The Amazing Race 9: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Episode 8: Rotten Luck

The Good:

They’re Still Here!: Yes, I hate non-elimination legs (see below). But I have to admit, I let out a cheer when Phil announced it. As always, BJ & Tyler took it with their usual great attitude (well, Tyler did. I think BJ was looking for an IV) essentially saying that they will be traveling the world as true Bohemians. Except with video cameras and such.

Yet Again: It seems like every week I say something to the effect of “The Hippies/Frats did something which is one of the funniest things ever to happen on the Race.”

This is no exception. The Hippies’ “Ghost Bus” monologue (pictured at the top of the article) was nothing short of hilarious, particularly the DEAD-ON imitation of Lake. “We’re partners! Partners!” Heh.

Impressive: Well, they may annoy me from time to time, but color me impressed with Frankenberry. For an oldster team to win a leg without the help of a fast forward is unprecedented (two teams, Teri & Ian and Steve & Dave, both checked in first using the FF – thanks to Jeffrey Clinard for that info) and the fact that they’ve done it this far into the race when some of the more physical teams are struggling, makes it all the more remarkable.

The Bad:

Non-Eliminations: Bold prediction. The first three minutes of The Hippies’ race this upcoming week will consist of them begging for money (and I betcha Frankenberry helps them out at what I’m betting is an immediate equalizer, and maybe the Frats will too, although they may not, citing competitiveness). Aside from one or two mentions of them stinking, or possibly buying additional gear along the way, we will NEVER hear of BJ & Tyler being stripped of their gear.

THIS is why I hate non-elimination legs. The penalty is not a penalty. Kind of like how the whole hook of Survivor this season was supposed to be Exile Island, but aside from Terry finding the immunity idol, did anything interesting come of it?

Although, getting back to AR, I think watching the Hippies beg for money is bound to be entertaining, so it may be worthwhile anyway.

Shut Up, Mojo: You know how irritating it was to see Monica complaining about their rotten luck… when they’re coming out of second place? No, rotten luck is not being able to find one item out of over 100 locations in the blazing sun. Rotten luck is unrolling dozens of hay bales and not being able to find a clue.

You know what ISN’T rotten luck? Carrying 30 pounds on your forearms while screeching at your partner for no good reason, distracting him from finding out where the hell you’re supposed to be going.

Speaking of Monica being bitchy, was anyone else confused when they were all just sitting there at the second “flooded road,” all afraid to cross? The Frats charged ahead, and Monica got all pissy because they cut in line? Honey, going past people standing around with their thumbs up their asses is hardly “cutting.” What, were you waiting for the waters to recede, or your guide to show up? In this race, you can’t just sit around waiting for someone else to do something.

I like it better when we never saw you.

Rude: Frankenberry need to realize that being rude to the other teams at the airport doesn’t do them enough good to justify the enmity it creates. Granted, they’re in first this week, but it wasn’t because of shrewd airline ticket negotiations. Not giving up secrets is one thing, being rude is another. I didn’t like it when the Weavers did it, I’m sure as hell not going to give Frankenberry one either. OK, I did give them a free pass, but it was Lake & Michelle, so I let it slide.

The Ugly:

Well, I DID Wonder Who Would Take Lake & Michelle’s Place: Not to belabor an obvious gimmicked point, but watching Ray & Yolanda argue was, well, ugly. It was like being over your friends’ house for dinner and watching them just lash into each other like you’re not there. It’s awkward, and what makes it even more so is when both of them apologize to you individually, blaming the other one and implicitly telling you that they know you’re on their side.

I’m still not 100% sure what started the fight in the first place. All I do know is that it was one of those cases where the fight should have been over in about 30 seconds if either person had just let it lie. Ray did himself no favors by flipping the bird, and Yolanda dug up the argument more times than an archeologist on speed.

At first, I thought Ray was being the jerk in all this, with his humorless attitude, and that Yolanda was at first just trying to be funny. But my fiancé wanted to reach through the screen and strangle the “bitchy” Yolanda, so I guess that decides it for me.

What’s worse is, you know they’re going to blame the whole thing on stress, which is BS because when the worst of it was happening, the beginning, there was no way they could have been stressed out enough to justify fighting. Don’t give me the “they weren’t sure it was the right bridge” excuse, because unless there was another bridge within fifty feet, the fact that they had to walk pretty much meant, yes, the bridge right in front of you, teacher.

Mike DeGeorge is an Accountant from St. Louis and is also Associate Editor for RealityNewsOnline. You can reach Mike at rno.mike@gmail.com.

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