[S25.E12: All Or Nothing]

So there's no speed bump on this episode even though they came in last in the previous leg?

 

It was a TBC (To Be Continued) leg.  Those legs (half-leg really) never include Speed Bumps given to the last team at the midway point for the next part of the leg.  Only the non-elim legs do.  Those legs (err...half leg) also never include a prize for coming in first either since the mat is just another spot to get the next clue.  Thus the one leg the Wrestlers "won" they didn't since the leg wasn't over.  So they never won a prize on the whole race which is kind of okay with me.

[S25: Spoilers]

I'm so glad I gave up spoilers long long ago.  Started maybe TAR7 and went through maybe TAR11 but spoilers were often not too accurate back then.  "Look a pic of two people wearing backpacks and running through a terminal in such-and-such has been posted."  Turned out they were just rushing to catch a connecting flight and it was a false alarm.  But it was more fun then just a list of accurate stuff.  Everyone got to play detective. 

 

But even so I found it was ruining my viewing pleasure even if sometimes off.  Couldn't take the cut and dry accurate spoilers these days period.  Would suck all the air out of the show for me.  So I'm very glad I have been unspoiled since and ESPECIALLY for this season.  I can't imagine how bad it would have been to have had this season spoiled for me.

 

Not putting you spoiler folks down.  I do understand it from my past.  But I find it is so much more enjoyable to be surprised and amazed.  To each their own though.  And a very good job as usual by the people at RFF and the other sites as well.  They seem like nice folks there.  Just not my cup of tea.

[Past Seasons Talk]

Yeah it is pretty early to rank Season 25 but I got to say of all the latter seasons it had this "fresh feeling" (best phrase I can come up with) that reminded me of what I felt (and loved) during the TAR Classic era.  Add in a great final leg and surprise underdog win by a loveable team and I think I have to call it the TAR Post-Classic Classic Season.

 

I never thought we'd come close to the classic seasons I used to love so much but was glad to be proved wrong this awesome season.  (Looking into my crystal ball I predict the exact opposite fate for TAR 26: My Worst Casting Nightmare Come True season).

[S25.E12: All Or Nothing]

Awesome win for one of the most underdog teams ever!  Congrats Maya & Amy!!!  Amy really dug deep the last two legs.  I haven't cheered this much since Uchenna & Joyce beat out you know who.

 

I loved this team from the first leg but didn't think they had any chance at all.  I thought the Cyclists might pull it out and rooted hard for them and hoped the Scientists could live to see another part of the world each leg.  But I never saw them winning it all.  Ever.  And a RB that lasted 4 to 5 hours according to Jim in hot temps with Amy's leg?  Amy for The Ironwoman award and Maya for Best Phil Hopping TAR Enthusiast.  Loved, loved loved them winning.

 

You guys remember some poster complaining that the Scientists weren't getting any air time a few legs into the Race and they were pretty upset about it?  Guess we know why now.  The show had tons of stuff ready to go as they started to slowly emerge from the shadows in a nice editing build to this climax.  (Nicely done, editing team).  I hope that poster kept watching and is happily celebrating their win tonight too.

 

It was a good final leg.  No final leg is ever excellent but this was one of the best and despite a task that was right up the Surfers strong suit, the Scientists still won thanks to Amy digging deep cause the running was probably a lot harder for her then the other two in the container yard.

 

Now the bad.  I hate, HATE, H-A-T-E 90% of all dating couples who have ever been on the Race.  Not personally of course but hated these kinds of annoying teams on the Race with all their petty little "couples stuff."  I cannot stand soap operas of any kind.  Also I always loved the cornerstone of the Race; that all teams have a "prior relationship."  Now wall-to-wall-to-wall teams I pre-hate and five of them are blind dates they meet at the starting line?  Just say it ain't so. 

 

Next season is the Anti-Amazing Race and after 25 seasons of viewing ever single freaking episode I may skip it.  Remember The Family Edition? I think The Family Edition will be looking pretty darn good in retrospect compared to this, the worst possible format I could ever imagine in my darkest nightmares.  And hey it is the first new "gimmick theme" since The Family Edition.  Shouldn't the producers have learned their lesson by now?

 

It is really going to cheapen a great show.  Too much like trash reality and not like the class reality I've come t expect from TAR.  Especially after one of the best seasons since the TAR Classic years just happened.  I was feeling all good and great then I stayed for the promo and felt as down as I had felt up a few seconds earlier.  What a bummer to destroy my mood so quickly there guys.

