‘Amazing Race’ Producer on Tyler Oakley vs Burnie Burns Clash, Cole LaBrant’s Unicycle Challenge (Exclusive)

“When teams get to the final four, all bets are off,” co-creator Elise Doganieri tells TheWrap of the reality pair’s recent blow-up

cole labrant unicycle amazing race
CBS

(Spoiler Alert: Please do not read on if you have not yet watched Friday’s episode of “The Amazing Race” in Shenzhen, China)

“The Amazing Race” Season 28 has featured stars from across social media including Tyler Oakley, “Magic Viner” Zach King and Vine teen heartthrob Cole LaBrant globe-trotting around the world for the CBS reality competition.

And as the season speeds towards the season finale next Friday, May 13, co-creator and co-executive producer Elise Doganieri answers TheWrap’s questions about the most recent episode.

TheWrap: Had Burnie and Ashley gone right to the “Master of Arts” side of the detour and recouped that time wasted attempting the unicycles, would they have beaten Sheri and Cole?
Elise Doganieri: No question about it. Burnie and Ashley spent 40 minutes at the unicycle. They would’ve beaten Sheri and Cole comfortably if they had initially chosen “Master of Arts.” Burnie and Ashley were close behind Sheri and Cole, just a little more than five minutes apart [checking in at the pit stop].

"That's Money, Honey"-- In Detour A, Ashley and Bernie (pictured) must ride a "commuter cycle" while holding a briefcase and a cup of coffee in order to receive the next clue on THE AMAZING RACE, Friday, May 6 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.Photo: CBS ©2016 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Burnie and Ashley (CBS)

On the flipside, how far behind were Sheri and Cole leaving the theme park? What were some of the inside crew jokes and banter on that day about having your show’s motto “The World Is Waiting for you” laid out before you in one place?
Sheri and Cole were about 40 minutes behind the other teams leaving the park. They made up a lot of ground on Burnie and Ashley. When we scouted Window of the World, we just knew we had to do something there. I don’t think there’s ever been a more ready-made location for an “Amazing Race” challenge.

"That's Money, Honey"--In this Route Marker,Sheri (pictured) and Cole must make their way by bus or train to the "Eiffle Tower" at the Windows on the World theme park on THE AMAZING RACE, Friday, May 6 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: CBS ©2016 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Sheri (CBS)

Let’s talk about the Tyler/Korey vs. Burnie fued that bubbled up on this episode, has this tension and cattiness been there the whole season and we are just seeing more of it now, or is this something that ramped up in this leg with the end in sight?
There wasn’t tension between the teams throughout the season. They were on friendly terms in the last leg when their U-turn plan eliminated Brodie and Kurt.

But when teams get to the final four, all bets are off and everyone gets more competitive. Nobody wants to be the last eliminated before the final three and everyone viewed Burnie and Ashley as a major threat.

"That's Money, Honey"-- Korey (left) and Tyler (right) make their way to the next location in Shenzhen, China on THE AMAZING RACE, Friday, May 6 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: CBS ©2016 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Korey and Tyler (CBS)

In many recent seasons, you’ve had four teams race to the finish, eliminating one along the way. What goes in to the thought of a final three vs. a final four?
We did four teams in the finale twice in a row and we were happy with the results. We may or may not do it in the future. We want to keep teams and audiences on their toes. The thought of going into the finale show with four vs. three is that there is a better chance of having more teams racing and the possibility of teams racing closer together, really amping up the high stakes of winning the final leg.

"That's Money, Honey"-- In Detour B, Dana (left) and Matt (right) must deliver and hang eight paintings in order to receive the next clue on THE AMAZING RACE, Friday, May 6 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: CBS ©2016 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Dana and Matt  (CBS)

@EliseDoganieri tweets in real time each Friday during the east coast feed of the “Amazing Race.”

The Season 28 finale airs next Friday, May 13 at 8/7c on CBS.

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