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…)
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.
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.
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.
You’re not the only one. Others have suggested ideas for improvements, including me.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Glad to see another Team Who? go home.
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.
Mel can’t be too much older than Ron, Gary or even Margie, right?
[Phil NOT Bill]
I’m sorry to tell you you’ve both been eliminated from the race
[/Phil NOT Bill]
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.
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.”