# The Amazing Race, Oct 20 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 21, 2013, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-oct-20/671778 "2013-10-21T02:34:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2013, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-oct-20/671778/21 "2013-10-21T19:24:32Z")
> [@Poysyn](#): > > I have found almost every make of standard is slightly different. Mine is simple, down and to the right, but my father’s was push physically straight down on the gear shift first and then to the right (and up) I think, the Ilitis I learned on had a small switch under the knob you had to pull up first… A friend of mine in high school had one of those where you had to be positioned in first and then pull up to go into reverse. That was just so weird to me. If she had never shown me how to do it, I’m sure it would have taken me a while to figure out. ---
**Author:** ![Lare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/53a042/32.png) [@Lare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lare)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2013, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-oct-20/671778/22 "2013-10-21T19:44:32Z")
> [@Glazer](#): > > Okay guys on this road block your going to drive a pickup. If you want airtime you need to rave about the truck. Be sure to empathize that it’s a Ford truck. We have some prepared lines for you take one of these and say it during the challenge. Got okay let’s go. Action. Of course if you live in the United States, you can no longer buy a (new) Ford Ranger pickup, no matter how good it is. From the Ford site ([ford.com/trucks/ranger](http://ford.com/trucks/ranger)): > [@](#): > > Unfortunately, the Ranger has been phased out. Although the Ranger is no longer in production, there is still an exciting lineup of Ford vehicles for you to choose from. Too bad. I used to have one and rather liked it. I would have considered getting another the next time I wanted to shop for one. ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2013, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-oct-20/671778/23 "2013-10-21T21:29:58Z")
So, Ford, they have some connection to this show? Nice to finally see a task that brought a team close to tears. Would like to see some more difficult roadblocks. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2013, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-oct-20/671778/24 "2013-10-21T21:46:09Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > That’s a good question. John & Jessica had already given their extra to the father and son team before they were eliminated with their own in their pocket. Pinky’s been the first one arrogant enough to think that extra EP gives them some kind of real power over the other teams. The Beards were just “We don’t even WANT anything from you, go suck cod.” Nicole wasn’t about to suck up to them for it…she waited until she could screw the gimlet into Pinky’s eye to even bring up a possible deal (for which I completely and totally forgive her the bike debacle…that scene was the second best scene this season). > > The EP just isn’t game-changing enough of an advantage to make it worth a team’s dignity or annoyance to hook up with someone like Pinky in even a temporary alliance. Nicole’s “you need us more than we need you” was spot on and makes me think that, yeah, Pinky and Dinky aren’t going to escape without getting u-turned. I wonder what the rules are when someone gets u-turned but also has the EP. ---
**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:** [October 21, 2013, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-oct-20/671778/25 "2013-10-21T21:48:58Z")
> [@lorene](#): > > Nicole’s “you need us more than we need you” was spot on and makes me think that, yeah, Pinky and Dinky aren’t going to escape without getting u-turned. I wonder what the rules are when someone gets u-turned but also has the EP. I believe the EP completely abrogates the U-turn if they use it. They can ignore it and just go on to the next task/route info/Pit Stop. The [Amazing Race Wiki EP article](http://amazingrace.wikia.com/wiki/Express_Pass) seems to suggest that they can ignore the U-turn even if they use the EP to skip the Detour option prior to the U-turn. ---
**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:** [October 21, 2013, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-oct-20/671778/26 "2013-10-21T22:13:38Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > My Dementoid little heart leapt when that started playing at the end… Okay, I was all set to come in here and make a joke about drinking cappuccino in Italian restaurants (knowing this to be one of the few places in the world cool enough to get it), and then the Amazing Producers beat me to it. > [@jayjay](#): > > That’s a good question. John & Jessica had already given their extra to the father and son team before they were eliminated with their own in their pocket. Pinky’s been the first one arrogant enough to think that extra EP gives them some kind of real power over the other teams. The Beards were just “We don’t even WANT anything from you, go suck cod.” Nicole wasn’t about to suck up to them for it…she waited until she could screw the gimlet into Pinky’s eye to even bring up a possible deal (for which I completely and totally forgive her the bike debacle…that scene was the second best scene this season). As much as I’d like to see Marie out of the Race, there’s an easy way out of this. All she[sup]\*[/sup] has to do is keep the Express Pass and just follow Nicole & Travis to the longhouse. As far as I know, there’s no penalty for doing that. And it’s 3:00 in the morning; what are N&T gonna do, lose 'em in traffic? Speaking of which, I wonder if the folks in the longhouse knew what they were getting themselves into when they signed up for this. - I know Marie has a partner, but I don’t see him making any of the decisions for the team. ---
**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:** [October 21, 2013, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-oct-20/671778/27 "2013-10-21T23:10:42Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Actually a couple of years ago when me and the GF were in Spain we had a hell of a time getting the damn rental into reverse. We both drive stick all the time but it had a weird safety feature you had to pull up to get the stick into the right position. Huh. Although I _was_ being snarky, I was truly confused as to how Ally & Ashley could be _that_ unfamiliar with a stick, yet (apparently three minutes later) manouver their truck without running someone over. ---
**Author:** ![Southpaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@Southpaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southpaw)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2013, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-oct-20/671778/28 "2013-10-22T00:12:49Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > As much as I’d like to see Marie out of the Race, there’s an easy way out of this. All she[sup]\*[/sup] has to do is keep the Express Pass and just follow Nicole & Travis to the longhouse. As far as I know, there’s no penalty for doing that. And it’s 3:00 in the morning; what are N&T gonna do, lose 'em in traffic? But Pinky and Whatsisface can’t check in without their clue. Won’t Phil send them back for it? Or will he give them the option of using the EP? I think it would be hysterical if they use the pass. ---
**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:** [October 22, 2013, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-oct-20/671778/29 "2013-10-22T00:41:23Z")
> [@Southpaw](#): > > But Pinky and Whatsisface can’t check in without their clue. Won’t Phil send them back for it? Or will he give them the option of using the EP? I think it would be hysterical if they use the pass. I’ve never seen a team have to present a clue to be checked in. You have to visit all the clue stations, there are some things (gnomes, and now coins) that you have to carry with you and present later, and you want to keep a clue while you’re doing a task so you know you’ve followed it correctly. And there was a rule added a few seasons ago that when you have to drive yourself somewhere you can’t just hire a cab to lead the way. But I can’t remember anything that says Marie can’t just follow the Docs to the Mat, even without having the clue in hand. It’s a risk; when you follow a team you will probably check in behind them. If the team you’re following gets lost, you could slide down to last place. ---
**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:** [October 22, 2013, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-oct-20/671778/30 "2013-10-22T00:43:30Z")
THey have to have the bag for a future challenge, but I think they don’t “need” the PS clue, as long as they actually get there. Maybe a time penalty? Anybody who knows for sure, feel free to slap me down with a dried cod. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2013, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-oct-20/671778/31 "2013-10-22T02:02:09Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > THey have to have the bag for a future challenge, but I think they don’t “need” the PS clue, as long as they actually get there. Maybe a time penalty? > > Anybody who knows for sure, feel free to slap me down with a dried cod. Your username is funny in conjunction with this topic. According to [this Wiki](http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Amazing_Race) and what I remember from past seasons, they do need to turn in all clues at the Pit Stop. ---
**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:** [October 22, 2013, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-oct-20/671778/32 "2013-10-22T02:26:04Z")
> [@lorene](#): > > According to [this Wiki](http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Amazing_Race) and what I remember from past seasons, they do need to turn in all clues at the Pit Stop. I’m not sure I agree completely with your reading, there. I found this listed under their Rules section: > [@](#): > > Teams are expected to keep the Race fanny pack containing their cash, passports, clues, and other documents with them at all times. Teams that do not have these upon check-in at a Pit Stop are required to go back and retrieve the pack and any missing mandatory contents (e.g., passports) before being checked in. In one case, during Season 21, a team had one of their passports stolen by a cab driver during a non-elimination leg that was followed by a leg in the same country. The team was checked-in last for a non-elimination finish and allowed to race in the following leg but would be eliminated if they still lacked their passport by the time they were required to produce one for international travel. Teams may check in after losing or abandoning any non-mandatory items (e.g., items of clothing), but they must continue the race without them. Where it says “(t)eams that do not have these upon check-in at a Pit Stop are required to go back…” that may just mean they’re required to have the fanny pack. Teams typically keep the clues (among other things) in the pack, but I’m not sure it’s required. On the other hand, in the previous leg teams got their last clue by shooting an arrow into a shield. It looked like they carried the shields with them to the Pit Stop, without explicit instructions to do so, so maybe it is a rule that you must take all the clues with you. And in this leg, one of the contestants was slightly freaking out that she had dropped the clue, but she was still doing the Detour so I figured she just needed the instructions to finish the task. Maybe she knew she’d need the clue to check in. Haven’t seen you for a while, **lorene**. Up for dinner or a dopefest one of these days? (Do we even do dopefests anymore?) ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2013, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-oct-20/671778/33 "2013-10-22T03:19:46Z")
