Archive through November 21, 2002
TV ClubHouse: Archives: What's Wrong with "The Amazing Race 3"?:
Archive through November 21, 2002
Chiparock | Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 06:26 pm     A respected member of TVCH, Ocean_Islands, is also a critic of reality tv. Using his pseudonym O'Sean Aieghlans (get it?!), he has written the following article for Reality News Online: http://www.realitynewsonline.com/cgi-bin/ae.pl?mode=4&article=article2467.art&page=1 What's Wrong with "The Amazing Race 3"? by O'Sean Aieghlans -- 11/12/2002 We're in the middle of the third Amazing Race, and now reports are coming over that the show is 'struggling' in the ratings. The show just doesn’t seem to be as fun as last year. What’s the problem and how can it be fixed? We're in the middle of the third Amazing Race, and now reports are coming over that the show is 'struggling' in the ratings. And to tell you the truth, while the show is just as much fun as last year, it doesn't seem to sparkle or be as exciting as last year. What's wrong? Is there someone to blame for what might be wrong with The Amazing Race? Well, if we take the example of Big Brother – yes and no. Many criticisms were leveled against Big Brother when hostess Julie Chen seemed wooden or just plain lunk-headed during the first season. After all, she was just a newsreader on one of those insipid morning 'news' shows – what did she know about reality, anyway? However, across three years, Julie has greatly improved, seems more relaxed, and has her feet firmly on the ground. It's amazing what reality television will do to that flaky newsreader image. Oh, she still has her detractors, for certain, but their plaintive cries have little bite. Unfortunately, in the case of The Amazing Race, some blame must land squarely with the bland host of this exciting show. While host Phil Keogan seems adequate, he is hardly inspiring. He doesn't seem excited about anything. In fact, it seems like his face might crack if he even yawned. He never seems to make a personal comment or even address the teams by name. I had to do some research just to find out what his own name was, since I couldn't remember what it was – even after two whole seasons of this show – if I even knew in the first place. Other distant, aloof reality show hosts like Anderson of The Mole at least project a kind of sinister cool. Phil Keogan doesn't seem to project anything at all. Why is that? He seems neither happy nor excited when any team arrives at the current pitstop, and when a team goes berserk upon realizing they are still in the game, he acts strangely like Monty Hall. He just stands there. Yes, it's true that at heart, all reality competitions are game shows. But let's not go as far as aping Wink Martindale. Maybe the producers of The Amazing Race ought to show Phil interacting with the teams a little more. That might help – if they actually did interact. After all, the show is already in the can, so to speak – or at least the film is. Don't these players ever have any fun after they get to the pitstop? They might be too tired, but some of them seemed to have had fun last year, if memory serves. Everybody knows that half the fun of a ski trip is what you do afterwards in the sunken conversation pit by the light of the white fireplace. Or do they? Maybe somebody in charge doesn't know that yet. Why do football games have a half time? Is it because the players are tired? Well, the reasons are many, but if the editors of The Amazing Race invented football, there would be no half time. What makes a multi-leg race more exciting: running on to the next leg, or the pause to reflect in between? I would suggest that a short pause – like the focus point of a film – makes the following action have more flavor. If we knew the players better, we would care more. Or could it be that it is the casting that is the problem this year? You have to admit that the casting last year – whether deliberate or a happy accident – was inspired. How many times can Tara call Wil an idiot? How many times did Tara hook up with Chris? There are no explosive characters on the show this year, an apparent fault of casting. But unless the casting department was completely changed since last year, it doesn't seem likely that it is the casting department's fault. Last year we had Wil and Tara yelling at each other every five minutes, and Danny and Oswald walked zen-like to a fourth-place finish with many laughs along the way despite all their shopping trips. It's hard to cast for the unexpected. This season a few too many of the players seem wooden – is that their fault or the editor's fault? Derek and Drew, while they may seem like statues, at least have a sparkle in their doublemint teeth. But John Vito (is that his full name or his first name?) and Jill, while rather popular according to the website, don't get much screen time. And Andre and Damon – currently in second place – never seem to say anything at all, why is that? Don't they talk? It's possible that in the first half of the show there are just too many teams running around to spend any time developing a story. You have to admit that it's a bit difficult to cover everyone racing around when there are so many people. Or is it that they are just running around too much to do any interacting? It seems that the crafting of a 'story' out of this competition has yet to be captured by the producers and editors of this third series in what is, admittedly, a very exciting competition when properly presented. And it's clear that the editors have a formidable job which, in most cases, is well done. As author Eudora Welty once said, "I have the most difficult time just getting people in and out of rooms." The editors must be pulling their hair out to show everyone starting the current leg of the