There are reality shows, and then there are reality competitions. The former, of course, dominate the headlines and the buzz … while consistently making our eyes roll. The latter, meanwhile, quietly win awards and accolades as the fanfare is showered elsewhere.
You know where I’m going with this — with this week’s installment of my column, I decided to focus on one of the most successful series in the reality genre. That’s right … it’s time for The Amazing Race.
While I knew I was jumping in mid-season, my assumption was that I’d catch up pretty quickly. And whether or not I understood the rules 100%, what I was excited for was the fast-paced, interesting nature of the show. I’ve read enough about it to understand what the competition is all about. It made no difference that “speed bump” and “road block,” in this context, were new terms to me.
Episode three found the contestants already in Ghana. I liked the running around, although I didn’t realize that the show provided everyone with money to do so — I thought they had to make their own way from place to place. Scenes from the past episode gave me the impression that the teams were provided with goods to sell for cash; is that not traditionally the way in which they raise money? Not that they need to be, but I’m trying to understand — are they not living like travelers once did, stopping along their route to earn money for the next leg?
It could just be the episode I caught, but some of the tasks seemed kind of dull. I’m sure a lack of familiarity with the language, culture, and customs makes everything more complicated, but learning boxing techniques seemed like an odd way to earn a clue. Delivering construction supplies I understand, because that’s the show giving back — like Chuck I was baffled by the players total lack of reading comprehension — but the boxing seemed an odd choice.
Unfortunately I was not horrified by the contestants lack of geography knowledge — New Yorkers only know the island of Manhattan, and that everything else is outside of it. I couldn’t accurately locate Westchester (a suburb of New York City) on a map, let alone Ghana.
I was kind of shocked by the way in which “bandana” was treating his girlfriend “tattoos” (who I now know are Nick and Vicki). How’d she keep referring to him as “Babe” after some of the things he said to her? I’m betting that observing relationship development is a key part of why so many people enjoy this show.
I’d been wondering why “son” kept on calling his 59 year-old “father” (Kevin and Michael) so old, and making references to how he couldn’t handle things. But I guess he knows his dad. It would have sucked for the pair to have been eliminated due to a medical situation, but the fact that the leg was non-elimination diminished the success of the other teams, as well as the failure of the father/son duo. But like I saw in this episode, it makes no difference what position you start a challenge from; it’s all about how well you perform to the end.
Before I forget, I just have to mention how much the doctor team sucks. I actually rooted for Kevin and Michael to somehow manage to still beat Nat and Kat to the finish … how could they not find the trail for so long?
In the end, while the show wasn’t bad, I found myself somewhat disappointed. I suppose it’s partially my fault — I think I’ve built The Amazing Race up so much in my head (even more so since watching Survivor) that the real thing could never hope to meet my expectations. Maybe watching a season from beginning to end would change my opinion, but the action in the episode I caught was just lacking.
And while I laughed with them — and laughed at them — in the end the contestants just didn’t do it for me.
Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Oct 18, 2010 @ 15:00 EST5EDT
Unfortunately, as I mentioned in this week’s review, the tasks have just gotten less interesting and less challenging over the years. You must have seen the sunglasses challenge which the teams had to complete to move on. They had to sell the glasses and reach a certain amount before they could continue. That had nothing to do with the money they get at the start of each leg of the race. At one point a few seasons back, the last place team on a non-elimination round got stripped of everything but the clothes on their backs and were given no money at the start of the leg. They had to beg and plead for money at that point. Go back and look at some past seasons, maybe starting at season three to see how exciting the show used to be.
*POST AUTHOR*
That sounds awesome! Stripped of everything and forced to make their own way? Nice!
My son and I began watching this show together two seasons ago. This season has been mediocre, I agree. Hopefully it’ll get better later in the season.
I hate to get political here, but it has had an effect on the show. My wife and I watched it from the beginning, and frankly found it much more challenging and interesting than Survivor-with the possible exception of the original Survivor (Richard Hatch and Co.). But after 9/11, and the terrior threat to Americans in many parts of the world–they have had to limit the locations and also the challenges accordingly. It has hurt the show, but it is still probably the best for true challenges that contestants have to overcome.
*POST AUTHOR*
Interesting … maybe they could all pretend to be Canadian.