Monty Brinton/CBSWho better to trot the globe than a pair of Harlem Globetrotters?
CBS today announced the 12 new two-person teams tapped to compete in the 15th season of The Amazing Race when the Emmy-baiting reality hit kicks off Sept. 27, with basketball tricksters Herbert "Flight Time" Lang and Nathaniel "The Big Easy" Lofton leading this year's pairs.
In an effort to prevent this year's teams from getting "too comfortable," executive producer Bertram van Munster said the show would be introducing new elements, including sending the finalists back to one of the series' most infamous roadblocks, visiting the world's tallest building, and surprising them with an appearance by what the network bills as "one of America's most beloved entertainers." Though in order to keep the surprise, they have declined to name who the superstar may be.
Joining the Globetrotters to compete for this year's $1 million prize are a team of professional female poker players, yoga teachers, a former Miss America and the first ever Amazing Racer with Asperger's syndrome.
Here's the complete list of competitors:
• Herbert "Flight Time" Lang, 32, Harlem Globetrotter; Nathaniel "The Big Easy" Lofton, 28, Harlem Globetrotter (teammates)
• Lance Layne, 41, lawyer; Keri Morrione, 33, finance manager (engaged)
• Maria Ho, 26, professional poker player; Tiffany Michelle, 25, professional poker player (pro poker players)
• Eric Paskel, 41, yoga studio owner and instructor; Lisa Paskel, 43, yoga studio owner and instructor (married yoga teachers)
• Gary Tomljenovich, 47, construction manager and mortgage banker; Matt Tomljenovich, 22, student (father/son)
• Zev Glassenberg, 26, unemployed; Justin Kanew, 30, VP of development for National Lampoon (friends)
• Garrett Paul, 28, day trader; Jessica Stout, 27, freelance editor (dating on and off)
• Marcy Maloy, 60, advertising photographer; Ronald Shalita, 59, stock trader and math tutor (dating)
• Mika Combs, 22, aspiring singer; Canaan Smith, 26, professional songwriter (newly dating)
• Daniel McMillen, 21, student; Samuel McMillen, 23, student (brothers)
• Meghan Rickey, 23, account executive; Cheyne Whitney, 23, student (dating)
• Ericka Dunlap, 27, entertainer/Miss America 2004; Brian Kleinschmidt, 27, marketing tour manager (married)
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Check out who else is small-screen-bound in our Snapped on Set gallery.