The Amazing Race 33: February 23 Episode Blog Party

 

Although we're beginning the show with only four teams still in it, it doesn't seem that this is the penultimate episode of the season. They still haven't announced the finale date. Hmm.

I will be live-blogging the show as it airs here on the East Coast, constantly updating this post with the major happenings. Refresh the page to get the latest news. As always, the real party is in the comments area. I hope to see you there!

But, first ... Lifeguard SueGee has updated the blog pool. Here's where we stand:

Kim & Penn -- chrob61, Donna in AL, Jennifer

Raquel & Cayla -- Brenda, Skyriverblue, Marlo L

Dusty & Ryan -- Mike Barer, Willie J, PDX Granny

Arun & Natalia -- Glenn, Jennasmom

Philiminated 

Mike & Moe

Akbar & Sheri

Lulu & Lala

Teams ready? Let's go!

We get a recap. Of course.

They get to stay in Greece and choose their hotel on Travelocity.

Teams will be driving 30 miles north to the next clue. Raquel/Cayla and Kim/Penn leave with their 15-minute time advantage. The second two teams leave together, no third group this week.

Roadblock - Kim/Penn there first. Search leaving no stone unturned. Must find one of four gold coins hidden under rocks. The other teams seem to be a bit lost trying to find the site.

Raquel/Cayla arrive, then Dusty/Ryan. Then Arun/Natalia.

Cayla found the first one! Find Socrates at a tower. Listen to his words of wisdom to get your next clue. Kim finally found one! Arun got one!

Socrates gives them a Detour --  Deliver 300 plates or break plates only when a band is playing until they find the clue to the next Pit Stop.

Both Cayla/Raquel and Kim/Penn choose breaking. Dusty finally found the gold coin after two teams were already checked in at the Pit Stop.

The girls finish breaking plates and are headed to the Pit Stop at White Tower.

Pit Stop 

1. Raquel/Cayla - Trip to Hawaii

2. Kim/Penn (Phil tells them 3 departure times next leg, they will be in the second.)

Arun/Natalia got lost and now Dusty/Ryan are about even with them on the Detour task. Natalia gets the clue first. Both of the last teams are heading to the Pit Stop.

3. Arun/Natalia

4. Ryan/Dusty - Non-Philimination leg

Next week is the two-hour season finale.

The Amazing Race 33: February 16 Episode Blog Party

 

As much as I like Arun and Natalia, they need to get their act together this week. There just can't be another non-Philimination leg! 

I will be live-blogging, constantly updating this entry with the major happenings 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 -- feel free to join in on the fun!

Since last week was another non-Philimination leg, LifeGuard SueGee had it easy. Here's where we stand:

Kim & Penn -- chrob61, Donna in AL, Jennifer

Raquel & Cayla -- Brenda, Skyriverblue, Marlo L

Lulu & Lala --Debbie, Judi Sweeney, SueGee

Dusty & Ryan -- Mike Barer, Willie J, PDX Granny

Arun & Natalia -- Glenn, Jennasmom

Philiminated 

Mike & Moe

Akbar & Sheri

Ready to race?

In Greece, they're self-driving stick shift cars to their next clue. Penn/Kim get the first clue telling them to head to Neorgnia *sp. The clues are up in olive trees so it was a quick jump for him.

Roadblock - Who likes to wrap? Wrapping food in grape leaves. Have to prepare 60 dolmares *sp.

Kim/Penn still in first and have to head to a beach. They have to spell a food and read the clue from inside its wrapper. Then it's off to St. George Church.

Another Roadblock. Who wants to be iconic? Identify five states in order from sermon. Penn nails it and they're off to the next Pit Stop.

Pit Stop

1. Kim/Penn - win $7,500 each

2. Raquel/Cayla

3. Ryan/Dusty

4. Arun/Natalia

5. Lulu/Lala - Philiminated

The Amazing Race 33: February 9 Episode Blog Party

 

Well, fancy meeting you here. It's almost like we were just talking! 

