Author |
Message |
Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 5:24 am
If I stopped watching a reality show everytime someone I didn't like won, I'd be off all of my favorites by now! Sometimes the people/person I want to win does, sometimes they dont. So true! LOL
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Lexie_girl
Member
07-30-2004
| Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 6:07 am
My personal opinion is that its disgraceful for an American (with television cameras following them around) to be begging for money in another country. It also serves no purpose to take away everything they have with the exception of their passports. I hope they ditch this penalty next season. Maybe next season - give them a time-delay in leaving for next leg penalty - but this begging has to stop.
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Konamouse
Member
07-16-2001
| Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 7:22 am
Or remove the non-elimination rounds. Start with more teams so we still get the same amount of episodes. Can you imagine the upcoming "family" AR with kids involved in "begging"? No, not appropriate. Let's start a letter writing campaign. 'squeek'
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Maris
Member
03-28-2002
| Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 7:36 am
If kids were begging in airports, Gloria Alred would be filing child abuse complaints with every jurisdiction that these kids lived in. I didnt have a problem with the begging in fact I found it very funny at the end where Joyce who hated begging at the end of the show was demanding money and saying I dont care anymore I need money, It was so funny,
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Lexie_girl
Member
07-30-2004
| Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 8:30 am
I'm sitting on the couch with Kona on this one. I think its disgraceful to have these people begging for money. When I went to Guatemala a few years ago, not only are locals outside the airport doors begging for money, but young children are also there begging for money and candy because candy is such a treat for them. Fortunately, this was not our first trip to Guatemala and we knew to bring plenty of bags of candy to feed the children at the airport. This is why I have such an aversion to Americans begging for money at airports to compete in a race when there are people living in third world countries that do it so they can survive. And I'm not trying to sound like a liberal because I'm most certainly not... I just find it shameful and disgraceful. IMHO. Kona - let me know where to send the letters.
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Rosie
Member
11-12-2003
| Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 8:35 am
I agree that sometimes the fun gets sucked right out of things. It is happening in more threads than I can count.
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Jimmer
Member
08-30-2000
| Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 11:06 am
The whole penalty thing and begging for money is distasteful and it doesn’t even seem to make any difference. I can’t recall any team that was eliminated as a result of having to do that (or if there was one, it doesn’t happen very often). It’s not at all satisfying to watch from an entertainment perspective. As much as I enjoy the show, it seems to be more and more fake as each season progresses. I’m sure the first season was quite real. One of the final three teams was so far behind, they basically told them to give up and the team that won was shown to finish well ahead of the runner-up. Now they seem more and more inclined to contrive situations that allow the teams to remain close. In some ways it makes for a more exciting finish but at the same time I don’t like the feeling that I am being fooled. The calling the pilots and opening of the plane door and re-extended the ramp once it had been closed and the ramp retracted just didn’t ring true to me. That’s something that you might see for a medical or family emergency – not to win a televised race. The whole bit at the end with Uchenna frantically trying to beg money to pay the cab driver didn’t work for me either. The whole thing was so contrived that I felt cheated watching it. Now if R/A and U/J had made it to the plane at the same time and it was a close finish at the end (without all the begging to pay for the taxi) then I would have been absolutely thrilled with a Uchenna and Joyce win (or with a R/A win for that matter). One of the reasons that I watch “reality TV” is for some semblance of reality. Sadly, I think that TAR is losing that in pursuit of false excitement. I can get false excitement watching scripted TV if I want to.
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Seamonkey
Member
09-07-2000
| Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 11:07 am
I would have stopped watching TAR long ago if I would quite just because I didn't like the winners, or resented that they were on the show... I definitely agree that the begging should be axed; that's just WRONG.
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Karuuna
Member
08-31-2000
| Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 11:12 am
Jimmer, just to be contrary, I have to note that I have been on planes where they re-opened the door and re-extended the jet way. To be sure if is far less common with security nowadays. And I imagine security outside the continental US is more law than within. But even since 9/11, I have had this happen once in the US, so I don't find it unbelievable at all.
