I've never been to Venice but will be going there next May. To see so much of Venice last night on AR was fantastic. All the little side streets, alleys, etc. was wonderful. It gave me a better sense of what to expect when I go there. I was surprised to see so much graffiti but still enjoyed it.

this is one show i havent missed since the first race aired...definitely hooked on it.
ive always remembered the first race i believe where the final leg was in queens new york at the site of the worlds fair. the final two couples included a couple from queens who were confident they would beat the other team on their own turf...but they took the subway across manhattan into queens instead of a taxi and lost out.
if there is one thing i learned from all the amazing races...its this
nothing beats a taxi

The best show ever!

Speaking of teams from past shows. I loved the Gay friends (from Miami?). They were always taking their time and getting away from the pack. Sneaking into high-priced hotels to use the pool and shopping for designer items along the way. I was actually surprised at how far they got.

Of course my all time favorite team was the mother/daughter team where the mom was really trying her best to win it for her daughter.

I think they got booted on the episode where they were at a Budhist temple and had to pick a bowl of coins and drop one each into 100 different offering pots.

I never miss this show!

OK, the blondes were brought up. What happened with the two blonde lawyers who cheated on AR3 and threatened to take the producers to court? Any info about this?

I love the show.

The gay friends from Miami were on AR2 and known as Team Cha Cha Cha. They were hilarious, so were the fraternity brothers from New York on the first one.

Darn!!! I wish I could get a tape of AR1!!! I only got hooked on it toward the end of it!!! I watch for the travel and fun, not necessarily the contestants. Love seeing places I've been and places I want to visit(or not visit) some day!! I also love to critique with my friends what the teams should have done.

amyb, Ah, well I guess that would keep them from leaking the outcome before the show was over. Sounds good to me though. It's not a million bucks, but hey... it's not work either.

I'm thinking that maybe the whining isn't the worst thing they could have worked into the show. Yeah, my TV speakers were nearly ripped from their sockets after listening to Flo last year... "I can't.. nooo... I can't... oooo.. money!" Zach should have gotten every cent of that prize. Not only beat the other teams, but did it while carrying someone else.

Still, since a lot of people I know couldn't care less about travel, especially international travel, the only way a show like that is going to fly in prime time is to get a wider audience. That means bringing in the usual reality show conflict. Otherwise, most of my friends and neighbors would glaze over in no time. I think the whining is probably the price we pay for getting to see the scenery. Seems there's always a price!

PS, anyone know where that tower is that appeared in the previews for next week?

3:O

Oh and Capo, if you get on the raft before I do, you got to let us know how it was! Raft report.

I have been addicted to this show from the start. In fact my husband and I have applied for all four.....never even been called.
We missed the first episode of AR4 because we were in Switzerland (Zurich, Grindelwald and Montreux) and Italy (Bellagio and Milan). It was great fun last year watching AR3 during the planning of our trip. They went to two of our destinations (Montreux and Grindelwald) I would have loved to see the episode in Milan as we were just there.
I think they try to find unusual team combinations in order to spice up the show. That must explain why we haven't been picked (we'd be a great team!!!)....we're just a normal 40ish married couple from the midwest that loves to travel.
My plan for the next application round is to apply with my 21 year old nephew....maybe that combo will catch the casting people at CBS's eye.

Didn't really watch AR1, but became hooked on AR2/3. Missed the first 2 episodes of AR4 as we were on vacation in Portugal - one of the spots visited in AR3. Liked what we saw so much we had to see for ourselves just how beautiful Portugal (Cabo Da Roca) really is! It really took nerves of steel for AR3 contestants to rapel down the steep cliff at Cabo Da Roca! Will pick up watching AR4 from episode 3-looking for next years trip perhaps!

Capo, to answer your previous question (dated 6/05/03) regarding the name of the small town in Italy AR1 visited. I recalled they stopped at four cities in Italy: Rome, Bologna, Castelfranco Emilia, and Sant'Agata. What I can't remembered for the life of me is where was the car factory where they departed on a weird-looking car on to the next town (the detour was to do it by bike and that led to some hilarious situations). Did I mentioned that I have never missed an episode for all three seasons?

Merci, Maira. Castelfranco Emilia is the town I was trying to recall. (Although it's in northern Italy, guess it's not near Bolzano after all, as I'd thought.)

I don't recall the stop at the other town you mentioned, Sant'Agata...but I don't doubt you. :)

For what it's worth, here's a website I found on Castelfranco Emilia. I didn't know that "franco" means "free" but that make sense given the terms "frank" (as in speech) or "franking" (as in mail.)

http://www.emmeti.it/Welcome/Emilia/.../index.uk.html

Clifton,You've probably watched the show by now, but it's the Donauturm in Vienna.

elberko,

I did see the latest show, but still appreciate the thought. I was trying to figure where they were going next. No chance in the world that I'll ever bungee off of that tower though!

Just a reminder for all you fans: Amazing Race 4 tonight.

Great show...next week they will be headed to India...should get very interesting...

What a disappointment, losing the two pleasant air controllers last night, and the awful, bickering models still aboard (one of them seemed sorrier than I). I was pleased the NFL wives got their car extricated. They seem to be congenial and working hard together.

Maybe I'm alone in my opinion, but I think this group on the whole is the least personable I have seen. It's hard to root for such a bunch of unpleasant teams.

But I'll keep watching--I'm hooked!

The "clowns" seem to be pleasant fellows. They aren't bickering or trying to sabotage anyone else...

I hope the clowns or the married men win. Sort of a personality contest in a way. The two models are the worst excuse for team work I have seen. The reason one of them wants to give up is because the other one is constantly bitching at her. I think the football wives might win.

Giovanna, I agree with you wholeheartedly. The likeability factor for this season's teams is way below from previous seasons. The models are probably the worst team ever; the virgins are both whackos; the gay couple are kind of extreme neurotics; the only likable couple are the clowns, the NFL wives, and the married guys.

Gorgeous castle yesterday in Amsterdam.

Would have loved if one of the models fell face forward into that dung heep. They are a sorry answer to womanhood, and give the rest of us a bad name - "bitches".

The Supremes - that's what some of the teams call them, are a hoot. They readily admit that in their NFL life, everything is done for them, so they really are challenging themselves and it's refreshing.

Loved the way the Clowns went for it - whether dung or eels. A good laugh and yes, they are fun and not devious, yet!

The Virgins - well they're another story. Kind of immature (him) but she's a relatively smart cookie.

Overall, this group has me puzzled, most seem rather immature, yet you would think if they had seen the previous journeys they would have some idea of how to handle certain situations. But like everyone else, we'll just have to wait and see.

But do hope those models get theirs and pretty soon. Watch, they'll wind up the winners (hope not). Who knows?

The only problem with some Fodorites being on a "team" on this show would be the haggling they'd be doing about what to wear!

My biggest surprise: If you were about to travel around the world, wouldn't you make an attempt to improve your map-reading skills? I know the teams are dealing with foreign languages, but too many of them seem clueless about maps. Sure, the show's editing may be showing some teams in a weak light, but come on...

I forget the exact details, but in maybe the 1st series the racers are in Italy and when one team scores a map they say "oh no, this map is in Italian!" We laughed so hard over that.

Love 'em or hate 'em...and mock them we do, but try to see as many episodes as possible and check the bulletin boards for details when I miss one.

Agree w/the comment on the map reading: YIKES! The Clueless Award goes to the one blonde on the Models Team that was looking for Amstel Street; turns out she was looking at the River; the Amstel River.

I'm with Maira, the NFL wives get along just great, capable, they deserve to do well, same with the clowns and the 2 married guys. I never knew about this program until I just came across it one day. What is great is that is also shows many of the realities of travel plus the sites. It is a good program to watch for anyone traveling anywhere, you can see that although all the signs and maps are there things are not always 'so' easy! They are off to India now, that will be a great show.
I am certain it will show the true realities of travel that travel programs never do, the reporters stay in great placeas already arranged and always seem to be in a location for the one 'festival' of the year.
It is very popular in Asia and I watch it from Thailand on our starelite TV service!

This is my favorite program and I'm glad to see so many other people enjoying it. I've sent several emails to the station in hopes they would bring it back. Another excellent reality show is "The Mole," where they also travel.

I agree that this show has a bunch of whinny people. Of course, it's the editing so we see only the little bits and pieces the producer wants us to see. If you remember, in AR3, the winner whinned a lot -- to the point where I wished she'd go away.

In the first series they gave the team clues to their destinations. Now, they are told where to go and how to get there. Too much emphasis on conflict, and not enough about being clever.

My favorite team so far are Cha, Cha, Cha. They were kind to the locals wherever they were and formed good relations. I also like the clowns in this episode.

I'm another rooting for the NFL wives or the clowns. Both teams know the meaning of teamwork and have been game for whatever comes up.

The models.....don't get me started on them!! They are the most clueless, irritating and sorry contestants ever. I do enjoy laughing at them, so I hope they stick around for a few weeks. happen!! They couldn't even navigate in Amsterdam, one of the most tourist friendly areas.....wait till they get to India. It will be a disaster, and I can't wait to watch.