Last week we bid adieu to Akbar and Sheri. Those two just were not in shape to run this kind of race. I'm not sure where they are heading tonight. But the promos have them eating some sort of maggoty type local dish. That would wipe me out right then and there!

Here's the latest blog bool update from Lifeguard SueGee:

Kim & Penn -- chrob61, Donna in AL, Jennifer

Raquel & Cayla -- Brenda, Skyriverblue, Marlo L

Lulu & Lala --Debbie, Judi Sweeney, SueGee

Dusty & Ryan -- Mike Barer, Willie J, PDX Granny

Arun & Natalia -- Glenn, Jennasmom

Philiminated 

Mike & Moe

Akbar & Sheri

I will be live-blogging, 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. I hope to see you there!

Kim/Penn and Raquel/Caela are the first group to leave. They have to self-drive. The second group leaves 15 minutes later.

Raquel/Caela pass out Penn/Kim and climb up to a beautiful spot only to find out they have to eat maggots.

Detour - Row, Row, Row your boat, choose a fish find ten. Gently down the stream, looking for metal fish and identify them. The girls are going to work with Kim/Penn.

Drive to the Southern Coast of Corsica for the clue after the Detour. Kim/Penn and Caela/Raquel in the lead.

Dusty/Ryan do the rowing. Arun/Natalia and Lala/Lulu decide to work together on Gently. Dusty/Ryan sink.

Roadblock. Who's feeling knotted up? Repair fishing nets.

Dusty/Ryan finish the rowing and are headed to the Roadblock. The second crew on the boat has to go back and memorize.

Yay! Penn through the Roadblock first! To the Pit Stop!

Pit Stop Order

1. Kim/Penn - Won a trip to Turkey

2. Caela/Raquel

3. Ryan/Dusty

4. Lulu/Lala

5. Arun/Natalia -- Another non-Philimination!

The Amazing Race 33: February 2 Episode Blog Party

 

So, we're heading into the third episode of the delayed post-pandemic (more like post severe death-laden pandemic) race. Four teams couldn't return. The two teams Philiminated prior to the filming break returned. One team, first out before, was first out again in the reset. The other team, second out before would have been second out again had it not been a non-Philimination leg. Arun and Natalia better get their navigational skills working if they want to stay!

With the new Covid protocols in action, there will no longer be long gaps between teams after a leg ends. Since they have their own private jet for the show, all the teams have to bunch up for the flight. When they head out on the new leg, they have 15-minute increments between them dependent on their Pit Stop arrival times. One kind of interesting thing about them not running through airports and purchasing tickets is that the teams have no idea where the flights will take them.

Since my blog pool team was eliminated first twice (Mike and Moe), I'm personally supporting Team Holderness -- Kim and Penn. What a breath of fresh air with those two! Although I think they're a strong team, they have stronger competition. They may not win but I will enjoy watching them as long as they are in the race.

Since last week was non-Philimination, Lifeguard SueGee had it easy with the pool --

Kim & Penn -- chrob61, Donna in AL, Jennifer

Akbar & Sheri -- Indiana Jane, Nickelpeed, Krysta

Raquel & Cayla -- Brenda, Skyriverblue, Marlo L

Lulu & Lala --Debbie, Judi Sweeney, SueGee

Dusty & Ryan -- Mike Barer, Willie J, PDX Granny

Arun & Natalia -- Glenn, Jennasmom

Philiminated 

Mike & Moe

I will be live blogging the show, updating this entry with the major events, as it 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 and discussion!

Are you ready? Let's GO!

Teams are getting on their plane, destination unknown. We know they're going to the French island of Corsica. After arriving, they will have to head to its capital.

Depart in three groups every 15 minutes. Teams head to the Belvidere(?) and must get their next clue and a huge thing of goats' milk. 

