This week’s column (and I use the term loosely) is less about reader questions and more about my own free advice to the teams on The Amazing Race: All Stars.
If you haven’t watched The Amazing Race before, you really should give it a try. My kids love it and it’s a fantastic opportunity for my family to sit down and focus on something together. We don’t watch a lot of TV at my house, so it’s nice to have this show in common. Every week Max and Wild Thing discuss who they are rooting for and why, who they think will be eliminated, and what strategies they would use if they were in the race.
From what I can gather from tonight’s premier, the main criteria for the All Star season was the more annoying, the better.
Mirna and Shmirna (or Charla if you want to get technical): These two gals are cousins. I hated watching them the first time they were on the show and whooped when they were eliminated. They’re back. They bring with them all the contrived drama and fake Spanish with a fake accent you can handle in an hour. My tip: Just because you say, "Eeets vedy goot" with an accent that may or may not pass for Spanish does not mean you speak Spanish.
Kevin and Drew: The baldies. Let’s skip right to the tip: If you know you’re going to be on a national show in prime time, take a few months to get yourself in shape. That way you won’t lose a foot race to a dwarf or fall flat on your face the first time you have to leave your car. If you do fall flat on your face the first time you leave your car, don’t cry like a little girl.
Kentucky (aka David and Mary): I liked these guys last season. I was excited for them that they made it as far as they did. This season? I’m done with them. They are already lying to other teams and bickering with each other non-stop. I can’t count how many times they put each other down. It’s so sad. My tip for these two is to just chill. Try to work together for Pete’s sake. At this rate you’ll never make it.
Everyone else I like. The couples are getting along and respectful (give them time, it’s only episode one), the gays are friendly and fun, and the older teams are holding their own. I’d really like to see more of Uchena & Joyce and Teri & Ian. It was a complete bummer for me that JV & Jill were eliminated tonight. By rights that should have been Kevin & Drew or Mirna & Shmirna because they made all sorts of mistakes.
Anyone else watch? What did you think?
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
We’re on the AR wagon, and our kids like it. When it’s been a particularly rough week in the Casa de Clem Bastion of Home-based Academia, it’s geography class.
My hubby is rooting for Rob & Amber. He digs those two. He’s watched Survivor since the beginning, so he and the Marianos go WAY back. He TiVo’d (is TOO a word) their WEDDING for mercy sakes! And he’s got all of their “Against the Odds” cable show downloaded on his computer.
I’m okay with JV and Jill getting cut. They had a Annoying Potential Factor of about 6.4. That’s high, people.
I really liked JV and Jill. Sad to see them go. And you’re right about Kevin and Drew. I loved them last time but this time they just seem like they’re all done already.
I have absolutely no memory of Teri and Ian from the last time. They came in second? Hmm.
I’m liking Danny and Oswaldo again, and Rob and Amber, although they can be annoying and so that could change at any time.
I absolutely love the Amazing Race! I am not a big reality TV fan, but this is one show that I can’t get enough of. I like to live vicariously through them. It would be such an awesome experience to be a contestant, but with my babies…it’s impossible. Oh well! I can always dream. I haven’t really picked out a favorite team yet. We will have to see how things go.
I’m a total whore for AR. I hate the Barbies but I hate Rob & Amber more. I did like Uchenna & Joyce the first time and I think they’re the only ones this time who won their race before. We’ll see how it shakes out… I totally dig the show and wish there was someone cool enough to go on AR with me, but maybe I just want to get to the pit stop and make out with Phil.
The Feller and I have always wanted to do this show…it is just finding the time away from his job that prevents us from trying out. We both love to travel, we travel well together, we are both adventurous, I am a “people-person” and he is smart enough to out-scheme most folks.
I’m good at physical challenges and “coercion”, he is good at eating (weird stuff) and problem solving. If you ever see a baby boomer southern chick and a cocky asian doctor, you will know it is us. (and yeah, we fuss at each other but we get over it) LOL…..
Anyyyyways, I don’t have a clear cut fav yet..it is much too early.
Of the ones who are back though, Uchena and Joyce were a big hit with us the first time. I liked Dave and Mary as well..not because I have moved to KY but because they seemed genuine. This time, they might be a bit more jaded and hard. Mirna and Schmirna ANNOY me to pieces! Did not like them the first time around , esp. when they use those horrible fake accents and play on her dwarfism for favors or special treatment! Puh-lease! If you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch.
Kevin and Drew won’t last another round, IMO. They are too fat, slow and whiny…and not too bright.
The beauty queens will have a few moments (cause they can garner special treatment by charming taxi drivers, etc) but I look for them to lose it to better teams.
The older couple will have to be at their best every single time or they are gonna’ eat Rob and Amber’s dust very soon. I think R&A are the true contenders. They are smart, they are fit, they are edgy, they are experienced, and they really, REALLY hate to lose. I think barring extreme screw ups, they are the team to beat.
I am just happy that it is back on….so little on TV holds my interest and AR almost lost it when they did the U.S. race with the families. That was the most boring season ever and hopefully they learned their lesson.
I watched, well in between flipping to Extreme Makeover (rip my heart out!). I have one thing to say…I am tired of Rob and Amber. I didn’t know you could make a career out of reality TV. At least when I was in middle school this was not a career day option. At this rate, it will be an option for my son’s career day.
I’m a TAR junkie from the first season. LOVE IT! And I love me some Rob and Amber, too. I hated to see John Vito and Jill go though — they were favorites during their season, but at the same time, I wouldn’t have wanted to lose the Frats already. Why couldn’t it have been the Guidos or the bland Eric and Danielle?
I loved Team Kentucky last time, but they can go now, too. And Teri and Ian drove me nuts in their season, but so far at least, they’re much improved. So glad to see Team Beauty Queen back — they’re competitive racers and I like that. People just there to live in Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood annoy me.
Go Romber!
You know this is the only show we watch on television (except for the occasional Law and Order rerun) and we are addicted.
I’m not so excited about the All Stars edition because most of the people I fondly waved goodbye to the last time they were eliminated in the series. I’m with you on Uchena and Joyce though, liked them the first time.
I am so for Rob and Amber! If I was on there, I wouldn’t be all nice, it’s a MILLION DOLLARS PEOPLE!!! At least they are honest about it! And Rob was nice last night! He wanted it noted, remember??
I like the barbies, they are tough chicks!
I am so for Rob and Amber! If I was on there, I wouldn’t be all nice, it’s a MILLION DOLLARS PEOPLE!!! At least they are honest about it! And Rob was nice last night! He wanted it noted, remember??
I like the barbies, they are tough chicks!
The line of the night: “Less martinis, more cardio” from the Cuban Cha-Chas. They are my *all time* favorite AR team.