Bummer Article from NY Daily News
The ClubHouse: Archives: Bummer Article from NY Daily News
Larissa | Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - 08:26 am   Let's hope that CBS stays with this show, and doesn't pull an ABC (yanking The Mole). To read the article, click here Amazing Race |
Crazydog | Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - 10:51 am   I really hope not. I'm surprised, tonight's a show night and there's so little discussion on this board. What, do people actually have to do WORK when they're at work?!?!? LOL! Like the Mole, those who have discovered the Amazing Race know what an adrenaline rush it is. I spend half the show off the couch on my feet about three feet away from my TV! Unfortunately, CBS doesn't have many power shows to lead into it. For next season (knock on wood) I think they should put it after Survivor or 60 minutes (although there is the football delays on a Sunday, I think people would be more likely to watch). |
Realtvfan | Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - 11:47 am   From the article. "But tonight's installment underscores the real problem with "The Amazing Race": It's a mess, a jaggedly stitched crazy quilt of furious confusion and pointless action relieved only by stretches of numbing boredom." I'm going to seriously disagree with the writer's assessment. We all know what could be done better production-wise, but for a "version one" of a very new concept show, I still give this show a grade of a 98. "And that doesn't even address the show's creepy presentation — whatever the reality was — of Americans tromping into other cultures, sometimes abusing locals, in a cash-crazed frenzy." The article writer has a point here with the numerous incidents of bad American behavior in front of other culture's locals, but the writer fails to mention the equally done very good behavior that those of us who watch the show can list in the teams' defense. Except for the Guido's. The writer does not mention that everyone in any culture, most importantly including our own, finds the Guido's behavior almost consistently awful and indefensible. The Guido's are SO focused on the other teams, even though they say they are not, the Guido's think it is part of the game to exhibit bad behavior in front of and toward locals who are not playing this game. I'm still going to be sitting on the edge of my seat every week when the opening credits for this show appear. We do not even channel surf during this show, so that we do not miss a thing when the show comes back on. (No, we do not have a working VCR.) |
Car54 | Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - 12:12 pm   here here, Real! The writer totally missed the point...Several teams, the frat boys, Mom & Emily have commented on how important it is to behave well overseas, and have condemned teams who do not. And you are totally right about the Guidos...no body likes them. But they are really essential to the show...for contrast...we love to hate them. Whoever wrote this article just didn't get it! |
Crazydog | Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - 12:16 pm   ... or is basing his conclusion on one episode. Clearly he hasn't watched all of the shows. "furious confusion"? "pointless action"? "numbing boredom"? What show is he watching? Must be the Ellen show!!! |
Fflur | Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - 01:01 pm   Crazydog, I always love your posts. Other than "Crossing Jordan" this is my favorite show. Last week I was actually yelling at the tv when the Guidos when to block the group of 3 teams from making their plane, I know my dog must think Im crazy.."Oh no its Wednesday night again?!" To me this feels like an old time serial with the good guys and the bad, you cheer and boo..sit on the edge of your seat. It is great action. I dont know what this guy has been watching. I loved the surpise ending last week when Lenny & Karin got to stay. I love alot of things about this show. |
Realtvfan | Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - 02:20 pm   I send an e-mail to the author of the article to discuss his review. This is the reply I received. Thanks very much for taking the time to reply. I am aware that the show has some fervent adherents; a dear relative of mine is among them, and he called an hour or so ago to likewise take issue with the review. I only watched the tape of tonight's show because I was startled that CBS sent it out ahead of time and because I thought maybe I would like the show more than I did initially. I didn't, as you saw. In any case, thank you again for reading my column and responding to it. Yours truly, Eric Mink |
Ocean_Islands | Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - 02:34 pm   Well, I agreed that the blood thing was what turned me off to Survivor, but it was hardly 'unconscionable' given local custom. His take on the Amazing Race was dumb, too. |
Fflur | Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - 02:34 pm   So he hasnt been watching all along! I dont think that makes him a very good judge of the show. Real good for you for taking the time to write him. He could be like my local tv columnist and hopes that reality tv dies soon (I know that it wont). |
Realtvfan | Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - 02:40 pm   I created a separate message for my thoughts about the author's reply becuase I wanted to be certain that my disapointment with the reviewer was kept separate from his actual comments. Critics who watch 15 minutes of a play on Broadway and then write their review (failing to mention within the review that they only watched the first 15 minutes and walked out) give everyone in that business a bad name. Critics who write reviews based on the fact that they were given a free junket also stink. To me, this is worse than a used car salesman. |
Jewels | Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - 03:32 pm   I never listen to what critics, of any kind, have to say. They may have different tastes than I do, so why should I let them be the judge on what I watch or do and how I feel about it. Just because they say a movie is awful, a restaurant is bad, or a tv show has "pointless confusion" does not mean that I'm not going to like it. It frustrates me that there are actually people out there who listen to them! |
