ajzepp

Okay, not a bad show tonight...I think it's clear that there is a group of about five who can win it, with a few of the others dropping into the "not gonna happen" group. I was disappointed that nobody sang Empty Garden, though...I really think someone could have a "moment" with this song if they'd give it a chance. Casey: I thought he did pretty well. I liked that he actually SANG the song this time. I'd be surprised if he was in the bottom 3 again. Super Pia: I really like this chick...she did a great job with one of my favorite songs of all time. As Randy says, she's in it to win it for sure. Lauren: She really has done a good job getting her act together and recovering from a rocky start...she's back among my favorites to win it. Candle in the Wind is one of my least favorite Elton John songs, mainly because it's been overexposed to death... Jacob: Another one of my favorite Elton songs...Jacob did well. Haley: Randy called it the best performance of the night...ummm, no. It was good, but it was like the fourth or fifth best, IMO. Naima: I would have liked it if not for the accent. WTF, where did that come from? Just tacky... Scotty: Screw Scotty. Stefano: I was glad he made it through the wild card round, but honestly he's really boring me. I still like the kid, and I think his mom is a sexy MILF cougar, but he'll be gone soon. James: I loved this performance...it's so nice to have a legit rocker on the show again. James can bring it and I think this show will be his ticket to success, whether he wins or not. Thia: She sang it well, but it was just boring. I wasn't really moved by this performance at all. She's not long for this show. Paul: This guy is in the same category as Stefano for me...I used to like him, but honestly he's on the verge of getting the fast forward treatment soon. He does nothing for me. say wha?

Yeah, I think I'm probably in the camp that likes the Redemption island aspect. It hasn't been quite as dramatic as I expected, but I'd rather see the Redemption island duel than have a separate reward challenge. The redemption island duels allow for a chance to interact with the opposing team, which is interesting. Also, James hit it on the head about Ralph...holy crap, this guy is a complete ignoramous! -Probst: "Ralph, would you rather have twelve guys who work hard but don't get along, or twelve guys who don't work as hard but get along really well?" -Ralph: "I disagree..." -Probst: "That was a question, Ralph..." LOL! How cool was that volcano?? That would be an amazing experience to be perched up at the edge of that baby...talk about humbling! I was dying laughing when Rob threw the clue in there...I'm really enjoying his game this time around.

I feel guilty about it, but when I read that I spit my orange all over my laptop lol And yes...Luke is not retarded...just deaf lol

I really think it all has to do with your outlook and what you focus on. I have seen plenty of things on Amazing Race that really affected me and looked like awful living conditions. But I have also yet to see a single episode where there weren't many things about a particular locale that I thought were interesting. I just know myself, and I know that if I were there, no matter how bad a situation was, I'd still be focused on what I could learn and experience from my time there. India may have a lot of poverty and unsanitary conditions, but one look at the Taj Mahal can make you forget about all that in a heartbeat. I'm a big believer in the old addage, "When in Rome..."

It never ceases to amaze me how people so cavalierly discount and even mock the existence of God and Christ. The truth of the matter is that you have absolutely no more certainty that Jesus does not exist than I do that He does. To just close off your mind and go on just assuming you know the truth seems foolish to me. I understand the resentment and frustration with fundamentalists...I really do. But just because man screws something up or misapplies their faith doesn't invalidate the existence of God. People keep an open mind about things and even change their opinions on everything from food to music over time, yet when it comes to the creator they just magically KNOW one way or the other. It's a point of view that simply cannot be taken seriously, IMO.

I completely agree, John. That's something I typically really pay attention to when I watch this race. I don't care how dirty or nasty a particular locale may be, there is ALWAYS something about the culture and/or the experience that you can appreciate and learn from. That's the approach I'd take if I were on this race, and I really appreciate it when I see other teams who take time to smell the roses and appreciate the world cultures. That's one of my favorite parts of the show, and I think a lot of teams miss the forest for the trees. You just don't get opportunities like this every day. I honestly wouldn't give a crap about the million bucks. The experience of having a structured and fun way to travel the world would be the reward.

I know someone who is popular with the gents...wowza!!! BTW, apparently Casey had yet another (3rd) blood transfusion after last Thursday's show...

Nerds make the world go round...without question. This kid has one heck of a future waiting for him...hopefully he'll only use his super powers for "good" lol

I hear what you're saying, but I don't really consider it as much of a risk as you do. Water is dangerous to take in excessive quantities because it's hypotonic. The tea they were drinking had fruit juice in it and whatever else. It wouldn't have disrupted the body chemistry to the same degree as plain water. That being said, you're right, Luke should have dribbled it all down his shirt or something. Either that, or do what Christina's father and Mallory did and just use your sense of smell. I still don't think this is an excuse for all the drama lol. I seem to remember feeling the same way about them at one point during their first race, too.

