I'm basing this review on season 2, which I just started watching. In spite of a weak-sounding show title, they've done a great job of creating real-life stakes that matter and heart-wrenching moments that make you want to keep coming back. We quickly found ourselves pulling for every team, not wanting anyone to drop out. But they can't all win...
This is a perfect blend of family entertainment and reality TV. And it makes you love family more without ever being preachy. Kudos to BYUtv.
75 Reviews
Inspiring and family friendly
dramahorse8 October 2018
The best of reality tv
meljoefam16 December 2019
I don't normally watch reality tv and all the lame drama, but this shows rises above it all. It makes me laugh and cry. It is something we can watch and enjoy as a family. The contestants are so real and vulnerable as they search for and meet family. Love it!
A Touching Show
lwc-140-48715317 December 2019
When I first started watching this show, I didn't expect it to be so emotional for the contestants or how touching it was to watch as they discover family. Once I got started I wanted to see another season without hesitation. This is an inspiring show.
Truly a gem on TV!
artsygirl-4064716 December 2019
Wholesome in every way, and a must-watch for the entire family. Four teams of 2 people - Red, Green, Blue and Black - have their DNA tested and it is used to find family members they have not met or have been estranged from for some reason. All of the teams have compelling back-stories, and every team's search is unique. Each of the first 9 episodes in the 10-episode season is spent traveling to meet these relatives. The teams are given a designated amount of time for travel, without smartphones or GPS, but plenty of good-old-fashioned paper maps. The team with the best time wins the week, while the team who goes over their allotted time the most receives a strike for that week. Once a team has accumulated 3 strikes, they must leave the race. After the teams reach their destination each week, the they must complete a "challenge," and are then given their relative's address. Then be ready with the tissues. The face-to-face meetings are often quite emotional, but in the end they grow family connections that help them complete their personal stories. Never a dull moment, and full of compassion and grace, this show delivers...EVERY. SINGLE. WEEK. During the last episode, the remaining teams with fewer than 3 strikes compete in a series of final challenges, and the winning team receives a prize of $50K. In the end though, they are all winners with the new family they find, and with the relationships they build with the other teams in a shared experience. Dan Debnath is an excellent host, and draws on the teams' emotional experiences each week as he recaps at the end of every episode, awarding wins and strikes as they video-chat together. We started watching during the first season, and look forward to every new season as they air. We are hooked, and each season is better than the last. Give this one a go - you will not be disappointed!
Great Show- 10 Weeks Never Passed So Quickly
papasnake17 December 2019
We binged the first couple of seasons after stumbling across this show one evening. Since then, we have waited impatiently for the next season to start, and mourned its passing ten weeks later.
Four teams, two people each, submit their DNA and then allow professional genealogists to identify and locate relatives the members of the team have never met. At the start of the race, team members surrender their smart phones and other GPS devices. They are given paper maps to work with in stead.
Naturally, each team is sent to a different address where one of their relatives lives. Along they way they must overcome a challenge (same activity for each team), and prove they have arrived in the correct city before they can receive the exact address of their relative each trip is given an allotted time, and the team this overshoots that time the most gets a strike. Three strikes and the team is out.
That's the bones, and it would probably be interesting just for that.
Where the real allure comes in is the life stories and raw emotion each of these meetings brings out. I have a favorite team every season, but never once have I rooted against a team.
I've not done the show justice, but hopefully I have sparked enough interest that you'll watch just one episode.
If so, DO start with the first episode of any season- whatever you do, don't start with the final episode you will miss most of the best parts.
If so, DO start with the first episode of any season- whatever you do, don't start with the final episode you will miss most of the best parts.
Season ending today, 18 Nov 2018
gwendolynnchapo19 November 2018
I have loved watching all of the relative race seasons, however this season's finale was a disappointment in my opinion. Letting one team destroy the hard work of another team is just not in the spirit of fair play.
Kindly,
Gwen Chapo
Great family show!
tnherm827 May 2019
This show is awesome. It brings families together and is such an inspiration. It's something you can enjoy all together with no obscenities, no sexual situations, and a friendly competition! Genealogical Amazing Race!
