Episode 11/12
Rob & Kimberly in first place
Dustin & Kandice Eliminated

Rob & Kimberly:
(Team Number 1)

Lyn & Karlyn:
(Team Number 2)

Tyler & James:
(Team Number 3)



Team Number One
Which team do YOU think is going to win The Amazing Race?

Lyn & Karlyn
Rob & Kimberly
Tyler & James


  • Tyler & James 54%
  • Dustin & Kandice 25%
  • Lyn & Karlyn 17%
  • Rob & Kimberly 4%

Who has been Philiminated?

Dustin & Kandice:


Erwin & Godwin:
Oh my Godwin! Can these two ever make a decision? Now, I really like these two as people... super sweet and always thinking of others before themselves. But there was no way they were ever going to win this race. They wouldn't take the risks, and could not aggresively pursue anything. But they ran a good race, and got more out of it than any of the other teams. So even without the big check, they're walking away feeling like they were still awarded a big prize.

David & Mary:
So the Kentuckies are out of it. You know, you only get so many second chances... and these guys got two. They just didn't have enough to get out of the basement though, so it's time for them to head home. They'll have stories to share forever though. I'd be really interested in how small their world will seem to them when they head back to their hometown. You just can't look at things the same after an adventure like this, and I bet these guys won't go back and plug right back into the life they left before this all started.

Peter & Sarah:
Hurray!! Stupid Peter is going home... and his arrogant attitude can carry the blame for their early departure. Sarah deserved better, but at least she realized what an ass this guy is, and will have no problem moving on without him when they get home. To the very end, Peter shuffled all the difficult and challenging things off to Sarah, and then did nothing but talk down to her everytime things didn't go their way. Although I'll have a lot less to talk about now that he won't be in any future episodes, I'm relieved that we don't have to fear what a million dollar check would do to Peter's already oversized ego.

Tom & Terry:
I was actually really hoping this would be a non-elimination leg after seeing Tom get in the ocean and drag their boat behind him just to finish. Come on, Phil! That deserves another try… right? Oh well… our energetic Tom & Jerry are out of it, and sadly things will be considerably duller now. Too bad they couldn’t have stayed around to continue to infuse some fun and energy into the remaining field of bickering, irritating, and oh-so-serious teams.

Duke & Lauren:
I'm so sorry to see these two go home... they were my personal sentimental favorites. But my gosh, you can only come back from so many mistakes... and tonight they were full of them. Being lost, broke, and taken advantage of by opportunistic locals was all just too much... and the combination finally sent them home. On the personal side of things though, I think they mended some fences. So they may not be going home with bigger bank accounts... but hopefully with a much better understanding of each other.

Kellie & Jamie:
Ladies, all the enthusiasm in the world couldn't help you two this time. We'll miss your synchronized clapping and cheering. Well, actually... not that much. But thanks for playing! And NEXT time, when you see a fellow team driving away in the opposite direction, pull over and find a map for goodness sakes!

Vipul & Arti:
Well, never underestimate the impact of a bad motorbike driver. These guys lost a lot of time when their driver took the long way on the way to the challenge (or more accurately, got hopelessly lost), and they just never could make it back up. Too bad! She was so much fun, it would have been entertaining to have them around for a while.

Balil & Sa'eed:
The victims of the first "surprise" of the season. They were mere seconds behind Erwin and Godwin, but it was enough to send them home. We barely got to know them, but sadly for them the race is over.

Phil:









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Saturday, September 30, 2006

Standings Before Episode 3

Peter & Sarah in first place
Kellie & Jamie eliminated


Peter & Sarah:
(Team Number 1) So, as a team these guys are obviously doing well. Here they are, on the top of the standings, with a vacation to Mexico to enjoy when they get home. But as a couple…? I’m not so sure they’ll still be together by the time they have to opportunity to take that vacation. Was it just me, or did Peter seem awfully whiney and rude during this episode? He started passing the hat around when Sarah was dancing on her leg, like she was some organ grinder's monkey. And that whole Detour challenge didn’t exactly show his best side. You can design an artificial leg, but you can’t tie a knot? Are you serious??? And speaking of legs, why the hell didn’t he pack spare hydraulic fluid for Sarah’s artificial leg, or a spare leg for that matter? Isn’t that kind of his area of expertise? Peter, you are turning into a bit of a disappointment. Better clean up your act young man, or your Jaime Sommers is going to find a new Oscar Goldman.



Tyler & James:
(Team Number 2) I like these guys! They’re fun, attractive, easy-going, …and kicking ass in this game! It’s the perfect storm of reality contestant characteristics. You kind of want them to do well because they’re really into the race, but taking time to appreciate the experience of it all. They’ve still got their eye on the Beauties, but now more in a kind of wary-strategic way as opposed to a romantic-flirt way. Romantic-flirt is more fun to watch, but it’s nice to know that a couple of heads of blonde hair aren’t distracting these guys from what they’re here to do. If we’re lucky though, maybe the romantic-flirt side of things will reappear in and episode or two!



