The Amazing Race 9 - Blog

New Season, New Race

2006-08-26T15:19:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't know yet or have stumbled onto this site, we have started a new site for the new season. Come visit us at: http://amazing-race10.blogspot.com. We look forward to seeing your comments there.

From Thailand to Japan to Alaska to Colorado

2006-05-17T22:38:00.000-07:00

The airport is always the great equalizer in the Amazing Race. Even when you miss one plane, you can always catch another that catches you up with the group. Although, there have been past seasons where this just hasn't been the case. This was one of the closest finish lines yet. The two teams I wanted to see at the end were there but the team I wanted to win didn't. But lets start at the beginning....

The group raced to find some elephants who told them to head to Japan. Even with Tyler's language skills, the Hippies were still behind Frats on the way to retrieve the Detour. But both teams were done by the time Ray & Yolanda caught up. The Hippies used Tyler's knowledge of the city and the language to race through the bike messenger detour while the Frats and Ray & Yolanda used their strength to power through the "maiden" detour. Everyone had some downtime in a capsule hotel for the night before heading off for more racing and the road block. Ray & Yolanda struggled with the language and the country and arrived at the road block after the other two teams had completed their rides on three of the thrilling rides at an amusement park at the foot of Mt. Fuji. Then it was a race for the airport to catch flights to Alaska. The Hippies conned the hotel staff into telling the other teams that there was no internet access at the hotel but it didn't do them any good since the Frats still got a sooner flight out than they did. Unfortunately, they and Ray & Yolanda caught up to the Frats in Tapei.

Directions once again caught Ray & Yolanda up. They didn't arrive at the detour (building an ice fishing house or flying medical supplies out) until after both the other teams had finished, again. Though, I have to wonder about the second task being one that was dependent on the weather conditions. It wasn't much of a choice. The Frats beat the Hippies by minutes with their ice house and I have to admit that I silently cheered while the Hippies raced around the Chalet looking for the snowshoes that were right outside. They pulled a Fran & Barry! They must have run past the equipment two/three times before they finally found them. From there, the teams raced to the airport to get back to Colorado where it all began. After a quick search through a historical park, teams raced off for the final road block and the finish line. As Ray & Yolanda got held up searching for their clue, the Hippies and the Frats fought it out at the road block.

This season's road block was to locate & place the flag of each country they visited this season in the order in which they visited it. Eric had all the right flags just in the wrong order. He was seconds away from victory but made the mistake of returning one of the correct flags for a wrong one in the field. It was during this time that BJ corrected the order of his flags and he and Tyler raced to the finish mat & Phil. That's right, folks, BJ & Tyler are the newest Amazing Race millionaires! Argh!

EDIT: Guess I should have also said.... TTOW!!

Season Finale

2006-05-17T11:06:00.000-07:00

One team will be the first to cross the finish line and take home the million dollar grand prize after traveling more than 59,000 miles through 10 countries over five continents in the season finale of The Amazing Race.

In the final episode of the season for The Amazing Race, the teams leave Thailand and head to Japan where they quickly learn that little mistakes can cost big time.

One team is ecstatic when they learn the location of the next destination - a place they've been to and they know the language - while another team worries when they waste time looking for equipment needed for a challenge. The last two legs of the race around the world prove to be both mentally and physically grueling and it is a close race until the bitter end.

Sounds Like it will be a great TV night!!!! Hopefully we'll all make it home to watch it!

From Australia to Thailand: Say "Good-bye, MoJo"

2006-05-11T02:25:00.000-07:00

This was a roller coaster episode for the Hippies. They started in last with 'no money & no pants'. The Frats and Yolanda & Ray were helpful enough to leave them some sandals and some purple workout pants. But instead of booking their tickets right away, they decided to hit the Darwinian nightlife up for some cash and ended up missing the flight that all the other teams were on. Oh, wait! They got a better flight! A flight that would get them into Bangkok 15 minutes before the other three teams. Oh, darn! The other teams got in 45 minutes early and they got in twenty minutes late.... : It was their saving grace that there was a Fast Forward on this leg because otherwise they would have been out of it for sure. Though maybe not - MoJo was really stupid about the bus. The Frats & Yolanda and Ray got a midnight bus; the Hippies got a 4:20am bus; and MoJo got a 5:20am bus but thought they were going to be first. Not sure if they were being optimistic or they really are just that naive (aka stupid).

