# The Amazing Race 12-7 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 7, 2004, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-12-7/278609 "2004-12-07T19:47:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**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:** [December 8, 2004, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-12-7/278609/41 "2004-12-08T15:21:40Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > It goes to Gus for cheating\*, not getting called on it, forcing the older couple into last place and subjecting us to those man-boobs on national television. I just assumed that he dumped the salt back onto the pile once he realized that that was a no-no. Surely Hera wouldn’t let him get away with that, nor would Phil. I’d have a hard time believing TAR would show an unpenalized case of cheating. > [@annieclaus](#): > > Maybe I just haven’t been paying close enough attention, but I haven’t bonded with this team yet. I admire their skills. They haven’t finished any leg lower than second, right? But I don’t feel I know anything about them. They just don’t stand out for me. . . until they jump onto the Pit Stop mat. I think Kris an Jon have been getting the shaft, screentime-wise, because they’re not yelling at each other all the time. Hopefully as the field narrows we’ll get to see more of them. [gripe]I personally prefer to watch the teams that have fun and get along and enjoy the race. I get tired of bickering pretty fast, which is why I wasn’t all that thrilled with the first episode. The editors seem to have toned down the emphasis on intra-team conflict, and hopefully it’ll stay that way, because I can use less yelling and more racing.[/gripe] > [@jayjay](#): > > Knowing the background on [Rebecca] (that she was turned down for the last Race because her then-boyfriend and she had dull chemistry), that she got back together with Adam for this Race seems suspicious in both timing and attitude. Oh. Really? I didn’t know that. That… gives their relationship a different perspective. ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-12-7/278609/42 "2004-12-08T15:21:48Z")
I thought Gus dumped out the salt from the boat. ---
**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:** [December 8, 2004, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-12-7/278609/43 "2004-12-08T15:26:21Z")
> [@zut](#): > > Oh. Really? I didn’t know that. That… gives their relationship a different perspective. I believe it was mentioned in either the second or third episode thread here. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-12-7/278609/44 "2004-12-08T15:33:00Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > My point is that I don’t know if HE knows that they are a _former_ couple. He’s certainly not acting like it. And neither is she when she’s trying to keep him going. Do former couples kiss like these two do at Pit Stops? Do former couples cuddle up like these two do? Knowing the background on her (that she was turned down for the last Race because her then-boyfriend and she had dull chemistry), that she got back together with Adam for this Race seems suspicious in both timing and attitude. Very interesting (and suspicious). He’s still a twit, though, right? ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-12-7/278609/45 "2004-12-08T15:37:23Z")
He’s definitely a total twit (his _mother_ used to cut his toenails!!! :eek: ) – but I’m reminded of Wil and Tara, where Wil came across as a total asshat – until you started noticing how Tara would set up situations where she knew he’d react. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-12-7/278609/46 "2004-12-08T15:59:43Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > Old guy will do some combination of cry, barf or whine next episode (she’s cool, he’s a jackass. He went to Stanford…it’s to be expected. \* Jon & Kris, who got practically no air time previously, were featured and are now my favorites. Playing well, enjoying the trip, good to look at. Does every American who goes to Africa try to rip off a cabdriver? I’m so embarassed. \*My inter-collegiate rivalry biases are showing. Go Bears! ---
**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:** [December 8, 2004, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-12-7/278609/47 "2004-12-08T16:11:17Z")
One other thing about Assathan, what the hell was he talking about getting another flight to Paris and somehow psyching out the other teams? Mental magician my ass. ---
**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:** [December 8, 2004, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-12-7/278609/48 "2004-12-08T16:16:18Z")
> [@Gangster Octopus](#): > > One other thing about Assathan, what the hell was he talking about getting another flight to Paris and somehow psyching out the other teams? Mental magician my ass. I thought he was thinking that all the other teams on the Air France flight would see that he and Victoria weren’t on the plane, freak out that they might be taking the wrong flight, only to land in Paris and see that they were all on the same connecting flight to Dakar. Yeah, I don’t really understand it either, as it seems like kind of a stretch to even consider that a psych-out. ---
**Author:** ![Hooleehootoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/eada6e/32.png) [@Hooleehootoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hooleehootoo)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-12-7/278609/49 "2004-12-08T16:27:01Z")
> [@watsonwil](#): > > - Gus needs a Mansierre! For him, maybe a “Bro” ---
**Author:** ![rockle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@rockle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rockle)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-12-7/278609/50 "2004-12-08T16:31:17Z")
> [@watsonwil](#): > > Man, I REALLY thought Rebecca was unsupportive of Adam at the Roadblock. She was calling him a wuss. Telling him he was girly. Shaming him about other females finishing before him. That is GREAT locker room motivation for a jock, but for a guy who still lives with Mommy and has her clip his toenails, it is just harsh! Actually, according to a number of lawsuits that have recently been filed against middle and high school coaches in my area, this is not even acceptable locker room motivation. Not saying I agree with it, I’m just sayin’. > [@watsonwil](#): > > I like Bolo. He seems like a nice guy. Contrary to his protestations, he HAS to be on the juice. I still like him. He’s one of those guys who sounds dumber than he really is. He absolutely LOVES Lori. And his crack on Adam was funny, “She’s stronger than he is!” If I may defend Bolo, it is possible that he once was a steroid user, but that he no longer is. It’s also possible that he is just one of those guys who is “big.” Not probable, mind you, but it is possible. Former users tend to get a bit defensive when accused (like former smokers). Oh, and **Gangster Octopus**? Agreed: mental magician my ass. When we first herd Jonathan say that, my husband’s and my first thought was, “That must mean he does magic in his own mind …” ---
