The Amazing Race 33: What's Up With This Season?

This season of TAR will be like none other. It started filming pre-pandemic and made it to the third pitstop. Then it stopped for what Phil is calling "the longest pitstop ever." At the beginning, the cast was the usual eleven teams of two racers each. However, over a year went by before they could pick up the filming and two teams couldn't reschedule their lives to return. So, post-pandemic (although we are not only still in a pandemic but it's getting worse again), only seven teams returned instead of nine. 

Another big "post" change is now they have their own jet plane so they won't be scrambling at airports. Teams also could no longer use public transportation and could only mingle with tested and/or vaccinated locals. The countries visited were cut down and limited to Mediterranean countries with low infection rates.

I hope they all know how to drive cars with manual transmissions! I'm thinking public transportation could include taxis. If that's the case, then no team will lose due to a bad taxicab ride. 

Here are the eleven teams who start the race ...

Akbar Cook Sr. (45) and Sheridan Cook (44) - Married educators from Martinsville, N.J.

Anthony Sadler (29) and Spencer Stone (29) - Childhood friends from Sacramento, Calif.

Arun Kumar (56) and Natalie Kumar (28) - Father and daughter from Detroit, Mich.

Caro Viehweg (23) and Ray Gantt (25) - Dating from Los Angeles and Toms River, N.J., respectively.

Connie (37) and Sam (39) Greiner - Married couple from Charlotte, N.C.

Kim (45) and Penn (47) Holderness - Internet personalities from Raleigh, N.C.

Marianela “Lulu” (37) and Marissa “Lala” (37) Gonzalez - Twins and radio hosts from North Bergen, N.J.

Michael Norwood (36) and Armonde “Moe” Badger (42) - Singing police officers from Buffalo, N.Y.

Raquel Moore (31) and Cayla Platt (30) - Flight attendants from Chicago, Ill. and Gulf Breeze, Fla., respectively.

Ryan Ferguson (37) and Dusty Harris (38) - Best friends from Columbia, Mo.

Taylor Green-Jones (38) and Isaiah Green-Jones (31) - YouTube personalities from Portland, Ore.

*************************

First, let's just say it now, loud and proud ... NEW JERSEY IS IN DA HOUSE! (Had to get that out of my system.) I'll be exploring each team a bit in upcoming posts. The season premiere is next Wednesday, January 5 at 8PM ET/PT.

If you want in on the blog pool, you need to sign up right now at this here linked link. If you leave your name here on this here post you're reading, it will NOT make it to the blog pool!

The Amazing Race 33: Blog Pool OPENS!

Come one, come all! The Amazing Race Blog Pool is now OPEN!

 Okay, here's how the blog pool works:

*Names are matched up randomly with the teams.

*You get to cheer on your chosen team until they're Philiminated or win it all.

*If your chosen team is creepy, fights, fusses or cries a lot, we won't hold that against you personally.

*Not much, anyway.

*Heehee

*There is no wagering of monies.

*The winner(s) of the blog pool retain bragging rights until the premiere of the next season while we all bow to them and lament on what could have been.

How do I get involved? 

Sign up right here on this post! If you're posting anonymously, you need a sign off name on your comments. We don't care if you're a boy named Sue, we have to know something other than anonymous. The cut-off for entering is this coming Tuesday, January 4, 8pm ET/5pm PT. 

REMEMBER - YOU NEED TO SIGN UP ON THIS VERY POST YOU'RE READING! 

If you sign up on another post or Twitter or the Facebook page, your request might be missed.

The Stupendous SueGee (affectionately known as SqueeGee at times) will be the lifeguard here this season. Please don't test her patience by running with scissors around the pool!

Over the next few days I'll be posting about the teams. Here's a taste for y'all --

  

The season premiere is next Wednesday, January 5 at 8PM ET/PT. Be here or be square!

Survivor 41: Season Finale Blog Party

 

Tonight, tonight ...

Yes, it's finale night for the season. The final five aren't quite the ones I would have predicted from the start, but there they are. Tonight's show will be two hours of actual gameplay and then an hour of well, um, mingling with the jury, I guess. The winner will be announced on site after the votes and the after-show is also set there due to the pandemic. It will be different!

I will be updating this entry with the major events as the show airs here on the East Coast -- refresh the page to get the latest news! As always, the real party is in the comments area. Please feel free to join in on the fun!

