Amazing Race, Family Edition. *Official DiscussionThread*

[bengalbelle]

My biggest problem with this season seems to be that I just don't feel much emotion for ANY of the teams. In the past, my family members have really loved or hated teams like Rob & Amber, Chip & Kim, Jonathan & Victoria, Danny & Oswald, Flo & Zach. It was fun to root for and/or root against them. This season, all the teams are simply annoying me and the show's focus on domestic travel has become boring to watch. Maybe it's just me...

It's not just you . AR is typically a show I never want to miss. I even got GSN so I could re-watch all of the re-runs. I could care less about this edition.

 

[disneyeveryyear]

I was confused by them having drivers to Dulles. Since the vehicles were already there, why couldn't they have driven themselves, thus leaving more room for mistakes or problems getting flights?

It was an 8 hour bus trip, and we saw the 2nd bus stop at the WH - did the first bus stop also?

I also thought it was odd that the 1st bus left at 3:00 p.m. for an 8 hour ride - thus arriving at approximately 1:00 a.m. Why would the space camp be open at 1:00 a.m.? Especially the centrifuge machine. Normally wouldn't teams have to wait until opening, thus creating an even bigger equalizer?

Not sure what they are up to this season, but definitely not as exciting as in the past. Luckily I have still been able to watch the old seasons nightly, however tonight is the finale of AR7, and I am not sure what I will do next.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

I was confused by them having drivers to Dulles. Since the vehicles were already there, why couldn't they have driven themselves, thus leaving more room for mistakes or problems getting flights?

It was an 8 hour bus trip, and we saw the 2nd bus stop at the WH - did the first bus stop also?

I also thought it was odd that the 1st bus left at 3:00 p.m. for an 8 hour ride - thus arriving at approximately 1:00 a.m. Why would the space camp be open at 1:00 a.m.? Especially the centrifuge machine. Normally wouldn't teams have to wait until opening, thus creating an even bigger equalizer?

Not sure what they are up to this season, but definitely not as exciting as in the past. Luckily I have still been able to watch the old seasons nightly, however tonight is the finale of AR7, and I am not sure what I will do next.

Being in the US, I think it is easier for the Producer's to "make" things happen. It wouldn't surprise me at all if the Space Camp was open at 1am. They just pay some workers over-time, and BINGO...we have a space flight at 1am.

I don't think we are going to have any non-elimination rounds this time. I think it will be a shorter season than past versions.

 

[Planogirl]

I have no problem with them staying in the US at all because I enjoy seeing American places that I'm not familiar with too. However it would be nice if the challenges got a little bit harder than they've been so far (beheading shrimp?). If they're worried about challenges being too grueling for kids then why not just have two members do them at times and see what happens?

 

[SeeDisney]

I enjoyed watching last night's episode. Routing for the cuties Gaghan family.

Though I too felt it there was no climax to the ending to the space shuttle and thought it was unfair for one team at a time to get the spin around.

I do enjoy watching this US version to see more of the local cities.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the first place prize. WOW, I would love to forever win free gasoline.

 

[JennInTN]

....I don't think we are going to have any non-elimination rounds this time. I think it will be a shorter season than past versions.

I think Phil stated that there would be 3 non-elimination rounds this season. Or something like: 11 legs, 8 eliminations. I can't remember which.

I just wanted to share my $0.02 on the racetrack situation.
Not to be insensitve, I couldn't begin to imagine what it cost CBS to lease/rent Talladega. I say that the next leg of the race was set up way, way before the contestants were chosen. My guess is that all teams were asked about their physical and emotional limitations. I suppose the Weavers could have even been asked if they could do something racetrack related. Contestants must undergo several pych-exams. If there were a question about post-traumatic issues, I would bet they would not have been chosen. The prospect of winning $1 million could have created blinders for several teams.... Not just the Weavers. Who knows what’s going on with those other people?

As with past seasons of The Amazing Race, a team may choose not to compete and be penalized.

I could not even imagine the magnitude of their loss and I am sorry for them.

 

[QuiltTeddy]

Deleted.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Did anyone notice that two teams....the Gagnan's and Aiello's didn't walk to the Charleston Visitors Center but drove there instead or am I imagining things? I thought the clue specifically said you must walk to the visitors center. Shouldn't they have received a penalty or something or just because they were the two last teams, it didn't matter?

