One of the biggest challenges we face planning the race is dealing withunpredictable weather. Paragliding is such a fantastic challenge for aplace like Germany, but of course, when you’re dangling from a fewstrings and a big piece of nylon it’s a good idea to make sure you onlylaunch when the experts tell you conditions are absolutely perfect. Iactually had my first solo flight when I was on a shoot in Chile and wehad to wait a couple of days for the right weather…not an option whenyou are running a race in real time.
Of course, if Race was set in a studio we wouldn’t have to factor in the weather but we also wouldn’t have the great moment that occurred when Mel was able to soar over other teams who decided to run down the mountain instead of waiting for the right weather. Mel’s ongoing groin injury forced that decision, and this time it paid off big time. There were a lot of cell phones going off between production members when we all realized we had captured another great game changer. As I travel along the course I pick up key story points and then rely on event producers to call them in to me once I’m at the mat. Sometimes geography prevents those calls from getting through but information always makes its way to the mat as more and more teams and production members arrive.
The long trail down from the 6,000-foot mountain really took its toll on the other teams. Linda became completely overwhelmed when she took a few too many wrong turns and found herself slipping into last place. In the end, Steve and Linda were never able to recover. Their emotional finish continued well into the night as a number of us tried to comfort them at the pit stop. Don’t forget we have only been on the go now for a few days and the realization that it’s all over is a lot to take. Teams can’t help but go back through the day and talk about the what-ifs.
I’m not sure if you’re ever tried a Segway but they are awesome. I love seeing them being used in more and more practical applications, police force, airport personal, etc. I met a guy who was confined to a wheelchair the other day and he said being able to move while standing up has completely changed his whole mindset. I digress…so the teams get the chance to ride a two-mile obstacle course and then more mayhem. Why is it that pies in the face always get a laugh? Not so funny for Margie and Luke, who got seriously creamed for longer than any one, and so funny for me when they arrived at the mat covered in sour smelling cream! Just be thankful that you didn’t have to smell the scent of racer’s sweat mixed with cherry and stale cream.
How many times have we seen a team stumble because of a simple clue? Fourteen races and it’s still happening. Christie and Jodi found themselves completely flummoxed as they aimlessly picked up random pieces of wood hoping they would find their next clue. It was a tough leg for them.
We are building up to a mat meltdown. Stay tuned!
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Really enjoying the little behind-the-scenes nuggets from Phil. Love hearing about the technical stuff and what happens after the cameras are off. Looking forward to reading more of this in future blogs!
I just wonder why there have now been two tasks that have been prohibitively difficult for a deaf person: finding the pit stop by listening for yodelers and requiring the tandem hang-gliding participant to hear cues from the instructor. Why would CBS deliberately making it difficult for Luke?
TAR is a competition. I’m sure that Luke wouldn’t want it any other way for the challenges. He choose to be on the show, and if the show were to have only “tailor-made” challenges for whatever impairment the contestants have, it would’nt be as interesting. I mean, if Charla had been allowed to lead a Shetland Pony while she was in armor, would it have been as fun?
Condescend to him at your own peril. I am so looking forward to his kicking the butt of his idiot competitor who was so impressed with his observational skills. Because of course his other senses are heightened, right? Idiot! Go, Luke, go!
I really enjoyed getting to see more of Germany on this leg and MUCH less of the airport. I’m enjoying the teams more, too. Of course, I’m guessing the sniping will increase as the race goes on!
I just wonder why there have now been two tasks that have been prohibitively difficult for a deaf person: finding the pit stop by listening for yodelers and requiring the tandem hang-gliding participant to hear cues from the instructor. Why would CBS deliberately making it difficult for Luke?
I don’t think this is the case. Chances are these challenges were set well before Luke was even considered.
I’m loving these blogs, Phil! It’s so much fun to hear about the race from your perspective, with all your insider info. It’s like getting a little bonus episode each week!
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Awesome work on the blog Phil! We all love to hear about the behind the scenes nuggets that we don’t get to see. Have you guys ever considered reunion shows, a la Survivor, at the end of the season? It would be great to hear more about the Race from the racers’ perspective–and whether they’re still speaking to each other. Or is that why you can’t have a reunion show?
I’m guessing the meltdown is with Jen and her sister.
It’s funny, you rarely think about how things on TV smell…thanks for the reminder, Phil…I think.
I’ve always wondered about the reunion show, or lack of. I’d love to hear what if anything the teams learned about themselves after watching on TV, who’s still on speaking terms, what if any changes have happened in their approach to life?
