11 'Amazing' New Teams

The Amazing Race is gearing up to kick off its new season next month with the first deaf contestant.  The twenty-two year old recent college grad teamed up with his mother for the Emmy-winning reality series' 14th season, and he told The AP that the show was more difficult than he had thought.  "I thought it would be easy because my mother and I have always communicated really well," the longtime Amazing Race fan, who doesn't speak or read lips, said through an interpreter. "In the airports, my mom had to do all of the work because she had to do all of the talking. It was kind of hard for me to depend on her to do all of that." Also onboard for the trip are stuntmen, Southwest Airlines flight attendants, former NFL cheerleaders, and college athletes. The new season of The Amazing Race will take teams over 40,000 miles in 22 days to nine countries, including — for the first time — Romania as well as Switzerland, India and Russia when it premieres February 15th on CBS.  Here's a closer look at the 11 teams:

Name: Mark Munoz
Hometown: Los Angeles
Age: 48
Occupation: Stuntman
Name: Michael Munoz
Hometown: Maui, Hawaii
Age: 51
Occupation: Stuntman
Relationship: Brothers
___
Name: Tammy Jih
Hometown: San Francisco
Age: 26
Occupation: Lawyer
Name: Victor Jih
Hometown: Los Angeles
Age: 35
Occupation: Lawyer
Relationship: Siblings
___
Name: LaKisha Hoffman
Hometown: New York
Age: 28
Occupation: Program Coordinator
Name: Jennifer Hoffman
Hometown: Louisville, Ky.
Age: 24
Occupation: Marketing Assistant
Relationship: Sisters
___
Name: Christie Volkmer
Hometown: Choctaw, Okla.
Age: 37
Occupation: Flight Attendant
Name: Jodi Wincheski
Hometown: Houston
Age: 40
Occupation: Flight Attendant
Relationship: Flight Attendants
___
Name: Cara Rosenthal
Hometown: Boca Raton, Fla.
Age: 26
Occupation: Law Student
Name: Jaime Edmondson
Hometown: Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Age: 29
Occupation: Former Police Officer
Relationship: Former NFL Cheerleaders
___
Name: Brad Hunt
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Age: 52
Occupation: Distribution Dispatcher
Name: Victoria Hunt
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Age: 47
Occupation: Tax Manager
Relationship: Married
___
Name: Mel White
Hometown: Lynchburg, Va.
Age: 68
Occupation: Clergyman
Name: Mike White
Hometown: Santa Monica, Calif.
Age: 38
Occupation: Actor-Writer
Relationship: Father and Son
___
Name: Linda Cole
Hometown: Martinsville, Va.
Age: 52
Occupation: Customer Service Supervisor
Name: Steve Cole
Hometown: Martinsville, Va.
Age: 43
Occupation: Carpenter
Relationship: Married
___
Name: Jennifer Hopka
Hometown: Columbia, S.C.
Age: 26
Occupation: Student
Name: Preston McCamy
Hometown: Columbia, S.C.
Age: 28
Occupation: Software Engineer
Relationship: Dating
___
Name: Amanda Blackledge
Hometown: San Diego
Age: 23
Occupation: Student
Name: Kris Klicka
Hometown: San Diego
Age: 24
Occupation: Sales Representative
Relationship: Dating
___
Name: Margie Adams
Hometown: Denver
Age: 51
Occupation: Clinical Research Associate
Name: Luke Adams
Hometown: Denver
Age: 23
Occupation: College Graduate
Relationship: Mother and Son

For more on the new season, visit cbs.com.

Eleven 'Amazing' New Teams

Earlier this week, CBS announced the 11 teams that make up The Amazing Race's 13th season set to kick off this fall. From the press release:

The 13th installment of THE AMAZING RACE will feature a variety of firsts, including: Teams traveling to a real-life water world where its inhabitants live upon a floating city; first time visits for the Race to locations such as Cambodia and Kazakhstan; and one Team makes an unprecedented mistake on the road that ultimately prohibits them from joining their fellow Racers at the finish line.

The cast also features couples in various stages of their lives - married beekeepers who have been together for years, a married but separated couple looking to rebuild their marriage, a newly dating couple still getting to know each other and best friends who are comic book aficionados and describe the Race as "the ultimate game on the biggest game board you can imagine."

THE AMAZING RACE was just nominated for its sixth straight Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality Competition Program, which the globe-trotting series has taken home five years in a row.

Following are the 11 teams, listed in no particular order:

Name: TERENCE GERCHBERG
Occupation: Running Coach
Age: 35
Hometown: New York

Name: SARAH LESHNER
Occupation: Wall Street Investment Analyst
Age: 31
Hometown: New York
Relationship: NEWLY DATING


Name: MARISA AXELROD
Occupation: Student
Age: 22
Hometown: Spartanburg, S.C.

Name: BROOKE JACKSON
Occupation: Graphic Designer
Age: 24
Hometown: Columbia, S.C.
Relationship: SOUTHERN BELLES


Name: ANDREW LAPPITT
Occupation: Student
Age: 22
Hometown: Tucson, Ariz.

Name: DAN HONIG
Occupation: Hotel Manager Trainee
Age: 23
Hometown: Wilmington, Del.
Relationship: FRATERNITY BROTHERS


Name: AJA BENTON
Occupation: Aspiring Actress
Age: 25
Hometown: Los Angeles

Name: TY WHITE
Occupation: Banker
Age: 25
Hometown: West Bloomfield, Mich.
Relationship: DATING LONG DISTANCE


Name: MARK YTURRALDE
Occupation: Treasurer of Comic-Con
Age: 41
Hometown: San Diego

Name: BILL KAHLER
Occupation: Student Aid Administrator
Age: 42
Hometown: San Diego
Relationship: BEST FRIENDS


Name: TONI IMBIMBO
Occupation: Accounting Consultant
Age: 51
Hometown: Woodside, Calif.

Name: DALLAS IMBIMBO
Occupation: Student
Age: 22
Hometown: Woodside, Calif.
Relationship: MOTHER/SON


Name: NICK SPANGLER
Occupation: Actor
Age: 22
Hometown: New York

Name: STARR SPANGLER
Occupation: Former NFL Cheerleader
Age: 21
Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas
Relationship: BROTHER/SISTER


Name: ANITA JONES
Occupation: Retired Paralegal
Age: 63
Hometown: Eugene, Ore.

Name: ARTHUR JONES
Occupation: Playground Maintenance
Age: 61
Hometown: Eugene, Ore.
Relationship: MARRIED BEEKEEPERS


Name: KELLY CRABB
Occupation: Sales Representative
Age: 26
Hometown: Houston
Name: CHRISTY COOK

Occupation: Business Development
Age: 26
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Relationship: DIVORCEES


Name: KEN GREENE
Occupation: Home Builder/Ex-NFL Player
Age: 51
Hometown: Tampa, Fla.

Name: TINA GREENE
Occupation: President BioPharmMed
Age: 48
Hometown: San Diego
Relationship: SEPARATED


Name: ANTHONY MAROTTA
Occupation: Mortgage Broker
Age: 32
Hometown: Los Angeles

Name: STEPHANIE KACANDES
Occupation: Financial Saleswoman
Age: 32
Hometown: Los Angeles
Relationship: DATING



So, it looks like everyone is adequately represented: The "Old" Couple, the bimbos, the long distance dating couple who's using the Race to see if they should move closer, the hippies, and various "Should they or shouldn't they stay together" couples who will no doubt argue their way through the entire competition. Yup, I can't wait!

The Amazing Race kicks off its 13th season Sunday, September 28th on CBS. For more, visit CBS.com.

Teams Claw their Way to the Finish Line

We painfully watched Nate & Jen self distruct and eliminate themselves from the race last week. Tonight, Ron/Christina, Nick/Don, and TK/Rachel will complete the final leg and compete to cross the finish line in first place for $1 million. CBS promises "a photo finish," so buckle up, sit back and enjoy the ride. Here are this week's "live" thoughts.

