(S13E10) "Could we look like bigger idiots?" - Team Dandrew
Well, when you march worse than Elaine danced on Seinfeld, it's hard to make yourself look like a "bigger idiot." The Dunderhead Doofus Duo, the single most inept team to ever be on The Amazing Race, had to face a Speed Bump on tonight's penultimate episode of the season due to being saved by last week's non-Philimination leg. Oh ... and that Speed Bump had to do with dancing. Read on!
Odd departures
I wasn't too surprised the teams remained in Moscow for this leg. But what did surprise me is that they didn't announce the departure times from the Pit Stop for the teams. Instead of actual times, all that was said was "first team to depart" and so forth. I don't recall ever seeing that happen before. What are they trying to hide? Could it be that Team Dandrew was so far behind that it be impossible to believe how badly Toni and Dallas did with their woes on tonight's show?
The leg, the final four teams
Nick and Starr got their mojo back this time around. Of course, we now know Starr isn't too great at coping with the stress of failure. But, not to worry. Not tonight anyway. Nick, the calm and collected one of the pair, also had an edge tonight due to understanding convoluted subway systems. The one in Moscow definitely beats NYC in the confusing department, though. They shined once again. It would be satisfying to see this team win it all. They've been one of the most consistently strong teams ever on the show. Another first place finish tonight.
Ken and Tina. They make me like them, then they make me not like them. Sometimes they're very strong and determined, other times they screw up royally. They bicker, then they make up. Sometimes Tina is a nasty so-and-so, then she turns around and gives Dallas the answer to a clue. My goodness, no wonder they had marital difficulties. I think we have multiple personality disorders going on here. But I'd rather see them win than the Dunderhead Doofus Duo. That's not saying much. Team Dandrew beat them this week. Eek.
Sigh ... Dallas and Toni are the best parent/adult child team ever on the show. They didn't come on the show to see if they could get over an estrangement. You can tell the relationship between them is strong. Plus, they're basically a very strong team even though Toni isn't quite a 22-year-old out there running the legs. Kudos to them for the good people they seem to be! Unfortunately, Dallas made a fatal error leaving his bag in the taxi with both of their passports and all of their money. But even then, Toni never blamed him. Tears came to my eyes when they were Philiminated tonight.
Then there's the Frat Boys or, as I prefer, the Dunderhead Doofus Duo. I cannot believe they're still in the race. I cannot believe they think people want them to win because they're underdogs. That would only work if they were underdogs to a team who was sneaky, evil, and underhanded. Nick and Starr don't fit that criteria. I personally judged a "nyet" on their second try at dancing, but they were allowed to continue on from the Speed Bump. I really hope CBS knows I don't want them to win!
A few surprises and delights
- A delight was that so many folks in Moscow were so willing to hand money over to Toni and Dallas. Americans, TV cameras ... I don't know why they did it. But it was fantastic to see nice people helping out nice people.
- A surprise was that Andrew actually did a smart move by enlisting a native's help at the monument park. Yes, the guy got the count wrong. But had Andrew done it on his own, they'd probably still be in Moscow now months after the filming ended.
- I'm still in shock that Tina helped Dallas. Hey, it could make for good karma down the line, eh?
- I'm delighted with Moscow itself. It's bustling, the folks seem to be open to foreigners, the history and architecture of the city is amazing. I'll probably never get there myself. But the show gave me glimpses of the city and its people. Very nice indeed!
Again, football delayed the start of the show here in the NYC area. CBS needs to address this issue. It's a major holiday weekend and lots of folks probably had their DVRs set to record it. This happens with all of the primetime shows on Sunday night no matter what sports they cover. What I think they should do is go ahead and drop one show from the line-up and schedule 60 Minutes to start at 8 PM. They could use sports filler to fill in the odd fifteen minutes or half-hour each week. I'd rather TAR or Big Brother start regularly at 9 PM each Sunday than the guessing game and odd starting times. Do it, CBS!
