tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post1865364027244528181..comments2024-03-28T18:01:28.997-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: Amazing Race, "It was like a caravan of idiots": Blockheads with wood blocksAlan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-4493198436491428642009-03-11T08:51:00.000-04:002009-03-11T08:51:00.000-04:00My problem with the Blind U-Turn is that BECAUSE e...My problem with the Blind U-Turn is that BECAUSE everyone takes the moral high ground about not using it, allowing a team to use it without letting the others know it was them encourages racers to be gutless when using it. My point: If you are going to use it, at least have the stones to stand up and say "Yeah, it was us, sorry."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-57873882867934893852009-03-10T18:06:00.000-04:002009-03-10T18:06:00.000-04:00I am very much enjoying this season of TAR. While ...I am very much enjoying this season of TAR. While I do miss the juicy token "villian" this season, it's been a pleasant change to like every single remaining team.<BR/><BR/>As for the U-Turn, I'm a fan of it and was especially glad to see that using it had real consequence. I was frankly waiting for Phil to tell Kris and Amander that they were NOT eliminated at the mat once the U-Turn was mentioned. It just feels like ages since using such a device caused a "boot".<BR/><BR/>Of course, everyone will find out who used the U-Turn and then we'll get all the chatter about how wrong it was to use and how "Karma" will bite Luke and his Mom for doing it...etc. I don't understand this logic. I've never claimed that "Karma" will get my pals for making me pay for that Hotel when I land on Boardwalk--even though doing so will bankrupt me and I'll be out. Isn't that the whole point?<BR/><BR/>That being said, I'm sure that most of the racers believe in the "It's a GAME" logic and only start moralizing when they've lost and need a reason why it happened. It's frustrating to watch but, understandable.A-T-Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01379812019432725685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-65692179914897330022009-03-10T14:18:00.000-04:002009-03-10T14:18:00.000-04:00Mel and Mike certainly don't seem very smartReally...<I>Mel and Mike certainly don't seem very smart</I><BR/><BR/>Really? Where are you getting that? I think Mel's non-prayer a couple of episodes back established him as one of the smartest players ever on the race, in my book. And as for race performance, they haven't made any major errors yet.<BR/><BR/>Go Team White!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-10853686934832330302009-03-10T09:06:00.000-04:002009-03-10T09:06:00.000-04:00When the Amazing Race producers decided on putting...When the Amazing Race producers decided on putting the U-Turn in this leg of the race, I don't think it necessarily had to be so 'obvious' that whoever ended up U-Turned would go home.<BR/><BR/>It was possible to bang out that wood stacking challenge. In fact, two teams managed to finish it on the first try. So, if one of those teams had been U-Turned, they had a good chance of finishing in time and not being last. <BR/><BR/>It's only watching it as observers that we can see how wrong that stacking challenge could go. What got me were the dummies who insisted on pushing and shoving wood into their stacks...are they just completely dumb? <BR/><BR/>Anyway, I, too was sad to see Kris/Amanda get eliminated. They were one of the 'good' couples who actually probably will stay married forever. But I don't blame Luke and his mother for using the U-Turn option. It was the first time I've seen someone use it in a strategic way. In the past, most people have used it against a team they disliked.K J Gillenwaterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12023089365553324315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-64351835518676331662009-03-10T09:03:00.000-04:002009-03-10T09:03:00.000-04:00The issue I have with any kind of blocking feature...The issue I have with any kind of blocking feature on TAR, from the Yield to any kind of U-Turn, is that it takes away the pure "get stuff done the fastest" element that makes this the best reality show of all time. And there is NOTHING bad or wrong or mean about using a blocking feature, no matter what whining hypocrite losers like Mirna said; they seem like refugees from SURVIVOR or THE APPRENTICE's game style, and they don't help with the sprint-with-intelligence basic idea that TAR fans love.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-9635740497721173442009-03-10T00:13:00.000-04:002009-03-10T00:13:00.000-04:00The U-Turn and Yield also have the effect of pushi...The U-Turn and Yield also have the effect of pushing teams even more during the legs, as opposed to just avoiding coming in last; which is all that actually matters except for the final leg.<BR/><BR/>As for putting them in non-elimination legs only, that would both be more "fair" and "pointless". If all you're really trying to do is manufacture more "drama", then certainly. But sometimes you have to make their usage really count, and knock teams off, otherwise they lose their edge.<BR/><BR/><I>I can't remember a time when they were used to "save" any of the first 6-7 teams eliminated</I><BR/><BR/><I>My non-scientific observation from the past few seasons is that the non-elimination legs start when there are 6 left and then come every OTHER week until the finale</I><BR/><BR/>I will use my once-a-year plug of my <A HREF="http://homepage.mac.com/yakc/" REL="nofollow">meticulously prepared color-coded progress charts</A> to point out that neither is quite true. At the bottom of the page for each race, you can see when the non-elimination legs were.