"The Amazing Race 9" - 4/5/06 - *SPOILERS*!

[Inundated]

Sigh.

It had to happen.

Dave and Lori are gone. No non-elimination round to be found yet!

[scottykempf]

Go Phil, it's your birthday, go Phil, it's your birthday...... OOOHHH OOH

[pantherman007]

Please, please tell me they're going somewhere cold(er) next week. I can't bear the thought of seeing Barry wear a sleeveless shirt again.

Phil dancing. Wow. Hmm. Wow.

[scottykempf]

What were Lake and Michelle wearing around their necks? It looked like a money pouch. When I saw Lake with his on, and ONLY that on, I was like "Wow, that's kinda...yeah." But then Michelle had hers on and, well, let's just say that it really emphasised her assets.

[InterMurph]

Dave and Lori brought very little to the game, except that as nerds they represent the vast majority of us here.

It's apparent that this is a two-team race. I thougth Ray & Yolanda would make it a 3-team race, but they can't seem to get their act together.

[sushikitten]

Crap. I just lost my whole post. I hate it when that happens.

Basically, thoughts...

Fran and Barry have to go. I'm at my limit with their constant whining and "the end is near" attitude, when everything turns out fine.

I'm really sorry to see Dave and Lori go. Other teams should take lessons from them (are you listening, Lake and Michelle?). I really really liked them.

Phil dancing. Wow.

Phil's outfit this episode rocked.

MoJo must really have had a hard time with the fish, as everyone else seemed to have it pretty easy. Of course, editing may have been a factor, but still. Loved the meltdown, though.

[xuxa]

What were Lake and Michelle wearing around their necks? It looked like a money pouch. When I saw Lake with his on, and ONLY that on, I was like "Wow, that's kinda...yeah." But then Michelle had hers on and, well, let's just say that it really emphasised her assets.

That is their microphones.

[terpfan1980]

My only thought on tonite's show was on the female member of the one team griping that carrying the swordfish wa the worst thing she'd ever done. Seems we hear such statements in virtually every one of these reality shows at least several times. And as I joked with my wife, I'd hazzard a guess that she's been falling down drunk or done something else just as bad if not worst in her past somewhere.

A little fish guts, eh. Nothing to it if you've had a child, changed some smelly diapers, cleaned up after a kid that has been sick in the middle of the nite, been a kid in the middle of the nite that was sick, etc.

[pendragn]

I was sad to see the nerds go. I soooo wish it would have been Fran and Barry instead. I agree that this looks like a two team race. That doesn't bug me so much because I really like BJ and Tyler, they are entertaining to watch.

tk

[wendiness1]

I missed it! I thought it was on at 9:00. You have no idea how mad I am!

[pendragn]

I missed it! I thought it was on at 9:00. You have no idea how mad I am!
I can send it to you on DVD if you'd like. PM me your address if you're interested.

tk

[DevdogAZ]

A very short leg, after another relatively short leg. Kind of surprising that they'd do these two short legs back-to-back. And when Puddle opened the clue after the Big Fish detour and was hoping for "Pit Stop" I thought, dude, you're nuts. The leg just started. But alas, it was almost over too. I wonder if this is one of those legs where there was an additional task that we didn't see.

[HDTivoDesire]

I missed it! I thought it was on at 9:00. You have no idea how mad I am!

No Tivo? Why are you here? :)



Good riddance to the nerd team. They were slow, hapless and did not deserve to be on the show. I hate people like that who manage to get selected for a dream experience and they don't even try their best.

[Inundated]

Good riddance to the nerd team. They were slow, hapless and did not deserve to be on the show. I hate people like that who manage to get selected for a dream experience and they don't even try their best.

OK, so Dave and Lori didn't run a 4 minute mile or anything, but they weren't the slowest and most hapless team in the race. (Helllooo, Fran and Barry!)

I really don't want to see a race where we've got 11 teams that are all gym rats or fast runners. TAR is not all about who's got the fastest time in the 40. If it ever turns into that kind of show ("only people who can apply are athletes!") I may as well be watching something on ESPN.

Fran and Barry's biggest problem isn't their physical lack of ability, it's their near constant mental miscues. I was SURE they were gonna miss a clue box again this week!

