# The Amazing Race:  9/7/04

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-9-7-04/263487>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [September 7, 2004, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-9-7-04/263487 "2004-09-07T14:27:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Just\_Some\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ad7895/32.png) [@Just\_Some\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Some_Guy)\
**Post date:** [September 8, 2004, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-9-7-04/263487/41 "2004-09-08T18:26:35Z")

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I think we now have two teams ready to use that yield the second they see it. The Moms are prepared to yield someone and they would have this week. Chip and Kim are going to try to yield someone the next chance they get. Remember that everyone knows next week is elimination because the last two legs have to be non-elim and then final.

I do think KGS has the right idea of the problem with the Yield and why it hasn’t seen more play. You have to be very certain of your place in the pack to use the Yield and this week and last week there was a lot of confusion about who was ahead and who was behind.

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**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\
**Post date:** [September 8, 2004, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-9-7-04/263487/42 "2004-09-08T20:09:41Z")

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> [@Draelin](#):
>
> I’m seriously concerned that Brandon found the clue immediately after praying. This is an existential dilemma I never expected to encounter while watching reality television. If God _was_ listening, if there _is_ a God, does that mean he wants Brandon and Nicole to win? This almost kept me awake last night. Almost.

Or it could’ve just been Creative Editing, which wouldn’t surprise me in the least. There might’ve been hours between praying & finding.

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**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\
**Post date:** [September 8, 2004, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-9-7-04/263487/43 "2004-09-08T21:45:45Z")

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> [@rockle](#):
>
> I noticed that too. And in fact, I think Nicole sounded her own Team Death Knell Of Doom when she said, “Yeah, but I want a million dollars.” Oooh, bad move there, sweetiecakes. God doesn’t like the greedy. And, seriously, shouldn’t you have thought of that last time, when, you know, _you refused to shave your head?_ You can’t have it both ways. Either you want to win, or you don’t. And if you do, then start racing like it, mkay? Sheesh.

Quibble: she didn’t actually refuse–she was leaning towards “No”, but _Brandon_ wussed out…on her behalf again. I sense a trend.

Any player is granted one free “Sorry, it’s just too damned scary, I _can’t_ do it.” from me. Branon is rapidly approaching the Mirnya level of wussiness, and it’s even worse in his case, since Brandon keeps blaming his wussiness on Nichole.

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**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\
**Post date:** [September 8, 2004, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-9-7-04/263487/44 "2004-09-08T21:54:46Z")

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> [@rockle](#):
>
> I noticed that too. And in fact, I think Nicole sounded her own Team Death Knell Of Doom when she said, “Yeah, but I want a million dollars.” Oooh, bad move there, sweetiecakes. God doesn’t like the greedy. And, seriously, shouldn’t you have thought of that last time, when, you know, _you refused to shave your head?_ You can’t have it both ways. Either you want to win, or you don’t. And if you do, then start racing like it, mkay? Sheesh.

Quibble: she didn’t actually refuse–she was leaning towards “No”, but _Brandon_ wussed out…on her behalf again. I sense a trend.

Any player is granted one free “Sorry, it’s just too damned scary, I _can’t_ do it.” from me. Branon is rapidly approaching the Mirnya level of wussiness, and it’s even worse in his case, since Brandon keeps blaming his wussiness on Nichole.

> [@jeevmom](#):
>
> or who thought that it was a shame that Donny and Allison were eliminated.

I refuse to accept that such people exist. Had she survived, she would have outdone the Guidos, Colin and **FLO** —put together!

And someone is gonna be _real_ unhappy next week if it turns out to be a non-elim round and uses the yield! 😃

And if it comes down to C&C vs B&N? I firmly submit that all good-hearted people must root for C&C. Yeah, Colin’s head exploding would be fun to watch, but the alternative is for everyone else in America’s head to explode when Brandon smarms “Well, thanks, but Gawd _wanted_ me to win. He cheated for me. This is really Gawd’s money.”

Someone really needs to staple a note saying "It’s “_THY_ will be done” not “Hey, Gawd! Cheat for me? K’?” on Brandon’s forehead. I’m not even Christian and I know that you’re supposed to ask God to help you understand his will, not treat God like a cosmic slot machine.

Fenris

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**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:** [September 8, 2004, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-9-7-04/263487/45 "2004-09-08T22:12:04Z")

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I am not feeling the love for any of the remaining teams, C&C for their **EXTREME** ness, B&N for their devoutliness, C&K because they aren’t trying hard enough, and the Moms because they SHRIEK!