Thank God we don't have to listen to Monica's infernal whining any more. Joseph must have the frickin' patience of a saint. I wasn't sure if I wanted to laugh or cry when he said to Phil that they were going to get married and have children in the future. I'm not sure what's scarier - Joseph marrying Monica or Monica having children. I would rather have a premanent recording of a dentist's drill implanted in my ear than spend a lifetime listening to Monica cry and carry on about how she dropped ten clay pots (Detour) because her arms were getting weak. Good luck and good riddance!

Not that we didn't know that someone would be eliminated this leg, but Phil gave it up when he welcomed the Hippies to the mat! He never gives it up! "Congratulations, you will be one of the three teams racing for a million dollars." Oh well, I'm not complaining. I'm really happy that MoJo are gone. This is the first time I've ever said this about the Amazing Race: there is not a single team racing to the finish that I wouldn't mind seeing win it. I do have my favourite team and they're still in it so, we'll see but each of the teams deserve to be there (another rarity). Though, the Hippies are there by pure luck. They made some mega mistakes on some legs and were only saved by other teams making worse mistakes or by the leg being a non-elimination one.

Best comment for this episode - though only because of the look on Monica's face after Jeremy replied (at the RoadBlock):

Monica to Jeremy after they finally arrived at the detour:
"We thought we were first."
Jeremy to Monica: "Well, you really thought wrong."

Next week is the Season Finale! Don't forget to set your VCRs, get home early, or turn on the little TV next to my desk (giggle, giggle). It's two hours and it looks like it's going to be a doozy. Looks like the Hippies bad luck with flights comes back to haunt them again....

"I Think This Monkey Likes Me"

2006-05-09T15:25:00.000-07:00

Next on the Amazing Race!

While racing through Bangkok, Teams face a Roadblock where they must prepare a feast for hundreds of sacred monkeys.

In Thailand, teams make their way to an ancient temple where they find their next clue. Two Teams race for the Fast Forward and both are greeted with a gut-wrenching challenge aptly named "Insect Delight." Despite a teammate's encouragement, a physically demanding challenge proves to be too much for one Racer who breaks down.

Anyone Want to be a Racer?

2006-05-04T10:18:00.000-07:00

Do you think you have what it takes to be a team for the Amazing Race 11? I think John and Rebecca do. Heck! I'd pay to watch them every week..... :P Anyway, if you think you have some entertainment value then you should fill out the Amazing Race 11 Application and apply for the season after next.

They Stayed in Australia

2006-05-04T02:10:00.000-07:00

Can Monica be any whinier?! How Joseph puts up with her all day every day, I just don't know. The man has the patience of a saint. I did enjoy the fact that they were too busy arguing to notice when the sand finished running thru the hourglass. "It's not fair. We were here first." Um, well, no you weren't, Monica. Otherwise you wouldn't have been available to be yielded. Doesn't matter who got to the parking lot first, it only matters on the mat. Duh! Little surprised that the Frat boys cancelled everyone else's cabs. They were right, though. It was karma that their cab didn't show. Even funnier is that the other 2 teams blamed it on Joseph. Oh well, it wasn't an elimination round so the Hippies are fine and they all arrived at the same time so it's anyone's game still.

Rebecca is right. The taxi driver was fun-neee!! "I'm just joking, mate. No, I'm not but I saw you." Once again, what do men see in Monica. Although, it was funny to see Eric hitting on her in front of Joseph and to see Jeremy hitting on Yolanda at the Road Block. They just can't help themselves, can they? Though, the supportive "Have fun! Hopefully your chute opens, dude!" from Jeremy to Eric was pretty good, too.

But, I'd have to say that my favourite moment was Monica's face at the mat when she found out the Hippies were still in it because it was a non-elimination round. Guess that means next week's episode is an elimination one. I guess that makes sense since they only go with 3 into the season finale and the first hour of that is usually a non-elimination round so the teams have a chance to change their position going to the final mat.

I didn't laugh harder than I did when Phil crinched in fear from the Outback guy with his whips! I'd like to show him mine. Although, I don't think I've gotten that back from Rebecca yet........

Next on the Amazing Race

2006-05-03T16:02:00.000-07:00

Man, They Should Have Used Their Fake Names

Knowing that the Million Dollar Prize is within their reach, the final four Teams turn up the intensity.

Teams fly to Darwin, Australia and must wade through a crocodile-infested pool to receive their next clue. The Racers also perform an intense Roadblock which requires one teammate to perform a tandem skydive with a trained professional. This entire leg is full of foot races which culminate with a three-way sprint to the Pit Stop. Meanwhile, Teams continue to play head games with each other and one Duo takes the scheming a step further when they cancel all the cabs waiting for the remaining Teams.

From Oman to Australia

2006-04-27T01:33:00.000-07:00

From first to last: Fran & Barry were booted tonight because travel scheduling was the great equalizer yet again and the Hippies were able to catch the same flight as everyone else. I'm getting a little sick and tired of Monica and her little sayings. You know, those things she says that she thinks makes her sound smart. Even worse is Joseph complaining about how bad their luck is! Monica read the clue wrong and you believed her so, you only took one crayfish from the traps instead of the two that you were supposed to! How is that bad luck? That's just MoJo being D'ohD'ohs. And what's with the vendetta against the Hippies?! Don't remember seeing them clash before this episode but maybe I just wasn't paying attention. Not sure about anyone else but the couples seem to be edgier this season. More critical of each other and more verbal about it. Maybe this season's team members just have shorter fuses.

But, the whole prison Road Block was priceless. Was kind of hoping that Monica would do it and get lost, but no such luck.... It was still worth seeing the close call at the pit stop between the Frats and MoJo just to see Monica's face when Phil told Eric & Jeremy that they won a trip to Hong Kong for coming in first. So, now we're down to four teams, which (I'm sorry to say this) means that this season of Amazing Race will be coming to an end soon. GEESH, I hope they double up on seasons of AR again this year and start a new one in July or something.

Favourite Quote from this episode: The Bedouin to BJ & Tyler - "I am Bedouin. I come from the desert." BJ to the Bedouin - "I come from New Jersey."

EDIT: By the way, did I call it or did I CALL it?! Eric and Jeremy were #1 again this week and the Oldie McOldertons were out! Ah, I always knew I was psychic. :P

Bedouin Lovin'

2006-04-26T20:17:00.000-07:00

Seriously... what does TTOW mean?! hehe

"Do You Know How Much Running I Did Today, Phil?"

2006-04-26T14:52:00.000-07:00

Woohoo Amazing Race Night.

As per CTV

A fierce rivalry between two teams starts to heat up when one duo tells the other that at the next opportunity to use the Yield, they will use it against them.

Teams travel to Australia and must ride a bicycle built for two in order to receive their next clue. However, what should have been a fun three-mile bike ride turns into a heated argument for one team. Meanwhile, on the drive to the airport, another team picks up a hitchhiker and takes some time to conduct international relations.

Hmm I wonder which Teams will have the rivalry? We all know the Frat Boys will be conducting some international relations. This should be a fun fill night!

From Greece to Oman

2006-04-19T23:51:00.000-07:00

Yeesh!! It's like the ghost of Lake & Michelle are haunting the remaining racers. Ray and Yolanda seemed to be channeling them tonight. She was scolding him for "cussing" and he was just being rude behind her back. Although, he did refrain from calling her bitch with a southern redneck twang so, that was one good thing in his favour. But, what is with Yolanda's voice? I used to go to high school with a girl that would always speak in a baby voice. It drove me nuts.

The poor Hippies. They miss the first bus and then they miss the first flight. At least they weren't kicked out since it was a non-elimination round (finally!!). But the comment made by Monica and the hippies about the Frat boys "jumping" the line?! You were too afraid to try crossing the water yourselves and you were all egging each other on to see if they'd get stuck. The Frat boys just went for it instead of being scaredy cats waiting for someone else to do it first. They screwed up on the Detour and getting to the pit stop, though.

My favourite comment from this episdoe was made from Joseph to Monica at the Road Block: "You can really just be quiet and find that food. You don't have to pout about it."

Hopefully the Frat boys and the Hippies will get their acts together and oust the Oldie McOldertons from first next week. We'll see......

tonight...

2006-04-19T11:20:00.000-07:00

From Italy to Greece

2006-04-14T16:40:00.000-07:00

"You never handed it to me, Bitch!" - Lake. Really, need I say more than that?! Would say I feel bad for Michelle but "I'm going to put it in your hands and you're going to hold it" doesn't make me feel that bad for her. The two of them need counselling or a divorce. He's an ass and she's an enabler.

Another dysfunctional couple is MoJo. Poor Joseph! "Lift up your spirits before I get pissed." The man has way too much patience for her theatrics. I swear Monica is manic depressive. One minute it was "We're out of it" while she blubbered at the train station and the next it was "We were so happy to see Fran and Barry because we can beat them". Even worse is her little tidbits of wisdom about every place they went in this episode. First it was about walking the same streets as Caesar and then about being in the birthplace of thought. For anyone else, it would be a throwaway comment but it's like a three year old talking about physics when Monica talks about it.

What's one of the biggest rules in Amazing Race?! Read your clue or Phil will give you a penalty! Lake/Michelle, the Hippies & Ray/Yolanda - why did you think getting off the train at the wrong stop and then taking a bus instead of just getting on the next train made sense?! I love the looks on both Yolanda and Monica's faces when Phil told MoJo they were team#2. Priceless!

Have to say the two best moments of the episode were: 1) Barry backing up into a tree and breaking the back window of their vehicle; and 2) BJ & Tyler kissing Phil! Man, I wish I could kiss Phil..... :P

shut the h-e-(double hockey stick) up!

2006-04-13T08:15:00.000-07:00

Lake and Michelle have a
STRANGE relationship where he verbally abuses her and she treats him like a baby in return. fun times :-/

I WANT A FROG HAT! i love BJ and Tyler's froggy hat. they thought they were last place going into the challenge so they just had fun with it and it paid off.

i cannot reveal too much since laura still hasn't seen the episode. she'll post a recap up here in a bit but here are some pics for now.

Herculean Effort For Some Herculean Dudes

2006-04-10T16:18:00.000-07:00

Next on the Amazing Race!!!

Teams participate in a special "Da Vinci Code"-themed challenge in which teams are given a portion of Da Vinci's famed "Vitruvian Man" and must find the other half in order to solve the clue.

While Racing through Greece, teams return to ancient times and compete in Olympic games that include a grueling bout in the mud with a Greek wrestler. During a roadblock, teams face a 240-foot bungee jump off the Corinth Canal bridge and one racer becomes paralyzed with fear. Several teams make a crucial mistake when they fail to follow the clue's directions correctly. Meanwhile, a lack of focus and confusion plagues several teams who get lost while driving, and their frustration fuels an emotional breakdown for one team.

Fishy Sicily (pour Laura)

2006-04-05T17:59:00.000-07:00

Okay so I came home 8 minutes late but here's what I immediately picked up on...

The hippies were the first to leave in the morning and it was one of those "get there early but the thing you're supposed to do doesn't open til 8am" places - the theatro. so hippies get there early and draw up a fake "Official Sign in Sheet" then go to their car and sleep. The Frat boys get there a while late and sign their name... it took them a minute to realize - hey this paper doesnt look official - hey - is this the hippies' pen? too funny. i love the hippies. it SAID it was OFFICIAL geesh! hehe.

Meanwhile, all the other teams that got a later start to the day are stuck in traffic. Lake is precious: "where are we what's goin on what's that?" michelle: "a small bus."

they have to get to the theatro and count statue-heads on fenceposts then run down and tell their number to a groundskeeper. as Lake put it "i bet it's one o them find somethin' in the middle of nowhere' things.

this was all fairly simple but the detour that was next was a lil tougher on some teams. they could chose Big Fish or Little Fish.

In Big Fish they had to carry a 35 lb swordfish 3/4 miles to a market and find some dude to hand it off to for their next clue. Every team did this except Fran and Barry who chose Little Fish. they had to go to that market and sell 4kg of lil fishies. they had a ball doing it which was more than i can say for this week's Spazzy McGee, Monica. "JOSEPH!?!" "WHAT!!" she had a spaz attack because they couldn't find the person they had to deliver to fish to... then was crying because she was covered in fish guts. after the task while they're driving down the street she kept checking out all the chicks walking by "i wonder if she would give me some clean clothes to wear."

Lake calls Michelle a ding dong and it's off to Kayak Polo! At this point the frats, hippies are 1 and 2 - the rest follow closely although the fitness team and the geeks are dwindling behind.

so, kayak polo - I WANNA PLAY! you're on teams, in kayaks, and basically you have to paddle around and shoot a volleyball-type-thing into a big elevated net/basket. fun stuff. Fran got a little upset with Barry "he's pathetic" and Michelle totally throws like a girl. you know them chicks in basketball who use two hands and kinda push the ball up from their chest? *shudder*. lori sends dave off into the water with a 'may the force be with you."

Phil is dancing to the music of the live band lining the run up to the mat as we see the frats come in 1st. shortly after it's the hippies then Mojo... monica is still complaining about smelling like fish. ultimately the geeks get eliminated this week. they were a lil annoying towards the end... and i'm not really surprised.

next week we have the typical Amazing Race bungy jump as they make their way over to Greece.

i just totally speed-typed this for laura. i apologize for any errors or lack in fun snarky opinion that you usually get from her re-caps. let's all hope she gets her tv back soon.

nerds rule!

hump day special

2006-04-05T13:07:00.000-07:00

i am SO annoyed that they're airing this on wednesdays now. that means we're going to watch AR9 on the american east coast station at 5pm PT/8ET. THEN it's time for a new ANTM - america's next top model. i know this isn't on topic of AR9 but it seems clear to me that you do not need talent, brains or a pretty face to win ANTM this year (i'm not saying models aren't any of those things, it does take talent with brains and beauty) - just that the contestants this time around are less than dazzling.

anyhoo, back to AR9 - i'll be posting a full recap... since laura will be at work until 830PT AND her puter died the other day :-( poor girl. so stay tuned!

EDIT: I just came across this AR blog as well, it's worth a read :)

Sleep Deprivation Is Really Starting To Irritate Me

2006-04-04T11:27:00.000-07:00

Posted as a Comment by Gus:

Next on the Amazing Race!

Wednesday April 5 at 8pm ET

Tensions mount and the stress of the race takes its toll on several teams who get lost while trying to find their next clue in Sicily.

While racing through the ancient streets of Sicily, teams choose between a detour where they must either sell four kilograms of small Italian fish in a busy open-air market, or carry a 32-pound swordfish one-third of a mile through a congested part of the city in order to receive their next clue. Teams are also faced with a roadblock that requires one team member to score a goal in the popular Italian sport of "Kayak Polo" while competing against a team of professional players.

Important News

2006-04-03T10:39:00.000-07:00

Amazing race has changed its day and time. Starting this week, Amazing Race 9 will now be aired:

Wednesdays @ 8pm PT/ET

Don't forget to change your VCRs and don't dawdle on your way home.

From Germany to Italy

2006-03-28T20:09:00.000-08:00

How dumb were the teams tonight?! The frat boy and the hippies having wheelchair obstacle races in the airport while Michelle tried to be all high and mighty and buy tickets online. Too bad she couldn't figure out how to change the website from German to English (like the hippies did after they had fun!). She didn't get the tickets online and then went and got tickets for the last plane into Italy?! Dumbness was a catchy illness this episode! What's with Fran & Barry and the clue box? They NEVER see it. They ran by it twice again tonight before they saw it! Hello? If you can't see a box with a red & yellow flag the first time, get your prescriptions updated. Found it kinda funny the frat boys didn't do the physical task but watching Dave do it made me want to scream and tear my hair out. Quit whining, and just get the task done. Let's see the next act of dumbness would probably be Lake & Michelle (the king and queen of stupid things) going to the pit stop before going to the roadblock. Of course there are people there! It's the pit stop, stupid! I'm sure they time lapsed it but why was it taking Lori so long to figure out there were two extra pieces to the statue. Didn't she hear Lake say there were two extra bits when he was leaving?! Sorta sorry to see the Pinkies go but it's not like you didn't know some time ago that you would be on the race so, why wouldn't you learn to drive standard? Wonder how the boys will handle it?!

If Lake and Michelle win this season, it'll only be because of pure luck or they've just killed everyone with those redneck, rude attitudes of theirs. Michelle talks to Lake like I'm sure she talks to her children: "Be Still". Did love Monica's "pal-er-moe" and Joseph's "pal-ee-er-moe". Could they butcher the name of the city any worse? I'm happy with the frat boys and the hippies coming in one and two each leg. Wouldn't be sorry to see either team win it.

Oh NO! Not Anatomy!

2006-03-27T15:35:00.000-08:00

This week on the Amazing Race!!!

"Good Thing I Took That Human Anatomy Class In High School" - Competition heats up in Italy when Teams must reconstruct broken statues in order to get their next clue.

One duo gets lost on their way to the road block and ends up at the pit stop instead. During a detour, teams frantically try to locate a marked item of clothing among 2,400 pieces of laundry. The pressure of the race intensifies and one team member has a meltdown while trying to assemble a statue.

Sounds like a really great show!!!

From Russia to Germany

2006-03-21T20:11:00.000-08:00

The mom and daughter are gone!! Not that I have anything against moms and daughters. Just those two. Both really whiny and both really annoying. Lake and Michelle surprised me. They had fun, they weren't rude - it was nice. Kinda can't believe the Pinkies followed the mom and daughter for so long. They went in circles! Not that hard to figure out you're going in circles if you pass the same scenery more than once! The boys had fun with the bottles over the head but have to admit I'd pay good money to see them do the "Slap It" detour. Though, they like to slap it on their own....

But, what was with that RoadBlock?! Could it have been any easier? I mean, you pick up either the feet or the hat and if there's no pole going into the ground, you have a gnome. Or if you're Desiree, you dig in the empty hole and you don't have a "guh-nome". I'd have to say this was a "boy's leg" of the race. Fast cars & beer bottles over the head. I'm sure all the boys felt right at home.

From Brazil to Russia

2006-03-14T23:50:00.000-08:00

Okay, so what was with the zipline? Seem a little familiar to anyone else? I remember a couple of seasons ago had a zipline in it. I remember a crazy redhead and her fiance from Texas and her screaming the whole way across.... I'm just saying it looked really familiar. So, who wasn't surprised that the "Pinkies" hooked it up with the "Frat Boys"? It was inevitable. Almost as inevitable as the Pinkies losing their clue/money pouch (otherwise known as the fanny pack). You knew someone was going to forget/lose it at some point this episode since they made such a big deal about Michelle leaving it in the car. Or I guess I should say: Lake made such a big deal about it. I won't get on Lake and Michelle's case again this week since I was "corrected" by one of their friends last week. Doesn't mean I won't mention them again, I just don't have anything new to say about them. Well, except maybe: Lake was running in a cathedral?! How Rude! Also, on the rude front, the mother/daughter team. Mom was afraid of deep water so to encourage her to dive down for the clue, the daughter kept yelling "Down! Down! Down!". How supportive or inspirational was that? GEESH!! Get a grip lady. The Russian swimmers were more help to your mom than you were!

So, on the "why Europeans think Americans are rude" front, Monica mentioned something on the way to the detour: "All I know is Russian people drink and smoke a whole lot." Good to know they aren't making mass assumptions like "All Americans are rude". I'd really hate to see that! My prediction about the Hippies is coming true, though. I don't think I laughed harder than when they scared the crap out of the Frat Boys on the way to the zipline. Priceless! So much so it should be a Mastercard commercial. Another great moment for the Hippies was in the cathedral. I was impressed they took the time to appreciate the beauty and peace of the room. Nice change from the disrespect of some of the other teams (okay, only one).

I can't wait for the leiderhausen next week. Wish I could get in on the "bottle over the head" action that the Frat Boys were enjoying. Speaking of the Frat Boys, what was with the ass tapping at the beginning of this leg? Though, I wouldn't mind smacking that..... Oh, sorry, was that out loud?!

Anyway, here's a question from Annie: do you think CBS gives the teams laundry priviledges? If so, when? I thought maybe on their overnight pit stops but I can see her point. What do you guys think?

Are They or Aren't They?