Psych-out! Ron and Christina had the other teams all worried that they had caught another flight when they failed to appear at the gate with the rest of them. Turns out, they were doing a little internet research about their next destination - 6th Avenue Outfitters in Anchorage. When is that race karma going to kick in?? They totally screwed over Nate and Jen last week and have never had to pay for it. Maybe it will kick in right at the end when they're suppose to cross the finish line. Fingers crossed!

Apparently, the race karma is a little confused. It just struck Nick & Don instead! They got their clue, but forgot their bag of goodies. This means they'll be going back to the store as soon as they realize what they've done. Bummer!

Is it just me or does this leg's Detour really bite??!! Filleting a HUGE fish or diving into a tank full of snapping crabs. Neither sounds too appetizing to me. Why do Ron and Christina have all the luck??!! They just found the dang clue inside the fish. How are they this far ahead of the other teams already? Soooo frustrating!

Yes!! The other teams finally caught up with Ron & Chris. Ron made that ice wall look pretty easy, but Chris is really struggling (allowing the others to catch up). Unfortunately, it was short lived and now Ron and Chris are already on their way. Race karma, where are you??

Most. Impossible. Roadblock. Ever!!! There's only one correct way to assemble the 10 items, but several ways to do it wrong??!! I think we're going to be here a while. These are my favorite ending Roadblocks, though. I still vividly remember the map challenge from the family edition and the flag challenge when the hippies won a few seasons back. It's all about the brains and nothing about the brawn. Let's see who has the brains to do it and win the $1 million.

I really can't handle the suspense and stress! I'm at the edge of my seat. I mean, how hard is this Roadblock?? There's no way I'd be able to remember all of these details. Christina just made hers worse! YES!!! Rachel just did it! She solved the impossible! Now, quick like bunny and finish the race in first because Ron & Chris are hot on your tail.

You just can't beat a neck-and-neck finish of The Amazing Race. And the winner is... TK and RACHEL!! Ron and Chris finished in second with Don and Nick taking third. So, maybe that karma did come in at the end. As usual with TAR, the amazing part comes with the bonds that develop between the 2 people in the teams. Ron and Chris may not have won the million, but they walked away happier than when they started.

What did you think of the finale? Were you happy to see TK and Rachel win? Leave me a comment with your thoughts.

Teams Have it Made in Taiwan

Last week, TK and Rachel were granted a reprieve with the last non-elimination round of the season. BUT, it came with something more than a Speed Bump - a 3-HOUR deficit to overcome! Can they do it and earn a place in the final 3?? And can Jen and Nathan keep it together under the increasing pressure to secure their place? Let's find out with this week's "live" thoughts.

Jen, let's be honest here, have you ever been "Mr. Nice Jen and Nate??" I suppose it's hard to tell when you're both too occupied with fighting among yourselves to even think about fighting with other teams. How 'bout you concentrate on being "Mr. Nice Jen and Nate" with each other? That worked really well last week.

Prepare to be shocked because there's a, gasp!, catch-up point! Wow, that three-hour deficit is melting away quicker than even I expected. You have to admit; it does make things a lot more interesting, though. Of course, TK and Rachel's terrible sense of direction could make things a little less interesting.

I really hope that Nate doesn't have his heart set on getting some authentic Panang Curry or Pad Thai or meeting up with his "Thai friends" when he arrives in Taiwan because if so, he's going to be very disappointed. You see Nate, Taiwan and Thailand are NOT the same country. Who knew (other than the millions of people who do, in fact, know the difference)? This moment of television was made even funnier by Ron's comment that Nate and Jen are "smart."

I used to only dislike Ron of Ron and Chris, but now, my dislike is spreading to Chris as well. That move at the airline desk was sooo dirty! Race karma better come back and bite them. And now Jen and Nate are fighting on her birthday!! Guys, what happened to working together? United you stand (and stay in the race), divided you fall!

Anyone who has ever traveled out of the country knows that immigration lines suck. Everyone (including TK and Rachel, but excluding Ron and Chris who caught that early flight) is stuck in them. Wow, this really is the worst. Birthday. Ever for Jen!!

What??!! Phil used a stunt double to demonstrate the Roadblock??!! Was he worried about messing up that hair? Or was it the shirt? Either way, I am very disappointed in my Phil. But wait, he just stood in front of exploding fireworks to explain the Speed Bump! So, he'll put his life in danger, but not his hair? I don't get it.

Who thinks TK and Rachel are going to get on that train? Me too. Oh look, we're right! But, it was close. Wow, this is really going to be a mad dash to the Pit Stop this week. That is, if Jen's stress level can make it. Maybe Jen should try some of that "mellow" that she's complaining about in TK and Rachel. It might do her some good. She should be mad about Ron and Chris constantly being ahead of them this leg. I am!

Jen should totally do that Earth Detour. If anyone needs to relieve stress, it's her! Apparently, she agrees because she just decided to do it. Of course, she and Nate are in the middle of another meltdown. This time over subway or taxi. I guess they're not capable of going two legs in a row without a meltdown. And on her birthday, too! All she wanted was for her and Nate not fight, but as Nate said, that may be impossible.

Ron and Chris just landed in first (where is that Race karma when you need it??) and secured their place in the final three. TK and Rachel overcame a Speed Bump, bad sense of direction and a 3-hour deficit to land in second and secure their spot. Nick and Don just grabbed the last place, meaning that Nate and Jen are eliminated and not competing for the million. And now I feel really bad because they're both upset about their relationship and yes I know, I wanted them to break up because I thought Jen deserved better, but damn it, this is bumming me out! These two crazy kids need to work this out. And now I'm TiVo-ing The Early Show tomorrow to find out what happened to them after the race.

Were you bummed to see Nate and Jen eliminated? Leave me a comment with your thoughts.

Teams Stop to Smell the Roses

We said goodbye to the Goth Couple last week, but more importantly, we watched Jen and Nate go from a happy twosome to a name-calling, finger-pointing duo who couldn't find their clue in a local newspaper, "sew" flowers into a lei or navigate the stressful task that is The Amazing Race. Of course, they weren't the only two having problems -- Ron continued his usual berating routine. Which team will self-destruct first? Oh, and who will be eliminated this week? Here are PTR's "live" thoughts:

OK Ron, now that you've just acknowledged your problem with exploding in any given situation, how 'bout you put your money where your mouth is and actually quit doing it this time??!! Let's see how long you make it this week. You're going to have HUGE competition from Jen and Nate who are attempting to quit arguing so much. Oh boy. Who are you guys laying odds on to screw up first? Ron? Me too!

Ding, ding, ding!! We have a winner! Ron lost it over the difference between "direct" and "non-stop" flights and then carried that through into full-fledged hissy fit when the cab dropped them off outside the wrong part of the airport. Talk about your short fuses! Well, this means that Jen and Nate have won the War of the Tempers this week and we're only 10 minutes in. Sad. Let's see how long they can keep their cool.

While this critical contest was taking place, TK and Rachel managed to get themselves on a 2-stop flight to Osaka, Japan (definitely not non-stop or direct, Ron). Question is, how far behind the other teams is this going to make them?

Jen and Nate are psyched because they're the first ones off the flight and on their way to the next clue. In fact, they're so happy, they're actually getting along! They're being goofy and smiley, and they're even laughing!! It's going to be so devastating when they find out that Christina speaks Japanese and plans to use it to her advantage.

Of course, speaking the language does nothing for you if you can't find the clue box! Suck on that, "high 'flautin education" (TM Don). Now, she has decided that she's never driving in Japan. Oh snap! The Roadblock requires one team member to drive a taxi through the streets of Osaka. Christina's a back seat driver!! Pick her!!

