# THe Amazing Race Finale **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 19, 2014, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-finale/688725 "2014-05-19T12:08:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**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:** [May 19, 2014, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-finale/688725/21 "2014-05-19T20:48:46Z")
> [@Quimby](#): > > Is this the only season to not end with a memory challenge (aka Recap challenge that quizzes you about all the legs)? In recent memory, yes. I don’t know if it’s ALWAY been that way, but I know it has for a long time (since at least TAR8 (family edition)). Looking at the TAR wiki, it looks like season 7 (which Uchenna & Joyce won) did not have a final memory task. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2014, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-finale/688725/22 "2014-05-19T20:52:59Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > Am I the only one who watched? I’m disappointed with the results. > > StG I’m ok with the results, I’m disappointed with the episode. It was all taxi-drama. Some taxi-issues are ok, but I like season finales to have tasks. Tasks that they actually have to do and that it’s possible for teams to screw up or do especially well. There’s no way to be exceptional screwing in lightbulbs, counting, and falling. It’s a million dollars, they should have to work for it. ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2014, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-finale/688725/23 "2014-05-19T21:18:00Z")
My wife is convinced the country singers only survived to the final three cause the show rigged it so it would be so. It was a bit too convenient how they were saved by two non-elimination rounds. They were not a strong team and should never had made the final three. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2014, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-finale/688725/24 "2014-05-19T21:44:11Z")
> [@Laggard](#): > > My wife is convinced the country singers only survived to the final three cause the show rigged it so it would be so. It was a bit too convenient how they were saved by two non-elimination rounds. They were not a strong team and should never had made the final three. The first time Mark and Bopper were on the race, they came in last on two NELs. So, it has happened before. They never made it to the Final Three though. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2014, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-finale/688725/25 "2014-05-19T21:51:23Z")
Yeah, not a great leg in terms of tasks, but I was satisfied to see Rachel not win. I just really disliked her “we’re aren’t playing dirty, but it’s the final leg so what do they expect” bit. Then “I should have shoveled more dirt in their hole” and trying to steal another team’s cab (which might have been more Brendon, actually). There’s a rule against sabotaging other teams, right? Someone got busted for it many Races ago for hiding a bicycle pump that other teams needed. I would think shoveling dirt into another team’s hole would draw the same penalty. > [@Skammer](#): > > True; but there were a _lot_ of teams that annoyed me this season so I don’t know if I could have come up with a final three I would have been happy with. Probably the Cowboys and Afghanimals; but I don’t know who else. The Globetrotters. > [@](#): > > Oh and I was NOT happy with the way Brenchel played this leg - first shoveling dirt into Dave & Connor’s pit; then later blatantly trying to steal another team’s cab. I also noticed that when Rachel screws up (the boot task last week) she gets all the blame, but when Brendon screws up (finding the hotel clue this week), suddenly “we’re a team.” I didn’t see Brendon doing that at all. When Rachel screwed up with the boots, he was all “let’s not dwell on it, let’s just hurry and get it right”, which is pretty much how he reacted to missing the Clue Box at the hotel, too. One question, Rachel already won an episode of _Big Brother_ ($500,000 according to Wikipedia); just how much money does she need before she has a baby? ---
**Author:** ![tavalla](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tavalla/32/89_2.png) [@tavalla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tavalla)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2014, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-finale/688725/26 "2014-05-19T22:48:08Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > There’s a rule against sabotaging other teams, right? Someone got busted for it many Races ago for hiding a bicycle pump that other teams needed. I would think shoveling dirt into another team’s hole would draw the same penalty. Three holes being dug close together–some dirt’s gonna fly. Unless they’re deliberately shovelling it into another team’s hole (which, from the looks of it, they weren’t–they were just flinging it out of their hole), then so be it. Overall, the most disappointing final ep I can remember for a long time. Very linear, little chance for an order change-up, just blah overall. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2014, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-finale/688725/27 "2014-05-19T22:57:29Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > One question, Rachel already won an episode of _Big Brother_ ($500,000 according to Wikipedia); just how much money does she need before she has a baby? Gotta pay off the Dr to not force an abortion on her. (As in, who wants another Brenchell in the world?) I was very disappointed that this ep was only about finding the clues and getting the right taxi driver (you talkin to me?). ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2014, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-finale/688725/28 "2014-05-19T23:11:23Z")
> [@Dag\_Otto](#): > > I like to think that was Copperfield’s best trick ever. Sure, it was also lame. It can be both. Nah, the David Copperfield thing was just lame. First, they had to bust open the box with the keys, which is not the TAR way of doing things. Then the non-Roadblocking player on each team got blindfolded, like there was something they weren’t supposed to see, but then one of the blondes took off her blindfold and had to run back to get the keys. Then they handed the key ring into the player in the box; why not just have them carry it with them when they climbed in? Then they were supposed to pick the lock to let themselves out, but we didn’t see any of them actually do that. It was an elaborate illusion, staged three times, for an audience of one. As a Roadblock, a task that’s supposed to present a challenge that can be overcome by skill or strength, it sucked. > [@Shoeless](#): > > The first time Mark and Bopper were on the race, they came in last on two NELs. So, it has happened before. They never made it to the Final Three though. Was Bopper back for the finish? I forgot to look for him. Mallory is still all kinda cute, though. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2014, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-finale/688725/29 "2014-05-19T23:43:07Z")
They could have had a combination lock on the box of keys. and the Combination is a significant number from the race. Perhaps the numbers of steps they counted and then had to convert to Roman Numerals. Got to hand it to Rachel by climbing in the back and trying to get a tool to open the box. ---
**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:** [May 20, 2014, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-finale/688725/30 "2014-05-20T00:19:47Z")
They definitely needed to have a task for them to do upon landing after the skydiving. Give all three teams an opportunity to arrive to a cheering audience, and make it an actual race to the finish. ---
**Author:** ![magnusblitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@magnusblitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magnusblitz)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2014, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-finale/688725/31 "2014-05-20T04:46:09Z")
Ugh, what a terrible finale. Both the Copperfield thing (seriously, WTF was that? Points to the blonde for having a “this is the dumbest thing ever” look plastered on her face the whole time) and the skydive were just killing time tasks. Fitting the light bulbs wasn’t much better. Really disappointed there was no memory task, everything just came down to taxi luck. Also, good karma to the blondes’ taxi driver for not giving in. I wonder if it’s possible to just take an instant dislike to Brenchel? If them winning meant she was going to “have a baby” (how about “start a family” you self-centered jerk) then thank god they lost. Smart of her to grab a tool from the back to open the box, but uh, what are you going to do with a whole jack? ---
**Author:** ![magnusblitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@magnusblitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magnusblitz)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2014, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-finale/688725/32 "2014-05-20T04:57:19Z")
And man, I thought the whole season was a bit repetitive (remember when I ruptured my Achilles?) but this episode really took the cake with that. Achilles. Baby. Sixty year old man. Achilles. Baby. Sixty. Achilles. Baby. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2014, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-finale/688725/33 "2014-05-20T05:19:02Z")
> [@magnusblitz](#): > > Smart of her to grab a tool from the back to open the box, but uh, what are you going to do with a whole jack? I noticed that too, but I think she was just handing the jack to Brendon while she was fishing around for something else. Spare tires, and their accompanying tools, are usually packed in a pretty tight space. There may have even been tools under the spare wheel, all of which would have been difficult to get to when you’re sitting on top of it. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2014, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-finale/688725/34 "2014-05-20T10:39:20Z")
Awful finale, redeemed only by the chance to see Rachel lose and melt down some more. What an awful person and a moron to boot. Something’s amiss cognitively there - she can hardly run without faceplanting. On the boot task, she said the proper words from the clue (size 9 or 11) and then literally moments later had changed it to 10. It is so common for people who are going to a final leg in their home town to blow it! ---
