The Amazing Race 9: A Preview

CBS has finally released the names of the teams for the new season of The Amazing Race. Somehow, not one model or pageant queen has made the cut. Instead, this season will feature a number of smart, talented people, many of whom haven’t traveled very much. Here’s an overview of the teams:

Barry and Fran (Married) - Fran and Barry are our requisite older couple; they’re in their 60s and have been married for more than 40 years. Barry is a retired urologist and worked as a surgeon in Vietnam, while Fran is a retired accountant. Lest you think they’re boring, Fran has climbed every mountain peak in Colorado (their home state) that’s higher than 14,000 feet. She refused to bungee jump from a bridge in New Zealand but made it up to Barry by skydiving. This couple has been to more than 45 countries and call their trips “adventure travel.” Alas, I fear they will fall victim to the “older couple” curse and won’t make it too far.

BJ and Tyler (Best friends) - CBS’ website describes Tyler and BJ as “Bohemian best buds,” and judging from their photo, it’s true. They look like they should be starring in a production of Godspell. A Google search revealed that BJ is an actor, but just in productions at his alma mater, Harvard. He met Tyler four years ago while participating in Semester at sea, which Tyler did twice before graduating from UC Santa Cruz. BJ moved to California but Tyler decided to walk across Japan to impress a girl. He turned his trek into a movie called Kintaro Walks Japan. I like these two already and I think they’ll provide a lot of comic relief. They’re used to traveling, so they’ll probably be pretty laidback. I think they could make it all the way to the final three.

Dani and Danielle (Childhood friends) - Not only do these two practically have the same name, they have the same hair. They are from Staten Island and have been friends for over ten years. They may look like bimbos, but Danielle has a degree in speech pathology from St. Johns University and Dani graduated from Wagner College at the top of her class. Neither has traveled much but would like to see more of the world. They also don’t seem to be averse to using their looks to get help. I see them going the way of Heidi and Megan – flirting with other racers, then losing.

David and Lori (Dating) - I believe these are the self-proclaimed dorks from the preview at the end of the eighth season, which makes me like them immediately. David is a musician and Lori is the assistant manager of a Pizza Hut. Both are from Manhattan, Kansas, and though Lori is ready to get married, David wants to establish his career first. I hope they make it far, but unfortunately, I foresee a quick exit for these two.

Desiree and Wanda (Mother and daughter) - These two are our first mother/daughter team in a while. Wanda is a corporate trainer who lives in Smyrna, Georgia and Desiree is a writer in New York City. Wanda’s greatest accomplishment was earning two college degrees while raising Desiree, who recently graduated from NYU. Desiree describes her mother as overprotective, but these two seem to have a lot in common. I wonder if they’ll turn out like Hilary and Diedre (out first in season two) or Nancy and Emily (lasted much longer in the first season). I really can’t decide.

Eric and Jeremy (Friends) - Look, the pretty ones. Jeremy and Eric are from Fort Lauderdale, where Eric is a bartender and waiter and Jeremy is a valet. Jeremy describes himself as patient and sarcastic, but Eric says he doesn’t take criticism well. Both ran track in college, and though Jeremy has traveled a lot, Eric hasn’t. I hope my opinion of them changes after we see more of them, because right now I don’t find them that appealing. I think they’ll go pretty far, though, since two-men athletic teams usually do.

Lake and Michelle (Married parents) - Michelle and Lake have been married for 13 years and live in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Lake is a dentist whom Michelle describes as impatient, which doesn’t bode well for them. Michelle works part-time in Lake’s office and takes care of their three children. She wants to prove to Lake that she’s “capable of accomplishing things.” I don’t like the Jonathan/Victoria vibe that gives me. I also don’t see them making it very far.