Yes!! She's doing it! Meanwhile, Jen is too busy worrying about how she looks in the taxi outfit to realize that the location is in Japanese. OK, now it just hit her. Let's hope she can keep it together. She totally kept her cool despite confusing signs, one-way streets, and very little English, so this leads me to believe that my original assertion (Nate is the problem) was correct.

Nate, why are you trying to blow this great rapport you have going on with your girlfriend/teammate?? At least pretend like you're interested in what she went through!

The flower challenge caused a small almost fight between Nate and Jen, but it was minor and I'm going to let it slide since they've been doing so well this leg. Uh-oh, taxi troubles might cause a bigger blow-up. And now, he apparently pushed her. You never know what's going to set these two off. They have to keep it together and finally nab first place! Why am I rooting for them?? It must be Jen because it's certainly NOT Nate.

You know, even Ron did pretty well this leg. Maybe a leopard can change its spots. Then again, maybe this leg just wasn't quite as stressful as the last one.

It's neck and neck, but Ron and Christina just landed on the mat in first place (boo!!), making Jen and Nate bridesmaids once again. Meanwhile, TK and Rachel landed in last thanks to that crazy flight plan at the beginning of the leg. BUT, it's non-elimination, so they'll be facing the Speed Bump and they'll have to overcome their 3-hour deficit next week.

Teams Lei it All on the Line

We finally got a non-elimination round last week! And it came with a new twist: the Speed Bump. This week, Kynt and Vyxsin will have to complete an extra task while still trying to stay in the race. How will it all turn out? Here are this week's "live" thoughts.

Damn! Things are looking up for Jen/Nathan! It's not that I'm rooting for their relationship to fail (OK, maybe just a little, but it's only because Nate is a jerk and Jen deserves better!), but them not getting along = excellent TV. This whole "on an upswing" thing probably won't last long anyway.

Meanwhile, Ron is busy professing that he's going to stop giving his daughter such a hard time and blah, blah, blah for the one millionth time this race! Chances are he won't, and we'll have to listen to it again next week - if they make it that far.

Jen's confused why she and Nate don't get the flights before hand like everybody else. Because I like you Jen, I'm going to give you a little tip: telephones and Internet. I'll let you piece the rest together.

Kynt and Vyxsin just pulled an airport fast one! They faked out TK and Rachel and found a flight that arrived in Mumbai more than 2 hours before them! And then, their slightly later flight arrived in Mumbai before the first flight (carrying the other teams), putting them in first! Unfortunately for them, the newsstand doesn't open until 6am, allowing everyone else to catch-up.

Yes!! "Fighting Jen and Nate" is back!! That didn't take long. They're fighting over a clue hidden in the newspaper. It's going to be a long leg for them and a funny one for us!

SPEED BUMP!!! Kynt and Vyxsin have to perform yoga before they can get to work on the Detour. Let's hope Jen and Nate's inability to find the ad placed them far enough behind to make this an interesting race.

Proving once again that a leopard really can't change its spots, Ron is back to berating his daughter. This time, it's due to too little paste. And now it's the lack of a stool. And now the poster's alignment. All of this means we'll definitely be listening to his same pre-leg routine next week (insert eye-roll smiley here).

Oh snap! Jen just gave it right back to Nate! He couldn't understand why she couldn't thread the flowers properly (being that she's a girl and all girls do is play with flowers and sew, of course) and she told him that she couldn't understand why he couldn't row since he's a guy! Being the thickheaded guy that he is, he obviously missed the point and declared that he's not used to rowing (but apparently, Jen's supposed to be used to sewing). Wow, they're really self-destructing faster than I expected. Everything was all jolly and happy when the thing started and now, it's low blows and eye rolls.

It seems Nate/Jen have competition in the dysfunctional department from Ron/Christina. I'm not sure who is worse - Ron or Nate. It's too close to call at this juncture. Ron's probably going to put a lid on it for now since he and Christina are finished with the Detour.

Wow! Jen and Nate just dodged a HUGE bullet! And Kynt and Vyxsin made a HUGE mistake! They U-Turned a team that was already ahead of them! And to celebrate, Nate/Jen are having a sweet moment. Who knew these two actually liked each other?? Not anyone who has seen them in stressful situations.

TK and Rachel just landed at the Pit Stop in first place thanks to TK's awesome job at the Roadblock.

Speaking of the Roadblock, Jen is rockin' this thing! She's surprisingly strong for being so small! Too bad she forgot to get the receipt at the first delivery point. That's OK because Kynt gave his copy of both receipts to the homeowners.

Jen's stressing because they can't find the Pit Stop and Kynt and Vyxsin are hot on their tail. This is definitely going to be a close one. Who will land at the Pit Stop first??!! And it's... Nate and Jen! Bummer because this means that Kynt and Vyxsin have both been eliminated from the race. But on a positive note, we will get at least one more chapter of As Jen & Nate's World Turns next week. Will they be up or down? Depends on the stress level.

Were you as bummed to see Kynt and Vyxsin go as I was? Leave me a comment with your thoughts.

Teams Row, Row, Row their Boats

Last week, I begged the TAR gods to make the blondes go away and I got my wish! In a thrilling counting Detour, the blondes self destructed and wound up in last place and off the Race. It was a very happy moment for me. Who will be eliminated next? I'm not sure, but I'm beginning to smell that familiar sent Eau de Non-Elimination. Here are this week's "live thoughts."

So, Jennifer is using this race to determine whether or not she and Nathan should stay together. I'm going to go ahead and start celebrating early because Nate is sooo history!

AIRPORT DRAMA ALERT! Let's play Who Was Smarter? Will it be TK and Rachel for staying in line for Czech Airline or Kynt and Vyxsin for visiting the travel agent? And more importantly, WTH has gotten into Azaria??!! He's berating his sister! Not cool. Going back to our original question, it seems that it's a draw. Both methods have the teams landing in Dubrovnik at 11:20 am. Meanwhile, Jen and Nathan got screwed at the ticket counter, but got back on the right track at the travel agent and the brother/sister team just got screwed by the travel agent who sold them business class instead of economy - a total no-no on The Amazing Race.

But wait! There's a magical TAR commercial break. And the commercial break produced... DELAYS!! TK/Rachel and the grandfather/grandson missed their connecting flight to Dubrovnik thanks to those delays. Meanwhile, the other three teams landed in Dubrovnik on time.

OK right now, I have MAJOR zip line envy! The view, the thrill, the sound of Ron chucking up his lunch!

Zip line envy moment #2 for the night. And they got to splash into the beautiful water too! Not fair!

Oh yes!!! A rowing challenge. I think we all remember how south this thing went a couple seasons back with the beauty queens and the infamous Rob and Kim. CLASSIC TAR moments. It seems so easy, and yet, no one ever gets it right, which of course leads to some hilarious in-team fighting. I'll shut up now because Jen and Nate are attempting to row and this is going to get good. The insults are starting, now the finger pointing, and we're moving right along to total team and relationship meltdown. Jen HATES! Nate and she's so done with him. Told ya he was sooo history! This dysfunctional rowing moment was brought to you by Rob and Kim.

Does anyone know where the brother/sister team is?? We haven't checked in with them in awhile.

Oh, things between Nate and Jen are getting so good now. The taxi diver refused to give them a ride because they were wet (the water-logged are always discriminated against!), but gave Christina and Ron a ride. Jen freaked and when Nate tried to calm her down, she insisted that their relationship "sucks." Acknowledging that you have a problem is the first step to recovery. Yup, he's so gone.

TK and Rachel finally made it to Dubrovnik! Wow, brother/sister must really be behind! I hope this really is a non-elim round and not just my wishful thinking.