The ones that drove were the ones that did the mud running, they were supposed to drive. The shrimpers were supposed to walk.

 

[CharlesTD]

Well last night was much more entertaining I like the fact they are using arrival time for departure time again now if they could get them out of the US for a leg or 2 and make things a little more interesting. Hopefully teh Linz family gets punted next week.

 

[aprilgail2]

Huh, we've also used "ankle biters" and "crumb snatchers" in addition to "rugrats". Had no idea it was offensive to some.

I use those plus curtain climbers!
I never heard of anyone being offended by those words, they are commonly used around here.

 

[klj27]

Well last night was much more entertaining I like the fact they are using arrival time for departure time again now if they could get them out of the US for a leg or 2 and make things a little more interesting. Hopefully teh Linz family gets punted next week.

That's the first time I remember anyone mentioning that they didn't like the Linz family. They are not my favorite either and I am even from Cincinnati.

 

[Strawberry Lemonade]

I don't care about the Linzes one way or another myself, but I don't know how many more fart jokes I can take if they stick around much longer. I'm still for the Gaghans. Go rugrats!

 

[bengalbelle]

I don't care about the Linzes one way or another myself, but I don't know how many more fart jokes I can take if they stick around much longer. I'm still for the Gaghans. Go rugrats!

I like the families with younger children. I was rooting for the Black family, sad they didn't make it very far. The boy from the Gaghan family is a hoot!

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

It's hard to dislike the Gaghans--the kids just remind me so much of my older two, whom we christened "The Bickersons". I think it's just so funny to see them acting like regular kids, warts and all.

Sorry to see the Aiello family go last night, they seemed nice. And I agree that it was a snoozer--perhaps they thought people would get more lost on their way to the museum and then the shuttle pit stop? The rocket place looked big, but the Saturn 15 looked pretty tough to miss, unlike some of the other clue spots they've had.

 

[CharlesTD]

That's the first time I remember anyone mentioning that they didn't like the Linz family. They are not my favorite either and I am even from Cincinnati.

Apparently great minds think alike I just find them to not be into to race they seem very uninterested in the actual race itself and seem to be there more for comic relief and that is just annoying especcialy how they treat their sister. I just don't find the guys funny and they need to take a hike back to Ohio.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Apparently great minds think alike I just find them to not be into to race they seem very uninterested in the actual race itself and seem to be there more for comic relief and that is just annoying especcialy how they treat their sister. I just don't find the guys funny and they need to take a jike back to Ohio.

So that's who you were talking about. I was trying to figure that out.

Poor girl! I'll have to watch them more closely next time.

 

[CharlesTD]

I use those plus curtain climbers!
I never heard of anyone being offended by those words, they are commonly used around here.

I use carpet sharks and rug rats and ankle biters affectionatley for our kids LOL. My dad calls them rug beaters.

 

[SRUAlmn]

I was one of the ones who commented on the rugrats thing. I didn't find it offensive. I've used it before as a term of endearment as well. What I didn't like about the Aiello's is the way they were using it. They were being very negative towards the Weavers and the Ghagans this episode (just want to note that I originally really liked the Aiello's.) The way they were saying it was in a negative light. It wasn't ' aw, you cute little rugrat.' It was 'oh great, here come the stupid rugrats.'

 

[Strawberry Lemonade]

I was one of the ones who commented on the rugrats thing. I didn't find it offensive. I've used it before as a term of endearment as well. What I didn't like about the Aiello's is the way they were using it. They were being very negative towards the Weavers and the Ghagans this episode (just want to note that I originally really liked the Aiello's.) The way they were saying it was in a negative light. It wasn't ' aw, you cute little rugrat.' It was 'oh great, here come the stupid rugrats.'

FWIW, I agree with you. The term isn't offensive, but the way they said it was kind of belittling. I thought one of the Weaver teens called them that too.

 

[LadyDulcinea1]

Very sad to see the Aiellos go

Despite the fact that the Weavers annoy the heck out of me, I do feel bad for them after watching the scenes. I can only imagine what it must be like for them to have to go to a race track.