'The Amazing Race' Creators and Host Say the Show Was Conceived "On a Dare" in New Paley Center Panel

Over 24 years and 35 seasons, The Amazing Race has traveled to almost 100 countries across nearly 400 episodes, winning fifteen Emmy Awards in the process. And, as revealed in a panel for the series as part of The Paley Center for Media's "PaleyFest Fall TV Previews," it all began as part of a dare.

"It's true," co-creator and executive producer Elise Doganieri says when asked about it, alongside fellow co-creator Bertram van Munster and host and executive producer Phil Keoghan. "Bertram had just gotten back from a television conference in France. And I was asking what was new on TV. And he said, 'Nothing new, nothing any different than what's been going on.' And I literally said, 'What's going on? Why can't people and television come up with something different, new, and exciting?' And he said, 'Well, you think it's so easy. Why don't you come up with something? I'll give you five minutes.'"

Related: Everything to Know About The Amazing Race 35

Doganieri was able to come up in that truncated time with the general concept of The Amazing Race, and the rest is history. The panel, moderated by Parade.com's very own Mike Bloom, takes a look at the past, present, and future of the globe-trotting reality TV staple. The panel is currently available to Citi card members, along with members of The Paley Center for Media today, before a general release to the public on The Paley Center for Media's YouTube channel on Friday, September 22.

Throughout the panel, the trio reflect upon the series' humble beginnings, debuting six days before 9/11. They talk about the difficulties of not only airing a show that promotes international travel at a time where Americans feared getting on a plane, but the ever-changing logistics of filming around the world year in and year out. And that doesn't even mention the emotional turmoil of the reality TV side of things, particularly eliminating teams along the way, crushing their dreams for the million-dollar prize.

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"One of the things that gives all of us are involved in Amazing Race a lot of joy is to see just how connected that family is, and how far it extends and the viewing parties that happen and the reunions that happen," Keoghan says when asked about the unenviable job of eliminating teams. "So I remind them that, yes, your race here is over. It's done now on the mat. But you are a part of something that will extend for the rest of your life, and you've been a part of something special."

Additionally, the group previews the upcoming 35th season of the show, set to premiere on Wednesday, September 27. The new edition will feature a marked return to form for fans of the show, including the shift back to commercial travel and the reemergence of twists like the U-Turn and Express Pass. Additionally, the show will air exclusively 90-minute episodes for the first time, in a back-to-back block alongside Survivor 45 this fall.

Related: Meet the Teams of The Amazing Race 35

"The idea that we can expand a little bit is, to me, hugely important," says Keoghan. "When you think about 12 teams, and going to new places, and you're trying to introduce everybody out of the gate, and then you've got a team that's going to be going in the first episode, as at least mentioned, we have so much stuff. And I think one of the important things that we've been able to share is that we have these time capsules of not just the people, but the places."

Check out the clips above for above for more from The Amazing Race creators and host about the show. The Amazing Race panel at PaleyFest Fall TV Previews is currently available to Citi card members and The Paley Center for Media members, and will be released to the general public via the center's YouTube channel on Friday, September 22. The Amazing Race 35, premieres on Wednesday, September 27 at 9:30 p.m. on CBS.

Next, here's everything you need to know about the upcoming season of Survivor 45.