The Amazing Race host Phil Keoghan is sharing his thoughts on strengths the Survivor contestants who will racing around the world might bring to the table.
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The Amazing Race's Season 31 cast will include former Survivor castaways Chris Hammons, Bret LaBelle, Corinne Kaplan, Eliza Orlins, Rupert Boneham, and Laura Boneham when it premieres on CBS on April 17.
The three teams of two will be competing against three teams of former Big Brother houseguests and five teams of returning The Amazing Race contestants in The Amazing Race's first-ever "reality clash."
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While the Racers may feel prepared and confident given they've already competed on a reality competition show before, Keoghan doesn't necessarily feel one team has a great advantage over another.
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Chris, 40, and Bret, 44 are friends from Moore, OK, and Dedham, MA.
The guys met when they competed on Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X.
"It's a really interesting dynamic. It's nice to see really good friends. Chris has got this intensity to him that is palpable. You can just see it," Keoghan told Parade magazine in a recent interview.
"At the starting line, he's champing at the bit to get going. Being a lawyer, you have to have that edge. There's a rough exterior to him when he's competing, but he's a real softie when you're just having a heart-to-heart with him."
Likewise, Keoghan compared Bret to "a big teddy bear."
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"He looks tough, but you can't help but like him," Keoghan said.
"And he told me he's been really keen on going to New Zealand, which makes me like him even more."
Eliza, 35, and Corinne, 39, are friends from New York, NY, and Denver, CO.
Eliza previously competed on Survivor: Vanuatu and Survivor: Micronesia -- Fans vs. Favorites.
Corinne previously competed on Survivor: Gabon and Survivor: Caramoan -- Fans vs. Favorites.
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"They're the team who wear their personalities on their sleeves the most. Corinne openly talks about the fact that she can be a b-tch," Keoghan shared.
"It's not something we've really seen on the show before, someone who is that vocal about who they are. She's got a very tough side to her. She's cutthroat and doesn't take any crap."
While Keoghan said Corinne seems like she "has a point to prove" or a "score to settle," Eliza is the same way -- except less brash and outspoken, apparently.
"Eliza doesn't seem as forthright as her partner, but she's still super competitive and intense. They're an intense team," Keoghan said.
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"You know they mean business, and it means a lot for them to do well. They're not intimidated by anybody."
And Rupert, 54, and Laura, 49, are a married couple from Indianapolis, IN.
Rupert previously competed on Survivor: Pearl Islands, Survivor: All-Stars, Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains, and Survivor: Blood vs. Water.
Laura competed on Survivor: Blood vs. Water, which featured returning castaways competing alongside a family member.
"Rupert has become part of the Survivor zeitgeist. If I could recognize anyone from the show, his name would probably be the first one that came up," Keoghan admitted to Parade.
"He looks like the quintessential Survivor character with his Robinson Crusoe look and Tom Hanks from Castaway beard."
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Keoghan was apparently surprised by what he learned once he got to know the couple.
"His wife is a lot softer as a personality. I like them. I thought they would have more gruff personalities. But the two of them together are a very sweet couple," Keoghan said.
Fans will find out how these pairs fare on The Amazing Race when 11 teams are tasked to complete mental and physical challenges throughout the race for $1 million to different destinations and countries across the world.
CBS has been highlighting the teams' differing experiences in its promotion for the season.
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"Will the former Racers' travel experience be the most helpful?" CBS recently teased.
"Will the former Survivors outwit, outplay and outlast the competition? Or, will the Big Brother players' abilities to adapt and expect the unexpected make the difference?"
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The Amazing Race announced in June 2018 it had begun filming its 31st season when the show's official Twitter account posted a video of host Phil Keoghan standing at the starting line in Hermosa Beach, CA.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski