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Tuesday, May 08, 2012

The Amazing Race 20 Wrap-Up
       
The milestone 20th season of The Amazing Race has come and gone.  I definitely had high expectations for the season with a cast that looked great on paper and the hope of some sprucing up for the anniversary season.  Plus TAR19 took some steps forward to improve the Race and correct some of the mistakes and shortcomings TAR has had in the last few seasons.

A… Distinctive Cast
This was the first time a cast jumped out to me on paper before the season started.  There seemed to be distinct personalities.  Of course you had the established personas of Brendon & Rachel, but you also got a bunch of clowns, a pair of good ol' country boys, sassy cousins, pretty sisters, guys you'd assume were from Jersey Shore , an army guy and his wife, female federal agents and border patrol guys?  Those are some interesting and diverse teams on paper and they left good impressions in their pre-Race interviews.

On the show itself, they definitely delivered.  Not so much in the competition aspect (more on that later), but they brought the entertainment.

Not many people will like it, but we had plenty of drama.  Art & JJ definitely instigated a lot of the drama.  Couples Brendon & Rachel, Vanessa & Ralph and Rachel & Dave bickering is not uncommon on TAR, of course.  But the conflict between teams, whether it be Vanessa having something against Rachel or Art & JJ starting drama for kicks, TAR20 carried a lot of negativity between teams.  I'm sure a lot of TAR fans don't appreciate the show being anything but clean and above all the reality show drama, but the conflicts helped what was…

A Lack of Competition
You can't deny Rachel & Dave and even Art & JJ had amazing runs on the Race.  The fact that they won all legs but one is certainly historic, but when you look at how they won their legs, with a Fast Forward each and other teams generally screwing themselves up, I can't help but hold back from comparing them to some of the other dominant TAR teams of the past.

It's all part of the Race sure, but just because they won close legs doesn't mean they were completely dominant.  Maybe it's just because I didn't really care for them, but then again, I never really cared for the likes of Nick & Starr or Megan & Cheyne or even Colin & Christie back in TAR5 or Marc & Rovilson on TARA.

But I think the biggest reason for their success…

Leg Design! Leg Design!
Even after TAR19 brought back the extra, non-Road Block/non-Detour tasks to the legs as well as use more "thinking" clues, TAR20 scaled back on those and went back to those very linear legs that offered no opportunities for teams to catch up.  Again, it makes you realize that those Hours of Operations and airport equalizers were actually good things for the Race.

I know TAR's simpler legs have to do with budget and cost, but it's really taken a lot away from the competition and excitement of the legs.  One positive though…

Fast Forward!
This season actually featured more than one Fast Forward.  Though their placements were kind of odd, it's nice to see it is not completely dead yet.  Some have suggested offering a Fast Forward in each of the first 8 or so legs.  As seen this season, the Fast Forward is merely a pass for a first place team to win at least a 2nd leg in a row.  I say it every season, but I'd like to see the Fast Forward be used like it was in the early (classic!) seasons again.  Create that drama and that lifeline for teams!

No TAR20 Bling?
I was probably most disappointed that we didn't get any new graphics.  I thought the 20th season would've brought some freshening up to the on-air look with a fresh opening sequence and an update to the graphics similar to what we've seen with TARs from around the world.  Hopefully TAR21 will have some of those.

Hopes for Season 21
Speaking of… Can you believe we're done with 20 seasons of The Amazing Race and are at least assured of two more?  For TAR21, I definitely hope we get fuller legs, an updated look, more challenging tasks, and maybe a more competitive group of teams.  The Amazing Race is still exciting and fun to watch, but they definitely plenty of room to continue growing and maybe capture some of the magic from the classic seasons.

Overall
Overall, TAR20 was a good, solid season.  It isn't up there with some of the all-time greats, but it was still enjoyable with some really great teams, drama, good locations and some good tasks.  Let's hope Bertram and Co. can build on the good momentum and step it up for TAR21.

ALL-TIME RANKINGS
OVERALL SEASONS
1. TAR3
2. TAR5
3. TAR8
4. TAR1
5. TAR11:AS
6. TAR12
7. TAR2
7. TAR6
7. TAR4
10. TAR20
10. TAR19

10. TAR10
10. TAR9

10. TAR17
15. TAR18: UB
16. TAR16
17. TAR14
18. TAR15
19. TAR13
*huge gap*
20. TAR7
--
FINALES
(regardless of winner)
1. TAR3
2. TAR12
3. TAR8
4. TAR5
5. TAR2
6. TAR1
7. TAR20
8. TAR16
9. TAR15
10. TAR14
11. TAR6
12. TAR19
13. TAR17
14. TAR11: AS
15. TAR4
16. TAR18
17. TAR9
18. TAR13
19. TAR10
20. TAR7
--
GROUP of TEAMS
1. TAR3
2. TAR8
3. TAR5
4. TAR1
5. TAR11: AS
6. TAR2
6. TAR12
8. TAR6
8. TAR4
8. TAR20
8. TAR19
12. TAR17
13. TAR18
14. TAR16
14. TAR15
14. TAR14
14. TAR13
18. TAR10
19. TAR9
*gap*
20. TAR7
--
MY ALL-TIME TEAMS
1. Ronald & Christina (TAR12/18)
2. Teri & Ian (TAR3/AS)
3. Charla & Mirna (TAR5/AS)
4. Kris & Jon (TAR6)
5. Linda & Karen (TAR5)
6. Brendon & Rachel (TAR20)
7. John Vito & Jill (TAR3/AS)
8. David & Margaretta (TAR1)
9. Meredith & Gretchen (TAR7)
10. Brian & Ericka (TAR15)
11. The Linz Family (TAR8)
12. Ernie & Cindy (TAR19)
13. Nat & Kat (TAR17)
14. Brook & Claire (TAR17)
15. Erwin & Godwin (TAR10)
16. Dan & Jordan (TAR16)
--
NON TOP 3 TEAMS THAT SHOULD HAVE GONE FURTHER
1. Ron & Christina (TAR18)
2. Teri & Ian (TARAS)
3. John Vito & Jill (TAR3)
4. The Gaghan Family (TAR8)
5. Linda & Karen (TAR5)
6. Bopper & Mark (TAR20)
7. Meredith & Gretchen (TAR7)
8. Charla & Mirna (TAR5)
9. The Paolo Family (TAR8)
10. Gary & Mallory (TAR17)
11. Joseph & Monica (TAR9)
12. Bill & Cathi (TAR19)
13. Jim & Marsha (TAR5)
14. Steve & Allie (TAR16)
--
MOST DESERVING FINAL 3 TEAM (NON-WINNERS)
1. Brook & Claire (TAR17)
1. Kris & Jon (TAR6)
1. Teri & Ian (TAR3)
1. Charla & Mirna (TARAS)
1. Ronald & Christina (TAR12)
6. Ken & Gerard (TAR3)
7. Kelly & Jon (TAR4)
7. Gary & Mallory (TAR18)
9. Dustin & Kandice (TARAS)
10. Brian & Ericka (TAR15)
11. Eric & Jeremy (TAR9)
12. Brendon & Rachel (TAR20)
13. Nicolas & Donald (TAR12)
14. Frank & Margarita (TAR1)
15. Ken & Tina (TAR13)
--
WINNERS (subjective; as a team)
1. Ernie & Cindy (TAR19)
2. Nat & Kat (TAR17)
3. Dan & Jordan (TAR16)
4. The Linz Family (TAR8)
5. Flo & Zach (TAR3)
6. Rob & Brennan (TAR1)
7. Uchenna & Joyce (TAR7)
8. Chris & Alex (TAR2)
8. Chip & Kim (TAR5)
8. Tammy & Victor (TAR14)
*gap*11. Kisha & Jen (TAR18)
11. Meghan & Cheyne (TAR15)
11. Tyler & James (TAR10)
14. Freddy & Kendra (TAR6)
15. Nick & Starr (TAR13)
16. Rachel & Dave (TAR20)
*gap*
17. Reichen & Chip (TAR4)
18. BJ & Tyler (TAR9)
19. TK & Rachel (TAR12)
20. Eric & Danielle (TAR11:AS)
--
WINNERS (with respect to final 3)
      Winning Team
         Who I wanted to win
1. Ernie & Cindy
        Ernie & Cindy (TAR19)
2. Dan & Jordan
        Dan & Jordan (TAR16)
3. Uchenna & Joyce
        Uchenna & Joyce (TAR7)
4. The Linz Family
        The Linz Family (TAR8)
5. Tammy & Victor
     Tammy & Victor (TAR14)
6. Nat & Kat
       Nat & Kat or Brook & Claire (TAR1)
7. Rob & Brennan
       Rob & Brennan or Frank & Margarita (TAR1)
8. Chris & Alex
       Blake & Paige or Chris & Alex (TAR2)
9. Chip & Kim
       Chip & Kim or Brandon & Nicole (TAR5)
10. Tyler & James
       Tyler & James or Lyn & Karlyn (TAR10)
11. Flo & Zach
       Teri & Ian or Ken & Gerard (TAR3)
12. Kisha & Jen
      Gary & Mallory (TAR18)
13. Meghan & Cheyne
       Brian & Ericka (TAR15)
14. Nick & Starr
       Nick & Starr or Ken & Tina (TAR13)
15. Reichen & Chip
       Kelly & Jon (TAR4)
16. Freddy & Kendra
       Kris & Jon (TAR6)
17. Rachel & Dave
       Brendon & Rachel (TAR20)
18. BJ & Tyler
       Eric & Jeremy or Ray & Yolanda (TAR9)
19. Eric & Danielle
       Charla & Mirna or Dustin &Kandice (TAR11:AS)
20. TK & Rachel
       Ronald & Christina or Don & Nicolas (TAR12)
My Final Subjective Team Rankings
Brendon & RachelBrendon & Rachel - I definitely had high expectations for them.  They are highly competitive and they can also entertain with their drama.  But what was interesting was TAR's decision to keep them pretty low key.  Unless you are so blinded by your hate for them, you can't deny that the drama came to them.  They never instigated any drama or conflict with other teams and only responded when they were confronted.  Now, drama with each other, that's nothing new for them, nor it is new for TAR itself.  Save for the meltdowns in Italy and their collapse in the finale, they've been pretty normal and subdued, enjoying the scenery and their trip around the world.  It sucks that they did themselves in in the final leg, but I think there were also times they didn't push themselves enough during the Race.  They placed 2nd a few times and had opportunities to grab first, but didn't. One thing's for sure, they're pretty much a lock for All-Stars 2, right?
Mark & BopperMark & Bopper - Such a wonderful surprise to have these guys turn out to be a whole lot of fun.  An endearing team, a truly endearing team that TAR managed to get right and push.  We've been forced to "like" some teams in the past (quite unsuccessfully, sorry TAR), but Bopper & Mark didn't need TAR's help.  Their upbeat, happy and fighting spirit personalities definitely made you root for them.  Their determination and perseverance, especially in their last legs was great to watch and something we haven't seen on TAR in a while. It's great to have regular people like them on the Race.
Nary & JamieNary & Jamie - I had high expectations for them too.  You kind of expect a little more fire in a pair of federal agents, but they lacked that spark and drive.  They didn't have the hustle to get themselves out of the bottom of the pack.  And I liked them so it was sad to see them underperform every leg.  Them lying about their jobs wasn't anything to make a big deal out of and they actually handled that situation well.  Them standing up to Art & JJ was great.   Just sucks they didn't try harder.
Kerri & StacyKerri & Stacy - They had an underwhelming start, but once they got in the groove, they became a fun, feisty and sassy team.  It's  a shame they didn't stay longer and it was a shame TAR decided not to include their airplane drama with Vanessa & Ralph and the twins on the show.  It would've shown the cousins to be fighters and strong.  They stood up for themselves and wouldn't let anyone push them around.  It was great to see that fire in them before they got eliminated.
Joey & DannyJoey & Danny - I'm not a fan of Jersey Shore, so the implication that these guys were in the same vein as the Situations of the world definitely gave me a bad first impression pre-Race.  But as we saw more of them, I was pleasantly surprised to realize they weren't so bad after all.  They were actually a pair of normal, fun guys who tried to make a big move, but ended up being their undoing.  I definitely would've preferred them to have stayed over some of the other teams we eventually got in the later legs.
Dave & CherieDave & Cherie - They were the nice, older couple that unfortunately became typical early boot fodder.  It would have been nice to see them make it farther in the Race (and it certainly would've helped add numbers to the "other side" of the drama that popped up later).  A shame they had to be eliminated so early.
Misa & MaiyaMisa & Maiya - I definitely had high hopes for them pre-Race.  Both athletes, you'd think they would do well on the Race.  But their first leg was a mess, capped off with their fatal mistake at the Mat.  They would've survived at least the first leg if it wasn't for that unprecedented error.  It was too bad they screwed up, it would've been nice to have more women on the Race, especially in the later legs.
GAP
Rachel & DaveRachel & Dave - They started off great, but as we saw more of Dave and we saw them walking into first place every leg, it got very tiring.  Rachel is an amazing competitor though.  She definitely carried more weight on the team than Dave did, especially with him berating every other minute.  Sure, the fights meant nothing to them after the fact, but it wasn't any fun to see a husband talk down to his wife all Race.  They deserve kudos for winning so many legs, but I just can't give my full kudos for being a dominant team when there were so many different factors.
Elliot & AndrewElliot & Andrew - The prospect of fun sibling bickering wasn't fully realized, but in a way it was good that they were eliminated before they and Vanessa & Ralph decided to team up and target other teams with drama.  They had otherwise quiet legs and were hardly missed once they were eliminated.
Art & JJArt & JJ - What a strange team.  For most of the Race, you couldn't stand their cocky attitudes and unnecessarily looking for drama from other teams.  But in these last few legs, I guess with less competition, they dropped the act and didn't seem as horrible as they were in the legs previous.  JJ calling Rachel a "nice lady" then encouraging her in the final Road Block just shows that all that shit-stirring was them forcing the drama and thinking it would get them far.  Well, they did place 2nd, though I don't know if confronting teams for no reason or pitting teams against each other played a big part in that.
Vanessa & RalphVanessa & Ralph - Oh boy.  It all started with Vanessa's strange obsession with Rachel's ass at the watermelon Detour.  Since then, it was a mean-spirited, catty, and personal vendetta against Rachel who never even really had Vanessa in her radar in the first place.  Ralph was definitely the level-headed one of the two, but the fact that he couldn't control or didn't attempt to stop Vanessa's craziness says something about him too.
Relive The Amazing Race 20!