But first, Lifeguard Laurie has submitted her last blog pool update of the season. Thank you so much, Laurie! Are you still in the pool?

Deshawn, Heather, Xander, Erika, Ricard

Deshawn Radden - Kelsey NY, PDX Granny, Jlaf
Erika Casupanan - Petals, Pam Arceneaux, Margo
Heather Aldret - Debbie, Joanne Victoria
Ricard Foye - Mikes Girl, GiLLL
Xander Hastings - Donna in FL, April

Jury
Tiffany Seely

Naseer Muttalif

Evvie Jagoda

Shantel Smith

Liana Wallace

Danny McCray

Survivor fans ready?

We start out with Jeff at night on a beach. Two Immunity challenges, two Tribals and a fire challenge. The votes will be read out on voting night.

It's Night 23 as the five head off to a new beach with bare minimum supplies. Deshawn is trying to make amends with Erika, but she's not hearing it. He had tried to turn Heather and Erika against each other to better his own game. She turns to Ricard. Let's see how that goes.

Ricard is thrilled that Deshawn kind of blew his chances to work with anyone while Ricard is still in with them. Meanwhile, Deshawn thinks Ricard needs to go. Of course, anyone with a brain would want Ricard out. If he stays to the end, he will win!

Deshawn and Erika come across a final advantage clue box. There's one for all. They each have to unscramble words, come up with the phrase answer and then have a chance to win the advantage. Xander deciphers it first, something to with the treasure hanging where the trees love to dance. They all eventually decipher it with Erika last ... and she finds it! It will aid her in the Immunity Challenge. She tells Ricard and they let Deshawn (and others) keep on searching.

Immunity Challenge time! Erika speaks up about it. Jeff explains the challenge first. Build a rope ladder, build another one, bring puzzle pieces up, 75-piece puzzle. Steak, veggies, bread and wine reward. Erika's advantage is that she starts with four rungs already up on each ladder. Heather is doing poorly, surprise, surprise.

ERIKA WINS IMMUNITY AND A SPOT IN THE FINAL FOUR!

She can choose one person to go with her for the meal. She chooses Heather.

At their little feast, they both blame Deshawn for their problems. BFFs again. Neither want Deshawn to go to the end although they both know Ricard would beat them in the end. Ricard and Deshawn are voting for each other. Ricard is reading Erika's face and is bothered that she claims to be on the fence. Now Heather is telling him it's complicated. Xander says he will vote with him against Deshawn. But Xander told us Ricard has to go. Now he's conflicted! Xander tells Ricard that he might be able to save him with the idol. Hmm.

First Tribal Council! Jeff asks Deshawn about the emphasis about taking out Ricardo. Oooh ... Ricard goes for the heartstrings and in tears talks about his baby due next week, could even be here already. Oh my. Jeff says he normally feels a blindside coming but doesn't feel that this week -- hinting he thinks Ricard will be voted out.

The tally -- Xander saves himself! Deshawn, Ricard, Ricard, Ricard.

It was the smart choice. Ricard played an amazing game.

Night 24 with the Final Four. The only one I cannot see winning at all would be Heather. There they are in a thunderstorm without a shelter. Xander is the only one not bothered by the weather.

Daytime comes and they are practicing making fire. Erika knows she can because she did it on Exile (or whatever they're calling it this season).

Day 24 and time for the last Immunity Challenge. Navigate a curved walkway while stacking blocks spelling FINAL THREE wins.

XANDER WINS THE FINAL IMMUNITY! It's emotional.

Xander goes to each person feeling them out. Deshawn says he can't make fire. He tells Erika that he's taking her. He tells the other two they will be making fire. So they need to practice. In practice, Heather builds a fire while Deshawn has problems. Oooh, Erika is having problems and Xander notices! He talks to Heather who tells him she could win and he should take her out. Hmm.

Final Tribal Council. Jeff and Xander talk about perceptions. Xander thinks that the jury thinks Heather's the goat -- not the G.O.A.T. goat, mind you. He doesn't think so. Xander sticks with taking Erika even though he knows she cannot make fire. Heather and Deshawn will do the making fire challenge.

Fire Challenge is ON. Heather ALMOST had it, but DESHAWN WINS THE THIRD SPOT IN THE FINAL THREE!

The Final Three gather watching the sunrise. And, then they get their feast. We get to hear each of them telling us about their game and why they should win. They head off to the jury questioning.