Ron and Christina just finished in first place. Even better, Jen and Nathan landed in second, but had to go back to the Detour location because they didn't take a "legal form of transportation" to the Pit Stop. Jen is now in full-fledged meltdown mode and is declaring that she doesn't want to be here anymore. Unfortunately for her, they still landed in third.

Call off the search! Azaria and Hendekea are alive and well and finally in Dubrovnik! Now if they could just catch up with the other lagging teams...

They're within eyesight of granfather/grandson! We have ourselves a race here! Both teams are in taxis, but it's hard to tell if it's really neck and neck or just editing. We just got a "Phil Point," so someone's coming. Who will it be... grandfather/grandson, leaving Azaria and Hendekea in last place and eliminated from the race. Major bummer!

Were you as bummed to see Azaria and Hendekea go as I was? Leave me a comment with your thoughts.

Teams Count On Staying in the 'Race'

Last week, we were all spared any future "Flo-esque" moments (those who haven't seen the early seasons, have to rent them) on The Amazing Race when Lorena (a.k.a. Flo: The Sequel) and Jason landed in last place. I was beginning to like them, though, so boo to their elimination. Of course, those insipid blondes are still lingering (it was their stupidity that got poor Lorena and Jason further behind at the darn U-Turn). Please, please let this be their last leg! In the meantime, here are this week's "live" thoughts.

Ron and Christina are trying to work out how they can communicate better. I have an idea -- how about Ron keeps his trap shut long enough for Christina to get a word in! Communication is a 2-way street.

Outside-the-Airport, But-Still-Airport-Drama Alert! Ron and Christina think that they have scored the coup of the century with their arrival in Lithuania at 2:10 pm. Unfortunately for them, the rest of the teams have found one that arrives at 1:25 pm. And then there's Grandfather/Grandson who refused to reveal any information to the other teams. As we've all learned, TAR Karma is a beyotch, so their inability to speak French (and the lack of help from the other teams that they just alienated) cost them an earlier flight. Too bad they were able to rectify the situation at the airport.

The blondes seem to be self-destructing over Shana's bad decisions (she made the infamous U-Turn call last week). No worries, though, because she's the "most methodical" of the two. Riiight! Let's hope this continues and they self-destruct themselves right off this race.

WOW! When I suggested that the blondes self-destruct themselves off the race, I wasn't thinking with a BUS!!! Seriously, that was scary from my living room and I wasn't the one almost flattened. On the plus side, they're so lost!!

I see Shouldn't Be Dating Couple are up to their usual antics. This time, they're lost on the streets of Lithuania and being just as nasty to each other as ever! How are they going to find their car again??

Product Placement Alert! It seems that Lithuania is the perfect place to do a Travelocity promo since it's apparently the gnome capitol of the world or something.

It's a total toss-up on which Detour sucks more this week: the stilts or the counting. As a general rule, counting Detours are never a wise choice, but the stilts aren't doing anyone any favors, either. And adding to the chaos of both, Jen and Nathan are getting stressed. The insults are mere seconds away. Apparently, Nathan refuses to count in his head and being the prince that he is, he just called Jen a "Bitch." Told you the insults were seconds away. She has got to lose this loser!

Meanwhile, TK and Rachel just landed on the mat in first place. It seems I was wrong; the stilts did do them a favor.

Oh. My. Gosh! The blondes are in last. Please don't let this be a non-elim round... and it's NOT!! The blondes are gone! And I can't believe this, but it's totally due to their own self-destruction. They completely imploded at the counting Detour and lost the race.

Were you as happy to see the blondes go as I was? Leave me a comment with your thoughts.

Teams Cry Over Spilled Milk

Last week, we said goodbye to the Married Ministers on The Amazing Race. To quote Phil, "Who will be eliminated next?" Here are this week's "live" thoughts.

The Exorcist??!! Really, Jason??!!! You compared your girlfriend to something out of a horror film! Boyfriend of the Year nominee over here, folks. Oh wait, he has competition from Nathan who is busy complaining about Jennifer stressing him out too much.

Shocking, but the blondes are already complaining about how they don't look good. It's a race girls, not a beauty contest. Wouldn't you just love to see these two on Survivor??

Airport Drama Alert! Ron and Christina have 30 minutes to make their flight and they're still at the ticket counter. Editing says they won't make it, which means they're a lock for getting on. See, told ya. BUT WAIT, there's more! The flight carrying most of the teams is having a mechanical problem, which means they can't take off for Paris. And that means they can't make their connecting flight to a newly emerging country in Africa! And since it's a newly emerging country, there's only one flight a day. Bottom line, all of the teams that aren't Shouldn't Be Dating Couple (who made an earlier flight) are totally screwed!

As usual, the signature TAR commercial break fixed everything (including the plane) and all of the teams arrived in Paris and (barely) made the flight to Africa. It couldn't, however, fix the blondes, who, upon arriving in Africa, decided that the place was "rough" had "no street signs" and worried that they might be "sold to people for money." Well, the taxi driver did take their money and laugh at them, so it wasn't a total loss.

OK, so I was laughing at the idiot-ness that is the blondes, but now they're being downright offensive. They're insulting the local people's clothing, smell and cleanliness ("These people bring flies"). Ugh! They're back on the Hate List for me.

Didn't anyone learn anything from the donkey task in the premiere? Taking out your frustrations on a stubborn animal will get you nowhere, people! Notice that, once again, the calm, nice teams are the ones NOT crying over spilled milk and already leading their pack of camels along the marked path (except for TK and Rachel who are lost once again). Meanwhile, Lorena and Jennifer are this close to losing it. OK, so Lorena just lost it. Good thing there was a magical TAR commercial break. Maybe it can make her STOP SCREAMING!

No such luck. She's still screaming and carrying on. Please. Make. It. Stop!

Loyal TAR watchers know that there is a tried and (Notso) true method of getting people who speak other languages to understand you. No, it's not talking loudly. It's SPANGLISH! Apparently, it has surpassed English as the universal language, and thus, "educationale" is the international word for education/school. I wonder why it didn't work??

Yes! The Brother/Sister team just finished in first after zipping through Learn It at the Detour. And as an added bonus, Phil got to say "Spa."

Lorena Update: She's still yelling and crying back at the Roadblock. And no, she still hasn't gotten all of the milk she needs. This is going to be a LONG Roadblock. BUT, I now see where Jason was coming from with that Exorcist comment early on. Oh thank god, she finally got the damn milk. My ears want to hug the camel that gave it to her!

Editing says that it's a tight race between Jason/Lorena and the Sisters, but me thinks the Sisters are in last. And they are, so Lorena stays around to scream another day. The Sisters, however, are not as lucky. They landed in last and were eliminated.

Were you bummed to see the Sisters go? Leave me a comment with your thoughts.


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Teams Hoist Their Own Weight

Thanks to the ridiculous football overrun last week (5 seasons of Cold Case and now 2 of TAR and yet, I still can't get used to this annoyance) and an early wake-up call for work Monday morning, I ran out of time and didn't get to write about the fabulous premiere. So, allow me to take a moment before I begin this week's discussion and recap it for you: the blondes are SUPER annoying, the siblings rock, the young couple with trust issues should just go ahead and break up now and save the rest of us from watching their bickering escalate as the race progresses, taxi theft is still alive and well, Ireland is GORGEOUS, and never under any circumstances, cross a donkey! We're talking a whole new level of stubborn. Thank goodness, those who were mean to the donkeys got theirs in the end. Now, onto tonight's "live" thoughts.

Apparently, the blondes aren't familiar with headlights. Therefore, they find driving at night to be a little impossible. And Oh. My. God! Somebody alert the glam patrol because these girls haven't been getting their mani-pedis while on the race! And one of them just suggested that she might be an idiot. And you guys didn't believe me that these two are SUPER annoying.

