Ready, Set, RACE!

CBS is getting ready to introduce a brand new race! No, not another tribe on the controversial race-divided season of "Survivor: Cook Islands"... but the latest running of "The Amazing Race" that kicks off on Sunday, September 17th. This time it kicks off in Seattle, and will take us to... who knows where?! That's one of the reasons that "The Amazing Race" is such a popular show. It's an adventure for all of us, even those of us watching from the comfort of our own home. I know there are spoilers out there, folks that have already uncovered what corners of the world the race will be taking us this time. But for this journey, I like to discover it along with the racers. I find out with them, when they tear open their clues... and look forward to seeing each location through their eyes and struggles. As much as the locations are a part of the show though, the real reason we come back week after week is the participants. Everyone comes to this race with a story and a relationship, and everyone leaves it with a story that is amended, and a relationship that is changed. How and why it is changed is what we get to discover as we travel along with them through each leg of the race. Just like pottery in a kiln, the race puts these pairs through tremendous pressure and heat. Some bond together and are even tighter and closer by the end of the race. Others, that may have entered the race with a small fracture or crack between them, are split apart even further by the end. This is something that this summer's run of NBC's "Treasure Hunters" was missing. I think the producers of that show focused so much on the clues and the locations and the history, that they missed where the real story was... the people. I did watch that show (every damn episode), and although I liked the history lesson... I noticed that I felt the same about every team on the last episode as I did on the first. They were two-dimensional to me, and they never seemed to grow or change. I didn't really care who won or lost... but by the end I did want to crack open my American history book again, so kudos for that! "The Amazing Race" however, is a bonding experience for everyone... the ones that run it, and those of us that simply watch it. We get to know and care about these teams by the end, and we are truly sad each week to see one of our favorites eliminated. So join me as we find out what "The Amazing Race" has in store for all of us this season. Have your world map ready, and your box full of push pins close by. Let's see where they go, and what they do... and watch in amusement and dismay as they do whatever it takes to win!

Let's Meet the Teams!

It's another season of heavy backpacks, sleeping on sidewalks, and running through airports. Who would sign up to do such a thing? Well, let's find out! Let's take a closer look at each of our teams this season. First we'll identify why it seems that each were chosen to participate. There's always some factor for each team that's going to make them a source of interest or entertainment. This is what we'll call "The Hook". Then we'll take a look to determine how ready they appear to be for the challenges of the race. There are three elements that always seem to impact the teams and their ultimate success. (Okay, there are probably way more than three, but these are the ones that I've chosen. Feel free to let me know if you disagree, however. Drop me a note at: entitledtoyouropinion@butnotchangingmymind.com ). Back to my three choices... Teamwork: You just have to work well together to do well together. Not that we don't all tune in each season just to watch the teams that aren't getting along! I fully admit, that's more than half of the entertainment value. But if you want to be one of the teams at the end, entertaining or not, you need to work together. Strength: Some of these challenges... oh boy! You've got to have some strength and endurance to pull them off. How many waterfalls are they going to have to scale, or jars of sand are they going to have to transport, this season? Experience: It is a race around the world, after all. If you've traveled a lot, and have some foreign languages under your belt, it is a distinct advantage. So let's visit with each team a little bit. We'll see how they compare, and share some first impressions.

