Good-bye Rob and Amber

This is perhaps the best the Amazing Race All-stars episode so far. I liked this episode simply for one reason; Rob and Amber were eliminated.

I have to be completely honest and say that Rob and Amber are perhaps one of the five teams to play in the game. They perhaps deserved a win. However, I am glad that they didn’t

I never liked them as a team because of Rob. His comments during the race were very ego-centric and self-absorbed. He knew that many of the teams were focused on eliminating them. Knowing that is one thing, but Rob reveled in it. He loved that he was the center of attention.

For the first couple of episode Rob played a good game. But people can put on a good face when the cards are in their favor. However, when they get dealt a bad hand, that’s when their true colors come out.

As a brief related aside, let’s look at David and Mary for a second. When the cards were down for them, they still took the time to help out another team. While this is perhaps not the smartest move during a race, it is a testament to their character.

On the other hand, to openly try and hinder another team during the race is rude. Amber was so afraid that Charla and Mirna could beat them to the finish line that they lied to them for an advantage. They could have opted to keep their mouth shut, but instead they went for the deception in hopes of a win.

Under pressure, Rob and Amber’s real personality is revealed. There personalities vindicate my dislike for them. They aren’t nice people. Sure, they will always argue that’s it was only a game. But games are meant to be played with a little integrity. In this episode, Rob and Amber showed that have little integrity.

Rob and Amber are aces when life is in their favor, but when the cards are down they can’t handle the pressure. They aren’t beneath any action to win.

That is why I am so glad to say “Good-bye!” to them. I can’t foresee Rob manipulating himself onto another Reality TV show that I watch. I hope that the Television producers realize that the world has had enough of Rob.

I wish them the best of luck in their life ahead. I don’t wish them any harm. I am simply glad they won’t ever have to enter my home again.

The Amazing Race: Some Teams Never Change

I am tired of Rob and Amber. Yes, they won the first leg of the race. However, did they do anything different than anyone else? Perhaps, they were nicer (in one instance) than some of the other teams. But they didn’t do anything different.

I am not one to say that competition-based reality TV is fixed. Perhaps, it is just that I don’t want it to be. However, I am starting to wonder. Rob and Amber dominated the race the first time they competed, and it looks like they will again. Is this the work of a producer to try and boost his viewer ratings?

I guess I will just have to be happy in my loving to hate Rob and Amber. I guess I could also be consoled that it appears that I am not the only one. You will notice that you didn’t see any of the other teams making friends with Rob and Amber. Well, David and Mary tried, but it looked like Rob and Amber just snubbed them.

The problem with the lack of friendliness by the other players toward Rob and Amber is that it will just fuel their fire, and keep them in the race. They need a friend or two to through them off of their game. Keep it up Mary and David; your down home, good natured attitude may just be the ruin of Rob and Amber. And the best part is that you aren’t being nice just so you can win.

I am even more upset by my favorite team, Kevin and Drew. They came in second to last. I hope that they can pull it together. It seems that they aren’t as entertaining as they were in the first race. I don’t know if it’s because they aren’t doing as well, or if they have just matured since their fraternity days.

I am still cheering for them to win (with a close second by David and Mary). However, after watching today, I don’t hold out much hope.

Mary and David are continuing to play a good honorable race. It is wonderful to see the star struck nature with the other players. David and Mary are truly down to earth folks, whom America will continue to love. They too are shying away from alliances which may or may not be good. However, I think that they will earn some good will that will prove helpful later on.

It is still early, and I am going to hold of on any predictions. However, I can say that this competition is going to be fierce. The teams are all holding off from making alliances. That is smart. Alliances do not win this game. That is perhaps the only thing that Rob and Amber do right in this game.

The Amazing Race is won on street smarts, book smarts, athleticism, and sometimes just dumb luck. Right now each of teams have interesting combinations of all of those. It will be a great season.

Winter Preview: The Amazing Race – All Stars

The contestants for the All Star Edition of the Amazing Race have officially been posted. And for the most part, I am happy with the selections.

My number one pick for the All Stars was Kevin and Drew, and they made the cut. Trust me if you missed Season 1, then you are in for a real treat. These are a couple of frat brothers/friends that are funny, charming, and just all around good guys. I can’t wait to see them in action again.