[S29: Natalie Anderson]

I think I've asked this before on the TAR board or on the old board, but I'm curious as to how they have the last name "Anderson".  They don't look mixed race, and their parents both looked 100% Sri Lankan.  Is Sri Lanka like the Phillippines?  Most Filipinos have Spanish surnames, because the Phillippines was colonised by the Spanish and as the colonists married into the society, it seems most of the people today are now descended from those colonists.  Are most Sri Lankans descended from European colonists?  If that's how they have the name "Anderson", that's interesting to me.  India was also colonised by the British but you don't see a lot of Indians with British surnames.

 

There wasn't much marriage into society like in the Philippines and no Sri Lankans aren't usually descended from European colonists because it wasn't colonized as in Europeans moving over and settling down there in great numbers.

 

But people are people and people fall in love even if it isn't in the social norm.  Also I think I recall seeing one of both of them wearing a cross at some point on TAR maybe?  (Or I am imagining it).  But if I didn't imagine it maybe their father or grandfather even may have been the offspring of some English missionary type from a  generations or two ago on their father's side?  Just mere speculation and probably dead wrong and wrongly remembered.

 

Wrong or right it would be interesting to know because I was wondering too.

 

OT:  As for India being colonized by the British.  There are different types of colonizing.  India was "administered" by the British as a colony, not "settled" by colonizers from England like America say. 

 

Even so where there are males and females of any kind, procreation has a way of happening.  There was enough inter-marriage or inter-sleeping withs that there is a small minority in India referred to to this day as Anglo-Indians.  The off spring was usually viewed with suspicion by Indians as to where their real allegiance lay prior to independence as well as feeling they got more perks from the British over "real" Indians. 

 

The English saw the off spring as "not top drawer, old boy" but even so it was considered "proper" for them to find secondary clerk-like jobs for the off spring of these unions.  If the English person involved actually married the Indian it was sometimes considered worse by their fellows because having "bastards" was more acceptable then "going native" and having "legitimate" off spring.  Ah yes the clash of cultures through history is weird indeed.

[S29.E14: This Is My Time / Live Reunion]

So who are the all-stars from this season (if any)?

 

Given how much airtime Reed got at the reunion show he seems likely. I'd also say the self professed genius Jeremy. That's about it.

 

 

I don't see either ever coming back.  Jeremy cause he, like Josh, were your typical Survivor strategists that never make it past the mid-game level.  Neither is unique enough to come back because there are so many of them.  The only reason he (or Josh for that matter) would be asked back is to fill a token black or gay slot on a returnee season.  Because again there are so many mid-game strategists so it would  come down to the "types" needed to be re-cast.  Reality show casting 101 I'm afraid.

 

Reed not coming back?  Because he is a total prick without any entertaining qualities that make him watchable.  His audition for a future Survivor villain at FTC?  "Don't call us, we'll call you."  Not only was it mean-spirited beyond belief but it was as corny as hell.  If that is his idea of "acting" then I don't really see him lasting in even minor ensemble roles and he could never turn to trying his hand at writing given that over-the-top, pretentious doggerel.

 

I see Natalie for sure if it is a season where winners are allowed back.  I want to see her become Sandra 2.0 with two wins under her belt.

 

I see Keith coming back despite them showing us him spending 3/4 of the season treating women like it was a hundred years ago.  Apparently people have short memories and have forgotten all that.  But after going away from that edit over the last couple of weeks I think most people only see him as the "lovable" dumb and funny "hillbilly" (from the flatland of Louisiana but southerners always get stereotyped it seems) and immunity challenge stud now.  And given how hard it is for older people to survive long on Survivor, I'd think he would be a shoo-in for the "old guy" slot in a re-cast. 

 

(I like hearing that Probst is his age so is now an "old guy" too though he looks like a desperation sci fi experiment in reclaiming his youth gone completely haywire.  Botox makes people that have it done to them look like pod people to me).

 

I could see Nadiya in some "unfinished business" season as in Probst intoning: "She was voted out first while her sister went on to Survivor glory.  Will Nadiya show that she too has the right stuff in this second chance season or is she always doomed to failure and living in her sister's shadow for the rest of her life.  Watch her as she battles for her own self-respect ... yadda yadda."  Just the kind of over-the-top stuff the show likes.

[S29: Natalie Anderson]

Congrats to Natalie!  Loved her and Nadiya on The Amazing Race (both of their seasons albeit the second one was short lived) and as sorry as I was to see Nadiya gone the first episode; Natalie more than made up for it.  She seized the game and owned it!  Great win for a great player.

[S29.E14: This Is My Time / Live Reunion]

Congrats to Natalie!!!!!!  First time ever on Survivor a person I rooted for from day one won.  Well Nadiya too.  But hey that makes them the alpha and omega of Survivor.  And Natalie is my favorite winner ever along with Sandra. 

