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Archive through April 22, 2005

The TVClubHouse: Amazing Race ARCHIVES: Amazing Race VII: AR General Discussions: SHOWS: Tonight's show 4.19.05: ARCHIVES: Archive through April 22, 2005 users admin

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Jimmer
Member

08-30-2000

Thursday, April 21, 2005 - 8:37 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Actually, I recall that when Rob asked if he would take them all over the city, he enthusiastically replied that it would be no problem at all. And, Rob asked him to help all four of them but he made it clear that if for some reason Ron and Kelly were stuck at a task, they would have to go on ahead. There is nothing unreasonable about that.

Rob and Amber are very personable (IMO) which is one reason why they get help from people who don't even know them. They almost always ask in a calm friendly way - much better than randomly yelling "Help us, help us!".

These teams are all in this to win. Did you see how much Gretchin enjoyed it when Amber was struggling with the camel? And, there isn’t anything really wrong with that – they are competing.

Native_texan
Member

08-24-2004

Thursday, April 21, 2005 - 8:44 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Did you see how much Gretchin enjoyed it when Amber was struggling with the camel?

I agree. Can you imagine what would have been said if it had been Amber enjoying Gretchen's struggle?

Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Thursday, April 21, 2005 - 11:15 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Lance, yes of course, I'd say most if not all of the "helpful" people, on each and every season of TAR, probably did it in part because they would be on TV.. and the camera crews are a huge clue.

I don't think this indicates anything nefarious on Rob's part; it isn't even a new strategy.

I think teams who get help are usually those who are pleasant to the helper, OR they may feel sorry for someone, like when Gretchen was sporting her fresh wounds and large bandage.

Anyway, fair is pretty much anything within the rules, I suspect.

Heck, I think the borrowing of cell phones could be considered unfair, at least that was my opinion the first times I saw that used, but since it wasn't outlawed in subsequent seasons, it obviously is just fine with the producers. Clearly they aren't allowed to make use of the phones or radios carried by their camera and sound crews.



Lexie_girl
Member

07-30-2004

Thursday, April 21, 2005 - 11:48 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I read an article probably about two seasons ago that TAR producers wanted the contestants to start using the "locals" more for information and assistance (which is why they quit giving them maps with their clues). Rob and Amber aren't doing anything that any other contestant doesn't have the option of doing.

Willsfan
Member

09-04-2000

Thursday, April 21, 2005 - 12:03 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Okay, so on the next TAR everyone will be encouraged to pay a guide and|or enlist locals to help them with their tasks? This means the team which chooses the fastest smartest guide wins.


Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Thursday, April 21, 2005 - 12:20 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Aren't they given a set amount of money to spend? If they have the money to pay for it...why not?

Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Thursday, April 21, 2005 - 12:24 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Willsfan, just like those who choose the smartest or fastest cab driver, or the one with decent tires, a full tank of gas and a sense of direction (or in some cases, even a cell phone).. often win a leg..

Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Thursday, April 21, 2005 - 12:25 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
What Texannie said.. they can use the money for whatever they want.. (well of course I'm sure there are limits, like they can't buy cell phones, but they can buy guidebooks, if they so choose..)

Csnog
Member

07-18-2002

Thursday, April 21, 2005 - 12:35 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
How they use their money on the leg is their business.

Some buy local maps. AR has never given them maps.

Some buy food, hotel rooms and they have to buy tickets for trains, buses, cabs and entrance to parks.

Some of them hoard the money as we saw in the past when couples had arguements about money.

The last season the rule changed about money in a non elimination leg.

Racers have always asked for help from locals and Jonathon was one who did it the most. When they had to push the elephant the clue said that the locals could help them. I always find it a little odd that more racers haven't learned to use the locals more. Maybe some don't have it in them to ask.

Cab drivers play a major part in the race because not all of them understand. This is where we see smart racers ask if the cabbie speaks english. Some even ask how much gas they have.

Luck is an enormous part of the race but I can see where smart can even overcome luck.




Native_texan
Member

08-24-2004

Thursday, April 21, 2005 - 12:45 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Since the beginning of time, women have been trying to teach men that it's okay to ask for directions or help. Now, ya'll are talking about making it against the rules? One step forward, two steps back.