Do I smell.... AIRPORT DRAMA??!! It seems that everyone can fit on the first leg of the flight, but only 6 teams can fit on the second. Plus, the sisters just missed the first flight carrying all of the other teams. And now, the first flight teams are scrambling to get seats on the second leg of the trip. Crisis averted - the sisters just landed and caught up with the other lagging teams. As airport drama goes, this was pretty mild.

Pointless Fight Alert: For reasons not made clear, Ron just got angry at Nick for being "rude" to the ticket counter employee. Whoa bubby, save your stress. You've got like a million more legs to go!

Not that "Hoist" was some sort of picnic, but the bike search really set the siblings back. Boo! Luckily, Shouldn't Be Dating Couple are arguing and losing their cool. Oh snap! The blondes just finished "Hoist" before Nathan! And now Jen has to hoist because Nathan can't! Oh, and Rachel went down because TK couldn't do it, and she zipped every piece of furniture up like it was nothing. Girls rule, boys drool!

Why do I have the sinking feeling that this Roadblock looks easier than it is? Suspicion confirmed. Jen just landed back-first into the mud. Oh, this is going to be good. Uh-oh! Nathan just compared Jen to Shana. Didn't he learn last week not to compare her to other girls?? Or better yet, didn't he learn when he CHEATED on her?? Shana just face-planted on the way back across. Bet that mani-pedi is the least of your worries now, huh Shana?

Lorena and Jason just crossed the finish line in first. Guess how they did it. No really, guess because you'll never believe it. They worked TOGETHER!! Imagine that!

Ron is causing another pointless fight. This time with his daughter over the bike Detour. I heard something about honesty and boogers and frankly, I lost interest. Now, he's starting in again. This time, I think, it's about decisiveness. It's difficult to tell with Ron. Yawn.

Proving that old people aren't the only ones to get lost on the race, TK and Rachel just biked right past the drop off site. The best part, though, Phil could be seen in the background with a WTH? look on his face. Wow, TK and Rachel, you just got dissed by Phil!

Ron and his Pointless Fighting just finished in 9th and will live to fight another day. Unfortunately, this means that the Married Ministers are in last and have been eliminated from the race. Damn bus!


Were you bummed to see the Married Ministers go? Leave me a comment with your thoughts.

'Viva' Out, 'Race' In

From CBS:

FIVE-TIME EMMY AWARD-WINNING "THE AMAZING RACE" RETURNS FOR ITS 12TH EDITION ON SUNDAY, NOV. 4, 8:00-9:00 PM

"The Amazing Race 12" Spans 50,000 Miles Including First Time Visits to Ireland , Lithuania and Croatia THE AMAZING RACE, winner of five consecutive Emmy Awards for Outstanding Reality Competition Series, returns for its 12th edition on the CBS Television Network, Sunday, Nov. 4 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT).

Editors Note: THE AMAZING RACE replaces "Viva Laughlin" which has been pulled from the schedule. A rebroadcast of CSI will air in the Sunday (8:00-9:00 PM) time period on Oct. 28.

"If there ever was a season that I consider one of the best, it's this one," said Bertram van Munster," executive producer, director and co-creator of THE AMAZING RACE. "It's insanely funny, fast-paced and dramatic all at once. Teams are in hot pursuit of one another at every location and its reality television at its nail-biting best."

This season, teams will travel approximately 50,000 miles, covering five new countries including Ireland , Lithuania and Croatia . In its 11 previous editions, broadcast in several time periods, THE AMAZING RACE has averaged more than 10 million viewers and a 4.1/10 in adults 18-49.

Jerry Bruckheimer, Bertram van Munster, Jonathan Littman and Hayma Screech Washington are the executive producers for Bruckheimer Television and Earthview Inc. in association with ABC Television Studio and Amazing Race Productions. THE AMAZING RACE was created by Bertram van Munster and Elise Doganieri. Phil Keoghan hosts.


Mark your calendars Race fans because the fun begins November 4th on CBS!!

Underdogs Win the 'Race'

Sorry to have abandoned you fellow TAR fans. I have been watching and cheering (and booing when it comes to Mirna) these past couple of weeks, but I haven't been able to type up my "live" thoughts. That's because I haven't been watching the show live. I was out of town and then at a meeting for work, so TAR was put on hold. There was no way, however, I was missing the big finale. How else would I cheer with you all when the blondes or Eric/Danielle cross the finish line in first (please happen, please happen) or share my frustration by crossing my arms and stomping like a 4-year old when Mirna makes me so angry I want to throw something at my way-too-expensive HDTV?? So, it's time to resume PTR's "live" thoughts on TAR for the final time this season (how did we get to the end already??).

Did the teams not get the mandatory 12-hour rest period this leg? I ask because Phil usually says, "Dustin and Candace, who were first to arrive at 11:53 p.m., will depart at 11:53 a.m.," but this time he left out the first 11:53. Hmm... very phishy, Phil.

What?? No airport drama??!! I demand at least one dose of airport drama per an episode! Here we go, Charla and Mirna are attempting to get on a flight that gets into Honolulu 40 minutes before everyone else. As per usual, Mirna is acting like her entire life depends on making this flight when she has to know that it's way too early in the leg to think that 40 minutes is the difference between winning the million. I better not end up eating these words, TAR gods.

Someone needs to explain the difference between a plane and a helicopter to Mirna. She seems to be very confused by the two flight vehicles (Hey Mirna, here's a hint: the plane has WINGS!!).

I love it! Charla is breezing through the Detour while Mirna is struggling! And yet, I don't hear Charla berating Mirna the way that Mirna does her when the roles are reversed.

Who would have thought that a small water cave would the mighty blondes' Achilles heel??

Folks, we have ourselves a race! The other teams just caught Charla and Mirna as they were attempting to traverse the rocky coastline to their next clue. Charla is having a difficult time with all of the rocks, and surprise, surprise Mirna is giving her a hard time because the other teams are passing them. Hey Mirna, remember like 5 minutes ago when you were having trouble and Charla encouraged you instead of berating you?? Where's the love in return?

Not another paddling in the ocean challenge! This was so hilarious the first time when TAR did it last season, so I have high hopes for tonight. Even Dustin and Candace are fighting! Ironically enough, it was the one moment when they fought last season as well. Something about paddling against impossible ocean waves and currents just seems to bring out the worst in people (remember Rob and Kim?? HI-LARIOUS!!!). Eric and Danielle are on their way back, the blondes are capsized, and Charla and Mirna are practically still back on the beach. Awesome as I expected!

It's a beauty queen breakdown - their one this race. I'm pretty sure that the last breakdown (last season) was something like this one. These two need to avoid paddling in the future. Their friendship depends on it!

Overdramatic Mirna is proclaiming the paddling challenge the "worst experience of her life." Wow, good thing she wasn't around last season with the other paddling because she never would have gotten through that one. This one was a walk in the park in comparison!

The blondes are wondering if there is a counter where you buy tickets. Hmmm... tough question. Perhaps, the TICKET COUNTER?? See, I'm an equal opportunity chop buster.

For those interested, I'm still pondering the Danielle cleavage question from a few weeks ago. To review, do we think her ample chest is always in the shot because the cameramen love to focus on it, or is it impossible not to film because she wears the lowest cut workout attire ever constructed? Right now, I'm leaning toward the latter, but things could change.

Tricky, tricky little challenge here at The Old Mint. I can't wait to watch this unfold!! This is one of the most intense moments ever on TAR. It rivals that crazy map at the end of the family edition a few seasons back. Dustin should have stuck with Rob and Amber as the least trustworthy. Go Danielle!! She cracked the code and opened the safe. And the blondes aren't far behind. Fingers crossed that one of these two teams wins.

Cue the editing that makes it look like any of the three teams could win it complete with Eric/Danielle stuck in traffic shots and the blondes breezing through lights shots. I'll be damned, though, because I am at the very edge of my seat due to that tricky editing. Yes, I'm easily manipulated.

