Thank you, I missed that bit of info!

poor Fran and Barry! They were so cute.

You're right Bubba, the screeching sisters are annoying - one pair called them the Frosties, I assume for their hairdos, you gotta love that.

GeorgeW, you got your wish. However they were the first to be eliminated!

Can the nerds be for real? We shall see where the Love Leads!

The two hour show was too long as I had to go to bed at ten- rose at 4 AM this morning to go to MASS as it is Ash Wednesday for us Catholics. I don't know who got the axe. From what I saw of the couples, the producers picked a rather eclectic group and this series should prove interesting to watch.

Those shrieking, self-proclaimed "glamazons" have to go next! So far many of the teams seem likeable. The Dentist will likely be the bully. I was amazed at how dumb the old couple was. Why would you choose to assemble a motorcycle if you knew nothing about them?

I missed the first part of the show-didn't watch until Idol was over. Which one was the dentist?

GeorgeW, the men that are "lifelong friends" (might also be gay) got the "axe".
I like the nerds, they were so excited to kiss in the helicopter over Sao Paulo, they seem to be enjoying themselves. I also like Yolanda & Ray, they seem pretty nice to one another and others...so far, it is still early in the race. Please tell me that Double D's brought some other color besides pink! The mother daughter team might get a little annoying if mom doesn't settle down a bit. While I LOVE the Amazing Race, I also found the two hours too long. At least I didn't think they had enough diversity of material, did they do a roadblock where only one person performs a stunt? All in all, looks like it will be a great season!!!

Although I enjoyed their enthusiasm at first the screaming sisters became so annoying I had to use the mute button several times--my ears!

Sunshinesue: The dentist and his wife (his dental assistant) are the married couple from Mississippi (Lake and Michelle). They chose to put together the motorcycle and got it done. He's a "little" obnoxious.

Ive never watched this show before. I was entertained by the drama, but I have a question for anyone who has seen this before. I was a little dissapointed that none of the contestants had to "figure" anything else. Their "clues" were really just instructions. They were just told to go from place to place, and were basically at the mercy of taxi cab drivers and traffic. I think the show would be better if the contestants actually had to figure out where they are going next, or complete some task. (I thought the helicopter thing was a little bit mindless). So does this ever happen....do the contestants ever have to think - or know anything?

Contestants have in the past had to identify flags and solve clues to get them to their next destination--doesn't happen on every leg but it does happen.

Did it seem like there were way more commercials than usual?

Stevie, in past seasons there have been many times the racers have had to figure things out. The first couple of episodes are hard because there are just too many people. It's very repetitive while we "get to know" the contestants.

Wonderful aerials. I didn't think it was too long and I found myself not disliking any of the duos. Lots of positive/happily together and expressive people, which is such a good surprise. It could be 2 hours every week for me, even if they were just hitching cab after cab- so much better than the other drivel like sit.-coms etc. on tv.

I live in Chicago and I can absolutely tell you that here these Amazing Racers would not be considered average looking. They would be considered above average looking. Our average much be different. LOL! Never a pimple or hook nose among them.

I too could not understand why anyone but a mechanic or engineer- would pick to put together a motorcycle. They are complex.

The older couple is not going to last long. They don't have visible pep, nor do they have realistic evaluations, especially concerning themselves. Neither has an eye for detail, either. My guy and I could do much better and we are older, but we would never win. Youth has the stamina.

The screeching sisters are not going to last long either. When they were really going to it, I had to turn down the tv and leave my folding laundry for a minute. Frosties is perfect- but traveling fast is definitely not their forte. I too love the names they are picking up for each other- lots of wit.

This beginning's editing was much improved. Time sequences were longer and contiguous within one "set"; jumps were less numerous and groupings were clear and not confusing. There were no aside explanations needed because most was clearly evident.

This American Idol is also good, so now there's a few things I can watch outside of H& G and PBS.

I love the Chicago couple, he seldom smiles. I think I have been on the bus with him 1,000 times. Hope they do well.

I have a feeling the mother and daughter are going to excel- but that the team who finished first is going to be hard to beat. The dentist and his wife are going to think too much and be too tense. Too much fire and analysis.

There's a great new book out having to do with fast decision making in humans called "Blink- the Power of Thinking Without Thinking." It's on the best sellers list. Malcolm Gladwell is the author. Non-fiction and top drawer. Lots of you Amazing Racer fans will love the info and imperical tests in this book.

Somehow I don't want to know where they are going ahead of time- it seems more fun to be surprised as they are.

Am I the only one who is wondering with the thousands of people who apply for A.R. the ones we saw last night were chosen ? I hope a few emerge as good contestants, but honestly after 2 hours I was yearning for Tara & Will, Flo & Zach, Chip & Riechen

Seriously, the "Frosties" are horrible and the "nerd" couple need to be eliminated - fast, likewise the older couple as they are not even fun to watch. Actually I found the "hippies" to be the most fun to watch overall. The dentist is rather overbearing and do not think it will increase his dental practice if he acts like that with patients.

Wow, why did you dislike the "nerd" couple? They have a playful and sweetly considerate relationship and seem to be fast thinkers?

Why did you feel that way, Lori? I'm not being sarcastic, truly interested. Are you bored with the solid citizen and level of tolerance quotient of this set?

Maybe it's me. I hate watching nagging and negative bickering conflict and sneaky manipulation- maybe most don't.

The reason I did not care for the Nerd couple was their interaction between themselves, I do not find them playful or sweet. I kind of find it phoney and nauseating - sort of like the Weavers and their praying. Just my opinion so no flaming please. I do think the Chicago couple and the mother and daughter should do well - they seem like nice people overall.

i agree. I thought the "nerd couple" was completely goofy.
I liked the older couple Barry and Fran. They did terribly, but I thought they were adorable. Genuine.

This is the first time I've watched the show. Normally "reality" shows disgust me and I avoid them like them like the plague. But, I really enjoyed this one, probably because it truly is a race.

The 2 hours was a bit long, but necessary to get familar with all the team dynamics, IMO.

There really aren't any teams I don't care for, though I wish "Team Pink" wouldn't be so....pink. At this stage I find myself kind of pulling for the hippies because of their attitude and I really do like the nerdy couple's overt excitemint. Hey, it's great to take a moment in a helicopter for a little romance, ya know? Not caring over much for the sisters or the dentist, but sometimes I wonder if that's because I see too much of myself in them?

What I find really interesting is watching how different people take on travel situations (airports, taxis, getting lost) and deal with it. Sometimes I could spot myself, my S/O, my mother, my friends and I sat there saying, "OH NO!!" Great laughs!

Lori, I totally agree with you about the "nerds". At first I thought they were cute, but they rapidly became, as you say, phony and nauseating. I'd take Tara and Will, Chip and Reichen, and Zach, but NOT FLO!

Lake and wife...UGH!

The Frosties are this season's Godlewski sisters, but more crude, sometimes funny crude, but too much screaming. Fortunately, they don't seem to be very good racers so we may not have to listen to them for long.

Phil was awesome as usual.

How great that our show is back!

i didn't find the two hours too long. i think with the first episode it lets you "get to know" the contestants.
i had to leave the room during one of the screaming sessions of the sisters.
i don't mind the "nerds" as long as we don't have to hear non-stop "give me a kiss" or "we are so in love"...
glad it's back.