Duke & Lauren:
(Team Number 3) Not a lot of squawking or grumbling between these two, is there? That’s a good sign. This seems to be one of those teams that is fusing tighter together under the pressure of the race as opposed to splitting apart. They actually talk to each other in a nice tone, and work together well in the challenges. Who knew it could be this way? Do these two not watch reality TV at home? Do they not know that they are not supposed to be speaking to each other by now? But I admit, the calm between them is refreshing. As much as I love the drama, I’ve got room for a sincere father/daughter team on my shelf of favorites as well. They make me want to believe in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny all over again!



Tom & Terry:
(Team Number 4) These two actually surprised me! They seemed so flighty and all over the place the first episode, that I figured they would always be bringing up the back of the pack. But you know, as much as they are laughing and clapping and jumping up and down through each leg... they're also gaining ground and avoiding mistakes. And they will forever get to be the first real-live gay people that David and Mary ever met! Sadly, they lost their cheerleader buds in tonight's episode. They'll just have to cheer, squeal, and clap enough for both teams from here on out.

Dustin & Kandice:
(Team Number 5) Well, if it wasn't for that damn Mongolian hat that they misplaced, these two could have very easily been the first team to reach the pit stop this time around. Damn accessories... they're more trouble than they're worth. I think these girls are in a good place. They're physcially tough... hell, one girl got dragged and kicked by a horse and didn't even slow down. They are strategically tough... looking for alternate trains/schedules instead of assuming that staying with the pack was the only way to go. And they will constantly be underestimated because of their looks. Bring it, Blondies! You go and show them what a couple Beauty Pagent Queens can do!



Rob & Kimberly:
(Team Number 6) Ohhhh, man! This couple is a ticking time bomb. You know that if every time these two talk to the camera they bring up the fact that they're doing this to figure out if they are "meant to be together", that they are absolutely NOT. Guys, a little advice... if you've got to keep asking, then you already subconsciously know the answer, don't ya? But as much as we all know the disaster that these two are heading towards, we can't tear our eyes away... we will just sit there and watch this trainwreck happen. It's like the frosting on top of our little reality TV cupcake!



David & Mary:
(Team Number 7) So, I have a question. Every season a team shanghai's some good-hearted local to jump in the car with them and show them how to find one of these obscure locations on their clue. How the heck so these poor souls get back home at the end of the day? Don't they have wives and families somewhere, wondering where the heck they are? And Mary, it's bad enough that you nip at your poor husband night and day... but could you be a little nicer to the guy that gave up his whole day to help you, as opposed to sitting there in a pout while you wait for him to find a tractor to pull you out of a mud hole? Mary, you can go home now. Go on, limp on back on your twisted ankle and spare all of us your henpicking. Sadly, by the rules that means that David will have to go home too. But I think he'll be happy to climb back into the quiet and serenity of a coal mine after being verbally flogged during this race by you.



Erwin & Godwin:
(Team Number 8) I thought that these brothers would be one of the teams to beat, but they just don't seem to be firing on all cylinders or something. They seem to meander through each leg, kind of jogging to keep up with the pack, but don't seem to have any fire or intensity about the whole thing. Maybe they're still bummed about having their water pistols taken away. Hell guys, you got to shoot flaming arrows... isn't that a decent alternative? Pick up the pace boys, or you'll be heading home soon.



Lyn & Karlyn:
(Team Number 9) Ladies, the word of the day is "Karma." You couldn't be bothered to stop and offer help to Tyler and James when they were stuck with a flat and a broken jack, and then you were actually surprised when your car suddenly wouldn't start and you fell back to last place? Oh ladies, do you not understand how this universe works? Well you seem to be quick to point out what you feel all the other teams are doing wrong, but you might want to start with reviewing just how you two have been going about playing this game. Not well, I'll warn you... and you don't have any ground to give considering where you're sitting in the ranks.


Monday, September 25, 2006

Horses, Oxen, and Arrows... Oh My!

As we open, we find our adventurers getting ready to leave the Great Wall. One by one we see our teams off, and get to hear what the think about themselves/the race/life in general, as they start on their next leg.

First, the Models. They rip open their clue and reveal they are on an all-expense paid trip to Outer Mongolia… via a 963 mile voyage by bus and train. Those lucky dogs. The models pontificate about how much rosier everything is now that they’re sober and they are no longer living in the gutter as addicts. Let’s check back in and see if that attitude is still holding at about mile 900 of this upcoming leg, shall we?

