Amazing Race

So we just got done watching the first episode of the latest season of Amazing Race and I thought I'd share my thoughts. (This might become a regular feature if it's popular.)

• Introducing the pairs and it's obvious that they look for certain types. They always have a pair of blondes that say something like 'our looks will help us overseas'. These girls always struggle and are quickly eliminated.
• The first race to the airport always seems overhyped. This time they did the clever thing by making the two plane choices a true toss-up because of the train time on the European end. That's right, the first leg involved flying to either Zurich or Milan and then taking a train further into the Alps. Who wouldn't want to do this?
• First challenge is a bungee jump. The FP Gal said she wouldn't do it. Might not even let me do it. Second biggest jump in Europe? No problem.
• Another stereotypical pairing is the 'couple destined for Dr Phil'. These are two 'adults' who play stupid games with each other and think any kind of delay is the other person's fault. Around episode five you pray that one of them breaks their leg/jaw.
  
• The second challenge has them carrying heavy cheesewheels down a steep and slippery hill. "Don't let any of that cheese hit me!", might be the funniest line in the history of this show.
  
• Another couple features a deaf man and his mother. He has a severe persecution complex over his disability and frankly, it doesn't make for good TV. If he is going to go around the world while continuing to talk about how no one thinks deaf people can do anything, we will have to start rooting against him. As they finished the cheese challenge I said, "No one thought that a deaf man could carry cheese!". No lightning has hit the house yet.
• Another pair that we get each season are the back-country hicks. They impressed with the cheese as they were the only one to make the flimsy cheese carriers into a sled and drag the wheels down. Good for them!
• And then they give it right back by not being able to find the finish line.
  
• I mentioned a blog from Phil and this appears to be it. This one is basically a video commercial for Air New Zealand, so skip it if you want something about the first real episode.
  
• Man I missed this show. Most of the couples sound good and I'm looking forward to meeting them more. They've upped the production level a bit and the graphics look very nice. We have faith in their choosing nice spots to stop at. What more could you ask for?