Click here to go to the archive to see all my recaps from the season and from seasons past!

Also, over 4500! HD! caps, more than 300+ from each episode at
photobucket.com/TAR20

And, check out hours of bonus video CBS.com

Plus download full episodes from the entire season on
or The Amazing Race, Season 20 - The Amazing Race 


Monday, May 07, 2012

The Amazing Race 20, Episode 11 - It's a Great Place to Become Millionaires

The Leg



The penultimate leg begins and all four teams get on the same flight to Hiroshima, Japan.  At the airport, Brendon & Rachel miss the first bus to the train station while the other three get ahead.  But after arguing on the bus, Brendon makes a new friend who helps them buy tickets getting him and Rachel first on the train together with Vanessa & Ralph and Art & JJ.  The three teams also make the last ferry of the night, leaving Rachel & Dave behind.  But at Miyajima, they find a Route Marker saying they'll receive their next clue with "the rising sun."  That allows Rachel & Dave to catch up.

In the morning, a farmer pulling a rickshaw hands them their next clue telling teams to find the Atomic Bomb Dome at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.  There, teams pay their respects before being handed the next clue by a guard telling teams to take a bullet train to Osaka.



Once in Osaka, teams must head to the TV 8 Studios for their next clue.  Brendon & Rachel and Rachel & Dave both choose to take the subway to the TV station while Art & JJ and Vanessa & Ralph take taxis.  The taxis are faster, but Vanessa & Ralph are taken to the wrong studio. 

