Chippendales dancers, double amputee join new ‘Amazing Race’ cast

Chippendales dancers, a double amputee, a former member of Megadeth and a lumberjack are some of the eye-catching characters for the latest batch of contestants on “The Amazing Race.”

The 11 teams competing in the series’ 21st race also include twin sisters, a gay goat-farming couple, married monster truck drivers, and the always-required young and attractive people (dating, best friends, etc.).

In order to keep things fresh (as if Chippendales dancers racing around the world wasn’t fresh enough), the producers are also introducing a new twist: if the team that wins the first leg of the race also wins the final leg, they will double the cash prize, taking home $2 million instead of $1 million.

The series, executive-produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, has always done well in the ratings and with the voting members of the TV academy. It’s won the Emmy for outstanding reality competition program for eight of the last nine years. (It lost in 2010 to “Top Chef”).

The new race begins airing on Sept. 30.

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Join Patrick Kevin Day on Google+ or Twitter. Email: patrick.day@latimes.com

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