Jorr-
I meant that on TV last night there were many camera shots of my building, some looking at my apartment windows. How eerie.

I remember seeing all the SUVs lined up outside...it was months ago. I didn't give it a second thought as I thought it was either for a big wedding party or a car commercial. Gotta keep my eyes open next time. I'm surprised I didn't hear the loud shrieking families.

I'm pretty sure that they won't be going out of the US. The map that they use to show the travel route on the CBS website is usually a world map, but in this case only shows the USA and part of Canada and Mexico (so maybe they'll at least go to Canada or Mexico?).

It's too bad the Blacks didn't make it. I was really hoping they'd beat out the obnoxious Paolo family. The disrepectful kids take after their mother. All the other teams seemed so patient when the men were folding the flag, not Mrs. Poalo! "Couldn't you hurry this up a little?" What a wacko.
I loved to see the teamwork of the family with the little kids.
I enjoyed it much more then I thought I would.

Sorry, I thought the Paolo's went back to get the clue. The mother was saying they had to go back to get the clue and the kids were giving her attitude, then I left to go to the bathroom. When I came back, they were at the next stop and no mention of a penalty or anything so I figured they must have gone back. I know on other Races contestants have been freaking out about losing their clues so I thought it must be a penalty if you don't have it.

Has anyone read Phil Koegen's book (No Opportunity Wasted)? If so, what did you think?

Well I'm also one of the ones who said I didn't think I would watch this year - didn't like the idea of the family team. Then, of course, I find out that the team with the two kids (Gagnon?) is from my town in CT. So I watch. Was hoping I would like them - and so far okay except I thought maybe mom bragged a little when she talked about all of their "international" travel and how that would give them an edge. Typical soccer mom/yuppy from this town. But, did like very much how they operated as a team and how they related to the kids.

The Paolo's are a stitch...really find that family dynamic humorous and glad I'm not in it!

Agree with everyone that the "desperate housewives" shrieking has to end soon. Perhaps they'll tire out and it will stop. Or they will stop.

While dad and three girls from Branson seem like a very nice family, they just don't seem savvy enough to win this thing.

Should be intersting to see if all these "first impressions" change.

I'll watch it even if the don't go over seas. I just like the program and it seems that they got the message about not having some of the whackos they've had the last couple of times. They don't really ever show much of the different countries that they visit although I really enjoy seeing what the DO show..but this is a little different so I'll keep watching.

"The fact that the Weaver Mom actually had to ask if Pennsylvania was a state made my jaw drop!"

She said "I don't know if that means like the State of Pennsylvania?"

Sounds like she knew Pennsylvania was a state, but thought there could be some place closer named Pennsylvania.

Keith

What I found funny was the team that was looking for silos but they didn't know what a silo is.

Enjoyed it -- less "fear factor," more actual travel info, and I don't mind if they stay in North America so long as they really do explore some of the history and culture, etc. If the producers were creative about the tasks, there are some where having 2 kids and 2 adults instead of 4 adults might actually be helpful (put the 2 lightest weight in the cart, send the little one through a cave or a tunner, etc. etc.). Sorry to see the Blacks go, among the nicest but it sometimes happens that way.

Was not particularly amused to hear the nonsense about male authority being a law and "biblical," or people calling on the name of a deity thinking that's somehow going to make the deity choose sides to help one team beat another. But then, it did seem to work for the Red Sox ;-) ;-) !!!

...and the Red States

Actually I am glad that they are doing one just in the USA.

It's because I see people everyday from this country who don't know ANYTHING about any other section of the country but the one that "raised 'em".

And I think that the coastal USA people may learn quite a bit. They may even be surprised at some of the differences that exist in farm country. You are much more apt to get bored, if you don't know what you are looking at. It's all snow to us, but to an Innuit there are 18 names for what they are viewing at any one time.

Too bad that the race is over in reality. I might drop them a line, because I have some great ideas for some Detours in MI, especially on the hilled and gullied huge tracts of pig cities.

Regardless of what the people are doing, I am never bored with seeing the landscapes and places they transverse.

And yes, it did work for the Red Sox.

But if a blue-collar God exists, it may be the White ones this time.

Champagne is on ice!

I doubt I will watch the rest of this season. It seems a tired formula similiar to Trading Spaces Family edition.
It will have little to none of the tension of the two pair race. What adult would want to be seen scheming and racing past a ten year old to beat them to the finish line?

it's those screaming silly sisters that may make me stop watching. drove me nuts on the first episode. hopefully they don't go far or get edited out.

Are you kidding, RBCal? Have you ever been to a Little League or 12-15 year old Ice Hockey play-off?

People are competitive, age not-withstanding. Doubly so when they are being "starred" in a tv show. And you don't know some of the young ones I do- because you are underestimating them BIG TIME. Maybe it is time for some Kid Power, because the sterotype just isn't some of these 2005 kids that I know.

I agree with Cassandra about the religious stuff. I don't think God really cares who wins the Amazing Race, you know?

Catbert, I have not read his book yet but I plan to soon. Have you heard anything on it? I heard in an interview that he does most things the teams do, like climbing, bungee jumping...he lives each day to the fullest.
RBCal, my DH would gladly race past a 10 year old girl to beat her, he wouldn't think twice, after all it is for a million bucks, not an easter egg hunt! Let's put it this way, last summer we went to a small local waterpark and to get a spot under a tree is "prime", so we go in and this little girl starts heading toward "our" tree, so my husband carrying the cooler, blankets, towels starts racing with this little girl...yep, he would have no problem!!

I believe that I read that AR would be traveling in North and South America this time. I don't like the family edition as much as the original format. I want to see Americans trying to cope in exotic locales.

I was relieved to see that the families with small children seemed to be selected for their patience and obvious love for one another. It would be hard to take a screaming parent berating a child (but it is still early in the season...)

For many Americans, Suki, there are many "exotic locales" in our own United States and North America in general that will be difficult to cope with. And oftentimes other "languages" as well. I don't doubt that we have more variety than South America, actually.

One country, LOTS of different people, terains, belief systems and lifestyles.

I personally would love to see the Academics at my school, putting together a pig shelter or harvesting anything bigger than a grape.