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11101205956353455647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-61235027491002735192009-03-09T23:15:00.000-04:002009-03-09T23:15:00.000-04:00I agree that the U-Turn is best employed on a non-...I agree that the U-Turn is best employed on a non-elimination leg, for reasons of fairness (I don't care if it's a rule, it negatively affects the teams not because of their abilities as racers) and maximum dramatic effects .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-70122962088062034032009-03-09T22:01:00.000-04:002009-03-09T22:01:00.000-04:00I agree with everyone that the U-Turn is part of t...I agree with everyone that the U-Turn is part of the game. However, if Luke half-did it to save the girls he's crushing on, it's going to bite him on the ass when the girls U-Turn him or just generally turn their back on him and Margie when they are facing elimination sometime down the line. They will be saying "It's part of the game" too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-16447661738141536832009-03-09T20:20:00.000-04:002009-03-09T20:20:00.000-04:00I know the U-Turn is a legal part of the game, but...I know the U-Turn is a legal part of the game, but I would prefer that when someone gets U-Turned, it is a non elimination leg. That way we get to see some fireworks the next time around. I was quite disappointed that Amanda and Kris got eliminated, especially since they seemed like such nice helpful people.fgmerchanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06810080679098585277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-6775732581670618882009-03-09T14:44:00.000-04:002009-03-09T14:44:00.000-04:00I was surprised by the not knowing of Chekhov. W...I was surprised by the not knowing of Chekhov. Was the name spelling out that way on the ride? I recallt he C being first and the V last, but not the restAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-17244747285461215322009-03-09T14:39:00.000-04:002009-03-09T14:39:00.000-04:00Kris and Amanda were pleasant enough, but I'm glad...Kris and Amanda were pleasant enough, but I'm glad that they're gone. <BR/><BR/>This is the first season I can remember for a while where there isn't a pair of impossibly fast and good-looking "dating models" or "engaged actors" getting in the way of the more interesting, offbeat teams.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-196329980111248232009-03-09T14:03:00.000-04:002009-03-09T14:03:00.000-04:00To be fair, I think they mentioned both - that it ...To be fair, I think they mentioned both - that it was a strong team that should be sidelined early and that they wanted to help the girls (which I think was more of Luke's comment than Margie's).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-11609291480224818272009-03-09T13:27:00.000-04:002009-03-09T13:27:00.000-04:00I don't think McSchneebly's dad's groin is better....<I>I don't think McSchneebly's dad's groin is better...he's just not bringing it up. </I><BR/><BR/>You're probably right, but he was moving around better/more, as far as I could tell.<BR/><BR/><I>It was a smart strategic move by Margie and Luke to handicap one of the strongest teams. <BR/></I><BR/><BR/>While I agree, I didn't like that their motivation seemed more to be helping Jamie & Cara than knocking out a team that could beat them (I'm one of those "Run your own Race!" type of fans).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-23418661714548610792009-03-09T13:12:00.000-04:002009-03-09T13:12:00.000-04:00My favorite moment of the night:Victor: Who doesn'...My favorite moment of the night:<BR/><BR/>Victor: Who doesn't know Chekhov?<BR/><BR/>My non-scientific observation from the past few seasons is that the non-elimination legs start when there are 6 left and then come every OTHER week until the finale.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-4048916793568077462009-03-09T13:11:00.000-04:002009-03-09T13:11:00.000-04:00I can't agree with Alan enough re: the preview cli...I can't agree with Alan enough re: the preview clip at the beginning of the show. Recap of the last leg is good, but why do you need to tell us what we're about to see? <BR/><BR/>Interestingly, I did note this week that the credits have been updated to show clips of the teams in action during the legs that have already aired. <BR/><BR/>I would have liked to know what happened in Moscow that made some teams miss the first flight. At the very least, get a sense that they were going to and see how they were dealing. <BR/><BR/>This was a bad place to put the U-Turn, because it took away any chance of the ending having any drama, while having the bottom three teams all fighting it out to race to the finish would have been much more exciting. It was a smart strategic move by Margie and Luke to handicap one of the strongest teams. <BR/><BR/>The Speed Bump task has one advantage over the Marked for Elimination scenario-- it's much more efficient for Phil to explain to the audience, and leads to more interesting TV with a team at some kind of local task, instead of waiting around at the mat for the other teams to arrive.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-42602275809101962322009-03-09T12:56:00.000-04:002009-03-09T12:56:00.000-04:00Yeah, they changed it yet again. A Speed Bump is ...Yeah, they changed it yet again. A Speed Bump is an extra task that the last place team needs to do at some point during the next leg that none of the other teams have to do (it shows up with one of their clues, I mean - they don't choose when to do it). Past SB's have been things like running through a gauntlet of fireworks or completing a dance or handing out water to a certain number of people. It's WAY better than the forced begging - that I totally agree with.Joe J.