After standing out on Big Brother 26, Des Lauriers returns alongside his brother Eric to compete on another CBS staple, The Amazing Race
Tucker Des Lauriers first captured America’s attention during Big Brother 26. Not by winning or even making it to the jury phase of the game, but by winning the hearts of viewers. Despite being evicted before the jury phase, Tucker earned the title of America’s Favorite Houseguest, becoming the first pre-jury player to receive the honor.
His vibrant personality, strategic flair, and magnetic presence made him a breakout star – even without deep game play – proving that reality television prowess isn’t always measured in days spent in the house. That charismatic surge and newfound notoriety serve as the backdrop for his next big adventure: The Amazing Race Season 38.
After being selected and successful as an “AI Instigator,” a twist within the game, America awarded him $20,000. Although specific Big Brother 26 ratings spikes tied directly to Tucker’s presence are elusive, his popularity as America’s Favorite reflects a notable viewer connection.
Following his Big Brother departure, prevailing social media sentiment was potential disinterest from the program. Boycotts were mentioned, but never fully pursued. For precise ratings data, consult TV series-rating trackers or industry analysis sources (Nielsen, etc).
Premiering Thursday, September 25, 2025, at 9 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+, this highly anticipated season features 13 teams, but with yet another twist. Each team features a Big Brother alum, including Tucker racing alongside his brother Eric.
With filming across Europe, from Amsterdam to Prague, Budapest, and even skydiving over Romania, Tucker’s ability to connect, improvise and perform under pressure will be essential. Will Tucker and Eric be able to strategically mesh and outlast everybody else?
The Amazing Race has long been a cornerstone for CBS’s reality lineup, bringing home 15 Emmy Awards for Outstanding Reality – Competition Program – holding a historic streak of victories across 24 years of the show’s existence. That legacy beside Big Brother and Survivor underscores both the prestige and expectations surrounding Season 38.
For The Amazing Race and Survivor specifically, production has adapted, enduring logistical hurdles and complexities related to elements such as casting strategy, traveling coordination, environment and safety protocols. “Expect the unexpected,” is the Big Brother motto and how Des Lauriers approached the game; time will tell if The Amazing Race is able to efficiently adjust and properly bridge each show’s audience.
As Tucker trades AI-themed individual-oriented house strategy for intercontinental races, his journey offers a fascinating study in the power of persona and the enduring appeal of reality-TV crossovers. If Season 38 of The Amazing Race is another resounding success and sees discernible difference in overall engagement from live and delayed viewers (DVR) and social media discourse, it supports the notion and provides more evidence of the impact of reality television crossover appeal.
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