As far as "deserve to be on the show"...well, they made it this far, didn't they? :) Even Fran and Barry.

[Inundated]

Some random thoughts:

Fran and Barry were back (especially Barry) in "Gloomy Gus" mode this week.

This wasn't MoJo's finest moment. Either of 'em. Either Monica with her Flo Moment, or Joseph with his mock protests that he was going to stab the locals with the swordfish...

Yes, I still like BJ & Tyler, but their "funny Italian phrases as heard by Americans" thing is running out of steam after two shows in Italy...

Dr. Puddle DDS - I'm still not sure how he can find wisdom teeth. He sure as heck can't find anything else...

Very sad that Dave & Lori are gone. Yeah, I know they're not gonna win this thing, but I wanted them around at least another week. I'm not sure who I'm rooting for, now...

[ccouger]

A little fish guts, eh. Nothing to it if you've had a child, changed some smelly diapers, cleaned up after a kid that has been sick in the middle of the nite, been a kid in the middle of the nite that was sick, etc.

That's funny because I had the same thought! If you're a mom (well, either parent) you're used to cleaning up some horrible mess and much other gross things. Anybody who has ever taken care of a kid with the stomach flu for 48 hours has had to endure much more than lugging a smelly fish around for 1/3rd of a mile. I wonder how these kinds of people ever last as parents once they see how much drudgery is involved in the childhood rearing years?

I was sorry to see the Geek team go, because they were pleasant and having a good time. It's nice to have a team you can identify with as just normal people, instead of characters that have you cringing whenever they're on screen. I was getting tired of the befuddled type "theme music" that would play whenever they'd be on screen, though. The same for that urban blues type riff they play whenever they show Ray and Yolanda. The music adds a lot to the show, but it must be strange to get stuck with some odd theme music that's put in the background later to be used to represent your team!

[Dssturbo1]

phil seemed so happy dancing and with the band and all, i though it might be a non philimination leg.

lake looked like he had a bikini top on, with the triangles pulled to the middle, BAD IMAGE MUST ERASE FROM MIND..... Thinking of Michelle though in it brings back much happier thoughts hmmm.

ok it seems like amphitheaters are the theme of The Amazing Race 9, that's three so far in 6 episodes.

[Martha]

We probably rewound 3-4 times when Lake and Michelle were trying to take their fish and Michelle said they were stealing the guy's fish and then Lake piped in, "You think this sumb*tch would let us steal his fish?"

No way would I let him be my dentist, but he cracks me up. I hope they stay around awhile longer just for the laughs he provides!

[TiVo'Brien]

You gotta love the fake sign-up sheet BJ and Tyler put up at the counting task. :D I loved how the frat boys fell for it. :p

I, too, am sorry to see Team Geek go. I was sure they were safe with a non-elimination leg. :( They were the team I identified with the most.

[Lee L]

I just can believe Fran and Barry are still in this thing. They seem to be doing horribly and yet they are solidly in the middle of the pack. I can only hope that as the number of teams shrink, they stay in the same position relative to first place and get eliminated.

It would suck pretty bad if MoJo did ask the right guy, but I wonder if they said his name wrong or something. Most of the vendors seemed to be a little more low key than most ofthe other Italians.

As far as the device Lake and Michelle were wearing, I did not really think it was that flattering on her.

[Andrew_S]

As far as the device Lake and Michelle were wearing, I did not really think it was that flattering on her.

Quite possibly the worst looking breasts in TAR history. Does she not own a bra?

[Jeff_in_Bklyn]

Did any one else think Ray and Yolanda would not be able to find there car since they did not park in the right spot?

[eddyj]

Did any one else think Ray and Yolanda would not be able to find there car since they did not park in the right spot?
I was totally expecting that to happen.

[sushikitten]

I don't think they should have had a designated parking spot. That just made it even easier.

[cpalma]

I was getting tired of the befuddled type "theme music" that would play whenever they'd be on screen, though. The same for that urban blues type riff they play whenever they show Ray and Yolanda. The music adds a lot to the show, but it must be strange to get stuck with some odd theme music that's put in the background later to be used to represent your team!

There's theme music for individual teams? Seriously?? I have no idea what is playing in the background. I'm trying to catch all the nuances and the dialogue of the race.

It dawned on me last night, Ray sure is laid back. He never behaves anxious or flustered. Kinda boring, really.

LMAO at Barry's naked arms comment above. Agreed.

*my eyes* *my eyes* I hope Michelle can live down those breasts to all her friends and neighbors. That was one awful shot (or was that two?).

Frat boys can finally concentrate on the task at hand now that the DDistraction is gone.

I think the Hippies are having the most fun, and after all, if you were lucky enough to go on the AR, wouldn't you want to have a blast? That would be my only reason for going. Sure I wouldn't decline the million, but any team could win for any reason and in the end, if I lost the million, I'd want to have fun losing it.

[TiVo'Brien]

Why would Lake encourage Michelle to do the water polo task? Clearly, he's the more athletic person between the two of them. That just didn't make sense to me especially when there's no restriction on how many Roadblocks a team member may perform on this race. My wife says he does this to set Michelle up to take the blame should they fall behind.

[Lee L]

My wife says he does this to set Michelle up to take the blame should they fall behind.

Mine said the exact same thing. :)

[JFriday]

Go Phil, it's your birthday, go Phil, it's your birthday...... OOOHHH OOH
Bad week for hosts dancing, 1st Trump now Phil.

[eddyj]

Why would Lake encourage Michelle to do the water polo task? Clearly, he's the more athletic person between the two of them. That just didn't make sense to me especially when there's no restriction on how many Roadblocks a team member may perform on this race. My wife says he does this to set Michelle up to take the blame should they fall behind.
Do we know there are no limits to the roadblocks? Just because they are not saying it does not mean the rule is not there. Maybe they will only mention it in the future, if it becomes an issue?

[wendiness1]

No Tivo? Why are you here? :)

Because I like to hang out with the cool people. :)

[sushikitten]

Do we know there are no limits to the roadblocks? Just because they are not saying it does not mean the rule is not there. Maybe they will only mention it in the future, if it becomes an issue?

But haven't they always mentioned the rule--at the beginning of each task--before? If they're not mentioning it now, I'm inclined to believe it's not a rule.

[eddyj]

It has not always been a rule (did Flo do even one?). The season they introduced it, they mentioned it. For the Family one, they had different rules. So I am not sure what is going on now.

[sushikitten]

Wikipedia only has rules about it up through Season 8:

Beginning in Season 6, each team member may only complete a maximum of six Roadblocks throughout the entire race. Since there are normally twelve Roadblocks in the Race, this rule forces each team to split the Roadblocks equally between the two members (unless a team uses a Fast Forward to skip one Roadblock, in which case the split can be 6-5). In contrast, Season 5 featured three teams that split the Roadblocks 11-1 or 10-1. The six-Roadblock limit was dropped for Season 8; additionally, that season's four-member-team format required some Roadblocks to be completed by two people. A Roadblock is featured (although, in some episodes, not aired) in every leg except the first one. In Season 1, even the first leg had a Roadblock, but it was not originally aired; it was included in the DVD release.

And I can't find anything on the CBS site. Their FAQ stinks.

[bobsbizzy]

Good riddance to the nerd team. They were slow, hapless and did not deserve to be on the show. I hate people like that who manage to get selected for a dream experience and they don't even try their best.

"Nerds Rule". :D

[bobsbizzy]

A little fish guts, eh. Nothing to it if you've had a child, changed some smelly diapers, cleaned up after a kid that has been sick in the middle of the nite, been a kid in the middle of the nite that was sick, etc.

Yesterday an 11ish kid threw up (violently and suddenly) in a restaurant I was in, over tables, peoples food and clothes. That created one hell of a mess and scene.

As a parent I took it in stride as "that's what happens to kids with stomach bugs" and empathized with the parents, though some patrons were a little upset. :)

[TBDigital]

My wife and I think that the 'device' on Lake and Michelle was their mics, but I don't have any proof of that.

