The 23rd season of the Amazing Race will premiere tonight, Sunday, September 29, at 8pm Eastern. The teams this season seem to be overburdened with folks who really want to be nice guys. Not that that’s a bad thing, but with everyone being so darned nice, it’s hard to pick out a preseason favorite from among the crowd. Nonetheless, let’s try a :
Taxi Assessment:
Stuck in the Desert and Officially Detained - or, Philiminated with extreme prejudice.
No one yet, but just wait!
Flat Tire - or, not likely to get anywhere soon.
No one yet.
Stopping for Gas - or, not broken-down, exactly, but not a good sign.
Hoskote & Naina (Indian father/daughter) - Hoskote is an ER doctor, and used to being in charge. Naina is his daughter, and apparently is used to rebelling against her father. This seems like the kind of dynamic that never really works out well on the Race. Prediction: a few good episodes, then a crash-and-burn.
Rowan & Shane (Older comedians) - So Rowan & Shane are touring comedians. They want to be fun! Their strategy is to make people laugh, so then they…will win? There seem to be some steps missing from their strategic plan here, but what do I know? I have a bad feeling that Rowan & Shane think they’re funnier than they really are, but on the plus side they probably won’t last long enough to be truly annoying.
Nicky & Kim (Brunettes) - Nicky & Kim are both married to Major League baseball players, and don’t seem to have any other qualifications for being on the show. Not that one needs “qualifications,” per se, but I’m not seeing anything about them that makes them stand out from the other teams.
Tim & Danny (Bland friends) - They’re lifelong friends from Oklahoma, who, like Nicky & Kim, seem to have no real experience. Could be a hidden well of experience, but probably not.
“Rapido! Por Favor?” - or, making meaningless ineffectual comments from the back seat, but in no immediate danger.
Leo & Jamal (Afghani Cousins) - I read Leo & Jamal’s bio and watched their interview, and still don’t have a real feel for this team. Their families are from Afghanistan, and they seem to have a variety of experiences in areas that are not very useful on the Race, but that’s pretty much all I can glean from them.
Ally & Ashley (Blondes) - Both Ally & Ashley are LA Kings Ice Crew Girls, who I gather are something like cheerleaders for hockey, except they shovel the ice rather than lead cheers. They say they’re totally ready for anything that can happen on the Race - if that’s true, they may do well, but I wonder how totally ready they really are.
Jason & Amy (Brunette couple - dating) - Amy is yet another beauty queen on a show rife with then in past seasons; the two want to “challenge their relationship” on this race. They see themselves as adventurous and versatile, and seem to have a good attitude. A definite sleeper team.
In the Passing Lane - or, ahead of the pack, but not quite comfortably.
Chester & Ephraim (NFLers) - Chester & Ephraim are former pro football players. They’ve each been off the field for a few years, but they’re still big and in shape. They seem like nice people (as do most other teams, truth be told). Now, not everyting on the Race is tailor-made for big strong guys, but I have to think they have an advantage.
Tim & Marie (Blonde couple - exes) - Tim’s a former minor league baseball player and current agent; Marie’s a kickboxing instructor. They used to date, but apparently don’t any more, but want to learn how to work together using the Race instead of butting heads all the time. The fighting couple: a TAR cliche, but they don’t look like they’re all that serious about it. They also think they can do a much better job than all the teams they’ve watched on TV - they may or may not be right about that, but I have to respect the fact that they’re actually running the race now, and not just talking about it.
Travis & Nicole (Married Black couple) - Travis & Nicole are doctors (ER docs just like Hoskote, oddly) - an occupation that doesn’t necessarily guarantee success (as we saw with the hydrophobic twins last season), but one I would think prepares people to make quick decisions about complicated problems with minimal information.
Brandon & Adam (Bearded guys) - Brandon’s got some experience travelling with bands, and Adam works as a firefighter, farmer, and loves animals. Between the two of them, they seem to have way more life experiences than you’d think from people their age. My early pick for final three.
Cruisin’ with Earl - or, drivin’ on the shoulder, takin’ shortcuts, and generally kickin’ butt.
No one yet–this ranking needs to be earned.