 

I don;t like the teams of two that get split up format.  But then Natalie wouldn't have been cast otherwise so it worked out well.  So I enjoyed this season from the beginning to the end and didn't find it sub-par or boring.  But then I had a rooting interest in the Twins from day one then liked Jeremy a lot too early on.  Helps when you have a hook into the season from the beginning.

 

 

Ugh, I hated Reed's speech.  He is now my least favorite.  Nasty, spiteful, mean, completely unnecessary.  He must have been able to tell that the jury wasn't going to vote for her anyway, so there was no need.  Dare I say it? It was un-Christian.

 

 

 

Yeah that was one ugly, bitter, sour grapes, drama queen, over the top little temper tantrum.  And doing it right in front of the woman's daughter too.  That was low even by Survivor "standards."  One of the worst behaviors I've ever seen on the show period.  I still like Josh but don't see what he sees in Reed. 

 

The next season seems to be three major stereotypes of Survivors masquerading as class warfare.  If I look at it that way -- segregating the three major "types" under the illusion of "class" -- then I'm okay with it.

 

White Collars = The so called tribal leaders and "alpha" types who think they run the game and everyone else is suppose to jump through hoops for them.  What happens when there are no hoop jumpers for them to look down on?

 

No Collars = One of the oldest stereotypes on Survivor ever.  The 20-somethings who think they are there to sunbath and literally screw around.  What happens when no one builds them a shelter of cooks for them?

 

Blue Collars = The Survivor worker bees who will finally find themselves on a tribe with no lazy leeches and "masters of the universe" making camp unbearable.  They should be able to slice and dice the other two teams early on.

 

Of course this will never happen.  We would not be so lucky as to enjoy one tribe literally starve to death because they won't lift a finger and the other implode from alpha ego bombs going off left and right.  But my fantasy version of this format I like.  Maybe I'll live in my fantasy version instead next season.  Cause the real version will all go down hill rapidly no doubt.

 

But we will always have Survivor: The TAR Edition where Natalie rocked it!

[S29.E13: Let's Make A Move]

I love the "march of the dead players" -- it always gives me time to make a loaf of bread in the next room while they ramble around.  What I really would love would be if they would come across one of the names of an early bootee, and say, "Does anyone remember him? No? Are they messing with us?" Could happen, if someone is booted out by players who are no longer in the F3/4.

 

If this do it this season it will be more like "the hobble of the dead players" with Missy along.

[TAR on DVD or download]

I started watching TAR during Season 16.  I am putting together a Christmas list and I thought I'd put down an earlier season or two.   Does anyone have any recommendation about particularly fun or must see season that I should consider?  Thanks! 

 

My favorite is Season 2.  But Season 1 is where is all started so maybe start from the very beginning especially if it is on sale like mentioned above.  Then add Season 3 and Season 5 as well.   Those four seasons are the "jewels in the crown" of TAR for me.

 

Unless you want a complete viewing experience you can skip Season 4.  The casting was terrible.  Half mactor teams, half real people.  Both sides hated each other.  Endless arguments and yelling and screaming over such " exciting" things as places in line.  Now all seasons have their moments and I am a completest myself but if you aren't then Season 4 is totally skipable as is Season 6.

 

As for the "extras" on TAR1.  I found the commentary pretty lame and didn't like it.  Weirdly Karyn from Lenny & Karyn gave the best commentary and The Frats not so good.  I don't like the curtain ripped open and the magic exposed either.  So I basically hate "extras" on DVDs.  If it is already a classic and good then leave it as a finished painting and don't start doodling around the edges.

[S25.E11: Hooping It Up]

I haven't watched pro wrestling in many, many years (it was sometime in the last millennium).  I realize that they have to look buff and therefore, probably lift a lot of weights.  I think of pro-wrestlers as buff actors.  Does it take athletic ability to be a pro-wrestler?  I am not saying Brooke and Robby are or are not athletic, just talking about pre-wrestlers in general. 

 

 

 

I don't watch wrestling at all but saw wrestler training in a short-lived show Phil produced and hosted some years back.  It was called NOW (No Opportunity Wasted).  About how it is not realistic to think we can all win a million dollars on TAR but what if you got a small windfall like $5000 (I think that was the amount) and had to use it to follow you dream.  So that is what they did.  People sent in their "dreams" and some were selected. 

 

One smallish guy always dreamed of being a pro wrestler.  He got selected and he and Phil went to a wrestling school outside of Boston.  It was both made clear and clearly shown you have to be a physically fit top notch athlete first and foremost before you can worry about developing an over-the-top wrestling persona.  Those mats aren't trampolines or mattresses.  They are pretty damn hard and they leave deep bruises behind.  And learning to fall without breaking bones or you neck takes skill.  And muscles aren't everything.  You have to work on endurance, agility, coordination and balance too.  They are kind of a more muscled version of a dancer.  Dancers are also great athletes.

 

Now what Jim does with the body building?  That is not athletic.  That is just for show and muscle bound body builders would fail miserably (and have in the past) in both pro wrestling what to speak in real sports.  They are way too tight to be agile and would pull hamstrings right and left.  Even the most muscle bound sport, football, requires coaches NOT to allow their players to go too over board and to use flexing and agility exercises to counter.

 

 

 

Just let me take the opportunity to say that the mid-leg elimination of Bilal & Sa'eed back in Season 10 was one of the worst moments in TAR history for me,  It was such a cruel departure from Amazing Race normalcy.  I hated it, and I'm all set to hate the mid-leg elimination next week, too.  For all talk of wanting the Wrestlers eliminated, I would be much happier with four teams racing to the finish!

 

Eliminate mid-leg eliminations!

 

 

 

I agree.  I hata hate hate that leg 1 mid-leg elimination and have never forgiven the show for what they did to those two.  And I never will until they bring those guys back on some "Unfinished Business: The Bottom Feeders" edition. 

 

I got a list of people out the first or second or third leg of the Race I'd love to see back.  The sisters from TAR6 with the hay bale clue would not be eligible because I heard one of them (the one who didn't do the RB I think) ended up landing a job as a casting agent for the agency involved in casting TAR so legally she would not be allowed back.  But bring back the sweet Hillbilly guys from TAR7, Trammel and Talicia ((T'n'T - We're number ten!) from Season 3 and especially Bilal and Sa'eed.  Also throw in that nice Indian couple that also went out at the end of that leg too.  So much for TAR's most culturally and religiously diverse season ever right in leg 1 that season.

 

 

Were Amy and Maya the only team told that four teams were in the final leg and one of them would be eliminated mid-leg?

 

No.  They tend not to repeat the same thing over and over again to each team because they are editing for an audience who would get bored at such repetition.  Just like you usually only get the local greeter showcased with the first and last teams only unless some team does something weird with their greeter like Season 2's Chris hugging the Bushman in Nambia which was pretty funny.  Especially since he hugged Phil the same way at the Finish Line.  In fact he picked up and was holding Phil in his arms like a baby at one point.  And Chris was the quiet, introverted one, hah.

 

Since they can't open the clue until they arrive in LA and since Phil said he would be eliminating one team along the way (boo, hiss again on mid-leg eliminations), my wild guess is it is a clue/instructions/puzzle/whatever to a "find Phil" task.  Last one to arrive gets eliminated. 

 

I say this cause Phil would have to ax that team early enough in the LA part of the leg to allow production to get him to the Finish Line ahead of the winning team.  And since one team could really screw this up and there could be a wide time gap, I kind of am guessing the elimination point will be the first order of business in LA.  Probably somewhere either on top of a big building or a park or a large, open space on private property where a chopper can fly Phil off to the Finish Line over LA traffic jams ahead of the remaining three teams.  Again just a wild guess but best I can come up with at the moment.  Probably way off too.

[S25.E11: Hooping It Up]

^  Most international airports have shower areas.

[S25.E11: Hooping It Up]

When I saw the 4th manila envelope behind Phil's back, I figured all 4 teams would continue.

I have mixed feelings. I like the scientists, but 2 straight NELs makes me feel like I have wasted my time watching the last 2 episodes. Maybe they will end up calling it a 4 way tie and give each team $250K each.

 

They have had back to back non elims before.  And I really like a final four.  Three teams was always too small a number for my taste. 

 

And I never have minded a leg ending in a non elim or a TBC because I hate seeing teams eliminated.  Even teams I'm not rooting for.  I want all the teams to travel as far as possible and experience as much as possible.  I don't watch The Amazing Race for eliminations.  I watch The Amazing Race for the AMAZING.  It's all about the journey for me.

 

Yeah I understand they have to add the "race" bit and hang eliminations over their heads to make them feel pressure and run about in circles and do dumb and silly  things.  I enjoy that just fine.  But it just doesn't mean I have to enjoy the elimination at the end part of it.

[S25.E11: Hooping It Up]

One of those envelopes contains an elimination, doesn't it? 

 

No it can't possibly contain an elimination.  I say that because they don't eliminate a team that way on the Race.  Because it is a race, not a lottery drawing.  And certainly not by picking a team out in advance and giving them a pick slip.  It's a competition and if they did that the fans would be up in arms and production and CBS would be sued and the show would be cancelled.  So definitely not an elimination.

