# Amazing Race 23: Season thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 29, 2013, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-23-season-thread/669938 "2013-09-29T18:24:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2013, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-23-season-thread/669938/21 "2013-09-30T17:53:23Z")
> [@Moonlitherial](#): > > Maybe I was just grumpy when I was watching this episode but the stunt casting really ruined this episode for me. The Afganimals shout, the whining about daddy choosing her husband and the bickering couple who dated 5 years ago just drowned out the actual race for me. Same. When I was watching the teams introduce themselves, I kept thinking “these people are all awful. I don’t like any of them.” I’m not impressed by the casting department. ---
**Author:** ![Palo\_Verde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2013, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-23-season-thread/669938/22 "2013-09-30T17:56:40Z")
I think they did better in casting this year. In some past years in was ‘bland blond boyfriend/girlfriend’ and ‘bland brunet boyfriend/girlfriend’ and another ‘bland blond boyfriend/girlfriend’ This year there was something unique about all of them. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2013, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-23-season-thread/669938/23 "2013-09-30T19:16:41Z")
Before watching the show, I thought I would be rooting for the Afghani guys, the married doctors and the bearded guys. I got really tired of the Afghani guys fast, but I still like the other two. The bearded guys are from Chico, which is not far from me. I have a lot of friends up there, so they are kind of “hometown favorites” at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2013, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-23-season-thread/669938/24 "2013-09-30T19:17:34Z")
> [@Palo\_Verde](#): > > I think they did better in casting this year. In some past years in was ‘bland blond boyfriend/girlfriend’ and ‘bland brunet boyfriend/girlfriend’ and another ‘bland blond boyfriend/girlfriend’ > > This year there was something unique about all of them. Yes. Last few seasons there seemed to be too many generic teams who all kind looked and acted the same and none really stood out. Just a lot of Team Who? that consisted mostly of attractive young fit white couples. ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2013, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-23-season-thread/669938/25 "2013-09-30T19:38:23Z")
I don’t really care about the players since I’m not looking to make new friends. It’s more about what they do and watching people figure it out. That said, the Afghanimals will annoy if the editors insist on only showing them making stupid noises. And casting a team of “exes who don’t get along” will get annoying if they really do just argue all of the time. I liked the mind game of making the one doing the first road block not the person who got to passively paraglide but instead the one who had to go find them. Though there wasn’t really any excitement here as while it succeeded in getting the one who least wanted to do it into the paraglider, but none of them really freaked out so no issue. And it doesn’t seem like the “find them” task was all that difficult. Several teams didn’t seem to pay any attention and told their taxi drivers to just go wherever the paragliders land (a couple seemed to get there before their partner landed). The rowing task was meh, but I liked that it had a couple read everything elements to highlight that for the players, even if it was generally boring to watch. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2013, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-23-season-thread/669938/26 "2013-09-30T21:54:28Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > I’m getting vibes off of the Nathan Lane/Cam-from-Modern-Family guy on the comedians team. His general demeanor kind of reminds me of a less-fem version of the Lane character from The Birdcage, and the references he kept throwing out this ep just pointed the arrow more emphatically. You mean the two guys who dress in drag for their theater production? They pinged your gaydar, huh? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2013, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-23-season-thread/669938/27 "2013-09-30T22:06:25Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > You mean the two guys who dress in drag for their theater production? They pinged your gaydar, huh? Yes, but I’m talking about OUTSIDE Of that. Drag isn’t NECESSARILY a gay thing, especially when done in service of a comedy act. Barry Humphries is straight, as is Eddie Izzard. Milton Berle, in his day, too. Along with 4/5 of Monty Python, who jumped into a housedress at the drop of a cartoon foot. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2013, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-23-season-thread/669938/28 "2013-09-30T22:19:51Z")
I was more emphasizing the theater part. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2013, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-23-season-thread/669938/29 "2013-10-01T00:11:58Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > I was more emphasizing the theater part. And it’s a show about old ladies at Bingo… :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2013, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-23-season-thread/669938/30 "2013-10-01T19:56:44Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > And it’s a show about old ladies at Bingo… :dubious: My mistake then. Doing theater productions in drag of old ladies at Bingo is so totally a hetero guy thing. Keep hunting for clues! They _might_ be gay, but too early to tell. In a related note, I have my suspicions that the married ER doctors are heterosexual. I’ll be watching intently for subtle clues… ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2013, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-23-season-thread/669938/31 "2013-10-01T20:44:30Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > My mistake then. Doing theater productions in drag of old ladies at Bingo is so totally a hetero guy thing. > > Keep hunting for clues! They _might_ be gay, but too early to tell. In a related note, I have my suspicions that the married ER doctors are heterosexual. I’ll be watching intently for subtle clues… :rolleyes: I gave you an entire post full of STRAIGHT comedians who perform in drag. It’s an established comedy trope. I could name more. There is no necessary correlation of drag performed in service of comedy outside of the venue of gay clubs and actual homosexuality. For all we know, they could both be married with kids (which wouldn’t prove anything one way or another, but still…). My impression was that their Bingo Queen show is one that plays a lot of church basements, which edges the odds a little away from them actually being all-out gay drag queens. And yes, they COULD be gay and the whole Bingo “QUEEN” thing could be a great big tell. I’m not saying that’s not possible. I’m saying that the information we’ve gotten so far doesn’t definitively point to that. ---
