I hope everyone had a great Christmas holiday (or a relaxing last week of December and first week of January). I pretty much did not do anything that I had planned to during my self-imposed staycation, besides watch old episodes of The Amazing Race. I think it is fitting that The Amazing Race should be the subject of this post. Again, I know that I’m about 17 years late talking about this show. But hey, during this staycation, I pretty much watched seasons 2 – 17. Well . . . I skipped the family edition season.
Just as an aside: Come to think of it, this has been the first time for as long as I can remember that I was not expected to do anything over Christmas break. Yes, I know that this is a 1st world problem. Just looking back on my facebook memories, I realized that I have worked every Dec. 31st since 2003. So yes, I took a little time for myself although I’m a little disappointed that I have gained about 5-7 pounds during this “break” (far too many eggnog martinis, gin and gingers, and champagne-based beverages).
Most of these views may have already been shared by the millions of people who regularly watch The Amazing Race, but I’m going to list some things that I love/hate about this show.
Hate: The general ignorance/borderline racism of many of the contestants.
- Don’t these folks understand that the entire world does not speak or does not have to speak English? The way how some of these contestants speak to many of the host countries’ inhabitants is downright disgusting.
- In one episode the following statements were made. “He [refering to Joan of Arc] was the one that put the animals on the ark?”; “How do they make champagne? Do they mix wine with club soda?” “Man, I did you know that there is a town called Champagne in France?” Where in the hell are these people found? More importantly, where did they attend high school or college?
- One of my favorite contestant/taxi dispatcher (Oakland, CA) exchange so far.
- [Contestant] Hurry up! We need a taxi, NOW. This is for a million dollars.
- [Dispatcher] I don’t care! I ain’t getting any of it.
Love: The desire to acquire even more stamps on my passport.
- I’m looking at you, Seychelles. That place is BEAUTIFUL.
Hate: The couples that go on this show to make or break their relationship.
- If you cannot stand your partner in everyday, normal life, then you probably will not like the motherfucker after being with him/her 24/7 for ~30 days. One exception: if the couple is kicked off early in the competition because they will not have as much time to get on each other’s nerves.
Hate: Dumb folks who haven’t watch previous seasons. This sentiment is more for the later seasons.
- From seasons 1 – 5, you have seen people drive cars with manual transmissions, bungee jump, climb crazy heights, swim, use road maps, and travel to various African, Latin American and Asian countries. Wouldn’t one learn how to drive stick and how to swim, get over certain fears, and memorize common phrases in other languages (especially Spanish, French, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Hindi, Bengali, and/or Punjabi) BEFORE applying to the damn show?
Annoyance: Especially in later seasons, the show seemed to be more Asian-centric. I swear there was one season that had five episodes in Asia (that could have been due to editing). For a few seasons, the show did not even visit the continent of Africa. Perhaps, it is tough to produce an American show in many African nations.
Hate: Some of the contestants with disabilities. Hear me out.
- Many of the disabled contestants go on and on about showing the world that people with disabilities can do everything that someone without any disabilities can do. However, many use their disability to get every possible advantage. I’m not saying that they shouldn’t, but just call a spade a spade and keep it moving. I understand that production may tell these contestants to talk about their disability throughout the season so the fault may not fall entirely on the contestants. From the grapevine, I have learned that many of these types of shows give you a label and want you to keep it throughout the entire season (e.g. token gay couple, bitchy pretty blondes, dumb jocks, old couple, country bumpkins, etc.).
Love: Watching the whinny contestants bitch, moan, and have potential meltdowns.
- Did they think that they were going on a glamorous vacation?
Love: Phil’s low-key shade with the contestants. 
Love: TV foreshadowing magic (damn, this could have been a post all on to itself).
- Teams that say they have a foolproof plan of getting into the top three, only to be eliminated one or two episodes later.
- Teams saying that they are super organized and meticulous, only to lose their passports and all of their money or not read a clue in its entirety.
- When you can tell that the episode will have a non-elimination leg.
- The team with all of this travel experience will book a connecting flight with a 15-min layover and miss the flight. Since the show pretty much makes sure everyone is on the same flights in later seasons, this really is not an issue any more 😦
One of my friends floated the idea of auditioning for this show back in 2011. It probably would have been a hot ass mess if we were contestants. I can see it now.
Me to my friend: This is some bullshit, and I’m not doing it. It’s too DAMN HOT OUT HERE.
My friend to me: Yeah, this blows. Let’s use the rest of the money to find a bar because I want a martini.
Me: Word! I hope this city has Tanqueray.
Phil: KOS and A, you are the only team in the entire history of The Amazing Race that actively chose to use your money to bar hop and not do any of the challenges on this leg.
Ok, on to Season 18: Unfinished Business.
I hope your holiday season was a “productive” as mine. 😉
