(S11E05) Who are you rooting for? The race is narrowed down enough that it's easier to pick a favorite. Right now, I'm partial to Oswald & Danny but I think this episode was edited in their favor.This week, the teams all caught the same flight from Argentina to Mozambique, Africa, where they found rats. I actually thought this was one of the more interesting challenges since I had no idea that rats were used to sniff out land mines. And the names of the rats were quite funny: Tupac, Nelson, Twinkletoes, and Xena? Hilarious!
The second challenge was a lot more along the lines of Amazing Race-style challenges (finally!). Teams had to either give manicures or fill 45-pound bags with coal and carry them to a location. Most of the teams opted for the porter challenge and I think that's because they were afraid to interact with the locals.
Anybody know why the teams had drivers while they were in Africa?
Oswald & Danny [4]: These two were my sentimental favorite tonight. They kept their sense of humor during all the challenges, joking about losing people in avalanches and ruining their manicures by hauling coal. They even had enough energy at the end to chase Phil and threaten to give him a hug and get coal dust all over him.
Uchenna & Joyce [7]: Okay, I had to laugh when Joyce didn't know Mozambique was in Africa and then, when she finds out it is, she calls it "the motherland". It was a close race this week, but they made a simple little mistake of not getting directions during the coal-hauling challenge. Next week, they have to come in first or incur a 30-minute penalty at the Pit Stop.
Charla & Mirna [1]: Arrrrrgh! I feel like I say the same thing about Mirna every week: I hate this bitch! Seriously. She is such an uptight snag. I guess that's why she's here-- because we need someone to hate. I couldn't tell you what Charla is like because Mirna won't shut the hell up.
Teri & Ian [3]: These two got third place by accident! Luckily, their driver was terrible at directions and they ended up at the fingernail painting challenge instead of the coal-carrying challenge.
Eric & Danielle [6]: I think Eric's problem with the Guidos is unwarranted. Do the Guidos seem that weird? Yes, they have matching shirts for every day of the race. But I think Eric has a problem with them because they dared to stand up to him last week when he behaved like a jerk. And his final comments in the episode make me think he also has a problem with them because they are gay.
Joe & Bill [5]: See above.
Dustin & Kandice [2]: If these two win, it'll be a freakin' miracle. They cannot follow directions! At least they got their heads together this week to realize that they're very good at getting people to do things for them (they're hot blondes!) and the went with a smart choice on the final challenge.
Next week: Eric & Danielle get thrown off a flight! What did he do?!?
TV Squad Ten: Top Ten ESPN shows from worst to first
Andy Richter: The TV Squad Interview
Have any questions for Vik Sahay of Chuck? Ask them here!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
3-19-2007 @ 2:04AM
Janni said...
Phil running away was super funny, I have never seen a host do that. AR is unique.
Reply
3-19-2007 @ 2:21AM
marbleann said...
God I made a mistake and saw who was going to win and the order they were leaving. ANd so far it has been correct. I tried to forget it. I love Danny and Oswald and I am always rooting for them ever since they decded to go shopping in Hong Kong the last time they were on the show. I like them and the Beauty Queens. I seem to be the only one who wants them to win other then their parents and I am not too sure about that. Uchenna and Joyce are my other favorite but they can't win twice. About Phil he by far is my favorite host on tv.
Reply
3-19-2007 @ 2:35AM
Janni said...
Anybody know why the teams had drivers while they were in Africa?
i don't
Guessing we've seen enough taxi driver drama on the show. And we'll get some more, eventually.
Reply
3-19-2007 @ 2:37AM
Brent McKee said...
The simple answer about the Detour seems to be that none of the guys - including the four gay guys - thought that painting nails was a manly activity or that the locals would accept men painting nails, so they picked the more physical task, when as Phil mentioned it was something that was usually done by men in Mozambique. As you said it was only by luck that Terri & Ian did the fingernail task but even then it was clearly something that Ian was reluctant to do.
Reply
3-19-2007 @ 2:41AM
Brent McKee said...
Oh, and as far as the drivers go, I'm going to hazard a guess and say that part of it was because Mozambique is one of those countries in the world where you drive on the left hand side of the road.
Reply
3-19-2007 @ 3:01AM
Janni said...
For all star ed. AR Survivor they should throw in a fan team. They would totally geek out and make the shows better, not like they stick to the term all stars, ore like fan favs.
Reply
3-19-2007 @ 4:09AM
Miranda said...