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17884182499425185610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-67702758113005391412009-03-09T12:43:00.000-04:002009-03-09T12:43:00.000-04:00Did they change it again? I didn't watch the last ...Did they change it again? I didn't watch the last few seasons, and when I left off the series, it was the 30-minute thingee. <BR/><BR/>Still, anything's an improvement over the old mugging penalty, where contestants lost all their money and had to beg their way through future legs. Really distasteful.Alan Sepinwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-87897097245258782912009-03-09T12:41:00.000-04:002009-03-09T12:41:00.000-04:00I like the concept of the blind U-Turn, but I ques...I like the concept of the blind U-Turn, but I question whether it's really going to help keep the anonymity of the team that uses it. Really, I don't think it would be that hard for the teams to figure out who used it if they just compared notes as to whether there was a picture up or not at the time they got to it. <BR/><BR/>Are they back to that 30-minute Pit Stop penalty on non-elimination legs? I would have assumed they stuck with the Speed Bump for this season since they've done that for the last two, although I like the 30-minute one better.Joe J.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17884182499425185610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-52942245791843361322009-03-09T12:32:00.000-04:002009-03-09T12:32:00.000-04:00Yes! I was shocked that so few contestants had he...Yes! I was shocked that so few contestants had heard of Anton Chekhov, but even more surprised that we didn't see even one who knew Pavel Chekhov. (Unless I missed something?)floretbroccolihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05498743081576292194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-25496526231660767062009-03-09T12:29:00.000-04:002009-03-09T12:29:00.000-04:00Thanks for the insight, everyone. :)Thanks for the insight, everyone. :)Bobmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01604050338240551711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-47226178577626833432009-03-09T12:15:00.000-04:002009-03-09T12:15:00.000-04:00Just having a little fun, Alan. Their use of the ...Just having a little fun, Alan. Their use of the U-Turn/Yield was probably the most strategicly smart use of it since the Beauty Queen blondes used it on the *Lyns. And at the time, the BQs were more or less accused of committing a hate crime.<BR/><BR/>Bobman, usually the non-eliminations are saved toward the end. It makes sense in a cost-conscious way. Last year, Phil had fun telling Team Superbad after one of their particurlaly awful legs <I>"You are the last team to arrive. I'm sorry to tell you that you are still in the race".</I>BFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15264282750160516858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-13333760431964301082009-03-09T12:13:00.000-04:002009-03-09T12:13:00.000-04:00Sure, the U-Turn is part of the game. Its like a h...Sure, the U-Turn is part of the game. Its like a hidden immunity idol on Survivor, its a tool that the players are supposed to use to help them in the game. There is nothing unfair or deceptive about it. However, like the hidden idols in Survivor, the U-turn (like the Yield before it) is also specifically designed and intentionally included by the producders to frustrate the hell out of the other players and cause them to get mad and react emotionally. It always works as intended.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-40386991421254987132009-03-09T12:11:00.000-04:002009-03-09T12:11:00.000-04:00Oh for Pete's sake -- u-turns are part ofteh game!...Oh for Pete's sake -- u-turns are part ofteh game! I totally agree Alan! Luke is NOT a backstabber -- he wants to win the race! It's a game...it's like when people get all indignant on Survivor -- "You lied to me!" Uh...duh, if there wasn't lying on Survivor, then half teh winners wouldn't have won. This doesn't mean these people lie or backstab in real life -- this is a game!!!<BR/><BR/>And Amanda and Kris took accepted their fate with class. I was sorry to see them go -- they were certainly one of the teams to beat.<BR/><BR/>Those were BRUTAL detours for the U-turn though.<BR/><BR/>I don't think McSchneebly's dad's groin is better...he's just not bringing it up. Groin injuries take a Loooooooooooooong time to heal.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-48887186707414093032009-03-09T12:09:00.000-04:002009-03-09T12:09:00.000-04:00Also, the non-elimination rounds tend to come at t...Also, the non-elimination rounds tend to come at the end of the race. I can't remember a time when they were used to "save" any of the first 6-7 teams eliminated. So I think we have a couple more weeks to go before we get one. They use to take away a team's money as punishment but the teams quickly figured out how easy it was to beg for money and so that was kind of a fail. The time penalty works better. <BR/><BR/>I may be confused but I thought that the penalty now is that they would have to do an extra task on the next leg?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-24208212452121782972009-03-09T12:06:00.000-04:002009-03-09T12:06:00.000-04:00Thanks, Adam. You are correct, sir.Thanks, Adam. You are correct, sir.Alan Sepinwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.com