Amazing Race, Family Edition. *Official DiscussionThread*

[luvmyfam444]

I too have been a bit disappointed in this AR. I agree with those posts in the beginnins about how unfair the teams are weighted. If there weren't enough families w/young kids then I think they should have chosen all families with teenagers or older just so they would be more equal...I miss the Black family--they were GREAT..

AnYWAY,,,how come we've only had 1 nonelim round? Usaully there's so many more? ANd why dont' I remember them giving up the backpacks before? Was this always done? I thought it was just the $$....anyway I kinda think the girls knew it was nonelim--noone else in all this episodes have done something like that = just too coincidence for me.

I still am hooked, even though some of it's disappointing - actually last night show wasn't climatic enough for me since everyone caught up together to get on the boats it just wasn't exciting---I have to agree w/the flight thing - I thought it was strange that noone got on the payphone & tried booking as soon as they got to the airport to get onthe qst flight out - that ALWAYS happens on this show - you know?

 

[lbgraves]

YOu have to love when they go to Spanish-speaking countries. We heard it all: rapido, andale, vamanos!

LOL! You would think that there were more families with little kids with their limited language skills. DD5 was on the couch drifting off to sleep during the show & she kept repeating those words. She learned them watching Dora!

I was so glad that the one lady said something to the kid about how he talks to his mother.

I have also noticed the amount of cursing in this year's shows. Yes, it is a reality show but it is a show that has traditionally been one that families tape & watch together for the educational value. The fact that there are kids on this edition make it something that families look forward to watching together even more. It may be on at 9 pm on the east coast but it is on at 8 pm in the central time zone.

 

[halestrm]

AnYWAY,,,how come we've only had 1 nonelim round? Usaully there's so many more? ANd why dont' I remember them giving up the backpacks before? Was this always done? I thought it was just the $$....anyway I kinda think the girls knew it was nonelim--noone else in all this episodes have done something like that = just too coincidence for me.

?

Remember the boys in Africa after they overturned the Jeep. They started the idea of putting all the clothing on prior to the mat. Problem for them was that it was an elimination round.

 

[noseybuddy]

Remember the boys in Africa after they overturned the Jeep. They started the idea of putting all the clothing on prior to the mat. Problem for them was that it was an elimination round.

Yes I remember that.

 

[LadyDulcinea1]

Remember the boys in Africa after they overturned the Jeep. They started the idea of putting all the clothing on prior to the mat. Problem for them was that it was an elimination round.

Yea, I'm pretty sure Meredith and Gretchen were the first team that got ALL their stuff taken away. Those poor old people were so not prepared for that, but they surprised everyone and made it so far, I loved them!

 

[noseybuddy]

Yea, I'm pretty sure Meredith and Gretchen were the first team that got ALL their stuff taken away. Those poor old people were so not prepared for that, but they surprised everyone and made it so far, I loved them!

But what a complainer she was. She whined constantly.

 

[stevenpensacola]

I'm prayingthat the Weavers WIN the Amazing Race....so there...

 

[StaceyA]

I'm prayingthat the Weavers WIN the Amazing Race....so there...

This morning I prayed that a cement truck would get out of my way so I could get to work on time

 

[Kimberle]

AnYWAY,,,how come we've only had 1 nonelim round? Usaully there's so many more? ANd why dont' I remember them giving up the backpacks before? Was this always done? I thought it was just the $$....anyway I kinda think the girls knew it was nonelim--noone else in all this episodes have done something like that = just too coincidence for me.

They have had their backpacks taken away for 1-2 seasons already. The non-eliminations usually start about 1/2 through the game. I think it was smart of the girls to pile on the clothes, I would have done the same if I knew I was coming in last and I could do so w/out loosing spead. I'm pretty sure Phill said that there would be 3 non-eliminations during this game during the first show (when they were getting ready for his "go").

 

[Slacking]

But what a complainer she was. She whined constantly.

Meredith/Gretchen are in my top 5 favorite TAR teams ever. (The Paolos may have a spot there too)

I don't remember her whining and complaining all that much (maybe it was the voice?) but she was a trooper. When she hurt herself in the cave, she made a joke about it, got back up and continued to race. And then she she ahd to climb the ladder up the wall, she was a trooper there too. Plus, she probided much entertainment, and many soundbites. I just find it a shame that they won't be participating in the commentaries for the TAR7 DVD coming out in Dec. (I hear the rumor is that they were invited but soon after the invitation was revoked, so who knows)

 

[puffkin]

Wow! I don't see anything wrong/unfair/unsportsmanlike with the way any of the contestants are playing the game. Have you watched the previous races?????? These teams have about as much commraderie/sportsmanship as I have seen on any season yet. It is a competition, and there will be a little of saying things about the other teams and egging them on and stuff, but remember this is an EDITED show. In past seasons, I would say a lot of stuff was edited out, but in this edition I think anything even remotely rude/controversial is kept in because the teams are so boring for TV (i.e. the swearing, the Paolo fights, the Weaver praying, the mooning, etc.). This stuff is MILD compared to stuff on past races.