That puts Art & JJ in the lead and they grab the next clue to find the Road Block.


In this Road Block, teams will have to participate in a Japanese game show where they will run on a running track while trying to grab three rubber chickens hanging from the ceiling.  They must then run to the end and jump on the pads to finish.  If they stumble and fall, they'll have to try again.



Art does the Road Block and finishes before the other three teams arrive at the same time.  Brendon finishes first, followed by blonde Rachel.  But Vanessa is struggling with her now swollen, sprained ankle from last leg.  She fights through it and finishes.


Teams must now head to the Omeda Sky Building and head to the Floating Garden Observatory.  After locating the two Sony Windows 7 touchscreen PCs, they will find the two Detour options by pressing Play.
In Bingo Shoutout, teams head to a sushi restaurant where they must pick sushi from a conveyor belt, listen to the bingo caller and place the correct sushi (with the correct letter on the flag) onto their bingo cards.  When they've got bingo, they must yell out "Sushi!" and if correct, they must eat all five pieces before getting their next clue.
In Photo Cutout, teams must collect two life sized sumo wrestler cutouts and a camera and take pictures of ten groups of three people with the cutouts to get their next clue.



Rachel & Dave finish the Photo Cutout Detour first and head to the Pit Stop at Osaka Castle to claim their 7th win and a trip to New Zealand.  Art & JJ finish the Sushi Detour first as Vanessa & Ralph catch up to Brendon & Rachel before they leave.

At Osaka Castle, Art & JJ and Brendon & Rachel run around the grounds looking for an elusive Phil and they eventually check-in 2nd and 3rd respectively.  That leaves Vanessa & Ralph in last and eliminated.



The final leg begins and teams learn their final destination city is Honolulu, Hawaii.  Teams must travel on the lone Hawaiian Airlines flight from Osaka to Honolulu, getting all three teams in Hawaii at the same time.

Once in Honolulu, teams need to figure out a riddle that will lead them to the twin towards of Makua and Makai.  Rachel & Dave's taxi driver knows.  Art & JJ meanwhile decide to just follow them, but eventually lose sight of them.  The taxi dispatchers at the airport, meanwhile, help Brendon & Rachel with the location. 



Rachel & Dave open the next clue.  Teams must now use an ascender to get to the top of the 45-story tower.  At the top, they'll have to scan the horizon to find a large Race flag which they'll have to go to for their next clue.  But first, they must rappel back down to the ground, face first.

Brendon & Rachel arrive just as Rachel & Dave suit up and the Rachels are happy if either of them wins, as long as it's not Art & JJ.  Meanwhile, the Border Patrol agents ask for help at a hotel and get pointed to the wrong location.

Rachel & Dave stay in the lead with Brendon & Rachel close behind.  They head back down the building and over to Sand Island Park where they find the Road Block.


In this Road Block,teams must use a Samurai sword to shave enough ice from a block to fill up 14 quarts.  When they're done, actor Taylor Wily will hand them their next clue.



Dave finishes first and they get the next clue telling them to make their way on foot to the waiting helicopters in the nearby outfield.  Art & JJ arrive just as Brendon finishes the Road Block.

But!  Brendon & Rachel hop back into their taxi, ask if there's a nearby stadium.  Aloha Stadium is nearby, so they tell the driver to go there.  That allows Art & JJ to pass them as they read their clue correctly and get on a helicopter.  Brendon & Rachel realize their mistake when Aloha Stadium is closed and they backtrack, losing them about 30 minutes.

Rachel & Dave touch down on the North Shore and get the next clue.  One team member must drive a wave runner through the water while the other gets pulled behind on a sled.  They must rescue a victim and bring them safely back to shore.



Rachel & Dave finish and get their clue telling them to head to the Coral Kingdom Gate to Hakipu'u Valley.  (The clue also states to take all their belongings and release their taxi.)  Art & JJ are close behind and after letting out some heavy frustration, Brendon & Rachel trudge on.

