HaMerotz LaMillion 2


The second season of HaMerotz LaMillion is an Israeli reality television game show based on the American series, The Amazing Race. The show's second season featured 11 teams of two in a race around the world to win ₪1,000,000.
On February 11, 2011 Ron Shahar was announced as the show's new host, replacing Raz Meirman. Its second season premiered on October 25, 2011 and ended on February 11, 2012. The second-season finale was filmed on January 11, 2012 in Singapore. Painter and saleswoman Bar Ben-Vakil and Inna Broder were the winners of the Race.

Production

Development and filming

On December 20, 2009, Reshet announced that it had cancelled the show and that a second season would not be made. However, in September 2010, Reshet reconsidered, and Channel 2 greenlit the second season on September 20, 2010. Most filming was done in a 28-day period from March 30 to April 26, 2011, with the last leg taped on January 11, 2012. The second season spanned nine countries. Eight were previously unvisited, including Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand, as well as the first visit by an Amazing Race franchise to Bosnia and Herzegovina. China was the only previously visited nation from the previous season featured on this season.
The Race also featured a franchise-first twist for the Yield and U-Turn, dubbed as a "Yield/U-Turn vote", where during a certain point on the leg, each team could cast one team per vote, on whom they wished to be Yielded or U-Turned depending on the leg. Teams who received more votes would be subjected to a Yield/U-Turn. This Race also featured its first double elimination in the Israeli series when in one leg, two teams were eliminated: one at the airport in Israel, and the other at the end of the leg.
Croatian-born Israeli former footballer Đovani Roso appeared as a Pit Stop greeter during Leg 3 in Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Cast

Applications were accepted in November 2010. Adele, the youngest standard-format contestant, was 18 years old.

Future appearances

Adele Bespalov later appeared on the ninth season of the Israeli edition of Big Brother along with Season 4 contestant Liron "Tiltil" Orfeli and Season 6 contestant Neta Barazani as part of a second wave of houseguests with a secret assignment in order to earn their way into the Big Brother house. Adele earned her way into the house and finished seventh.

Blogs

The host recorded blogs during filming, which could be viewed on the show's website.

Results

The following teams, with their relationships at the time of filming, participated in the Race. This table is not reflective of all content broadcast on television, due to the inclusion of data. Listed by finishing order:
  1. Gadi & Alona were the last team to arrive at Ben Gurion Airport and were eliminated as per the provisions of Leg 1's rules.
  2. Tal & Mor initially arrived 8th, but were issued a 1-hour penalty as Tal was unable to complete the Roadblock. The last two teams trailing them checked in during that period, dropping Tal & Mor to last place and resulting in their elimination.
  3. Osnat & Carmit were issued a 1-hour penalty for unable to complete the ice-hockey task.
  4. Firass & Shira received a 1-hour penalty for not completing the Roadblock due to Shira's low blood pressure.
  5. Osnat & Carmit were forced to forfeit the Double Battle due to Ornat's injury.
  6. Osnat & Carmit initially arrived 5th, but were issued a 1-hour penalty for being "marked for elimination" and not arriving 1st. This did not affect their placement.
  7. Because Bar & Inna finished 1st, their 30-minute "marked for elimination" penalty was nullified.
  8. Akiva & Anaelle refused to take part in the Buddhist blessing ceremony. As such, they had to wait for the next team to receive their blessing before they would receive their next clue.
  9. In the middle of the season, Tom & Adele were no longer dating. Despite the breakup, their on-screen caption remained the same.

    Voting history

For the first time in Amazing Race history, teams could vote for a U-Turn or Yield. The team with the most votes received the U-Turn penalty, depending on the leg.

Episode titles

Translated from Hebrew from the official website:

Prizes

Leg 1 (Israel → Hungary)

