When I was at RootsTech, I enjoyed a brief presentation about the BYUtv show Relative Race. I’d never seen it before, but was enticed enough by the clips I saw in the presentation to give it a look. So far I’ve seen just one episode, but I enjoyed it.
Relative Race brings together four teams of two people (the current season has two married couples, two sisters, and a father and son) who have taken DNA tests. The couples compete against each other to find (living) relatives they’ve never met before. They’re given clues to find their DNA matches, who might be located anywhere in the US. They’re given two challenges a day, and they’re allowed only the paper map, loaner car, and flip phone they’ve been supplied with to aid them. Then they spend the night each night in the home of their new relative. Teams are eliminated along the way and the last team standing at the end of the ten-day journey wins $50,000.
It reminds me of a less-exotic Amazing Race, with a genealogy twist. The introductions of the contestants with their heretofore unknown cousins makes the show especially fun for genealogists.
The third season began March 4. The current season, along with the episodes from previous seasons, are available to watch at this link. (You can read more about the show in this press release.)
If you watch it, I’d love to know what you think!
Shasta says
March 20, 2018 at 11:34 amI watched one season, but did not know it was still going on. I will have to look at the new episodes.
Janine Adams says
March 20, 2018 at 8:05 pmOh good, Shasta! I’m glad I was able to add to your viewing fun!
Trisha says
March 20, 2018 at 7:17 pmI just recently discovered this show. I watched season one and two over the holidays with my sister while she was visiting last December. I plan on watching season three when she comes to visit next month, so we can watch together. I too wrote a blog about Relative Race.
https://journeythroughgenerationsblog.wordpress.com/2018/01/09/when-reality-tv-meets-genealogy-relative-race-have-you-watched/
Janine Adams says
March 20, 2018 at 8:04 pmThanks for sharing a link to your blog post, Trisha. I loved it! You’ve got me wanting to binge watch the show. Thanks so much for commenting.
cellista says
March 21, 2018 at 1:58 amMy whole family has watched seasons 1 and 2 and already love season 3 (3 episodes so far!) I think this season is the most exciting and there have already been some amazing family connections made. Team black in season 2 also had some incredible experiences with very close (previously unknown) family members. The game changes a little bit each season, so it’s always fun to see what happens differently. Apparently the rules will change again on episode 4 this Sunday, so we’re looking forward to it!
Corbin Dodge says
March 21, 2018 at 10:17 pmOh cool! Thanks for including the link to stream it!