Detour - Say Cheese -- making three baskets of cheese or Mules -- strapping cannisters on, make a trip without spilling the milk. Dusty and Ryan (one of them) know how to make cheese. Penn/Kim choose mule. Ohh ... Dusty and Ryan are not happy with the cheese making, one wants to stay, the other wants to switch to Mule.

Kim/Penn finished with Mule (Penn named him Duke) first and are in the lead heading for the next clue. Heh, several teams have passed the guys! Even Akbar/Sheri passed them. They decide to switch and their vehicle won't go. Oh my.

Roadblock - Who wants to make a splash? Penn does it for their team. They have to repel, swim guided by the rope, slide down rapids, etc. to find the clue. Other teams are going in it at the same time, but Penn was alone. They must have had quite the lead.

Pit Stop is next! They have to pump up a kayak and take it to the next Pit Stop. Ryan passes out Akbar. It looks like it might be the end of the line for local to me team Akbar/Sheri. They just aren't in shape to do this!

Pit Stop order ...

1. Penn/Kim - won $5,000 each

2. Raquel/Cayla

3. Dusty/Ryan

4. Arun/Natalia

5. Lulu/Lala

6. Akbar/Sheri -- Philiminated

The Amazing Race 33: January 26 Episode Blog Party

 

Greetings and felicitations. I hope everyone is doing well. We're here for the second post-Covid world episode tonight. With the private jet we are guaranteed bunching points throughout the rest of the season. I guess if one team was hours and hours behind, perhaps they get Philiminated or penalized? I don't know. I read that the two returning previously Philiminated teams -- Arun/Natalia and Mike/Moe -- had to do a Speed Bump that they didn't have time to air last week. I've been watching the Penn/Kim episode recaps on YouTube. They give quite a bit of insight and a bit of insider information.

I will be constantly updating this entry with the major events as they air here on the East Coast. Refresh the page to get the latest news! As always, the real party is in the comments area -- I hope to see you there!

Kim & Penn - chrob61, Donna in AL, Jennifer
Akbar & Sheri - Indiana Jane, Nickelpeed, Krysta
Raquel & Cayla - Brenda, Skyriverblue, Marlo L
Lulu & Lala - Debbie, Judi Sweeney, SueGee
Dusty & Ryan - Mike Barer, Willie J, PDX Granny
Arun & Natalia - Glenn Allen, Jennasmom

Philiminated

Mike and Moe

Are you ready? Let's GO!

We're starting off with the Previously On, of course.

Teams will be checking out of the Pit Stop in the order they checked in

groups of three. Still in Switzerland.

Highest bungee jump in Europe with the involvement of the Travelocity

gnome. This is a Roadblock.

Just a note -- I'm having technical issues.

Sheri has to do the Roadblock and she has a fear of heights. Raquel and

Cayla are pleased with how they're doing. Dusty goes first and doesn't

die, Kim is up next. Penn is so worried he's in tears. Lulu/Lala next.

Akbar/Sheri arrive. She lives through the jump. Cayla and Raquel took a

long route and found out they're in 5th place right now. Arun and Natalia

just make it way behind the pack.

Route info - drive to a town and then on foot to the clue.

Detour - Bartender race or Sausage Encase. First has them racing up

stairs with bottles of wine and bags of chestnuts. The second has them

putting sausage in a casing. Dusty/Ryan and Kim/Penn choose the race

while Lulu/Lala choose the case.

Arun/Natalia once again are having directions issues in getting there.

Dusty/Ryan are taking multiple trips up the stairs. They are having prob-

lems, so I can't see the others doing well with the task. Akbar/Sheri go

for that task as well. Lulu/Lala did very well with the sausage.

Akbar is pushing Sheri once again. I wanted to like them but he is turning

me off. She is staggering up the stairs and ends up dropping and breaking

at least one bottle of wine. Cayla/Raquel having sausage issues.

After the Detour, teams have to find a picture on their gnome, figure out

where it is and go there to the Pit Stop.

Dusty is down with a severe leg cramp but still ...