I'll admit to have been horrified at three things during Thursday's episode: 1) the one model snatching the map off her teammate's hand (that was soooo rude!), 2) Kelly's horrendous comments about The Virgins Team, 3) how difficult Amsterdam's web of bridges and channels seems to be for walking around. Is it really that bad?

The Amazing Race (TAR) has been my favorite show on TV for quite a while! I also liked The Mole, but missed most of the second season because I did not know it was on!

luvtotravel (Monica?) - I'm with you Cha Cha Cha was my favorite team too (was that TAR 2 or TAR 3? I can't remember). They were very respectful of everyone and had a great attitude. I loved when they just went shopping in Hong Kong (or was it Singapore?).

sandi - I agree with your 'assessment' of the teams.

So I heard that the best way to get around Bombay was by train.......

Anyone know where I might find a laundry while I'm there?

yipes! I think of myself pretty thick skinned but I'm not sure I could spend much time traveling there and keep a positive outlook.

Was sorry to see the NFL wives leave, but must admit the models we loved to hate seem to have shaped up somewhat.

I can't believe the disgusting things these teams were put through on this episode. I thought the pile of dung the week before was repulsive, but wading in that filthy water at the "laundry" I felt could cause serious illness. Their whole stint in India was pretty awful in terms of the conditions they had to endure.

I hope this doesn't turn into a what more disgusting,vile thing can we make them do! Why do these TV people always run things in the ground! In any case, I'll be watching next week and hoping for the best.

Re: "...how difficult Amsterdam's web of bridges and channels seems to be for walking around. Is it really that bad?"

Well, I've walked around central Amsterdam about four times, and consider myself very good at navigating, but I still get somewhat confused. The concentric rings of canals, and streets that parallel them, can really throw you off.

Clifton, I'd take a train, or do laundry, over walking through that temple full of rats, like they had to do the last time they were in India. I would bet Indian people are, by and large, very gracious and friendly, but seeing that crushing poverty would be pretty hard to take.

I love this show. We Fodorites need to keep e-mailing CBS so they bring it back. It is on the chopping block: too expensive.

I was also wondering how long the rest stops are. I initially thought just one day but they never actually say how long it is. Maybe the teams actually get to enjoy some sightseeing.

Michelle

Capo,

To a person, the Indian people that I know are indeed very friendly. I think there will come a day when my travel will extend to see the realities of the world but for now, travel is, for me, still also an escape from those things you have to face everyday in order to make your way. For now, I like my trips to bring me back renewed and ready to confront work again. :)

I think that when my time is fully my own, I'll be more ready to absorb the realities of places like Mumbai(Bombay), and allow my own to be the "sanctuary". Right now, I think I'd need a serious vacation after visiting there. But I still think I'd take the rats over that train.

And MichelleY,

They get 12 hours from when they check in, until they go again.

The Amazing Race is also my favorite T.V. show...It is just so good...This one seems particularily good...Now that they have visited India, I want to go more than ever...And when they were in Amsterdam, it just sent my stomach in butterflies as we are going there in 2 months..But above all, it is just a darn good show!!

Something my wife pointed out to me, she being much more observant than myself.

For each leg of the race, they are handed X amount of cash - and it's always in US currency. They're then shown bolting across a field, catching a taxi, a train, bolting up to an airline ticket counter (I realize that the plane tickets are pre-purchased by the show, evidenced by the fact that there is always only so many to go around.) But since she pointed it out at the beginning of the season, we've not once seen someone approach a bureau de change window, etc.

Do you think 1) that bit is edited out consistantly, 2) the whole world is now taking US funds without question 3) the cash is functioning like monopoly money and the trains, cabs, etc have really already been paid for by the show or 4) something I'm overlooking, which is entirely possible.

Well, the models are out, but I did have to agree with the one - she always wanted to take an elephant ride, and if you're in India and have the choice anyway - ride the elephant!

I missed this last episode boo hoo! My husband painted such a grim picture of the contestants being dragged through the mud behind bulls (is that really what it was?). It made me think the prize they offer really isn't big enough! Or at least that the next destination ought to be more comfortable. Great show. When the sniping between teams gets too much, we concentrate on the background scenery.

I wondered about those plane tickets too. I think a show about the behind the scenes would be much more interesting.

dln,

Yep, the roadblock tonight was to get dragged through a mudpit by a couple of bulls on a yoke. I have to wonder who thinks this stuff up.

jor, I agree about the behind the scenes idea. Even better, I'd like to be the advance scout that runs around decides where the route is to be. Someone had to do work and and travel these routes, etc to even know where this little town in the middle of India is. And they get paid for it! Now that's a job.