B. J. Averell

The Amazing Race contestant
name = B.J. Averell

---

| 200px
birthdate =
location = Los Angeles
season = Season 9
teammate = Tyler MacNiven
finish = Winner (Season 9)

Brian Jeffrey Gensler, Howard “ [http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/14616618.htm 'Amazing Racer' in no hurry to reveal winner] .” "Philadelphia Daily News", May 19, 2006.] "B.J." Averell (born November 26, 1979 in Camden, New Jersey), is an American online tutor and reality television contestant originally from Collingswood, New Jersey. [Sofen, Adam A. [http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=101119 "The Names in the News"] , "The Harvard Crimson", June 8, 2000. Accessed November 25, 2007. "Averell was trying to get home to Collingswood, N.J. for Thanksgiving when he showed up at Logan Airport on Nov. 24 for his flight to Philadelphia."]

Education

Averell graduated from Collingswood High School in New Jersey in 1998, and attended Harvard University. In 2000, he ran for Undergraduate Council president. Considered a wild-card Graff, Garrett M. “ [http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=102494 Five Tickets Will Seek Highest Council Posts] .” "The Harvard Crimson", November 27, 2000.] , Averell was twice cited with campaign violations Graff, Garrett M. “ [http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=102643 Election Commission Fines Candidates] .” "The Harvard Crimson", December 6, 2000.] Graff, Garrett M. “ [http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=102714 Averell Hit with Election Violations] .” "The Harvard Crimson", December 8, 2000.] before being forced to shut down his campaign Graff, Garrett M. “ [http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=102774 Averell Ordered To Shut Down Campaign] .” "The Harvard Crimson", December 13, 2000.] .

At Harvard, Averell was a member of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals and the improv group On Thin Ice. He also wrote daily comic strip "The Neil World" for "The Harvard Crimson". With fellow Harvard student B.J. Novak, he co-produced and hosted "The B.J. Show," which one year featured Bob Saget reprising his television roles in a few skits and ending the show with his own standup routine. He would eventually graduate with a degree in religion, and move to Los Angeles to pursue a career in entertainment. DuHart, Bill. “ [http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060519/NEWS01/605190377/1006 S.J. native wins 'Amazing Race'] .” "South Jersey Courier-Post", May 19, 2006.]

Logan Airport Incident

On November 24, 1999, Averell showed up late for a 6:15 p.m. flight from Logan International Airport in Boston to Philadelphia aboard a Delta Express commuter flight, and was denied access to the small jet because his assigned seat had been given away. Averell slipped past the attendant at the gate, blended in with other passengers crossing the tarmac and proceeded to find refuge in a rest room and settled onto a toilet seat. "Once I got on, I figured maybe through some stroke of fate no one would have to use the bathroom," Averell said. He was given away by another passenger and arrested before the flight departed. He was charged with disorderly conduct and trespassing. He later told a news photographer he was surprised at how easy it was to stow away. Sweet, Laurel J. "Three passengers arrested during wild night at Logan". "The Boston Herald", November 25, 1999.]

Averell pled not guilty, "Two Enter Pleas in Logan Incident". "The Boston Herald", November 30, 1999.] and two months later state prosecutors and Delta Airlines agreed to drop all charges against him. According to Averell’s lawyer, the decision came because the student "was not belligerent to anyone". Riesman, Abe J. “ [http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=511695 For Grad, Art Imitates Life’s “Amazing Race”] .” "The Harvard Crimson", March 1, 2006.]

"The Amazing Race"

In 2006, Averell appeared as a contestant on the ninth edition of the American television series "The Amazing Race". He and his teammate, Tyler MacNiven, who Averell met during a "Semester at Sea" four years earlier, “ [http://www.cbs.com/primetime/amazing_race9/bios/bj_tyler/ BJ & Tyler] .” CBS.com.] beat out ten other teams to win the show's $1 million prize. BJ and Tyler, as they were identified on the program, were nicknamed "the hippies" by the other teams.

BJ and Tyler came in last in two legs of the race, but luckily both legs were non-elimination pit stops. Bayne, Richard J. “ [http://www.recordonline.com/archive/2006/05/18/news-amazing_race_write-05-18.html 'Hippies' win 'Amazing Race'] .” "Times Herald-Record", May 18, 2006.] Host Phil Keoghan said, "They enjoyed every single moment they were on this race, whether they were in first or in last. They kept their spirit all the way to the end." CBS. “ [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/05/18/earlyshow/series/amazingrace/main1628216.shtml 'Team Hippie' Takes 'Amazing Race 9'] .” "CBS News", May 18, 2006.] “If it’s this successful to be hippies, we might as well stay hippies,” Tyler said at the finish line in Denver, Colorado. “ [http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2006/05/a_frosty_finish.html A frosty finish for 'The Amazing Race'] .” "Chicago Tribune", May 17, 2006.] B.J. added, "I think that on this Race being cerebral doesn't help as much as being in the moment. It's just great to stay positive and really enjoy each other's company. Our friendship is what got us through it." “ [http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4921106 BJ & Tyler Win Million Dollar Prize] .” "WISH-TV", May 18, 2006.]

Acting

* In 2005, BJ played the part of an escaped criminal in the movie "Saving Shiloh".
* Also in 2005, BJ appeared in the 4th episode of 's 6th season. He played a member of a cult that committed suicide in the episode titled "Shooting Stars."

References