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Karuuna
Member
08-31-2000
| Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 11:13 am
Oh, and I agree about the begging. They need some other way to penalize last place teams. An extra task (perhaps a humanitarian one!), or a time delay would be much better.
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Jimmer
Member
08-30-2000
| Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 11:28 am
Karuuna, I love it when you are contrary! Exchanging opinions is what makes it fun. I guess it is possible that they would re-open the door and extend the gate, but it seems a little extreme, given that it didn't involve a crisis or a medical emergency. After all it is an imposition and inconvenience to all the other passengers who made the flight on time. I like the idea of an extra task that has to be carried out at the start of the next leg of the race. This begging stuff is ridiculous and completely uninteresting and distasteful. I know that reality TV is rarely truly real. The producers are always getting involved and the mere fact of adding cameras changes reality. I just feel the show is getting too fake. For example, my understanding is that the ending where the teams are all cheering is faked as well. Maybe I’m a stick in the mud, but I’d rather have a less exciting ending that I could really believe in than something that is set-up for the purpose of maintaining some sense of false excitement. It takes the joy out of watching the show when you know it isn't real. Sea, I agree with your statement about not stopping watching simply because you don’t like the winner. There isn’t a single reality show that I can think of where I wasn’t unhappy about one or more winners in various seasons. So I’ll keep watching. I still love TAR! Plus I was very happy with the U/J win – just not how it played out.
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Karuuna
Member
08-31-2000
| Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 11:35 am
hehehe, Jimmer, don't encourage me! I fly several times a year, and before 9/11, it was fairly common to reopen the door. A late traveler was often extended that courtesy. I hate to admit it, but they did it for me once as well. Talk about some serious begging.... Since then, some airlines won't do it at all. But others are in such dire straits for business, they'll fill the plane. And others just don't want to tick off their first class/business travelers. The one time it happened in my presence since 9/11, it was my impression that the travellers had already checked in, just missed boarding calls, and so they let them on the plane (since their luggage was apparently already stowed).
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Tishala
Member
08-01-2000
| Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 11:55 am
The thing I think they should change is that they should forbid having locals act as "guides" for a leg of the race. If they want to ask for directions or whatever, that's one thing; it's quite another to get someone take you around and solve all your problems.
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Marysafan
Member
08-07-2000
| Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 12:00 pm
I remember a short lived reality show called "Lost" I think where these people were dropped off somewhere in the world with next to nothing and had to get their way back home. It was dreadful watching Americans begging in third world countries where the people were so poor. I remember one gal had a melt down about it. In light of world events if for no other reason, I would really like to see the begging stopped. I find it very distasteful.
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Jimmer
Member
08-30-2000
| Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 12:03 pm
The reality show "Lost" premiered at exactly the same time as the first season of TAR with about equal fanfare. It wasn't an awful show but it wasn't all that great either and in no way comparable to the quality of TAR.
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 12:07 pm
series-high ratings for Amazing Race 7 finale; conspiracy theories abound about it. Tuesday's finale of The Amazing Race 7 was watched by more people than have ever watched the show before. Slightly more than 16 million people tuned in, and Variety reports that the show "ends the season as the No. 5 reality show on television, having surpassed the fading 'Fear Factor' on NBC and 'The Bachelor' on ABC." The show came in first place in its second hour, and in second place its first hour; because of it, "CBS enjoyed its strongest Tuesday in key demos since November 2001." Immediately after CBS aired the finale, a number of conspiracy theories began to float around. And by "flat around," I mean people with the inability to express themselves without the use of all caps and exclamation points started e.mailing me (please, please stop). Most of the talk centers around Joyce and Uchenna's admission to the "closed" flight in San Juan. Other theories involve common Amazing Race practices that are somehow shocking now. Here's a round-up of what I've been hearing and thoughts about each one: Theory: CBS and/or producers ensured that two teams would be racing in Miami by asking American Airlines, a sponsor of the show, to let Joyce and Uchenna on the flight. Possible rational explanation: Gate attendants went above and beyond for two people who were being followed by a camera crew. Joyce tells the Houston Chronicle that "when that plane came back to the airport and they let us on, I swear