**Author:** ![Hooleehootoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/eada6e/32.png) [@Hooleehootoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hooleehootoo)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-12-7/278609/51 "2004-12-08T16:36:55Z")
I thought it likely we would see an argument over wages between Jonathan and his hired helper that would dwarf the taxi cab disputes. Perhaps sleeping on the couches of the Sheraton instead of getting a room has allowed them to purchase international consulting services. ---
**Author:** ![Jaade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/dfb087/32.png) [@Jaade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaade)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-12-7/278609/52 "2004-12-08T16:44:46Z")
> [@Nutty Bunny](#): > > Yes you did. I was painting at the time and listening more than watching it so when he said that, I stopped immediately, paintbrush still poised in the air, with my mouth open in disbelief. Then I laughed hysterically! > > Oh, and Jonathan a good father? What kind of home did she come from? I suppose since she’s dating Jonathan, her dad may have been abusive, too. I feel very sad for her. Not dating, she’s married to that jackass. The thought of him having children is more than utterly repulsive and scary. This is the first I’ve heard of Rebecca’s failure to get on the show previously. I missed that particular episode. I am so happy that Don and MJ are still in the race, I know that some people find him a bit whiny, and maybe he is, but as someone stated he LOVES her and that is AWESOME. I love the way that he applaudes everything she does, never puts her down and always cheers her on, never putting her down. I do not really like Gus and Hera. Hera is fine, but her dad is kind of a putz, IMO, and I find it difficult to believe he’s actually in the CIA. And for the love of all that is holy, do not ever take off your shirt on national television again! EVER. ~shudders~ ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-12-7/278609/53 "2004-12-08T16:51:05Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > I’ve got money on Kendra and whatshisface. I was appalled at her. Has she been this bad in previous episodes? She’s been bad enough that I’ve hated her since the first episode. She was purely awful in this one. She annoyed me more than Jonathan did (this episode). MJ rocks. They’re obviously not long for the show, but she’s great. And Jon & Kris seem like they _should_ win. I’m also wondering what is with Gus & Hera’s horrible navigation skills. Didn’t they get lost in Sweden? And in Iceland? Does anyone know, how long is the race? If you make it to the final round, is that a month of your life or two weeks? What kind of time frame did they take off from the real world? ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-12-7/278609/54 "2004-12-08T17:48:46Z")
I did a little google and found some info on why Lac Rose was in fact, [pink:](http://www.au-senegal.com/decouvrir_en/geo_retba.htm) > [@](#): > > The Retba lake, better known as the pink lake (lac rose), its fame is due to the tone that changes from pink to mauve depending on the sunbeams intensity, also due to the famous French rally Paris-Dakar where the last leg of the rally is ran. > (snip) > The color is due to the presence of a micro-organisms and a strong concentration of mineral. I’m glad this was a non-elim round. I like MJ and Don. ---
**Author:** ![Hooleehootoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/eada6e/32.png) [@Hooleehootoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hooleehootoo)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-12-7/278609/55 "2004-12-08T17:50:21Z")
While AR is in the neighborhood, I wish they could swing by [Timbuktu](http://www.historychannel.com/classroom/unesco/timbuktu.html), because it is the archetypical exotic place or go to Ouagadougou because I would like to hear Bolo try to prounouce it. At least they would have no taxi-fare arguments in Burkina Faso (research meaning of B.F. to get this joke). ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-12-7/278609/56 "2004-12-08T18:03:13Z")
> [@Hooleehootoo](#): > > (research meaning of B.F. to get this joke). I can’t believe you just assigned us _homework_. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-12-7/278609/57 "2004-12-08T18:09:30Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > I did a little google and found some info on why Lac Rose was in fact, [pink:](http://www.au-senegal.com/decouvrir_en/geo_retba.htm) It’s because there’s blood in the water! Eeeew! What if this isn’t hygenic? Africa smells funny! ---
**Author:** ![Batsinma\_Belfry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@Batsinma\_Belfry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batsinma_Belfry)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-12-7/278609/58 "2004-12-08T18:49:15Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > The Ugliest American Award of the Week goes to… Gus! No, it isn’t Kendra (there is nothing wrong with complaining about a filthy cab when it is in fact filthy). She complained about alot more than the cab. She’s the type of person, that’s going to feel “unsafe” and “disgusted”, anytime she goes someplace where the living conditions don’t meet her standards. Of all the locations in third world countries, they’ve had on the show, that one was pretty mild. Like I said before, I can’t wait until she goes to India. ---
**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:** [December 8, 2004, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-12-7/278609/59 "2004-12-08T18:51:27Z")
> [@hillbilly queen](#): > > She complained about alot more than the cab. She’s the type of person, that’s going to feel “unsafe” and “disgusted”, anytime she goes someplace where the living conditions don’t meet her standards. Of all the locations in third world countries, they’ve had on the show, that one was pretty mild. Like I said before, I can’t wait until she goes to India. Hehehe! _chants_ groped on the train, groped on the train, groped on the train Does everyone remember last Race, when Nicole got swallowed up by the Crowd of Indian Train Riders and Brandon “helped” her by asking God to keep her safe? Way to go, Mr. Man! ---
**Author:** ![Fiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e274bd/32.png) [@Fiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiver)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-12-7/278609/60 "2004-12-08T19:07:31Z")
> [@rockle](#): > > If I may defend Bolo, it is possible that he once was a steroid user, but that he no longer is. It’s also possible that he is just one of those guys who is “big.” Not probable, mind you, but it is possible. “Not probable?” In other words, you’re saying that it is more probable that his large muscles result from current or former steroid use than from determined bodybuilding over many years. What do you base this probability on? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-12-7/278609.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-12-7/278609.md?page=4)