Mush
Member

09-09-2002

Thursday, April 21, 2005 - 12:51 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I've always thought that asking locals for help was part of the game, but don't like the idea of having a personal guide that stays with the team the entire day. I'd like a rule saying that the local couldn't "travel" with the team in a vehicle -- only on foot. That would force the teams to do some navigation on their own and to get another local at the next place.

Csnog
Member

07-18-2002

Thursday, April 21, 2005 - 12:59 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Ha Ha Native_texan, tell that to Bianca and Debbie.

They not only had a map/guidebook they also spoke the language and drove 2 1/2 hours in the opposite direction.

R151996
Member

07-04-2003

Thursday, April 21, 2005 - 6:09 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
After this week's episode either Uchenna/Joyce or Rob/Amber winning would suit me just fine. To me those two pairs have been the best TEAMS in the race this season.

Vsmart
Member

02-10-2003

Thursday, April 21, 2005 - 6:09 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
How can anyone get lost in Chile? The ocean is to the west & the Andes are to the east!

Csnog
Member

07-18-2002

Thursday, April 21, 2005 - 7:38 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
It's called READING the clue.

Drive through the Andes.

My DH wont ask for directions either and I'm the map reader.

Tabbyking
Member

03-11-2002

Thursday, April 21, 2005 - 9:32 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
well, it's obvious there are some romber fans and some romber detractors.
i just don't like that they can take a guide for an entire day. if they win, does this person who did 1/30 of their entire race get 1/30 of one million dollars? i think not.......
and someone mentioned they didn't think rob and amber were 'recognized'. i think this person missed the day/episode in africa when people were calling out to them by name and offering to help because they had seen them on survivor :-)

Starshine40
Member

07-30-2002

Thursday, April 21, 2005 - 10:25 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I would just like to say that even though they may have help in having someone guide a team around the team still has to do the challenges when they get to each one. The guide/helper can't help with that!

Puzzled
Member

08-27-2001

Thursday, April 21, 2005 - 11:01 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I suspect that the hotel manager was so eager to help Rob and Amber because of the publicity he would get for his hotel.

Somehow I think that all advertising he does in the near future will capitalise on that.

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Friday, April 22, 2005 - 6:14 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Aren't all the teams allowed to use guides if they choose to?

Bob2112
Member

06-12-2002

Friday, April 22, 2005 - 6:26 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
It sounds like a team may only use local help if they are recognized as having been on another reality show. Those Amazing Race producers are sneaky that way.

Yay Rob and Amber!


Spear
Member

08-06-2001

Friday, April 22, 2005 - 10:19 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
It seems people are putting up strawman arguments. Did anyone argue that the teams shouldn't get any help at all? Did anyone argue that it was against the rules? Did anyone argue that it hadn't been done before Rob and Amber?

The only complaint I've read is about the hiring of guides who take a team through an entire leg. Yes, all the teams are allowed to use guides -- no one has claimed otherwise. However, I agree with those who say it's no fun to watch when any team does it. It would really make a mockery of the show if all the teams started doing it. The race would devolve into "Find The Amazing Guide".

I think Mush's proposal of not allowing people to ride with the teams is a good compromise.

Ladytex
Member

09-27-2001

Friday, April 22, 2005 - 10:39 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Why would it make a mockery of the race? They still have to do their own challenges and get to where they are going ...

Spear
Member

08-06-2001

Friday, April 22, 2005 - 10:48 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
It would be as much fun as having the producers shuttle the contestants around from task to task so that no navigation skills would be required. They may as well do the challenges in a studio.

Gidget
Member

07-28-2002

Friday, April 22, 2005 - 10:51 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
it would be very easy to stop the hiring of guides. give them less money and ban begging unless you get wiped out coming in last in a non-elimination round. i was surprised to learn recently that teams routinely panhandle for extra money. i find that behavior so unbecoming.

Spear
Member

08-06-2001

Friday, April 22, 2005 - 11:06 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
The problem is that the guides are willing to work for free. (And I think that's going to be more common as the show becomes more well-known. Even worse, it might become easier to convince people to play along for the show, and actively mislead or block other teams.)

I don't like the begging either and I think they should change the penalty for non-elimination legs to something else (like having to do an extra task).