to you I felt like that was a miracle." This either supports the conspiracy theory, or proves that God is not only interested in affecting Survivor, but wants some Amazing Race action, too. Theory: The bridge-jumping task was placed purposefully far away and/or kept closed until morning so Uchenna and Joyce could catch up. Rational explanation: The show has had "equalizers" since its first season; they're controversial, but nothing new. This is what happens when you start watching a reality show during its finale and then try to find evidence to support your theory: You sound like a moron. Theory: CBS wanted Uchenna and Joyce to win. They paid off Rob and Amber by paying for their wedding. Rational explanation: If CBS wanted a likable couple to win, where the hell were they last season? Or in season three? And does anyone think for a second that Rob, competitor that he is, would allow himself to be used like a pawn and cause him to lose yet again? Theory: Producers forced Uchenna and Joyce to pay for the cab to add drama. Rational explanation: Of course they did. It's a game rule. As the New York Post explains this morning, "The game's rules say that contestants cannot do anything illegal -- and stealing a cab ride is, to say the least, breaking the law. Although the Agus were running low on cash before they even got into the taxi, the game's rules also forbid them from begging for cash in any U.S. airport. Theory: CBS slowed the rotation of the earth so Uchenna and Joyce could catch up. Possible explanation: This one is most likely true. If Les Moonves can keep Julie Chen as host of Big Brother for six seasons, he can do anything. http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/the_amazing_race_7/2005_May_12_ratings_theories
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Lexie_girl
Member
07-30-2004
| Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 12:21 pm
Am I reading that right? The plane went BACK to pick up J/U????
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Jimmer
Member
08-30-2000
| Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 12:29 pm
Wow! If the plane went back, they didn't show that on TV. They showed the gate being re-extended and the door being opened. Stealing a cab ride may be against the rules but convincing a driver that they will pay later wouldn't be. I've never heard of the not begging in American airport rules and why should they not be allowed to do that if they are allowed to do it in foreign airports? Pretty funny really.
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Calamity
Member
10-18-2001
| Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 12:51 pm
Karuuna: I like your idea of a humanitarian task for the last place team! I've heard of suggestions for an extra task or a time penalty and think yours is the best rememdy yet! Instead of begging money from folks - do something to help the locals. Tishala: I agree with you. Jimmer: Yeah, TAR1 was the best!
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Supergranny
Member
02-03-2005
| Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 1:15 pm
This morning Rob/Amber were on Regis and they claim that the reason they lost was because of American airline and the pilot owed them lots of money. Do remember that alot of tongue in cheek remarks are made in these threads. I enjoy this verbal sparring and airing of views. Please don't get offended and lets enjoy each others differences. The conspiracy theory was started a joke and I am surprised that others really believe that. Hugs to all!
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 1:16 pm
wow...maybe it wasn't just semantics when Rob said they turned the plane around.
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Lexie_girl
Member
07-30-2004
| Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 1:18 pm
Check this out - that plane left the gate... Their karma kicked into high gear for Tuesday's finale. In San Juan, Puerto Rico, Rob and Amber had boarded a Miami-bound plane that would give them a crushing 90-minute lead over the others. The plane closed its doors and taxied out, but it came back to allow Uchenna and Joyce to board. http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/3178128
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Jimmer
Member
08-30-2000
| Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 1:30 pm
Well if that report is accurate, that's something I've never heard of - anyone else?
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Lexie_girl
Member
07-30-2004
| Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 1:31 pm
I meant to copy this paragraph too: "I never experienced a miracle before, but when that plane came back to the airport and they let us on, I swear to you I felt like that was a miracle," said Joyce. http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/3178128
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Calamity
Member
10-18-2001
| Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 1:54 pm
If it's true, that's some major bad luck for Rob & Amber. This may go down as the most controversial TAR ever, especially since there's questions swirling around about a number of teams. I know things happen every season and there's probably a lot more that we never hear about but I too prefer my reality shows to be as "pure" as possible. When they start adding flashy Hollywood elements or there appears to be obvious meddling, it bugs me. 'Course I actually like watching documentaries and reading non-fiction too, so maybe that's just me, lol.
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