The Amazing Race 10: The Finish Line, Episode 1

Well, it's that time again! Jon Weiss and Peggy Bunker are back again to interview the Amazing Race duos as, team by team, they get Philiminated! And I'm back again to share all the juicy details with you. But before we begin, please allow me to go on a brief rant at CBS' website.

Ahem.

Do they have a bunch of deranged, magazine-chewing chimps programming their website at CBS? Or is there just some weasel of an executive who's still in a snit because his third wife didn't get on this year's race? Because CBS's website is either under the influence of someone who lost his or her competence under the back seat of their Mercedes a few seasons ago, or there is deliberate malice at work. I shall now switch to the third person to avoid becoming so peeved I draw obscenities on my computer monitor in permanent ink...

Now, one says this because when one goes to watch the fine internet show known as The Finish Line, one clicks on the link to said show. Then one clicks on the “Watch Now” link... which leads one to several links to other videos about the race, but there is nothing that leads one to The Finish Line per se. One must randomly decide to click on a video that one does not wish to peruse which will then lead one to a commercial, followed by an opportunity to view The Finish Line after causing the aforementioned random video to cease, followed by a further commercial before one actually bears witness to the desired Finish Line show. Gak.

Sorry about that. Now, on with the show. As the show begins, Jon looks laid back and Peggy looks perky in a red and white patterned shirt. Both hosts say they are thrilled to be back this season. Peggy says it's a great cast and Jon says it's a diverse and competitive group of people. Peggy mentions that there's a gorgeous team of models to watch this year... Methinks she means Tyler and James. I guess she likes former-addict model dudes.

Peggy and Jon go on to discuss Bilal and Sa'eed's surprise elimination last night. Jon says it goes to show that anything can happen on the show, while Peggy says that Bilal and Sa'eed will be on the line later to give us their reaction. I guess this means CBS didn't bring them in for the show – I wonder why?

Jon and Peggy now discuss some of the teams and how they believe they'll do. They start with Peter and Sarah. Jon thinks they work well together and are very encouraging. Jon and Peggy both thought that Sarah wouldn't be able to get up the wall before the Pit Stop. Peggy thinks Sarah has great mental strength which could serve her well in the race.

Peggy asks Jon what team really won him over? He says that Peter and Sarah did when she got over that wall. Peggy says she's rooting for Tom and Terry. Peggy notes that she actually knows Tom because she took a stand-up class from him a long time ago in New York and she thinks he's a hysterically funny guy. She thinks we'll see how funny and determined Tom and Terry are as the race goes on.

Peggy brings up Lyn and Carlyn. She says that they're single moms and she doesn't want to call them complainers, but... Jon says, “Yes, you do!” Peggy agrees. They both note that the single moms were already carping about other teams and that it's not a good way to start the race. Jon says you want other teams to help you and complaining like that isn't going to get you that help.

We now turn to the Father and lesbian Daughter team of Duke & Lauren. Peggy says that a lot of viewers were disappointed in Duke when he said HE was disappointed in Lauren for being gay. But Jon says it was fantastic to see how proud Duke and Lauren (well, he called her Kimberly – but it is only the first show) were of each other for getting over the wall. I agree with both the initial bad feelings about Duke and I also think, especially given his feelings about her being a lesbian, that going on the race with her and being supportive is cool. I think this team may really grow closer during the race. Jon agrees with me. Hee! Peggy thinks it's got to be frustrating to do anything like The Amazing Race with a family member. She doesn't think she'd make it with any of her family! Snork.

We now get a new feature, Jon's Ringmaster Recap. The recap starts a bit roughly... you can tell it's a new feature. Jon is obviously reading from his script as he briefly recaps the episode while we watch different still pictures from the leg. Why not video?

After the recap, Peggy apologizes for her awkward intro to Jon's new segment. Peggy points out that Jon IS a ringmaster for Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus. She points out that Jon has to do all sorts of driving and flying to get to the studio each week for The Finish Line. You can tell he's a fan of the show.

It's time for our phone call from Bilal and Sa'eed! Both men cheerfully tell us that they are “devastated” and “still in shock.” Bilal says that nobody had any idea this would happen from reading the clue. The clue didn't give them any warning about the elimination. Jon asks if they thought they might receive a penalty for coming in last instead. Bilal says absolutely. He notes they were ahead of two teams when they got into their taxi. He says it was unfortunate they got such a bad taxi driver and he prays he isn't still a taxi driver. Sa'eed says it really was devastatingly disappointed. It was a “right hook that nobody expected.” Peggy agrees and says she thought they came across very well in their short time on the race. We watch a clip of Bilal and Sa'eed getting their surprise Philimination. They are obviously shocked. They say “wow!” many times during the clip.