 

Props to Brooke for being a hoop star.  Also good catch by Maya realizing they were going the wrong way cause the Dentists didn't figure it out.  If they had jumped into separate jeepneys going that wrong way Jim & Misti could still be circling around outside of Manila.  And a special medal to Amy for getting it done with nothing left in her.

 

One of the best non elims ever.  And the most exciting because of the surprise.  I felt as pumped and happy as Maya.  I'm so stoked I go could and deliver coconut tree byproducts right now!

[S29.E13: Let's Make A Move]

It would be extremely difficult to get far in Survivor without lying or at least misleading someone along the way.  Players usually have their core alliance that they are loyal to and other players (the alliance of convenience) that they pretend they are loyal to for the sake of their game.  So, every season we get those people who tout how loyal they are even when they have gone against people they seemed to have an alliance with - "I was completely loyal the whole season - loyal to the people I decided in my head that I was truly loyal to, even though many others thought I was supposed to be loyal to them, I never planned to be loyal to them, so when I wasn't loyal, that didn't count as being disloyal."  

 

Missy had an alliance with Jeremy and Jon.  Apparently her true loyalty was with Jon.  Jeremy thought she would be loyal to him, but what Jeremy thinks doesn't matter, Missy never planned to be loyal to Jeremy, so in Missy's mind she remained loyal and true the whole season. 

 

Except now when it matters like anything since he is on the jury.  Best get your "pretended loyalty" tribe mates out before they make the jury, heh.

[S29.E13: Let's Make A Move]

ETA: Can't there be a special thread for discussion of "winner edits", "villain edits", etc.?  I really hate it (I think it's either wrongheaded or spoilerish, depending on how accurate it is, and has nothing to do with the actual strategery of the game), and it doesn't seem like it really qualifies as discussion of the episode.  Anyone with me on this?

 

 

I'm not. 

 

I think everything we think about what we see in an episode or episodes should be fair game.  If people read into what a person might be like in real life -- and we do that all the time in episode threads -- then why can't we discuss edits.  How is projecting a conclusion that "I think Jon is really smug" onto his wine tasting scene for example any different then "Jon is edited as being smug thus he can't win in my opinion."  If anything the latter is more on topic since it is based on how the episode is being presented to us as opposed to what the person may really be like in real life.

 

There is absolutely nothing spoilerish about individual speculation based on what we see on TV.  We aren't CBS.  We don't know what is going to happen.  So no, put me down for the right of anyone to discuss the episode as long as there are no REAL spoilers and if everything remains civil.  Just skip those posts you don't like but don't censor others is my pov for all message boards.  Then everyone will be happy. 

 

But if you turn everything into a filing system only a lawyer can understand where stuff goes and you have to skip around to a dozen threads while worrying if you are breaking some arcane rule or other?  Well, you take all the fun and free flow out of the board.  Especially since we don't exactly have a hundred pages on this thread so there is no need to micro-manage all aspects of an episode.  Again just my opinion.

 

Sorry if this is too OT but since someone gave a positive stance on this I just think that someone who likes this stuff should post a counter reply.  Also it is darn hard to edit out some stuff from your posts that contribute to other stuff you are saying.  Kind of ties your hands behind you back when you are posting what you think.  Like "I think Jon won't win but I can't tell you why I think he won't win because I'll be banned for saying something I see on the episode but can't express in the episode thread."  Instead saying "I don't think Jon will win because he is too damn smug" period which isn't what I actually think but I can't say what I actually think. 

 

Also talking about editing can be subtle and not who you think may win.  Like "I wonder why Jon is always shown looking so confident and kind of cocky" could be considered an editing comment.  Is "shown" allowed and not "edited as?"  Way too many shades of gray and lawyering every darn post for my liking.  So I basically would have to skip almost every episode and give up posting on this board because it becomes a legal chore and and not a fun thing.  How is that right?

[S29.E13: Let's Make A Move]

Just saying awesome episode and you guys said it better than me.  I was rooting for both Twins from day one and even further back on TAR for that matter.  Love those guys.  Glad one made it this far.  But I do wonder if this will change their relationship going forward as one is suddenly a Survivor "star" and the other is a trivia answer.  Must be a bit rough for Nadiya.  Glad they showed Natalie thinking about her on Exile Island this episode.  I think she has done everything possible to include her sister on this adventure but still it must be bittersweet for Nadiya.

 

I am worried for Natalie at Final 4.  She can only play the idol at Final 5 and she isn't one to keep it in her bag like a Jon.  Though there is also the possibility she could use it on someone too though I can't come up with a scenario for that.  Maybe saving Jaclyn (or Keith) over Missy because she thinks "Mommy" will get some votes but that would be more than dangerous and not too smart for little or no gain so I don't see that happening.  But by this time in the game with the Survivors having little to think of but plots inside of plots and "big moves" to showcase to a jury for the sake of making a move, some players start to out think themselves going down the paranoia rabbit hole.  Don't do it, Natalie.  Play it cool.

 

Worst case is Keith wins the next immunity challenge cause he could maybe get the most votes of the other four based on his winning immunity challenges.  Though I think that is pushing it because right now I only see Wes and maybe Alex voting for him.  And Alex only cause he is a clueless recruit that doesn't know how the game is played and will just tag along with Wes.

 

I think Natalie has Jeremy's vote (100% sure) as well as Josh and Reed who are big fans of the show and appreciate good gamesmanship.  Keith was in their alliance by default due to numbers only and not by choosing who they would like to ally with.  They even said they weren't too thrilled to be in the other alliance with those idiots from the get go.  It was just all about numbers.  They have no real pull to Keith for sure.  And as rozen said above (we cross-posted), he pretty much destroyed their game by being so clueless.

 

If Jaclyn is not in the final three then Jon and probably her would vote for Natalie too.  That's given what people have been saying about Ponderosa Jon speeches regards Missy and that Jon seems okay about a good move made by someone he doesn't have a close, inner alliance with.  But then again he may forgive his "mommy."  Jaclyn may vote more from emotion if she is the last player out in the final four and can't cool down enough to not get personal.  If that happens then Josh and Reed are probably the deciding votes in the end and you know Jeremy is lobbying for Natalie.  And like I said, they are big fans of the show and would probably vote for game moves first and foremost.

 

If Keith is out and doesn't immunity win his way to F3, I could see both him and Wes voting for Natalie as well since Natalie got Keith along further in the game and cause she seems to get along with the guys way better than the other women.  Even Alex could vote for her unless he remembers he was attracted to Baylor for about 2 minutes once.

 

Final Four is the scary spot for Natalie though since if Missy/Baylor had any brains they would dump her for Jaclyn (or Keith if he won F5 immunity).  Natalie really really needs to win F4 immunity.  Or pray that Missy/Baylor aren't really playing the game to win at the very end.

 

Speaking of which, if Missy/Baylor are in the final there there will be some weird speeches to the jury at that point.  I wonder if they will go all noble family member with some "vote for my mom" or "vote for my daughter" stuff.  Probably not but I don't see them getting into a knife fight with each other either.

[Past Seasons Talk]

Wil beating his brains out against that ball of ice is, for me, one of the most memorable moments in classic TAR history.

 

It was almost a Charlie Chaplin like skit since it was so totally visual comedy.  Wil vs The Ice Globe.  Contrast the other two teams calmly using the hammer and chisel in the tool boxes they were given to Wil attacking the thing with everything from a flat hammer sans chisel to a drill to a welding device that looked more like a flame thrower and which actually started to set his other tools on fire.  Good times.

 

Having said that it probably wouldn't make a good switchback RB today because there was only one Wil who would be dumb enough to give us this comedy gold.  As said above, lightning usually never strikes twice.  It depends so much on people like Colin and Wil more than the task itself.

[S25.E10: Smells Like Dirty Tube Socks]

green, are you Misty or Jim or closely related to them? I ask because you defend them so ferociously and seem to know what was going on in their minds at all times as if you were there or watched the show with them while they told you what they were thinking.

 

That's kind of funny cause I've never defended them for anything other than to say Misti's comments about the kids sitting out in the middle of the streets would have been made by almost anyone on earth.  As for knowing what is going on their minds I think jjj  said it nicely for me in their comment under yours.  (Thanks, jjj). 

 

And no I don't know them, never met them, don't live in their area of the country and don't even like dentists in general for the reason most people don't ... the ouch factor.  My favorite team was their main rivals most of the race, the Cyclists.  Now my favorites are the Scientists.  But that doesn't mean I should dislike the Dentists for no reason whatsoever.

 

Do cabbies in Manila get The Amazing Race on tv?  Do they have tvs?  

 

Of course an extra $20 goes a long way.  That was my point.  They should shut up about THEIR incentive and incentivize the driver.  

 

 

Okay, got you about the $20 now.  Sorry for the misunderstanding.

 

Many cabbies do watch the Race I imagine since they and everyone else in Manila can and do watch The Amazing Race in large numbers it being one of the more popular shows in that country.  They also watch The Amazing Race Asia.  Now I assume the American version is still running there, been a few years but both were on each week through Asia Season 3 anyway.  But that season went all mactors on top of mactors so I lost interest in that version then and haven't kept up with the Asia race boards after that. 

