# The Amazing Race 2/27 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 27, 2011, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-2-27/572853 "2011-02-27T23:02:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-2-27/572853/61 "2011-03-01T13:58:07Z")
> [@RachelChristine](#): > > Aww, I loved Treasure Hunters! It was through watching it that I found TAR, which seems so ridiculous to me now. Can’t believe I’d not watched it before. That show was a lot of fun. I found the product placement on that show to be even more annoying than on TAR. At least on TAR, my kids love the Travelocity Gnome ads (although my 6-year-old thought the gnome had pickles on his eyes instead of cucumbers on one of the “spa” ads…) ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-2-27/572853/62 "2011-03-01T15:49:02Z")
I would like to see them try some mechanism for spreading the teams out to both Detour options. The stenciling one was stupid this time but a lot of time when all the teams go the same way I really wish we’d had the chance to see someone try the other one. ---
**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:** [March 1, 2011, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-2-27/572853/63 "2011-03-01T16:41:19Z")
I wonder if the fact that there are more than the usual number of alliances indicates that successful teams (which all of these were in their first Race, to some extent) do that early on. I don’t remember really noticing if an early team-up leads to a better final position. ---
**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:** [March 1, 2011, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-2-27/572853/64 "2011-03-01T17:00:36Z")
It also may come from the fact that a lot of these teams have raced together before. In fact, if TAR has the same kind of lecture-circuit type of culture as Survivor does, probably ALL of these teams know each other fairly well. Even without that, there are FIVE teams on this season who were on the same season (14) together (Luke & Margie, Jaime & Cara, Amanda & Kris, Mel & Mike, Jen & LaKeisha). Ron & Christina and Kent & Vyxsin were on the same season. Zev & Justin and the Globetrotters were on the same season. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Controvert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-2-27/572853/65 "2011-03-01T17:31:02Z")
> [@obfusciatrist](#): > > I would like to see them try some mechanism for spreading the teams out to both Detour options. You’re not the only one. Others have suggested ideas for improvements, [including me](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=13488969&postcount=43). > [@jayjay](#): > > Even without that, there are FIVE teams on this season who were on the same season (14) together (Luke & Margie, Jaime & Cara, Amanda & Kris, Mel & Mike, Jen & LaKeisha). And yet Amanda and Kris went home. ---
**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:** [March 1, 2011, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-2-27/572853/66 "2011-03-01T17:50:18Z")
> [@The\_Controvert](#): > > And yet Amanda and Kris went home. I don’t think there would have been anything an alliance could do for them under the circumstances, other than idiotically wait around while they did the other Detour option. Familiarity is no guarantee of alliance, but it could very well be a factor. ---
**Author:** ![McDeath\_the\_Mad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a3d4f5/32.png) [@McDeath\_the\_Mad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/McDeath_the_Mad)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-2-27/572853/67 "2011-03-01T18:45:48Z")
I actually just had a great idea last night after talking to my wife. TAR should totaly team-up with Google next season. Then give each team a gps tracking device. Then after every epsiode premiers, show each team’s path on Google Maps! You can see how far each team traveled, how far behind or ahead they were compared to other teams. How long a detour or road block takes. How bad they are lost! You could then do a street view and see what they see etc. I think this would add a whole new dimension to TAR. MtM ---
**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:** [March 1, 2011, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-2-27/572853/68 "2011-03-01T19:15:57Z")
> [@McDeath\_the\_Mad](#): > > I actually just had a great idea last night after talking to my wife. TAR should totaly team-up with Google next season. > > Then give each team a gps tracking device. > > Then after every epsiode premiers, show each team’s path on Google Maps! You can see how far each team traveled, how far behind or ahead they were compared to other teams. > > How long a detour or road block takes. How bad they are lost! > > You could then do a street view and see what they see etc. I think this would add a whole new dimension to TAR. > > MtM Except that TAR isn’t live, so you can’t track them on Google Maps from home. ---
