Amazing Race 8/4/04
 

I'm not seeing a post on this, so I'll start it.

Lance and Marshall must go. The comment on St. Petersburg having the most miserable people shows the world we do have rude Americans. Of course, the people of St. Petersburg might be misereable because they are with Lance and Marshall.

Brandon and Nicole, the dating Christians, didn't know their Bible stories to find the painting?!? While Chip and Kim had no trouble. I guess, well, I could get into a religious faith debate and get this pulled before this sentence is finished.

Still hoping the bowling moms to win, but I doubt it will happen. They seem to be having fun.

Charla and Mirna were the smartest of the bunch at the Frankfot airport to find an earlier flight. All the other teams there should have done the same thing. Also loved the scenery of when they were riding the horses/leading the camels.

Which leads to wow, what scenery. Yes, the show is in beautiful settings, but the production values are 'amazing' too.

Loved last night's show.

Mirna and Charla: Mirna didn't fail me with her weekly "run, Charla, run". It always makes me thing of "run, Forrest, run". Ugh.
Did you catch those two throwing Italian words to the travel agent in RUSSIA and the person in EGYPT??!! Double ugh!
Again, wimpy Mirna letting Charla do all the work!
Although, smart move on their part about taking the earlier flight.

Still waiting for the twins and the pizza brothers to go.

Even though I'm not crazy about Colin and Christine, I've observed that Colin is the most polite person to everyone they run into. He gives people big smiles and thank yous when getting help or asking for it. Very smart.

Chip and Kim are a bit too helpful to others. This will come back to bite them in the a**. I'm not saying they have to be mean but they need to compete. I presume they entered the race to win $1 million and not to make friends. They helped Brandon and Nicole and the twins who I think would never be that helpful in return.

And yes, Russia and Egypt looked amazing.

I like Chip and Kim but I was soooooooo ticked when they helped the twins. Its hard to tell how close it really was with the editing but maybe the moms could have gotten ahead of the twins if the Chip hadn't helped them!

I can't imagine how the bowling moms are going to do it without any money! What are they expected to do? Stow away on a plane or expect someone to pay for them? Do they at least get food or water supplied??

I also am getting tired of the rude remarks by Lance and Marshall. Talk about being an "ugly American!"

With the helping bit, I believe firmly in karma. What goes around comes around. I side with Chip on this one.

I love Mirna & Charla. I think Mirna is taking a bad rap. Don't forget that they can edit this show any way they want to. I remember Mirna making a comment in one of the first episodes that nobody was helping them and she had had enough. They had all formed alliances and these two were on their own. I have a feeling those teams saw Charla and decided to dismiss them as a team that would be gone in one week, so why bother? Well, the girls proved them wrong and now the other teams are embarassed. Except for the pizza boys who have such big heads that nothing could embarass them. I think the other teams have snubbed them and been nasty to them and we aren't getting all the facts. Just hearing them call her midget and dwarf are enough for me to believe there is more here than meets the eye. And, does anyone else catch Phil trying to control that big grin as these girls jump on that mat, clearly having a ball, and in total control of their game? They are his favorite too, you can just tell!

bugswife1 - I agree w/ you on the karma thing and Chip really is a nice guy but ... in this situation every time you help another team you hurt all the teams behind them! Now maybe the Moms weren't close enough to catch up but if they were then Chip hurt them big time when he helped the twins. If I'm being honest though I just don't like the twins much. I guess if he helped the Moms I would have been fine with it. :)

But Chip also helped that couple who got stuck in the sand when they were moving those blocks. It seems every little thing can change the outcome of these events. They cut in line, it affects other teams, they steal cabs, it affects other teams. There is no way to control the destiny. That is why this is so much fun. The Moms & the twins seem to have similar weaknesses that will force them both out. The twins are impatient and don't really stop to think things through. And even if they did, I think they make bad decisions. The Moms are patient, but do not do enough prep before making a move. They just do the first thing that pops into their heads, also making bad decisions. I don't think either of those 2 teams have enough travel skills.

Yes, Bugswife, I see that too! I bet your assessment is pretty right-on.

But I have to laugh everytime I hear, "Run, Charla, run!" and I think of Caribgirl. Boy, that must come from a lifetime of practice... What kind of situations have those girls gotten into in their pasts?! Mirna really does let her cousin do all the "dirty work," and Charla actually seems to look out for her more. I love how they never take "no" for an answer. They find the plane, they hold the camels, etc. I'hope I'm raising my kids to overcome obstacles the way they always do.

Right now Colin and Christine seem unbeatable, and I don't see anything NOT to like about them. But it's always fun to root for the underdogs, and I also love the way Chip and Kim have been pulling it together. The "help" issue is interesting. I think his wife is going to have to reign him in: "Honey, just POINT them in the right direction!"

Fun stuff last night, and great scenery. Let's just hope nobody junks up this thread to make it deletable!

I don't think Mirna is getting a bad rap, I think she deserves the bad rap! Charla could do this race without her cousin screaming at her all the time. She's a real trooper.

I too LOVED the scenery while they were on the camels.