Pit Stop

1. Dusty/Ryan - won a trip to Dominiqua

2. Lulu/Lala (will leave with Team One)

3. Penn/Kim (second departure time)

4. Cayla/Raquel (second departure)

5. Akbar/Sheri (second also)

6. Arun/Natalia - greeter had to go as they are so late. Non-Philimina-

tion leg and they will be leaving last.                                                                                                              

The Amazing Race 33: January 19 Episode Blog Party

 

Ah, tonight should be interesting as the show resumes its filming after a 19-month stoppage due to the pandemic. For sure, the pandemic is still on to this day. However, they came up with several changes trying to make the whirlwind trip around the world as safe as they could. They had to change the itinerary, how the teams travel and, to an extent, the teams themselves. Yep, you heard me. Not all the teams we saw on the last episode could return.

I'm assuming this 9PM ET/PT is going to be the regular starting time each week I know that Celebrity Big Brother is scheduled for the 8PM slot next month. I have no interest in the game show they're airing in the slot now. Oh, well. I get to watch Chicago Med live now instead of on Thursdays! 

While I'm going to show you the blog pool as it existed from the last race leg's end, that will change and I will give you the starting blog that the Prophetic Lifeguard SueGee (we had secret information!) came up with reassigning the blog pool people whose teams don't return and adding in the "familiar faces" promised by Phil Keoghan. 

As of the last leg:

Kim & Penn - chrob61, Donna in AL
Akbar & Sheridan - Indiana Jane, Nickelpeed
Raquel & Cayla - Brenda, Skyriverblue
Lulu & Lala - Debbie, Judi Sweeney
Dusty & Ryan - Mike Barer, Willie J
Taylor & Isaiah - Jennifer, Krysta
Caro & Ray - Marlo L
Connie & Sam - SueGee, PDX Granny 
Spencer & Anthony - Sharon N

Philiminated

Mike & Moe

Arun & Natalia

As soon as Phil shows the new line-up, our new blog pool will magically appear in this entry! I will be updating this post 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. I hope to see you there!

We start off with a recap. We're up to Phil suspending the race. 19 months and a safe plan in place, they restart in Switzerland. Missing teams are Caro/Ray. Spencer/Anthony, Connie/Sam and Isaiah/Taylor ... then Mike/Moe and Arun/Natalia! The other teams take it well. Natalia is now married, the flight attendants lost their jobs, the twins' grandmother passed away with Covid. Ryan is used to prison.

Phil -- Changes include charter plane, no public transportation, a lot of self driving. The teams run to find the University to ride in three charter buses.

Here is the updated blog pool:

Kim & Penn - chrob61, Donna in AL, Jennifer
Akbar & Sheri - Indiana Jane, Nickelpeed, Krysta
Raquel & Cayla - Brenda, Skyriverblue, Marlo L
Lulu & Lala - Debbie, Judi Sweeney, SueGee
Dusty & Ryan - Mike Barer, Willie J, PDX Granny
Mike & Moe - Michelle C, Jackie, Sharon N
Arun & Natalia - Glenn Allen, Jennasmom

Did not return
Taylor & Isaiah
Caro & Ray
Connie & Sam

Spencer & Anthony

The teams are going to go up a mountain in a cable car to find the next

clue.

The two previously Philiminated teams are thrilled to be back.

All the teams are on the cable car. Stunning views!

Roadblock: Who wants to take in the view? The one doing it has to climb,

hook into ropes and using carabeaners, scale the mountain. Then they

run. They get the clue. Ryan leads. Sheri is having problems. Moe is

helping her.

They have to drive to pick up the next clue.

All the teams but Sheri/Akbar are back in the cable car heading down.

The cars are automatic transmission.