Best show!!!
nichelle257126 May 2019
A gem of a show
bragi_of_erin27 November 2018
This reality show is great on so many levels, I don't know where to start. This is the only reality show in which the competitors root for each other and genuinely care about the other teams. It is due, in no small part, to the way in which the show is produced. The addition, in season 2, of a group chat at the end of each day makes this possible and it is fantastic to watch. I started watching during season 4 and I had to go back and watch the earlier seasons. I can see that many people care about the show in the changes that have been made over the 4 seasons. Changes such as starting the racers in different locations so that they can be more accessible to their close relatives. Changing the challenges so that all challengers face the same challenges on a level playing field. Changing the rules so that teams don't have an unfair advantage of being led out of the neighborhood. All of the changes that have been made not only improve the quality of the show but demonstrate the dedication of the production team. This show has grown and improved with each season. I watch many different genealogy based shows and this one is by far the best with seasons 3 and 4 being far better than the earlier seasons.
Love this show!
sanlorenzomh16 December 2019
Many cheers and tears!
dpbolen16 December 2019
A wonderful tv show for the whole family. The contestants in the show invite you into their lives as they discover relatives they never knew. The challenges are creative and always change. This is a truly great show! Keep the tissues close by. Thanks BYUtv!
lackluster race and family related chaleenges
taliaferro_family26 May 2019
The race part of the show needs revamping. The selfie should be changed from a sign to a specific location within the city where they will receive a map showing the location of the challenge and of the relatives home, but with no road names and certain roads black out hey they are not allowed to use. The contestants should should not be able to ask for directions only ask to be shown on the map where their present location is on the map. The challenges should be more family or genealogy related.
Roadtrippin' Family-Style
kimberley_williamson26 May 2019
Relative Race combines the adventure of a GPS-free roadtrip with mentally and physically challenging games, and at the end of the day-Family! Four teams compete-but also cheer for one another as they discover their roots and meet family members they've never met. RR is exciting, competitive, fun, and poignant. You are there for the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. You grow to know and love the teams and celebrate their joys and mourn their losses. This show is FAMILY friendly and wholesome, uplifting tv at its best.
Addictive Family Show
auntjana16 December 2019
I first heard about this show on Facebook. I started watching the current episode at the time. I was instantly hooked. I went back and binge watched all of the previous seasons. The whole set up of the show is genius. A true family show for all ages. One of the best shows on TV.
Inspiring show for the entire family
jqjardine27 November 2018
Great
curtislarsen-1965027 May 2019
This show gave me the opportunity to get to know all 4 teams in such a way that when they met new relatives I celebrated with them. When they got a strike I was sad and when they got their 3rd strike I was devastated. I set the DVR and watched faithfully every Sunday. I am already looking forward to next season. Race on everyone.
The most uplifting television bar, none!!
savannahnwyc24 March 2023
Without a question, I look forward to every season of relative race. These people move me and make me so happy to see the relationships that they gain on each leg of the race. Dan, sharing his health challenges truly shows that this is it show that cares not just about the people on the show, but come from a different place of faith and coming together, like no other show on television. This should be nominated as a number one reality show on television. It makes everyone feel good we cry with them. We get excited with them and we can't wait to see who answers the door next. I am Relative race's number one fan!!!
Such a Great Show!
erablessed26 May 2019
A must watch!
kmk-0487426 May 2019
Bringing Families Together
mnomom26 May 2019
This is such a wonderful show! I love learning so much about all the teams and why they participate in this race. It is great way to help bring families together with a little healthy competition included!! But, I will say that the team challenges seem to get more complex with each season!
Great show
taliaferro_family25 November 2018
The race part is good but some the challenges are stupid. Overall the race part needs more excitement. The family stories are mostly great. The seasons are too short though. On a personal side finding out one of your teams are related to you makes it a lot more fun to watch. Season 4 finale was great. Can't wait for season 5 to start.
We look forward to every episode!
rlindgren26 May 2019
Each time this is on we schedule our week around the show. Having family members find missing links frequently brings us to tears as we vicariously share the contestant's joy at meeting new family. We gather family together to share the experience, what could be better than that? We cheer for them as they attack new challenges.
My FAVORITE reality show EVER!!!
beccamonna27 May 2019
We've been watching this show since day one and look forward to it with every new season. It's real. It's raw. We get excited with every new family member they meet. We have to keep a box of tissues near us because the happy tears flow constantly.
It's inspired us to reach out to family members we have never met. First meeting is set for this summer!
Fun for everyone
bevbair16 December 2019
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