> [@Poysyn](#): > > I have found almost every make of standard is slightly different. Mine is simple, down and to the right, but my father’s was push physically straight down on the gear shift first and then to the right (and up) I think, the Ilitis I learned on had a small switch under the knob you had to pull up first… I’ve seen quite a few variations for floor shifts (very limited experience with column) which includes a) Lifting the “lock” lever under the knob b) the stick towards the floor then down to the left c) same as above, but up to the left d) LIFTING the lever, then either down or up to the right e) Lifting up and then up to the right… If none of these worked (and there was no indicator on the knob - I’d be stumped, but would start looking for some sort of lockout on the dash (or put my foot on the brake) ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2013, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-oct-20/671778/34 "2013-10-22T03:31:24Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I’ve never seen a team have to present a clue to be checked in. You have to visit all the clue stations, there are some things (gnomes, and now coins) that you have to carry with you and present later, and you want to keep a clue while you’re doing a task so you know you’ve followed it correctly. And there was a rule added a few seasons ago that when you have to drive yourself somewhere you can’t just hire a cab to lead the way. > > But I can’t remember anything that says Marie can’t just follow the Docs to the Mat, even without having the clue in hand. It’s a risk; when you follow a team you will probably check in behind them. If the team you’re following gets lost, you could slide down to last place. The Cowboys in their first season left a clue on the boat and had to swim back out and fetch it before checking in. Also, the items, like last week’s shield that they had to carry with them were the clue for that part of the race. The Gnomes always have a clue glued to them as well. But really, TPTB can always make up whatever clue they feel like so who knows. ---
**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:** [October 22, 2013, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-oct-20/671778/35 "2013-10-22T04:07:44Z")
I’ve never seen any ep where Phil at the mat asked for the Pit Stop destination clue. I’ve seen him tell them that they missed an important point in their clue, such as “you have to give ALL your money to the orphanage,” but never a “Hey. Where is your Pit Stop clue?” That I can recall, anyway. So, I’ll mark this question as still open to some interpretation. Thanks for the link, tho. What I see as worrying Pinky and No Brain about the clue is that they don’t know if there is some other challenge or detour to do BEFORE the Pit Stop. From their POV, if they were to simply follow the other couple to the Pit Stop, they might have missed something required. Of course, we know, because we are watching after all the edits. Having the actual clue in their hand would have solved that problem for them. ---
**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:** [October 22, 2013, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-oct-20/671778/36 "2013-10-22T04:11:06Z")
With the cowboys and the gnome, didn’t the clue on the gnome tell them to bring it (the gnome, not the clue) to the Pit Stop? So, that could have been specific for just that leg. Either way, Pinky and No Brain are setting themselves up for some U-Turn fun. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2013, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-oct-20/671778/37 "2013-10-22T10:02:05Z")
Maybe my brain just reall wants them to get in trouble because I swear I recall this coming up before. Also I should have highlighted the relevant info from the link I posted: > [@](#): > > Teams are generally required to collect each clue during each leg and keep that information with them until they reach the next Pit Stop, surrendering them once they have checked in. Either way, I guess we find out on Sunday!! ---
**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:** [October 22, 2013, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-oct-20/671778/38 "2013-10-22T12:51:33Z")
> [@lorene](#): > > Maybe my brain just reall wants them to get in trouble because I swear I recall this coming up before. Also I should have highlighted the **relevant info** from the link I posted: Good find! I really hope she gets bit. ---
**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:** [October 22, 2013, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-oct-20/671778/39 "2013-10-22T19:17:40Z")
[QUOTE=lorene’s link] Teams are generally required to collect each clue during each leg and keep that information with them until they reach the next Pit Stop, surrendering them once they have checked in. [/QUOTE] I thought that a few seasons ago, after they started having memory challenges as the final task, one team had notes (countries, greeters, etc.) written on clue sheets. I figured that meant they hadn’t turned in their clues on previous legs. But as you say, we’ll find out. ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2013, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-oct-20/671778/40 "2013-10-22T20:21:30Z")
> [@kiz](#): > > How does one sleep in the Land Of The Midnight Sun? Blackout curtains, maybe? When I spent a summer working in Kodiak, AK, it wasn’t light all night but it was light until after most people went to bed and light again before they got up. I don’t recall ever really seeing blackout curtains, though I’m sure people had them. But in the three guest rooms I slept in that summer none did. I just went to sleep when it was time. But I’ve never required complete darkness to sleep. As for keeping the clue, I also don’t recall it ever having come up but we only see a very small percentage of the mat coversations (and often don’t even get to hear all of the rules for any challenge). If it is a requirement it is hard to imagine that we’ve had several people lose passports but never anybody losing a clue. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-oct-20/671778.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-race-oct-20/671778.md?page=3)