On a less positive note, my number one pick to not be on the show is in the All Stars. Rob and Amber can’t seem to get enough of the spot light. Next thing you know, they will have a reality TV spot on the pregnancy and birth a new child (Before the rumor mill starts, no they aren’t pregnant, I am just speculating about the future). If it wasn’t for Kevin and Drew, I don’t think that I would even bother with the All Stars with Rob and Amber in it. Oh well, at least this is a couple that I love to hate. I hope that are out in the first round. (I just cursed myself, and now they will be in the final three, again.)

Obviously, I am excited to see David and Mary compete again. I suspect that they will team up with Charla and Mirna. Maybe this grouping will prove to be better. Charla and Mirna weren’t afraid to take any risks like Erwin and Godwin. However, I think their loyalty will be a lot more like Lyn and Karlyn. I was surprised that neither Charla nor Mirna tried and convince Phil Keoghan to leave his wife for her. I hope that both of these teams do well. But I wouldn’t be surprised to see them out early either.

Danny and Oswald got back on, and they were entertaining. I probably won’t be cheering for them much, but I won’t mind seeing them go far. Joyce and Uchenna will be okay to see again, but they have already won, so I won’t be cheering for them much, either.

I am not excited to see John Vito and Jill, Dustin and Kandice, or Eric and Danielle back in the race. I didn’t like them in their first races, and I doubt I will like them now. I guess Eric and Danielle are interesting because they are the Amazing Race’s first match up. But that too is still a yawner.

Regardless of what you think of each of the contestants, this looks to be a good season. Let’s hope it proves to be as successful as some of the other All Star Reality shows.

James and Tyler Win the Amazing Race

Well, it was almost predictable. James and Tyler won The Amazing race. I say almost predictable, because honestly having watched the race, they were perhaps one of the worst teams to come out on top.

I was truly upset to see that Lyn and Karlyn really ended up with the bad luck of the draw. While perhaps they weren’t the best team. I feel that they put more into this race than any other team. More than James and Tyler; more than Erwin and Godwin; more than even David and Mary. For that I would have loved to see them win the race.

I guess the only saving aspect of the finale is that Rob and Kimberly did not win. Sorry, but I never really liked them. They weren’t as detestable and I thought before the race started, but they were likable either.

I also missed the layover aspect that they have had in past races. Usually, they send them to some place remote and have them spend the night in some cabin or a tent, before they do the final stretch. Not really a pit stop, but they have to stay there for at least 8 or 12 hours.

Also, this wasn’t a two hour finale. I missed that. I guess maybe the spent more time on episodes airs over the weeks, but I liked the 2 hour finale.

Is this a sign of the demise of The Amazing Race? I sure hope not. However, I think it might be a sign that this season just wasn’t as good. The players weren’t as interesting. David and Mary had America’s heart, but there really was not one to hate (maybe Peter and Sarah, but there weren’t like Jonathan and Victoria from Season 6).

So, the biggest news is that the next Amazing Race will be an All-Star episode. While there is much rumor on the Web about who will star in this episode. Here is my wish list for the All-Star Edition (these are listed in order of who I would pick first):

1 – Kevin and Drew – They made the first season. I don’t think I would be much of a fan of The Amazing Race if they hadn’t been in the first season.

2 – Chip and Kim – I loved them for all of season 5, and I still love them. If there has to be past winners (which I don’t agree with), then I want Chip and Kim back on the show.

3 – David and Mary – I know I will be in trouble for putting them as number 3 and not number 1 on my list, but I didn’t like them as much as the previous two. I would hope that they would do better this time around.

4 – BJ and Tyler – The is my second favorite of all the teams that I have won the race. They are a very close second.

5 – Ron and Kelly – They made it to the final three in Season 7, and I had hoped that they would go all the way. This would be a great chance for them to try again.

6 – David and Lori – I was honestly shocked at how well they did in Season 9. I just thought that they were a cute nerdy couple, that I could relate with. I would hope they did well this season too.

7 – Linda and Karen – Before Lyn and Karlyn this was the longest lasting all female team, and I would love to see them race again. If they weren’t chosen I would actually like to see Charla and Mirna race again.

8 – Millie and Chuck – They were great competitors, and I felt that they were good representatives of the Christian faith. I just hope that the production staff doesn’t over emphasize their 12-year virginity too much like they did in Season 4.