Next off are Duke and Lauren. Duke generously tells us how he has no problems with gays or lesbians in general… but when it’s his daughter, he views it a little differently. I imagine Duke has no problem with the prison system either… unless a prison is going to be built near his neighborhood. He’s probably pro-nuclear power too, unless he finds out there are plans to build a plant within 100 miles of his house. These things aren’t conditional, Big Daddy. I’m sorry to tell you, if you have a problem with your daughter, you DO have a problem with gays and lesbians. But reacquaint yourself with your daughter and get past it… because that’s just one facet of her. Otherwise you’ll be throwing your baby daughter out with the bathwater.

Then we see Peter and Sarah take off. Sarah talks again about the bad luck of blowing out her hydraulic knee. Worthless Peter sits behind her offering nothing. Sarah explains she can still get around, but it’s like riding on a flat tire. Peter would be an auto mechanic in the metaphor, right? Peter, you didn’t bring a spare tire? Fix-a-flat? Nothing??? Well, at least you’re not going to make your girlfriend dance on her broken-down prosthetic leg for spare change. Oh, wait a minute… I may have spoken too soon.

Next are the Beauties, and as they trot off we hear how close they’ve become after being randomly paired as roommates during the Miss America pageant. They mention how important it is, in a competitive world like they live in, to find someone that you can count on. Please ladies, we count on you to do something to help us tell you two apart. Different colored scrunchies or something? I’m having a hell of a time.

Now it’s Rob and Kimberly, telling us once again how they are at that point where they are deciding whether their relationship should go to the next level. Sweeties… it shouldn’t be this damn hard! Good relationships just progress to the next level, naturally. If you are questioning each other (not to mention constantly snipping and backbiting at each other), you have your answer! Put a fork in it for heaven’s sake, this relationship is done. (But by all means, stick around for a few more rounds because your squabbling is highly entertaining for the rest of us.)

Oh yes, and now the cheerleaders… squealing and clapping their way towards their next destination. They tell us how much stronger their relationship is since they constantly motivate and encourage each other. They seem determined to motivate and encourage everyone else they come in contact with as well, with the never-ending cheering, squealing and clapping in the back of the taxi, in the back of the pedicab, in the back of the airplane, in the back of the bus, in the back of the train…

Erwin and Godwin take off, and in a very mature statement they tell us that this race is all about building relationships with other people. There was nothing mature or relationship-building about them running around the SeaTac airport with toy water pistols. The airport security force just about built a relationship between this dumb-ass pair of brothers and the airport holding cell.

Tom and Terry enthusiastically scamper off while they tell us that although they’ve each traveled quite a bit separately, that this is the first time that they’ve traveled as a couple. They admit that it will be a challenge trying to make decisions together… like which matching outfits they should wear today.

Now it is Kar/Lyn, the single mothers, turn to leave. One of them (again ladies, scrunchies please?) tells us that what means the most to her about this race, is that she will be able to show her daughter what she was able to do. Ummm… so far you’ve been able to whine and complain and say a lot of mean stuff about a woman with one leg. Are these the proud moments you are looking forward to sharing when you get home?

And finally, Kentucky 1 and Kentucky 2 take off. After the Little Missus snaps at her husband for suggesting that she pick up the pace a little and jog to their next destination, we hear him telling us that his wife is very blunt and to the point… and that’s what he loves about her the most. Just out of curiosity, my good man… what is it that you like about her the least? Is it that she screeches at you and throws cast-iron skillets at your head when you come home and accidentally get coal dust on the protective plastic sofa covers?

So the teams all make it to the bus stop. The Models meanly taunt the Cheerleaders when they arrive, because they just missed the last spot available to sign up for the first departing bus. I’m not sure why they’re so mean all the sudden? Are they trying to flirt, like a TAR version of sticking their pigtails in the inkwell? I’m not sure. But knock it off, boys!

The first bus takes off, and the members of the second bus bond and joke and laugh as they wait like they’re the best of friends and they’re about to board a bus to Disney World… as opposed to competing against each other for a million dollars and getting ready to board a bus to Outer Mongolia.

Kentucky 1 and Kentucky 2 tell us how much they love meeting all of these different people that they otherwise would never have met in their life… like uh, Asians and gay people. “Honest to goodness,” they tell us in hushed tones, “we’ve never been around gay people.” The Missus continues… “But buddy, I like ‘em!” Wow. Kind of sounds like she just tried Buffalo wings for the first time or something, doesn’t it?

The first bus gets to the train station, and they find out the train doesn’t take of for a few hours, so the Beauties slink off to see if there are any other alternatives, and tell us that they’ve got to go do this conspicuously. Um, pretty girls? I think you mean inconspicuously. Conspicuously would be similar to the Cheerleaders’ / Tom & Jerry’s squealing and clapping approach to everything. But regardless how they label it, they don’t get very far before the Models are all up in their business, trying to see what the girls are up to. These guys… they really need to work on their flirting techniques.

