Have you been over to CBS.com to check out all the videos The Amazing Race is providing for us this season? If not, you sooooo should! One of my favorites was Elimination Station: First Team Out There we get a look at the 2nd team eliminated from the rece, Garrett and Jessica. Also that Garrett had brought a engagment ring on the race and proposed to Jessica. And now so after a 7 year on and off again relationship they are to be married.
What Do You Think Of That?
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As part of the premier, we got 2 hours tonight, the second destination was Vietnam. After leaving the pit stop several of the teams went to a local hotel and booked flights from there. But Brian/Erika , Gary/Matt, Cheyne/ Meg, and the poker girls went the to airport,were a guy outed the girls real jobs. No one was very happy to find out they had been lying about helping homeless teens. The second flight ended up landing only a half hour later. Once they got there they discovered the streets were completely flood to add to their troubles.
From the airport they had to take a taxi to the bus station. Bus 1 had the Maria & Tiffany, Sam & Dan ,Globetrotters, Mika & Cannan, and Marcy & Ron. The 2nd bus was not scheduled to leave for another hour after the first bus. All the teams on that bus put in $100 to buy up the rest of the seats so they could leave early. But it didn’t really pay off, once they got to task & it was closed and would open at 7am. With all teams caught up they had some dinner, hung out and got to know each other.
The next morning the race was back on! The teams had to go to mud pits by boats using a map. Once there they had to dig mud out of the river bed & fertilize a near by fruit tree covering root system to marked red line. The poker gals had to complete their speed bump first before starting the mud pits. They find a marked soup stand, collect ingredients to make the soup to the dock master liking. They mange to get it quickly, as Maria had it many times before. Everyone got really muddy & it was pretty funny. Megan & Cheyne were done 1st. Garrett & Jessica 2nd -Brian & Ericka 3rd – Gary & Matt 4th- globetrotters 5th - Sam & Dan 6th – Marcy & Ron 7th – lance & Keri 8th – zev & Justin,who jumped over boat & fell in water, lost clue had to go back, it was on side of boat 9th – Mika & Canaan 10th -Maria & Tiffany 11th which was last.
Next up they had to return the boats and then by foot head off to Dai Be Field for the next clue. Which this time is a road block: a task only 1 member of the team can complete. In this road block they had to help rid the rice patties of damage insects w/ ducks. The team member, using flags had to get 150 ducks over a bridge & back in their pen under 10 mins. If they do not get it in the time limit, they give up spot & let next team try. Sam, Matt, Gary, Zev and Tiffany all had a really easy time completing the task. But Jessica, Megan, and Ericka all had a really hard time & had to try more than once. Sam and Ben were the first to complete the road block and head to the pit stop for this leg of the race: Bassac 3 Riverboat .
Pit stop Order:
1. Gary & Matt – won kayaks
2. Sam & Dan
3. Globetrotters
4. Lance & Keri
5. Zev & Justin
6. Megan & Cheyne
7. Maria & Tiffany
8. Mika & Canaan
9. Marcy & Ron
10. Brian & Ericka
Last: Garrett & Jessica – 2nd eliminated from race.
What Did You Think Of This Leg Of The Race?
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After a late start, about 15 minutes, we were on our way to a amazing trip around the world once again. (This is your reminder now, if you have to rec set it for an extra hour, football always seems to run long & no matter how much I complain they wont skip Andy Rooney lol.) The starting line this year was the LA river in the middle of the city. After we meet each of the teams we see our host, Phil, looking great as ever in dark pants & a light blue button up shirt. Phil tells the teams that for the first time ever there is a challenge right off the bat & one team wont make it pass the challenge.
The first challenge is a long chain link fence with tons of licence plates, the first 11 teams to find the plates with the correct design (that was on the top of their clue but wasnt told to them) will receive a ticket to one of two flights to Tokyo. Maria & Tiffanny were the 1st team to find a plate, followed by Marcy/Ron, Meghan/Cheyne, Globetrotters, Gary/Matt, Zev/Justin, Sam/Dan, Mika/Canaan, Garrett/Jessica, Brian/Ericka, Lance/Keri in that order. That left our yoga team of Eric & Lisa the first team to be elimated of season 15. They were bummed but seemed to handle it very well. Lance & Keri the second to last team were already fighting, as I had expected.
The rest of the teams headed to the airport and were off to Tokyo to compete in a Japanese game show, Sushi Roulette. The host spun the wheel & the teams had to eat what was in front of them. What the teams wanted to stop in front of them was a wasabi bomb. The team member had to completely eat the roll in under 2 minutes. Then they were able to leave and start the second half of the task: bringing 20 audience members that matched the color of their flag to the first pitstop of the season – Konno Hacnimangu Shrine.
The 1st two that got the bombs were Ron for his team and Cheyne for his. Ron struggled a bit but both managed to get it down. Justin and Garrett got them down for their teams while Maria was not able to finish her’s in time and had to eat a 2nd one on her next turn. Big, Lance, Justin,and Cannan all complete theirs while Brian was unable to eat of of his under 2 minutes, almost puking even. Dan was up next and ate it down in 2 bites, he said he eats sushi everyday. That just left Brain & Ericka, he finally got it down & they were able to start the second half of the task and were headed to the pit stop. And they got there pretty quick, quicker than almost all the teams !Who seem to have a lot of trouble with all the people on the streets and the language difference. And one of poor Zev & Justin’s people had a broken shoe, so Justin carried her to the pit stop.
