The first Asian version of the US television reality show "The Amazing Race" is scheduled to premiere before the end of the year, and the although the champ has already been crowned, fans still have a long wait to find out who it is.

Taping was completed late last month and post-production is underway. Fans of the show can get some close-ups of the excitement when a promotional roadshow rolls into Bangkok's Siam Square on August 5.

Ricky Ow, general manager of SPE Networks-Asia, which embraces AXN Asia, says some of the applicants went to extremes, such as performing a striptease in their video "resumes".

He was looking for gutsy attitudes, but points out that there are other winning qualities they could have demonstrated to get into the race.

"We were looking for 'Type A' people who are energetic, willing to win and charming," Ow says. "They had to be sincere. Applicants don't have to be excellent in acting, but actors do have an advantage."

Ow says Thailand is represented in the inaugural all-Asia race, but won't be more specific - so it could be a Thai or a foreigner living here.

"The Amazing Race" involves a lot of physical challenges, but Ow stresses that bulging muscles aren't a prerequisite.

"You'd be surprised," he says. "A lot of the contestants aren't a hundred-per-cent fit - they're just people, like me and you, but they're able to endure in the race."

Ow promises that the Asian version of the show won't disappoint.

"This show will outdo the original because of the Asian perspective."

Hosting the series will be Chinese-American Allan Wu, an actor based in Singapore who's remembered as a rather weepy contestant on AXN's "Fear Factor".

Wu says he had the chance to learn a lot about the contestants on this show.

"When they're put under a lot of pressure they buckle up like a seatbelt, but the ones that are truly able to curtail their emotions, and try to overcome their anxiety, excitement and frustration, they're the ones who succeed - no matter where they come from.

"You might think that some Asian people come from conservative societies, but when they're pushed to the limit, there's a common ground," Wu says. "I believe too that even with the diversity of people, there is a common bond between people struggling and trying to succeed."

Despite the continuing popularity of reality shows, sceptics insist that much of the action is scripted. As far as the three-time Emmy-award-winning "Amazing Race" is concerned, Ow scoffs at the accusation.

"I'll stake 100 per cent of my reputation that this show is not fake. There's no script. Only the races are pre-designed. We don't have to create the drama - the drama is already there."

Isn't an "all-Asian" version of the show an invitation to stereotype?

"AXN viewers are highly intelligent, more travelled," Ow insists, "and therefore less likely to stereotype."

Wu agrees, saying that while there's no room for racism on the programme, national pride is a regular theme.

Lisnaree Vichitsorasatra

The Nation