» 5-1: "Clearly, I'm More Intelligent Than You" 2004.07.06 Options

[Sars]

Shut up, Brandon's hair.

[saffostarr]

My notes, written during the show and posted immediately after so sorry if anyone beat me to any of them, also in completely random order, sorry:

Oh my god, was Charla (named correctly now) not exactly quoting Chip last year with her "breaking stereotypes" speech? Deja vu over here. Personally, I would have liked not to have to sit through all that again, but hey... I really, really do not like Charla and Mirna. "I can do anything!" followed by "this is so heavy, I'll get mad cow disease." Oh, my. The "we don't need anyone's help" thing got really old, really fast. And "can we just play one hand of blackjack?" Too much to say... That said, Charla is clearly the stronger one of that team and I give her credit for dragging Mirna (and the beef) along, and for standing up to Mirna about the blackjack crap. And Mirna gets one grudging point for "I can't wait to see Phil, he's gorgeous." HELL YEAH.

It always amuses the hell out of me to see how people cope with being in a country that speaks a foreign language. Example: "You want to help me?" English in a Spanish accent from Charla; "Grazias" from Joyce (Spanitalian?); "Andale andale!" I think from one of the twins, but I missed it - still made me laugh hysterically. You guys are SO multicultural! I am also thoroughly amused by Miss Texas's perma-pageant look and her little speech about being able to do anything with her man by her side - very 9.7 on the interview portion of the competition.

I like the bowling ladies and their spunk, might be this season's clowns - Karen was AWESOME on the zip line! Also the widowed Internet couple, they are just adorable and sweet and Bob spoke so wonderfully of her. Otherwise, everyone left me cold. Alison? Supabitch! Was she like that on Big Brother? "I just want to work out a healthy relationship instead of a fighting, dysfunctional relationship." You're off to a great start, babe. Also no love for the fairly obnoxious pizza brothers or Chip and Kim who were ruder than they needed to be at the airline counter. Sorry, I had to laugh when they missed the route marker. Blah to you and your power!

I'm sorry, but I would be a tiny bit more concerned with the MASSIVE GAPING WOUND in my knee than with making my flight. Especially when I heard he tore his tendon - yiiiiiikes! And then to make him do the more physical challenge and all that stair-climbing? That's taking the "military toughness" a little far. That said, he kicked ASS through the zipline. I sort of got the sense that he would have wanted to take it a little more easily, but he didn't want to disappoint his daughter. I was THRILLED that it was not all in vain!

Much power to Erica for being so wonderful when they got the bad news. Aww. I thought I would hate them but that was a very sweet ending. Awww.

edit: holy crap first post of the new season!
edit2 for length (sorry, Sars) and wrong names

This post has been edited by saffostarr: Jul 6, 2004 @ 10:51 pm.

[snarkfan]

Phil looks good. No surprise there. Committed christians again. Beauty pageant edge. Ooookay.

Dennis is a cutie. Stupid, but a cutie. Love AR eye candy. I could not believe they did not ask the ticket agent if the other flight arrived earlier. And gone first. Figures. Even with all the other screw-ups.

We get an early shout out to a busy luffa-ing deity.


Colin is eye-candy wannabe. And "the most intense person to ever run this race" proclamtion as he Charlie Manson's the camera? Fall out of the chair funny. Donnie is eyecandy # 2. But the Alison connection is a minus and I didn't watch BB#whatever. Didn't have to I guess. The one twin's Snadra Lee Wooo! out the window ? Grabs an early dislike lead over HisIntensity and Miss Pretty Feet.

Having torn my knee open on a nail, I was cringing when they showed the dad's knee. I was so glad they made the flight. I actually like the little person. I feel a horrible sense of doom for her and her cousin. But I still like them. AR does a great job of casting doomed nice people.

I think Colin is confusing "intense' for obtuse. And the twins apparently are related. Loved Charla finding the flag. Loved. Loved. Loved. Karma makes an incredibly early showing in the race.

And being pissy about being the first on the boat? Made no sense.

First stage of the game, shrugging off help when dad is coming up limp. Too stupid for words. But just as stupid answering Colin.

I hate the yield idea. Whiney cousin loses points fast. Not sure how many she actually had in the first place. Still. And her comments about how she thought they were in a better postion due to missing the butcher shop and going to far? And wanting to take a moment for a hand of 21. WTF? Still she appreciates the fineness of Phil.

This post has been edited by snarkfan: Jul 6, 2004 @ 10:03 pm.

[SeaBreeze341]

Nice episode!

Damn, talk about bad luck, via the Military Dad. He falls, he scraps his knee, and…

The bowling moms, while technically could call themselves athletes aren’t really the toughest of the crop. I had to laugh at the thought of them being labeled as athletes.