**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:** [May 20, 2014, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-finale/688725/35 "2014-05-20T11:16:57Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I didn’t see Brendon doing that at all. When Rachel screwed up with the boots, he was all “let’s not dwell on it, let’s just hurry and get it right”, which is pretty much how he reacted to missing the Clue Box at the hotel, too. Well, he was more all, “let’s not dwell on the fact that you screwed up, let’s just hurry and get it right so that your mistake doesn’t cost us the race.” I like the hurry-and-get-it-right part; the make-sure-Rachel-gets-the-blame part, not so much. > [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > One question, Rachel already won an episode of _Big Brother_ ($500,000 according to Wikipedia); just how much money does she need before she has a baby? Yes, this kind of inordinately annoys me. I suppose it’s possible that the prizes are awarded as a 20-year annuity or something, in which case $25K per year is nice but nowhere near filthy-rich territory. Or maybe Rachel is a keen financial planner, and has a long-term investment strategy which prohibits current use of her money. Either way, though, if having a child is that important to her, then she should. If they decide they need to save money beforehand to make things easier, then I applaud them for their fiscal responsibility, but shut up about it, because it’s your choice, and you’re starting out on a lot more stable footing than most couples do. ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2014, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-finale/688725/36 "2014-05-20T16:07:57Z")
I can only hope that humanity uses the several years of warning appropriately to prepare for Rachel’s offspring. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2014, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-finale/688725/37 "2014-05-20T16:49:35Z")
> [@zut](#): > > Yes, this kind of inordinately annoys me. I suppose it’s possible that the prizes are awarded as a 20-year annuity or something, in which case $25K per year is nice but nowhere near filthy-rich territory. I’m pretty sure it’s almost always something like a a 20-year annuity. And that’s pre-taxed too! So yeah, so very likely a not-huge amount on a year to year basis ---
**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:** [May 20, 2014, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-finale/688725/38 "2014-05-20T16:54:36Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > I’m pretty sure it’s almost always something like a a 20-year annuity. And that’s pre-taxed too! So yeah, so very likely a not-huge amount on a year to year basis It can’t be both. They can’t charge you taxes on money you haven’t received yet. And given that the first Survivor winner Richard Hatch went to federal prison for 4 years for failing to pay taxes on his winnings, I’d say he got the full 1 million up front. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Doom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Dr\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Doom)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2014, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-finale/688725/39 "2014-05-20T17:04:10Z")
“All-Stars Edition: The Not Really Amazing At All Race” ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2014, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-finale/688725/40 "2014-05-20T17:09:22Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > It can’t be both. They can’t charge you taxes on money you haven’t received yet. And given that the first Survivor winner Richard Hatch went to federal prison for 4 years for failing to pay taxes on his winnings, I’d say he got the full 1 million up front. Who said anything about paying taxes before receiving it? At any rate, here’s a good article on the topic > [@](#): > > In 2007, eagle-eyed fans at the TV news site [RealityBlurred.com](http://RealityBlurred.com) freeze-framed the payout terms of NBC’s America’s Got Talent and discovered the prize, repeated on television as a million-dollar award, actually came with plenty of strings attached. One of which was that the contestant could choose to receive the prize in the form of a financial annuity paid out over forty years, or they could choose to receive the present cash value of that annuity. > > An annuity is designed to pay over time and isn’t worth as much if you cash out early. Reality Blurred’s accountant calculated that if a winner took the prize annually, it would pay about $25,000 for 40 years, but if he wanted his winnings in a lump sum, it would only yield $450,426, or about $375,000 after taxes. That’s about one-third of the promised million bucks. In fact, it’s close to what you’d get if you won a $500,000 prize as a one-time payment. > **[Stock Portfolio Management & Tracker - Yahoo Finance](https://finance.yahoo.com/portfolios)** > > Track your personal stock portfolios and watch lists, and automatically determine your day gain and total gain at Yahoo Finance [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-finale/688725.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-finale/688725.md?page=3)