Rachel & Dave get let off and they run down to a dock where they find a Race sign that says to take a paddleboard across the fish pond.  Meanwhile, Art & JJ get to the Coral Kingdom Gate and follow a marked path.  They must be right because they find the 2nd Road Block.


For this Road Block, teams must take part in two traditional Hawaiian games.  First, they must use a Papa hōlua or land sled to slide 150 feet down a hill and past a line without falling over.  Then teams must play a game of ʻulu maika by picking up a disc-shaped lava rock and roll it 50 feet into a goal.



While Art struggles with the sled, Rachel & Dave get across the pond and stumble upon the Finish Line.  They are excited, but Phil breaks the news that they've missed a Road Block.  So they have to go back and complete it.

Rachel & Dave run up the road and find the marked path where they catch up to Art & JJ at the Road Block.  Brendon & Rachel get dropped off half a mile down the road as well.

Rachel moves on to the ulu maika as Art continues to struggle with the sled.  She gets the rock in the goal and now Rachel & Dave can officially head to the Finish Line on Secret Island by taking an ATV to the dock.



Back at the Road Block, with Brendon (and JJ's!!!!) encouragement, Rachel slides past the line.  She moves on to the ulu maika, but again grows frustrated when she comes close several times.  That allows Art to catch up to her and eventually pass her.

And so Rachel & Dave claim the million dollars (and the record for most wins ever on an American TAR).  Art & JJ finish 2nd and Brendon & Rachel are officially 3rd.




Episode Thoughts
Well what a finale!  While I'm sad at the final outcome, it was probably the most exciting finale in a couple of seasons.  Both legs had plenty of lead changes and placement shifts and the final leg especially was pretty much up in the air right up until blonde Rachel finished the Road Block. 

For the Japan leg, it was awesome to have more Japanese game show fun.  TAR15's Wasabi Road Block was hilariously awesome and this chicken Road Block was fun as well.  The camera side of the Detour was very TARA-like, specifically the Sony-sponsored task requiring teams to use their provided Sony High Definition camcorders to record locals singing. lol It was nice to have that little Hiroshima tribute too.

With the final leg, it was sad to see no memory or mental task.  Everything was purely physical.  Except for the clues and taxis of course.   But overall, it was nice to see all three teams so close to each other, even when teams made big mistakes and all three of them did, We haven't had that in a while.  Though it sucked that the Finish Line mishap ended up being nothing (lol, darn it).   





-Leg 11-

PIT STOP
Cheena Vala Fishing Nets
Vypin, India

DESTINATION CITY
Hiroshima, Japan

ROUTE MARKERS
Itsukushima Shrine
Miyajima

Hiroshima Peace Memorial
Hiroshima

ROAD BLOCK
TV 8 Studio
Osaka

ROUTE MARKER
Floating Garden Observatory, Umeda Sky Building
Osaka

PIT STOP
Osaka Castle
Osaka, Japan

-Leg 12-

PIT STOP
Osaka Castle
Osaka, Japan

FINAL DESTINATION CITY
Honolulu, Hawaii

ROUTE MARKERS
Mauka and Makai Waterfront Towers
Honolulu

ROAD BLOCK
Sand Island
Honolulu

ROUTE MARKER
North Shore, Oahu

ROAD BLOCK
Coral Kingdom Gate, Hakipu'u Valley
Kaneohe

FINISH LINE
Secret Island
Oahu, Hawaii



DEPARTURE
Leg 11
Cheena Vala Fishing Nets
Vypin, India

Dave & Rachel 1:10pm


Leg 12
Osaka Castle
Osaka, Japan

Dave & Rachel 4:15pm
Art & JJ 4:47pm
Brendon & Rachel 5:05pm

BINGO SHOUTOUT



PICTURE CUTOUT
 

In order of completion
> or < indicates team switched Detours.

