The Great Philiminator

Anyone who can tell me who this guy is with my wife and mother-in-law is allowed to be my friend. Okay, so the massive sign with his name in foot-tall letters gives it away a little bit. That's right, this is none other than the great Phil Keoghan, host of the world's greatest reality television series of all time, The Amazing Race. You'll also notice from the big sign that this choice meeting took place on Sara's birthday. Imagine my worry when Sara told me that all she wanted for her birthday was Phil Keoghan. But look how I delivered! In truth though, he was in town promoting the release of Season 1 on DVD, an opportunity that Race fans such as ourselves wouldn't dream to miss.


And now a bit of an expose on Phil. He's a New Zealander by birth, but lived most of his life in Canada and Antigua. He's got the best job in the world, that of TV guru, working as camera man, director, producer, and personality. He's worked in over 70 countries and gets paid a bundle just to look so international. He has, however, seen his fair share of the action that he is so willing to force his contestants into. He actually holds a bungee cord jumping world record and renewed his vows underwater. How cool is that!! And to think that my wife has actually shaken his hand.


If you haven't already, you must check out the Amazing Race. The contestants for Season 13 are being chosen and interviewed even as I write here today. Originally there was only going to be one Season aired this year, but the Writers Guild Strike forced Bernstram Van Munster to put forth an extra season. Any travel buff must, by definition, be a fan of the Amazing Race. Please refer to the map below to see the countries our racers have traveled to over the years: