The Amazing Race – Season 9 – Episode 7
THIS WEEK – 1st
LAST WEEK – 1st, arrived at 10:33
The Sickening Frat Boys (Eric and Jeremy) – It’s amazing how moving the show to an earlier prime time slot cleaned up how these dorks look on camera. 10pm time slot Frat Boys say, “Give me a piece of that! Oh, I want to spank you! We’re just here for as much loving as we can get!” 8pm time slot Frat Boys say, “We just like to have fun! Here Grandma, let me help you across the street!” Not sure what’s more sickening, these two dorks or CBS’s blatant editing. Hmm… wait. These two dorks. Hate ’em or hate ’em, but they’re like The Amazing Race cockroaches – you just can’t kill them. For doing so well, I’m not sure why they wasted the Fast Forward – but it does mean they can’t use it later in the race. I *hope* this plays in later. As a reward for their perseverance with the face of idiocy, they won a trip to the red carpet premiere of The DaVinci Code. My perfect scenario… While there, they sign ironclad agreements to star in a movie where they get to do full frontal bedroom scenes with their leading “ladies”. The working title to the film? Crying Game 2. 😉
THIS WEEK – 2nd
LAST WEEK – 3rd, arrived at 11:40
Mo Jo (Joseph and Monica) – Wow. Breaking down crying and yelling at each other in the previous leg of the race is actually really motivating. Who knew. Watch out Dr. Phil, “Mo” is gunning for your job with his motivational talk to his partner. “Lift up your spirit before I get pissed.” Watch out Frat Boys, they’re all fired up for the number one spot next week – especially if more teams have penalties (see next couple).
THIS WEEK – 3rd
LAST WEEK – 6th, arrived at 1:02
Ray and Yolanda – Pretty solid this week. She sorta spanked him in the Herculean challenge. The man could not throw a spear – but he did look pretty tough bungee jumping from the bridge. So, thrower = no, throwee = great. When they get along they kick some butt. Previews for next week look stormy for them, though. I’m thinking it’s just a little bit of stress at this point in the race and they’ll overcome. Besides, I’m betting for a non-elimination round next time. All in all, coming from last place (well, just above getting kicked out) to 3rd place is a pretty good move. 15-minute penalty at the finish… Scary guys. You could have had 2nd.
THIS WEEK – 4th
LAST WEEK – 4th, arrived at 11:53
Old Couple (Fran and Barry) – Consistant. I really thought they’d be gone by now. 60-something years old and she jumped off a bridge. In the cold. In the pouring rain. You’ve *GOT* to give her props for that. They’ve got to push harder though. Physical is going to hurt them before this is out and they’re really not that much stronger mentally than anyone else. Basically, they need to avoid stupid mistakes and hope others make them. Oh yeah, and one more thing… Don’t let him drive anymore. Smashing the back of the SUV into a tree was classic. “I didn’t see it.” Whoa. Note to CBS – eye tests.
THIS WEEK – 5th
LAST WEEK – 2nd, arrived at 10:38
Hippies (BJ and Tyler) – Boys, boys, boys! You had me on the edge of my seat almost the entire race! Without your quirkiness I have to root for the Old Couple. I know you’re anxious to start your new sitcom you’ve so desperately earned after the race (come on network execs, take the hint here!) but please stop getting lost. I love the humor, but maybe a few less jokes and a little more map-reading. However, if you had to screw up before the end, better now than upcoming episodes. You’ve still got weaker teams you know you can take. With that 15 minute penalty you incurred, you almost *had* to count on a non-elimination. Very very lucky. Points, though, for staying positive when you were almost out of it! Double-points for the mud wrestling! Triple-points for the silly frog hat! 😉
THIS WEEK – BYE BYE!
LAST WEEK – 5th, arrived at 12:17
Married Parents (Lake and Michelle) – You know, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anybody almost gripe and whine themselves into a heart attack like he did this episode. I imagined an ambulance pulling up with Dennis Leary driving and humming “I’m an asshole…” Surreal. Anybody notice she had no problem bungee jumping off the bridge? To get away from him, I would have done it with *NO* bungee cord. Oh well. In their exit interview she said they were happy and “it worked for them”. Two tickets back to Dysfunction Junction please.
End Notes
All in all, this seemed like a pretty fast paced episode. I would have bet on it being a non-elimination but no go. Just as well, the Hippies pulled out in the end and Captain Redneck went to last. Works for me. If it really was as frantic as I thought and not just editing, I think tiredness is going to play into the next leg.