Madison

Well folks as of last night Jonathan and Victoria were still together. as some of you know I work for one of the major studios and was working the premiere last night for Meet the Fockers. While on the red carpet you will never guess who was just a few feet from me. Yes, the disfunctional couple. She was posing all over the place as though she were a major movie star and of course he was just as bad. She had on a tight, short belly revealing T-shirt that said FREE VICTORIA in big letters on the front of it. They were BOTH so full of themselves.

Marilyn

Ugh. Maybe what we are seeing on AR is, shall we say, played up a bit for the cameras? Maybe Victoria and Jonathan are starring in their own little movie? You think?

Barbara

Madison, HOW did they get away with the name of that movie? My son cracks up every time a promo comes on tv and can't wait to see it.

taggie

This is a total hijacking of the thread but...
There are actually a few families with that surname in our province. They are headed to Disneyworld as part of a promotional contest the studio is having to reunite Focker families in North America. One woman was quoted as saying it may be a funny name to some people but to them it's just a name.
Check your phone book... maybe there are some in your area

Madison

Barbara, they got away with it because it is an actual last name. It does grab your attention, doesn't it

Ryan

Madison,
There really is nothing funnier than a "D-list, never was" who thinks that they are really a celebrity. I don't know how you keep your composure and not laugh at these people.

Mathieu

Marilyn, that is exactly what I think and therefore don't get too bothered by what we are shown on the show.
They know what keeps them together (as all couples do) and its not for anyone else to wonder, despite what we may see or are shown. Especially on a show thats edited for ratings.

Shane

Forget about history and culture, who despises that "man" who pushes and berates his girlfriend. I'd like to knock him out.

Shane

sandy travelnut, I was humiliated by that comment about the seven inches.

KathrynT

I do wish we could see more of the culture and sites of each country visited rather than have the teams dash so quickly through them, but I realize it is a supposed to be a race.

It seems that many of the nicer teams have already been eliminated. I wish the show would focus on Kris and Jon more as they seem to be a genuinely caring couple rather than the dysfunctional teams that seem to be dominating the coverage.

Perhaps one of the prizes should be couples therapy!

Madison

Ryan - It was very difficult maintaining my composure. There are others I work with who also watch Amazing Race. We looked at each other and all we could do was roll our eyes and shake our heads.

sandi

Wasn't there a German plane called a Fokker?

Mathieu - doubt it was Thailand to delay visas, none needed for less then a months stay. More likely China which can be difficult regardless the length of stay.

Overall, it would make sense that there is "fudge" time built into any of these reality shows... this one specifically, as who knows what can happen anywhere. Airline strikes happen so often in Europe, that would be the least surprising. And anyone can get ill on any of these trips when one thinks of the items these folks have had to eat (devour) - over a lb. of caviar; that omelot (sp) made from an ostrich egg; all that chocolate even if little tastes to find the white - goodness, I'm getting ill just thinking of some of these.

Guess, we all realize the production folks encourage conflict between individual team members and between teams, but when I hear one party of a team calling the other stupid, or telling them to shut up, I shudder. You do recall that the winners of the last AR5, were never rude to one another, probably why we "liked them."

Well, life must go on regardless how troubled most of these AR6 folks seem to be; as for me (us) we can moan and bitch, but at least we're not racing anywhere anytime soon. Thanks for small favors!

crefloors

I was just thinking...dangerous I know...do you suppose that the fabulous Jonathan and the lovely and talented Victoria were just faking it? I mean look at all the attention it draws. Maybe they'll get 30 minutes instead of the usual 15? hmmmmm....just crossed my mind..pretty empty mind if I can't fill it with anything better than this..ya think?

Scarlett

LOL, sandi, Yes, there was an airplane called the Fokker. The Red Baron flew one, I think.
I guess it was easier than Meet the Messerschmitts LOL..

lyb

Isn't it interesting how during the last "Amazing Race", the powers that be kept deleting the threads about the show saying that it wasn't travel related, yet this time it is leaving the thread alone....I'm glad they are, but I'd love to hear how their logic has once again changed...

Marilyn

lyb, I asked the editors that exact question and was informed that they had stopped deleting AR threads several months ago. I guess they realized that there is a travel component to the show and many of us are avid viewers (although most of our discussions center around the contestants, not the travel, if we are to be honest about it). At any rate, we seem to be ok for now...

Dreamer2

Madison,
What an inside scoop! What type of work do you do?

Clifton

I suppose it would be a bit hard to rationalize deleting the threads now. Fodors had it's own blog entry (11/16) announcing the start of the season.

I still watch the show. Enjoyed seeing what Dakar is like, Iceland, Berlin - pretty much curious about every place. But I'm not enjoying the show itself as much these days because of the choice of contestants and sometimes the challenges, which often aren't very travel related. Having to find the name of the poet before finding his resting place was a nice thought, as is choosing historical locations and explaining them to the audience.

I do wish the producers would take some responsibility and not send Americans out in the world who are likely to abuse and demean the locals and each other publically. It's a nasty image that doesn't need big budget reinforcement through misguided casting.

JohnH

Gavin - There recently was a show similar to what you described: "Long Way Round" on Bravo. Hopefully it will come out on DVD or be repeated - it was one of the best reality shows of the year.

Being a huge 'Amazing Race' fan I was intrigued by the previews (Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman travl around the world by motorcycle) but didn't expect to like it, thinking it would be a show about motorcycles.

As it turned out, I found it to be moving and inspiring. And the experience for everyone involved seemed much more genuine than anything on 'Amazing Race.'

Madison

Dreamer 2 - I'm a Publicist.

I have always thought The Amazing Race was, by far, the best reality show around. More of an education and less sensationalism. However, this season I feel they have sunk to an all-time low having Jonathan and Victoria on.

They should have been kicked off the show after his latest stunt of pushing her around. The verbal abuse was bad enough but I wasn't overly thrilled with the physical as well.

Scarlett, you are as funny as ever. I like the title "Meet the Messerschmitts" Kind of has a ring to it doesn't it? LOL!!