Just because this is Family edition doesn't mean it is suitable for all families. It is on at 9, out of the "family zone" so parents should use caution. They have already dumbed down this edition so much, I don't see how they can possibly make it much more family friendly without putting it on a toddler level.

 

[chris1gill]

Just an FYI... I read in TV Guide yesterday that there was a value amount for the BP/Arco gas for life the Branson family won for coming in first in the third leg.

Each member of the team gets 1200.00 per year for fifty years... so the value was about 240K, I think that breaks all records for the total value of a pit stop prize!! Course you have to wonder which of the team members might live fifty years!

 

[OhMari]

I also like the Weaver's and I like the Gaghans. I was sorry it was non-elimination last night.

ITA!

Did one of the 4 sisters get quoted as saying, "We need to get the Weaver family kicked off", or was it the sister with the 4 brothers. I just remember hearing it. I think everyone is afraid because the Weaver family plays strong and they are afraid of them.

 

[StaceyA]

Just an FYI... I read in TV Guide yesterday that there was a value amount for the BP/Arco gas for life the Branson family won for coming in first in the third leg.

Each member of the team gets 1200.00 per year for fifty years... so the value was about 240K, I think that breaks all records for the total value of a pit stop prize!! Course you have to wonder which of the team members might live fifty years!

It was the Bransen family right? (Dad and 3 daughters)
The ages of the girls are 20, 22, and 25 and dad is 51.

I think out of all of the teams these 4 will get the most use out of the prize since Phil stated "all licensed drivers" won so if the Gahgans won only mom and dad would get the prize, and most of the other teams either have non licensed team members or they are older.

 

[chris1gill]

Yes, it was the Branson family with the dad & three daughter's... The girl's might live those fifty years, but it's a safe bet the dad won't be driving for those fifty years even if he lives fifty years!

Still a generous prize altogether!

 

[StaceyA]

Yes, it was the Branson family with the dad & three daughter's... The girl's might live those fifty years, but it's a safe bet the dad won't be driving for those fifty years even if he lives fifty years!

Still a generous prize altogether!

yes for sure!
I would love that prize!

 

[cardaway]

ITA!

Did one of the 4 sisters get quoted as saying, "We need to get the Weaver family kicked off", or was it the sister with the 4 brothers. I just remember hearing it. I think everyone is afraid because the Weaver family plays strong and they are afraid of them.

That's not it, they're just flat out annoying.

Remember, they have to spend hours with each other that we rarely ever see at all. Pit stops, waiting for the equalizers to open.... If those four are as annoying then as they are on the one our of clips we do see, I don't blame them for wanting them gone.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

IMO, the weavers are the most real family of the bunch, along with the Paulos family. I wished the bunch of "ladies" had been eliminated last night.

wow, I can't imagine that the Paulos are the most "real" family... they are so mean and disrespectful to each other. How sad is that? A family should be it's own biggest cheerleaders. the mom and son bickering and showing each other such disrespect is shameful and embarassing to watch. That is not a "real" family... even at the airport the other teams were responding to such horrible negativity. Pathetic when someone else has to tell your son to respect you and be nice......

 

[LadyDulcinea1]

But what a complainer she was. She whined constantly.

I never really thought that......I liked the fact that she and her husband were always pushing themselves and beating a lot of the "stronger" teams and they were nice to each other and everyone else......

 

[cardaway]

Go Gaghans!

First they have to just sit there while the Paolo boy whine. They should have taken him off as soon as he hesitated and let the Gaghans go. The other team shouldn't have to watch the other play chicken.

I was really getting upset when it looked like they might get eliminated. The boat they were forced to take almost cost them the game.

And then Bill steps up to the plate and hits one out... "that's what I'm talking about."

And then the Pepsi machine...

This is the first time I can remember any team on the AR actually figuring out the way to win. Bill Gaghan - "Just best one team!" Don't worry about coming in the top three until the last legs. There's always equalizers and you can hurt yourselves in the game by freaking out and making mistakes.

The Paolos were fools for taking the Fast Forward when they didn't need to. Hope it comes back to bite them.