And I'm going to be more than a little pissed if they kept the stupid Yield rule, but did away with the sensable 'No team member can do more than 6 Road Blocks' rule. I kinda figured that we'd have a fast forward by now, since we haven't had a non-elim leg. If they do have a non-elim leg, they'll probably still have that stupid 'Give us all your stuff except your race wallet and passports, so you get to go begging in a 3rd world country' rule...bleh.

I think I'm gonna start a 'What rules would be in your ideal season of TAR' thread. Maybe Bruckheimer and the folks at CBS will take note...

[DevdogAZ]

I just can believe Fran and Barry are still in this thing. They seem to be doing horribly and yet they are solidly in the middle of the pack. I can only hope that as the number of teams shrink, they stay in the same position relative to first place and get eliminated.
I think maybe the editing is making Frankenbarry look more incompetent than they are. Because they have such defeatist attitudes and seem to get so frustrated, it's easy for the editors to include that stuff because it adds to the drama. But it probably doesn't have nearly as big of an effect on their performance as it's made out to be. I was totally shocked after they kept showing Frankenbarry stuck/lost in traffic that they still ended up finding the amphitheater right when they should have in relation to the other teams.

[selat]

Why would Lake encourage Michelle to do the water polo task? Clearly, he's the more athletic person between the two of them. That just didn't make sense to me especially when there's no restriction on how many Roadblocks a team member may perform on this race. My wife says he does this to set Michelle up to take the blame should they fall behind.
Are you sure there are no roadblock restrictions? I thought they changed that rule a couple years ago that they must evenly split the roadblocks.

[TiVo'Brien]

Are you sure there are no roadblock restrictions? I thought they changed that rule a couple years ago that they must evenly split the roadblocks.Phil doesn't explicity state that rule this time around, so I'm assuming they're going without it.

[InterMurph]

Why would Lake encourage Michelle to do the water polo task? Clearly, he's the more athletic person between the two of them. That just didn't make sense to me especially when there's no restriction on how many Roadblocks a team member may perform on this race. My wife says he does this to set Michelle up to take the blame should they fall behind.

Bingo. He did this in the first episode, when he had her phone ahead for airline reservations. He spent the whole phone call bouncing around behind her, criticizing her and telling her what to say.

Lake might be the neediest man I have ever seen.

[tedder]

I wonder how these kinds of people ever last as parents once they see how much drudgery is involved in the childhood rearing years?

Not everyone has (or wants to have) children.

Not everyone with children should have children, or are even capable of raising a puppy.

[Dignan]

This episode should have been called "Bloody Fish Barbie", gotta love the hippies. I liked how they were intentionally mispronouncing every Italian word they encountered, didn't like the Super Mario Brothers schtick.

Fran and Barry are like Mr. and Mrs. Magoo, they keep getting lost and magically stay in the race.

[TBDigital]

I can't believe that atleast 3 of the teams (MoJo, Nerds, and Ray and Yo) didn't get a map of the area until this episode. MoJo stole (heh) that guy's map leaving the pit stop, the Nerds bought one once they were leaving the detour, and I'm still not sure that Ray and Yo ever had a map. They're really making things difficult on themselves, IMO. In seasons past, you'd have teams go to visitor's centers or libraries with internet access so they could look things up, even if they didn't know where they were headed, if they got maps and info on the major towns and attractions in the area, they had a good sense of what might come. You'd think they would atleast buy a decent guide book of the area once their plane touches down. Most teams are in such a hurry this season, they don't even stop to read their clue info carefully, which was what caused MoJo's breakdown during the detour, IMO. Joseph going around yelling 'Jinga' or something similar, wtf? That's not the guys name, not even close. Look at the clue, and figure out what you're doing wrong.

[Inundated]

I haven't watched the "insider" videos yet this season (CBS.com of course), but I believe I've heard that at least one or two team members DOES mention the rule about the number of roadblocks.

If that's indeed the case, you wonder why it hasn't been mentioned at all on the show, and why many teams are going ahead and making one team member do almost all of 'em.

Gotta agree on the Dr. Puddle Setting Up Michelle For Failure theory. It's a slightly toned down version of how HWSNBN treated Victoria all of that season!

[DevdogAZ]

I haven't watched the "insider" videos yet this season (CBS.com of course), but I believe I've heard that at least one or two team members DOES mention the rule about the number of roadblocks.

