FRIDAY FUN: Lake Explains His 'Race' Demeanor

If you have been watching this season's thrilling edition of The Amazing Race, then you know that married couple Lake and Michelle got lost in Greece and wound up finishing in last place last week. You also know that the argumentative duo wasn't the most popular team on the race. Lake, a dentist, and Michelle, an office assistant at Lake's practice, have been married for 13 years and have three children together. At home in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, the couple claims that things are not as you saw on the race. Lake recently told CBS' Early Show that the entire Race experience is very stressful and not how their day-to-day life is run. Both Lake and Michelle sat down with The Early Show and TVGuide.com's Insider column to discuss the criticism viewers have thrown their way since this edition premiered in February.

Click HERE to go to the CBS Early Show video. If the link doesn't work, click HERE to go the Early Show's page with a link to Lake and Michelle's interview

In the interview with The Early Show, Lake credits Michelle. He says that he was carrying the team in the beginning, but she was carrying them at the end. He admits that he should have listened to her more because they would still be in the race if he had. Surprisingly, the duo claims that their friends and family have nothing but nice things to say about the way the two presented themselves on the competition. Michelle explains that her friends and family know her and Lake and the nature of their relationship.



As I mentioned above, the husband and wife team also did an interview with TVGuide.com's Insider column. In that interview, Lake says that most people would be surprised to know the real Lake.

"I give Michelle flowers every month, just out of the blue. I got her a new ring last year and a new car for Christmas, just for her to use for herself. I try to do things like that for her. I also try to spend time with her and I make a lot of effort to push her a little harder and try to compensate by doing things that most guys wouldn't do."

Is it just me, or are these comments not helping his case? I don't think we viewers were concerned about the things he buys for her, but rather the way he treats her and cares about her. I love, BTW, that the car is "just for her to use herself." This comment reminds me of why I felt like he treated her like a subordinate and not an equal. Lake also says that his stint on the show hasn't increased his dental business by too much.

"Not a huge amount. Everybody talks about it, and some people said they came in because they heard about it and saw us on the Race. It hasn't been hundreds. Probably more like 10 to 20."

One of the harder challenges this season was the frightening bungee jump Roadblock in Greece. Michelle graciously took the challenge and handled it like a pro. She tells TVGuide.com that she didn't freak out about the task.

"I'll be honest, I told myself I had to do it, walked out to the platform and jumped, and that was it. I did not do any of that babylike 'I don't want to do it' stuff. This is a race, so I sucked it up."

You can read TVGuide.com's interview with Lake and Michelle in its entirety at the site's Insider column. The Amazing Race airs Wednesday nights on CBS. Click HERE to go to the official site to learn more.



That's all for this edition of Friday Fun! Be sure to check back here Monday for the latest edition of Pass the Remote and next Friday for another installment of Friday Fun! Monday's edition will have thoughts from Brooke on her elimination from America's Next Top Model and a look at sweeps plans for your favorite CBS and NBC shows (including season finales!). Plus, all the latest television news! Have a great weekend everyone!

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