TAR - blind dates

[earendel]

Well, I'm not crazy about the gimmick and not knowing the sleeping arrangements during the pit stops I don't know what the show producers were expecting. The prevailing assumption is that couples would do better than singles thrown together because, presumably, they "know each other better". But as past shows have demonstrated, it's not just about compatibility. It's handling stress, thinking through the clues and the ability to perform the various challenges. I'm sure that if one of the "blind dates" (or should I say "hookups") wins, Phil will make a big deal out of it, even though it won't be.

[elwoodblues]

One thing about having the U-Turn in the first leg of the race is that they had to use it based on strategy alone because they have not started hating anyone yet.

Also, I just watched some of the Victoria's Secret Swim Special, and boy are my arms tired.

[elwoodblues]

After this season's dating couples/blind date couples gimmick I hope they return to their standard format: the older couple, the gay couple, the father and daughter trying to improve their relationship, the team with some sort of oddity, the two dumb guys, the two hot chicks, the other two hot chicks, and four cute couples we can't tell apart until halfway through the race.

[jaybee]

After this season's dating couples/blind date couples gimmick I hope they return to their standard format: the older couple, the gay couple, the father and daughter trying to improve their relationship, the team with some sort of oddity, the two dumb guys, the two hot chicks, the other two hot chicks, and four cute couples we can't tell apart until halfway through the race.

Is this the Survivor thread?

[MarleysGh0st]

Did you notice the "first-time-ever" behind-the-scenes peak at how they create one of their challenges? It was direct admission that their local activities (in this case, creating a "Winter Wonderland" in an abandoned factory) was a complete fake put together by their producers. (Not so directly stated was that it was entirely to plug the Ford Focus.)

It makes you wonder if any of those wild and crazy activities enjoyed in foreign countries are real...

[earendel]

Did you notice the "first-time-ever" behind-the-scenes peak at how they create one of their challenges? It was direct admission that their local activities (in this case, creating a "Winter Wonderland" in an abandoned factory) was a complete fake put together by their producers. (Not so directly stated was that it was entirely to plug the Ford Focus.)

It makes you wonder if any of those wild and crazy activities enjoyed in foreign countries are real...

Some of them are - I have a friend who spent a number of years in Thailand and he confirms that the challenges (the drag club, the zip line waiters) are genuine.