The second bus arrives, so despite the 2-hour head start for some, everyone is grouped together again. While they wait, Peter and Sarah sit outside the station for a while to rest and get some sun.

Soon a small crowd has gathered, pointing and chattering away in wonderment about Sarah’s artificial leg. Peter the Useless then tells us that, “It’s good to have a physical disability, because we’re going to use that to our advantage.” And then in the creepiest moment to date, he tells his girlfriend to run around and dance, while he tries to collect spare change from the locals for the show. Not surprisingly, no one actually offers him any money, and instead they look at each other as if to say, “Stupid arrogant American”. On behalf of all of us, thanks so much Peter for improving our reputation in the world.

Soon all the teams are headed to their next task on a slow train to Outer Mongolia. Luckily, through the magic of television, we do not have to tag along on what was surely a long and grueling ride…and for those of us at home it is mere moments before they arrive at their next destination. Once there, all teams immediately pour out of the train, and chaos ensues as they all scramble to find cabs to take them to yet another hard-to-find location so that they can impatiently observe some solemn ritual dance before getting their next clue.

Cabs scramble every-which-way, and all teams are all simultaneously convinced that they are either at the top of the pack, or at the bottom. Truly, there is so much shuffling, whining, gloating, squealing, and clapping… it is hard to keep up. But suddenly we find the Cheerleaders and Tom & Jerry have successfully arrived at the mystical temple location first. There is much squealing and clapping. Soon they are joined by the squabbling Rob and Kimberly.

They must wait until it is time for the next mystical ceremony, and then they are treated to the sight of Papa Smurf and friends dancing and beating drums. Papa Smurf then hands them their next clue, and they discover they must now choose one of many old, broken-down, Russian military jeeps to drive to their next location where they must go horseback riding. Teams are alternately thrilled or terror-stricken when they discover that horses are going to be involved. I, personally, would be terror-stricken once I discovered old broken-down Russian military jeeps were going to be involved. Oddly, my husband would be thrilled.

The next group to arrive for the Papa Smurf Show is Sarah and Stupid Peter, Duke and Lauren, the Beauties, and Kentucky 1 and Kentucky 2. There is more Smurf dancing, clue giving, jeep choosing, and horse lamenting. Kentucky 1&2 kidnap a local and make him come with them to show them how to find horse camp, while the rest of the teams decide to go it alone with varying degrees of help from confused locals that try and point them in the right direction. Rob, of the constantly fighting Rob and Kimberly, stupidly decides that he has an internal compass and leaves the paved road on some cross-country trek to who knows where. Kimberly tries to question him, and Rob bites her head off. We wish them well.

Kar/Lyn, the water-pistol-shooting Brothers, and the Models finally find Papa Smurf and friends. More dancing, cluing, jeeping, lamenting. And now all of our teams and their jeeps are on their way towards horse camp.

There is a confusing parade of various dirt and rain-streaked jeeps, and I can’t quite keep up with everyone’s progress. Nothing of note happens until the Models suffer a flat tire, and are stuck and stranded on the side of the road with a spare tire, but a broken jack. Rob, who has as some point removed his head from his ass and found his way back to the main road, slows to help. He offers his jack, but it is strangely fused to the body of their jeep and he is unable to remove it. Kar/Lyn come by, slow imperceptibly, and screech “Peace out!” at the stranded team before hitting the gas and speeding away. They self-importantly rationalize that they aren’t being mean, they’re just trying to win. This, right after they holler, “Screw them!” towards the general direction of the models… which have ironically found themselves in the gutter once again.

It is at this point that I officially don’t like Kar/Lyn and wish bad things upon them.

We flash to the Cheerleaders, who have suddenly stalled their vehicle when they were unexpectedly forced to stop on a hill. (I would love to laugh about this, but in the not so recent past when I was a new driver, my friend and I took my father’s stick shift car on a trip to San Francisco… and I stalled that damn car all over that frickin’ city. So girls, I feel your pain.)

Stranded Cheerleaders. Stranded Models. The tension is intense. What will happen? Then suddenly, like a blessing from God, a kind local stops to help the Models. He lends them his jack, and then continues on to actually change their tire for them. This man is sweet. The boys should get his name and address and send him a thank you card. They do not. Their mothers are embarrassed. Simultaneously, brunette cheerleader soothes blonde cheerleader with supportive words… and squealing and clapping. Blonde cheerleader takes a big breath… and fantastically, suddenly gets the car to start. Much, MUCH, squealing and clapping.

Sarah and Stupid Peter arrive at the horses first. Sarah “switches out” her foot so that she can fit it in the stirrups. I consider how handy it would be if I could switch out certain body parts as needed. Something to think about… but definitely a subject for another blog.

The Beauties arrive next. They happily put on their Mongolian costumes before choosing horses. There is too much camera time on one of the Beauties as she straps on her hat. We wonder why. We will find out soon.