**Author:** ![McDeath\_the\_Mad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a3d4f5/32.png) [@McDeath\_the\_Mad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/McDeath_the_Mad)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-2-27/572853/69 "2011-03-01T19:28:15Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Except that TAR isn’t live, so you can’t track them on Google Maps from home. Perhaps you didn’t read this part: “Then after every epsiode premiers…” Obviously the producers wouldn’t make the Google Maps details available until **AFTER** the episode airs. It would just be a neat representation of the episode, the day after. MtM ---
**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:** [March 1, 2011, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-2-27/572853/70 "2011-03-01T19:52:14Z")
> [@McDeath\_the\_Mad](#): > > Perhaps you didn’t read this part: > > “Then after every epsiode premiers…” > > Obviously the producers wouldn’t make the Google Maps details available until **AFTER** the episode airs. > > It would just be a neat representation of the episode, the day after. > > MtM Okay, I see what you’re saying now. Sorry about that! ---
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-2-27/572853/71 "2011-03-01T21:42:03Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > 1. This is the Amazing Race, not Dr. Freud’s Therapy Clinic. This is NOT the time to see if you want to marry him, it’s not the time to “work out issues with your dad”, it’s not the time to say “Our relationship is really rocky right now, so we’re going to go do the most stressful thing of our lives.” You’re in the race to win, not to self-actualize yourself and your partner. Excellent rule, **Fenris**. I hadn’t thought of that one. And you’re right, it’s important. Revised Rule 1 with sub-rules 1: This is a fucking RACE! 1a: This is NOT a fucking therapy session. 1b: Never rely on alliances for longer than mutually necessary. When it comes down to you or your ally getting eliminated, make sure it’s your ally. You can be friends afterward. 1c: Run your own race. Obsessing about what the other teams think of you will kill you. And trying to “get” another team never, ever works. 1d: The disruptions (last I saw was a U-turn) are part of the race. Use them , and don’t waste any fucking time on regrets. ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-2-27/572853/72 "2011-03-01T21:46:31Z")
Glad to see another Team Who? go home. ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-2-27/572853/73 "2011-03-01T21:53:46Z")
Leg two and Mel is already in trouble physically? ---
**Author:** ![kiz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7feea3/32.png) [@kiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiz)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-2-27/572853/74 "2011-03-01T22:50:40Z")
> [@Laggard](#): > > Leg two and Mel is already in trouble physically? Og love him for even attempting this a second time, but I’ll be surprised if he makes it even a third of the way through. ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-2-27/572853/75 "2011-03-01T22:57:07Z")
> [@Laggard](#): > > Leg two and Mel is already in trouble physically? Mel can’t be too much older than Ron, Gary or even Margie, right? ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-2-27/572853/76 "2011-03-01T22:59:10Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Judging from Google Maps, from Memorial Oval (which Google Maps points out when I asked for “Central Football Club”) to the corner of Bismuth and Mercury is about six blocks. > > ETA: I need to get faster… > [@zut](#): > > They’re about a mile apart by car, and probably less on foot. > > ETA: Cripes. Lots of people with too much time on their hands today. [Phil NOT Bill] I’m sorry to tell you you’ve both been eliminated from the race [/Phil NOT Bill] ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-2-27/572853/77 "2011-03-01T23:01:58Z")
> [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](#): > > Mel can’t be too much older than Ron, Gary or even Margie, right? Mel is 70. Mike (40) is closer to Margie(53) and Gary’s (53) age. Ron (61) is the next oldest and he’s not much healthier, just meaner. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2011, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-2-27/572853/78 "2011-03-02T14:52:37Z")
I hope Gary & Mallory team up with Ron & Christine some more. Mostly because I’m betting Ron will say something incredibly nasty to Mallory, and Gary will throw him through a door or at least tell him “You can be as rude as you want to your own daughter, but you start talking that way to mine and you’ll find yourself in a world of trouble.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-2-27/572853.md?page=3)