Category: reality tv

TAR12 was foolishly left out of CBS’ fall lineup initially, but the good news is it’s back early. We’re looking at about a half an hour football overrun delay, which we can expect most of the season, but I will start the live recap when the show does start. In the meantime, check out The Amazing Race 12 cast list and meet the teams.

The starting point for the race is Los Angeles, at the Playboy Mansion. Kynt says he and Vyxsin are like cartoon characters. Jennifer has trust issues with Nathan. Hendekea’s concerned Azaria will want to dominate the race. Kate & Pat are the show’s first lesbian couple and also ministers. Ari says he’s a bitch.

There are 11 legs in the race. Only 8 of the pitstops are elimination points, so apparently the initial indication nonelimination legs have been eliminated was incorrect. I was okay with that move myself, though, but at least they stopped mugging people.

First stop is Shannon, Ireland. Grandpa Donald, at the front of the line, insists on counting the money before leaving, and all the other teams are behind him honking. Yeah, this team’s in some serious trouble.

Half the people go left, and the other half go right, which means half the people will end up getting lost before the first airport stop at LAX.

Lorena & Jason, who are from LA, get an easy jump on the rest, knowing exactly where they’re going. Some teams follow them, but most are going the wrong way and realize they have to turn around.

Lorena & Jason, Shana & Jennifer, Kate & Pat, Nathan & Jennifer, and Marianna & Julia get on the first flight, giving them a 45 minute advantage, or so they think.

Azaria & Hendekea and Ronald & Christina (who form a bit of an alliance and start to look up the next location on the Internet) and the rest are on the next flight. Due to a delayed takeoff on the first flight, this set of teams actually get in the lead by 7 minutes.

Ari & Staella are making enemies already, stealing Ronald & Christina’s taxi. Nathan and Jennifer start falling apart… already. Lorena’s a complete disaster as well. She compares their inability to communicate with real life.

Ah, the complete and total chaos of the first few episodes. Hard to figure out who’s who, even with the list right in front of me.

First ferry, 8:00 – Lorena &Jason, TK & Rachel, Kynt & Vyxsin
Second ferry, 8:30 – Ari & Staella, Nathan & Jennifer, Azaria & Hendekea
Third ferry, 9:30 – Shana & Jennifer, Kate & Pat, Marianna & Julia, Nicolas & Donald, Ronald & Christina

The next stop is Cleggan Farm. When they get there, the must ride a tandem bike through the mud. Teams must ride a bike on a suspended wire across a ravine, while their partner is attached below and taken along for the ride. Teams must then load their donkeys and guide them to their next destination. Donkeys are meaner than you might expect… and stubborn as a mule. Ari threatens to eat his donkey because apparently that will help. He then threatens to kick his ass’ ass. This takes me back to “My ox is broken.”

Ronald & Christina pass both Ari & Staella and Nathan & Jennifer, who have no luck with their donkeys, and she says donkeys have souls, too.

The pitstop for this leg of the race is Connemara Heritage Center, 13 miles away. I initially thought it was between the last ferry in a battle for last, but there’s hope for them yet.

First: Azaria & Hendekea (win a trip for two to Alberta, Canada)
Second: Kynt & Vyxsin
Third: TK & Rachel
Fourth: Lorena & Jason
Fifth: Nicolas & Donald
Sixth: Shana & Jennifer
Seventh: Ronald & Christina
Eighth: Kate & Pat
Ninth: Marianna & Julia
Tenth: Nathan & Jennifer
Eleventh: Ari & Staella (eliminated)

The donkey task screwed over the last two teams, and at the end of the day, we get the typical unexpected first boot. Things normally settle down after the first couple of episodes, as we start to really see a bit more of a realistic picture.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of The Amazing Race 12 episode 2 I’ve Become the Archie Bunker of the Home, which airs Sunday at 8/7c(ish) on CBS.

As a followup to the previous post about the cast list, this video is a brief introduction to each of the teams.

Here’s a look at a crazy looking bike challenge from The Amazing Race 12 Episode 1, which airs this Sunday at 8 on CBS. As always, stay tuned to dingoRUE for a live recap of the show when it airs.

The Race 2 is a production of ICTV that’s structured similarly to The Amazing Race. Watch The Race 2 online.

In The Race 2 Episode 5, part 1 of the finale, whatever alliances may have previously existed evaporated. Despite being far behind at the start, their knowledge of the area pushed Jon & Jenna to a win, while Daniel & Jeff were eliminated because they had no knowledge of the area.

Teams depart in the order in which they arrived.

First: Jon & Jenna
Second: Sadie & Ginalola
Third: Hal & Matilda

They must abandon their cars for the rest of the leg and catch a bus. On the bus, they will get their clue by solving a puzzle. If they don’t solve the puzzle in time, they will have to spend another half an hour riding around the bus loop. Such a simple idea, but this is another nice twist. Jon & Jenna arrive at the bus stop first, followed by Sadie & Ginalola, and Hal & Matilda arrive in time to take the same bus as well. Jon comes up with the theory that everybody finishes at the same time, a risky play but a wise one since he’s probably better at a physical challenge or footrace than a puzzle. Hal & Matilda figure out the first part of the clue and share the information. They then figure out the second part of the clue and also share that.

Teams must then go to Willard Straight Hall at Cornell University. All the teams stick together to go the wrong way. None of them realize the clue box is out front rather than inside. The challenge is to visit four locations from where photos were taken (not the locations in the pictures but the places where the photos were snapped). Sadie & Ginalola stumble upon the clue first, followed by Hal & Matilda. Hal & Matilda take a lead with their first ribbon, then Sadie & Ginalola tie them. Jon & Jenna spend quite a bit of time searching but finally get the clue. They immediately stop to get help from the locals, and they come up with a plan of action like they did previously (trying to figure out a way to go, rather than just running around in circles). Sadie & Ginalola take a lead with their second ribbon. Then Jon & Jenna get their first, and then Hal & Matilda tie Sadie & Ginalola at 2. Jon & Jenna get another to put all three teams even. Sadie & Ginalola take their third clue, and Jon & Jenna pass Hal & Matilda with their third. Hal & Matilda tie things up after that, but it appears not asking for help is hindering them. Jon & Jenna manage to take the lead with their fourth and final ribbons. The amount of running in this challenge is definitely to their advantage. Sadie & Ginalola are next to find their final ribbon, with Hal & Matilda bringing up the rear.

Their last challenge is to race to the observatory back at Ithaca College, by any means necessary. So they all go with the idea of hitchhiking. Jon & Jenna are first to find a ride. Sadie & Ginalola see someone in a store from Ithaca College and get a ride from her. Hal & Matilda eventually give up the hitchhiking concept and take a bus back to their car instead.

Jon Walski & Jenna Trojnacki are the first team to arrive at the finish line and are the winners of The Race 2. Except for that one leg where everybody went dumb, they ran a very respectable race, finishing first in four of the six legs. Sadie & Ginalola finish second, with Hal & Matilda coming in third.

While the celebration’s been going on, I’ve been looking at that cake Dave & Matt are holding since I first noticed them. Yep, they’re not done yet, and they take the opportunity to shove it in Thomas’ face.

Since producer Pete Berg has graduated from college, we probably won’t see The Race 3. However, he informs me we haven’t seen the last of him, so I’ll update you as I learn more.