Kentucky 1 and Kentucky 2 are nearing the horse camp. The loud-mouthed Misses stupidly directs her hen-pecked husband directly into a big pit of mud, and their jeep gets stuck. LM Misses then harangues her husband for being such a fool, and then tells kidnapped local to go get help. Kidnapped local, happy to escape, takes off. I don’t think we ever hear from kidnapped local again.

Water pistol brandishing brothers arrive at horse camp. Soon after arrive Duke and Lauren, Tom & Jerry, squabbling Rob and Kimberly, and bitchy Kar/Lyn. They all pass the stranded Kentuckians, and laugh like hell. Not on camera, but we know they do.

Then there is lots of activity as various teams put on Mongolian garb and climb on horses. Kimberly frets about being on horseback, and wants to know if horses can smell fear. No, but her ass of a boyfriend can, as proven by him instantly becoming an impatient patronizing asshole. “Come on, it’s just like a car baby… steer him, it’s just like a car.” Kimberly, immediately noticing there is no steering wheel on the horse, clings helplessly to her ride as the not-so-stupid horse heads right towards a low-hanging branch. She is unceremoniously swept to the ground. Rob/Ass suddenly pretends to care, but doesn’t even bother to dismount to see if she’s okay. Instead he stupidly towers over her and yammers, “Oh my God, dude… I don’t know what to do!” Get the hell off your horse, and HELP HER UP, you dumbshit! Rob/Ass’s mother is embarrassed.

There is more random horseback riding. Teams saunter, gallop, and trot to their next task. Sarah and Stupid Peter are the first to arrive to discover it is a Detour. This time they must either tear down a big tent and pack it properly on the back of a camel, or lead an ox-driven cart to the river and fill up water jugs. Sarah decides she’d rather do the tent, and they start to work. Stupid Peter starts bitching and complaining. Sarah hunkers down and tries to get things done in spite of him. Soon Stupid Peter discovers tying knots is beyond his ability, and although they are close to done with the task, he insists that they switch to the other one. Sarah goes along with it, and they choose an ox-cart. Their ox gets one look at Sarah’s foot, freaks the hell out, and charges away. They chase him down, bring him back around… and then he sees the foot again and, surprise, charges away. Sarah cries. Stupid Peter bitches. They go back to the tent.

In the meantime, the Beauties have led their ox to water, and successfully completed their task. However, they discover they must ride their horses back the way they came, and cannot do so unless they are properly wearing every element of their Mongolian costume. The blonde one (whichever) can’t find her helmet. Ahhhh… now we understand the previous queer editing. The Beauties panic, and go in search of the missing Mongolian helmet.

Kentucky 1 and Kentucky 2 received a replacement broken-down jeep, and finally arrive at horse camp. As the Stupid Peter and Sarah drama plays out, along with the mystery of the missing Mongolian mud hat, the other teams begin arriving at the Detour and choosing tasks. Duke “I-love-gays-as-long-as-they’re-not-my-daughter” and Lauren start tearing down a tent. Water-pistol-brandishing-brothers grab an ox cart, as do Tom & Jerry, the Models, and Kentucky 1 and Kentucky 2. Bitchy Kar/Lyn decide to tear down a tent, and Rob/Ass and Kimberly squabble as they choose an ox cart.

The Beauties continue to search for their hat, as Duke and Lauren finish their task, get a clue, and make their way to the Hotel Mongolia… first by riding their horses back to their jeeps, and then driving their broken-down jeeps to the hotel. Bitchy Kar/Lyn can’t tie knots either, and decide to grab an ox cart. WPBB (water pistol brandishing brothers) finish their task, but can’t find one of their helmets either. Stupid Peter stops whining enough to finally learn how to tie a knot, and he and Sarah take off next. Rob/Ass and Kimberly scream at each other, as the Models, and Tom & Jerry finish their task and ride off. WPBB find their missing hat, and ride off as well.

Rob/Ass and Kimberly keep it together long enough to finish their task. Wait, what the hell? The Cheerleaders finally show up, and start tearing down a tent. No information is given as to what these two have been up to since miraculously getting their car to start back up on that damn hill… and clearly the production staff isn’t talking. Guess we’ll all have to by the DVD at season’s end and look for some missing footage.

The Beauties cry over their missing hat, as the Kentuckians finish their task. Finally, one of the Mongolians, who probably ran to the nearest village 5 miles away and stole a hat just to be able to be the hero for the Beauties, gives them what appears to be their missing hat. They hug him and kiss him… and he smiles REALLY big. The Beauties are finally on their way.

The Cheerleaders speed fold-n-pack to make up time, and get their clue. Bitchy Kar/Lyn finish shortly after.

