have wished for,” he said.

Co-creator Elise Donagieri’s had high hopes before production.”I think we have some real matches. If these people don’t fall in love, then there’s no hope for them,” she told TheWrap last November before the couples met.

To be fair, despite a .000 batting average in new romances, the producers notched several home runs for on-screen drama from the arranged partnerships (and one potentially insinuated morning-after “homer” on screen). Three of the four teams in Friday night’s final leg were blind date couples.

Also, the producers did not rule out bringing back “Blind Date” couples in the future.

In essence, “Race” producers are measuring their success by the same yardstick as Mike Fleiss and “The Bachelor;” not by the longevity or veracity of the showmances, but by the story beats of the journey along the way.

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In its move from Sunday to Friday night this season, “Race” has improved the Friday 8 p.m. timeslot for CBS by 13 percent in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic. Next year’s pickup was announced this week.

For details on what happened to the “Date Night” segment that faded and then disappeared during the season, the unusual out-and-back quick trip to Africa, whether producers knew that a wedding proposal was packed in one contestant’s bag, and why Emmy voters should again tick their box for trophies, keep reading:

TheWrap: Where are you right now?
Bertram van Munster: It might be disappointing to you, nothing exotic … L.A.

All three heads of the braintrust hydra — you, co-creator Elise Doganieri and host/producer Phil Keoghan — had such high hopes for the “Blind Date” supertwist at the outset. Did it work?
van Munster: It actually worked better and was more unexpected than we could have wished for.

One way to look at “Blind Date” is to say it didn’t work. None of the couples were a romantic match. Another way to look at it is as a producer and say, ‘One couple hated each other so much it drove them out of the race, another hysterical blonde girl drove her mild mannered partner crazy, and three of the final four teams were blind daters. It totally worked.’ How do you see it?
van Munster: I think it totally worked and the viewers got to see the unexpected.

Will “Blind Date” couples be back?
van Munster: Not going to tell you.

The “Date Night” segments you showed looked amazing, but they disappeared after a few episodes. Did you abandon them because there was no romance?
Van Munster: No, we did not abandon it. We just got so much rich reality material that we just stayed on that.

This season you went from Europe to Africa for two episodes, and then right back to Europe. This seemed like an odd interlude. What’s the backstory here?
Van Munster: We did this on purpose to throw everyone off. We always aim for the unexpected.

Did you know Matt and Ashley might get engaged on the show? I was surprised that the most romantic thing to happen came from an existing couple instead of a newbie.
van Munster: I didn’t know. That’s the great thing about true reality TV! It was a surprise to us as well! You produce in real time, you will get the unexpected!

It’s Emmy nomination season. What’s your pitch? Why should voters choose “The Race” over “Top Chef”, “The Voice” or anything else?
van Munster: The Amazing Race is very different in every aspect from these shows. It’s as big as it gets, I don’t know how to compare a well produced studio show with a global show that has drama, humor, emotions, and incredible locations. Plus, our contestants have direct interactions with people all over the world!

The Amazing Race season finale airs tonight, Friday, May 15 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