2006-03-07T19:58:00.000-08:00

Okay, are the Frat boys gay or bisexual or what? First there was Eric with "I've got to keep the girls happy so I can get in their pants later" and then Jeremy with "I can't wait to get into my speedo". Either way, just plain rude. Even Phil wasn't exempt from their sexual comments. Blech! The Shavers are gone! Thank the Lord! Thought they were annoying last week but they proved themselves more annoying this week. Especially Lisa. Could you complain any more about the car? YEESH!! The mom in the mother/daughter team is rapidly killing my last nerve along with my eardrums. Also, how unsurprising was it that the Geeks did the science experiment?!

Oh yeah, what's with the patches, or bandaids or whatever they are, behind Lake & Michelle's right ears? Are they kicking nicotine together? Or is it some weird nod to their kids at home? Either way, Lake needs to reduce his steroids and increase his ritalin. I really like how he headbutted Michelle when they were leaving last week's pit stop.

From Colorado to Brazil

2006-03-01T23:39:00.000-08:00

So, Amazing Race got off to a great start! Phil... really, need I say more. As much as I love the race, they need more Phil. But, the teams are pretty much what I thought they'd be. "Hippies" are pretty funny but they're gonna get annoying after awhile. Lake surprised me as the chest beating "grunt grunt" man. "Pinkies"/"Double D's" need to go and they need to go soon but not necessarily before the "Frosties", or as Don and I like to call them: the "Shavers" (if you were listening closely, you'll understand). Enough with the screaming already! John & Rebecca's team is growing on me but I don't think they've got what it takes to make it to the end. Oh well, we'll see, I guess.

Can you wait to see Fran dangling from the rock cliff next week? I almost fell off the couch again tonight when the commercial came on! I wonder if we should Fogg it again.....

It began

2006-03-01T15:47:00.000-08:00

Read Phil's Blog here.

I'm also trying to Google/find out what the name of the soccer player at the end of last night's episode (as requested) but there's not much for info out there right now.

I've Changed My Mind

2006-03-01T14:50:00.000-08:00

Ok so after watching the first episode of the Amazing Race, thank gawd it's back to "normal", I'm changing my vote on who I want to win. I had the MOJO's winning, but now I like the GEEKS. They have to be my favourite so far, next to HIPPIES. I'm also sad to see the guys from Boston go. I guess the "I Dream of Jeannie" wish didn't come true. I feel the couple that should have gotten the boot should have been Fran & Barry. Come on guys, how many times can you pass the marker on the bridge and not see it?! And pulease, build a motorcycle? "I'm good at building things". Guess not this time! And what is it with the PLATINUMS? Lord Jesus make the pain end, eliminate them from the RACE! And for all those who work in my office, don't the FRATBOYS remind you of John?

Ok there is my little rant. I'm sure there will be more as the weeks progress!

T-Minus Six Days....and Counting

2006-02-21T13:02:00.000-08:00

Next week, baby, next week! I'm not sure if I'm more excited about Rebecca's wedding or the start of a normal season of Amazing Race (as opposed to the wonky Family version). Before I say what I came to say, I will say one good thing about the Family Edition of the Amazing Race: If any team had to win, I'm just REALLY happy it wasn't the team from Florida. You all know who I'm talking about - the Weavers. I have never seen a more disrepectful, rude, ungodly family. I felt bad for them at first because they'd recently lost their father but they kept using that as an excuse to be both whiny and rude. I have to admit, though, that my top two families actually finished in one and two, which was nice for a change. I'm usually VERY wrong about who will win and who will be in the final leg of the race especially when I chose so early on. The Bransens and the Linz families were entertaining to watch.

For the Bransens, I liked the dad more than the girls. They were a little rude to him sometimes but then, he was a little over "fatherly" to them at others. They were my second team choice. Though, if it had come down to them and the Weavers, the Bransens would have had my vote! Unlike the Weavers, the Bransens were up for anything. They didn't whine and complain when things were too hard for them to do and they rolld up their sleeves and helped out their dad when they knew he'd done too much for the team task-wise. I think one of the best moments in the entire race was right at the end when Phil asked the Bransens what they had learned about each other. It was precious and touching. It showed the real depth of their relationship (how armchair psychologist, was that?!