The Cheerleaders and bitchy Kar/Lyn get back to their jeeps, and neither of them can get their cars to start. Surprisingly, the locals rush over to the perky Cheerleaders and help them get on their way first. Who would have guessed? Bitchy Kar/Lyn seethe. Fortunately for bitchy Kar/Lyn, the Cheerleaders aren’t too bright, and immediately start heading in the wrong direction. Bitchy Kar/Lyn are finally on their way, and unfortunately for us, head in the right direction.

Stupid Peter and Sarah arrive at the next location, with The Models right behind. It’s a Roadblock, and they must shoot a flaming arrow into a large fire pit before they can run to the pit stop. Stupid Peter looks stupid on his first try, but then gets the hang of it and makes his mark. They run to the pit stop and are Team Number One, and get a trip to Mexico as an additional reward. Stupid Peter takes all the credit, and then we hear Sarah’s voiceover as she tells us that there are things that she is learning about Stupid Peter that she’s not all that impressed with. She tells us that she’s not making judgments now, but she is making note of things. Sarah, we’re making judgments now, and you need to drop this dork at your next available opportunity.

Teams arrive, and flaming arrows continue to fly. The Models finish, then Duke and Lauren, Tom & Jerry, the Beauties, squabbling Rob and Kimberly, and Kentucky 1 and Kentucky 2. Missus Kentucky whines about twisting her ankle on the way to the Pit Stop, but doesn’t limp. Hmmm. WPBB discover arrows are more difficult to brandish than water pistols, but finally hit the target. Bitchy Kar/Lyn arrive, hit the fire pit, and take the last spot on the mat.

The Cheerleaders show up at dusk, and shoot flaming arrows everywhere but the target. After setting southern Mongolia on fire, they finally give up… and without a single squeal or clap, trudge up to the Pit Stop and are Philiminated.

They cry, and we cry… because we would much rather have their squealing and clapping around next week, as opposed to Kar/Lyn’s bitching. *sigh*

Saturday, September 23, 2006

The Standings Before Episode 2

Balil & Sa'eed eliminated
Vipul & Arti eliminated
Tyler and James in first place



Tyler & James:
(Team Number 1) As expected, these two are the team to beat. They take the top spot, and a bonus $20K prize to boot. They're physically strong, and a good team that works well together. They have confidence and trust in each other, and watch each other's backs. But what's this? There's already a little flirt going on between team Model and team Beauty Queen...! Will we get some inter-team romance this season? We can only hope!




Duke & Lauren:
(Team Number 2) These two are going to make me cry every episode, aren't they? They both so obviously want to mend the distance between them, that this whole experience is going to be very emotionally charged for them. They're already crying like crazy, and they're in second place! Heaven help us all if they get sent home anytime soon. I'm really pulling for them... although there was that one uncomfortable moment when Duke joked that he'd being trying to ask his daughter out for years. Hmmm... that might give us another whole layer as to why he was so upset when he found out she was gay.




Peter & Sarah:
(Team Number 3) Well, I didn't figure that these two Iron Man competitors would be too far from the top, but even so they had to overcome a lot this first leg! I didn't know how Sarah was going to make it up that wall, but she she did, and beat all but two teams doing it. These guys are strong, both physically, and as a unit... they have a really strong support system in each other. I don't know what impact this hydraulic fluid leak in her knee is going to have (who even knew you could have a hydraulic fluid leak in your knee?), but if she can scale a wall with a leaky knee... there isn't much these team CAN'T do physically.




Dustin & Kandice:
(Team Number 4) This is not a team to be taken lightly. These two ladies are strong, fit, smart, and work well together. They bounced back nicely from the less than helpful taxi driver that dropped them off at the wrong restaurant, and never lost their cool. Plus, they’ve caught the eye of the guys of Team Model. It’s never a bad thing to align with the team in first place, either strategically or romantically.




Rob & Kimberly:
(Team Number 5)Well, there are fireworks between this couple, but not the romantic kind. They both seem to expect the worst of each other, and that’s not helping in the teamwork area at all. They finished okay, in the middle of the pack… but they got lucky this time. Squabbling couples never make it very far in this game, and based on the glimpse in the preview things only get worse for these two.




Kellie & Jamie:
(Team Number 6)These two squealed and clapped their way all the way through the first leg. They are quite the cheerleaders, that’s for sure. Clapping to encourage their taxi driver, clapping to encourage the pedicab driver… they’re having the best time ever! And they are truly entertaining to watch, even if they are cringe worthy every once in a while. They paused and puzzled for a moment over whether Muslims worship Buddha… then they squealed and clapped because they got their airline tickets and were on their way. I don’t know how long they’ll be around, but it will be a lot of fun to watch them while they’re here.




Erwin & Godwin:
(Team Number 7)Erwin and Godwin didn’t have the best of luck this round. They got lost trying to drop off their rental car, had their squirt guns taken away at the airport, had a confused taxi driver leave them at the wrong location, and found out that none of the 14 languages they speak did them a bit of good in Beijing. They’re lucky to still be in this race. This sloppy play should be a wake up call, and hopefully they’ll be more on track starting with the next leg.