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Rumor Willis and Val Chmerkovskiy got the celebratory Bar Mitzvah treatment upon wining "Dancing with the Stars" on ABC (but taped at the CBS lot) on Tuesday night.
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Meanwhile over at the Marriott in Marina del Rey, it was standing room only for the world premiere of "French Kiss", the hotel chain's second immersive short film from its new studio arm - the Marriott Content Studio.
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Paula Patton and Jamie Kennedy walked the carpet for "French Kiss" downstairs, as Taryn Manning had a front row seat near Camryn Manheim at the rooftop screening.
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In Beverly Hills, "The Comeback" teammates Lisa Kudrow and Michael Patrick King campaigned for the Emmy contender at the Paley Center.
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"Super Saturday," a major fashion sale/fundraiser at Barker Hangar welcomed power couple Curtis Stone and Lindsay Price on May 16.
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Jiff the Pomeranian has been on the rounds, fronting with one of the Chryslers that shuttled in talent like Rachel Zoe and Molly Sims to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund moneymaker.
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Odette and Dave Annable went hands on with a non-Jif.
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Digging in the racks...fashion pro Louise Roe.
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Google and Disney Junior wrangled female elected officials in D.C. for "Miles from Tomorrowland", encouraging girls to engage in S.T.E.M. coursework. The lineup at Google's D.C. offices included Congresswoman Suzan DelBene, Nancy Kanter, Dr. Yvonne Cagle, Sascha Paladino, and Congresswoman and Susan Brooks.
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The Seattle International Film Festival rolled out the red carpet for Paul Feig and his "Spy" on the opening night. The long festival continues through June 7.
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Over the weekend, women rocked Hollywood on Saturday night, as Paul Wesley and pals came out for animals, and celebs descended on Vegas for the Billboard awards.
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Sia (in the wig) opened with "Elastic Heart" and closed with "Chandelier" at a fundraiser for the LA LGBT center at the Palladium on Saturday night.
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Kat Graham and Victoria Justice in the audience for Sia and No Doubt.
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No Doubt drew stodgy sitters out of their seats and to the stage for their acoustic set, closing with "I'm Just a Girl" - appropriate as the LGBT center focuses on women, girls, and 2,000+ homeless LGBT youth.
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Sarah Silverman, who attended with Michael Sheen, kissed Fortune Feimster.
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The muscle behind the night, co-chairs Brent Bolthouse and Linda Perry in their native environment: backstage.
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Before "Mad Men's" finale on Sunday night, Kiernan Shipka sat in with Jessica Stroup at the Evening With Women.
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Backstage, Silverman, Sia, and Gwen Stefani hung with event founder Linda Perry (2nd from left).
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Meanwhile in Vegas, Rita Ora and 50 Cent's Billboard presenting stint was tied to their roles in "Southpaw", ripped Jake Gyllenhaal's upcoming boxing drama.
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""If I have any sort of voice in this world to help and protect, (I will) do what I can to help these animals survive,” Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting said backstage at the Humane Society of the U.S. benefit on Saturday night. Paul Wesley and Tricia Helfer posed with Kaley.
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After a vegan dinner, Cloris Leachman presented a lifetime achievement award to Ed Asner.
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After debuting his latest documentary at the TCL Chinese on Friday, Nas headed to a Hennessy bash at Hooray Henry's on Beverly, where he performed "Made You Look" and "The World Is Yours."
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Playboy CCO Jimmy Jellinek named Dani Mathers, a 28-year-old from Playboy's own backyard in Tarzana, Playmate of the Year at a lunch at the Holmby Hills mansion on Thursday.
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Speaking of Cooper....Hugh Hefner's son Cooper Hefner, who appropriately lives on Silicon Beach as he runs Playboy.com, has assumed managerial duties. Scarlett Byrne (right) played in the "Harry Potter" franchise.
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Danny DeVito said "I"m not Paul Newman" when he came out on stage. He was just one of the gang.
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New York rules the week with TV upfronts as the springboard for parties across the city.
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"Scandal's" headliners Bellamy Young, Tony Goldwyn, and Kerry Washington chatted up the "shocking season 4 finale" at the Paley Center in NYC on Thursday,
The Paley Center for Media
It has been a week of Paley, as Kerry Washington greeted Cicely Tyson on the way in to Cipriani Wall St. on Wednesday night.
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They were there for the Paley Center's tribute to African American Achievements in TV.
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More hugs up in midtown, as Julia Roberts got her varisty letter-man jacket on for her final appearance on Wednesday night's show.
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Eric Stonestreet cozied up to margarita millionaire Bethenny Frankel at CAA's upfront party at Dirty French on the lower east.
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Chace Crawford, Leslie Ann Brandt, and a grey Dave Annable, also at CAA.
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"The 100's" Lindsey Morgan and action star Glen Powell.
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CAA Brotherhood: Zach Braff, Neil Patrick Harris, and Kevin Huvane on Monday night.
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Jane Lynch is fired up to be on CBS -- new network!
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Fellow Fox'er Darren Criss performed at the Night at the Pier.
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Lee Daniels plants a smooch on Liam Daniels.
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Back in LA, Quincy Jones awarded David Guetta at the PTTOW marketing conference.
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Demi Moore, Melanie Griffith, and Alana Stewart came out for Bryan Fox's new photo exhibit, a star packed Saturday night downtown.
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Martin Starr, a hungry Malin Akerman, and fellow "Silicon Valley" star Thomas Middleditch avoided cannibalism at the London in West Hollywood on May 7.
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Jay Leno cracked jokes about Walmart and Ikea making caskets at CASA of Los Angeles’ "Evening to Foster Dreams" event at the Beverly Hilton on Tuesday night.
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A Calypso St. Barth event in Brentwood hosted Emmy contender Robin Wright on Saturday afternoon. SHe has a lnie called Pour Les Femmes.
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The night before his new album dropped, Snoop Dogg teamed with his producer Pharrell to perform a 23 song private set at the I Heart Media space in Burbank.
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Big Boy hosted the event, sporting the numbers and sign of his new radio home, 92.3, L.A.'s biggest radio personality news of the year.
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TheWrap’s weekly gallery of the scene inside and backstage the best bashes of the week from The Party Report’s Mikey Glazer

Rumor Willis and Val Chmerkovskiy got the celebratory Bar Mitzvah treatment upon wining "Dancing with the Stars" on ABC (but taped at the CBS lot) on Tuesday night.

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Party Report in Pictures: Paul Wesley, Gwen Stefani, 50 Cent, George Clooney, Kerry Washington, Julia Roberts, (Updating Photos)

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