For the Linzs, I liked their enthusiasm. That and even when they weren't getting along, they were STILL getting along. The boys did most of the heavy work but Megan jumped in and did her share. The fact that two of the boys were really cute doesn't hurt either. They were my number one pick. They were the team you kept thinking might just be out of it but then hung on by the skin of their teeth. Now, while I wasn't a huge fan of Amazing Race 8 (I don't think it should have a number. It should just be skipped over like a bad memory.), I am very happy that the Linz family won it. I find it even more endearing that the plan the whole time was to share the money with their three siblings that couldn't do the race and their parents.

But, now onto the reason I started blogging today. THE NEW SEASON STARTS NEXT WEEK!! As it gets closer and closer to "go day", the ads for the Amazing Race 9 keep getting longer and more tantalizing (yes, I said tantalizing). But no matter how many ads I see, I still see that stupid first ad with Dani & Danielle. I hope they lose the first leg of the race. That way I don't have to see them for long or hear them: "We're girls. We're young and we like boys." (blech) If I hadn't seen that ad so many times now, they might have actually been one of my teams but after that ad, well, yeah... The sooner they're gone, the sooner I can enjoy watching a normal season of the Amazing Race.

There is one team, though, that I can see Rebecca & John getting behind. I mean, they do have to stand by their own. That team, of course, would be David & Lori. Self-proclaimed nerds, they look like they'll be fun. Though, I'm not sure how they'll do with the physical tasks but as long as they aren't booted too early, I think they'll be good comic relief. We all know that there has to be at least one of those teams on every race. Just like there is the rude "the reason why Europeans don't like Americans" couple on every race. Hmmm? I wonder who that will be this season?

I just had a fun thought. John is American (Iwonian to be more specific) and since it's W-day in three days, Rebecca will soon become half-American. So, I think we should start pressuring them to sign on for the Amazing Race 10. I mean, they both are physically fit, smart and I know that I'd love to see Rebecca getting her head shaved in India! Something to think about anyways.

Format

2006-02-08T15:40:00.000-08:00

An article about the Family Edition format.

Starting Here....

2006-02-08T11:28:00.000-08:00

Here's the first update courtesy of Laura:

Tuesday, February 28th @ 9pm PT - TWO HOUR SEASON PREMIERE

Fasten your seatbelts because on February 28th the Amazing Race takes off again. This season, the reality adventures series returns to its international format where 11 teams of two people. each with a pre-existing relationship, will travel to exotic locations, spanning five continents. They'll never know where they're going next or what they'll have to do once they get there.

The teams:

1. Lake & Michelle - married parents team from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, who have been married for 13 years. He's a dentist and she's a stay-at-home mom of three.

2. Danielle & Dani - childhood friends team from Staten Island, New York. Both are recent University/College graduates. (Danielle sounds like she's going to be annoying - it describes her as "talkative" on the CBS website.)

3. BJ & Tyler - best friends team (These guys look like they're going to be a fun pair to watch. They're hippies but they're fun hippies!)

4. Ray & Yolanda - dating couple team from Chicago Illinois, who have been together for five years. Yolanda was a teacher prior to moving in with Ray who is a lawyer.

5. John & Scott - lifelong friends team who live in Boston & Cape Cod, Massachusetts (respectively). John is a wealth manager/artist and Scott is "in sales".

6. David & Lori - dating couple team from Manhattan, Kansas, who have been together for three years. David is a "musician" and Lori is an assistant manager at Pizza Hut.

7. Eric & Jeremy - best friends team from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Jeremy is a valet and Eric is a waiter/bartender.

8. Fran & Barry - married couple team from Summit County, Colorado, who have been together for over 40 years. Fran (61) is a retired accountant and Barry (63) is a retired urologist and former battalion surgeon.

9. Lisa & Joni - sisters team from Santa Rosa Beach, Florida & Katy Texas (respectively). Lisa is an art gallery owner and Joni is a stay-at-home mom of two.

10. Joseph & Monica - dating couple team from Fayetteville, Arkansas, who have been together for three years.

11. Wanda & Desiree - mother & daughter team from Smyrna, Georgia & New York City, New York (respectively). Wanda is a corporate trainer and Desiree is a writer.

I like teams 3, 7, 8 & 10. Though the guy in team 10 sounds kinda clingy. Oh well, we'll see how they do!

YAY! AMAZING RACE!!

- Laura