I am sadly rooting for C&C, because I just think they are the best racers and the most deserving. But if they get knocked out, so be it, all’s fair in love and Race.

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**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\
**Post date:** [September 9, 2004, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-9-7-04/263487/46 "2004-09-09T01:19:06Z")

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Something I keep thinking about in each non-elim round when I see them asking for money: Wouldn’t it be funny to see the racers go up to American tourists, asking for money, wearing their black fanny packs with the distinctive red and yellow stripes, tailed by cameramen, explaining that they’re in a race, and lost all their money… only to have the tourists exclaim, “Hey, are you on ‘The Amazing Race’? We’re big fans! Here, take ALL our money!”  
😃

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**Author:** ![singular1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@singular1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singular1)\
**Post date:** [September 9, 2004, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-9-7-04/263487/47 "2004-09-09T12:01:46Z")

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> [@wolfman](#):
>
> And oh yeah. The episode just convinced me more that Kiwi-land must be awesome. Anybody there wanna adopt me?

Oh, it is insanely beautiful! Mr. singular and I got all teary when they showed the shots of Rotorua - that’s where we got married 17 years ago, and we want to go back sooooooo bad!  
The one thing they didn’t mention is that those mud pits smell _awful!_ The town reeks of sulpher from those thermal mud pits. Being up to your elbows in near-boiling hot mud that smells like rotten eggs cannot be pleasant!

Does anyone know when they filmed this? We were in New Zealand at the end of September (spring down there), and it looked a lot greener than it looked last night. Doesn’t matter, though - we’re keeping this tape forever!

Oh, and yay for the Twinkies being gone. 😉

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**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:** [September 9, 2004, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-9-7-04/263487/48 "2004-09-09T12:27:45Z")

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This was filmed in mid-February, I’m pretty sure. ([Link to TWOP timeline thread](http://forums.televisionwithoutpity.com/index.php?showtopic=2766846&st=675); no spoilers, I don’t think)

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**Author:** ![DeVena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)\
**Post date:** [September 9, 2004, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-9-7-04/263487/49 "2004-09-09T13:15:01Z")

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Just a note: the next running of the Race will be on Saturday nights this fall. Which is fine with me because I don’t have a life. 😃

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**Author:** ![rockle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@rockle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rockle)\
**Post date:** [September 9, 2004, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-9-7-04/263487/50 "2004-09-09T13:34:28Z")

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> [@Fenris](#):
>
> Quibble: she didn’t actually refuse–she was leaning towards “No”, but _Brandon_ wussed out…on her behalf again. I sense a trend.

You’re right, but still – if she really _wants_ the million dollars, why not do something to, you know, _earn_ it? It’s not like it would be _hard_ to stand up to Brandon or anything. Just say, “Hey, I want a million dollars, and this is what we need to do to win a million dollars, _so I’m doing it._” Period. I will repeat something I have said before: With half a million dollars, you can buy a _lot_ of nice wigs. Nicer than Dolly Parton’s, even. I’m just sayin’.

Much as I hate C&C, I will concede that they are both racing like they want to win. Probably because they want to get away from each other, but _still._ Then again, I will continue to hate them and hope they fall out of their plane and get eaten by sharks.

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**Author:** ![annieclaus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5a626/32.png) [@annieclaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/annieclaus)\
**Post date:** [September 9, 2004, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-9-7-04/263487/51 "2004-09-09T14:38:28Z")

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> [@DeVena](#):
>
> Just a note: the next running of the Race will be on Saturday nights this fall. Which is fine with me because I don’t have a life. 😃

Me either. Maybe we should watch it together! (I make a mighty fine Pico de Gallo dip!)

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**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\
**Post date:** [September 9, 2004, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-9-7-04/263487/52 "2004-09-09T16:55:50Z")

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> [@DeVena](#):
>
> Just a note: the next running of the Race will be on Saturday nights this fall. Which is fine with me because I don’t have a life. 😃

Yes, I saw that one the fall schedule.  
What is this “life” thing of which you speak? Is it that thing that I plan my TV viewing around? 😃

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**Author:** ![scotandrsn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@scotandrsn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotandrsn)\
**Post date:** [September 9, 2004, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-9-7-04/263487/53 "2004-09-09T17:18:38Z")

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Hey, I finally figured out why Nicole and Christie are identical!

Christie’s online bio says she was Miss Teen Texas in 1996, and Nicole was Miss Texas last year. Those beauty contestants all look the same. Phew, I thought it was just me.