I didn’t have any problems with Alison today, until she said that Donny had to face the fact that she was smarter than him. As true as it is (or not), I was basically all like, “Alison? Shhh!”

Sucks that Dennis and Erika were booted, considering how they made a pact with first place Alison and her bitch. Well, someone had to be last. Too bad they have to live the remainder of their lives saying that they lost to a midget and a Poor Man’s Kate Hudson or Jane Krakowski (one of my favorite teams). They hit fifth place, so their disadvantage is totally moot. Speaking of which, while I personally have nothing against anyone and his or her handicaps, I still think they needed to understand that no one has to help them, for they themselves could take a major hit thanks to that. That really goes for the other 10 teams.

Sometimes, I feel that the 90 minutes was a bad idea, only because of how Alison was totally in control of Donny. It’s like she wanted the folks at home to tell her to shut up. I guess we’ll all love her at the end (except the former and the latter).

Damn, I was wondering how the couple Chip and Kim got ahead of everyone! That sucks for them (and the twins). If only there was a fast forward (they could be all like, “I’ll pass Phil. You’ve been zapped!” Except Phil would just beat all their asses for saying that).

Speaking of things not being around, where was the Roadblock (or did I completely miss that they’re not doing that?)?

This post has been edited by SeaBreeze341: Jul 6, 2004 @ 10:02 pm.

[radiostar]

Hearing the Amazing Music left me with a stupid grin on my face.

Phil's eyebrow pop just before he started the race was glorious.

I forgot how much I hated Allison's voice. The rest of us don't know why you're together either, Donny.

I love Jim and Marsha so much that it's hard to watch. I was so terrified for them. I love Bob and Joyce almost as much. Clearly, I have a soft spot for the old folks.

I liked Kami and Karli more than I expected to. They remind me of someone...maybe Paige Davis a little?

I hate Charla and Mirna. I wanted to like them, but they're so Goddamn whiny! And all that bitching about "nobody is helping us! Nobody will help us!" It's a race! They definitely exhausted my "Shut up!"s for the hour.

Dennis and Erika went out with class.

This post has been edited by radiostar: Jul 6, 2004 @ 10:14 pm.

[Sars]

Dude, please format your posts so they're not five screens long.

[whip1]

Shut up, Brandon's hair.

God told him it was right to wear his hair like that. And his girlfriend believed him.

This post has been edited by whip1: Jul 6, 2004 @ 10:03 pm.

[JennB]

They need to invent a new word to express how much I adore this show. I love every minute of it. Especially Phil. But I guess that goes without saying.

Marsha ticked me off a little with the lying, but other than that, she and Jim are my favorite team. I want Jim to be my grandpa. I love Bob and Joyce, too; they remind me of both Dave and Margaretta and a couple I know. Linda and Karen are growing on me, though they lost a point or two for naming themselves. (We’ll just say they’re not TWoPpers and didn’t know any better.)

I can’t tell Christie and Nicole apart, and it didn’t help that they wore basically the same shirt. Grrr.

Best edit - Mirna saying how hot Phil is, then a cut to Phil and a twinkly sound effect.

God told him it was right to wear his hair like that. And his girlfriend believed him.

And then God laughed and grabbed His loofah.

This post has been edited by JennB: Jul 6, 2004 @ 10:03 pm.

[depthfunction]

Damn, that is one tough midget.

[Knick]

Is it okay to hate the twins already? Is it too early to refer to them as "Heave II: The anoying boogaloo"? 'Cause being good at manipulating people--that's the sort of thing that usually wins TAR. Oooooh the strategy and manipulation I will do!!

Ahh. The models. Pretty, yet dumb. Or is that pretty dumb? Anyway, I dub Brandon "Hansel". All he needs is a little razor scooter--ya just KNOW he "rips it and grips it".

I am liking the older folks--all of them. Anyone who shows concern (What happened to your leg?) is good for me. Also, I like the dynamics between the father/daughter. On the other hand, I HATE the physical tasks this early--a side of beef? Well, I'd probably prefer the shit of last season.

Glad to see the young, dumb ones in behind-especially with how fast Charla and Mirna found the butchers clue. I am concerned that they may get stranded in the river of self-righteousness. Points for guts, though. The usual cab scramble: I'd love to see a reference to the "Amazing Montesorri (sp?) school", but that is unlikely.

Funny to see the comparison of team fat-bro ("Hell hole") and the other team raving about what a great day it was. Ahh, editors. I've missed you, although I admired your work on the Apprentice.

Hee hee--I love the quotes:

"We're in the casino every day!"
"A zip line? To the roof!" (Points heroically)
"Do we have time to play one hand of black jack?" "NO!!"