Who did the Road Block?
Who wants to bring home the chicken?
In order of completion; Italics indicate who did the Road Block

5 Art JJ 4
5 Brendon Rachel 5
5 Rachel Dave 4
5 Vanessa Ralph 5


After final leg
In order of completion; Italics indicate who did the Road Block

6 Art JJ 5
6 Brendon Rachel 6
6 Rachel Dave 5



3 Bopper Mark 5
4 Nary Jamie 2
3 Joey Danny 3
3 Kerri Stacy 2
1 Elliot Andrew 2
1 Dave Cherie 1
0 Misa Maiya 1

LEG 11 PIT STOP
Osaka Castle
Osaka, Japan

1st Rachel & Dave =
2nd Art & JJ+1
3rd Brendon & Rachel -1
Eliminated Vanessa & Ralph-1

FINISH LINE
Secret Island
Oahu, Hawaii

1st Rachel & Dave =
2nd Art & JJ=
3rd Brendon & Rachel =
Brendon & RachelBrendon & Rachel - Man, what a bummer.  Definitely a disappointing final  leg.  After running the Race pretty calmly and consistently, they save all their volatility and frustration for the final leg.  Plus, after making almost no mistakes the entire Race, they make one that played a huge part in them losing.  Without misreading the clue, they wouldn't have gotten frustrated, Rachel would've been calm and they could have easily slipped past the other two teams.  But in addition to poor taxis, it was their own fault they ended up third.  Incredibly sad and disappointing.
GAP
Rachel & DaveRachel & Dave - These two legs pretty much proved Rachel carried this team.  Not army Dave, Rachel.  Ever since the first time Dave suddenly started being overbearing towards Rachel, it was her that made their wins that much tolerable.  They deserved this win if only because Rachel performed excellently when she had to. 
GAP
Art & JJArt & JJ - I'm strangely conflicted on them, especially after this final leg.  I still think they've been cocky jerks the entire Race, yet you get a scene of JJ… JJ!! encouraging Rachel Reilly at the Road Block.  And this was after he called her a "nice lady" last week.  I'm now sure they only started trouble and drama just to do it.  They're still cocky jerks, but I don't hate them as much anymore.  Strange.
Vanessa & RalphVanessa & Ralph - Though not as emotionally moving as Mark's perseverance through the Bollywood Road Block, Vanessa definitely deserves props for fighting through the pain to finish the Road Block in Japan.  Her ankle definitely did not look well so she deserves a lot of credit for pushing through when other teams have quit for much less. 
Quotes from Episode 20.11

JJ: "Three teams got on, Big Brother, ourselves and Conan and Kardashian."





Over 550 HD episode caps at photobucket.com/TAR2011


 

Miss the episode? Watch the full episode for free at CBS.com/amazing.
Or download episodes to keep at:

or
The Amazing Race, Season 19 - The Amazing Race
 


Friday, May 04, 2012

Preview: The Amazing Race 20, Season Finale! - It's a Great Place to Become Millionaires

AFTER TRAVELING FIVE CONTINENTS, 22 CITIES AND NEARLY 40,000 MILES, "THE AMAZING RACE" CONCLUDES IN A SPECIAL TWO-HOUR SEASON FINALE ON SUNDAY, MAY 6

"It's a Great Place to Become Millionaires" - The final four Teams battle for the $1 million prize in a grueling two-hour season finale that starts in Japan, where Racers call upon their track skills for an exhausting Japanese game show, and concludes in Hawaii, where Teams hit the waves to put their rescue mission skills to the test, on THE AMAZING RACE, Sunday, May 6 (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Phil Keoghan is host.



And here's a preview of the Road Block...


Thursday, May 03, 2012

Mark & Bopper Get a Surprise from The Talk

Look at Julie Chen handing Mark & Bopper a BIG surprise on The Talk today:



Bopper & Mark/Brenchel/Nary & Jamie/Kerri & Stacy Super Alliance for TARAS3 please!


Wednesday, May 02, 2012

Bopper & Mark Talk About Their Time on the Race

Bopper & Mark detail their tense final legs to Reality TV World as well tension between teams.

Bopper & Mark tell Deadbolt how the Race changed their outlook on life.

TVGuide ask Bopper & Mark what they've been up to since the Race.

HitFix asks about the money Art & JJ promised them.



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