It’s pretty hard to make much of this first episode: only a few tasks, and only a few chances for things to go awry. Still, it’s time for the second installment of the:
Taxi Assessment:
Stuck in the Desert and Officially Detained - or, Philiminated with extreme prejudice.
Rob & Sheila (Alaskan lumberjack and fiance) (down from “Stopping”) - Although I thought Rob & Sheila were a weak team, I didn’t necessarily think they’d be first out of the Race. Then again, there were no obvious cannon fodder teams, and Rob & Sheila were weak enough to not quite make the cut.
Flat Tire - or, not likely to get anywhere soon.
Stopping for Gas - or, not broken-down, exactly, but not a good sign.
Caitlin & Brittany (Blonde friends) (holding steady) - We didn’t see much from this team, and they did notch up a solid third-place finish. However, I’m still skeptical about their long-term chances, so for right now I’m leaving them here.
Jaymes & James (Chippendale guys) (down from “Passing”) - I don’t know if their inability to find the woman with the abacus was a temporary brainfart or an indication of severe lack of cognitive abilities, but it took so long for them to actually find the woman that they dropped from competing with the other teams on the first flight all the way to being 15 seconds from elimination. Most of the other teams found their contact by asking the locals, a strategy that seems to have escaped Jaymes & James. So they wound up running around for something like an hour or two. I don’t think that bodes well for their long-term chances.
Rob & Kelley (Bearded monster trucker and cowgirl) (down from “Passing”) - Ahhhh… I’m pleased with the utility of my wheeled carryon bag in the airport, but in the streets, particularly with heavy foot traffic, you just can’t maneuver like you can with a backpack. Is this team planning on wheeling their belongings all over? That, plus getting lost outside the stadium, plus forgetting to actually read the clue, makes this team look like their headed for an early exit.
“Rapido! Por Favor?” - or, making meaningless ineffectual comments from the back seat, but in no immediate danger.
Natalie & Nadiya (Sri Lankan sisters) (holding steady) - First impression: screechy. I’m not sure how it helps to “encourage” your teammate by yelling at her, but maybe it’s a special twin thing that’s much more meaningful coming from someone you shared a womb with.
Gary & Will (Balding and short) (holding steady) - This team seemed to be lagging at the beginning, which carried over into missing the first flight and staying in the back of the pack for the rest of the leg. However, being big fans of the show should help, as we saw a few seasons ago when Dan & Jordan actually won the race after staying relatively low-key the entire season. Plus this team had U of M shirts on, which wins points from me.
Amy & Daniel (Amputee and boyfriend) (holding steady) - A second place, but poor decision-making in telling Abbie & Ryan where to find the abacus woman, and Amy’s running speed could be a potential Achilles’ heel for this team.
Trey & Lexi (Dating students) (holding steady) - Another team that hasn’t made much of an impression on me so far. I continue to hope that they’ll be a sweet couple, but we’ll find out.
Abbie & Ryan (Dating divorcee couple) (up from “Flat Tire”) - Abbie & Ryan garner a first place finish, but I think it’s a little too soon to say that they’re an upper echelon team. They could be, and certainly didn’t make some of the obvious mistakes that hurt other teams. Still, I wonder about their reaction to the stresses of the Race.
In the Passing Lane - or, ahead of the pack, but not quite comfortably.
James & Abba (Long-haired rockers) (holding steady) - Although Mark is listed their official CBS bio as “Mark,” the producers have, confusingly, opted to call him “Abba” in the on-screen captioning. I guess it wasn’t annoying enough that James shares a name with James and Jaymes, we hade to have an Abba and an Abbie. I’m disappointed in this team’s placement in the standings, but I tend to think their troubles are a onetime thing, unlike the similar, but more severe, performance from James & Jaymes.
Josh & Brent (Gay farmers) (holding steady) - Josh and Brent finished in the bottom half of the teams, but really only because they missed the first flight. Not an auspicious beginning, to be sure, but not a huge failing on their part. They did finish ahead of the other three teams on their flight (as well as poor, lost James & Jaymes), so I’m maintaining their ranking here for now.
Cruisin’ with Earl - or, drivin’ on the shoulder, takin’ shortcuts, and generally kickin’ butt.
No one yet.