Originally Posted By velo Ok, new season starts tonight! Thought I'd start a thread for those of us who love this show. Looks like an interesting bunch of contestants - I have no favorites at this point.
Originally Posted By seanyoda Except that there already was a thread... <a href="http://mb.laughingplace.com/default.asp?WCI=MsgBoard&WCE=T-78348-P-1&Refresh=0917163717" target="_blank">http://mb.laughingplace.com/de fault.asp?WCI=MsgBoard&WCE=T-78348-P-1&Refresh=0917163717</a>
Originally Posted By velo yep, back in the beginning of August, that veered into other territory. Hope you don't mind, I started a "fresher" thread. My Comments: quite a collection of racers! All across the board. Can't say that any are total favorites but I do like the 2 single moms. That climbing challenge was really hard! And, quite a surprise to see 2 teams go in the first episode (they may have done that before, I just don't remember it).
Originally Posted By quincytoo Sisngle moms rock I like them all in varying degrees I haven't watched the last one and half seasons (couldn't get into Family Edition) but am happy to say I am hooked again
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I was wondering what they were going to do with 12 teams instead of 11. Now I know. Gotta say, that was a lame gimmick, IMO. Well... the Muslims don't need to worry about saying their prayers during the race now. I just _knew_ when they all got the clue to go to the Chinese restaurant that eating something "interesting" would be the road block. Surprisingly, everyone got through it easily... but I guess the producers didn't want anything too challenging the first time out. Fish eyes aren't too bad from what I remember. I wish more teams had chosen the Tai Chi detour. The brick laying was somewhat dull, and we didn't get to see the cheerleaders and the gay couple do the Tai Chi much since so few teams chose that. Also an interesting way to end the leg with a rope climb. Do you suppose they added that with the woman with the disability in mind? Her partner was really supportive... I'm rather liking those two from the get-go. The single moms seemed to have a grudge against thse two... strange. And again we have the two young males cross the finish line in first, and the nice Indian couple finshes last and gets eliminated. Doesn't it seem predicable, even though it isn't? The previews for next week (Mongolia!) look fun. Of course I am rooting still for my Chinese "brothers (although they seem slightly clueless for some smart guys lol), and the two young chick teams 'cause I like eye candy. Oh, and team "recently dating"... that's their name on the CBS site... what else to call them, besides "team with the woman with the disability?"
Originally Posted By Lisann22 I can see why the single mom's were having issues with the couple with the disabled woman. One minute she's using the disability to her advantage, the next she's crying about it. I'm sure everyone in the same situation would do the same thing. Not dissing her because she's disabled, just saying when you're in the heat of competition that stuff will grate your nerves - right or wrong. They are competing. The latin couple, with the guy with the doofus haircut - they are going to be DRAMA!
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I guess sitting here in my armchair it's not grating on my nerves. Yes, they can take advantage of her disabilty in some situations, but clearly she can't run as fast as the others. So I didn't quite "get" why the single moms were suddenly singling out the disabled team as being particularly irksome and in need of elimination. As for drama, I don't think any team will ever match Jonathan and Victoria of AR6!
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Well, the other thing is we aren't there 24/7 with them during their pit stops and such. Who knows what their overall behavior is at this point. For me after 90 minutes, they aren't my favorite team either. She kind of works my nerves, can't really explain it. Nothing to do with her leg.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss No, I am not there, that's what I meant by me being in an armchair.... I am observing from the outside in, and am more-or-less emotionally detached at this point in the game. It'll probably take a couple more episodes for anyone to start working my nerves.
Originally Posted By velo I think the initial irritation happened when the disabled racer used her "disability" to be pre-boarded on the plane. This, of course, didn't give the team any huge advantage on this leg, but it irritated the other teams that were waiting in line. In future segments, who knows if this will be an advantage? I had forgotten that there was one extra team, Trekkeruss, so thanks for reminding me - now the 2 team elimination makes more sense. Next weeks challenges look downright dangerous!
Originally Posted By trekkeruss At least her disabilty is genuine. How many times before on the AR have teams bluffed or feigned their way for the purpose of advantage?
Originally Posted By GrumpysWife I with Lisann here - there has to be more to it than we've seen for the single moms to be so irritated by them. Preboarding wasn't much of an advantage.
Originally Posted By gadzuux In this game, both team members need to be strong. The indian couple seemed hobbled by the woman. She wasn't good for much else except to stand around and wring her hands in anxiety. The disabled woman seems to be a competitor, but her boyfriend is way annoying - "you can't do it, atta girl, you're the one, yada yada" - he's making her more manic than she already is. The prototypical gay couples are always very affected, and it sets them up as comic props for the season. And then there's the father/daughter team where he's having trouble adjusting to her coming out. Ick. Maybe they'll improve as the season rolls on. The blonde beauty queens are your typical ginchy girls who don't seem to know much about the world around them, but they are athletic. They're almost interchangable with the cheerleaders. Are these the ones that had never heard of 'thrifty rent a car' and seemed indignant that they should? So far my favorites are the coal miner and his wife. I hope they stick around for awhile just to watch the culture clashes. Running a close second for the ugly americans are the two single moms. Again, here are two people who are less than worldly, yet they have an 'in yer face' attitude. The latino couple seem to have a contentious relationship, and this is still early on in the game. I expect a lot of bickering between those two. Picked to click - the chinese eggheads. Granted, they're not doing too well so far, but I've got a hunch that they'll step it up in future episodes. Dark horse candidates - the drug addict models from LA. They did very well in this first episode, but I'm betting that the chinese guys are smarter and faster, and over the long haul they'll prevail.
Originally Posted By nevadarebel My favorite so far are the dad and daughter team. They didn't get too much tv time but I liked their attitude so far. (of course that could change quickly). I originally thought the disability was a great thing to show that how much she can do but they quickly got on my nerves too. The boyfriend is very demanding but then he has a soft, encouraging side that maybe down the road will show a little better and change my mind on them. The coal miner and his wife are hilarious. They have never been out of Kentucky so seeing the world through their eyes is great but then I usually go with the ones that were sheltered.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<her boyfriend is way annoying - "you can't do it, atta girl, you're the one, yada yada" - he's making her more manic than she already is.>> I just thought he was encouraging... but I can see your point. <<The prototypical gay couples are always very affected>> Another thing that I just knew was gonna happen... the group hug between them and the cheerleaders. <<Are (cheerleaders) the ones that had never heard of 'thrifty rent a car' and seemed indignant that they should?>> I thought it was one of the g/f's who sai to her partner that she doesn't rent cars. Or are you talking about a seperate incident that I missed? <<So far my favorites are the coal miner and his wife>> They have a bit of that Forrest Gump appeal going for them. <<Picked to click - the chinese eggheads. Granted, they're not doing too well so far, but I've got a hunch that they'll step it up in future episodes>> My sister was afraid they wouldn't represent "our people" too well and get eliminated right away. LOL. They did manage to pick it up a bit at the end. <<Dark horse candidates - the drug addict models from LA>> The young athletic male teams of AR almost always do well. Looking back at the results of the past nine races, they have finished 1st, 1st, 4th, 1st, no team competing, no team competing, 6th, family edition, and 2nd.