Tom & Terry:
(Team Number 8)Tom and Terry are having a grand time! The teamed up with the Cheerleaders in the Detour competition, and there couldn’t be two teams that could be better paired! The Cheerleaders stopped clapping for the first time all day though when Tom and Terry did a better job of repeating choreographed moves than they did. Hopefully these two keep the good times rolling, because they are going to be a lot of fun to watch.




Lyn & Karlyn:
(Team Number 9)Well we’ve found our snarky team of the season. These two had a lot of bad things to say about Peter and Sarah, and I figure they’ll only be one of many targets of this team. They did overcome a tough physical obstacle to get to the pit stop though, so I think they may have surprised even their selves at how capable they can be. I still don’t feel a strong drive to win from these two however… so I don’t think they’ll be around too long.




David & Mary:
(Team Number 10)As much as I liked this team in the beginning, they’re not as supportive and sweet as I first imagined. I mean David is fine… but I think all those years of raising kids while her husband made all the decisions for the family has been building up for Mary. Because now she’s asserting herself all over the place, and not necessarily being very nice about it. David is being pretty tolerant, but these two may not finish very well if Mary doesn’t tone it down a little bit and work with David a little better.


Monday, September 18, 2006

Good Luck... Travel Safe... GO!

Well, it appears the producers are determined to counteract the boring family edition that they served to us last year, with surprised filled, action-packed, physically challenging version this fall! We lost two teams, and the remaining ones nearly wiped themselves out climbing the great wall of China. And that’s just episode one!

It was sad to see Balil & Sa’eed and Vipul & Arti go. They all seemed like nice people and good teams. However, nice isn’t nearly as exciting to watch as squawking, sniping, and flirting… and we have all of the above left to entertain us!

The squawkers? Well that would be Rob and Kimberly. These two are trying to determine if they should be partners for life. Uh, I don’t think they should even be partners in bridge. The times they were nice to each other all appeared forced, and only seemed to occur when they suddenly remembered that they were being filmed for a national TV audience. I mean, there was more than one team that mistakenly drove into the SeaTac airport, looking for where to drop of their rental car… but this little couple was instantly at each other’s throats about it, and this was only 10 minutes into the show! I know that extreme pressure can bring about good things… like diamonds, for example. But for these two, I think the pressure of the race is going to be a very, very bad thing. But oh so entertaining to watch!

Now another team we have to put in the squawkers category is David and Mary. Mary started out explaining to us that where they come from, the husband makes all the decisions while the wife just takes care of the kids. But she is sure fired up about this opportunity for them to work “50/50” and have a voice of her own! And boy… did we hear that voice. She was bossy from minute one, second-guessing whatever David did, and not giving him much credit for what he did right or his attempts to help her throughout the challenges. Their bright-eyed wonderment of seeing all of these new sights is kind of fun to watch, but mostly enjoyable because it makes Mary speechless for a moment or two.

And the snipers of this season? Most definitely Lyn and Karlyn. These two aren’t pleased at all about the benefits that Peter and Sarah are receiving as a result of her disability. As a team they got to pre-board a fight because of her leg, and Lyn and Karlyn had a snit-fit. “She can run the Iron Man, but she can’t stand in line?” Niiiice, ladies! You know, you too can have the benefit of pre-boarding if you just give up one of your legs. What’s that…? Never mind? Hmmm… thought so. Plus, no one is giving you grief over your advantage in China. You said yourself the people of China love folks from Alabama ever since “Forrest Gump” came out. (WTF???) Uhhh… I’m not going to even try to sort through that one. These two single moms did tough it out though, scaling the wall to the pit stop, which was no easy feat. But if they keep burning so much energy, hating on the other teams, they’re going to run out of steam well before the finish line. (But secretly we will love to watch them in the meantime.)

And the flirting starts early this year! The male models and the beauty queens are slowly circling each other, in a dance that will hopefully become more and more entertaining in the weeks to come. Now one of the models has a girlfriend (don’t remember which), so he’ll just have to be the wingman. But it’s always loads of fun when there are some romantic sparks between teams.

And these two teams are good! The boys are in first place, and well equipped to stay there. And the beauties are a pretty strong team as well…. fit, fast, and smart. This could be a super alliance, if they decide to get together and trust each other. But this game never seems to enable teams to pair up for any long period of time. There are too many factors random (bad taxi drivers, lucky wins in Roadblocks and Detours) for teams to stay side by side for long. So we may just have to be content to watch the flirt dance.

