Sunday, February 21, 2010

what to watch tonight: The Amazing Race


If you're not that into the Olympics today, the Amazing Race is on tonight at 8p. I just watched last week's premiere episode, and I recommend you do the same! (You can watch on the CBS.com.) Here's my recap of last week, so you can get up to speed.

The Teams
  • Brent & Caite : dating models
  • Adrian & Dana : high school sweethearts
  • Louie & Michael : detectives
  • Jet & Cord : cowboys
  • Jordan & Jeff : newly dating long distance
  • Monique & Shawne : moms / attorneys
  • Steve & Allie : father / daughter team
  • Joe & Heidi : married parents
  • Carol & Brandy : dating / from L.A.
  • Dan & Jordan : brothers
  • Jody & Shannon : grandmother / grand-daughter team
Episode 1 (spoiler alert)

I think the Amazing Race is the only show I really watch on CBS, and I've really only watched one other season prior to this one. (The season with Nick and Starr - I went to high school with them so I had to tune in!) Anyway, I went to the gym this morning, ran and did some yoga, so during lunch I decided maybe something athletic would be more appropriate than say.. Ugly Betty.

If you have never watched Amazing Race, you should. And if you start watching today, you won't get an extra Snuggie with your order, but you will find out exactly how much a TV show can make your heart race and your emotions fly. Ever watch Guts on Nickelodeon back in the day? Well it's like that but with the entire world as the track, and even more interesting teams. Hm.. Or maybe a grown up version of Legends of the Hidden Temple. You'll like it is all I'm saying!

Last week the episode started in Los Angeles. The first challenge was for the teams to get to LAX from a park in downtown only by using public transportation. As the L.A. residents know, this is really a tough task. I like how Carol & Brandy (from L.A.) have to ask where Union Station is. I'm afraid if I were downtown, I probably would have to ask too.

The teams all make it to LAX. After mechanical issues and flight delays, they all make it to Chile. The next task is to side step across a cable wire that is the length of a football field. The teams choose one person who is fit for the job, and we get to watch as they cheer each other on and across the valley. The triathlon grandmother explains that we all begin to lose our balance at 40 years old, and at 71 she would look like a drunk old lady on a wire. She sends her grand-daughter across. Adrian of team high school sweethearts has some trouble, falls, and hesitates to start again. Everyone else makes it across. Most coach themselves "I can do this. I can do this. I can do this." or "God is with me. God is with me." Lesson learned: when attempting your next Man On Wire stunt, remember to find a mantra.

The next task is to "paint the town". Most of the teams have trouble finding the street where the houses to be painted are. I'm not sure how that happened because the yellow card included the street name. But the confusion leaves room for some entertaining moments. I think the father/daughter team walking into a private residence and painting the walls red was my favorite. Laugh out loud.

After the painting task is figured out, the teams race to the first pit stop. Jordan & Jeff arrive first and win a trip to Vancouver. Nice. Arriving second is Brent & Caite (yup, Caite is the Miss Teen USA dummy famous for her you tube quote about maps, south africa, iraq, like, such as..). They receive a 30 minute penalty however for skipping over the Funicular ride down the mountain. Five other teams arrive within that 30 minutes putting Brent & Caite in 7th place. What a bummer. I was impressed for a minute that they were doing so well.

Here's the final standing at the end of the episode:
1st: the newly dating couple (Jordan & Jeff)
2nd: the mom / attourneys (Monique & Shawne)
3rd: the cowboys (Jet & Cord)
4th: the father/daughter team (Steve & Allie)
5th: married couple (Joe & Heidi)
6th: dating from L.A. (Carol & Brandy)
7th: dating models (Brent & Caite)
8th: brother duo (Dan & Jordan)
9th: undercover detectives (Louie & Michael)
10th: grandma / grand-daughter (Jody & Shannon)
last place / sent home: the high school sweethearts (Adrian & Dana)

So far the teams aren't really fighting, which is inspiring and much more satisfying than watching Bad Girls Club. I'm excited for tonight's episode. If you want to watch a show that emphasizes teamwork and the importance of having a partner in your life, watch the Amazing Race tonight! I'm going to want someone to talk to about it all, so let me know if you're watching. "Ultimately we know we've got each other," says Dana at the end of the first episode. Yup, readers, we do.


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