Ooops - my post came in later than I thought. I meant I see and agree with Bugswife's feeling that the host favors the cousins! And also how the other teams failed to make any alliances with them because they thought they'd bite the dust early! :)

Actually I think the host likes Charla only. He seems a little reticent when Mirna hugs him. The producers probably told him about her crush on him. :-)

Yes - I'm hooked. The thing that keeps bothering me is how everyone ran through the Hermitage with out looking at anything! What's the point?

bardo: ...cause it's a race? hence the show's title.
:-)

Does anyone think Colin and Christine made a mistake taking the fastforward? They were so far ahead anyway and now they can't use it again. I know they have a great lead but one bad day at the airport or arriving at night and having to wait for something to open up can wipe out a lead.

Mirna and that crush! She gets so flustered around him. I love it.

Yes, Charla can prbably do without Mirna's yelling, and she definitely does more of the roadblocks, and absolutely takes great care of her cousin. But, if she were of a more normal height, would it still be as much of an issue? In every team there is one person who is stronger--look at Chip & Kim. He has done every single road block to date.

Charla has proven that she can handle the roadblocks better than Mirna. It may come as a surprise because she is so tiny, but she has the will and the tenacity of a tall person. Mirna does not see her as disabled, she sees her as her cousin and friend. When she lets Charla do the roadblocks, she is treating Charla as Charla wants to be treated--like a normal person who can do anything a normal person can. And I bet she has been that way all of her life. Mirna has never had to overcome an obstacle like that and very well may be the weaker of the two in many ways.

Last night's scenery was sensational, wasn't it? Never imagined the true size of The Pyramids and The Sphinx..wow!

I like Colin and Christine, but do you notice Colin is like every other man? When he gets lost, he places the blame on her...and then when he gets found...he did it!!

I now also like the cousins. Especially, Charla. She absolutely is not afraid to tackle anything. And, you can tell she gets excited when they are out front...and she also takes time to enjoy the scenery. I'm really not sure she needs a partner to win this.

I don't dislike the brothers...the dating Christians are boring....Chip and Kim are sensational....the twins and the bowling moms are running out steam.

My prediction....the finals will be Colin and Christie......and the cousins.

((r))((r))((r))

mcqueeney: they can't hold the fast-forward. i was a bit confused about that but it's explained on the cbs web site.

I like Mirna & Charla. Before the race started, they would have been the obvious underdogs but they have shown themselves to be true competitors and I'm rooting for them all the way. I don't care for the dating christians - boring! The brothers won't make it much longer and their anti Mirna/Charla attitude bugs me - they are just angry that M/C are beating them and come up with plans they wish they had thought of themselves.

It's a great show - makes me consider traveling to places some day that I hadn't seriously considered previously.

Oh, and I agee the leaders shouldn't have used the fast forward last night. They knew they didn't need it and now they can't use it if they should find it again and really need it. Could come back to haunt them.

thanks caribtraveler ... I didn't realize the fastforward was different this year. I've been wondering why nobody was using them!

Well, I don't know now...snowrooster confused me!
Here's what CBS says:
Two pre-determined legs have one FAST FORWARD, which allows the Team that completes the FAST FORWARD task first to proceed directly to the next PIT STOP without having to do any further tasks, including DETOURs or ROADBLOCKs, on the way. The trick is that only the first Team to find and complete the FAST FORWARD on the leg may use it; any subsequent Team that finds it will have wasted their time and must go back and complete all tasks. In addition, a Team may claim only one FAST FORWARD during the entire race.

My understanding of the Fast forward from the show website is there is only one fast forward card in the envelopes. So it was either Colin and Christie use it or no one. Only selected places will have the fast forward this season and it is luck of the draw who gets it. Last season a fast forward was available on every show for the first person to use it.

Colin and Christie arrived before the other teams' planes landed so they have this huge lead, but I have a feeling the other teams will catch up at an airport. I think it was last year when it seemed the surfing friends had this huge lead, but one mistake at the airport and they ended up in the rear.

Oh, and Mirna and her crush on Phil. Funny. I'm wondering if Mrs. Phil will welcome them at one of the pitstops.

So the question is: If Colin and Christine had passed on it, are they eligible for the next one because they didn't take it and therefore didn't do the task?
But then what are they chances they'd get the next one? Isn't it better to get the bigger lead at the beginning?

Yes, I agree. THey really didn't need it last night - but who says they ever find another one? Better to take advantage of it when you have it in hand. Plus two benefits: 1. Another team doesn't get the lead and the mental momentum that provides. 2. You get a nice long rest-up for the next leg!

Now that I understand the fastfoward this year I agree with them taking it. Since there are only two and they KNEW they could get this one, I would have taken it as well.

To clarify for those watching the Race for the first time ... in prior years there was a fast forward available on EVERY leg of the race ... only one team could use it per leg, whoever completed it first ... and each team could only use one fastforward for the whole race. Since there was one available every leg most teams would go for it on a leg where they were in trouble.

The YIELD is new this year but doesn't seem to be working ... nobody has used one yet, right? Anybody know how its supposed to work?

As a world traveller myself, I just love this show. I make it a habit of watching the show on Tues. and the repeat on Sat.

Glad to see that some time was spent at the pyramids last night. Words can not express being at Giza, standing in the sand, viewing the pyramids and the Sphinx. Even though I thought the Sphinx was going to be larger.

Realized that this segment was not an elimination leg when 2 of the teams read the clue and it mentioned MAY BE ELIMINATED...not WILL BE.

Where are they off to next week?

Note to TeacherD. The bowling moms don't have the money that the show provides for the leg of the race. The teams do not have to pay for the airline tickets out of this money. The money the teams are given is for ground transportation -- buses, cabs and trains. The teams probably don't stop to eat at places. They eat on planes and at pit stops. The moms won't have any cash to buy food on the run though. IMO I don't think the Mom's will be able to overcome this.

Everyone will pass the yield on the leg. It is in a prominent place apparently close to one of the clue boxes. Everyone has to look at it for their name to see if they have been chosen. Any team can pick any other team - that is behind them. Then the team that was chosen has to wait 30 minutes at the yield spot - and can be passed by teams that are behind them. It can only be used once by each team, but there is no restriction on how many times a team can be the "victim". It hasn't been used yet, so there is no drama, hence, no appearance on screen yet. Last week at the website there was a picture of Colin & Christie looking at the yield spot on the battleship.
(Phew! Hope that didn't confuse you anymore :-) )

I LOVE this show! I've been a devoted fan since the first season - can't get enough of it!

Since my favorite team (the Internet dating couple) was eliminated last week, I am rooting for the cousins. Charla is awesome! Mirna is slightly annoying, but I still have to root for her team.

I, too, thought that Colin (aka Luke Skywalker - he looks just like a young Mark Hamill) and Christie made a mistake with the fast forward, but I didn't realize the rules were different this year - did Phil ever explain that on the show?

What a wonderful episode last night for scenery and landmarks! All of the places they visited are on my list of things to see before I die. Being able to cross off so many in a 48 hour period is amazing. From the Hermitage to the Sphinx... I know it was miserably cold in Russia, but has anyone seen a more beautiful place in the snow?

It is going to be interesting to see how the bowling moms do with no money. Is that "no money" policy for this next leg only or the entire race? As far as the "fast forward" goes, if only one person gets it in the envelope, then why would the rules at CBS state "any subsequent Team that finds it will have wasted their time and must go back and complete all tasks." How would "subsequent teams" try for the fast forward if they didn't have it in their packets?

I find this year that I am not rooting for a certain team to win but for other teams to be eliminated..at least at this point. I love the teams that take time to enjoy and appreciate where they are, even if it is only a short time. Chip and Kim, the cousins, the bowling moms etc always do that.

I was on vacation and missed a couple of episodes. I did realize that the internet couple had been eliminated but what happened to the daddy/daughter duo?

Can't stand the pizza boys or the catty twins. They are nasty to other teams and occasionally to each other and then cutie pie sweet to get guys to help them in the race. Love, Love, Love, Chip and Kim.

The father daughter team was eliminated because of a mess up at an airport. There was only one coach seat left on the first flight so she took it and the father was on stand by for that flight and booked on another. When the dad did not make his stand by on the first flight, they realized that the daughter did not have a reservation for the flight that the dad was on and it was now full. They both had to take a later flight than the second and were eliminated. It was a shame.

Thanks so much. That does sound pretty bad. Too bad it didn't happen to those bad boys who are insulting and harsh.

I have a question about their flights. In the first episode, Phil said that once they purchase tickets for a flight, they can't buy tickets for a different flight. If you remember in that first episode, the first few teams to arrive at LAX bought tickets for the first flight out, not realizing that the second flight actually arrived earlier. Since they already bought tickets, they couldn't switch.

So how is it that teams change flights all the time now? In last night's episode alone, both Colin and Christie and the cousins switched their flights. Did the rule change - or did I just misunderstand it?

I am guessing that the Moms without cash may barter their possesions for taxi fare.

Keith

The previews for next week shows the moms begging for money in the streets. Depending on how good their begging skills, they may be alright.

As for the flight tickets....on last nights show, did they actually purchase tickets and then change flights, to did they just have reservations without a purchase?

Meredith: I also remember hearing that once you bought the tickets you're stuck with them.
However, I don't remember seeing Colin/Christine, Mirna/Charla buying any tickets on last night's show before they took the earlier flights.

Oooh, good point - I had assumed that they purchased all of the legs at once. See what happens when you assume! :)

When I see these people running around like banchee monkeys in places like the most famous museum in Russia I am thinking "oh please don't add to the Ugly American stereotype" Couldn't they at least tell them they are from Canada! After all Canadians claim they are from the US when they act badly. I've witnessed it.

My favorites are Mirna and Charla. They are just enjoying themselves - like taking time a few episodes back to do a quick tango with the gentleman who gave them a clue. Then when they checked in with Phil last night, you can tell they just are having a great time. Did anyone else notice how Charla took the time to shake the clue giver's hand and say thank you? I think it was after the horse/camel ride.

And like everyone else, agree that Lance & Marshall have to go! Maybe they won't last much longer with the one having knee problems.