this is the thread where we talk breathlessly about the best TV show on North American television: THE AMAZING RACE!

Perhaps this summer will finally be the show's triumphant breakthrough to the American public.

(I was hoping Mr. Vietnam would have some traumatic "in country" flashbacks, whirling helicopter blades and all--but I actually liked him better when he was there)

(BUT I DID HATE THE FUCKER!)

(though he was pretty fucking good at playing the game I though)

Yeah, I didn't think this was the best episode--not enough locations really. That snow-rafting thing looked fun as hell, but it wasn't much of a challenge. And I was somewhat confused during all the train station whatnot.

But yeah, the eyes wide shut business was kind of amusing. Looked kind of rough for that one NFL wife who was in there forever. I actually kind of like them. (and good for the air-traffic controllers for using the fast-forward--that was a smart move)

I'm rooting for the air traffic controllers.

About a race around the world?

It took a while, but I'm thoroughly hooked. I'm actually sad to see T&A lose -- what better entertainment than two blondes bickering pointlessly?

I fucking hate the "engaged couple." they are so evil. all that mole stuff, fuck.

But you gotta have a team you love to hate.

Go clowns!

CONGRATULATIONS AMAZING RACE! YOU TRULY ARE "AMAZING"!

I guess not?

I am! Yeah, the goths are just terrible people who seem totally unaware of what assholes they are. (WTF with pushing that poor guy out of the taxi?!) Very happy to see whatsherface and her irritating dad go home, though.

zomg, the taxi jacking was so messed up. Their in-game prick-act -- e.g. lying to Gary, lying about their missed flight -- I can understand and don't get much of a dander over, but seriously, abusing/messing with the locals? That's something I'd expect from Jaime (& Cara, but not Cara).

Total lulz though for Mallory digging through dung, redux.

can't see Mallory without seeing the SNL version of Miley Cyrus.

Vyxsin is okay but Kint is the WORST

Damn being on the west coast missed the episode tonight.

Don't want to spoil it for you but the outcome was totally justified. I want SNL's Miley Cyrus and her dad to win. Two-hour finale next week.

Finally watched it, and I was wondering for 90% of the episode how you could possibly have a hate-on for Zev and Justin.

Pulling for Jen & Kisha!

did anyone else see the survivor guy's rip-off show on abc? how shameless can you get? the host even sounds exactly like phil! i mean, dude, you're the survivor guy, aim higher!

and they had this long-ass ford commercial starring the survivor guy talking about how glad he is that he has ford suvs to drive while he makes his amazing race rip-off show and i swear it made the whole show seem like an infomercial for ford.

It was pretty weak, and chock full of annoying stereotypes to boot.

Also the winning team gets $150,000. At $50,000 a piece, they might as well have played Wipeout for an afternoon.

So, does "Vegas showgirls" = topless?

omg the Maradona look-a-like at the Buenos Aires pit stop

Phil seemed pretty irritated with the teams that took the four-hour penalty.

Haven't watched in a couple seasons, should I get back on?

It's the same show you quit watching, so it depends

watching old seasons on hulu. can't stop myself. watching backward too. can't remember when i stopped with the original show. watched season 22, 21, and watching season 20 now. i have such nostalgic feelings for that first season.

http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130422171119/amazingrace/images/thumb/f/f7/FrankMargarita2nd.png/500px-FrankMargarita2nd.png

frank and margarita!

33rd season premiere was last night. A wrinkle is that they made it three episodes before covid cancelled things in 2020, so I guess when they got the all-clear they just picked up where they left off. The season premiere is therefore all pre-covid, but I think after the next episode it's ... well, not post-covid, but some months later. Curious how that plays out. Like, what if a couple broke up in between?

Speaking of couples, the teams this season lean kind of hard on novelties - a lot of youtube/reality people - but there are some compelling pairings. For example, two best friends, one of whom was wrongfully imprisoned for a decade. Or the guys that stopped that terrorist on a train in France. And some other folks, too.

OK, this is kind of interesting, in a time capsule sort of way. At the end of the second episode there is a *19 month* leap forward. Some teams do not return to resume the race (with no explanation), some previously eliminated teams get to come back, some people have lost their jobs, some have had family members die of covid, travel going forward is on chartered flights but otherwise generally avoiding public transportation in favor of driving, people are wearing masks, we suspect challenges were re-considered with social distancing in mind ... kind of surreal.

i can't believe i've been watching this show for 20 years.

I'm finally watching a new season while it's airing. Highlight is still probably Maya and Rohan getting their car stuck Austin Powers style.