Evie - Congrats all. Diversity. However, no questions.

Danny - Pro athlete. Breaking down game plan going in and then adapting. Xander - wanted to do something different, take big risks, team dynamic at the start, then marketing himself, at the end, keep Ricard as shield, had to turn on him. Naseer tells him he's got a kind heart. Deshawn - Social game build relationships at first, then those saved him. Ricard confronts him about Sydney, wrecking Danny's game, throwing others under the bus. Deshawn denies. Erika - Had expectations being sweet, on winning team, Exile, down and out, flipped the game, joined up with others on the bottom. Ricard tells her that it's a shame she didn't make bonds with all like Deshawn did (then betrayed them). She speaks up about using Heather not as just a number but a partner.

Tiffany - Xander, going into the merge. Friends, but had to adapt. Liana asks about his social awareness. He talks about the Tiffany vote and reading the room. Evvie - asked about him holding the idol and not playing it. Ricard - bromance with Xander. Kept the number two threat, Erika. Did we have a real relationship? We did. You would have won against anyone. Heather brings up that she told Xander that the only one who could win against him was Erika.

Shan - Deshawn, emotional breakdowns and tantrums. Win for the Black community. Capitalizing to win on a movement? Out of bounds. He says it was not his intention to sell out his people.

Danny - Erika, did amazing. Allowed people to underestimate you but you're a real competitor. 

Liana - Asks Xander if he has an idol. Heehee.

Time for the jury to vote. Jeff says that the last time they read the votes at Tribal was Season One.

Erika, Deshawn, Erika, Erika, Erika, Erika ... all the rest are hers, too.

ERIKA WINS!

Congratulations to blog pool winners Petals, Pam Arceneaux, Margo!

We then get into an after show party with champagne and pizza. Now I might slack a bit on blogging this. But I will be here.

I am indeed here. So far it's just been Jeff asking Probsting questions and the Final Three talking about their games. Going on to talking to Naseer and Liana about the phrase and Knowledge Is Power advantage, respectively.

Survivor 42, same location. Looks like they will be keeping a lot of the happenings and pace from this season. Expect it in the spring.

No Sia award announced but it might be coming. I don't know.

Survivor 41: Ponderosa Videos!

Most of the Ponderosa videos are now up on YouTube. However, I note a few are missing. I'm adding them here from another source on YT, but they may disappear. So, catch them while you can!

I wasn't all that keen on Tiffany. I think that part of it is that she comes across as leading a bit of a sheltered from the reality of the everyday world. Does she not know any gay people? Does she not know any Black people? At least she questions rather than be unfriendly. I think I'm taking it as a bit of an affront as she is one of their "older" people. I can't help but wonder what it's like to be the sole person for a few days at the Ponderosa, though. While we think of it as a week, it's only two to three days before arrivals.

 

Now, these two I liked, Naseer more than Evvie. I think they both played good games. Naseer's enthusiasm, ability to provide and friendliness won me over on his first night. To think ... he learned English watching the show and, even though he didn't win, he actually lived his dream of getting on! And then there's Evvie. I think she's the first castaway responsible for the show retiring a puzzle! 

Time for my blog pool person Shan to join them! True, she played a villain kind of game. She played it too hard, too. But she was loyal to Xander although a bit iffy at times. Had Ricard not targeted her first she would have been loyal to him until she wasn't. And, she does deserve some kudos for doing the show so soon after chemotherapy and having MS. 

Here come the first of the fireworks -- the Shan/Liana debacle. Now, Liana would probably still be there had she not put her sole focus on getting Xander out. Xander, mind you, was Shan's biggest real ally. (I don't count Ricard as such.) That said, I totally understand what Liana is saying about race. I know that everywhere I go I don't feel I have to represent white people. The life experience of a Black woman is very different. The race is always there. At this time in this world, people really need to be more accepting of others. If we were all alike, it would be one boring world!

The most recent juror and arrival on the Ponderosa was Danny. Rats. I liked the dude! I know that, with the allies and the numbers the way they were, it would be either Danny or Deshawn. I would have preferred Deshawn go. However, he did run around bonding with all, a move Danny didn't make and that proved fatal to his game. Of course, the real fireworks at the Ponderosa went down between Danny and Shan. But they smoothed it over. Good. Rather than either Deshawn or Danny going, I would have rather seen Heather gone. On a side note -- look how quickly Naseer's hair grows!