- THE AMAZING RACE 13 The 11 Teams competing in this Race around the world, will travel over 30,000 miles, spanning five continents, with stops in Cambodia, Kazakhstan and Moscow to name a few. THE AMAZING RACE 13 premieres Sunday, Sept. 28 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Standing from Left: Ken and Tina, Mark and Bill, Aja and Ty, Anthony and Stephanie, Anita and Arthur, Dan and Andrew, Toni and Dallas, Marisa and Brooke; Sitting from Left: Terence and Sarah, Kelly, and Christy, and Nick and Starr. CBS THE AMAZING RACE 13 Friends from Columbia, SC, Marisa Axelrod, left, a 22 year-old student and Brooke Jackson, a 24 year-old graphic designer, are one of the teams competing in this Race around the world, traveling over 30,000 miles, spanning five continents, with stops in Cambodia, Kazakhstan and Moscow to name a few. Premieres Sunday, September 28, 2008. CBS THE AMAZING RACE 13 Phil Keoghan hosts The Amazing Race, a race around the world spanning five continents, with stops in Cambodia, Kazakhstan and Moscow to name a few. Premieres Sunday, September 28, 2008. CBS THE AMAZING RACE 13 Married, but separated couple, Ken Greene, a 51 year-old home-builder/ex-NFL, and Tina Greene, a 48 year-old President, BioPharmMed, are one of the teams competing in this Race around the world, traveling over 30,000 miles, spanning five continents, with stops in Cambodia, Kazakhstan and Moscow to name a few. Premieres Sunday, September 28, 2008. CBS THE AMAZING RACE 13 Best friends from Texas, Kelly Crabb, left, a 26 year-old pharmaceutical representative and Christy Cook, a 26 year-old business development, are one of the teams competing in this Race around the world, traveling over 30,000 miles, spanning five continents, with stops in Cambodia, Kazakhstan and Moscow to name a few. Premieres Sunday, September 28, 2008. CBS THE AMAZING RACE 13 Mother and son from Woodside, CA, Dallas Imbimbo, left, a 22 year-old student and Toni Imbimbo, a 51 year-old accounting consultant, are one of the teams competing in this Race around the world, traveling over 30,000 miles, spanning five continents, with stops in Cambodia, Kazakhstan and Moscow to name a few. Premieres Sunday, September 28, 2008. CBS THE AMAZING RACE 13 Friends from San Diego, CA, Mark Yturralde, left, a 41 year-old CFO of Comic Con, and Bill Kahler, a 42 year-old aid administrator, are one of the teams competing in this Race around the world, traveling over 30,000 miles, spanning five continents, with stops in Cambodia, Kazakhstan and Moscow to name a few. Premieres Sunday, September 28, 2008. CBS THE AMAZING RACE 13 Married couple from Eugene, OR, Anita Jones, a 63 year-old retired paralegal and Arthur Jones, a 60 year-old in playground maintenance, are one of the teams competing in this Race around the world, traveling over 30,000 miles, spanning five continents, with stops in Cambodia, Kazakhstan and Moscow to name a few. Premieres Sunday, September 28, 2008. CBS THE AMAZING RACE 13 Dating couple from Los Angeles, CA, Stephanie Kacandes, left, a 32 year-old financial saleswoman, and Anthony Marotta, a 32 year-old mortgage broker, are one of the teams competing in this Race around the world, traveling over 30,000 miles, spanning five continents, with stops in Cambodia, Kazakhstan and Moscow to name a few. Premieres Sunday, September 28, 2008. CBS THE AMAZING RACE 13 Long distance dating couple, Aja Benton, left, a 25 year-old makeup artist of Los Angeles, CA and Ty White, a 25 year-old banker of Southfield, MI, are one of the teams competing in this Race around the world, traveling over 30,000 miles, spanning five continents, with stops in Cambodia, Kazakhstan and Moscow to name a few. Premieres Sunday, September 28, 2008. CBS
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
11-30-2008 @ 11:35PM
David said...
Awww, damn. But you could see it on Toni's face in the interviews long before the ending. And I don't ever recall Phil looking so saddened at having to deliver the bad news.
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12-01-2008 @ 12:10AM
Ryan said...
With Toni/Dallas unfortunately out of the way, I can go all out in my support for Nick/Starr. They may not be perfect, but they have been focused and strong throughout without being overly annoying or getting at each other's throats. I would be okay with Ken/Tina winning, but it would be perfect and well-deserved for this brother and sister duo to take it all. Make it one more #1 finish, guys.
The less said about Dandrew, the better. I'm pretty disgusted that despite their horrendous race, they're still in the final three. Having said that, I have to begrudgingly give them kudos. MANY times in the race, most people would've have plainly given up if they were put in Dandrew's shoes, but they kept at it. In fact they finished SECOND this leg which is their best finish yet and probably would've meant they still would be in the final 3 even if Dallas didn't lose their passports/money.
I'm looking forward to Ken/Tina and Nick/Starr racing for the win. Dandrew needs to get third. It just wouldn't be right if it happened any other way. Though when does reality show results reflect the best possible result?
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12-01-2008 @ 12:18AM
Terry said...
I am so saddened by dallas and toni coming in last:( They deserved final 3!!! I think its disappointing to see a weaker team that in my opinion shouldn't have made it further than week 1 or 2 make it to final 3 ..... If they win the race i will never watch the race again!! LOL
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12-01-2008 @ 12:36AM
Jackie Schnoop said...
If Dandrew wins, I'll kick myself in my butt with my knee surgery leg. But I'll watch again next season!
12-01-2008 @ 12:48AM
Edward said...
How did the pony lady know that Toni and Dallas didn't take a cab over to the park? Did the camera crew rat them out once they got there?
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12-01-2008 @ 4:38AM
knight said...
Since she was part of the race, I'm certain the Amazing Race crew has ways to contact her ahead of time for occasions like this one. It must be how they tell the various people at the Detours and Road Blocks to "go on dancing because there's another team coming" or "ok you can all go home and stop waiting for anyone else, they're all at the pit stop, thanks!"
12-02-2008 @ 4:12AM
KenMo said...
OK, but this is another departure from protocol (along with not announcing the times).