Detour: Punch it -- attaching ornaments in the right order on belts or

Toss It which has them tossing and twirling flags, sort of a choreography going on. Akbar and Sheri aren't even to the Detour clue box. Dusty and

Ryan finished before Penn and Kim with the flags and are on the way to

the Pit Stop. The twins finish after Kim/Penn. It looks like the belts are

difficult -- Moe/Mike and Arun/Natalia are there. Akbar/Sheri finally

arrive and they choose to do the flags.

Pitstop order:

1. Dusty/Ryan - win $2,500 each

2. Kim/Penn

3. Lulu/Lala

4. Raquel/Kayla

5. Akbar/Sheri!!

6. Arun/Natalia

7. Mike/Moe - Philiminated again

Okay, I've lost my own blog pool twice now!

The Amazing Race 33: January 12 Episode Blog Party

 

Are you ready? Hey, you got an extra hour to prepare as the schedule changed to 9PM ET/PT! 

I'm a free agent blog pool-wise since my team was Philiminated last week. Right now I'm not sure who I want to cheer on. I'm not all that thrilled with the twins. They don't seem to be faring too well and I still cringe at Lulu and Lala or whatever they call themselves! This week, according to the promo from last week, will have Phil bearing the Covid race shutdown news. Thankfully WE don't have to wait as we already waited it out!

I will update this entry with the major events as they air 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!

Lifeguard SueGee has updated the blog pool and here's where we stand going into tonight's episode:

Kim & Penn - chrob61, Donna in AL
Akbar & Sheridan - Indiana Jane, Nickelpeed
Raquel & Cayla - Brenda, Skyriverblue
Lulu & Lala - Debbie, Judi Sweeney
Dusty & Ryan - Mike Barer, Willie J
Taylor & Isaiah - Jennifer, Krysta
Arun & Natalia - Glenn Allen, Jennasmom
Caro & Ray - Marlo L
Connie & Sam - SueGee, PDX Granny 
Spencer & Anthony - Sharon N

Philiminated

Mike & Moe 

Are you READY? Let's GO!

We're starting off with a recap of last week. Ho-hum.

The teams will be traveling by train to Glasgow, Scotland for their next clue. The clue they got in London says their Scotland clue will be in the windshield. So they will be driving once they get there? I don't know.

They must drive across the city of Glasgow for the next clue. Manual transmission. Why do these people not really learn how to drive a stick? At least Ray had practiced although he's not doing well with it.

Kim and Penn get to the Roadblock first. Who has it in the bag? Must assemble a bagpiper then play a really long note. WHOA! Kim rocked at it and they remain in the lead! The teams that made it to the Roadblock so far all did well -- Kim/Penn, Anthony/Spencer and Dusty/Ryan. The other teams are having problems getting to the Roadblock.

Ray and Caro are having severe problems both with the drive and with their relationship.

At Alexandra Park, the McFarland/Sanderson fountain is the clue for the Detour. Teams have to must get in Highland costume and put on a performance or do a barrel-making task.

Natalia and Arun have some bad luck. First, Natalia gave two other teams help and those teams passed them. Second, they missed a turn and have to get back to it.

Kim/Penn are in first heading to the Pitstop at the Cloisters at the University of Glasgow. The clue says "will" be eliminated.

Pitstop:

1. Kim/Penn - won trip to Cape Cod 

2. Ryan/Dusty

3. Spencer/Anthony

4. Connie and Sam

5. Caro and Ray

6. Raquel and Cayla

7. Lulu and Lala

8. Taylor and Isaiah

Akbar/Sheri finished the song but are now lost finding the University. Arun/Natalia did horrible on the song, finishing last but might not be out of it.

9. Akbar and Sheri

10. Arun and Natalia -- Philiminated. 

Sigh. I liked them. The father/daughter duo may not have been the best racers, but they are a great father/daughter.

Phil calls them all back on Feb. 28, 2019. The virus. The race is suspended. 19 months later, it re-starts. I don't see Ray/Caro. Hmm. Hopefully the preview for next week shows more. I saw Akbar/Sheri, Kim/Penn, Raquel/Cayla ... but it's hard to look at the computer monitor, type and look at the television screen all at the same time!

