Unless I missed it, before the race began,the announcer never said, the rules are to play fair, don't mislead/lie to each other, etc. So, it's not as if the Survivor team was violating the rules. However, paying the bus driver to NOT open up the doors, is not something that most of us would stoop to. Checking on the bus schedules and not sharing info is fine. Does anyone remember the first day, when they were digging in the sand for the plane tickets that one team told the pow/beauty queen team to dig in the sand with the later arrival time? I also thought that was low. However, the earlier flight was cancelled due to mechanical problems, so they all ended up on the same plane anyway. I don't think it will make a big deal to the final outcome.

I don't know how many of you watch the videos on the AR7 website at CBS. There is at least as much more video there as is shown during the episode. Much of it is Phil talking about behind the scenes, or additional interviews with the contestants.

A couple of interesting things from those videos this week:

1) Ray says he was the mastermind behind the plan to keep the back door closed on the bus. That he had Rob do it because Rob speaks Spanish, and so Rob will take any flack.

2) The Brothers and the Roommates shared a room at the first pit stop. Please forgive my passing along gossip, but I thought it added to the dynamic at the end of episode 2.

Keith

Keith, can you post what the " Next week on the Amazing Race" video says ?

I can't get mine to work and they don't do a written version this time like they used to previously.

Thanks.

M.

Back to an earlier question/comment. They don't know exactly where they're going ahead of time. At the third interview, before final teams are chosen, they fill out applications for MANY visas, and only the producers know which ones will get used. Historically, from past races, you can figure on a good chance of going to a Spanish speaking country first, or at some point. Personally, if I were going on this race, I'd learn a few words in at least five or six languages, it just makes sense for a smart traveller!

.

Mathieu,

The video says that Susan & Patrick get lost, that the brothers have problems running out of air crossing the Andes (may be a pun - it looks like they might hang glide) and that Rob has a problem with a Super Size Eating Chalange.

There is a brief flash of a map with the route going from Chile to Argentina. Looks like the goal is near Mar del Plata.

Keith

with the game being a reflection of current society...yes, we are not traveling down the right path,ie enron, mci,... within the scope of the game itself...all's fair i guess. i think there is a separation that occurs when people are put in these type of shows from who they really might be. i'd hope that in real life they'd understand the notion of consequences.

Thanks Keith.

The views of Chile, Argentina and the Andes look wonderful. I never thought too much about traveling to S. America, but it looks spectacular. I have to rethink my travel plans. And I think having Rob on this show is great. He is always thinking and figuring out how to play the game and it is fun to watch. This show is so much better than #6.

Those mountains are fantastic! This is so much fun. Pity the girls were eliminated, I hoped it would be a non-elimination week.They were a very strong team and just made a fatal mistake.

girls could have been final 3 material. rob is just great...like him or not, he out thinks the rest of the group. 4 lbs of meat...uggghhhh!!!

I was disappointed there was no prize for coming in first last night. I bet the boyfriends were peeved.

The episodes should start getting more entertaining now that the number of teams is down to the point where we can see more of each team. There still isn't a team that I feel strongly about (for or against).

Keith

Please, I am so tired of Rob and Amber. Before this season started when I heard they were going to be on I was afraid I would not like them on this show and I was right. It is worse than I anticipated. There is too much focus on Rob and Amber, at least in my opinion.

I agree pity there was no first prize this week.
I think Rob redeemed himself this time! Was he the only one who had bothered the read the rules ? Taking the 4 hoyur penanlty and then just making sure at least one other team did the same was a risk but it paid off, and he didn't have to eat so much. The 2 girls eliminated was because they got lost so I think the order ended up quite fair.

I rarely watch any reality TV but it certainly would be nice is they emphasized ethics rather than deception. I would like to think I could win, & win fairly were I involved. The 'Greed' aspect is unfortunate but if that gets them the ratings they want...you'll continue to see it more & more. Just to be on the trip alone on TAR would be more than adequate compensation for me & the players should appreciate that as well. Some do, but many don't.

How about that great equalizer at the beginning? They all got going with start times reflecting last week's results and ended up waiting for the car rental place to open at 5. I guess how they used that time could be considered an advantage. I'm not a fan of Rob, but I've got to admit that he's playing smarter than anyone else. And this is about a million dollars.

Rob is a very shrewd player and that was a very smart move on the meat challenge. I still can't stand him.

The meat challange with have been a lot easier with some salt, or better yer, with some hot sauce. The rules that has been made public have said nothing about team members carrying spices with them for the consistant food chalanges.

Keith

I don't care whether they allow a bottle-full of Tabasco sauce, a shaker-full of salt or had a gourmet chef prepare the meats during the meat challenge - eating 4 lbs. of meat in one seating is a give-up proposition to many people!

Rob is smartly playing this game much too easily over the gullible and easily-steered contestants. Rooting for them comes more easily than rooting for the outsmarted contestants.

I think people need to look up the word ethical - Rob broke no rules, he didn't hurt anyone and believe me, the others were just mad they didn't think of it!

Rob, in my opinion, is really the first person to actually play the game and not simply race from one thing to another. I wish others would start thinking too. I always said if I was on this show, I would always beg for money during the break so that way I could always pay people to help me get to places faster.

BTW, I would always learn the following words in spanish, german, russian, chinese, japanese (I already know french):

drive faster
for more money
where is
do you know how to get to . . .
please
thank you
help

can anyone think of any others?