I love the Amazing Race, and it’s been great to get a bit of the “behind the scenes” view from Phil (I’d love to read even more insights from Phil, if he had the time & interest). This season has been one of the best in a long time: fewer airport shots, more focus on the destinations, interesting challenges. I look forward to seeing how it all ends up!
I love the Amazing Race, and it’s been great to get a bit of the “behind the scenes” view from Phil (I’d love to read even more insights from Phil, if he had the time & interest). This season has been one of the best in a long time: fewer airport shots, more focus on the destinations, interesting challenges. I look forward to seeing how it all ends up!
MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE BEEN WATCHING “THE RACE” SINCE IT STARTED. WE ALMOST QUIT LAST YEAR (AND THIS YEAR) BECAUSE THE BACKGROUND MUSIC IS SOOOOOO LOUD IT IS ANNOYING!!
A couple people have commented that some of the challenges this season seem puposely difficult for Luke, as a deaf person. I don’t feel that this has been the case – deafness is a major handicap that consistently presents challenges to those afflicted with it. Those of us who can hear take it for granted, and often forget how important our hearing is for seemingly routine tasks.
I believe that most of the challenges in the Amazing Race are planned ahead of time, then a few are added in to challenge a perceived phobia of one or more contestants (i.e. the challenge on the family edition of the show to drive a car at a race track, when the father had been killed in a related accident).
If you are going to argue that the tasks have been unfair to Luke, you can also argue that the tasks have been unfair to those who are physically weaker. Younger and stronger contestants certainly had an advantage with the cheese last week.
The truth is that deaf people face unique challenges in the real world and that includes the race itself. I think the last thing Luke would want is for the producer to eliminate challenges they thing would be hard for him. That’s the whole point. He’s there to show that while something may be more complicated he can work a way through it. I think saying they should make the race easier is extremely condescending and doesn’t give Luke due credit.
Love it, love it, love it! When I saw they were going to Munich, I thought, “Oh no!” I drove in Munich once and found it hard to navigate but finally reached my destination! I loved the way Steve didn’t yell and scream at Linda for her snafu – the way other mates have in the past. I’ve never liked it when some have been so MEAN to their mate. Some of her were talking about AR the other night, and our big question is what about TONI & DALLAS from last season? They weren’t at the final, and one girl said she’d done all kinds of checking and can’t find an update. Thanks and keep up the good work! Oh yes, seeing this last show made me so wish I was back in Germany. Sigh….
I have to applaud the camera crew who raced down the mountain with the contestants and were still able to shoot, assuming that’s how it was done.
Hi! Me again – I decided to re-check some of the places I’d also previously checked concerning Toni & Dallas and learned the news. I’ll be sure to pass it on to my friend. Bye!
You forgot the best finish mat moment – when you saw that Mike White could not use a basic DOOR, your eyebrows were so arched I could have built a McDonald’s under them!
Love ya Phil!
Hi Phil,
Love the recap. Please do give more nuggets like the smell. Who would even think of that??!! Had to watch the Oscars last night but was sure to Tivo. As soon as the other telecast was over, I immediately watched it. Great show as usual. Hilarious Mike White climbing the fence!
Thanks for the tidbit about how it works getting the race info back at the mat. And Browsie rocked it last night!!! /:-)
Hi Phil! Loved it when Browsie shot up as Mike and his dad couldn’t figure out how to open the gate! I’ve always wondered what you’re doing for 2 days while the teams are racing to the mat???? I would love a reunion show ala Survivor. Please, please please Bertram! BTW my mom HATES reality TV and I got het to watch TAR last season for the first time ever, and now she wouldn’t miss an episode. Great episode! See you next week Phil!
How about having the Finish Line in a stadium surrounded by an audience. Have Phil welcome thme and the other teams there too. They can start the reunion right after.
This blog is totally inferior to Probst’s Survivor Blog. I wont be back!
Awesome show last night!!! Thanks for sharing great behind-the-scenes info with all of us.
Phil – would Linda have been penalized for taking private transportation down the mountain to meet Steve if they hadn’t come in last?
Folks interested in reunions of Amazing Racers should watch the syndicated Bonnie Hunt Show. She features every racing team after they are eliminated and will have the winners on once the show is over. The CBS Early Show also always reunites the top 3 teams the morning after the final episode airs.
Jaime is a GODDESS.
Great episode & blog, Phil. Germany & Austria are two of my fav countries, and it’s exciting to see them highlighted. I laughed when browsie appeared as Mike & Mel couldn’t open the door! /:-)