Balil & Sa'eed

Balil & Sa'eed Best Friends Balil: Medical Supply Technician, 37 Cleveland, OH Sa'eed: Power Lineman, 39 Cleveland, OH The Hook: Two best friends, that happen to be Muslim. They're traveling in a race around the world, at a time when folks are more likely to judge some books by their covers. Teamwork: aaa These two seem to have a good camaraderie, but definitely different personalities. Sa'eed is more calm and relaxed, while Balil is more excitable and fearful. Hopefully the differences will compliment one another, as opposed to pull them apart during the stress of the race! Strength: aaa There wasn't much mention of physical activity or training on the part of either of these two. So I'll have to go middle of the road here. We'll have to see how they do! Experience: aaaa They both have military backgrounds, and both have done quite a bit of international traveling both together and separately. That should help them over the inexperienced travelers. These two seem like easy-going, likeable guys. I think they're both wondering if the fact that they're Muslim will flavor how they are viewed by the other racers and the other people they will be interacting with. Both expressed a desire to represent a different side of the Islamic faith than what is portrayed in the media. I think that's a fine goal, but I honestly hope these type of pre-race concerns are all behind them by the first leg or so... and they can just concentrate on, and enjoy, the race. That's one of the reasons I like this show so much. It's not so much about where people come from before the race, it's about how they handle themselves during the race. The Amazing Race is a great equalizer, and it tends to separate people by character... as opposed to gender, race, or religion. Balil & Sa'eed are both family guys, in it for the sake of their families. If they keep that in mind, I think they should do fine. If you'd like to learn more, view their official pre-show interview.

David & Mary

David & Mary Married Parents David: Coal Miner Stone, KY Mary: Homemaker Stone, KY The Hook: A coal miner and his wife from Kentucky, suddenly taken out of their environment to race around the world. Teamwork: aaaaa These two seem very comfortable with one another, and supportive of each other. They've already decided that they will split the challenges, with Mary taking the riskier/scarier ones, and David taking those that require strength. I like the fact that they've already thought that through, and have an approach in mind. I think they'll work really well together! Strength: aaa I don't know what physical strength it takes to be a coal miner, but it takes endurance, and a strong resolve to keep at it until the job gets done. I think that attitude will be valuable. And Mary has been working hard at losing weight and getting in shape since she found out they were going to be on the show, so it seems she's going to give it everything she's got! Experience: aa Neither of them have been very far from home, and probably have very little travelling experience, let alone experience outside the country. But Mary has been working to learn key phrases and words in as many languages as she can. So they're certainly ready to give it a go... and I'm sure they'll gain experience even if they aren't starting out with much. These two are just the cutest couple. I admit, when I first saw that it was a coal miner and his wife, I just figured that they put them in the show because of all the tragedy in the coal mining industry lately. And maybe they did. But it doesn't change the fact that these two are so incredibly excited to be going off on this adventure. They have that bright-eyed expectant outlook on things, just thrilled to be on the show and determined to remember every detail, regardless of the outcome. They told their three kids they were going off to be on Survivor, only because none of them had seen The Amazing Race before because it was on after their bedtime. They're going to get to watch it now, I bet! If you'd like to learn more, view their offical pre-show interview.

Duke & Lauren

Duke & Lauren Father and Daugher Duke: Tour Company Owner, 52 Narragansett, RI Lauren: Speech & Language Pathologist, 26 Warwick, RI The Hook: Duke & Lauren have been estranged since Lauren announced to the family that she was gay. Now they will have to work together in a competition where success is dependant upon teamwork, communication, and trust. Teamwork: aa This is the big factor for this team, isn't it? It's hard to tell from a introductory blurb whether there are hurt feelings that run deep between these two. I'm sure we'll find out early on in episode one! But lets assume, that because they both agreed to participate in this race together, that there's a chance they can work things out enough to be a strong team. Strength: aaa He seems fit, she's young. I think relative to some of the other teams they should be pretty strong. Experience: aaa Both have quite a bit of experience traveling domestically, but not so much abroad. Airports are airports, but their lack of travel through international ports will hurt them against other teams that have traveled around the world. I always want the parent/child teams to do well. I don't care so much where they finish, I just hope they work well together and grow closer through the experience. I don't think this team will be one of the last standing, though... I just don't think that they can bridge the gap between them fast enough to be one of the strongest teams. But I bet, since they're both intelligent and strong-minded, they'll be entertaining to watch! If you'd like to learn more, take a look at their official pre-show intereview.