9 – Marion and DJ – I loved this unpopular family. I thought that although they argued a lot, they really loved each other, and that endeared me to them. Put the mom and oldest son on again, just to make it fun. If this mom and son duo doesn’t make it I wouldn’t mind seeing Gus and Hera on again, more because I like Gus, he just seemed genuine.

10 – Lori and Bolo – These two are kind of a wild card. I thought that they added some entertainment value that would be fun to watch again. However, I wouldn’t be too upset if they didn’t get on.

11 – Danny and Oswald You know they are going to choose at least one gay couple, and these two would have to be my favorite. But I won’t be cheering them on.

That’s my picks. I tried to get some from all past seasons, but season three just lacked in any body I wanted to see race again. Next is my list of people I don’t want to see race again (these are in order of least favorite):

1 – Rob and Amber – I hated them in survivor, I hated them in season 7. These are just two people who don’t need any more air time.

2 – Jonathan and Victoria – It’s so obvious, I don’t think I will even mention it.

3 – Peter and Sarah – Peter just bugged me, and Sarah didn’t have much redeeming value either. And you didn’t like to hate them either.

4 – Adam and Rebecca – Rebecca was fine, but Adam just needs to grow up.

5 – Marshall and Lance – The first team to quit the Amazing Race doesn’t deserve a second chance.

So, what are you thoughts on an All-Star edition of the Amazing Race? What are you thoughts on my picks? I am sure to agree with some, but why do you disagree on others?

Cho Brother’s Overly Cautious Approach Loses the Race

Up until this episode, I have been a big fan of the Cho Brothers in the Amazing Race. I expected them to do well. However, they became too overly cautious.

One of my personal motto’s about life is work smarter not harder. If there is a way to get something done quicker with less effort, then go for it.

And I think that to a certain extent the Cho Brothers were trying to emulate that principle. While, I don’t think they were doing it actively, they were trying to act based on information and not on gut. However, they weren’t getting the information in the best way. This lead them to work harder and not smarter.

While they did try to get information from cab drivers and did have a few drivers take them places, they would have been better off to pay more drivers to get to their location (i.e., Tyler and James, and Dustin and Kandice). Stopping every five minutes, as Lyn and Karlyn describe it, is just not an effective way to get them to the pit stop.

They could have tried the cheaper way by making friends with some locals (like Rob and Kimberly) who could give them directions to the next point in the race. At least in this case, I believe that they could have saved money and gotten to their stops earlier.

I am sad to see the Cho Brothers go, but the honest truth is, they weren’t the best competitors in the race, and they wouldn’t have won. I admired the way that they played the race. However, once it came down to the final six or five teams. I would have just simply said to the rest of the alliance that it was every team for themselves and fought the good fight.

The Cho’s should not have waited for Lyn and Karlyn after the tanks challenge. They should have wished them luck and moved on. But perhaps this was based on their personal sense of insecurity in the race. They felt better if someone else was tagging along with them. I don’t know their real motivations, but I think that once you are to this point in the game it is time to cut bait. They should still keep friendships, but work more independently.

I really have no disrespect for Lyn and Karlyn for cutting their losses. The Cho’s were holding them back and they did what they had to do. If anything, I think that they should have done it earlier. Hopefully, they can be in the final three to take my predicted spot for the Cho’s. But I think that they too will be out next week. After that I really don’t care much to see who wins.

I will be watching, but I won’t be cheering anybody on. I also won’t be rooting against any of the teams either. There was nobody really all that detestable in this race. Even Rob and Kimberly have some redeeming value.

New Intersection Divides the Six Pack

In yet another effort to add variety to unscripted dramatic television, The Amazing Race instituted a new twist in their game last night. The concept behind the Intersection is to force teams to work with another team (friend or foe).

If the teams are friends then they will help to get each other to the end. If they are foes then they are hoping some conniving will happen to mostly make the show entertaining, but also to create more rifts between the teams.

But as time as shown again and again, these things just don’t work. At least, they don’t work the first time. The Cho Brothers and Dustin and Kandice put it together to take the lead, even so much that Dustin and Kandice came in first again. This really blows my theory out of the water. But the unpredictability of it all is what makes it fun.

If you remember I predicted that Dustin and Kandice would be the first team out. With my track record, I should have known that would take them to the final three.

