Tuesday saw another riveting finale of The Amazing Race and another non-win for the best Racers of the season, Rob and Amber. So how do they stack up against some of the best from previous seasons? Let’s do this via a Top 5 countdown. This is based partially on how the teams finished in all legs, and how well they played the game.
5) Tara and Wil. The separated couple definitely knew how to put aside their differences and work together as a team. This despite Wil being one of the more hated Racers ever, and Tara’s constant flirting with Alex (or was it Chris?). These guys were very consistent, but several third place finishes put them at the bottom of the top five.
4) Colin and Christie, TAR5. They had the most first place finishes (6) of any team ever, but started off slow, finishing 7th and 6th in the first two legs. However, Colin’s temper threatened to cost them a few times – once in Africa where he was nearly arrested for not paying cab fare, and once when he went “on tilt” after Chip and Kim Yielded his team. Overall, a great performance, but they were bumped to fourth by a very familiar reality TV couple.
3) Rob and Amber, TAR7. Two finishes lower than third (both 5th), 5 first place finishes, 6 if you count meeting Phil “at the mat” during the extended leg. You can argue that getting local guides was indicative of a weak team, but “A man’s gotta know his own limitations”, and they knew how to play it smart. They introduced some strategies that will probably come into play in later editions of the game. So why are they third? Because there are two teams that were better. Duh.
2) Kris and Jon, TAR6. One of my favourite teams of all time, these two raced well, and smiled the whole way through. Statistically speaking, these two were probably the most consistent – finishing as low as fourth (twice) – and would be my pick for the best Racers so far if not for the team in number one.
1) Rob and Brennan, TAR. Obviously, winning the Race counts for a lot. But it’s how they did it that really matters, finishing first 4 out of the last 5 legs. Their only sub-third results were early on, and obviously, it didn’t hurt them in their quest for the Finish Line.
—
Now, some quick thoughts on Survivor.
What the hell was Caryn thinking? This isn’t a situation where Coby knew he was going, this was pretty much a case where she thought she was being smart by laying everyone’s plans out for the all to see, and Koror all realizing that she simply couldn’t be trusted with anything. Tom could’ve carried her farther, but she opened her big mouth and screwed herself out of a million. Now, onto the Final Four
Lots of variables can come into play with this Final Four, and about the only outcome I can’t foresee is a Final Two of Ian and Tom. One of them will be the next person eliminated. The other will likely need to win the final Immunity Challenge in order to make the Final Two. Katie MIGHT take Ian with her, should she win, but she knows she’d have a better chance against Jenn.
Predictions:
4: Tom
3: Jenn
2: Katie
Winner: Ian. If I were to second guess, I’d flip around Jenn and Ian.
—
Finally, if you’re going through hockey withdrawal or are just tired of hoops or baseball, tune into NBC at 3:30pm EDT today as the Toronto Rock take on the Arizona Sting in the National Lacrosse League finals. I know I’ll be enjoying it – I’ll be in the 6th row!!