Dustin & Kandice

Dustin & Kandice Best Friends Dustin: Reigning Miss California, 26 Riverside, CA Kandice: Reigning Miss New York, 24 New York, NY The Hook: Have you figured it out yet...? They're pretty, they're fun, and they're both the reigning Misses of their respective states that competed in the 2005 Miss America pagent. Yeppers... they'll be lots of folks tuning in just to watch these two! Teamwork: aaaaa Since they met while competing against each other in the Miss America pagent, and they became best friends, I'm assuming that competing with each other in the race that they will make a good team. I may be wrong here, but if I am... the hair pulling will make great TV! Strength: aaa They both seem to be fit. One of them (the blonde one) is a Rockette, the other one (uh... the other blonde one) says she grew up with 5 brothers and played a lot of sports as a result. But fitness and strength are two different things, and they'll have a tougher time in some competitions against teams of young strong guys. Experience: aaa Both of them admit they have limited experience traveling internationally, and not much foreign language knowledge. But they're young, cute, blonde, American, and beauty pagent contestants. There's not a guy on the planet that's not going to stop what he's doing to help them out, so they get bonus points for that! You know... I really want these girls to do well. It would be so refreshing to have a couple of young ladies underestimated because of their looks, actually take the prize. But I'm afraid at some point their inexperience will catch up with them. They did say they finished in the top 50 of the Miss America pagent. I think they'll definitely do at least as well here! If you'd like to learn more, take a look at their official pre-show interview.

Erwin & Godwin

Erwin & Godwin Brothers Erwin: Insurance Company Manager, 32 San Francisco, CA Godwin: Financial Analyst, 29 San Francisco, CA The Hook: Two highly competitive brothers that will have to manage impatience with each other in order to work together effectively as a team. Teamwork: aaaa I think, as it is with most brothers, they will bond together very tightly if given a common enemy. However, when alone with each other, they'll probably spark against one other quite a bit. Godwin, the younger brother, admits he'd like to step out of the shadow of his older brother a bit. We'll have to see if he can do that without jeopardizing the strength of their team. Strength: aaaaa Both seem to be strong physically. I think in most physical challenges they will be one of the teams to beat. Experience: aaa Again, limited travel experience. Erwin knows some Spanish, while Godwin know 14 languages! The unfortunate thing is that 13 of the 14 languages he knows are no longer used in the modern world..???? Okay, I'm fascinated by this! What could these languages be, and why the heck would he want to learn them, let alone 13 of them? I'm all curious about this quirky fact. Regardless, Godwin's overall experience with language may help them, so I tossed them an additional point. If these two can keep their cool with each other, I think we may see them as one of the final three. But brothers... they are so unpredictable! If you'd like to learn more, take a look at their official pre-show interview.

Kellie & Jamie

Kellie & Jamie Best Friends Kellie: Broadcast Journalism Student, 22 Columbia, SC Jamie: Recent College Grad, 22 Columbia, SC The Hook: Wha...? Two teams with the same hook? Another team of cute, spunky, attractive girls? Cheerleaders no less??? I feel shorted. Then there needs to be at least two teams of guys that are waterpolo players, or baseball players, or lifeguards, or firemen... you get the drift. Teamwork: aaaa Being best friends that have competed together before, they should be pretty strong. However, I noticed in their interview that Jamie (the brunette) tends to talk over Kellie (the blonde). Now, if this is how it has always been and Kellie's okay with it, there may not be a problem. But, if the introduction of a TV camera in the mix has suddenly brought out this limelight hogging nature of Jamie... we may be in for some fireworks! But since they are one of two teams made up of young attractive girls, I have a feeling that they will instantly peg the Dustin/Kandice team as their immediate competition (for attention!). And having a common nemesis early on, may encourage each one of these teams to pull together as strong individual units. Strength: aaa Again, they are probably fit, but are not going to be as strong against some of the guys, or some of the teams that have at least one guy. It's a fact of nature we can argue until we're blue in the face... guys are simply able to lift more, push more, and carry more. Although in a footrace, these girls may be some tough competition! Experience: aaa Neither of them have any experience travelling internationally, and between them they have skills in only one foreign language: Spanish. But they get the same bonus as the beauty queens... cute and sweet will get you lots of help in a foreign land, whether you know the language or not! A team of two girls have yet to win The Amazing Race, and I think it's a combination of not being as physically strong, and tending to be too trusting and dependant on other teams. But prove me wrong, girls! I hope you do well. If you'd like to learn more, take a look at their official pre-show interview.