Airdate: 25 & 30 October, 1 November 2011
In this leg's Detour, teams had to choose between קרקס and ואלס. In Circus, teams had to perform circus acts. One team member had to walk on a tightrope, and the other team member had to balance on a board placed on a wheel to receive their next clue. In Waltz, teams had to learn and perform a waltz for judges, who would rate their dance accuracy, with teams needing to score at least 20 points to receive their next clue.
For this leg's Roadblock, one team member would be lowered into a vat of water with their hands and feet secured by iron chains much like Hungarian escape artist Harry Houdini. They would be given a set of keys and had to unlock their shackles by finding the correct keys while the platform they were on was slowly lowered into the water. Once they escaped, they would receive their next clue.
;Additional tasks
Airdate: 6 & 8 November 2011
In the first Double Battle of the Race, two teams had to wrestle in a tub of chocolate syrup while trying to fill the rival team's jar with chocolate. When a team filled a jar, they would receive their next clue while the team that lost had to wait for the next team. The team that lost the final Double Battle had to wait out a fifteen-minute penalty.
In this leg's Detour, teams had to choose between כוכב קולנוע and כוכב טלוויזיה. In Movie Star, team members had to dub a scene from a Hungarian film at Ligetvaros Irodahaz. After dubbing five phrases correctly, they received the next clue. In TV Star, teams traveled to Nap TV, where team members had to read the weather forecast for Hungary from a teleprompter. The forecast was entirely in Hungarian, though the text was transliterated into Hebrew characters on the teleprompter. After reading it accurately, they received the next clue.
For the Roadblock, one team member had to break open a block of ice to access their next clue, a picture of the Elisabeth Bridge, frozen inside, using a variety of unusual tools.
;Additional tasks
Airdate: 13 & 15 November 2011
In the Double Battle, two teams played musical chairs with each other and local residents. The last team with a team member remaining in the game would receive their next clue while the team that lost had to wait for the next team. The team that lost the final Double Battle had to wait out a fifteen-minute penalty.
In this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to strip down to their swimsuit, put on skis, and be towed through a slalom course behind a snowmobile. When they reached the end without falling, they had to let go of their tow rope and coast through the finish line to receive the next clue.
For the Detour, teams had to choose between כדורגל and כדורסל. In Soccer, one team member had to kick a soccer ball through three targets while their partner, dressed as a cheerleader, cheered them on. When the first member scored three goals, they would switch roles. Once both members scored three goals, they would receive their next clue. In Basketball, teams played against two Croatian basketball players and had to score twenty baskets. At least one basket had to be scored while using a trampoline, a ladder, a supermarket cart and a chair before they could receive their next clue.
;Additional tasks
Airdate: 20 & 22 November 2011
In this leg's Detour, teams had to choose between :he: חכמי חלם|חכמי חלם and קניידלעך. In Men of Chełm, teams had to load a series of six buckets onto a pole that they had to carry on their shoulders. After filling two buckets and placing them on the pole, teams had to walk backwards across the Jewish Square through a series of garbage bins, stopping twice to fill up a pair of buckets. The buckets had holes in them and would leak water as they ran. At the end of the course, teams would pour their water into a large bucket. Once it reached a certain point, teams would dump the large bucket into a well and receive their next clue. In Matzo Balls, teams had to listen to an accordionist and recognize the two songs he was playing. However, he would begin by only playing a single note. To "purchase" another note, both team members had to eat two matzo balls. Once they recognized the songs, they received the next clue.
For the Roadblock, one team member had to push a heavy cart of salt blocks from the Chapel of Saint Kinga through the mines to a hall. They then had to lick a salt wall until they found a spot that tasted sweet. When found, they had to dig through the salt-block cart for a crystal key to unlock the next clue.
;Additional tasks
Airdate: 27 & 29 November, 5 December 2011
In the Double Battle, the teams had to put on roller skates and dress as witches. They had to roll around a room, collecting animatronic bats hanging from the ceiling and then throw them into a cauldron. The first team to collect four bats would receive their next clue while the team that lost had to wait for the next team. The team that lost the final Double Battle had to wait out a fifteen-minute penalty.
For this leg's Roadblock, one team member had to put on a protective suit and perform an action movie stunt. They would be lit on fire and had to run around flaming barrels to a table with three briefcases. They had to open these briefcases until they found the one containing their next clue, after which they would be extinguished.
In the first Fast Forward of the Race, one team had to model nude for art students until the class was complete to win the Fast Forward award.
After the tour guide task, Tom & Adele found their Speed Bump on Hybernská Street. For their Speed Bump, Tom & Adele had to sing "Jožin z bažin" and earn Kč100 from passersby on Náměstí Republiky before they could continue racing.
;Additional tasks
Airdate: 11 & 14 December 2011
In this Double Battle, teams competed in a sunflower seed-cracking race. Teams had to crack open sunflower seeds with their mouths, and the first team to fill their scale with of de-shelled seeds would win while the team that lost had to wait for the next team. The team that lost the final Double Battle had to wait out a fifteen-minute penalty.
For this leg's Detour, the teams chose between מלצרות and גלגל ביש המזל. For both Detour options, teams had to travel by a marked-pedicab to Nine Gates Snack Restaurant. In Waitressing, teams have to take orders from eight patrons at the restaurant, spoken in Mandarin Chinese. Teams then had to go into the kitchen and retrieve the eight correct dishes and serve them to the correct people. If everything was correct, teams would receive their next clue. In Wheel of Misfortune, each team member had to spin a wheel with the names of traditional Chinese meals and eat the meal they landed on to receive the next clue.