I looked at the spoilers too, and I wish I hadn't. :-(
Eric needs to shut the **** up, and Danielle needs to grow a brain and realize that he has absolutely no respect for her. I agree that Eric's dislike for the Guidos seems to be attributable to homophobia. Or overcompensation. Regardless, I hope the Guidos continue to kick his butt.
Reply
3-19-2007 @ 4:12AM
Ken said...
I LOVE Amazing Race. I think it's the best of all the reality shows on broadcast channels.
Reply
3-19-2007 @ 5:35PM
AJ said...
Mirna didn't do anything last time, I wonder why she turned into a bitch.
Reply
3-19-2007 @ 9:36AM
Julia said...
Oswald and Danny chasing Phil around was fantastic. Love the hokey music they added on top.
I doubt they drive on the left side of the road in Mozambique, as it was a Portuguese colony, not British. And even if that were the case, they've made racers drive on the left before. I imagine it had more to do with general road anarchy in a developing country and the show's insurance saying that letting the racers drive would be too big a risk. It sure looked chaotic.
Reply
3-19-2007 @ 9:42AM
O said...
this is easily the season with the dumbest people on the race. Was i the only one that noticed that all of them were trying to speak with the locals in maputo by speaking spanish! how stupid do u have to be? not knowing where mozambique is was one thing, but not realizing they have left south america is completely another.
Reply
3-20-2007 @ 6:02PM
david said...
Hey James- you are the jerk for getting my hopes up that i could somehow see the remaining episodes without waiting. I hope you and your spam have a horrible day
Reply
3-19-2007 @ 10:08AM
Daniel said...
"Anybody know why the teams had drivers while they were in Africa?"
I believe it was more of a combination of crazy roads and the driving on the left. Just because Mozambique was not a British Colony doesn't mean they can't drive on the left. Look at Japan. They were never a British Colony and they drive on the left. Check out Wikipedia for more info. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driving_on_the_left_or_right
Reply
3-19-2007 @ 10:58AM
CherrySlurpees said...
About the speaking Spanish thing. As most people probably know, Portugues, like Spanish, is based on Latin. The languages are very similar, many words are even the same. The stems of the verbs are mostly the same, it's just the endings that are different. I speak Spanish and in a pinch am able to communicate just fine with someone speaking Portugues.
Reply
3-19-2007 @ 11:54AM
Julia said...
Daniel, I stand corrected on the left-side driving thing. Interesting.
My experience in Brazil was that Portuguese-speakers can generally understand Spanish, but Spanish-speakers have a very hard time with Portuguese. I bet the Spanish helped at least a little bit in Mozambique.
Reply
3-19-2007 @ 12:53PM
kip said...
Anybody know why the teams had drivers while they were in Africa?
My guess is that like India, due to the crazyiness of the driving condiions to foreigners, that its required. In India when you rent a car from Avis, you get a driver with you to get you where you want to go.
Reply
3-20-2007 @ 12:53AM
Janni said...
Phil pets a rat the size of his forearm on his forearm.
Reply
3-20-2007 @ 12:10PM
Liz said...
Last season the racers did drive extensively in Mauritius, where they drive on the left. For this episode, I think the teams had drivers because the last time they were in Africa and driving themselves (during Season 7) Brian & Greg got into a bad car accident which seriously injured their camera man. TAR's insurance probably went through the roof in regards to racers driving themselves in Africa, hence the drivers in this latest leg.
On the linguistic note, Mozambique is becoming a popular tourist destination for South Africans, hence the widespread English comprehension in Maputo.
Reply
3-21-2007 @ 12:02PM
kenny said...
If Mozambique is like some other African countries, then drivers were furnished for safety and liability reasons. Accidents were staged when an 'outsider' was driving and fault placed on that driver. A $10,000 settlement was a life-times income to most African natives.
Reply
5-17-2007 @ 4:25PM
ballawana said...
Amazing Race is always interesting.
What is with the two overtly gay couples (the Guido's -- What's up with that? and Oswald and Danny)? Can't we see somewhat "normal" couples - friends, lovers, married couples or family members - without the expressions of affection the emotional outbursts over little stuff? I am tired of watching TAR and seeing freaks (Mirna and Chmirna) and really over the top gays. This show has had too many overtly emotional or affectionate gays for my liking relative to the general population. Are they recruited because they don't have jobs?
There have been some very interesting teams in the past. Surely they could have offered some decent money to some of them. This show is getting almost unwatchable with the stuff it down your throat embrace of gays. What they do behind closed doors is their business and I would let them do what they want, but don't be so explicit about it.
Reply