Zev & Justin

S18
S15

Team Profile

Born:

June 22, 1979 (age 45) (Justin)

Hometown:

Sherman Oaks, California (Zev)
Los Angeles, California (Justin)

Relation:

Friends (Season 15)
Best Friends (Unfinished Business)

Occupation:

Actor (Zev)
VP of Production and Development for National Lampoon (Justin)

Legs Competed:

4

Legs Won:

0

Placement:

9th

Average Position:

6.00

Roadblock
Count:

Zev: 2
Justin: 2

Countries
Raced:

Legs Competed:

11

Legs Won:

4

Placement:

4th

Average Position:

3.48

Roadblock
Count:

Zev: 5
Justin: 5

Countries
Raced:

Zev Glassenberg and Justin Kanew are a team of Friends on The Amazing Race 15 and a team of Best Friends on The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business.

The two friends came into The Amazing Race 15 with Zev having previously been diagnosed Asperger syndrome. This did not prove to be a hindrance to them, as Zev & Justin worked seamlessly together, working together better that most of their competitors, while also charming the other teams and the locals they met. However, Justin had a tendency for carelessness, such as misplacing a clue during the second leg, then losing Zev's passport during the fourth leg. Although they arrived at the Pit Stop in Cambodia first, their discovery of the loss of Zev's passport prevented them from being officially checked in until they could retrieve the travel documents. However, Zev & Justin were unable to do so before all the other teams checked in, eliminating them in 9th place.

Returning in Unfinished Business, Zev & Justin set out to prove that their passport mishap was a fluke. The best friends' seamless teamwork and ability to work well with other teams, particularly with fellow Season 15 team Flight Time & Big Easy, whom they consistently gave information and answers to, allowed them to win four legs and make it to the final four. However, Zev & Justin's performance tended to fluctuate, just as equally finding themselves at the back of the pack as much as they were in the lead, typically whenever Zev had to perform a Roadblock. Although Zev & Justin had won the most legs out of any team in the final four, they struggled throughout the penultimate leg in Brazil, resulting in their elimination in 4th place.

Profile[]

Retrieved from CBS.com

Zev Glassenberg (26); Justin Kanew (30)
Hometown: Sherman Oaks, Calif. / Los Angeles
Occupation: Unemployed/VP of Production and Development for National Lampoon
Relationship: Friends

Zev and Justin's friendship started six years ago when they were working as camp counselors and the two have been very close ever since. Zev has Asperger's Syndrome, but they don't let it affect their relationship. They share friends and interests, and the friendship is as mutually beneficial as any could be.

Zev is an avid sports fan — especially basketball — and he has an intense competitive spirit. He describes himself as funny, modest, and loyal, and is running the Race to prove to himself that he can do anything.

Justin prides himself on his patience and his ability to problem solve. He admits the biggest difference between he and his partner is that Zev is not great in large groups of people — one of the characteristics of Asperger's — while Justin is very easy-going and can assimilate himself into any group.

Outside of the occasional trip to Vegas (where Justin took Zev to lose his virginity), neither has traveled extensively, particularly with one another. Their relationship is spontaneous and unedited and resembles one of brothers more than friends.^[1]

Zev[]

Age: 28
Hometown: Sherman Oaks, Calif.
Connection to your Teammate: Best Friend
Current Occupation: Actor
Previous Season/Result: Season 15/9th place
Biggest mistake you made in your previous season: We lost my passport.
Most memorable moment from your first Race: Unfortunately, losing the passport.
Favorite place you visited on your first season: Probably Cambodia.
Why do you want to run the Race again? To win!
How have you changed since the last time you competed? I am a year older—and I have impacted a lot of little boys and girls in the autism community.
What are you passionate about? Acting and I love the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team.
People would be surprised to learn: I love to read.
One location that you hope to go on this adventure: Afghanistan or Chernobyl because I heard it's really nice there this time of year.
Biggest challenge you and your teammate will face on the Race together: Not losing our passports.
What do you hope to accomplish by running the Race again (other than winning one million dollars): To go farther. Plus, I want to have fun and create more memories.
Pet peeve about your teammate: He loses things and needs to stay calmer.
What would you do if you won the million dollars? Move out of my current living situation and find some new roommates. I also would get my eyes fixed.
Any strategic changes you will make heading into this Race: Yeah, not lose a passport!

Justin[]

Age: 31
Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.
Connection to your Teammate: Best friend
Current Occupation: Film Producer, National Lampoon
Previous Season/Result: Season 15/9th place. We were disqualified after losing our passport.
Biggest mistake you made in your previous season: Can't think of one.
Most memorable moment from your first Race: Zev whispering to the Ducks.
Favorite place you visited on your first season: Asia because we never left! Phu Qhoc, Vietnam specifically. Why do you want to run the Race again? Because it is the greatest experience ever. I can't believe we're getting a second chance.
How have you changed since the last time you competed? I'm slightly more responsible. Slightly.
What are you passionate about? Love and Twitter.
People would be surprised to learn: My father directed Troop Beverly Hills and Revenge of the Nerds.
One location that you hope to go on this adventure: South America because I have never been.
Biggest challenge you and your teammate will face on the Race together: Taking care of our things. Mostly that's my problem, but yeah.
What do you hope to accomplish by running the Race again (other than winning one million dollars): Making it out of Asia this time and getting a shot at redemption.
Pet peeve about your teammate: Zev's a little too ambitious for my liking.
What would you do if you won the million dollars? Travel. No wait, I would stay put, buy a few important people nice things and sleep a little easier.

