The Amazing Race 31 -- Season Premiere Blog Party

While I generally prefer "normal new people" on TAR, I think this season should be quite entertaining. Since this blog covers all three shows involved in the cast, it's all familiar faces. There are a few I'd personally not see again on the show :::cough... Rachel, Colin, Rupert …. cough::: -- overall, I like the teams chosen. I just think two of them have had more than needed of their fifteen minutes of fame and one is insufferable. Everyone (in their bios) think the former racers will have the edge. I guess we'll see!

I will be live blogging the major events as they go down from here on the East Coast. Refresh this page to get the latest news! As always, the party is down in the comments area. Please join in on the fun!

Lifeguard SueGee has made the random selections for the pool. Who's your team?

From Big Brother:
Rachel & Elissa -- Delee, Nickelpeed
Nicole & Victor -- Jackie, Jennfer
Janelle & Britney -- Donna in FL, David
From Survivor:
Rupert & Laura -- Brian, JonMD1267
Corinne & Eliza -- Dr_Celine, Caela
Chris & Bret -- Paula B, Megan in NC
From TAR:
Art & JJ -- SueGee, Willie J
Colin & Christie -- Donna NY, Petals
Becca & Floyd -- Merrilee, Judi Sweeney
Leo & Jamal -- Kelsey NY, Indiana Jane
Tyler & Korey -- Sharon N, Ed in Ohio 

Are we ready? 1, 2, 3 … let's GO!

They're starting out in Los Angeles. We get the introductions from Phil. 

It looks like this "reality clash" is going to take a few minutes. 

They have to dig into a HUGE octopus sand sculpture for their clue to their first destination.

They're heading to Japan - Rachel, Rupert teams got it first. Colin and Christie have two children now -- 11 and 6 years old. We'll see how much he's matured.

All the teams are on the same flight to Tokyo where they'll have to take a bus to the destination for the next clue. Only limited numbers of clues are in either of the two locations. They're rather slowly finding the clues. 

They are directed to the Roadblock in a building. Who wants a sweet new pair of shoes? Inspired by a crazy game show. They must find one pair of shoes, biting into it to see if it's chocolate. Some are still looking for the clues to get there. Rachel is running behind. So is Rupert. As for the shoes, they must eat the chocolate ones once they find them. 

Leo and Jamal are in the lead followed by Janelle and Britney. 

Who wants to climb Mount Fuji? Roadblock, climb 21 stories. It's a slippery slope. Meanwhile, Victor is having extreme issues with the chocolate sandals. Rupert and Laura are still roaming around lost in Tokyo. 

Colin and Christie are next in line at the climbing behind the Afghanimals. The cousins are headed to the Pit Stop. Ohh … Phil said WILL be eliminated, not MAY be eliminated. Corinne and Eliza just got the clue to the shoes. Art and JJ are lost and just got the clue after two teams already hit the welcome mat. Rupert and Laura are at the shoe Roadblock with Corinne/Eliza and actually found the chocolate shoes first. Corinne./Eliza are thinking they're the last team. They don't know that Art and JJ JUST got the clue to the shoes.

Pit Stop order:
1. Leo and Jamal, also won a seven-day cruise.
2. Colin and Christie 
3. Tyler and Korey
4. Rachel and Elissa
5. Becca and Floyd
6. Victor and Nicole
7. Bret and Chris
8. Janelle and Britney
9. Corinne and Eliza
Rupert and Laura are still roaming about lost. JJ/Art are still struggling with the slope.

JJ tells Art that they should take a four-hour penalty because Art can't make the slope. Rupert/Laura arrive at Mt. Fuji. They tell Rupert/Laura they're taking the four hour penalty. Rupert is the one going for the slope. They don't think he'll be able to do it either. And … he is making it! He got it!

10. Rupert and Laura
11. Art and JJ -- Philiminated.

I had predicted a Rupert first ouster. I was close.