Chris & Alex

Christopher "Chris" Luca and Alexander "Alex" Boylan are a team of Lifelong Friends and the Official Winners of the The Amazing Race 2.

Chris & Alex established themselves as young, physical threats with a decent amount of travel experience early on while also forming a alliance with Tara & Wil, but the two friends had difficulties with directions and language barriers that led to several close calls and being spared by 2 non-elimination legs. However, this rocky alliance was marred by Wil's constant attempts to ditch the lifelong friends and Tara's frequent sharing of information and open flirting with Alex while still legally married to Wil. Though it was not clarified whether this was strategy on Alex's part or if he genuinely liked Tara, it nevertheless had the effect of causing explosive infighting between the separated couple. This culminated in the final leg when the two teams found themselves racing head to head on the long run to the Finish Line. Although Tara & Wil initially led, Chris & Alex were able to pass them in a footrace with the Finish Line in sight, taking the win in the closest finish ever.

Profile[]

Retrieved from CBS.com

“From our first encounter with girls to the State Championship in high school sports, we did it all together. We would trust each other with our lives. Through everything, we've always been like brothers.”

Chris and Alex met on the school bus heading for their first day of kindergarten, and have been friends ever since. They've traveled extensively together, logging "about a million miles on road trips." According to Alex, "The best thing about traveling with Chris is that he is just as crazy as I am." Chris counters with his own assessment: "The best aspects of traveling with Alex are his extensive travel experience and his uncanny ability to get us into some very interesting situations. The only weakness he has is that he's a loose cannon, but you get used to that."

Going into the Race, Chris and Alex speculate about how the experience might affect their relationship. "Since day one we were like brothers," says Chris, "and even an amazing experience like THE AMAZING RACE wouldn't change us being like family." Alex agrees: "Chris and I have stayed friends through thick and thin. Nothing, not even this Race, would affect things between us. No matter if Chris makes a good or bad decision on the road, I will back him 100%."^[1]

What strengths and weaknesses do you bring to the Team?

Chris: The strengths I bring to the table are my level-headedness and the ability to think through situations and determine all the options and the best course of action. The inherent weakness of being like this is that my decisions aren't spur-of-the-moment or impulsive like they sometimes have to be.
Alex: I have an extensive amount of travel experience. I also speak a few languages. I have probably done more than most at the age of 24. It would be tough to put me in a situation that would intimidate me. My weakness is most likely my impulsiveness. I don't always think before I act.

What strengths and weaknesses does your teammate bring to the Team?

Chris: Alex has a good head on his shoulders and quick decision-making skills. The only drawback to this is that even though he's smart, he sometimes doesn't think things through and runs around with his head cut off for a while
Alex: Chris is one of the smartest people I know. He has two engineering degrees and a minor in Spanish. He can mastermind a game plan like no other. Chris is also one of the strongest competitors I know. Chris's weakness is probably his confidence making quick decisions. He sometimes ponders over a problem when he already knows the answer.

What is your favorite film?

CHRIS: Goonies and Shawshank Redemption
ALEX: Scarface

What is your favorite TV show?

Chris: Seinfeld
Alex: Wild on E

Who is your favorite actor?

Chris: Robert De Niro
Alex: Al Pacino

Who is your favorite actress

Chris: Tea Leoni
Alex: Catherine Zeta-Jones

What is your favorite band?

Chris: Changes daily; currently Creed
ALEX: U2

What comfort item from home will you miss the most?

