# Amazing Race 4/26 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 26, 2005, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-4-26/301181 "2005-04-26T16:33:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2005, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-4-26/301181/1 "2005-04-26T16:33:02Z")
Oooh, I get to start the thread! Probably just because I’m impatient. 🙂 So, the title of tonight’s episode is “We got a gnome! We got a gnome!” I don’t know what that means, but it’s got to be amusing. The _TV Guide_ listing says that teams are heading from India to Turkey. Personally, I’m glad they’re getting out of India. India always seems to depress the racers, and while that makes for good television, it makes for crappy racing. Any bets on whether Ron throws Kelly from a moving vehicle for the POW comment? Will Rob and Amber find a Turkish Survivor fan to lead them around? Will Gretchen and Meredith just die right in the middle of an arduous task? Will Joyce get a cold from having no hair? I’m guessing tonight’s got to be an NEL, but I’m really hoping it’s not Team Weeble in last place–I couldn’t bear to see Phil take away Gretchen’s spiffy new backpack. ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2005, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-4-26/301181/2 "2005-04-26T16:35:11Z")
If it’s a non-elimination leg, I’d like to see Rob & Amber come in last if only to see how Rob cons the locals into giving him money and supplies. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2005, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-4-26/301181/3 "2005-04-26T16:39:37Z")
NEL for sure…I just gots me a feeling. ---
**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:** [April 26, 2005, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-4-26/301181/4 "2005-04-26T16:46:57Z")
If past performance is any indication, just watch Meredith and Gretchen. If they come in last place, it’s a non-elimination leg or a TBC. If they come in second-to-last, it’s an elimination leg. If they come in third-to-last, look for archangel Michael to descend from on high, trumpets blowing, and shepard us all home. ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2005, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-4-26/301181/5 "2005-04-26T16:49:04Z")
Turkey? Isn’t that going the wrong way? I mean I know they go back and forth a bit but they usually go east. Have they ever gon so far back west before? That’s really gonna take a toll on the racers. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2005, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-4-26/301181/6 "2005-04-26T16:51:33Z")
Ooooh, I’d forgotten about Kelly’s comment. This’ll be good. Gretchen and Meredith are Team Little-Engine-That-Could. I can just _hear_ the whining now, though, if they come in last in another NEL and Gretchen has to say bye-bye to her new backpack. ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2005, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-4-26/301181/7 "2005-04-26T16:52:22Z")
> [@Edward The Head](#): > > Turkey? Isn’t that going the wrong way? I mean I know they go back and forth a bit but they usually go east. Have they ever gon so far back west before? That’s really gonna take a toll on the racers. I don’t recall ever seeing anybody go west, but they haven’t even touched Europe this season yet, have they? ---
**Author:** ![Judith\_Prietht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@Judith\_Prietht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Judith_Prietht)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2005, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-4-26/301181/8 "2005-04-26T16:59:53Z")
I’d think the gnome thing has to be a Travelocity shout-out. I want to see some reactions to Joyce’s head from the other racers. ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2005, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-4-26/301181/9 "2005-04-26T17:55:42Z")
[ > [@](#): > > LOS ANGELES ([Zap2it.com](http://Zap2it.com)) Not content with their $1 million-plus combined “Survivor” prize winnings and their numerous trips won during the course of “The Amazing Race,” reality lovebirds Amber Brkich and Rob Mariano have registered for various items essential to marital bliss at Target and Bed, Bath & Beyond. ]([http://tv.zap2it.com/tveditorial/tve\_main/1,1002,271|94915|1|,00.html](http://tv.zap2it.com/tveditorial/tve_main/1,1002,271%7C94915%7C1%7C,00.html)) Wanna bet they hope to get tons of gifts sent to them by perfect strangers? And are we sure there are three more episodes to this season? When is the finale set to air? ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2005, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-4-26/301181/10 "2005-04-26T17:57:02Z")
> [@Draelin](#): > > I don’t recall ever seeing anybody go west, but they haven’t even touched Europe this season yet, have they? I only started watching regularly last season, but in checking the official sites (with the exception of season 1, where the map doesn’t seem to work), while there have been some minor westward legs, season 5 had a fairly big backtrack of 4 hours, from New Zealand (GMT +12 hours) to the Philippines (GMT +8 hours). That’s the longest one I could find, though. I also don’t know the timeframe these shows are usually filmed, but it’s possible that that leg was an even further backtrack of 5 hours, if it was run prior to the first week in October, as [New Zealand](http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/time-zone/pacific/new-zealand/) would’ve been on Daylight Time, making it GMT +13 hours ([The Phillipines](http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/time-zone/asia/philippines/) doesn’t change from Standard Time). [Turkey](http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/time-zone/europe/european-union/turkey/) would have been GMT +3 hours, if filming ended prior to last October 30th, if not, then they were GMT +2 hours. And [India](http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/time-zone/asia/india/time.htm) is always GMT +5.5 hours (no Summer/Daylight Time), so a backtrack of either 2½ or 3½ hours. And no, they haven’t touched Europe yet this season. The route so far has been: [ul][li] Los Angeles[/li][li]Cuzco, Peru [/li][li]Santiago, Chile [/li][li]Mendoza, Argentina[/li][li]Buenos Aires, Argentina [/li][li]Soweto, South Africa [/li][li]Botswana, Africa [/li][li]Lucknow, India [/li][li]Jodhpur, India [/ul][/li]I don’t really advocate violence, so this is really just hyperbole, but a part of me wants to see Ron punch Kelly in the mouth. I really hate that woman. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2005, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-4-26/301181/11 "2005-04-26T18:30:39Z")