If that's indeed the case, you wonder why it hasn't been mentioned at all on the show, and why many teams are going ahead and making one team member do almost all of 'em.

Gotta agree on the Dr. Puddle Setting Up Michelle For Failure theory. It's a slightly toned down version of how HWSNBN treated Victoria all of that season!
It's strange that Phil hasn't stated the rule yet this season. Perhaps they're treating it as a given. However, there's got to be some version of the rule in place or Puddle would simply do every challenge and never let Michelle do any of them.

[ccouger]

Not everyone has (or wants to have) children.

Not everyone with children should have children, or are even capable of raising a puppy.

Agreed. It was not meant as a comment about possible child rearing abilities, but a comment that there are a lot of things in life ahead that will be messier than carting a sword fish a short distance and proclaiming that the worst thing ever. They're in their early 20s though, so it must be their perspective. Other than raising kids, if you've ever had an aging pet that needed care, or even aging parents, for that matter, there are a lot of messy gross things you deal with in life that come with no reward. It was more meant as a comment about their age and where they are in life now compared with what's ahead, whether they become parents, have pets, deal with relatives, whatever. Sometimes life gets messy.

[Dssturbo1]

no big challenge on the counting heads task. ...go back up the stairs walk around the block and count to 41 duh walk down and get clue.

they need more like in the season with the factory with all the peices in big boxes.

[Inundated]

It's strange that Phil hasn't stated the rule yet this season. Perhaps they're treating it as a given. However, there's got to be some version of the rule in place or Puddle would simply do every challenge and never let Michelle do any of them.

Or, he'd set her up to do them so he can blame her, when he knows he can't do it. :D

Still, last night's kayak polo...it did look like he would have taken it, from his constant comments, if there was no roadblock limit.

[Inundated]

no big challenge on the counting heads task. ...go back up the stairs walk around the block and count to 41 duh walk down and get clue.

It reminded me of that one counting task where they had to count things in trees or something, only that one was actually difficult. :D

[tedder]

I haven't watched the "insider" videos yet this season (CBS.com of course), but I believe I've heard that at least one or two team members DOES mention the rule about the number of roadblocks.

TWOP mentioned it (the rule, and mentions in the insider videos) in last weeks' recap.

-ted

[Roadblock]

Phil doesn't explicity state that rule this time around, so I'm assuming they're going without it.

I went with the opposite assumption. Seems it's just a given this time around that they split em up. And obviously I am more qualified to comment on this one.

[Linz]

It reminded me of that one counting task where they had to count things in trees or something, only that one was actually difficult. :D

TAR 6 was the best when they were in the giant IKEA store counting pots and pans or stuffed animals

44...46...60... :p

Personally I thought the "nerd" team was sort of fabricated but then again, it could have just been highly edited. As for Fran and Barry, I think the fact they can actually read and map and not get angry with each other (just frustrated in general) is what is keeping them in the game. And like others have said, I sure hope we see some more difficult tasks and a non-elimination round.

[Lee L]

I went with the opposite assumption. Seems it's just a given this time around that they split em up. And obviously I am more qualified to comment on this one.

What exactly does that mean?

[richNYC]

What exactly does that mean?
His name is "Roadblock" ;)

[Inundated]

Personally I thought the "nerd" team was sort of fabricated but then again, it could have just been highly edited.

Yeah, I thought that as well, but perhaps it was due to the show's regular use of "nerd theme music" when focusing on Dave and Lori. :D

Still, I do miss 'em...and wish they would have stuck around another week.

Hmmm. Your username and location...you wouldn't happen to be...

[Lee L]

Yes, I thought it was funny that someone named Roadblock and someone named Linz all the sudden started posting in this thread.

[Inundated]

Yes, I thought it was funny that someone named Roadblock and someone named Linz all the sudden started posting in this thread.

If the username used last season by two overwrought young Weaver family fans shows up, I'm leaving!

:D

[Idearat]

If the username used last season by two overwrought young Weaver family fans shows up, I'm leaving!

:D

Cameltoe Twins?

[Inundated]

Cameltoe Twins?

Uhh...no. :D

I forget the username, but it was some combination of two of the Weaver kids' names and first initial.