And the winner is.... ERIC and DANIELLE!! They managed to come back from two Yields, bad flights and a whole lot of backstabbing. I'm excited, even if it means that we still haven't had an all-female team cross the finish line in first. The blondes ended up second, followed by Charla and Mirna.


Were you happy with the results of the race? Or were you hoping to see another team take the million? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. The pictures in this edition are courtesy of cbs.com.


Veronica Needs Your Help!! Click HERE to find out what you can do to help Veronica Mars get another season.

Every Team Wants Kung Fu Fighting

Here's this week's "live" thoughts on The Amazing Race.

Can't wait to see how this "Yield Karma" (TM Charla and Mirna) plays out this leg. Eric and Danielle seem pretty peeved. Oh snap! The two teams are sharing an elevator at the airport. Can we say awkward??!! Meanwhile, it seems that the "Yield Karma" (TM Charla and Mirna) is working overtime as Danny and Oswald just got ahead of the blondes on the stand-by list for Malaysia air. And they and Charla/Mirna just got first on the China Air list as well.

Why?? Why does everyone dislike the blondes for using the Yield, but no one has a problem with Mirna telling an airline to bump ticket-holding people off the plane?? Or, conspiring to knock off the blondes?? Or using Oswald/Danny's stand-by code to cut ahead of the blondes? The HATE for Charla/Mirna runs so deep for me. I couldn't race with them because I'm pretty sure I'd kill Mirna before it was all said and done. And now she just cost Eric and Danielle their spots on the flight.

Awesome! The Detour includes a Kung Fu fighting option, which only lends itself to the most Awesome. Headline. Ever!! Between the action movie stunt, Kung Fu fighting and the Detour option labeled "Lost in Transition," I'm beginning to think that TAR has gone Hollywood. What's next? Phil getting his own trailer and having assistants fan him as he waits at the Pit Stop?

Charla/Mirna can't decide on a Detour and their taxi driver is lost!! Meanwhile, the blondes just completed Kung Fu and are on their way to the next clue. How's that "Yield Karma" workin' for you, Mirna?!

Umm, Mirna?? The Kung Fu fighters are like a HUGE part of this Detour!! They're not going to go away to "make love instead of war." Sorry. Oooh, things just got so good because Charla and Mirna got on the WRONG FERRY!! "Mean, Horrible Person Karma" (TM PTR) is a beyotch!

And now this week's Thought to Ponder... Do you think that Danielle's ample chest is always in the shot because the cameramen love to focus on it, or is it impossible not to film because she wears the lowest cut workout attire ever constructed? Hmm....

Danny/Oswald just crossed the finish line at the Pit Stop in first and completely broke. Unforch for them, Phil isn't feeling their pain.

Product Placement Alert!! Teams have to get their Travelocity Roaming Gnomes across the pond safely. I hope Charla/Mirna's is more like a troll. Yeah, a troll that purposely jumps off the mini boat into the pond so they have to starPublisht over again.

The blondes just finished in 2nd, in front of Charla/Mirna, so it seems that the "Yield Karma" was a non-factor this leg. The "Mean Horrible Person Karma," however, is still going strong. Charla/Mirna are stuck in rush-hour traffic as Eric and Danielle slowly catch-up. Yay, I win.

I'm starting to get that non-elimination feel. There's only 4 teams left, and the editing is not tricking me into thinking that these last two are very close. This has to be non-elim. And they didn't do the "Who can it be now?" shot as one team approached Phil. Now, Phil is giving that psych-out look, proving that this is definitely non-elim.

Ha! I knew it! No one was eliminated, thankfully. This gives me hope that Charla/Mirna won't make the final three. I just don't think I could take 2 hours of them running around alternating between "Poor me!" and their self-righteous BS* at every turn.


*It should be noted that while I loathe Mirna for obvious reasons, I actually have nothing against Charla. The two just get lumped together. My apologies to Charla because she's actually quite enjoyable.

Were you surprised that this was non-elim? Or did you see it coming as well? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. The pictures in this edition are courtesy of cbs.com.


Veronica Needs Your Help!! Click HERE to find out what you can do to help Veronica Mars get another season.

Teams 'Race' Through Cookies in Malaysia

Here's this week's "live" thoughts on The Amazing Race.

Well, things are interesting already, and we're only 5 minutes in! (Pulls out her best Phil impression) Will Joyce and Uchenna make their connecting flight?? If they do, will the extra 45 minutes give them the advantage they need to forge ahead??

HATE! Charla and Mirna! The beyotches hogged both computers at the hotel and then had the audacity to ask other teams to allow them to go up to the counter to ask a question (BTW, realizing that you're being a beyotch by asking to move ahead in no way excuses your behavior)!! I really can't take another week with these girls. And if I hadn't been rooting for the blondes before, I would definitely be now because they hate Charla and Mirna too!! Yay!

We're all supposed to be worried that Joyce and Uchenna will miss their flight, but I have been watching this show long enough to know that the commercial break holds magical powers. It's able to cure whatever is ailing the team with the slow-mo "Oh no" look just before the break. Oh snap! It didn't work its magic this time. Joyce and Uchenna are sunk.

It's times like these when Charla/Mirna have a 2-hour lead over the other teams that I wish for a dreaded TAR catch-up point. In fact, I'm wheeling and dealing with the TAR gods right now. Please, please let the other teams catch up!! Make Charla/Mirna take the wrong bus or train or better yet, both!! Oh the insanity! They're doing everything right while the blondes just took the wrong dang train. I can't win!

Phew! The blondes found the caves ahead of two other teams. All is well again.

Have I ever mentioned how much I dislike the Yield??? It's really silly this time because Joyce and Uchenna are way behind (unbeknownst to the other teams of course).

Did Charla/Mirna need a further boost to their already over-inflated egos?? People of Malaysia unite against the evil that is Charla/Mirna! Well, at least the cookie-makers of Malaysia are against them. The girls went from first to vying for second with two other teams. Perhaps the TAR gods have answered my prayers.

For the millionth time, never choose the needle in the haystack challenge! In the immortal words of past contestant Rob the former POW, these challenges are like "looking for a needle in a haystack of needles."

The blondes just won (Yay!), and Phil tried to fake them out. I'm telling you, you have to watch that Phil -- he's tricky!

And now it's time for this week's CBS Cares courtesy of Mirna. Kids, stay in school and off drugs and you'll become a professional just like Mirna!

Where the hell are Joyce/Uchenna??!! Still stuck in Frankfort? Man, did they get screwed by flights. So many teams seem to have suffered that fate this season. Now, there's only 10 minutes left, and still no Joyce/Uchenna! Did they ever get out of Frankfort or are they still stuck there to this day? Finally! They made it folks, no need to call the authorities. They are safe and sound at Elimation Station. I love this team, but they've won before, so I'm OK with their bad twist of fate this week.

Were you bummed to see Joyce/Uchenna go home? Or were you OK since they won this race in the past? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. The pictures in this edition are courtesy of cbs.com.


Veronica Needs Your Help!! Click HERE to find out what you can do to help Veronica Mars get another season.

Teams 'Race' to Find Flights

Here's this week's "live" thoughts on The Amazing Race.

This week's key words: MARKED FOR ELIMINATION. We'll have to watch to find out how they affect Uchenna and Joyce.

Am I the only one who thinks that Mirna's shirt should say, "Too Hot-Headed to Handle." Oh snap! The beauty queens just made fun of the shirt!!! See, my love for the blondes this season is not misguided.

I would make a joke about Dumb and Dumber's Tasmanian Devil mix-up, but it has become so easy it's losing its appeal.