I think India is one of my favorite stops on the race, so I hope they stay for at least one more episode. As for the outcome, I agree with James about how great it is that AR supports inclusion of folks with a handicap. I can't say I'm sad to see Luke and Margie go, though...I just get tired of all the crying with these two, just like with Mike White and his "on the brink of death" father. I'm sure the tea challenge was very frustrating, and he probably had to pee like a race horse, but is the emotional, tearful breakdown really necessary? It's just tea...you keep trying until you find the right one...it's not the end of planet earth. On top of that, Luke is a grown man...he needs to suck it up a bit. I feel kind of like a jerk for saying all this, but all the crying gets old.

lol, that was one of the more satisfying firings I can remember...I was hoping Nene wouldn't get suckered in by Dionne's praise during the first part of the boardroom, and she sure didn't! First chance she got, she threw the "legend" under the bus. Not only that, but Dionne got tagged as a quitter, which made it all the more sweet lol. I have to say, I have really grown to like Nene. She is a straight shooter, and she hasn't put up with any of the crap that Star and Dionne were throwing at her. She tells it like it is, seems to have a lot of integrity, and on top of all that she's very sharp. I think she's a real threat to win this whole thing, even though I had no idea who she was before the show (and I'm still not sure I do lol). I really thought the goddess Hope was going to go, but she did the smartest thing she's done all season...when Trump asked her who she would fire, she piled on the one person who was already gasping for air - Dionne. If she would have chose ANYONE else, it would have started a whole other debate, the conversation would have come off of Dionne, and someone else would have gone home. So good move, Hope Definitely one of my favorite boardrooms ever

Next week: Elton John Songs I'm pretty interested to see how they do with the music of one of my favorite musicians. I'm really hoping someone picks Empty Garden, which is my all-time favorite Elton song, but one that I rarely hear anyone cover. I'd also like to see someone choose "Someone Saved My Life Tonight".

That guy was really into some perverted sh*t man. Have a brewski in my honor, man...I'm still at work

bacon loaf?

Considering the guy has had two blood transfusions in the last month, I thought he was having a heart attack too! lol There was even a second there when Seacrest was like, "oooohhhhhh sh*t!"

Yep. American for life.

It's really hard to believe this guy was a special agent for the US govt lol Although last week (or whenever it was) when he was observing on redemption island, Ralph was talking some crap and Phillip jumped iright in there and called him out. He read Ralph instantly and said that he did have the hidden idol. The look on Ralph's face was very telling, but I don't know that much was said about this. I found it pretty impressive, myself.

Yep, I think she has a little bit of the "resting on my laurels because I'm beautiful and talented" thing going on. She's clearly been the center of attention her entire life, so if she feels she's too good to take advice, she may not last as long as she thinks. If she remains humble, or at least OUTWARDLY humble, and she listens to what JLo and others are telling her, she could win the thing. wow, I've gotten absolutely nothing done at work today...lol

Yep, he doesn't leave his mental status up to imagination...he's definitely a wack job. I love the merge, cause you have that great contrast between the celebration and the feast, and the resulting effects on alliances new and old once the fuzzy feelings wear off and their bellies empty again. The way Rob is playing so far, he'll have a clear strategy and contingency plan (or several contingency plans) in place every step of the way...will be fun to watch things develop

She really is amazing...you guys are right. She looked beautiful last night.

Amen to that last part. The show is ALWAYS better when you have smart, strategic people, and that's the biggest reason why I was sad to see him go. The team he left behind is not only dumb, but boring as heck. Stephanie was feisty and she was stirring it up, but aside from that they are just plain unwatchable. That Steve guy may have been in the NFL for 13 years or whatever he said, but he's dumb as a stick. I feel bad for the Iraqi war vet guy, cause he probably would be pretty good on another team, but he's surrounded by idiots. They got absolutely KILLED in that challenge yesterday. I don't see how they will possibly have any change in a physical competition from this point forward. You're so right about Rob. He's impressing me more this time around than he did his first two. He sees the big picture and he makes moves to help make that picture in his mind become a reality. That's what russell did, too. The show is much more interesting when you have people who take risks and make big moves behind the scenes. I'm really glad this kid on the island is kicking butt. It's going to be fun watching the effect of his re-entrance into the game if he keeps it up. Of course, might even be more fun to see Phillip get sent out there to challenge him. Phillip is one of the best parts of the show this year...I almost think this guy is a plant or something...he's just too perfect for the show lol.

LOL, totally agree. I don't know if you guys caught some of those facial expressions, but they were classic! The only way I can think of to describe them would be to say it looked as if he were trying to take a dump, his bowels were being a bit stubborn and uncooperative, and he was confused...

Probst has a great job, man...lol I agree about Rob keeping the idol secret. I've never understood why people want to broadcast it to the world when they find one. From time to time it may be useful to mention it, but as a general rule I'd rather keep it to myself if it were me. Rob is playing a very smart game. I'm glad he's on the show, and I'm even more glad Phillip is on his team. That makes for some pretty entertaining tv lol

Exactly. Obviously they need to strategize to get a guy like Russell out of the game, but they shot themselves in the foot by doing it so early. Same with last night. You have the one wimpy girl who isn't worth a damn in challenges, but they vote out the feisty little ball of whoop ass instead and make themselves even weaker. They seem to have no forethought whatsoever, and they're completely caught up in their own group, apparently with no concern over winning anything. I don't get it.