[Supfreak26]

[QUOTE=Inundated]

Very sad that Dave & Lori are gone. Yeah, I know they're not gonna win this thing, QUOTE]

Which is exactly why they shouldn't be on the show in the first place. Same with every old team on the show. Same with the Bowling Moms and all of their clones.

IMO, I'd rather see 11 teams that have a serious shot at winning rather than 4 or 5 good teams and a bunch of filler.



That said, I liked Nerd Power as well but I'm glad they are gone.

[Inundated]

Which is exactly why they shouldn't be on the show in the first place. Same with every old team on the show. Same with the Bowling Moms and all of their clones.


Well, here's my theory.

There are 11 teams. Only one of them is going to win. Period. So, why not sprinkle more interesting personality types the rest of the way?

I said Dave and Lori "weren't gonna win this", but they did have a chance. One of the big-strong-and-dumb teams could get themselves seriously lost, or lose ground on challenges that require more than just brawn and muscles.

Since Dave and Lori did make it this far, they could well have outlasted, say, the constantly lost Ray and Yolanda a couple of more legs, and Ray and Yolanda are certainly in better shape.


IMO, I'd rather see 11 teams that have a serious shot at winning rather than 4 or 5 good teams and a bunch of filler.

And I have no problem with 5 "good" teams and 6 that might have a chance of at least making it into the final three if they hold it together. You bring up the Bowling Moms - look at how far they made it, and they were basically out of shape compared to Colin and Christie!

I like the mix. I'd certainly not like to see 5 "good" teams and 6 teams that don't have a snowball's chance in heck, but we've seen pleasant surprises from "unlikely" teams. That's where you and I part on this :) For me, TAR isn't a physical race, it's an OVERALL race.

If it were a pure test of physical strength, I wouldn't be interested. In that case, why don't we just go down to the local college athletics department and get all the runners? Then we basically have the Olympics with nice scenery.

My opinion, of course.


That said, I liked Nerd Power as well but I'm glad they are gone.

I liked 'em for where they were. And they had good chemistry and good teamwork (most of the time, give or take an extra statue piece or two), which I like to see in teams.

[Linz]

Yeah, I thought that as well, but perhaps it was due to the show's regular use of "nerd theme music" when focusing on Dave and Lori. :D

Still, I do miss 'em...and wish they would have stuck around another week.

Hmmm. Your username and location...you wouldn't happen to be...

Nope. Sorry, but I am not a member of the Linz family, Linz is just my nickname.

[eddyj]

The other thing is that you never know when a weak team will do really well. Who would have thought that any team containing Flo would get that far?

[ccouger]

Well, here's my theory.

There are 11 teams. Only one of them is going to win. Period. So, why not sprinkle more interesting personality types the rest of the way?

If the rule about team partners having to do equal amount of tasks had been in place during the earlier seasons, especially the time when it was all models/actor/actress wannabes, it would have been a very different race. Most of those women did not do any of the tasks at all. The Bowling Moms did great to get to the finals in their season, when you realize that they had to trade off on everything, from tasks with great heights to tasks that required physical strength. And they were competing in every case against the male of the other teams. That makes a big difference. If you have to trade off, you will often have women competing against women and that will equalize a lot of the teams.

The model/actress version was the one I disliked the most, because the teams were all around the same ages and almost seemed interchangeable. A mix of people with different ages and backgrounds keeps it intereresting. There have been no demanding physical challenges this season so far, so it's still definitely anybody's race. All it takes is one lost taxi driver or a vehicle breakdown, and even a frontrunner team can find themselves behind.

[Inundated]

The model/actress version was the one I disliked the most, because the teams were all around the same ages and almost seemed interchangeable. A mix of people with different ages and backgrounds keeps it intereresting. There have been no demanding physical challenges this season so far, so it's still definitely anybody's race. All it takes is one lost taxi driver or a vehicle breakdown, and even a frontrunner team can find themselves behind.

:up:

The way TAR is set up, a team like the Bowling Moms has a good shot at being competitive. And I like that! Sure, the "dumb-and-strong" teams have a physical advantage, but the rest of the race concept equalizes that.