First Pit Stop Order:
1 -Meg & Chyene -for being 1st they won a trip to both Aspen & Veil
2- Zev & Justin
3 -Lance & Keri
4- Ron & Marcy
5 -Big & Flight (Globetrotters aka Herb & Nat)
6- Brian & Ericka
7- Gary & Matt
8 – Garrett & Jessica
9- Sam & Dan
10 – Mika & Cannan -were missing 1 person found her & he carried her to finish so still the 10th team.
Last – Maria & Tiffany- (aka Poker girls) lost 2 people accrued 2 hour penalty. But lucky for them is was a non-elimination leg, however they would have speed bump on the next leg (task only they have to complete).
What did you think of the this leg of the race?
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One teams dream of a million dollars will vanish before the race even really gets started and will be left standing in the LA River! For the 1st time ever there will be a challenge right off the bat. The last team to complete the challenge will be not be getting into a marked car or heading to the airport to be on the 1st plane to Tokyo. The race will be over for them! Who do you think it might be?
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Go!! I can’t wait for the start of the race on Sunday night at 8pm on CBS!
Fall is my favorite time a year. The weather is getting cooler, Halloween is almost here, I’m weaning off BB and fall TV has started. And once again CBS has one my favorite, The Amazing Race. Besides a hottie host, amazing views of the world and non-stop action there is the game itself!
If you are new to the show here is the quick low down: There are 12 teams of 2 with a pre-existing relationship Ex:husband/wife, best friends, co-workers etc. They race around the world completing tasks & trying to be 1st to the pit stop. “Last team to the pit stop may be eliminated” as Phil Keoghan,the host would say.
This will be the 15th season for the race and I always like to break down the teams before the start of the show based on bios & videos I can find. That way I can look back at the end of the season and see how my thoughts on each of the teams has changed. So here is my personal thoughts of the teams.
Megahan and Cheyne - They might be one of the teams we see at the the finish line. They are a strong team, young & athletic and should work well together.
Maria and Tiffany - I think their good looks will help them on the race but more with locals than the other teams. What the other teams should look out for is their strong minds. The physical tasks might be their downfall unless it is something they can get some help with ..wink wink.
Marcy and Ron – Age will not be an issue for this team, they will be able to keep up if not lead the pack. Besides both being athletic, speaking many languages will give them a leg up.
Lance and Keri – Sure they are both athletic so doing the running & the tasks wont be an issue. But getting along with not only themselves but the other teams is going to be problem for these two. I except alot of yelling from BOTH of them!
Herbert and Nat – Besides strong race skills and I am excited for the humor these two will bring to the season. I do worry that their height might be an issue in some of the countries.
Gary and Matt - I don’t seem them going far but I love parent/child teams. I hope they get the chance to bond, it sounds like they need it.
Garrett and Jessica – I have a strong feeling about them, look for this team to be there in the end. I think there travel & language experience will help them a lot. While I’m not sure if this is going to make or break their relationship do I see them getting along & getting tasks done fast.
Brian and Ericka – He is going to be a good strong player,but I worry about her keeping up with him at his pace. I hope she proves me wrong!!I think they will get along just fine.
Sam and Dan – If these brothers can get along, they have all the skills to go far and maybe even win season 15.
Zev and Justin – With Zev’s Asperger’s I am curious to see how he handles the race,like in India were they swarm the racers. I hope that he sticks around for awhile and really gets to experience his dream.
Mika and Canaan – I worry about her crying, it might be their downfall…along with lack of experience of travel & being together.
I look forward to seeing how each of these teams prove me both right and wrong. But most of all I am looking forward to watching each of these teams travel around the world in the quest for one million dollars. Even Phil agrees with me, this season is some of the strongest teams yet and we are in for a very good season!
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Bios are provided by CBS.com
Mika Combs (22); Canaan Smith (26)
Hometown: Nashville, Tenn.
Occupation: Aspiring Singer/Professional Songwriter
Relationship: Newly Dating
These southern sweethearts will charm you with their fresh faces and wide-eyed enthusiasm for life. They have only been dating for a few months, but admit to spending every waking hour together since they fell in love.
Mika grew up in Hazard, Ky. and moved to Nashville, Tenn. two years ago to pursue a career in country music. She claims to excel in high pressure situations, but admits to often breaking down in tears when she gets upset. Her favorite hobbies include singing, dancing and riding four-wheelers.
Canaan is a professional songwriter who is looking at the Race as an opportunity to grow his relationship with Mika. Mika believes that Canaan can be way too demanding, while he believes she can be too sensitive. He lists his favorite activities to do with Mika as writing songs and making out.
Neither one of them has traveled extensively outside of Canaan’s mission trip to Mexico with his church, but they have no doubt that their love will take them to the finish line and the $1 million prize.
How Do You Think They Will Do?