Unfortunately, David and Mary were the first victims of the new marked for elimination rule. I am really sorry to see them go. But in all reality, it was there time. They could have faired better if they had teamed up with Dustin and Kandice or the Cho Brothers. I am still not sure why they didn’t even try. Lyn and Karlyn haven’t really ever shown their willingness to stick with them in the past.

I would be willing to bet that if David and Mary had asked the Cho Brothers would have partnered up with them. However, David and Mary have never really done much thinking in this game. They have truly ridden on the coat tail of the Cho’s.

I will miss them, but they were honestly past due for elimination. Now, it is just a matter of seeing the Cho’s can pull to the head of the pack and win the Race.

The Cho Brothers Deserve to Win the Amazing Race

Perhaps one of the main reasons that I love the Amazing Race is because it is pure competition. While, manipulation and stepping on people to get yourself ahead CAN be a part of the game, it doesn’t have to be. The Cho brothers proved that in this episode of the Race.

In this episode, the teams were even for all intents and purposes. There was an order to who could climb the ladder first, but still they were within minutes of each other once they got off the ladder.

In this case the Cho brothers were the last team to be allowed to climb the ladder. Thus, the Fast Forward would have been to there advantage. However, they were willing to defer to David and Mary who needed to finish in first to avoid a penalty.

When they saw that Dustin and Kandice were going to go for the Fast Forward, they lied in order to help David and Mary. So, this begs the questions of how come I would find this lie to be okay. The answer is simple. They didn’t lie to get themselves ahead. They lied to help another team.

Their manipulation worked in both ways. Dustin and Kandice believed the Chos and they decided to stick with the detour. All were shocked when the Chos returned. However, I think it is because they knew that strong competitors were back in the race with them.

As far as I am concerned the Cho brothers deserve this game. They have done more for other teams than any other team. It has perhaps been the reason that they have been in the “back pack” for so long.

Now that we are down to six teams, I think that it is time for me to make my final predictions about the final three. Based on past games and looking at finish line positions, I have to honestly say that David and Mary are the next ones gone. I don’t want to admit it. However, it is just in the numbers.

After David and Mary are eliminated, then the numbers point to Lyn and Karlyn. I hate to send them home too. I think that they have been great competitors. However, the number just don’t put them in the competition.

So, that leaves four that can be in the final three. This one is tough. Dustin and Kandice have been doing well the past couple of episode, and Tyler and James haven’t been doing so well. I can’t think that this will stay the same. Past seasons has shown that the leading teams always bounce back and the poorer teams always fall behind. With that in mind, my final three will Erwin and Godwin, Tyler and James, and Rob and Kimberly.

Finally, I am going to go against the numbers and say that Erwin and Godwin will win. I just like them so much I am going to put my good name on the line for them. A stupid mistake I make every year, but hopefully, I can be right for once.

The Amazing Race Opts for Marking Over Begging

Not to beat a dead horse, but I missed it again. I really don’t like this Sunday Schedule. I guess, I could fork out the dough for a DVR, but I have to say, up until now the VCR has worked great.

So, in order to get my The Amazing Race fix, I turned to what little video I could watch on-line. Trust me it wasn’t really worth my effort, but it is the best I am going to get this week.

One of the videos that I watched showed Tyler and James asking an Australian man and woman for some money. Now, I don’t know the detail surrounding their “need” to beg. But it seems that I heard about another team begging for money this week too.

The Australian man politely gave a lecture to Tyler and James about what true poverty is. They were respectfully considerate of the lecture. Their reaction to the Australian man has helped them to go up a notch in my book.

As one of the people who has watched the Race from its first season, I am not a big fan of the changes that they make to the original concept. When I first heard about it I did like the “handicapping” of contestants who came in last when they were not eliminated. However, when I realized that these were American’s who come from the richest country in the world begging from people from poorer countries, I was really bothered by that.

So, when I heard that there would be changes this season, I was nervous about what they might be. However, when David and Mary came in last and the new secret was revealed, I was happy.

Instead of taking away all of their supplies and all of their money, David and Mary are marked. This means that they have to come in first in order to guarantee that they won’t be eliminated. Or they have to arrive at the next pit stop at least 30 minutes faster than the last team.