The zips look way fun. I am so happy to see the bowling moms do well--I'll overlook their tee shirts. The curse of Heave strikes Heave II fast and mercilessly. The looks on the faces after Phil's "however". Delighted that brains are more important. I am disappointed that Heave II is still there. I wonder what happened to the two who lost? I don't recall them getting delayed.

The older married couple on the ferry soto voce: "All these young people, and we were here first" and then a kiss. I may end up not liking them, but so far so good.

Overall? lots to hate, lots to love.

This post has been edited by Knick: Jul 6, 2004 @ 10:09 pm.

[dahlia]

I love military dad guy.

Dennis is sweet, damnit!

Chip is trying to make me love him. I can resist, though. I can.

Mirna sucks. But you knew that. Charla should dump her for military dad. (That would be a great new twist for the game!)

Alison. Feh.

Say, did y’all know that Linda and Karen were football wives- I mean “moms”? Because, that came as a shock to me. They are moms. Moms, I tell you. Moms.

[Meg20]

Mmmm, Phil. How I've missed you!

So far- Hate the twins, the Godly Model team, Marsha but not her dad, and the brothers.

I still hate Alison most of all but it's pretty bad when I found myself yelling at other teams more than her.

But YAY! Even with Alison, I'm so glad it's back!

[Titus]

I kept notes during the episode. I'm such a geek

- I thought the departure times of the LA-Miami-Montevideo flights was a smart move by TPTB. Very tricksies and a nice intelligence test for the contestants
- Waaaay too many teams missed the clues, either walking right past them or not picking them up at all. Come on people, use your heads!
- I love the fast intro to the teams. Five minutes of who's who and the race is off. Excellent.
- When Brandon and Nicole said that God was on their side, I could hear all of you yell out, "GOD IS IN THE TUB!!!"
- speaking of the Big Guy, thank God Dennis and Erika are gone. Annoying, stupid with the tickets at the airport, nice at the wrong time.
- Anyone else think that the concept behind "The Hand" sculpture is creepy? The last thing you see before you die? Oookay.

Goodbye Uruguay and don't cry for Argentina. She's next! I love this show.

[DavidK93]

All right, I’m powerfully excited to be sitting down for my first ever episode of The Amazing Race. I only know two things: 1) Flo is the Enemy (I had heard tell of her, and then I saw VH1's 40 Greatest Reality TV Moments.). 2) Those who fail are Philiminated. If there’s anything else that I don’t understand, I’ll just ask, I guess.

Hi, Phil. You are not Jeff Probst. No, I guess it wasn’t very reasonable of me to expect you to be.

Committed Christians? Oh, dear. It’s nothing against Christians, really. It’s just that, they’ve proven themselves to be really annoying on America’s Next Top Model. So I think I automatically have to hate dating Christian models. Moms are cool. I love my mom. Hey, Baltimore! Go, Baltimore! Oh, the widowed couple are like my grandparents. I mean, my grandmother and step-grandfather (the only grandfather I’ve ever known on that side), who both lost their first spouses to cancer. The intense guy is scary. Wait, there’s black people in The O.C.? But, I haven’t seen them on the show. I don’t understand. I like the father and daughter. They seem sweet and normal.

Hey, are they going to run around like crazy people for the entire season? Because that would be totally awesome. By the way, if these people are traipsing all over the world through largely uncontrolled crowd situations, then how do they limit spoilery leakage?

I think the two brothers telling the shuttle to pass up the other teams was a far jerkier thing than the couple deliberately holding up the line.

I guess it’s cool that Charla uses her achondroplasia to her advantage in social situations. Go, her? Go, Baltimore! Oh, but, please stop being annoying. No, really, please stop being annoying. And stop sucking, please. Because I might have to run into you some time, hons.

It’s interesting how the various steps of each leg (Am I using even remotely consistent terminology?) tend to equalize and/or quantize the teams. And I love how they explain the different rules and types of flags and such, right there in the course of the game! I gave some thought as to if I’d to the zips or the chips, and then I remembered that I would never play this game, so it’s a moot point. Though I wonder what happens to teams who don’t hit all the clues, such as the twins. I’m sure it’s happened before, right? Ah, they have to go back. Suckers! Also, on closer examination, Phil looks sort of like a somewhat unkindly aged Brody Hutzler.

Wow, look at that military dad fly! I really hope that the team eliminated will be one of the teams that passed up the trail marker. Oh, but I am denied. Ah, well. So, um, this show rocks. Why didn’t I watch the first four seasons?

[radiostar]

It’s interesting how the various steps of each leg (Am I using even remotely consistent terminology?) tend to equalize and/or quantize the teams

DavidK93, 'round here we call that bunching. And welcome to the best show on tv!