 

But I can say the Philippines posters were among the most passionate about both versions at the time.  And regards TARA (The Amazing Race Asia's abbreviation online) they were highly nationalistic backing their teams even if they were pains to watch from my pov like Season 3's big mactor team who were beyond wildly popular there.  And both versions of the show garnered far greater ratings per percentage of population there then this show gets back in America.  I remember reading that the countries of Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore were so into the Race back then it was considered most see TV and had some of the highest ratings of any shows in those countries.  We tend to forget just how international this show is and how especially popular it is in certain areas of Asia and southern Africa.

[S25.E10: Smells Like Dirty Tube Socks]

Considering the cabbies all sign releases saying they agree to appear on the show, and they all see the cameraman/soundman right there, I think it's kind of silly to explain what's going on in a lot of detail.  And I'm tired of hearing it and I agree the cabbies probably all feel like, "So, what's in it for me?  An extra $20?  Because if I crash my cab on camera, I probably lose my job."  

 

I don't think they are explaining what is happening in much detail at all.  They are saying they are in a race so they need to go fast.  And the fact that the cabbies see two guys getting into the cab with a camera and a boon mic almost means they have to explain it to the cabbies.

 

Also the cabbies don't have to sign the release right off the bat so the explanation for the need for speed is still valid.  The camera guy can shoot all the footage he wants of the cabbie.  They just can't broadcast his image unless he signs the release which is probably explained during the drive and signed during some red light or at the end of the ride.

 

I re-watched several early legs of Season 1 couple of weeks back and when the taxi stealing teachers are leaving their cab to run to the Arc de Triomphe pit stop mat you first see the blonde haired one arguing over change.  Then you see her walking after the cabbie in what I thought originally back in the day was a continued discussion of the cab fare. 

 

But this time I noticed she had a single sheet of paper in her hand and was saying something like "Wait!  Wait! You have to sign this paper."  So she was actually trying to get the cabbie to sign the release after the ride was over.  The guy was dismissive with his back to her and just waved her away.  As a result his head was pixelalated the whole time since he obviously didn't change his mind and sign the release later.  These days the editing isn't going to break the fourth wall like that anymore but my guess is you get a cabbie to sign the release after you tell/ask/yell at the driver to drive fast and quickly explain the reason.

 

As for what is in it for the cabbie?  Are you kidding.  To be on a big time American TV show that is seen in numerous countries around the world as well including many if not most the Race goes too?  And getting all fired up and feeling the adrenaline flowing as you get involved in the competition yourself?  How is that not an exciting day at the office for any cab driver?  Imagine him telling his family and his friends about his day at work.  Most people would love to have something magically like that happen to them.  And an extra $20 American goes a long way in some countries.

 

I just agree like I said above that yelling at winning a million dollars is bad form.  But the rest is fine with me.

[S25.E10: Smells Like Dirty Tube Socks]

Regarding Jim's calm demeanor:

That may have been the case but, remember... the show is heavily edited.  They show us what they want to show us, and leave out what they want to, as well.  How do we know that he didn't say to Misti, "Honey, you didn't notice that either?"

 

If that is the case then how do we know Brooke didn't calm down for a moment and say, "Look Robbie, isn't Manila the most lovely place on earth you've ever seen?"

 

Do some well-liked Racers get good edits?  Sure.  If the overwhelming majority of stuff they do is positive they may catch a break from the editors.  But it is the overwhelming stuff that gives them a slight pass from not being perfect.  The Dentists haven't been given a "lovable underdog edit" (Scientists) or a "look they are so nice and awesome" edit (Surfers).  They -- especially Jim -- have gotten a "top dog, very intense and competitive, pedal to the metal race team" edit because that is what they gave the editors to work with.  So any competitive comment or upset about some failure would more likely, not less likely, be included.

 

About Racers telling cabbies to drive fast cause they are in a Race.  The thing is they have to convey to the cabbie that speed is essential and have to explain why.  So I'm fine with them saying something like that instead of just sitting in the back screaming at a bewildered cabbie to keep driving faster for no apparent reason. 

 

You need to make the cabbie feel part of a big TV show race and give him a spotlight and a few seconds of fame as part of your team.  Not flaunt the prize money in his face.  It's a tightrope walk to pull off sometimes.  It can be done and many Racers do ask the cabbie what his name is and try to showcase him to the camera team to help get him on their side/team.  Those are good moves as well as good behavior.  Adding in the million dollars as prize money is piling on however and can backfire. 

 

And has.  See Season 2 (my favorite ever) at the Oakland airport the last lag where Tara & Wil try to jump a taxi line outside the terminal and the taxi line "cop", when told how it was about a million dollars, replied "I'm not getting any of it" and made them wait longer for their taxi.  Given it was the closest finish in all 25 seasons of the Race that "million dollars" line may have cost them a million dollars.