Full flights + Teams willing to take big risks = Awesome airport drama

Mirna/Charla may have just taken the leading spot for Most Annoying TAR Team Ever with their continued "Poor Us" mentality. Why are the race gods rewarding this annoyingness with all the right breaks on flights this leg?? And why are there no flippin' flights available?? It's like a ticket lottery and Eric and Danielle just came out big losers. How pissed would you be if you were sitting on the plane and the airline came and removed you because they accidentally gave you someone else's seats??!! Had it been Rob/Amber, CBS totally would have gotten them new seats.

I can't believe these teams have to spend another night in Maputo! They shouldn't worry, though, I'm sure there will be some sort of classic TAR catch-up point. Enter classic TAR catch-up point. The first dhow doesn't leave until 5:30 tomorrow morning. Unfortunately for the teams left behind, their stand-by flight won't even have left yet.

OK, the airport drama has gone from funny and entertaining to completely frickin' ridiculous! How can Teri/Ian and Team Guido still not have flights?? I thought TAR made sure there were enough seats for all of the teams on at least one flight. Joyce and Uchenna can go ahead and take their time because there's no way they're getting eliminated tonight! They could have a 3 hour time penalty and it wouldn't matter.

Holy frick on a stick (TM Eliot Reed on Scrubs)! They finally got a flight!! It's a TAR miracle.

Danny/Oswald just became my new favorite team because they are the only thing standing between Charla/Mirna and first place. Well, them and that dang puzzle! No, no, no!! Don't stop for energy! I NEED you to beat Charla/Mirna!

Perhaps, Phil and the extras should have rehearsed that little hand-off in the Roadblock explanation. It wasn't quite there, but it was a solid effort on Phil's part.

Frick on a stick (TM Eliot Reed again)!! Mirna just completed the damn Roadblock! If they win this leg over that stupid fruit, I'm going to scream.

Do you hear that sound? It's the sound of me screaming at the top of my lungs because Charla/Mirna just finished in first!! I so hate fruit now. Fruit sucks!! Ha! They won catamarans and had to ask what they were!

That log-hauling Detour must have taken the blondes much longer than the puzzle took Uchenna/Joyce because they were more than 30 minutes behind. Anywho, Joyce/Uchenna are safe.

It sucks that a lack of flights caused the elimination tonight. Even the team who doesn't get eliminated has a sucky outcome. They're going to be about a day behind the other teams when they start the next leg (although, it's safe to assume that there will be a catch-up point along the way).

That tricky editing has me thinking that it's a tight race between these two last teams, but I have a feeling that Team Guido is well ahead. And I was right. Teri/Ian just got eliminated. Now, I hate fruit and flights. They both suck!

Were you bummed to see Teri/Ian go home? What did you think of all of the flight drama?? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. The pictures in this edition are courtesy of cbs.com.


Get even more of your TV fix at PassTheRemote.net! A comprehensive television site with news, reviews, photos and much more!

The Teams Smell a Rat

Here's this week's "live" thoughts on The Amazing Race.

So, all of the teams are singing and dancing "Ding Dong the witches are dead" because Rob and Amber are gone. Ok, that's an exaggeration, but they're all very excited.

Apparently, some of the teams have been "playing it safe" in order to not be perceived as a threat. If that makes you feel better about the fact that you've been sucking it up, then go ahead and preach it guys.

File this scene under "TMI" because I'm now disturbingly aware of Team Guido's underwear choices. For those who missed it, they're wearing thongs (hey, if I had to find out, so do you!).

Wow, most confusing airport explanation ever! Apparently, teams have to book tickets at a travel agent, but outgoing flights are very limited. So, TAR booked every team on the last departure in case they aren't able to find an earlier flight out through the travel agent. Bottom line, you snooze, you lose (or in this case, you fail to read your avalanche beckon locating machine properly, you end up on the last flight out of dodge)!

If Danielle wins this thing, she needs to do herself and the rest of the world a favor and buy an atlas and take a world geography class (and pass it!) because my eyes are getting tired from rolling every time the teams are dispatched to a different country and she has no idea if it's a city, state, country, continent, ocean or brand of hairspray!

I smell a rat! And it's not just Team Guido's blown out of proportion fight with Eric. Nope, this Roadblock requires one team member to use a rat as his/her guide to find the next clue. Question, why do the team members have protective armor on, but the poor rat who's about to put his face into a landmine gets nothing but a lousy harness and collar??

I disagree Charla, this is the perfect time for your rat to clean himself. If the landmine takes him out, he wants to go down looking good.

Why would you turn left when the sign says that Maputo is straight? Am I crazy?? Apparently not since Charla/Mirna just found it by going straight while the other teams remain lost in Not-Maputo. And now, Charla/Mirna just finished in first frickin' place. All because the other teams can't read a damn sign!

Wow that coal Detour was definitely the wrong decision! On top of ruining your manicure Team Guido-style, it takes a million times longer than the other one. The beauty queens just finished Pamper and landed in second place while Guido (who was first to arrive at the Detour) is still filling bags.

Did Phil just hit on the beauty queens? I think he did! I like Flirty Phil.

OMG!!!! Oswald and Danny are chasing Phil! I swear on my favorite teams that I'm not making this up. They're covered in coal and threatening to hug him. I'm pretty sure that this is the stuff that Phil's nightmares are made of. The only thing that could make this situation worse would be if he were wearing one of his prized turtlenecks. You don't dirty the turtleneck!

I like Uchenna and Joyce, but I was perfectly fine with them being eliminated. After all, they won before, so I'm sorta rooting against them to lose this time. But, they had the fortunate experience of coming in last on this edition's first non-elimination round. That makes them "marked for elimination" next week.

Were you worried that Uchenna/Joyce would go home? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. The pictures in this edition are courtesy of cbs.com.


Get even more of your TV fix at PassTheRemote.net! A comprehensive television site with news, reviews, photos and much more!

The Teams Go Postal

Well, the stream-of-conscience method seemed to work pretty well last week, so I'll be sticking with it the rest of the season. Here's this week's "live" thoughts on The Amazing Race.

Why do Rob and Amber cause me to roll my eyes every time them come on my screen?? Maybe it's the fact that Amber thinks she's peaking while Rob is convinced that he hasn't reached his prime yet (rolls eyes).

Look, we're only 5 minutes in, and Eric has already referenced Danielle's boobs. Maybe they'll help complete another challenge this leg. They were so helpful last leg. Without them, Danielle never would have finished that fish Roadblock.

Oooh! Do you think that Rob and Amber might make a big mistake here by assuming that the shipwreck is a painting and not the actual sight?? Nah, me either. It's fun to dream, though.

And now dear readers, it's time for this week's "Feel Bad for Mirna Moment." It seems that she has to do more than any one person on the race. All together now: Poor Mirna!

The dream is over -- Rob figured out that the shipwreck is a sight and not a painting.

Oh snap! Team Guido just got shut out of the earlier flight!

Who would have thought that Rob would be the one to point out that Magellan started in Spain and Amber the one to argue that it was Guam?? Of course, it's History 101 and common sense all rolled into one, but I'm still impressed. Hold that thought, he just misspelled Philippines. And now they're both completely stumped! I love it!

Charter planes that leave 3 hours apart?? 3 hours??!! That's harsh. It's usually 1/2 hour. However, at least they're not traveling to AUSTRALIA on them!!!

Mirna's having another breakdown -- and it's a good one!! Just wait until she actually begins writing the signs and putting them in order.

We have another round of find the clue box, and surprise, surprise, it features the race's oldest team. Why does the oldest team on each edition have trouble finding a clue box sometime during the race?? I guess it's just one of those great TAR mysteries like why some racers wear those annoying strappy things that section off their chests or why Phil always acts so surprised when team members feel the need to give him a big hug.

Mail call! Terri has got to pick up the pace of this Roadblock or she won't finish going through that mail by the time the entire race is over!

