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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.

Profile

Retrieved from CBS.com

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
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 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 → Lichtenstein → 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 their second race, the two friends 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 is married and recently had a daughter.
  • Justin is running for Congress in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District in 2018.[5]

Trivia

  • Zev is the first autistic contestant, being diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome.
  • Highest average placing male team who were the 4th team to be eliminated without winning any leg at 6.00.
  • Lowest finish for a team in their first season to come back for a returnee season, 9th place (tied with Jessica & John).

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"

Social Media Profiles

References

The Amazing Race 15 Teams
S15 BrianEricka
 Eric & Lisa
Married Yoga Teachers
S15 EricLisa
 Flight Time & Big Easy
Harlem Globetrotters
S15 FlightTimeBigEasy
 Garrett & Jessica
Dating On and Off
S15 GarrettJessica
 Gary & Matt
Father/Son
S15 GaryMatt
 Lance & Keri
Engaged
S15 LanceKeri
 Marcy & Ron
Dating
S15 MarcyRon
 Maria & Tiffany
Professional Poker Players
S15 MariaTiffany
S15 MeghanCheyne
 Mika & Canaan
Newly Dating
S15 MikaCanaan
 Sam & Dan
Brothers
S15 SamDan
 Zev & Justin
Friends
S15 ZevJustin
The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business Teams
 Amanda & Kris
Engaged
S18 AmandaKris
 Flight Time & Big Easy
Harlem Globetrotters
S18 FlightTimeBigEasy
 Gary & Mallory
Father/Daughter
S18 GaryMallory
 Jaime & Cara
Former NFL Cheerleaders
S18 JaimeCara
 Jet & Cord
Cowboys
S18 JetCord
 Kent & Vyxsin
Dating Goths
S18 KentVyxsin
 Kisha & Jen
Sisters
S18 KishaJen
 Margie & Luke
Mother/Son
S18 MargieLuke
 Mel & Mike
Father/Son
S18 MelMike
 Ron & Christina
Father/Daughter
S18 RonChristina
 Zev & Justin
Best Friends
S18 ZevJustin
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