race, everyone doing their tasks, and everyone finishing to the pit stop, but still make it exciting and showing some interaction. With a little help from Lady Luck, there is a close race to the end of the leg. Any remedies left for this season? Well, it would certainly seem prudent for the editors to show the players interacting with each other a little more. After all, you can't just watch people running around like chickens with their heads cut off for weeks on end without it seeming repetitive. Any remedies for next year? I would suggest sending the editors on a jaunt across the world. That might get them all shook up and break them out of this linear drive to the finish line. And putting Phil in a horse race with another possible host just might make him hit his stride and come through with flying colors. While Survivor might have a bigger audience, it is hardly the more exciting show. It's about as exciting as getting your teeth pulled. I think 'backstabbing angst' is the name of that show – and angst junkies and backstabbing fanatics across America are addicted. No. The Amazing Race is TV's most exciting reality television competition. And anything that slows, dumbs, or shuts down that action – whether the action is physical or psychological – needs a tune-up. Let's hope they can tune up the remaining episodes so America sees the players in their best light. |
Buxombabe | Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 08:44 pm     Wow, this sure is a bit lop-sided, and harsh. I found this article to be boring and not to the point at all. It seem like a slam on the show, but then again, its only my opinion! |
Seamonkey | Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 09:30 pm     It may be lopsided but makes some good points.. Phil isn't at all dynamic and it WOULD be of interest to see more of the pitstop time with interaction between the teams. But, I still enjoy the show. |
Car54 | Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 11:10 pm     Does anyone else remember the promotion when TAR started ....I think I remember reading that Phil was up for Jeff Probst's job when Survivor started...can you imagine? |
Seamonkey | Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 11:55 pm     NO! The only thing Phil has going for him is a sorta cool accent, but that only goes so far. Anderson Cooper is my favorite, but alas, he's moved on. |
Demeter | Wednesday, November 20, 2002 - 04:39 am     Phil has seemed out of it even more this year. He almost looks depressed. There is no gleam in his eye. We at least sometimes had that last year. Now he is just plain flat. The cast is missing something. We have the team we love to hate in Ian and Teri (ala Guidos/Tara and Wil). But we don't have the endearing funny crew (like Danny and Oswald). I love the fast pace of the show. I would not want them to slow it down with more intimate details of the pitstops as some suggest. It would take away from the concept of this being a "race". |
Car54 | Wednesday, November 20, 2002 - 05:03 am     Phil is co-hosting a new show (I think for the Travel Channel) with Alex McLeod -the first host of Trading Spaces...the premise is that they travel all over the world and one host stays goes in budget mode, the other goes first class all the way...I am betting Phil gets the budget class gig. |
Ocean_Islands | Wednesday, November 20, 2002 - 07:26 am     It's actually pretty hard to determine why the show may not be doing as well this year in the ratings. I just tried to find some simple reasons -- beyond audience demographics and tv schedules -- that would be interesting to write about. Of course the whole point is to get CBS to make the show better than it is now, and I'm happy to see that we've got a 4th season coming. |
Djgirl5235 | Wednesday, November 20, 2002 - 08:41 am     Ocean - I thought you did a great job - well written, and thought out! I agree that certain aspects of the show need to be changed, and perhaps a new host is one of them. I definitely agree that the casting powers lucked out last year with the dynamics between Tara & Will as well as Oswald & Danny's unique approach to the game. Kudos to you Ocean - GOOD JOB! |
Crazydog | Wednesday, November 20, 2002 - 09:23 am     I also thought the article was a little harsh. It's not casting that's the problem. Ken and Gerard are consistently funny, Teri and Ian are a horrific nightmare, Andre and Damon are impossibly clueless, etc. I think the personalities this year are much more varied and interesting. Last year there were so many teams I found boring. I don't think we need to see pitstop material on the show. Save it for the website. What I like most about the show is seeing the racing, and the wonderful locations. The simple explanation for why TAR is not doing as well in the ratings as the shark-jumping Survivor is that just like last year, it is up against The West Wing. Add to this the problems of having a stronger Bachelor this time around. If CBS wants to do the show justice, they need to move it to a timeslot where it stands a chance. I'd say put it on Tuesdays after JAG. Frasier is tired. Or save TAR4 for the summer - look how well BB3 and the second coming of The Mole 2 did. |
Mygetaway | Wednesday, November 20, 2002 - 10:40 am     I was thinking that maybe they should have saved it to start airing as soon as Survivor was over. We will be needing our "Reality" fix by then, and what will CBS be putting in Survivors place when it's over this time? I also think going down to one show a year might help. It would be hard at first, but might make us want to see it more when it finally comes back on. I still like both shows, but I'm not as excited for them this time aorund as I have been in the past. I do think casts have soemthing to do with it, but I also think that familarity plays a great part in it. |
