I'm bummed about the clowns. :( I was really hoping they would win in the end.
I have a feeling the annoying engaged couple will win next week.

According to the Amazing Race website, it's Jon's dune buggy that flips over, and Chip runs over Reichen's foot with their car.

Unfortunately, I'll be up in the air (literally) while next week's show is on. Will have to tape it. So glad it's not the finale.

Bummed about the clowns. Now I really don't care much who wins. I was shocked, too, at the guys yelling at the Korean cab driver. I also realize that the producers made a point of showing it to us. Remember, they show us what they want us to see. I'm sure when those guys get home and watch that segment on TV they will be mortified. Sometimes people react in ways under extreme pressure that they normally wouldn't. I think I'll cut the guy some slack.

luvtotravel--- as opposed to your view, I think people's true self come when under pressure. The display of disrespect by Rip (gay spouse) towards the non-English speaking driver was despicable and showed his own prejudices. If this driver from then on starts being a real a%^&*le to Americans, I would totally understand.

Australia was beautiful tonight. (and love those accents!) The dune buggy riding looked like a blast! I really hope the friends win next week. They are pretty good about going up to anyone and asking for directions--which as we all know is so important while traveling!

Australia was absolutely gorgeous!!! Though John & Kelly didn't bug me too much at the beginning, tonight, Kelly really got me. John rolls over and her main concern is winning the $ and not having her fancy wedding. When she first ran to him, I thought her reaction would be that at that point she didn't care if they won or lost, as long as John was okay.

I do hope that the best friends win, Chip & Reichen got crossed off my list last week when their true personalities came our last week.

Can you believe it? Three exemptions to being eliminated and that awful pair lucks out with two of them. My husband kept saying last night, when it was obvious they would come in last, they wouldn't be eliminated. I said no, because next week is the last episode and there will be one team winner and one loser. He was right as he so often is. I couldn't believe it!

I too am pulling for the friends. The other four have sunk lower and lower each week as I watch their treatment of each other and other people. PLEASE don't let it be a repeat of the disappointing ending last time when whiny, disgusting Flo's team won!!!
:((

Was caught in the black-out last night, so we didn't get to see the show - would someone go into detail of what happened ... just assumed it would be a non-elimination round, and assuming a 2 hr special next week for the finale. Did they stay in Australia the entire show, or have the teams started the trek back to the US?

Anybody know of any plans to re-run yesterday's episode due to the black-out circumstances that hit parts of the country?

You guys are great in updating this post on a weekly basis!

Giovanna, I do agree! I don't know if I can stomach another Amazing Race if Kelly and Jon win. One Flo-type winner is enough for any series! I hope, when Kelly and Jon and Chip and Reichen see themselves and their abominable behavior on the big TV screen, that they are ashamed of their poor sportsmanship. Baiting each other like that! The name calling! How can they all be so hateful when they are surrounded by such beautiful scenery? Australia is obviously wasted on some teams. I'm rooting for the friends--let's hope they're in first next week as they were this!

Although I LOVE this show, does anyone else think it seems a lot tamer this year than previous seasons? The "Kodak moment" last night was such a big yawn. They are going from tourist trap to tourist trap, without so many of the big adrenaline rushes or wild locations of previous races.

It's sad to see how much the world has changed since the Amazing Race #1 & 2. The producers have obviously chosen safer locations to travel to this year, and with good reason I guess.

I've heard the future of the show is questionable. I hope not - I still want to get on it!

Dear John:

We fans have to let CBS know how much we love this show and want it to come back. I have run into more AR4 fans this summer, mostly people who have been channel surfing and running across the show.

It is amazing how the two couples on the show who are supposedly in love resort to name calling. Chip and Reichen started in calling each other ---holes at one point. I hope the friends win next week.

Stay tuned.

Reichen and Chip were really insensitive to other cultures. Should a Korean come to the US and yell at a taxi drive "speak Korean! or I won't pay you!"
I also think Zach should get all the money. Flo didn't do a thing. She whined so much and was it allowed that you can have other people do the race for you?

Debs: We thought of you guys in the east last night because we get the networks from NYC, S.F. and LA on our satellite and saw that yours were all on the blackout. Hope you are back to normal soon.

Let's see if I remember: The teams first had to find their clue in a sheep-shearing shed and the friends (who I think we are all rooitng for) came in last. But everyone got to the airport in time for the first flight to Cairns (still in Australia). They had to drive to a wildlife park and one team member had to feed a fish to a crocodile while the other took a picture on a Kodak digital camera (product placement!). They then had to develop the picture and Reichen and Chip came in last.

Then they drove to a beach where they could choose between kayaking and horseback riding to find the next clue. They all choose horseback riding and Jon and Kelly came in last. When they were leaving, Chip ran over Reichen's foot and they got in a tiff. Then one of the team had to drive around a go-cart track where Chip wrecked his vehicle and Jon rolled his.

At the pit stop, it was the friends first, Chip and Reichen second and Jon and Kelly last but it was not an elimination round.

Stay tuned!

Hey everyone! They will re air last night's episode on Saturday 8/16/03 at 9:00 P.M. eastern time, for all of us who were stuck in the blackouts. Hooray!

Thanks for detailing the show - and ever better to hear that it'll be rebroadcast Saturday night. Yipeeeeeee!!

Just a reminder -- the grand finale of AR4 is tonight!! Stay tuned and hope it comes back next season.

And WE ARE CROSSING OUR FINGERS that Kelly and Jon don't win!

It never was rebroadcasted here in NYC, but the summary provided will have to do. Will be watching tonite with the rest of yo'all!
And it better be back again next season.

Who will win?? And which one romps in the nude tonite!!!

Great Final Episode!! Chip & Reichen did very well. Amazing what a difference taking the right flight out of Cairns (AU) made.

I will miss AR4!

the contestant's experiences at narita airport in japan is so typical of that airport...confusion about what terminal..where to go...noone understanding you..and always some lone employee takes your hand and leads you to where you need to be. I felt like i was watching my own perplexing times there.
as for the winners...they deserved it...they were experts at map reading and thats a talent few americans have.