From the [leaderboard](http://www.cbs.com/primetime/amazing_race5/route/leaderb.shtml):

**Colon/Christie** : I think, based on the preview, that C&C Abusic Factory will make the last of their admittedly infrequent mistakes next week. There he is, pushing a plow through the mud, surely a task that requires patience over muscle, and tells Christie he hates her. He crosses the invisible-to-all-but-him line that enables him to pretend to himself that all his anger is justifiable, which means he is in a position to feel he has nothing left to lose. They’re gone. They’ll go on their four or five cruises, and that will be that.

**Linda/Karen** : With a second place finish, I could actually see these two winning, especially if C&C are in fact out. They can compete easily against Team Blue Lagoon and Team Cosby show.

**Brandon/Nicole** : I am ashamed for my fellow Dopers who are falling for Whitefro’s helpless little boy routine. If not for Colon and Mirna, Brandon would be the most pathetic, ruthless, backbiting little prick in the race! I’ve already concluded that Nicole is pretending at piety for his sake, and now I wonder if he himself didn’t turn to religion because he realized he couldn’t pray to his Mommy. I hope they stay in the race next week, because I want to see his face, still reeking of sulfur mud, when he loses in the final. And I hope God makes him come in a very close second place.

**Chip/Kim** : Chip’s a great, lovealbe guy who’s biggest flaw is that he reeeeeally gets off on what a great, loveable guy everyone thinks he is, and can’t resist any opportunity to reinforce this notion in the minds of others. They come in third.

**Kami/Karli** : Like most Twinkies, they had a longer shelf life that you might have thought, but…buh-bye. Don’t get lost on the way out, and, don’t worry, the smell comes out after a few days.

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**Author:** ![rockle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@rockle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rockle)\
**Post date:** [September 9, 2004, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-9-7-04/263487/54 "2004-09-09T18:23:50Z")

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> [@annieclaus](#):
>
> Me either. Maybe we should watch it together! (I make a mighty fine Pico de Gallo dip!)

Pico de Gallo goes great with margaritas and Xanax! And I make these kick-ass killer quesadillas!

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**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\
**Post date:** [September 9, 2004, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-9-7-04/263487/55 "2004-09-09T22:40:41Z")

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> [@scotandrsn](#):
>
> **Colon/Christie** : I think, based on the preview, that C&C Abusic Factory will make the last of their admittedly infrequent mistakes next week. There he is, pushing a plow through the mud, surely a task that requires patience over muscle, and tells Christie he hates her. He crosses the invisible-to-all-but-him line that enables him to pretend to himself that all his anger is justifiable, which means he is in a position to feel he has nothing left to lose. They’re gone. They’ll go on their four or five cruises, and that will be that.\*\*

Don’t be too sure–it could be standard bullshit Amazing Race editing–what if he’s talking to the plow “You damed thing–move already! I hate you!” and then a cut to make it look like Christie was the person he was talking to.

Fenris

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**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2004, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-9-7-04/263487/56 "2004-09-10T06:19:57Z")

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I have to say that losing all their money was the best thing that ever happened to the Bowling Moms. Desperately running around Egypt and staying in the race forced them to wake up and _compete_, and they’re doing very well. It’s strange that they’re rarely with the pack, kinda verging off on their own trail, but it’s worked for them, because even if they don’t know where anyone else is, no one knows where they are either.

Chip may also have had a revelation-- we’ll have to see next week, which I think will be the last non-elimination round (because forcing a team to beg in the final leg would just be cruel and useless-- about as bad as last year’s final when a team never made it out of Australia).

But unless there’s a catastrophe, Colin & Christie have this Race in the bag. They’re very competent, and other teams (okay, Chip) keep on providing advice, support, and just being nice to them. Stop letting them go in front when you’re at the airport/travel agent, dammit! Fer chrissakes, Chip and Kim started this episode _2 minutes_ behind C&C! Colin could easily waste that time yelling at his girlfriend.

And **Annieclaus** , the word is _voila_, pron. _vwah-la_. It’s French. 😉

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**Author:** ![detop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@detop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/detop)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2004, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-9-7-04/263487/57 "2004-09-10T06:25:56Z")

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> [@Barbarian](#):
>
> And **Annieclaus** , the word is _voila_, pron. _vwah-la_. It’s French. 😉

Just to nitpick on the nitpick, the word is _voilà_ 😃

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**Author:** ![EhhMon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@EhhMon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EhhMon)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2004, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-9-7-04/263487/58 "2004-09-10T07:43:36Z")

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> [@scotandrsn](#):
>
> Hey, I finally figured out why Nicole and Christie are identical!
> 
> Christie’s online bio says she was Miss Teen Texas in 1996, and Nicole was Miss Texas last year. Those beauty contestants all look the same. Phew, I thought it was just me.