Squaredsc | Wednesday, November 20, 2002 - 11:11 am     mygetaway, i agre with putting tar after survivor, because we do have that break. or they need to put it on either before survivor on thursdays or after. in fact they could have survivor, tar, and csi. i also think they need a new host and a cast that doesn't whine(sp) as much. all you see this season is whiney women. also more pit stop interaction so we get to know the people. o.i. great article. |
Seamonkey | Wednesday, November 20, 2002 - 11:51 am     I'm with you, Squared.. and it would help our hard working east coast spoilers too. I don't want endless pitstop action, but some would help, IMO.. |
Ocean_Islands | Wednesday, November 20, 2002 - 02:51 pm     I agree the article is harsh. This is my favorite reality show after BB, but I simply get tired of watching people run around like chickens with their heads cut off. They don't have time to enjoy the scenery, either. After a certain point you have to ask yourself 'why do we care about these people running around'? That's why I'd like to get to know them better. |
Webkitty | Wednesday, November 20, 2002 - 04:17 pm     Well, I agree that Phil is just awful as a host. It impacts the show, imo. I thought the teams last year were far more interesting than this time around. I understand that this show is supposed to be fast paced, but I think its TOO fast paced. I don't think the time slot and day are the main problem. I still watch it, but it needs tweeking. A new host would be a start. |
Car54 | Wednesday, November 20, 2002 - 04:30 pm     Maybe we could get Julie Chen to host. |
Tabbyking | Wednesday, November 20, 2002 - 05:01 pm     she seems as 'dry' to me as phil...gosh, we got spoiled with cooper, didn't we?! okay, if we can't have david duchovny, why don't you love me, on the Mole, let's put him here! or, lol, alex trebek, who would have a ball saying all the foreign words ;>) i think phil is cute enough, but just not 'close' to the game. although i understand half the time he is wiped, because he has to beat everyone including the fast forward team to the next pit stop. i guess he leaves sometimes just as soon as the last team arrives, so he can get to the next place. if the last place team is hours behind, it's almost time for the first team who arrived to take off again! he just needs to get the 'i have a painful wedgie' look off his face! |
Tabbyking | Wednesday, November 20, 2002 - 05:22 pm     another idea for this game is to pair up strangers together! have 24 people sign up and draw numbers from a bag. the two number 1's pair up, the two number 2's, etc. maybe they would be nicer to each other if they were strangers! they get to sit and talk with each other for an afternoon and then have dinner together as a huge group, with the race starting the next morning. imagine one of the grannies with ian or aaron with wil! |
Seamonkey | Wednesday, November 20, 2002 - 05:25 pm     The show is happening now |
Tess | Wednesday, November 20, 2002 - 06:53 pm     Something occurred to me. Don't you think it would make sense for them to film Phil's little blurbs in all those interim locations before the show even gets started so he just has to get from pitstop to pitstop ahead of the teams? I guess that's how I would do it anyway. I like him. Maybe it's just because this is my favorite reality show and he's not an integral part for me.....just a clue reader. |
Jimmer | Wednesday, November 20, 2002 - 09:40 pm     I like Phil. He’s one of the better reality hosts IMO and he is low key and doesn’t intrude on the game. The biggest problem with this year’s show’s ratings is that much of the public just doesn’t appreciate quality entertainment and are watching The Bachelor instead (sorry Bachelor fans). I would like to see a little more interaction between the players at the pit stops (similar to the dinners in The Mole). I think it would make them more three-dimensional. It’s still my favorite reality show though. |
Christina | Thursday, November 21, 2002 - 04:40 am     I would have to say, that at this point, I dont really "know" any of the players. Teri and Ian are the only personalities that I can remember anything about. They arent my favourites either. I would like to get to "know" the players better, so I can pick a favorite. |
Ladytex | Thursday, November 21, 2002 - 08:22 am     They should give all of us BB suckers a break and put pit stop stuff on Real One. That way those of us who want to see more of the teams interaction could have that and those that don't wouldn't have to. |
Pottedplant | Thursday, November 21, 2002 - 10:55 am     interesting article, Ocean I too would like to see more interaaction of the teams at the pitstop, I want to klnow a bit moe about them. But that could be a separate show....say after every couple of episodes. Phil is OK, I think he is just there as judge, which is why is is not showm talking to them at all. He is very understated, which is OK by me. |
Guinevere | Thursday, November 21, 2002 - 11:02 am     I like Phil. I like TAR the way it is. It's too bad about the ratings but the show works for me, anyway. I would venture to say I like it better than Survivor, at least a little. I've found the people a bit more interesting than the last couple of Survivor casts. BB will always be my favorite reality show, but it's almost hard to compare to TAR, because they are so different. I love BB because we do get to see the real, unedited personalities. But it can be damn slow and boring at times. Whereas TAR is so fast-paced that the personal interactions can get lost a bit. I find when I'm watching TAR that I get so tense I almost just want to get through it to find out who has been eliminated. Apples and oranges - I like them both. |
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