Sunday, December 10, 2006

'The Amazing Race 10' Season Finale

And, so it's over. The next season will be the All Stars season and should air in the spring. It's currently filming.

Tonight's finale took a look back at all of the teams. While it seems not much time has gone by, some of the teams seemed to be such distant past. Duke and Lauren? Tom and Terry? Yikes! I forgot I had hoped they'd make it near the end! Now they're such history that they seem like they're from a previous season.

Three teams remain. In tonight's season finale, one team will win a million dollars and The Amazing Race.

After the brief memory jog through the teams and some of the countries, the show opened where we last left the remaining three teams - Barcelona, Spain. Rob and Kimberly, who had been the first to arrive, were the first to leave at 11:09 p.m. Lyn/Karlyn ('Bama Moms) had to wait until 11:44 while the BoyToys (Tyler and James) left last at 11:53.

The teams had to find a church in Barcelona that's been under construction for 124 years, the Sagrada Familia. It was actually a fairly easy place to find as it's quite famous. However, the kicker was they had to search a park behind the church for their next clue. The 'Bama Moms were still searching as the other teams hit the airport looking for flights to Paris.
Karlyn and Lyn
In what looks like a purely typical touristy move, teams had to go to the third floor of the Eiffel Tower for their next clue. Why? I can only think it was so that the Eiffel Tower would be included in the show. When all three teams gathered at the airport, Rob and Kimberly snagged the only available seats on the quickest flight to Paris landing at the Charles de Gaulle International Airport. Tyler and James, much to the disgust of Rob/Kimberly, managed to get on the fight last minute. But the 'Bama's couldn't get aboard. However, they ended up with a flight which landed at Orly, which happens to be much closer to the Eiffel Tower than de Gaulle is.

All teams ended up on the same train to Caen where they hit a Roadblock - a task only one member of the team can complete. In this one, "Who's ready to storm the beach," both team members played a bit of a role. The main task was a tandem skydive with a guide which had to be completed by the one. But the other team member also went up in the plane which nosedived along with the skydiver for a while.
Kimberly
The Roadblock gave Rob something new to fuss at Kimberly about - he wanted to skydive and it was her task. Wah, wah, fuss, bicker. I can't help but wonder how the ChoBros would have done with this Roadblock as they had such a fear of heights.

Despite what seemed to be a jump on Rob and Kimberly by the BoyToys and 'Bama Moms, all three teams were once again on the same train back to Paris and a Detour. The Detour, a choice between two tasks to be completed by both team members, was Art or Fashion. In Art, teams had to pick up then walk a painting to get their next clue. In Fashion, teams had to create a jacket using a mannequin, then get approval from a designer.

All three teams chose Fashion for some reason. I personally would have thought that to be the harder task. The BoyToys did great. 'Bama Moms thought the fashion designer was the Fashion Gestapo and could only say "no." Rob was all frustrated as Kimberly took over the task and didn't let him do anything. So, he fussed more about not getting to skydive.

Whne the clue received instructed them to fly to New York City, 'Bama Moms made an error which cost them the race. They went back to the Orly Airport while the other teams went to the Charles de Gaulle. Orly has no flights to NYC, so they had to double back and ended up not making the same flight as Rob/Kimberly and the BoyToys. We never saw the 'Bama Moms again until the Finish Line.

The AlamoThe teams were instructed to get their next clue at the "News building with the big globe." Here's the part of the Race I loved because it's my territory. That's the The News Building on East 42nd Street - the model for the Daily Planet building of Superman fame and the original home of the New York Daily News. From there they had to walk (yikes) about two miles down to the East Village armed with a photo of a sculpture. Hey, I know that spinning sculpture! I never knew its name before tonight, but it's the Alamo. It's on Astor Place and Lafayette not far from where the Blue Man Group plays.

From there, it was a race between the BoyToys and Rob/Kimberly to taxicab on up to Garrison, a town in Putnam county about 40 miles north of NYC. I'm familiar with where the town is as I lived about 10 miles north of there a few decades ago. But I didn't know the Pit Stop location - St. Basil's Academy.

The BoyToys, James and Tyler, hit the Pit Stop first. Not long after came Rob and Kimberly. It's unknown how much later the 'Bama Moms arrived, but they made it.

Okay. I wasn't too thrilled with any of the final three teams. I guess the BoyToys were the most deserving of the three as they consistently raced the best race of the three. They didn't fight as much as Rob and Kimberly, and weren't as nasty as Karlyn from 'Bama Moms was at times.

The Winners - Tyler and JamesThe season brought about a first - the first all-female team to make the final three. I bet Lyn and Karlyn's children are beaming. It also brought about a second - the second year in a row that a guy named Tyler won. I liked the other Tyler better.

