Cliff Lipson, CBS Rob Mariano and Brighton native Amber Brkich, who met on "Survivor: All-Stars," are back on reality TV on "The Amazing Race." Click photo for larger image. 'The Amazing Race' When: 9 tonight on CBS HOST: Phil Keoghan

CBS's "The Amazing Race" (9 tonight) has always been the classiest, least objectionable of reality shows in that burgeoning genre, and despite the gimmickry inherent in casting "Survivor" stars in the show's seventh edition, "Race" remains in top form.

The "Survivor" stars in question are Amber Brkich of Brighton, Beaver County, and "Boston" Rob Mariano, who fell in love and got engaged a year ago on "Survivor: All-Stars." Given their fame, wealth (Amber won $1 million on "All-Stars") and, let's face it, Rob's cocky attitude, they quickly become the focal point, if not the obsession, of the other "Race" teams.

That's especially true of Patrick Vaughn and his mother, Susan, from Hamilton, Ohio. Patrick is positively obsessed with where he and his mom rank in the race compared to Rob and Amber.

"Rob and Amber are gonna get there first!" Patrick cries.

"Damn! It's Rob and Amber," he says a few minutes later when his fears are realized.

Patrick says Rob is "dumb as a rock. He can't put a sentence together." Early scenes don't disprove that point -- Rob can't figure out how to open a car's trunk at the race's outset -- but later Rob uses his street-smart wiles (and celebrity) to his advantage. As in "All-Stars," it appears he's calling the shots for both himself and Amber.

"You still have this gut feeling they don't want us here," Amber says, clued-in to the vibes other contestants give off.

"We would love to be personally responsible for their disposal from this race," Patrick says, all but rubbing his hands together and cackling maniacally.

"Race," which jumps out of the gate with a two-hour premiere tonight, introduces 11 teams, some more distinct than others (it's sometimes difficult to distinguish among all the young blond women).

Ron Young, one of the first Americans to become a prisoner of war in Iraq, runs the "Race" with his girlfriend, Kelly McCorkle, Miss South Carolina 2002. Ron comes across as a stand-up guy, and it says something -- and probably something not so good -- about American culture that all the other contestants know Rob and Amber, but no one appears to recognize Ron, even though footage of him as a hostage was all over the news two years ago at this time.

But "Amazing Race" isn't about what's right and wrong, it's just a fun-to-watch competition whose outcome relies on strength, stamina and a whole lot of luck.