And then there were three. Let’s go ahead and get this out of the way. That was without a doubt the most expensive bathroom break in the history of The Amazing Race, right? Even as I sat watching the episode last night from my hotel in Maryland, knowing what was about to happen, I still couldn’t believe it. I know that it was really tough on Jen and that she felt truly responsible for their elimination…especially considering they had battled through the U-turn, the eating challenge and even moved ahead of the redheads and still came up several minutes shy of the final three. Both Kisha and Jen have competitive natures and I’m sure that elimination stung.
But I have to say, Kisha really impressed me again with her stoic response to the entire situation. She could have easily lost her cool on baby sis but she didn’t. She never blamed her or even get that upset…she knew that Jen was doing enough of that on her own. Kisha held it together like a great big sister should. Kudos to her.
I know that some people don’t like the eating challenges, but you have to admit they are an excellent test of a person’s will and determination — especially at this stage in the game. If I were to make it this far in the race, I can promise you that a starfish or a scorpion wouldn’t keep me from getting to the next leg. At that point I’m eating anything I need to in order to advance. But even I was truly impressed with the ease with which a couple of the teams handled those Asian delicacies. They blew through that challenge. Cara was a machine.
Speaking of team Redheads — I think it goes without saying that Jaime might need to work on her people skills, specifically with taxi drivers. Each and every week I am truly amazed at her impatience with the language barrier she faces in these foreign countries. Seems like Cara should have stepped in to assist in communicating with the drivers by now but Jaime is still doing all the screaming.
Can’t believe we are almost at the end of this season. I feel like this is one of the best editions we’ve ever done. The cast was amazing,the challenges were creative and unique and the pace was unstoppable. I hope you guys feel the same.
Here’s my quick tease for the finale episode:
After 3 continents, 9 countries, and 40,000 miles, it all comes down to one final leg. The final three teams will square off in a leg that will test everything from their endurance, their memories, and even their sea legs. And one racer’s Karma may come back to haunt them. Two teams will put their friendship first when they set aside the Race and help each other finish a task, and the final three teams will find themselves racing neck-and-neck in their last task on the road to the million dollar prize.
Final-Three Team Breakdown:
Cara and Jaime: Fiercely tough competitors but you have to wonder if a local is going to lose their cool on them at some point with all the screaming. Having said that, they definitely have the strength to become the first all-female team to win the Race.
Victor and Tammy: Seem to be coming on strong now. They’re focused, determined, and they feed off of each other’s tunnel vision. Definitely a stronger team heading into the final leg than they were when we first started this race. I love when team’s relationships grow on the Race.
Luke and Margie: Communicate better than any team left in the Race,but do they have the strength to battle it out against two very strong teams.
Guess we’ll have to wait and see next Sunday.
More ‘Amazing Race’:
Thanks Phil, informative as always
Phil,
Can you give us the exact amount of time between Jaime and Cara’s check in and Jen and Kisha’s? Would it have made a difference if Jen didn’t use the port-a-potty? Thanks!
The pee break still has me shaking my head. I totally would have peed my pants for that million. There are worse things to be remembered for on national TV.
I would think the karma coming back to one racer would be in the promo when they showed the taxi dispatcher yelling at Jaime. Although I wouldnt put it past the promos to try and trick us!
The first elimination because of an elimination in Amazing Race history.If it had been me in that same situation knowing how close the girls were,I’d have peed on the mat to get there first!
Speaking of the red heads,no wonder they’re divorced.
I HOPE JAMIE AND CARA win
and well i like them the most
seriously they worked the hardest
luke and margie are annoying (so were kisha and jen)
i dont mind tamy and victor although Jamie and CARA deserve it the most
We are such Amazing Race fans. That said, I think Victor and Tammy had too big an advantage to be able to speak Chinese in China for so many legs of the race! It also seems like Margie has done almost all of the challenges rather than Luke. I thought they had to do an equal number. Lastly, how come everyone knew to eat just the insides of the starfish except for Jen who ate it all? Thank for blogging and doing such a great job on the show!!!
How many legs have each of the final three won? It seems like Victor and sister have won 90%
To CB:
Phil said 10 seconds late – on the show, I believe….
CB, I think he already pretty much said that it cost them coming in third. But I would also like to know the exact amount of time. And I’m with Erika, I think I would’ve just had to pee my pants and then asked to go change and clean up once I got to the mat. Ah, well. I was impressed with K & J making up the time on that U-Turn, although I think J & C getting lost helped. I was impressed with how well the teams did on that food challenge,too. That’s the best I’ve seen any group of teams do with one of those. I did find it funny that out of all that stuff, the one Victor was worried about the most was the starfish. That one I think would’ve been of the least concern to me. I think it’s going to come down to Luke & Margie and Tammy & Victor, but I truly hope T & V take it. They’re my favorites. Also, Phil, putting the translations of what Jen & Kisha were saying at the restaurant? Genius. That was hilarious.
Thanks for the great blog, Phil! Just wondering, was the potty break really what caused them to lose? How late were Jen & Kisha? 1 minute? 5 minutes? Personally, I would’ve focused on dry things (sand. the crust of the fried bugs. etc.) and waited until after checking in to hit the bathroom.
if the time difference really was just 10 seconds then J&K would have had to have seen J&C leaving the matt. not quite buying it. Phil, did you just say that to further torture poor Jen?
I want Luke and Margie to win. Luke is so cute.
Folks, if you actually READ the blog up there, you’ll see the answer. He says right there that it was “several minutes”. The Pee-break was a non-issue…just editing and drama for TV.
one more comment for you, Phil…I’ve been following your ride across America. The video blogs are GREAT. I hope you have recovered from that nasty fall.