This eliminates the need for begging, and this still “handicaps” the losing team that didn’t get eliminated. This is definitely one change that I see value in. This is one change that I can honestly agree with. It is the responsible thing to do. Now tell your contestants that the only way they should resort to begging is if they have NO money. This begging to win a million really doesn’t help to improve the American reputation.

The Amazing Race Entertains with Great Challenges

It’s a few episodes into The Race this season, and so far the challenges are excellent, the contestants aren’t what I would like, but the show is still worth watching. Maybe my bias for the show is coming out in that last part, but it really is the best unscripted drama on television.

My first real criticism of the show is the time change. I just can’t seem to remember to set my VCR to record this show. If I do have it set, then inevitably my kids will take the blank out of the VCR to watch their own video, or I never remember to put a tape in. I really would love for it to be moved back to Tuesday or Wednesday. Actually, while I am playing program director for CBS, I would just put it on Thursday after Survivor.

So far I think that they have put together some very unique, fun and challenging detours and road blocks. In the first episode, climbing the wall was harder than it looked. Sure there is talk that some “cheating” was going on with the ropes, but the challenge isn’t to get up the rope in a specific way, it is just to get over the wall. I don’t care how they got over, just doing it was awesome.

The challenge that took them into the Vietnam War memorial and specifically to John McCain’s flight uniform was moving. I have to give my kudos to Godwin and Erwin for taking the time to honor the men who fought, were held captive, and died in the war. They have now moved way up on my likeability chart.

In this week’s episode, the sampan challenge was awesome. But I don’t understand one thing. Do that many people in the world really not know how to row a boat? I probably spent way too much time in the Boy Scouts. Or, they just have a requirement for all unscripted dramas that you don’t know how to row a boat. Probably the former, but could be the latter.

The people are still missing something. Peter and Sarah have really turned me off. If you will remember my first post about this season, you will note that I said nothing about Sarah’s mechanical leg. It’s because that was less important to me than her having competed in Iron Man competitions.

With that said, in episode two, which I didn’t watch (I read the recap), I was really bothered by their using her disability to try and earn money. Come on. Don’t tell me that you can win this race even with a disability, then try and manipulate the win through your disability. They did the same thing in episode one when they tried to get a taxi. That just doesn’t sound Iron Man like.

In this episode, I think we are learning that the problem is more with Peter than Sarah. Peter was the one to tell Sarah to pull out the handicap placard, and she seemed bothered by it. If you ask my advice Sarah, dump Peter while you can.

David and Mary have won me over again. Sure she yells at him a bit, but I think it is more the frustration of the game, and not at her husband. While, they will probably remain in the “backpack” for a while, I suspect I will genuinely love them as a team.

I also love Lyn and Karlyn. They are putting up a good fight. They are in it until the end. They don’t let any challenge get them down, and they are doing the best that they can.

While the people aren’t as fun as contestants in past seasons, they are growing on me. I look forward to seeing them compete. I am not going to make any further predictions just yet, but I have to say that Erwin and Godwin are moving into my top three, and hopefully, they will replace my prediction of Peter and Sarah.

The Race Eliminates Two

So, the big surprise during the season premier of The Amazing Race 10 is that they eliminated two teams. Sorry, but this is another yawner of a change.

If you look at past seasons, they have always started the race with 11 teams. They have always eliminated one team in the first show. Thus, by the end of the premiere they have 10 teams. So, if you start with 12 and eliminate two, you are still at 10.

I am not excited about a double elimination. Especially, when they supposedly had a non pit stop. The non pit stops in the past have been boring and leaves you hanging too much. At least this time, the hang time was only seconds.

Instead of eliminating two in the first premier, I would have loved if they had extended the season, by keeping the extra team in longer.

For reality shows, the most important factor is the contestants, and it looks like I was right on when in comes to Lyn and Karlyn. They are lovable. You wanted them to do well, but they will struggle to stay in the race.

I was also right about Rob and Kimberly. They are going to complain and yell at each other the whole game. However, I don’t think that they will be the most hatable couple anymore. It looks like my projected favorite team, David and Mary, is going to fight more than Rob and Kimberly. Their only saving characteristic is that they still love each other and you can genuinely see it.

Also, it looks like my predictions for final three might hold together. It is still early, but I am going to hold to my predictions for now.

I am still not sure that these contestants have the chemistry to make a great season. However, if the challenges continue to be as difficult as the premiere, than the challenges just might make up for the contestants.