Now, I’m sure flirting isn’t the right term to use, but the other two teams that seem to enjoy each other’s company is the Cheerleaders and the Leprechauns! It can’t officially be a flirt, right… between two girls and two unusually tiny gay men? But they all seem to have the same attitude about the race… like a, “Wheeeee, we’re here!!” type of thing. The Cheerleaders clapped their enthusiasm through the entire first leg. I’m sure if any of the taxi drivers knew enough English to say so, they would have asked the girls to shut the heck up. But luckily for the girls, they didn’t. And their energy was contagious, because soon the Leprechauns were clapping to encourage their drivers as well. Keep it up, ladies! (all four of you) You have the perfect attitude for this thing, and are making all of us at home smile!

And Edwin and Godwin, you may be book smart as all hell, and have enough degrees between you to wallpaper the walls. But you whipped out toy guns to run around with in the airport? Are you crazy??? You two make my head hurt.

Finally, my sentimental favorite, Duke and Lauren. These two just make you want to pull for them. There’s all this internal drama going on, and yet this totally obvious desire on both of their parts to bridge the gulf between them. These two should come with a hanky warning, because there is still so much raw emotion between them that you can’t hardly help but get pulled into it. I loved how well they did this first leg, and how genuinely thrilled they were to be there, as well as how strongly they supported one another. I hope that lasts, regardless of how they place. I’m pulling for these two!

Sunday, September 17, 2006

We've Got Ourselves a Race!

And the race is on!! I’m so happy, I just love this show. I thought the opening was cool, with all the sea planes flying in formation on their way to land in Puget Sound. And then, the teams appear! Here are my thoughts…

Peter and Sarah, the triathalete team… Dating? Wellll, that’s news, right? That wasn’t disclosed in the pre-show interview, was it? Another new relationship being wrung through The Amazing Race wringer. Although I think these two are going to weather it better than Rob and Kimberly, because they’ve done a lot of traveling and competing together.

Balal and Sa'eed, are going to pull over during the race to pray? You know, I hope they stay true to that. I would be truly impressed if in the midst of chaos, they consciously pulled themselves out of it, and remembered what their personal priorities are. Do I think it will happen…? I guess I’m not sure. We’ll have to keep and eye on these guys.

Rob and Kimberly, I loved during their little interview when he was saying that Kimberly can’t control him, “and she needs to learn that.” Her eyes kind of flicked down and then shot to the side to look at him. Yeah. Kimberly didn’t like that. These two will be fun to watch.

Dustin and Kandice, the wonder twins! You know, I give them a bad time, but they look like a lot of fun. And heck, they can really sprint… they may actually have what they need to stay in this thing! And I need to find out who does their hair… that’s a great shade of blonde. (no, seriously… who does your hair?)

David and Mary… I still think these two are so cute. They fit so well together! I think their little southern drawl will make others underestimate them, but they’re scrappy!

Erwin and Godwin… aww, they dressed alike just like the wonder twins did! But man, the similarities end there, huh? Long flowing hippy hair, and short crew-cut jock hair. They do cover both ends of the spectrum though! That could be handy.

Duke and Lauren just about made me cry. I mean, first you see Lauren’s eyes just deaden when her dad says he’s got “just a teeny bit of disappointment” in his daughter… and then HE breaks down. Man, I didn’t know I was going to have to be scrambling around for a tissue only five minutes in. Okay, I secretly hope these two just kick butt, so they have something to bond them together for the rest of their lives.

Vipul and Arti… she made me laugh, even just coming up the dock. She is Gung HO! She can’t wait to get at this thing! Arti couldn’t even get her to hold his hand. She’s like a spring all wound up and ready to explode. Someone needs to learn how to bottle that energy… she could power a small city!

Kellie and Jamie… oh the guys are going have fun with these two. Not only how they look, but the things they say! “You could put us in a cardboard box, and we’d find a way to have fun?” Trust me, men all over America are picturing these two in a cardboard box together having fun. They’re also all rushing out to reserve doorknob costumes for Halloween.

Tyler and James: the ex-drug addicts / models. Way to turn your life around, boys! The before and after pictures tell quite the story. They gave us a little Zoolander pose, and then a laugh to let us know they don’t take themselves too seriously. I hope not, there’s nothing less fun to watch then guys with egos. Hopefully these two are full of fun, because I think they’ll be around a while.

Lyn and Karlyn. My first question is, who’s watching the kids? Kudos to you two for getting out and seeing the world, but I always wonder who they get to watch the little ones when they’re not even allowed to tell anyone where they’re going. Hmmm… something to ask when the race is over.

And finally, Tom and Terry. When I saw them hop out of the plane, I couldn’t believe it! I knew they were trying to be very diversified this season, but I had no idea they had found a couple leprechauns to participate in the race! How tall are these guys… 4’2”? Will they even be able to reach the pedals on the rent-a-cars?? But they’re feisty; I’ll give them that. Kind of like those mean little yappy dogs that look cute from a distance, but clamp on to your leg with a growl and won’t ever let go.

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