Overall? I was entertained. I'll be watching and writing about the next season, for sure.

Oh. And Phil Keoghan (the host) is still adorable with great eyes.

I'm allowed to be shallow, aren't I? After all, I write about television shows. I'm not trying for a Pulitzer.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you Jackie for the AR coverage.

For the want of a EZ pass...I could not believe that cabbie did not have one!!!! I have 3 units for me, son and Dad. Even though R and K did not really know where they were going, that could have cost them the race.

The finale had to be a set up? They called their parents, that has never happened b4. How did they keep everyone quiet? Or was it re-staged to be shown last night?

Why do they not do a wrap show like Survivor does? It would be fun to hear about behind the scenes and see all teams together again...just not cheering as the teams cross the finish line.

LOL If racing from Newark to NYC make sure your cabbie has an EZ Pass!!!! @@ (that's for you, Jackie)

Anonymous said...

Jackie
First thanks for a great season.
One of the clues called for the
teams to take a train, I forget
which one it was 2 teams took taxis,
shouldn't that have been penalized?

Anonymous said...

OK I have done some checking and there are flights from ORLY to the NYC area. JFK/EWR/LGA have flights from Orly. I find this very strange. They must have had to fly Air France (hidden sponsor).
True more flights out of CDG, but Lynn and Carin were told no flights from ORY to NYC area.

Anonymous said...

Rob and Kim are still together!!! The Morning Show gave the 3 teams a total of maybe 4 minutes. The boys got their check! Bam commercial.

Anonymous said...

Delee....you are right,the Early Show didn't give much of a spotlight to TAR!! I would love to see a reunion show as well,like Survivor. God knows this is one of CBS's higher rated shows,so why not?

Thought it was funny(and telling) that Kim and Rob dodged the question of where they stand in their relationship. I sure hope BOTH of them are taking a long,hard look at the other and maybe deciding they are NOT meant for each other. Too bad Harry didn't ask Karlyn why she was so mean to most of the others and stabbed their friends,the CHO's, in the back.....lol.

Anonymous said...

Any speculation of who some of the "all star"teams will be?I'm guessing the "hippies" Victoria and Jonathan(ugh)
I wonder if Rob and Amber will be on,I liked them...

Anonymous said...

On the Early Show, just as the TAR segment ended, they said the crowd had former TAR players in it. I would have liked them to at least show them on camera long enough for me to pick them out. Thank you Jackie, I checked in with your site at least once an episode this season. It sure helps to unwind from watching to hear other people's comments and read your thoughts on the show. Many thanks! Sue

Anonymous said...

Mya be just rumors,but have heard that Joyce/Uchenna,BJ/Tyler,Jonathon/Victoria and Rob/Amber are some of the ones. I was hoping since Victoria just had a baby,maybe they wouldn't be on.

I know a lot of you didn't but, I agree w/anon 10:26,I liked Rob and Amber. I thought they worked well as a team and Rob NEVER was mean or demeaning to her. They may have pulled some things on other teams,BUT they always worked as a team. I admired that.

Jackie...forgot to give you your props for another great job on TAR. And I'm gonna miss the Philiminator!

Brent McKee said...

I know some of the teams that aren't on the All-Star version. No Jon & Al (the Clowns), no Reichen & Chip (of course), no Chip & Kim, and apparently no BJ & Tyler. There's a lot of speculation but teams that seem to be in include Charla & Mirna, Colin & Christie, "a distinctive team from Season 1" (I'm thinking Kevin & Drew - "swing you fat bastard") and yes Rob & Amber.

Anonymous said...

Found some things while snooping around!
7 Jan Apprentice starts
16 Jan Bravo The Real Housewives of Orange County. Watched this last season and was pretty good

Sometime in January supposedly, Rob and Amber have a newlywed type reality show that will be on FOX.

3 Jan Beauty and the Geek 3 never have seen this!

Add another to the finale list- Nip/Tuck. I do not like this trend. At least Top Chef is still running.

AR All Stars Found an article at Reality TV World...upper left click on Amazing Race then look for latest news and look for CBS confirms.....talks about teams seen leaving Miami airport.

Anonymous said...

Jackie...just want to thank you for your dedication of keeping us posted on TAR and all the other shows on which you comment. You've been great throughout and I'm looking forward to January when some of "our" other shows return.

Thanks too to all you guys who comment here. It's been fun! See you on the upside! (whatever that means).

Anonymous said...

Thanks Jackie for the great commentary on AR. I am looking forward to reading your take in April when the All Stars AR starts.