> [@Draelin](#): > > Will Rob and Amber find a Turkish Survivor fan to lead them around? If they do, that shreiking you hear from the East Coast will be me. I hate him. ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2005, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-4-26/301181/12 "2005-04-26T18:47:14Z")
> [@BiblioCat](#): > > If they do, that shreiking you hear from the East Coast will be me. I hate him. Don’t worry, there’ll be plenty of East-Coast-shrieking in my apartment, too. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glory)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2005, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-4-26/301181/13 "2005-04-26T19:07:30Z")
I think it’s kind of cute that Rob and Amber are registered at Target/BBB like normal people - are they not supposed to register for gifts from family/friends just because they got some publicity? They just got married, they should get presents! It’s not like they’re registered for 12 piece place settings of fine china and crystal from some swanky department store - their registry choice makes them look pretty well-grounded. If any stranger is nutty enough to buy them gifts - more power to them! ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2005, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-4-26/301181/14 "2005-04-26T20:56:02Z")
> [@Glory](#): > > I think it’s kind of cute that Rob and Amber are registered at Target/BBB like normal people - are they not supposed to register for gifts from family/friends just because they got some publicity? They just got married, they should get presents! > > It’s not like they’re registered for 12 piece place settings of fine china and crystal from some swanky department store - their registry choice makes them look pretty well-grounded. If any stranger is nutty enough to buy them gifts - more power to them! Ah, but they are registered for some rather pricey items at [Kaufmann’s Wedding Registry (through TheKnot.com)](http://www.kaufmanns.com/gifts/OnlineShopping/KF?ACTN=1300®No=200367126), like a $100 serving platter or a $65 sugar bowl, and at [William Sonoma](http://ww1.williams-sonoma.com/reg/registrylist.cfm), where they still need their 10-piece All-Clad set for $1,000.00 and some $500 Wüsthof knives. NOT that there’s anything wrong with that. It looks like they’re also registered at [Crate & Barrel](http://www.crateandbarrel.com/gr/grGiveGiftList.asp?grId=7908733&firstName=amb&lastName=Brkich&eventDate=4/1/2005), and they’d like gift certificates for [Pottery Barn](http://ww1.potterybarn.com/reg/registrylist.cfm). They are not registered at Tiffany & Co., Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, JC Penney, Sears or Robinsons May, however. ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2005, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-4-26/301181/15 "2005-04-26T23:28:34Z")
I have no problem with them registering for pricey items. They are affluent people and want nice things in their home. I just bet that they over-registered and planted the story in the press so over-enthused fans would ship them gifts. Nice bit of strategy, really… ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2005, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-4-26/301181/16 "2005-04-27T00:21:13Z")
Regarding Kelly’s evil anti-POW comment, I expect nothing exciting to happen. Ron will either laugh or shrug it off. (This is in accordance with the “Anything Shown In The Previews Will Have No Actual Bearing On The Game” rule.) Tonight will almost certainly be an NEL, in fact next week will probably be NEL as well. ---
**Author:** ![Amazingrace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8edcca/32.png) [@Amazingrace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amazingrace)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2005, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-4-26/301181/17 "2005-04-27T01:11:18Z")
I love, Love, LOVE how Rob’s comment totally backfired! And Joyce looks gorgeous with a shaved head. ---
**Author:** ![SiouxChief](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d6d6ee/32.png) [@SiouxChief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiouxChief)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2005, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-4-26/301181/18 "2005-04-27T01:30:44Z")
> [@Amazingrace](#): > > I love, Love, LOVE how Rob’s comment totally backfired! And Joyce looks gorgeous with a shaved head. You’re right…Rob shot himself in the foot. I can’t believe the airlines didn’t hook them up with the better flight. I’m a huge fan of R&A. It’s going to be a dark day… ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2005, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-4-26/301181/19 "2005-04-27T01:31:56Z")
> [@Amazingrace](#): > > I love, Love, LOVE how Rob’s comment totally backfired! No kidding. That was freaking hilarious. Is it just me, or is Joyce going to have to do almost all of the remaining roadblocks? ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2005, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-4-26/301181/20 "2005-04-27T01:32:54Z")
It is established. Gretchen could not find her own butt with both hands tied behind her back. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-4-26/301181.md?page=2)