Lyn & Karlyn

Lyn & Karlyn Best Friends Lyn: 4th Grade Teacher, 32 Birmingham, AL Karlyn: Program Analyst, 32 Helena, AL The Hook: Two working moms leave family and familiar routines far behind, to see how they do in a fast-pasted adventure around the world. Teamwork: aaaaa These two have know each other for almost twenty years. They've seen each other through a lot, and know each other well. They shouldn't be surprised by anything the other does or says, and will inherently know where one another's strengths and weaknesses lie. Strength: a Compared to the other teams, neither of them are very physically strong or fit. They've both been working on it to get ready for the race, but I'm afraid they will be one of the weakest teams in this area. Experience: a Neither of them has any travel experience outside of the country, and have next to no foreign language skills. But as Karlyn said, they're just going to "wing it"! These two talk about being excited to be in the race just for the experience. I hope they really soak up all the experiences they do have, because I don't think they have the drive or the strength to make it very far. But they'll have lots of stories and adventures to share with their friends and family when they get back home. If you'd like to learn more about this team, take a look at their pre-show interview.

Peter & Sarah

Peter & Sarah Friends Peter: Clinical Prosthetist, 35 Laguna Beach, CA Sarah: Motivational Speaker, 31 Trabuco Canyon, CA The Hook: Sarah has a prosthetic leg, and Peter is a clinical prosthetist. Both are Iron Man competitors, and figured that the next big race to compete in was this one! They are hoping that Sarah will become the first person with a physcial disability to win The Amazing Race. Teamwork: aaaa These two are friends, and know each other from competing together, and from previously working together. However, have they every spent 24/7 together in stressful conditions like this? Peter is a good support for Sarah and whatever special needs she will have. They seem to respect each other, and should work well together. Strength: aaaa They get lots of points. Even with Sarah's disability, they are in fantastic shape, and stronger than most. Heck, I have two legs and would never consider competing in a triathalon, let alone the Iron Man. Seriously... right now I'm sitting on my couch, writing a website about watching TV. Could I possibly be less active? The only reason I can't give them full points is I don't know what challenges lie in store for them, and Sarah's disabilty may actually be a disablity in some situations. She can run and bike and swim... but can she climb over uneven terrain, ski, skate, rappel, and any of the other crazy things they may think up this season? I don't know. I'm thinking there's not much you can throw at this woman that she can't handle, but compared with some of the other strong teams, they may have some unique struggles. Experience: aaaa Okay, again not a lot of international travel... but since there isn't a lot of that going around, they aren't at a disadvantage to a lot of folks. And they brought up a good point in their interview. They've had to travel a lot together for Iron Man competitions, and are used to lugging stuff around and dealing with the extra security and boarding issues that Sarah requires. That general travel airport experience should help them. Plus he speaks German, and she is fluent in Spanish. Nice! These two are a strong team. They're driven, they're competitive, and they don't shy away from challenges. I think they'll be one of the final teams to beat. To learn more about them, take a look at their official pre-show interview.

Rob & Kimberly

Rob & Kimberly Dating Rob: Bartender, 31 Los Angeles, CA Kimberly: Public Relations, 28 Los Angeles, CA The Hook: Dating for two years, Rob & Kimberly are going to use The Amazing Race as a "trial by fire" experience to determine if their relationship is strong enough to last a lifetime. Teamwork: aaa Okay, I love when teams go on this show to "test" the strength of their relationship. That means we're going to get some priceless moments of drama-filled television viewing! Because when a fairly new couple takes on this challenge, its like fast forwarding their relationship three years in 30 days. They are with each other night and day with no breaks from one another, and facing physical and emotional challenges they wouldn't ordinarily share this early on. Rob and Kimberly just moved in together, and are trying to figure out if each other is "the one". Luckily for us, they've decided to figure it out on national television! They don't know quite how they're going to perform as a team, so I guess I don't know either. So we'll just have to go middle of the road here with the points. Strength: aaaa They're both young and in good shape. They should be a fairly strong girl/guy pair. Experience: aa No mention of international travel, or foreign languages. Hmmm... hopefully they adapt quickly and can think on their feet. I honestly hope they do well, and live happily ever after together. But after all, this is a TV show, and we want it to be entertaining. So a couple stress-induced lovers spats wouldn't necessarily be a horrible thing. (Come on, you know you all watch car races just to see if anyone crashes... this is the same principle!) If you'd like to learn more, take a look at their pre-show interview.

