Amazing Race Season 38: Big Brother Alumni Trade House Drama for World Adventure

CBS has officially dropped the cast reveal for Amazing Race Season 38, and let me tell you, it’s about as predictable as finding drama in the Big Brother house. Instead of fresh faces with genuine dreams of racing around the world, we’re getting a recycled roster of reality TV veterans who apparently can’t get enough of the spotlight.

The network seems determined to milk every ounce of drama from their existing talent pool, bringing together 13 teams of Big Brother alumni and their loved ones for what they’re calling a “European adventure.” Because nothing says authentic competition like contestants who already know how to play for the cameras, right?

What We Know About Amazing Race Season 38

The season kicks off on Thursday, September 25 at 9/8c on CBS before settling into its regular Wednesday night slot on October 1. Phil Keoghan returns as host, probably wondering how his globe-trotting adventure show turned into Big Brother: International Edition.

This time around, teams will start their journey in Amsterdam and traverse through Europe, hitting locations like Prague, Budapest, and Romania. The twist? For the first time in Amazing Race history, teams face their first challenge before even reaching the starting line. The winning team gets an Express Pass, while the last-place finishers deal with a “Hazard” – which sounds suspiciously like Big Brother punishment, doesn’t it?

The Big Brother Cast Taking Over Amazing Race

Here’s where things get interesting (and by interesting, I mean predictably messy). The cast reads like a who’s who of Big Brother controversy and drama:

Angela Murray is back, bringing her daughter Lexi along for the ride. If you watched Big Brother 26, you know Angela became one of the most polarizing contestants in recent memory. CBS apparently decided that lightning might strike twice, or they’re just really committed to stirring up social media discourse.

Taylor Hale and Kyland Young are competing as a dating couple, which came as news to pretty much everyone. Taylor won Big Brother 24, while Kyland competed on Season 23. The relationship timeline here is more confusing than a Big Brother alliance chart.

Tucker Des Lauriers, the comp beast from Big Brother 26, teams up with his brother Eric. At least Tucker brought some genuine athleticism to the Big Brother house, so maybe he’ll fare better in actual physical challenges.

Chelsie Baham, another Big Brother 26 winner, races with her firefighter father Jack. Chelsie actually played a smart, strategic game, so she might be one to watch.

Why Amazing Race Season 38 Feels Like a Missed Opportunity

Look, I get it. CBS wants to capitalize on existing fanbases and create built-in storylines. But here’s the thing – Amazing Race has always been special because it showcased regular people pushing themselves beyond their limits. There’s something genuinely inspiring about watching a teacher from Ohio or a nurse from Montana discover they’re capable of incredible things.

Instead, we’re getting contestants who’ve already had their shot at reality TV fame. Some of them have even won substantial prize money already. Where’s the hunger? Where’s the desperation that makes for compelling television?

The show’s creators, Bertram van Munster and Elise Doganieri, seem excited about bringing Big Brother players “out of the house and on an adventure in the real world.” But here’s a reality check – these people aren’t exactly representative of the “real world” anymore. They’re professional reality TV contestants at this point.

The European Route Raises Questions

Another interesting tidbit: this season appears to be exclusively European, which is unusual for Amazing Race. Previous seasons have typically spanned multiple continents, giving teams (and viewers) a truly global experience. Whether this is due to budget constraints, logistical challenges, or creative choice remains unclear.

While Europe certainly offers plenty of cultural diversity and challenging locations, limiting the race to one continent feels like scaling back the show’s signature worldwide adventure. Teams will “reach new heights in Prague, bathe like a king in Budapest, and skydive nearly 13,000 feet over Romania” – which sounds exciting enough, but lacks the epic scope we’ve come to expect.

Will Amazing Race Season 38 Actually Work?

Despite my skepticism about the all-Big Brother cast, there might be some silver linings here. Many of these contestants are paired with family members or partners who haven’t been on reality TV before, which could bring some authentic reactions to the experience.

The format remains unchanged – teams race around the world, complete challenges, and face elimination until one team claims the $1 million prize. The Amazing Race DNA is still there, even if the casting feels like a corporate synergy experiment.

Plus, let’s be honest – some of these Big Brother alumni are genuinely entertaining television personalities. Enzo “Meow Meow” Palumbo has been a fan favorite across multiple seasons, and Jag Bains proved himself to be a strategic mastermind when he won Big Brother 25.

The Verdict on This Reality TV Crossover

Amazing Race Season 38 feels like CBS playing it safe rather than taking creative risks. Instead of discovering new compelling personalities, they’re recycling familiar faces and hoping the change of scenery will create fresh dynamics.

Will it work? Probably. Big Brother fans will tune in to see their favorites in a new setting, and Amazing Race loyalists will watch regardless of casting decisions. But it’s hard not to feel like we’re missing out on the authentic human stories that made this show special in the first place.

The season premieres September 25, and despite my reservations, I’ll probably end up watching anyway. Because sometimes you need to see the train wreck to properly critique it, right? Here’s hoping the European adventure proves more engaging than the casting choices suggest.

Full Cast List

Joseph Abdin and Adam Abdin

Joseph: 28, attorney and “Big Brother 24” alum

Adam: 24, law student

Relationship: Brothers

Chelsie Baham and Jack Baham

Chelsie: 28, motivational speaker and “Big Brother 26” winner

Jack Baham: 58, L.A. city firefighter

Relationship: Father and daughter

Jag Bains and Jas Bains

Jag: 27, entrepreneur and “Big Brother 25” winner

Jas: 28, entrepreneur

Relationship: Brothers

Rubina Bernabe and Kristine Bernabe

Rubina: 36, content creator and “Big Brother 26” alum

Kristine: 38, floral designer

Relationship: Sisters

Hannah Chaddha and Simone Chaddha

Hannah: 25, medical student and “Big Brother 23” alum

Simone: 22, graduate student

Relationship: Sisters

Tucker Des Lauriers and Eric Des Lauriers

Tucker: 31, chef and “Big Brother 26” alum

Eric: 32, senior research analyst

Relationship: Brothers

Kat Dunn and Alex Romo

Kat: 35, influencer and “Big Brother 21” alum

Alex: 32, photographer

Relationship: Dating

Izzy Gleicher and Paige Seber

Izzy: 34, flutist and “Big Brother 25” alum

Paige: 32, lighting designer

Relationship: Engaged couple

Taylor Hale and Kyland Young

Taylor: 30, media personality and “Big Brother 24” winner

Kyland: 34, content creator and “Big Brother 23” alum

Relationship: Dating

Angela Murray and Lexi Murray

Angela: 51, realtor and “Big Brother 26” alum

Lexi: 23, Esthetician

Relationship: Mother and daughter

Natalie Negrotti and Stephanie Negrotti

Natalie: 34, TV host and “Big Brother 18” alum

Stephanie: 36, hospitality

Relationship: Sisters

Enzo Palumbo and Jack Palumbo

Enzo: 47, lineboat handler and “Big Brother 12” and “Big Brother 22” alum

Jack: 40, financial analyst

Relationship: Brothers

Matt Turner and Megan Turner

Matt: 25, content creator and “Big Brother 24” alum

Megan: 24, private jet specialist

Relationship: Married