C1mag | Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - 05:28 pm   Obviously a critics own point of view. More than likely the type that quietly hum's the Barney theme while shopping for bargains on line. deffinitely out of tune with the average TV viewer. I like this show! If they kill it before it's over I'm gonna be pissed. |
Hippyt | Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - 07:51 pm   I don't see CBS pulling the Race. First,CBS just always seems to have more sense than ABC. The ratings are a little better than The (poor,abused) Mole. And,they really don't have anything to put in that time slot. I read today they are probably gonna pull stinky Wolf Lake,which comes on after.Has anyone watched ten minutes of that show,It is Soooooo Stupid! So,If they pull that,they're gonna have to find something to fill that time slot,which pretty much leaves race safe. CBS has so many top rated shows they don't really need to worry about one mediocre show.And,I think they're smart enough to know the main reason the show never really took off was the terrorist attacks. As for that reviewer,and the"numbing boredom" I sit on the edge of my seat the entire show! At least he was nice enough to reply to your e-mail,and admit he doesn't watch the show. If CBS wants and accurate review of the show,they should send more than one episode to a critic,so he can get to know the teams better,and understand what's going on! |
Ryn | Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - 09:03 pm   Correct me if I am wrong, but the only 2 reality shows still on are Amazing Race and Survivor. When it was Lost, Amazing Race, Love Cruise AND Survivor I was overwhelmed, now I am looking forward to the 2 remaining shows each week!!! And I actually like Amazing Race more than Survivor, especially in the early parts of survivor when there are so many faces. |
Ryn | Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - 09:04 pm   Oops - and the Mole was another one that was on too. Just too many at once. |
Hippyt | Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - 09:21 pm   No,Not wrong Ryn.Kinda like the game show thing from last year,eh? |
Muse | Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - 09:32 pm   Ryn, there's also Road Rules and Real World. And there's a bunch of dating-type shows (Blind Date, Elimidate, etc) if you count those. I personally don't, but some people do. |
Donut | Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - 09:36 pm   i am glad to see so many of you have seen positive behaiors on their parts, because i too, like the reviewer have not seen a lot of the show, just havent been able to get into it, but i tried tonite to watch most of it- and i found it very upsetting . Especially the daughter (emily?) and the woman that got booted tonite. It just made me cringe to see americans acting so ugly toward people in other countries, and calling them stupid for not knowing English, when they themselves couldnt even figure out that Agra was a whole differnt city. I couldnt understand how people could be rooting for these horrid people, but after reading your comments i am giving them the benefit of the doubt, after all someone watching only the first BB episode wouldve hated Dr. Evil forever! i do also have trouble watching people run thru beautiful countries with the set up being that you just try to rush thru, dont take time to look at anything around you, just hurry to get the money. Boy am i gonna get flamed! just go easy on me , i think this is my first negative post ever.. |
Badgercubs | Thursday, October 25, 2001 - 01:12 am   This week's episode was kind of hard for me to watch. So many teams got so upset, and were downright ugly to the locals -- including emily, and I love her and Nancy. I think its just impossible to expect them to keep calm though, when each day the assignment gets more and more difficult. And remember, they are resting only 12 hours between legs, after travelling thousands of miles. I think if there is an Amazing Race 2 -- and I hope there is -- they should have them rest at least 24 hours between legs. It wouldn't affect the race in any way other than to give them a bit more time to recover. |
Riviere | Thursday, October 25, 2001 - 02:13 am   Haven't watched my tape of the latest episode yet but thanks for the hints that it got pretty wild. Can't stand Survivor 3 and if any show was about 'pointless action' and 'numbing boredom' it has to be S3. Love the African wildlife, but otherwise it should be renamed "Find The Water", a bunch of boring, dusty, thirsty contestants, zzzzzzz... ABC took away my very fave show, The Mole, so The Amazing Race is all I have to look forward to in a primetime gameshow! I'm too old for MTV's gen-x stuff and just not remotely into the sophomoric love-angst on boats and islands. CBS has the most boring lineup on TV, I only watch The Amazing Race and Wolf Lake now. If they yank those shows I'll have no reason to tune into CBS at all anymore. I am happy to see The Race has so many devoted fans! The casting was great, the locations are always interesting, and the puzzles are fun! It makes me miss The Mole even more but I'd watch shows like The Amazing Race 3 times a week before I ever sit through another hour of S3 or any BB format again. (And I hope pompous Team Guido doesn't win!) |
Fruitbat | Thursday, October 25, 2001 - 05:04 am   I agree with everyone on the critique of the critic. Amazing Race: India was trecherous and I do not fault them for getting irritated with the cab drivers. Americans are seen as rich and they were being bamboozled. Sometimes we are too quick to judge ourselves, believing the Ugly American myth. Ugly Indian, in this case. The first Survivor was excellent. In trying to improve the winning formula they failed. The more difficult the circumstances the harder it is to enjoy. The contamimated water is over the top. Now we get to watch everyone dehydrate and vomit. Put them back on a beach with rice and a fishing line, please. |
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