Actually both Nicole and Christie are former Miss Texas TEEN USA. Christie was Miss Texas TEEN USA in 1996 and won the Miss TEEN USA title that year. Nicole was Miss Texas TEEN USA in 2000 and came very close to winning her year too.

They both competed against each other for Miss Texas USA title in 2003. A title which Nicole won. Nicole went on to compete at the Miss USA 2003 pageant where she was 2nd runnerup.

Christie and Nicole know each other very well. In fact the year both ladies competed for the Texas title in 2003, Christie was among the odds favorite to win the title. Nicole was nowhere near anyone’s list to win, because she was too young, and in some circles…hadn’t done her time, especially among candidates who were to be in the running for the title. Also among the running was Amanda Jefferies (Texas TEEN USA 1995 and finalist in the last Bachelor). Nicole’s win of the Miss Texas USA 2003 title was a total shock and upset in pageant circles. She was not expected to win.

So there is some resentment towards her from Christie. In fact, there was a huge resentment when Nicole won the title, so much so, that when Nicole competed at Miss USA, she was the most hated contested that year. But I think for Nicole it was solely because of what happened at the Texas pageant. She was not hated when she competed for the Miss Teen USA title in 2000. Nicole wasn’t even considered a “darkhorse”. In Texas they take their pageants seriously, just like they take rodeo and nascar seriously. So you can only imagine the stress the was put on Nicole to do well at USA and why she had an attitude.

Christie however was a dfifferent story…she’s a real pageant girl. All the stories you hear about contestants with really bad attitudes…Christie was the epitome of a true pageant queen. She was without a doubt the most hated contestant ever when she competed for the 1996 title.

Now imagine, coming to compete for the Texas title and being the odds favorite to win, only to loose out to Nicole…you’d be hella pissed and resentful. Especially when you get picked to be on Amazing Race and find out that the girl who dashed your dreams is one of the teams your playing against…I’d be hatin’ big time.

And I’m sure Christie has her pageant game face ON. Not only does she want to win the Amazing Race, she also wants to beat both Brandan and Nicole. The Miss Texas 2003 title was Christie’s last chance to go for the title before she aged out.

Another tidbit. Erika Shay, who was on the first team to get eliminated, also competed in the Miss TEEN USA pageant in 1995, as Miss Pennsylvania.

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**Author:** ![roger\_thornhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@roger\_thornhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roger_thornhill)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2004, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-9-7-04/263487/59 "2004-09-10T08:30:46Z")

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It’s good to see the older couples holding their own, although I can’t actually remember Kim doing anything. Besides being nice and supportive. Ditto with Nicole. I missed a lot of middle episodes, but it seems that the only remaining team where both people do stuff is the Bowling Moms.

Colin’s insecurity is what drives him and makes him so strong. I too think the ‘blowout’ in the next episode will be another tease. Can’t see them losing now.

Since my preditions are always wrong, here goes:

1st - Psychos  
2nd - Blue Lagoon  
3rd - Colbies  
4th - Moms

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Savonarola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Savonarola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savonarola)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2004, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-9-7-04/263487/60 "2004-09-10T10:22:13Z")

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It finally came to me last night where I remember Colin from. But for his lack of Bowler, silver-tipped walking stick and over-stuffed codpiece, Colin would be the spitting image of Alex from “A Clockwork Orange.” We can only hope that Christie, like Alex’s droogies, gives him a similar comeuppance, with a billyclub and and a steel, filled horse trough. 😃

My notion of the best “Ultimate Betrayal” would be for Team Blue Lagoon to beat the disfunctional duo to the Yeild by only a few minutes. With Brandon genuflecting, asking God to give him guideance on whether or not to stop his competition, Colin would come up and kick him in the face. While warbling “Singing in the Rain,” Colin would beat Brandon not only senseless, but unemployable. Then he’d force the Lagooners to stop for an hour. It ain’t gonna happen, but we all have to have dreams.

Like everyone else, I despise Colin. But I’ve been watching this show since it started and he is the best player I’ve ever seen. People have been commenting on the fact that Chip has been carrying Kim, but the biggest non-entity in the game has been Christie. Has she ever done anything beyond being Colin’s bitch?

I think that C & C have to be the prohibitive favorites. But I know that within a couple of years, I am going to read the headline: “Reality Show Champ Beats Wife to Death With Enormous Thrusting Penis Sculpture!” It won’t be the Times, but mark my words. You read it here first.

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