The Amazing Race 7...official Thread

[StaceyA]

So it was either the girls who got eliminated last night, or the whiny son, or the boyfriends who said Rob couldn't put a sentence together! It just proves the other teams are wayyyyy too obsessed with Rob!!!

GO ROB & AMBER!!!

Im still going with my original thought, I think it was the son saying it to the girls when the 4 of them were all on that bus that they had to catch after carrying the basket on their backs in the first episode.

 

[deadheadbelle]

Im still going with my original thought, I think it was the son saying it to the girls when the 4 of them were all on that bus that they had to catch after carrying the basket on their backs in the first episode.

Yep, I'm pretty sure it was the son.

 

[chyam]

Actually what Rob did was very very smart, how many people can actually eat 4 lbs of meat, especially stuff that is horrible, I am actually surprised that more did not follow him, perhaps then the show would be a little more considerate about the eating challenges...........perhaps 2 lbs would be a little more realistic. I have never been much for the eating challenges on any of the reality shows, people can actually get sick. I also think the 4 hour penalty is fine. I do get tired of some of the whining about Rob and Amber, there are several couples that don't knock them and are just playing the game. The black couple as an example, they do what they have to do and continue. The "boys" just whine to much and I hope they do not win, I love how they did not win a trip also.

 

[MeanLaureen]

I can understand why the other teams might be down on Romber. Think about it.... they went through the application process, beat out thousands of other couples, finally get their moment to shine on national TV.... then Romber shows up. Hand picked by the producers and with a national fan base already in place. I'll bet that every other team feels as if they are playing second fiddle to Romber.

But the Amazing Race isn't a game won on popularity. Why would any of the other teams be playing second fiddle? Couldn't the same thing along that line be said about playing against a POW? They could say he was getting a sympathy vote (if there were votes..lol)

If you ask me, the people that are doing the whining are just acting like second graders. Rob and Amber are not superhuman. They didn't come into this race with an unfair advantage. Sure they have been on another reality TV show, but not Amazing Race, and there aren't many similarities between the two shows. If there is an issue about having advantages, there are other teams that can be said have an unfair advantage. The brothers are athletic and have an advantage over the older couple. The teams that spoke spanish have advantages over those that didn't. etc.

It looks like to me that Rob did his homework watching the show and has ideas that help him and Amber get ahead in the game. Nothing that other diehard fans of the show couldn't have done.

If you ask me, Rob and Amber are only as powerful as the other teams are making them. They are feeding them the power.

Now.. that being said..

Can you imagine if they had REVERSED the order of the challenges last night? 4 pounds of beef and THEN a rafting trip or bumpy bike ride?

 

[DCLuvinit]

I didn't watch Romber on Survivor, but I think they are playing the game well here. True, Rob is deceptive and cocky, but I like how they always stay calm through each task.

The previews for next week show Deanna being really whiny on the horse. She has whined through every task and is getting on my nerves.

My favorite teams are Romber and Unchenna & Joyce. I feel sorry for Gretchen and Meredith because they seem like they barely make it through each task. I hope they don't hurt themselves out there.

 

[StaceyA]

It looks like to me that Rob did his homework watching the show and has ideas that help him and Amber get ahead in the game. Nothing that other diehard fans of the show couldn't have done.

YES, how often do you sit there watching a reality show and say "have these people even watched the show?"

My biggest one is on survivor when people couple up, get rid of the couples did Rombah not teach you anything? lol

 

[jacksonsmom]

Im still going with my original thought, I think it was the son saying it to the girls when the 4 of them were all on that bus that they had to catch after carrying the basket on their backs in the first episode.

Yep, I am almost positive it was Patrick, the son, who made the comment about Rob!

 

[Duckfan]

I am not really fond of Rob but I do get tired of the lets get them mentality. However, what I really really like about this season so far is that the order gets switched around constantly and you never really know who is going to be ahead at any given time. Way to go Uchenna because he actually ate the stuff rapidly.

 

[PatriciaH]

Last night was pretty good. Ray and Deanna are a bit star struck by Rob and Amber-they go along with whatever line he feeds them. It looks like next week Deanna and Amber have a tough time with the horses. Debbie & Bianca blew it big time.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Debbie and Bianca definitely deserved to go. It seemed like a short leg, too, with no flights in it. I'm hoping Africa next.

I like the way Rob plays. He's always using his head, and I like to see that. And I agree, the other teams should focus on their own stuff, not other teams--as someone else said a ways back, you can't win in most legs, but you can lose, and that's what you have to avoid. Who cares where a certain other team is?

I think the trips and prizes for the first place teams are given (in exchange for promotional consideration) by advertisers (American Airlines beign the prime example). If the no longer have a deal with AA, no special prize. I remember on previous races, prizes were also cruises, digital cameras, etc.--depending on the sponsor. And although it's nice to see the first place team get something extra, it can get overdone. Like on Survivor, where they keep getting rewards with tie-ins so you see them drinking X brand coffee, drinking Mountain Dew and eating Pringles, etc. Enough already!

P.S. I have to say Uchenna (sp?) is growing on me. he did great in the food challenge!

 

[JBurke]

I loved Rob last night.
It was great when Phil asked him how he always seemed to get people to do what he wants and even Rob laughed saying he didnt know how he does it.

It was pretty smart of him to quit eating the meat-I dont think I could eat 4 pounds of anything.

I couldnt believe the girls drove that far. When they were looking at the ocean and then realized the clue said they should be driving through the mountains-what idiots!

I'm glad they are gone.

 

[Kirby]

While I don't care for Romber, they are playing the game well. AR has never had this level of deviousness before. I wonder how it will affect future AR's?

I can understand why the other teams might be down on Romber. Think about it.... they went through the application process, beat out thousands of other couples, finally get their moment to shine on national TV.... then Romber shows up. Hand picked by the producers and with a national fan base already in place. I'll bet that every other team feels as if they are playing second fiddle to Romber.

I agree.

Did anyone get the impression that Phil was disappointed that the girl's came in last? Didn't he say that he had thought that they would be one of the stronger teams or something on that order?

 

[skuttle]

Last night I found myself thinking, as much as I enjoy watching AR, I cannot wait until this season is over. I'll say it again - they've had their 15 minutes. To me, a loyal fan of AR, they are too much of a distraction as to why I liked the show in the first place. Case in point the eating challenge. Brilliant strategy on Rob's part, but I don't think it should be that easy to exit from a challenge. They should have waited 4 hours after the very last couple came. That to me would be a penalty.

As far as the boyfriends carrying on about Rob and Amber - I think it is the editing. Again, it's all about Rob and Amber, so let's make a team look bad by showing their comments all the time. I bet the others say just as much, but it's not shown. I think Phil is even treating Rob and Amber differently. Look at his reactions each time they make it to the pit stop.

It's not rob's fault that the penalty works the way it does, or that it was that easy to get around doing the challenge. That's the AR's fault, not Rob's. Rob was just smart enough to figure it out and beat the system.

As for the boyfriends, I really don't think it's that much editing. The are ALWAYS talking about beating Rob and Amber. Others seem to get along well with Rob and Amber.

I think Phil's reactions towards Rob and Amber at each pit stop seems different because Rob and Amber are playing the game differently than anyone else I've ever seen. I've NEVER seen so much strategy go into playing TAR. Also, this last week, how could phil NOT treat them differently? Not only did Rob get around the challenge...he managed to convince TWO other teams to quit and take the four hour penalty...just amazing, IMO.

 

[wvrevy]

Rob is a frickin' evil GENIUS!!! I couldn't believe he actually got the other teams to give up and take the penalty with them. Just a brilliant move on his part.

I don't understand you guys that are complaining about Rob and Amber. You say you're fans of AR. Well, aren't they playing the game ? And better than just about everyone else you've seen ? Tell me you've seen a better move than when Rob bribed the bus driver not to open the back doors on last week's episode...Go on, I dare ya'

 

[chrissyk]

It's not mentioned alot but Ron (former POW) is divorced and has a child that is only a few years old. My DD#1 thinks he is too cute, we met him at a book signing with Oliver North, I still remember the night him and Chief Williams returned here to Fort Hood - major tear jerker!

Oh, I didn't know that he was divorced with a small child. It makes a lot more sense why he doesn't want to run back down the aisle I guess. I think that the beauty queen is WAY more into the relationship than he is.

 

[Laurabearz]

Anyone else catch the fact that the old couple didnt get ANY money for this leg... She was reading the clue, he said there was no money and she shushed him....

Rob.... devious (as someone upthread stated) I love it. I guess I really like that Rob and Amber are devious, but with a sense of play, its a game... unlike Lynn and partner, who are a bit mean spirited....

Another great show.... cant wait until next week!

 

[mickeyboat]

Rob is a frickin' evil GENIUS!!! I couldn't believe he actually got the other teams to give up and take the penalty with them. Just a brilliant move on his part.

I don't understand you guys that are complaining about Rob and Amber. You say you're fans of AR. Well, aren't they playing the game ? And better than just about everyone else you've seen ? Tell me you've seen a better move than when Rob bribed the bus driver not to open the back doors on last week's episode...Go on, I dare ya'

ITA! I totally loved Rob on Survivor too. It's nice to see someone actually playing the game instead of following along. Rob is a master strategist and a great judge of character. Rob and Amber have given AR the kick in the pants to stay on the air for a long time. The other teams need to smarten up and follow his lead. Yes, I know A/R is not a game of alliances, but maybe an alliance is what it will take to beat Romber, because as it appears right now, no one will be able to beat them. They deserve to win if no other team will step up to their challenge.

As far as the penalty for quitting a challenge not being tough enough, it should be addressed by A/R next season. Romber was playing within the rules and using them to their advantage. Nothing wrong with that.

And as far as Amber not contributing to her team's success, I don't find that the case at all. She will have to complete half of the roadblocks and she appears very adept at reading maps and giving directions. I think she is the organizer, and he is the player. And that is why they make such a good team.

Denae

 

[Sarah'sMomfrom PA]

I honestly have to say that I didn't like Rob when he appeared in both Survivors but you have to give him credit...he is playing the game!! This man could sell ice to an Eskimo!! I don't think that he is lying or scheming any more than any of the other past contestents. I thought that he was really smart not to eat the meat which looked disgusting and to take the penalty and they knew exactly what the penalty was so they have obviously done their homework. Then it was brilliant that he was able to talk the other contestents into doing the same thus guaranteeing that they wouldn't be last!!

I agree with the two boyfriends....they are concentrating way too much on Rob and Amber and they need to focus more on the game. I think that it will come back to haunt them. Both DH and I were surprised that they didn't win anything for coming in first...even money like the girls won on the first show.

I was surprised that the two girls got lost especially with them speaking the language...how could you drive for that long and not realize that you were lost and have gone two hours out of your way. I could see if they didn't speak a word of Spanish but they did fine on the last show and I felt that it put them at an advantage. I was getting tired of their constantly telling each other that they loved them though.

I do like Rob and Amber; the brothers and Uchenna and his wife. Mom and son are getting on my nerves as are the gay guys.

 

[DisneyWorld Delight]

Anyone else catch the fact that the old couple didnt get ANY money for this leg... She was reading the clue, he said there was no money and she shushed him....

I saw that too. I just figured he was joking and she shushed him because they didn't have time for that. There would be no reason they didn't have any money.

I enjoy the boyfriends. They have 2 motivators. A million dollars and the defeat of Romber. They are pretty focused. I didn't think he would be able to shove that meat down, but he did.

Anyone notice how upset Rob gets when he is not in first. He didn't like it when passed on the water. He is playing a good game. Doing stuff that has never been done. It is really going to change the future AR's.

 

[FayeW]

I have friends who have watched every episode of every race and are huge fans, but I am an AR Newbie. I started watching solely because of Rob & Amber, and I am addicted! I LOVE this show, and I love Rob and Amber on it! I have to disagree about Rob lying in last weeks episode. What I have noticed about Rob, both on Survivor and AR, is that he is very "literal" in his answers. For example, last week, he when he bribed the security guard he said " don't tell anybody else about the second bus". When the other team spoke to the security guard he said " I'm not allowed to talk to you". The girls confronted Rob and said " Did you tell him not to talk to us?" He said "No, I didn't". Technically, he was not lying, he told him not to tell them about the bus, not to not talk them. That's what you have to watch about Rob, they have to be very specific when they challenge him.

As far as bribing, etc. You have to realize that the culture is very different than in North America. What we see is sneaky or cheating is "business as usual" over there. EVERYTHING is for sale, everything has a price, everything is negotiable. Rob is just smart enough to know that. If the other teams want to continue to play by North American rules, they will continue to lose. However, I don't think it's as prevalent in the European countries so it will be fun to watch Rob change his strategy as the venues change.