[S25.E10: Smells Like Dirty Tube Socks]

^  I think Misti was reacting to the fact that kids were sitting in the road a foot or two away from traffic whizzing by them.  That and the grinding poverty of that area of Manila they were born into and will probably doom most of them to the same poverty their whole lives.  Safety and poverty, yes.  Racism and culture.  No.  It was more an appreciation for what they were given and the advantages their kids will have.  Not a put down of other people.  And the reality of what poverty really looks like up close and personal.  Because yes it does look a lot different when not viewed through the filter of a TV screen.

 

Yes, some of the happiest people in the world can be poor because true happiness doesn't come through the endless acquiring and  consumption of "stuff."   But it doesn't make poverty right or even pleasant to live in either and most people would rather not have to live in a situation like that if they were given a choice.  Especially most parents the world over who wish more for their kids then they have.

 

Also they made no exceptions for other Racers like the one-legged lady athlete or Charla or the deaf guy.  No, there wasn't anything different for Bethany.  After all, she doesn't have to do all the RBs, just half of them.

 

Or for the older teams for that matter who seem to have been banished from the Race period in recent seasons.  I wish TAR would go back to older teams.  Maybe even a full special season of "the senior tour" or something.  I hate a whole group of people not getting a chance to race cause of prejudice in favor of the endless, boring 20-something dating couples.  And Gretchen and her husband (name escapes me) on TAR7 made final four and they were in their mid to late 60's.  They could never have done detours like the fish haul and some of the RBs on some seasons would be very very difficult but that shouldn't stop people of any age for trying to have the adventure of a lifetime and it certainly didn't stop them.

 

Sorry for the aside above but I hate it when people say "well they should never go on the Race because they ... " (fill in with "fear of heights" or "not physically fit enough" etc etc).  Why shouldn't any person seek to live their dream.  Why should they be banned or take themselves out of applying just because they aren't "perfect" in some viewers' eyes?  That's the AMAZING part of the race.  It's not about 20-something fit athletes cause it isn't just another "sporting event."  It's the experience of a lifetime.  Which should be open and welcoming to everyone. 

[S25.E10: Smells Like Dirty Tube Socks]

I know! How annoying!

Anyone know how long before the episode is available online?

 

They usually have a BT copy or two up within hours.

 

The oxen were way too docile in this episode.  Guess none were descents of Colin's awesome ox.

[S29.E11: Kind Of Like Cream Cheese (11) / Still Holdin' On (12)]

Yes!!  I was just thinking this to myself today.  I was watching some of the Ponderosa videos where Jeremy and Reed were lamenting over how skinny they looked and I was thinking, but you look goood!  All those defined muscles.  Then I felt ashamed that I like the look of starving people.  I'm fine with liking scruff though.  

 

I think all men and women look better when they look natural.  Most people throughout the history of the human race look more like what you and others refer to as the "scruff" look.  No silly gym muscles but real life muscles.  No tons of makeup and hair-dos.  Advertisers and media sell an unnatural version of humans to most people.  Then businesses "require" that look.  Totally unnatural.

 

Off the top of my head, I can't recall a "swing vote" (i.e. someone who is not part of either of two otherwise equally split alliances) who lasted very long (unless they also turned out to be Goats).  ...

 

Someone upthread mentioned Circe.  But I was also thinking of the person whose name is on the tip of my tongue and won't pop off of it despite her being one of the most well-known Survivors ever.  She won twice.  The Puerto Rican lady whose tag line was kind of "as long as it isn't me" as she was always providing a number for an alliance that wouldn't vote her out.  I loved her style of play and feel dumb I'm blanking on her right now.  Help me out guys so I can do a Homer Simpson "d'oh" to my forehead.

 

ETA thanks to SnarkKitty and Dobian for the quick reply.  How could I forget Sandra's name.  She was one of my all time favorites too.

[Spartacus Rewatch June 2014 and Beyond]

Wow, that was a fantastic series. I have to say that Spartacus was the best series that aired this fall season. I realized that it was a rerun and "edited for content", but still, it was very compelling tv.  

 

I didn't get to see it when it originally aired on Starz. I'm thankful Syfy aired it.

 

Glad you liked it too.  And don't worry about the editing.  You didn't miss anything but porn level stuff aimed at 14 year old boys.  And all those scenes were still there but in shorter versions edited to show the more R rated shots from the scene and less of the X rated shots from same.  You didn't miss any real dialog or story content per se.  Show was actually better on SyFy without it I'd say.  It was, as you say, compelling TV and the compelling part didn't come from the X rated stuff.