**Author:** ![Dingbang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac8455/32.png) [@Dingbang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dingbang)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-23-season-thread/669938/32 "2013-10-02T19:45:29Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > :rolleyes: > > I gave you an entire post full of STRAIGHT comedians who perform in drag. It’s an established comedy trope. I could name more. There is no necessary correlation of drag performed in service of comedy outside of the venue of gay clubs and actual homosexuality. For all we know, they could both be married with kids (which wouldn’t prove anything one way or another, but still…). My impression was that their Bingo Queen show is one that plays a lot of church basements, which edges the odds a little away from them actually being all-out gay drag queens. > > And yes, they COULD be gay and the whole Bingo “QUEEN” thing could be a great big tell. I’m not saying that’s not possible. I’m saying that the information we’ve gotten so far doesn’t definitively point to that. But are they psychopaths? ---
**Author:** ![Saltire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saltire/32/553_2.png) [@Saltire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saltire)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-23-season-thread/669938/33 "2013-10-02T22:48:46Z")
I have a suspicion the producers are a bit disappointed in Tim and Marie. They were clearly booked to be the psycho bickering couple, and they seemed to know it. They attempted to fight a bit when they got the chance. But I don’t think they’re fighting much, or it would have been shown. The producers must have been going over all the tapes looking for juicy dischord, but not found much to edit into the broadcast. Then again, maybe they’re just saving up for a huge screaming match next episode. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-23-season-thread/669938/34 "2013-10-03T03:11:23Z")
> [@Saltire](#): > > I have a suspicion the producers are a bit disappointed in Tim and Marie. They were clearly booked to be the psycho bickering couple, and they seemed to know it. They attempted to fight a bit when they got the chance. But I don’t think they’re fighting much, or it would have been shown. The producers must have been going over all the tapes looking for juicy dischord, but not found much to edit into the broadcast. > > Then again, maybe they’re just saving up for a huge screaming match next episode. Glad I’m not the only one who felt their bickering was somewhat forced. It seemed to be a lot of him saying she nags and her pretending to upset he said that. ---
**Author:** ![zut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zut/32/2875_2.png) [@zut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zut)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-23-season-thread/669938/35 "2013-10-03T11:23:54Z")
I suspect teams know the producers are looking for Drama! so couples over-emphasize their bickering and personality clashes during the application process so they’ll have a better chance of being chosen. There have been teams in each of the past four seasons or so whose bios promise conflict but never really had that much conflict on-screen. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-23-season-thread/669938/36 "2013-10-03T13:19:57Z")
I’m already tired of the Afghanimals. Just shut it already. Cam (of the theatre guys) pings my gaydar, but it doesn’t really have anything to do with their profession. During the team introductions, I thought _Hm… it looks like all the women have big tits._ My wife: “All the women have big tits.” Me: “Huh? Oh, yeah, I guess they do.” And what’s up with rowing the boats backward? It looked like the real boaters (not the contestants) were rowing forward while standing, pushing the oars rather than pulling them. I can’t imagine that would be more effective than regular rowing. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Doom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Dr\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Doom)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-23-season-thread/669938/37 "2013-10-03T15:08:49Z")
> [@corkboard](#): > > During the team introductions, I thought _Hm… it looks like all the women have big tits._ > My wife: “All the women have big tits.” > Me: “Huh? Oh, yeah, I guess they do.” Dude! _highfive_ ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-23-season-thread/669938/38 "2013-10-03T16:56:03Z")
> [@Dr\_Doom](#): > > Dude! > > _highfive_ Yeah, “we” noticed that, too! The previews for for this Sunday look fan-tits-tick. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-23-season-thread/669938/39 "2013-10-03T17:01:24Z")
I would like to see a goth couple on the show. Make the girl bigger and stronger than the guy, too. And maybe some cowboy brothers. And lesbian doctors. Maybe a pro basketball duo… And Rupert! Man, Rupert (+ anyone else) would rock TAR. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2013, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-23-season-thread/669938/40 "2013-10-03T17:03:54Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > And lesbian doctors. Hey, you don’t know they were lesbians! Seriously, I think they were just friends. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-23-season-thread/669938.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-23-season-thread/669938.md?page=3)