Heather who? There's a Heather on the show?

Survivor 41: December 8 Episode Blog Party

 

Good evening. I hope everybody is doing well. Do you realize that tonight's show is the penultimate episode? Yep. The finale is NEXT WEEK, with all three primetime hours being Survivor. So, make sure you have an ample supply of snacks and beverages for it!

But, of course, we have to get through tonight first. I'm not sure who I want to win this season with the castaways we have left. I like Danny and Xander. Ricard is sneaky but is playing a good game. The other three? Eh. I have to keep remembering that someone named Heather is in it this season.

I will be live blogging, updating this entry as the show airs here on the East Coast. Refresh the page to get the latest news. Tomorrow I plan on posting the available Ponderosa clips with the jury members. That will be in a separate post. The real party tonight is in the comments area -- please feel free to join in on the fun!

Lifeguard Laurie has updated the blog pool and here's the latest:

Danny McCray - Cheryl in NC, Nickelpeed, Jennifer
Deshawn Radden - Kelsey NY, PDX Granny, Jlaf
Erika Casupanan - Petals, Pam Arceneaux, Margo
Heather Aldret - Debbie, Joanne Victoria
Ricard Foye - Mikes Girl, GiLLL
Xander Hastings - Donna in FL, April

Jury
Tiffany Seely

Naseer Muttalif

Evvie Jagoda

Shantel Smith

Liana Wallace

Survivor fans ready?

We open on Night 21 as they return from Tribal. Deshawn is still a bit emotional as he lived through the Do or Die and Liana went home. Danny is confused why Xander didn't vote for Ricard to go. Xander is honest with Danny, telling him that he thought Ricard was a shield for himself in the game -- otherwise he (Xander) would be the one who others wanted out the most.

Oh. There's that Heather person. She's talking race with Deshawn. She thinks this season is her time and she needs to be there. Um. Okay. Heather who?

Erika talks with him next, about her guilt in voting out another woman, Liana. Deshawn talks about how things aren't just about color, there is gender and more.

Day 22 has a Reward Challenge. Two teams of three. Dive down, retrieve buoys one by one (three). They can get chicken and vegetables or candy and cake. Deshawn pipes up that it should be time for a visit from home. Nope.

Yellow team: Deshawn, Xander, Erika / Blue team: Ricard, Heather, Danny.

YELLOW WINS REWARD! They choose the chicken and vegetables. Deshawn tells us he wants to work on Erika and Xander to get Ricard out.

The leftovers on the island are more interesting than the ones eating. Danny went off looking for an idol. Ricard thinks he has one. 

Deshawn talks more with Erika. Will they really bond? Deshawn told US that he doesn't trust that Erika and Xander will really work with him. Deshawn and Erika talk about Heather. Who?

Time for the Immunity Challenge. Spin to unspool a coil of rope, over obstacles, untie puzzle pieces, puzzle. The spinning has its "drunk" effect as it should. Ricard starts on the puzzle first. Seven word phrase. Don't Make This Next Vote Be Your Last.

RICARD WINS IMMUNITY ... AGAIN!

Heh. They're all congratulating Ricard but they don't mean it. Danny is ticked that they voted out Liana last week when they could have gotten Ricard out. Ricard mentions to Danny that he thinks he has an idol. Danny tells us he didn't find one but thinks he should take advantage of the fact others think he has one. Erika wants to keep Deshawn for her own purposes although everyone would think he's a bigger threat than is Danny. Ricard thinks Deshawn should go as he gets along well with both women. Deshawn works on his bonds with others as he thinks that is Danny's weak point.

Tribal Council time with 15 minutes left. Jeff wonders why Deshawn is grinning. He thinks he's the target, he or Danny. He thinks the "four" will vote together. Deshawn and Danny talk about how Ricard should have been voted out last week. Erika defends her vote last week as Liana had put her name down and Ricard never did. Heather also says it was for her game.

Deshawn decides he will throw out some information. He tells Heather that Erika won't take her to the end. Woo. As Danny says, that's personal with the Truth Bomb and Deshawn turning on Erika. 

Time to vote. Xander votes Deshawn.

The tally ... Deshawn, Danny, Danny, Deshawn, Deshawn, Danny. Tie, re-vote, can only vote for Danny or Deshawn.