Oh my god, if Charla and Mirna aren't eliminated tonight, I might have to rethink my devotion to this show. WTH are they talking about?? They didn't call for a taxi and Rob and Amber didn't steal theirs!!!! Why are they always playing the victim?? MOST. ANNOYING. TEAM. EVER!!!! Which, of course, makes me think that if they do come in last, it will be non-elimination.

Hell must have just frozen over because Rob and Amber did NOT finish first!! That distinguished honor belongs to Oswald and Danny, who promptly invited Phil along on their winning vacation.

Hey Mirna, if, as an attorney, you can tell who's lying to you, then why did you believe Amber when she told you that she got the clue down that path??

Sounds like someone needs to take a bar of soap to Mirna's mouth. And now she's resorting to name-calling. Damn it! They just finished in 7th place!!!!!! This means another week of Mirna's annoying-ness. Of course, this does mean that Rob and Amber just got ELIMINATED!! What was that about peaking, Amber?


Were you shocked to see Rob/Amber go home? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. The pictures in this edition are courtesy of cbs.com.


Get even more of your TV fix at PassTheRemote.net! A comprehensive television site with news, reviews, photos and much more!

The 'Race' Hits a Fishy Roadblock

I thought we would try something different for this week's episode of The Amazing Race. If it works, I'll continue to do it for the remainder of the season. So, instead of a reaction post the next day, I'm going to type as the show airs -- stream-of-conscience style. Faulkner, I am not, so we'll see how this works out. Without further adieu, here's last night's trial run...

We're less than a minute in, and Rob and Amber are already annoying me. When are they going to get eliminated?? Never, I know. Oh and Rob, I could "care LESS" about your obsession with the other teams.

Wow, the producers are really working Phil's pronunciation skills with all of these destinations! Poor guy is still trying to master spa.

Danielle gets the Captain Obvious award of the night for pointing out that she's a girl and Eric's a guy. Congrats Danielle, you got it in record time, too, since we're 6 minutes into the show!

Sweet!!! We're only 11 minutes in and there's already airport drama! I'm going to go out on a limb and assume that this little interteam strategy of working together to get the best flight is going to blow up in someone's face. Can't wait!

Told you! Looks like Uchenna and Joyce were only able to help Team Guido.

OMG! The airport drama just got even better! Eric actually pulled off a sneaky maneuver and got he and Danielle on the earlier flight! Oh, and Charla and Mirna are being their usual crazy selves with everyone else. Why are these two on the Race again?!

I can't be the only one who just laughed out loud when Danielle said that Team Guido looked like psychos! Cut to one of them giving a maniacal look while stroking his chin. Now, there's the Team Guido I know and loathe!

Something is definitely fishy about this Roadblock! (Sorry, I had to do it!) It's sooooo perfect for Danielle, or rather, for the rest of us watching her freak out. She's definitely floundering. Ha, I crack myself up. But wait! Eric just got an ingenious idea! She needs to use her boobs! Thank god he is here to make everything better.

Oooh! Team Guide just messed up! I know because we got that slow-mo TAR trademark that means a team messed up. He didn't read the entire clue from the bottom of the tank. Drama!! I can't wait to see how this plays out.

Meanwhile, Mirna is floundering too! And now they're in last place. Awesome!

Rob and Amber have done rafting before, and she almost died. Oh, and the guide just told them that if they do fall in, not to panic. So what, they're supposed to just kiss their sorry arse goodbye?? I can't wait for this Detour!

So, Team Guido didn't get screwed by their clue mishap (thanks to Mirna), but it seems that the blondes just did. They made the fatal TAR mistake of stumbling upon a challenge without finding the preceding clue. Now, there are some sorry arses we can kiss goodbye!

Oh look, we're heading to the next Pit Stop and Rob/Amber are in first place. Shocking. Oh, and now they just finished in first -- AGAIN!! They're frickin' 3 for 3. It's time for their next prize. Please say spa, please say spa, please say spa -- Nope! A home gym instead. I'm really starting to get disappointed in the lack of spa prizes this season. So far, there has only been one. I'm beginning to miss Phil's cute pronunciation.

Girls, your car not starting is the least of your worries right now. Nevermind, looks like it was driver error. Wait until you find out that you missed a clue!!

Holy river rafting, Batman! Teri just fell out of the raft. Remember Teri, whatever you do, don't panic!! Phew! The magical TAR commercial break just saved her. She's holding onto the raft and proclaiming how fun it was to fall out. Tragedy, luckily, avoided.

I can't believe CBS just reminded all of us of how they helped Rob and Amber get on that plane during season 7!

Here it comes, the moment of truth for the blondes. Phil has his sad face on. The blondes -- their confused one. Ooooh, Phil didn't tell them which clue they missed. Tricky! No problem, though, because the girls made it back to the Pit Stop before anyone else did, so they're still in fourth.

Where the crap are Charla/Mirna and Team Guido?? Maybe this means that one of them will be eliminated. Oh here they are, still lost. Nothing new this leg. It's looking more and more like one of them is going. I really hope it's the cousins. Damn, they finished the river first, but they can't find their keys!! Sweet! Double damn, they finished in 8th. This means that David/Mary are last and eliminated. Bummer.

Were you bummed to see David/Mary go home? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Also, let me know what you think about the new TAR format. The pictures in this edition are courtesy of cbs.com.


Get even more of your TV fix at PassTheRemote.net! A comprehensive television site with news, reviews, photos and much more!

'Race' Kicks Off Another Season

So, I was pretty psyched about this All-Star edition of The Amazing Race last night. That excitement dissipated when Rob and Amber first appeared and easily out-did themselves on the annoyance scale. So, congrats to them on that crowning achievement. And if having them on the show wasn't annoying enough, they had to go and win the first leg and a trip to a ski resort and spa (or spaaar if you're Phil -- which furthers my theory that the producers put these resort and spa prizes in just to hear him say it). You know what, though? I would have been OK with all of this -- annoyed, but OK -- but then my favorite team of all-time gets eliminated first! Nooooooooooo JonVito and Jill!! I was crushed the first time you came in last, totally bummed to learn that you're not still together, and then devastated when your exploration into whether you should try to be more than friends again (you sooo should) was abruptly cut short by some bad directions and a South entrance. For the love of Phil, why couldn't this happen to Rob and Amber??!! Why??!! You just know they'll make it to the final three, and by that time, my annoyance will grow into complete hatred. It's bad enough when you're the most despised team in the group, but when that group includes the deplorable Team Guido (who, call me crazy, I rather enjoyed last night), you're really bad! Here's PTR's quick rundown of all of the all-star teams and their first leg of the Race.

Kevin/Drew - So glad I rented TAR Season 1 over the summer because I'm not sure that this team is going to stick around for too long, and they're a hoot. Loved how one called the other out on calling Ecuador, Peru.

Oswald/Danny - New to me, but I like this team.

JobVito/Jill - Sob, sob.

Uchenna/Joyce - I'm not sure how I feel about a team that has previously won, running the race again.

David/Mary - There aren't enough words to express my happiness over their return.

Charla/Mirna - I could have done without seeing them again.

Rob/Amber - Ugh!

Teri/Ian - Glad to have them back.

Eric/Danielle - A match made in reality TV heaven.

Team Guido - Surprisingly flying under the radar so far, but that could change on a dime. I'm keeping my eye on them. I mean, they landed in fifth and seemed happy about it. Who is this team, and what did they do with the real Team Guido??

Dustin/Candace - Is it wrong that I'm glad these two are back? I can't even begin to understand my love/hate relationship with this team.

As with everything on the Race, the results came down to a mixture of luck and skill. Unfortunately for my fave team ever, luck wasn't on their side. Were you as bummed to see JonVito/Jill go home? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. The pictures in this edition are courtesy of cbs.com.


Get even more of your TV fix at PassTheRemote.net! A comprehensive television site with news, reviews, photos and much more!