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Bios are provided by CBS.com
Zev Glassenberg (26); Justin Kanew (30)
Hometown: Sherman Oaks, Calif. / Los Angeles
Occupation: Unemployed/VP of Production and Development for National Lampoon
Relationship: Friends
Zev and Justin’s friendship started six years ago when they were working as camp counselors and the two have been very close ever since. Zev has Asperger’s Syndrome, but they don’t let it affect their relationship. They share friends and interests, and the friendship is as mutually beneficial as any could be.
Zev is an avid sports fan — especially basketball — and he has an intense competitive spirit. He describes himself as funny, modest, and loyal, and is running the Race to prove to himself that he can do anything.
Justin prides himself on his patience and his ability to problem solve. He admits the biggest difference between he and his partner is that Zev is not great in large groups of people — one of the characteristics of Asperger’s — while Justin is very easy-going and can assimilate himself into any group.
Outside of the occasional trip to Vegas (where Justin took Zev to lose his virginity), neither has traveled extensively, particularly with one another. Their relationship is spontaneous and unedited and resembles one of brothers more than friends.
How Do You Think They Will Do?
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Bios are provided by CBS.com
Sam McMillen (23); Dan McMillen (21)
Hometown: Liberty, Mo.
Occupation: Students
Relationship: Brothers
Brothers for 21 years, Sam and Dan will tell you that their relationship did not truly start until last summer when they both came out and told each other that they were gay.
Growing up Christian in a conservative community, neither one of them felt comfortable enough coming out at an early age but after doing so, they’ve found a whole new bond with one another and instantly became closer through honesty and trust. Sam and Dan will tell you that being gay is only one of the many aspects of their lives.
Dan describes himself as organized, open-minded and spontaneous and hopes to gain a new sense of appreciation for his life from running the Race with his brother. His hobbies include exercise, volunteering and traveling.
Sam claims to be optimistic and happy-go-lucky and his hobbies include cinema, logic games and anything involving the outdoors. Communication may be the biggest challenge for this Team, as they claim to be polar opposites. From academic interests to how they approach tasks, these brothers are very different in everything they do. Due to his passive mentality, Sam will need to be more vocal to overcome Dan’s blunt, assertive personality in order to contribute to the team while on the road.
Sam is pursuing a degree in medicine while Dan has one more year left at William Jewell College to complete his business degree. When asked what former Team they would model their style of play after, Sam points to Nick and Starr because they maintained a positive attitude which carried them to the $1 million prize. Dan identifies with the competitive style of Rob and Amber. Both brothers hope that the Race will take their new found closeness to the next level and help them forge an even stronger bond.
How Do You Think They Will Do?
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Bios are provided by CBS.com
Eric Paskel (41); Lisa Paskel (43)
Hometown: Encino, Calif. via Michigan
Occupation: Yoga Studio Owners and Instructors
Relationship: Married Yoga Teachers
Eric and Lisa have been married for over 18 years. Both are vegans who have a passionate and fiery approach to their personal and professional lives and are extremely dedicated to helping others.
Eric and Lisa own four yoga studios and both serve as instructors. In addition to running their business, they teach classes and workshops where they deal with issues such as family crisis and addiction. Lisa describes what she does as, “helping people connect to their supreme self.”
Lisa claims that Eric is much more easy-going, carefree and trusting of others while she has the ability to see people for what they really are — an ability that will undoubtedly come in handy on the Race.
Neither Eric nor Lisa are afraid to challenge one another to be the best people they can be and no matter the challenge at hand, both are open to working together to find a solution. They hope that their experience on the Race will further solidify a marriage that they consider a true blessing.
They reside in Encino, Calif., and have two daughters.
How Do You Think They Will Do?
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Bios are provided by CBS.com
Brian Kleinschmidt (27); Ericka Dunlap (27)
Hometown: Nashville, Tenn.
Occupation: Brian (Marketing Tour Manager) / Ericka (Entertainer/Miss America 2004)
Relationship: Married
Ericka and Brian Kleinschmidt are excited to be the first married interracial team on The Amazing Race. They have a singular game plan in mind — to win over the hearts and minds of The Amazing Race audience by proving that true love is color blind. They compare their relationship to the Yin-Yang symbol, which represents the philosophy of two total opposites coming together as one to accomplish a common goal.
Ericka and Brian met at a leadership seminar at the University of Central Florida nine years ago, and it was love at first sight for Brian. Ericka, on the other hand, played hard to get for the next five years….but Brian’s persistence finally paid off as the couple shared wedding vows over two years ago.
Ericka has lived a very structured, prim and proper life but plans to embrace her true self and expose a vulnerable side of her life beyond Miss America while racing around the world. Her life’s goal is to become a country music recording artist.
Brian is an all-American guy who contends that nice guys do not always have to finish last. He has enjoyed life as a standout athlete, singer, actor, and loyal friend. The opportunity to extensively tour the U.S. with his job as a sports and entertainment marketing manager has further boosted Brian’s confidence and travel expertise.
Though some may see Brian and Ericka as total opposites, they believe that their differences are actually their greatest strength and will propel them around the world all the way towards the finish line.
How Do You Think They Will Do?
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