I don't think I could watch if it were 10 other teams like Eric and Jeremy, for example. Where's the interest? They may as well just set up hurdles from a race course and use a stopwatch to time them. TAR is an *overall* race, both physical and mental... and usually (TAR6 be damned) they get the balance right between the physically strong and the mentally adept.

As far as Dave and Lori and "not belonging", they clearly belong in the race when you look at the history of this show. And really, that's what it is...a SHOW.

Dave and Lori were not cannon fodder. Their chances of "winning it all" may have been small, but they were competitive through six episodes.

[marksman]

Phil doesn't explicity state that rule this time around, so I'm assuming they're going without it.

Yeah but the way some of the teams that are really imbalanced consult and decide, I would think it is in.

I still think the worst task was the one when they made them try and unlock 1000s of padlocks and the one girl had to go back and do it over and over.

[lander215]

Who would have given Flo any chance in the beginning? (well..ok...it took her a few weeks to "wind up")

[HDTivoDesire]

Dave and Lori just lacked that "killer instinct." It seemed like they were just happy to be there and weren't really trying to win. They crumbled under the slightest pressure. And for "nerds," they weren't that bright. I would classify them more as middle-America White Trash than nerds, since they are from KANSAS and Lori works at PIZZA HUTT.

[Inundated]

Who would have given Flo any chance in the beginning? (well..ok...it took her a few weeks to "wind up")

Here's hoping Monica isn't traveling down Flo Boulevard.

:D

[marksman]

I don't know if I agree with this concept that only a few team archetypes are legitimate contenders. I think if you look at the final teams in all the seasons you see a fairly disparate group many of whom would fall outside of what would be considered a strong team.

Since there are no preliminaries or anything to actually test people's abilities on the show it is hard to know if any given team will excel or fail. I also think the tasks are partially to blame. They often tend to lean towards a physical bent with a mental alternative being a potentially bigger time sink or obstacle, if and when there is a choice. I think they could consider making some two-tiered tasks that require a physical component but also require a difficult mental component as well.

Overall they get a decent mix, it just seems like placement is important as well. With all the bunching up that goes on, when you are talking about making final runs for a leg or the finish line, a more physical team is always going to have an edge down the stretch. To offset that it seems like they need more in-depth and difficult mental tasks before that happens.

[lander215]

Dave and Lori just lacked that "killer instinct." It seemed like they were just happy to be there and weren't really trying to win. They crumbled under the slightest pressure. And for "nerds," they weren't that bright. I would classify them more as middle-America White Trash than nerds, since they are from KANSAS and Lori works at PIZZA HUTT.

Wanna bet at least the White Trash of which you speak can spell Pizza Hut correctly?

:rolleyes:

[lander215]

Here's hoping Monica isn't traveling down Flo Boulevard.

:D

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

:p

[ccouger]

I don't know if I agree with this concept that only a few team archetypes are legitimate contenders. I think if you look at the final teams in all the seasons you see a fairly disparate group many of whom would fall outside of what would be considered a strong team.

Team Guido was the oldest team in their season, I think, so if you had judged them by age alone you should have expected them to be one of the first teams out, and yet look what happened there. And that was the season when the show's tasks were much harder, as far as having to actually figure things out without a lot of obvious clues pointing the way.

Gretchen and Meredith and the Bowling Moms are two teams I can think of right off that finished much farther ahead of a lot of the younger teams. If you think basing a prediction on final outcome from teams being young and strong alone is a good indication, then the Double Ds should have placed much higher this season. They were young, in good shape, and had help from other teams. So, what happened in their case? That's why this show continues to be interesting, because so many factors besides being young and cute come into play. Some of it is teamwork, some of it is circumstances, some of it is timing. All factors that you can't predict on looks and age alone.

[Dssturbo1]

yup it is hard to predict stoopiddness two

[TiVo'Brien]

The Roadblock rule might actually be in effect, but not explicityly stated for the audience. From the former players' blogs on the TAR site (Brennan Swain): (http://www.cbs.com/primetime/amazing_race9/shows/ep06/fans/rotr/)


It's about time Michelle did a roadblock. It wasn't smart strategy for Lake to burn all of his in the early legs. Michelle's gonna have to shoulder the weight the rest of the time.