Emmy-Nominated Reality TV Creators From ‘The Amazing Race,’ ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ and ‘The Traitors’ Talk Keeping the Legacy Alive While Staying Relevant

As a longtime fan of reality TV, I can truly appreciate the dedication and ingenuity showcased by these production giants. Phil Keogan, Tom Campbell, and Sam Rees-Jones have each mastered their respective genres, keeping audiences enthralled for decades.


As a show like Phil Keoghan’s “The Amazing Race” reaches its 37th season, it’s crucial to maintain viewer excitement without straying too far from the original format that made the program popular. In simpler terms, while keeping things fresh, we should stay true to what made the show successful in the beginning.

“Keogan emphasizes that we strive for variety while maintaining an element of surprise,” he explains. “With over three decades under our belt, our task is always to stay excellent yet avoid straying too far from our established structure, which fundamentally succeeds.”

Keogan attended EbMaster’s Virtual FYC TV Fest: The Nominees 2024, where he was joined by Tom Campbell, executive producer of “RuPaul’s Drag Race”, and Sam Rees-Jones, executive producer of “The Traitors”. They held a conversation with Michael Schneider from EbMaster’s, discussing their projects and the most significant obstacles in the reality TV industry.

For Rees-Jones, whose series “The Traitors” is now in its third season, he remarked on how remarkable it is that players are able to develop intricate strategies because the rules of the game have become clearer as a result of the show’s broadcast and growing familiarity among viewers.

“The show ‘Traitors,’ where participants attempt to unravel a murder mystery within an old Scottish castle, is currently being filmed for Season 3. Rees-Jones has noticed changes in the tactics used by the contestants as they progress from Season 2 to Season 3.”

“Rees-Jones points out that it’s fascinating when players understand the game more deeply because their strategies become intricate and challenging. This complexity makes the game even more thrilling to observe. He explains that this increased knowledge results in stronger loyalist strategies as well as cunning traitor strategies. It’s a delight to witness as they enter the game with more insights and strive to make their moves count.”

As a movie enthusiast, I’d put it this way: “I’ve always believed that the cast is the cornerstone of any great production. Our secret sauce lies in the fact that the storyline transforms when the characters step onto the stage. The journey taken in Season 3 was unlike anything we saw in Seasons 1 and 2, and it’s been thrilling to witness each actor bring their unique flair to the challenges they face.”

Campbell reminisced about the difficult path he took in making “RuPaul’s Drag Race” a reality, sharing that back then, 17 years ago, numerous networks refused the show even though it received favorable reviews due to doubts about advertising revenue.

Eventually, the relatively new network, Logo, decided to air the program, and at first, it might have appeared as if it was a slight setback compared to RuPaul’s previous acclaim. However, this turned out to be an excellent stage for the expression of queer narratives, giving them a chance to tell their stories.

He acknowledged the long road to success, noting that it took eight seasons before the show was even nominated for an Emmy: “It was never our goal, but it’s an awfully lovely thing for the people that work so hard for the queens who aren’t just contestants but they’re performers. So being on the show gives them this world platform.”

Year after year, it’s been a delight for me to reimagine this show and see others discover it. And what’s thrilling is that they continue to find it, which makes it all the more exciting.

To gain insights into their encounter, be sure to catch the complete interview above, where the “RuPaul’s Drag Race” crew shares their experiences meeting Vice President Kamala Harris, who is currently running for president.

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2024-08-14 21:46