Any strategic changes you will make heading into this Race: Staple our passports to my chest and pack lighter.^[2]

The Amazing Race 15[]

Race History[]

Zev & Justin's Race History
Episode	Leg	Destination(s)	Detour Choice (underlined)	Roadblock Performer	Placement	Notes
1	1	United States → Japan	No Detour	Justin	2 of 12
1	2	Japan → Vietnam	No Detour	Zev	5 of 11
2	3	Vietnam	Child's Play / Word Play	Justin	8 of 10
3	4	Vietnam → Cambodia	Cover / Wrap	Zev	9 of 9	^[1]
				Average	6.00
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 ⊂ The team used the U-Turn ⊃ Recipient of the U-Turn
Notes: 1: Zev & Justin initially arrived 1st, but discovered after being checked in at the mat that they were missing Zev's passport. They were told that they could not be checked in unless they had their travel documents, and backtracked to find it. All other teams checked in to the Pit Stop before they could find Zev's passport, resulting in Zev & Justin being eliminated.

The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business[]

Race History[]

Zev & Justin's Race History
Episode	Leg	Destination(s)	Detour Choice (underlined)	Roadblock Performer	Placement	Notes
1	1	United States → Australia	No Detour	Justin	4 of 11
2	2	Australia	Spirit World / Natural World	No Roadblock	1 of 11
3	3	Australia → Japan	Prayer of Purity / Frog of Luck	Justin	1 of 10
4	4	Japan → China	Hammer / Horn	Zev	8 of 9
5	5	China	Honor the Past / Embrace the Future	Justin	8 of 9
6	6	China → India	Hindu Art / Bengali Literature	Zev	4 of 8
7	7	India	Feed the Fire / Feed the Buffalo	Justin	2 of 7
8	8	India → Austria	Long Hard Walk / Quick and Easy Meal	Zev	1 of 6
9	9	Austria → Liechtenstein → Switzerland	Cheese / Wheeze	Justin	1 of 6
10	10	Switzerland	Search / Rescue	Zev	4 of 5
11	11	Switzerland → Brazil	On the Rocks / On the Beach	Zev	4 of 4
				Average	3.46
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 ϵ The team used the Express Pass somewhere during the leg ⊂ The team used the U-Turn ⊃ Recipient of the U-Turn ⋐ The team that used the second slot of the "Double U-Turn" ⋑ Recipient of a second U-Turn due to the "Double U-Turn" twist ∪ This team was penalized with an automatic "U-Turn"

Post-Race[]

After appearing on The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business, Zev & Justin started a web series called "Let's Get Digital!"^[3]
Zev & Justin appeared on The Price is Right for a The Amazing Race special that aired on May 25, 2016. However, Zev & Justin did not compete themselves.^[4]
Justin married on January 18, 2015.^[5]
Justin's wife, Nicole, gave birth to a daughter named Kaia Lisa Kanew, born on March 19, 2016.^[6]^[7]
Justin ran for Congress in Tennessee's 7th congressional district in 2018,^[8] but lost the election.^[9]

Trivia[]

Zev is the first autistic contestant, being diagnosed with Asperger syndrome.
In the Elimination Station web series for The Amazing Race 15, it was revealed that Zev & Justin lost Zev's passport while searching for the Roadblock clue in a dark temple at Wat Toul Tom Pong. Justin had opened their fanny pack to pull out a headlight, not noticing that Zev's passport had fallen out. The passport was later turned in at an American diplomatic mission in Phnom Penh, which Zev & Justin were able to retrieve after their elimination.^[10]
First all-male team to win their first leg on their second attempt on the race. They were initially arrived first in the 4th leg on their original season before searching Zev's lost passport.
Highest racing average of an all-male team who were the 4th team to be eliminated without winning any leg, 6.00.
Lowest finish for a team in their first season to come back for a returnee season, 9th place (tied with Jessica & John and Richie & Mimi).
Zev & Justin were featured in a CBS.com gallery celebrating 'National Best Friends Day' in 2015.^[11]

External links[]

Interviews[]

Season 15[]

Michelle Diament at Disability Scoop (09/21/2009): "Asperger's Debuts On The Amazing Race"
Joyce Eng at TV Guide Online (10/12/2009): "Justin Takes the Blame for Losing Zev's Passport"
Gina Scarpa at Reality Wanted (10/12/2009): "The Amazing Race 15: Exclusive Interview with Zev Glassenberg and Justin Kanew"
Tim Parks at Digital Spy (10/12/2009): "We discuss their time on the show"
Christopher Rocchio at Reality TV World (10/13/2009): "Exclusive: Zev Glassenberg, Justin Kanew dish on The Amazing Race"
The Bonnie Hunt Show (10/13/2009): "The Amazing Race 15's Zev and Justin on The Bonnie Hunt Show"
Carrie Bell at People.com (10/13/2009): "We Thought We Could Beat Anyone"

Unfinished Business[]

Autism Speaks Official Blog (02/20/2011): "Catching Up with Zev and Justin from Amazing Race"
Allyson Wells at Reality TV Magazine (04/23/2011): "Zev And Justin Appear On CBS' The Talk"
Digital Spy (05/10/2011): "We chat about their fourth place finish"
Amanda A. Hamilton at Examiner.com (05/10/2011): "Zev and Justin would definitely run again – just not right now"
Gina Scarpa at Reality Wanted (05/10/2011): "The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business - Exclusive Interview with Zev Glassenberg and Justin Kanew"
Joyce Eng at TV Guide Online (05/12/2011): "Waxing Task Was Injury to Insult"
Reality TV World (05/13/2011): "Exclusive: Zev Glassenberg and Justin Kanew talk Amazing Race"
Jessica Liese at RHAP (09/30/2015): "The Amazing Race Premiere Recap with Jessica Liese, and Two Time Racers Zev & Justin"