I think we can all agree that the only two outcomes that mattered were a) Jon and Al win, and b) Jon and Kelly don't. One out of two ain't bad.
The problem with The Amazing Race is that for most of the season it is not, in fact, a race to be first-- it's a race not to be last. The race is structured so that winning any given leg conveys absolutely no advantage for the next one. The ultimate winner could come in 2nd-to-last in every leg, as long as they finish first at the end. Feh.
The basic idea behind the show is great, but it's always suffered from poor development. Most activities en route are not interesting for viewers to watch, and provide little room for trailing teams to catch up. And there are no guns or goofy costumes. I think if teams were issued service pistols at the starting line and Tian and Jaree had to run the entire race dressed as French maids, the show would suddenly become a heck of a lot more interesting.
Posted by Peter at August 22, 2003 8:45 PMi do find it frustrating that airplane schedules and locations with specific hours bunch up the players. however, it wouldn't be exciting if 3 teams were days ahead and the rest of the pack was just waiting for their turn to fall. part of the excitement is to see your team first this leg even though they were last out of the pit stop.
i do think the race not to be last is exciting. remember when jon and kelly went for the fast forward to find it gone only to stay alive when millie and chuck took and extended detour? that was an amazing turn of events. the teams were racing neck in neck knowing that to survive that had to be just a second faster.
unfortunately, in this season it was often clear which team you were going to see rounding the bend last even though they tried to make it seem close. as for your gun and costume comment, as much as i love costumes i really don't want to see the amazing race become goofy like extreme elimination.
Posted by: dana on August 23, 2003 1:31 PM