Tom & Terry

Tom & Terry Dating Tom: College Admissions Director, 39 New York, NY Terry: Special Events Director New York, NY The Hook: These two were chosen because they are going to be so much fun to watch! They've been dating two years, and like "The Hippies" of last season, are just going to try to laugh their way all the way to the finish line. Their easy banter will be fun to watch all season. Teamwork: aaaa These two both have an easy going attitude, and appear like they'll support each other well. You never know with dating couples though... there may be a couple tiffs along the way. If they get distracted by being mad at one another it may impact how they do. But hopefully Tom and Terry can quickly brush off any disagreements they may have, and focus on the race. Strength: aa They've been practicing carrying heavy backpacks, and have been doing a lot of walking in preparation... but I don't think that will help them agains some of the really strong young teams. Experience: aaa They've done some traveling, and they know a little Spanish... but they don't have a lot of experience overall. However, they've got a TON of personality, and I think they will find folks willing to help them wherever they go. I'm not sure that these two will make it to the end, but I do hope they stay around for a good long time, because they're going to be incredibly fun and entertaining! To learn more, take a look at their official pre-show interview.

Tyler & James

Tyler & James Best Friends Tyler: Model, 29 Los Angeles, CA James: Model, 27 Los Angeles, CA The Hook: Well, now we're talking! Here's the yin to the beauty pagent/cheerleader yang. Two young guys, professional models, lots of energy and fun. Now that's a hook! Teamwork: aaaaa These two seem to be a good balance for one another. They've been through a lot, so the stresses of the race aren't going to be seen as life or death situations for them. One is calm and methodical, the other is quick tempered and driven... but there are times for both in this race. I think they will be a very strong pair. Strength: aaaaa Here is the young, fit, dual-guy team that everyone else will be competing against in the physcial challenges. They are definitely the team to beat in this category. Experience: aaaa These two seem to have the most international travel experience, and not just to big cities. They've traveled together, and it appears have had past trips trying to find "obscure dots on the map". That will come in handy here! There is no mention of foreign languge skills though... that's the only thing that keeps them from getting a full sweep of points. Okay... at least on this end of the starting line, this looks like the team to beat. But the great thing about this show is that just one small mistake can knock a team out. One wrong turn on the Autobahn, and you're looking Phil in the face as he tells you that you're the last team to arrive. So, they have the most potential, but it's still anyone's race! If you'd like to learn more about this team, take a look at their official pre-show interview.

Vipul & Arti

Vipul & Arti Married Vipul: Sales, 29 Windermere, FL Arti: Nutritional Educator, 27 Windermere, FL The Hook: I'm sure that one of the reasons Vipul & Arti were chosen is because they will be the first Indian-American team to run the race. But they're also just really nice people, that we're going to enjoy watching each week. Don't underestimate nice! Teamwork: aaaaa These two seem very close and supportive. Once again, they appear to balance one another nicely. They've known each other for over seven years, and seem to care deeply for one another. They have respect for each other, and vow to treat others that they interact with along the way with respect as well. And one little thing that I like about them a lot, they held hands through the whole interview! I don't think any of the other couples did that! Strength: aaa They have been bumping up the workouts more in preparation for the race. They're fairly young and seem to be in good shape... but they aren't at the same level as some of the more fit teams. Experience: aaaa They've traveled a little bit internationally, and have some foreign language skill. Every little bit helps! They have more experience than most. Overall, I think they'll comfortably stay in the middle of the pack. But unless they start showing some competitive fire, I don't think they'll be one of the teams around in the end. To see more about this team, watch their official pre-show interview.