Why didn't they let them continue (after not taking a cab) then just penalize them (or send them back) when they got to the mat?
12-01-2008 @ 1:35AM
cc said...
great review of tonight's episode! I too cannot stand Dandrew and am shocked that they keep staying in the game. Besides the fact that they have pea sized brains, I mostly can't stand the fact that they act so entitled and narcissistic.
I was also disappointed to see Toni and Dallas lose tonight but thought they put in a great effort. It was touching to see so many Russians willing to help them and offer them money.
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12-01-2008 @ 1:34AM
Picviewer said...
Team Wingus & Dingus are going to win it as the other two will screw up and the braindeads will win it somehow.
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12-01-2008 @ 4:40AM
knight said...
I don't know why but this episode was really entertaining! Am I the only one who loved the more complex Detours and Road Blocks? At least it seemed that way to me.
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12-01-2008 @ 10:17AM
Ryan said...
When Phil was explaining the detours and road blocks, I couldn't stop laughing. I was like... darn that's difficult. I'm actually shocked that Dandrew got a pretty good handle on it all.
12-01-2008 @ 6:13AM
SGN said...
So sorry to see Toni and Dallas gone. Just a tip for travelers, keep your passport and money in a money belt or pouch on your body - that way if your luggage/purse/etc. are lost or stolen, you can stil travel.
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12-01-2008 @ 8:31AM
Karen said...
If they all didn't have to give all their money and passports to their "partner" then Dallas would not have lost the money/passports. He was wearing it up until the last taxi ride. I wonder why he took it off?
12-01-2008 @ 10:55AM
nisesmith said...
I couldn't believe it was Toni and Dallas to go tonight! I liked the review, but I have to say I wish they would have gone out of Russia. It added to the yawn factor that they were there last week too. That being said, I also was touched that so many strangers would give money to Toni/Dallas. Kudos to the Russians!
I don't have anything really bad to say about Ken and Tina but has it never been discussed that they probably don't need the million dollars? Wasn't he an NFL Player? I don't know, maybe Tina blew it all on plastic surgery, but still, really do we want these two to win? Are they most deserving?
I've never loved Nick and Starr, but I grudgingly agree that they are probably the most apt team out of everyone.
Team Dandrew! Nothing can be added about how much this team is deplored. It would be a travesty if they won it all!
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12-01-2008 @ 11:30AM
Twinkie Beyond said...
After the unfortunate misplacement of their passports, Toni and Dallas were never heard from again. Some say that on stormy nights, you can still hear Dallas's voice in the wind, counting the monuments of Lenins and Stalins in Moscow Park Iskusstv.
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12-01-2008 @ 11:38AM
MJL said...
How can anyone be rooting for Nick and Starr? Nick is one of the most annoying racers ever. All his snarky little comments whenever they come in first, that smug look that's always on his face, and those ridiculous camouflage outfits. Starr isn't as bad, but she stresses out way too much and reminds me of that crazy blonde girl from last season who freaked out all the time.
Personally I'm rooting for Dandrew, there's no way they deserve to still be here but they're the most entertaining out of the three teams left. Can't wait to see the dancing clip on "The Soup" this week.
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12-01-2008 @ 12:38PM
Ryan said...
Yes, let's award mediocrity. Pft. No thanks.
Actually it's funny because I like Nick MORE than Starr because he's just so calm and collected. Like I said, they're not perfect. Far from it. But other than Toni/Dallas, what other teams in the final six didn't make snarky comments on the side or had an inflated sense of ego? At least in their defense, they're not delusional since they have been #1 like 70% of the race.
12-01-2008 @ 12:34PM
heinlein said...
Dandrew, in order for people to root for underdogs, they have to be likeable and/or in some way deserving. NOT qualified.
Great review.
Was anyone else laughing as soon as it was revealed that the speed bump consisted of a dancing task?
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12-01-2008 @ 12:57PM
David said...
I was laughing too, but I was surprised that the sequence was edited so quickly, without a lot of wide shots to show how doofussy they really were attempting to dance. I thought the marching showed off the clumsiness a lot more emphatically.
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12-01-2008 @ 1:09PM
Ben said...
Regarding the last bit about football overruns...is this your first weekend ever watching television? First time recording something on the weekend? NFL overruns in the fall and winter have been commonplace for about 40 years now--remember the "Heidi" game?
If people haven't figured out by this point to set their recording devices to allow for potential overruns, they're never going to learn. My DVR is set to record from 8:00 to 11:00 every Sunday. No, I don't watch "Cold Case" or "The Unit"--I've just learned to pad the recording so I won't miss anything.
As for dropping another show just to be able to start TAR on time? How would you justify that stance to someone who says "I don't care about a stupid reality show--I'm a devoted fan of 'Cold Case' and CBS should just drop 'Amazing Race' and start 'Cold Case' on time so I don't miss it"? It's easy to say they should just not run some other show so your favorite would air on-time, but your favorite show isn't everyone else's favorite show. (Mind you, TAR *is* one of my favorite shows, but still...fair is fair.)
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