Chris: Savages baseball hat, computer
Alex: TV^[2]

The Amazing Race 2[]

Race History[]

Chris & Alex's Race History
Episode	Leg	Destination(s)	Detour Choice (underlined)	Roadblock Performer	Placement	Notes
1	1	United States → Brazil	Mountain / Beach	No Roadblock	6 of 11
2	2	Brazil	Freak Out / Seek Out	Alex	2 of 10
3	3	Brazil → South Africa	Dance / Deliver	Chris	7 of 9
4	4	South Africa → Namibia	Slide / Stride	Alex	7 of 8	^[1]
5	5	Namibia → Thailand	Confusion Now / Confusion Later	Chris	1 of 7
6	6	Thailand	Boat / Beast	Alex	6 of 6
7	7	Thailand → Hong Kong	Wishing Tree / Herbal Tea	Chris	2 of 6
8	8	Hong Kong → Australia	Dragon / Lion	Alex	2 of 5
8	9	Australia	Used Fast Forward		1 of 5►
9	10	Australia → New Zealand	Quick Jump / Long Hike	Chris	3 of 4
10	11	New Zealand	Drop / Climb	Alex	3 of 4
11	12	New Zealand → United States	Bike / Walk	Alex	3 of 3
11	13	United States	Unknown	Chris	1 of 3	^[2]
				Average	3.38
Legend: The team finished in first place The team finished in last place and was eliminated from the race The team finished in last place in a non-elimination leg The team that won The Amazing Race The team that crossed the Finish Line second The team that crossed the Finish Line third ► The team used the Fast Forward pass
Notes: 1: Chris & Alex were issued a retroactive 42-minute penalty for speeding that was issued at the start of the next leg. 2: Leg 13 contained a Detour, however since all teams chose the same task, believed to be the task at Scotty Lake, it was edited to be a miscellaneous task on air. It is unknown what the other side of the Detour was.

Post-Race[]

In the summer of 2024, Chris held a surprise wedding to marry his long-time girlfriend.^[3]
For The Amazing Race 5 and The Amazing Race 6, Alex wrote short recaps on TARflies.^[4]
Alex became a television producer. Along with Emmy-nominated editor/director Zsolt Luka and former Survivor: Pearl Islands contestant Burton Roberts, Alex co-produced Around The World For Free, a web series where a traveler would take on a journey around the world with no money. Its first season was hosted by Alex himself.^[5]^[6]
- In May 2012, he and Roberts hosted CBS Buzz Tour to help promote the 2012-13 TV season.^[7]
Alex also turned into hosting shows including, At the Chef's Table (2004), Health Corner's (2005), What's Cooking with Alex (2006), and Animal Attractions Television.
In 2019, Alex married Katie Erlandson.^[8] Chris, Brennan Swain, Jordan & Jeff, and Colin & Christie attended the ceremony while Debbie & Bianca served as bridesmaids.^[9]

Trivia[]

Tied with Oswald & Danny and Tara & Wil for the most legs won in Season 2, with 3 each.
Last all-male team standing in season 2.

Franchise Records[]

Chris & Alex are the first all-male team to win the Race against two co-ed teams.
Chris & Alex (alongside Gary & Dave) are the first all-male team to incur a penalty.
First team to finish last in a Non-Elimination Leg then go on to win the Race.
- First team to finish last on more than one Non-Elimination Leg and still win the Race.
First team to finish last in the penultimate leg but still go on to win the Race.

External links[]

Alex's Wikipedia page: Alex Boylan

Alex's Website: http://www.dreamjobbing.com/

Interviews[]

Post-Race[]

CBS.com (05/16/2002): "After The Race Q&A"
Angel Cohn at TV Guide (05/30/2002): "Amazing Friends Grab Cash!"
Maggie FitzRoy at The Florida Times-Union (01/22/2003): "Amazing Race gives buddies a chance to make changes"
Ellen Goodstein at Bankrate (01/30/2004): "Reality-show winner survive financial perils" with Alex
TARflies interview (08/04/2004): "From the Race to the Chef's Table" with Alex
TARflies essay by Alex (07/24/2005): "How Chris and I got on the Amazing Race"

Post-Show[]

Brian DiMaio at The Daily Quarterly (01/13/2012): "Q&A with TV Producer Alex Boylan"
Patty Malaver (08/30/2012): "Alex Boylan Interview - Amazing Race Winner"
Logan Saunders at RTV Warriors (10/22/2018): "Not Wikipedia"