Here's the Holy Grail of reality shows - though since I watch so few of them, I suppose I am not the best one to judge. This is an Ismitje family favorite and has been for almost eight years since the first edition premiered in 2001. Anyway, off we go on the fourteenth installment on Sunday 15 February. Good news for TAR junkies like me!
I'm torn between Mel/Mike and Linda/Steve. M/M seem like they've probably suffered, but persevered in life. And L/S just seem unlikely, but confident.
Mike is an actor/writer/producer. He's been in a few movies, and was the writer for Nacho Libre and School of Rock amongst others.
Terrific first episode. I like the changes to have less time in airports (producers announced this previously) and especially the tweaks that made this episode more challenging, namely the different arrival cities (Zurich and Milan) and the different train routes from the first city to Interlocken. The lack of specificity on where to find the pit stop was also a nice touch. Promising changes to make an already solid show even better.
I like those changes, too. When the series first started, I don't remember the clues being as specific as they've gotten over the last couple of seasons. In the beginning (if I recall correctly) you had to figure out more clues, using the little bit of information to get to the next point. The last couple of seasons, though, seem to be more, "Go here, then go here, and finally go here" without making the teams think. It was interesting to see some changes in the show's presentation, too. They really haven't changed it over the course of the series.
If I were one of the contestant's I would have taken the splintered cheese carrier and thrown it at the laughing idiots. That was one frustrating challenge.
Most of the teams that finished high are pretty likeable, and I am glad that one of the incompetent bickering couples is already out. I enjoyed the cheese challenge. The rickety cheese carriers collapse, the Swiss guys are laughing at them, people are sliding down on their butts, and cheese missiles are being launched down the hill. It was great.
What would have been great is if one of the cheese wheels would have knocked over a couple of the more vocal laughing cheese heads. Let's see how funny a compound fracture of their fibula would be heh? That was a hard and extremely frustrating challenge. The first two challenges were actually quite difficult the bungee jump and the retrieval of the cheese.
Jennifer and Preston, first team eliminated from the Amazing Race Amanda and Chris Young dating couple from San Diego Brad and Victoria Older married couple from Columbus, Ohio
Cara and Jaime, Former NFL Cheerleaders from Broward County Florida Christie and Jodi, Hot Flight Attendants from Houston, Texas LaKisha and Jennifer, Sisters from Louisville, Kentucky
Linda and Steve, Married Couple from Martinsville, Virginia I think they will go out next. She's not athletic at all. Margie and Luke, Mon and son, he is deaf Mark and Mike, Brothers and stuntmen from LA and Hawaii
Mel and Mike, Father and son, both are gay. Can't imagine how dysfunctional that home life must have been Tammy and Victor, Brother and Sister and attorneys Anyone else think she was quite pushy in two instances in last nights show?
OK so this season you've got: -Several blonde smokeshows -A pair of smokeshow redhead cheerleaders -A deaf guy (would be better if he read lips) -The obligatory hot girl with verbally abusive boyfriend (who unfortunately are out after 1 episode) -Midget stuntmen Yeah, the DVR is 100% set to "series record".
I normally pick the teams prior to the first airing, but I've been sick and ended up watching the first episode - which was excellent btw. I think any of the Top 6 teams in my list below can win this thing... but I really want #7! So, here's how I predict the teams will finish: 1) Brad and Victoria: I'm not sure why I'm picking them to take first, but I do like this team. 2) Tammy and Victor: This is a really tough team and I should probably pick them to win it all. 3) Margie and Luke: One of the most likeable teams in TAR history. I'd love to see this team continue to beat the odds. 4) Mark and Mike: I'm curious to watch how these fearless dudes stack up. They could be really fun to watch. 5) Amanda and Chris: Forgettable. 6) LaKisha and Jennifer: The verdict is still out on this team. I expect a blow-up that'll cost 'em. 7) Mel and Mike: I want to go on record that I truly want this team to win, but that poor dad just won't be able to hang in challenges. 8) Cara and Jaime: Rah, rah, rah, show 'em the door. 9) Christie and Jodi: No attention to details... I doubt they'll last. 10) Linda and Steve: Wow, what a trainwreck. They won't last long. 11) Jennifer and Preston: I simply LOVED watching Auburn fans crash and burn in the first episode! Truly classic television. Place your bets.
That was pretty cool to see Phil use sign language to tell Margie and Luke that they were the first place team. Now if they had ever watched The Amazing Race before, they'd need to find out what the sign for "RAPIDO!" is so they can say it cab drivers all over the world, even if it isn't a Spanish speaking country (like all other race contestants tend to do).
http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2009/02/phil-keoghan-bl.html Phil now is blogging at EW just like Jeff Probst for Survivor.
At least the team that deserved to get eliminated did last night. You can't get lost walking down the path that is clearly marked.
But we always appreciate it when someone does. Before the last teams checked in - significantly later it appeared than anyone else - they put up a graphic that indicated the leg had been 14 hours long to that point. The final teams in had to be at 18 or more hours behind. The flight attendants must be why my flights are always delayed - they have trouble finding the gate. At least they know how to open one, unlike a screenwriter on the race . . .
yeah, I heard that too. do you feel the AR producers cast the hicks for laughs? was there a little explotation going on because c'mon -- we all knew they had no shot. Though it was nice to see the man change his tune in Ep. 2. Whether he was just playing for the cameras or not, who knows. he still did flip out and grab her finger that one time. oh well.