Danny, Danny, Danny ... aw, rats.

The final five will be taken to a new island to start over, minimal supplies and lots of game ahead with little time.

Survivor 41: December 1 Episode Blog Party

 

Good evening! Well, as I said in comments before, the folks in the Black alliance on this show were lacking the strong motivation of having the first Black winner as the ones on BB23 had. So, like most other alliances made early in a season, they have already fallen apart targeting not one, but two, of their four members last week. Thus, for those folks all riled up that they had an alliance based on race, it was like any other alliance based on something they had in common -- not unlike male alliances, young alliances, etc. Now, I don't want to be that person who says, "I told you so." But ...

My blog pool pick got the boot last week, so I'm a free agent. Hmm. I'm not sure I have a personal pick this season. I'd like to see Xander do well but he has made a few foolish moves. I kind of like Danny, but he gets all paranoid. I don't care much for Ricard, but he is playing a good cut-throat game. However, I can see him being targeted for his game. I guess we'll see.

The blog pool is updated and here's where we stand:

Danny McCray - Cheryl in NC, Nickelpeed, Jennifer
Deshawn Radden - Kelsey NY, PDX Granny, Jlaf
Erika Casupanan - Petals, Pam Arceneaux, Margo
Heather Aldret - Debbie, Joanne Victoria
Liana Wallace - Terry is a Texan, ChicMC
Ricard Foye - Mikes Girl, GiLLL
Xander Hastings - Donna in FL, April

Jury
Tiffany Seely

Naseer Muttalif

Evvie Jagoda

Shantel Smith

I will update this entry as the show airs here on the East Coast. Refresh the page to get the latest happenings. As always, the real party is in the comments ... I hope to see you there! Survivor fans ready?

We open on Night 19 as they return from Tribal. Liana is ticked -- she was blindsided with votes, no one in her alliance told her what was going on as they followed Ricard's plan to oust Shan. Deshawn is upset that Shan called him a snake on the way out. Not only that, but she told Ricard will have her vote for the million.

Meanwhile, Xander, Ricard, Heather and Erika, the underdogs have the largest alliance. Danny is taking things better than Deshawn. Now Liana is gunning for Deshawn.

Day 20 -- remember they only have 26 days this season. Aw, it's the 25th anniversary of Danny's father's death. He was eight years-old. Notice we're getting a little backstory segment on each of them this season.

Eep ... already to Day 21. New twist afoot! Participating in the Immunity Challenge comes with a deadly risk? Oh my. 

Use handles to balance a ball on a wooden cylinder, additions added as time goes on. First person out must be in Survivor Do or Die, if they win they're safe. If they lose no one is voted out and they are gone. They each get two rocks. Grey means they sit out Do or Die. Red is competing. Heather and Liana sit out, the rest participate.

Deshawn is almost immediately out. He will do the challenge tonight. The rest are now playing strictly for immunity. Erika out. It's Xander, Danny and Ricard playing for immunity. Ricard and Xander out almost simultaneously. DANNY WINS IMMUNITY!

Danny and Deshawn think they need to target Ricard if Deshawn stays. They approach Xander with the plan. Xander wants to keep Ricard but doesn't say that to them! Erika suggests to Xander that they should vote Ricard because he's a big threat to win the game. Xander thinks Liana, also not popular with Erika. He thinks of Ricard as a bit of a shield for him down the line ... a bigger target. Ricard doesn't really trust Erika. Liana is worried about her own safety. Will she use her Shot in the Dark at Tribal? Hmm.

Time for Tribal Council! Jeff tells Liana that the challenge was all about relationships. Heather and Liana both say they would have lost the challenge and it wasn't that they felt safe. Xander says this season you need to gamble a bit. Tonight is the last night they can take the Shot in the Dark. All of this going on is making me dizzy! Oh geez, now Deshawn is crying because he wanted to represent the Black community with integrity and thinks he failed. This leads into a rather intense discussion of race relations.

Deshawn is at his challenge. Three boxes, one has fire symbol (safe), two have a skull. He has to choose one box. Jeff opens a box -- skull. Offers to let Deshawn trade. Deshawn wants to go with his first choice. He got flame! DESHAWN IS SAFE! Ricard looks worried.

Time to vote.

The tally -- no idols played. Ricard, Liana, Ricard, Liana, Ricard, Liana, Liana, Liana.

Bye-bye, Liana!