In the Roadblock, one team member had to endure a painful 20-minute foot massage to receive their next clue. If they stopped the massage, they would have to endure another 20-minute session.
;Additional tasks
;Additional notes
Airdate: 18, 20 & 25 December 2011
For this leg's Detour, the choice was between שפיץ and קפיץ. In Spitz the teams had to learn to play the local version of hackysack called jianzi and bounce a shuttlecock between one another 25 times with only their feet and upturned palms to receive their next clue. In Spring, one team member had to learn how to play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on an erhu while they partner had to learn how to sing the song in Mandarin. Once their performance was to the judge's satisfaction, they would get their next clue.
In the Roadblock, one team member had to prove themselves worthy of a Chinese bride. They had to apply red lipstick and write "I love you" on a piece of paper with kisses and then brush their teeth with wasabi-flavored toothpaste for one minute to receive their next clue.
;Additional tasks
Airdate: 4, 5 & 11 January 2012
For the Double Battle, one team member had to meditate with a bowl of water balanced on their head. The other team member had to distract the meditating team member on the other team and make them drop the bowl. After five minutes, they were allowed to tickle their opponent with a feather. The first team member to drop their bowl would lose the Double Battle and had to wait for the next team while their opponents would receive their next clue. The team that lost the final Double Battle had to wait out a fifteen-minute penalty.
In this leg's Detour, the teams had to choose between לקנות and למכור. In Buy, teams had to purchase ten items pictured in a book from around the market, using only the 9,000 Thai baht provided to them in their clue. This money was not enough to afford all of the items, so team needed to barter with the store owners. After purchasing the items, teams could exchange them for their next clue. In Sell, teams had to persuade 20 Thai people to eat a falafel. Despite the task's name, the falafels were given away for free. After 20 Thai locals each ate an entire falafel at team's food cart, teams would receive their next clue.
For the Roadblock, one team member had to learn two Muay Thai exercises and perform them correctly against a Thai boxer to receive their next clue.
;Additional tasks
Airdate: 11, 12 & 18 January 2012
In the last Double Battle of the Race, teams had to walk around a course on shoes made out of coconut shells while collecting coconuts and placing them into baskets on their backs. If they dropped any coconuts along the way, or if their feet touched the sand, they had to start over. The first team to collect ten coconuts, five for each team member, would receive their next clue while the team that lost had to wait for the next team. The team that lost the final Double Battle had to wait out a fifteen-minute penalty.
For the Detour, the teams chose between שקשק אותו and פוצץ אותו. In Slosh It, teams tasted a fresh-fruit smoothie and had to identify the fruits from which it was made. They then had to collect large styrofoam fruits scattered on the beach while hopping in a potato sack. If they brought back all of the fruits that had been used in the smoothie, they would get their next clue. In Pop It, teams participated in a traditional activity meant to scare off evil spirits. One team member put on a blindfold and entered a pool filled with balloons. Their partner would pick a color and had to verbally direct the blindfolded member in order to pop all of the balloons of the same color to receive their next clue.
In this leg's Roadblock, the chosen team member had to wear a white T-shirt and lie on the ground while an elephant put his leg on their body and hit them with its trunk. The team member then had to put a flat wooden pallet under the T-shirt and let the elephant paint on the T-shirt. When the painting was complete, the elephant would give teams their next clue.
;Additional tasks
;Additional note
Airdate: 25 & 26 January 2012
For the Detour, teams had to choose between סבלי תבלינים and כובסי כביסה. In Spice Porters, each team member had to pack of chili peppers into a sack. They then had to carry them to the mashing stand and mash them into of paste to receive their next clue. In Laundry Washers, teams had to follow traditional methods and wash 50 sheets, three of which contained Hebrew words. Once all three words had been discovered, teams had to hang all of the sheets they had cleaned and then show the words to a judge to receive the next clue. Each Detour choice had only three workstations.
In the second Fast Forward of the Race, each team member had to get a permanent tattoo of a half-heart design in order to receive the Fast Forward award.
For the leg's Roadblock, one team member had to search among 7,000 letters for one addressed to their team. After finding it, teams could read the letter inside, watch a video message from loved ones, and would find items from home, before receiving their next clue.
;Additional tasks
Airdate: 2 February 2012
For the Detour, teams chose between זכר and נקבה. For both tasks, the team members could only use their right hand. In Male, the teams had to attach a cart to a water buffalo and load the cart with coconuts. They then had to lead the cart along a marked course without dropping any coconuts. When they delivered the coconuts, they would receive their next clue. In Female, teams had to milk a female buffalo to fill a cup. When the cup was filled completely, they would receive their next clue.
;Additional tasks
Airdate: 9 February 2012
For their Speed Bump, Tom & Adele entered a flight simulator of a Boeing 737 and had to complete the takeoff, regular and emergency announcements, and landing. After succeeding in at least three of the four criteria, they could continue racing.
;Additional tasks
Airdate: 11 February 2012
;Additional tasks
The second season had a 30.8% average household rating across the season. The finale received ratings of 42% household share with 1.4 million viewers watching the episode.