Huh. Some "familiar faces" are taking the place of the missing teams? Then they show us their feet running!

Spoilers about not returning teams after the jump:

The Amazing Race 33: Season Premiere Blog Party

Good evening! I hope you're ready for two hours of whirlwind world travel! I am. I have a few adult beverages and plenty of snacks on hand. I will be doing my best to update this blog with the major events as they air on the show here on the East Coast. I say "doing my best" as it takes a few weeks to get used to what team is whom. Or, within a team, which one is whom if they're same sex!

Before we get into the show, let's talk blog pool. Because there was a low turnout, we did add in some stragglers who climbed the fence after the cut-off time. Now, I can't guarantee that we will always do that. PLEASE, when you know I cover a show you watch, check in on the blog in the days leading up to the season premiere! Another pool-related thing -- as we know that Covid caused a break in filming this season and two teams were unable to return once it picked up again, anyone having either of those teams will be reassigned. Unlike some previous seasons, the first Philiminated will be out of the pool but, of course, welcome to hang out on the pool deck in the lawn chairs.

Without further ado, here are the random pool picks compliments from our beloved Lifeguard SueGee:

Kim & Penn - chrob61, Donna in AL
Akbar & Sheridan - Indiana Jane, Nickelpeed
Mike & Moe - Michelle C, Jackie
Raquel & Cayla - Brenda, Skyriverblue
Lulu & Lala - Debbie, Judi Sweeney
Dusty & Ryan - Mike Barer, Willie J
Taylor & Isaiah - Jennifer, Krysta
Arun & Natalia - Glenn Allen, Jennasmom
Caro & Ray - Marlo L
Connie & Sam - SueGee, PDX Granny 
Spencer & Anthony - Sharon N 

Are you READY? Let's GO!

Phil tells us they had to suspend the filming at the end of the third leg due to Covid. But then they picked it up again.

We see new people packing and Phil tells them their first clue is in London. The teams leave from their homes to the nearest airports. Penn and Kim try to sing the theme song. Yes, it does sound like "oatmeal."

Now we're getting team introductions -- I covered the same or similar intros on earlier posts in the blog.

Teams must head to Trafalgar Square and search for a red box phone booth walking around. Each box has only a few clues. They have to go on foot to Buckingham Palace. There they will find their next clue next to Canada Gate.

Raquel and Cayla make it first to the Detour clue. They have to post a piece of original street artwork. Or ... they have to find a bobby by Big Ben, Little Ben (?) and lastly DigiBen. We break for commercial with Connie and Sam in last place, still a bit lost looking for the red box clue. So far, I'm finding all the teams likable.

Heh. The flight attendants don't know what a "bobby" is. I might be misspelling it. It could be Bobbie. But I know it's a cop. Ah, it is bobby. 

Some teams are working together but it seems more of a matter of on the spur of the moment rather than any strong bonding at this point. Akbar and Sheridan are dragging. Apparently, she rests too much according to him. Oh my, I'm not pleased with how critical he's being to her.

Spencer and Anthony are now in the lead followed closely by Dusty and Ryan.

From Digiben, their next clue has to do with Boris Johnson having a gnosh with the Queen. (Obviously imposters!) From there they have to head to London's Natural History Museum for the pitstop. Phil says the last team "will" be eliminated.

Pit Stop

1. Anthony and Spencer - won a trip to Turks and Calcos
2. Ryan and Dusty
3. Raquel and Cayla

4. Kim and Penn

5. Caro and Ray

6. Akbar and Sheri

7. Connie and Sam

8. Taylor and Isiaih

9. Arun and Natalia

10. Lulu and Lala

11. Mike and Moe - Philiminated.

Oh noes! They were my blog pool team! Plus, I wanted them to do well.

Teams are remaining in London, albeit this leg is in the daylight. They are heading to Royal Mail in West London (?) for the next clue. Clarkwell? Teams are having problems catching taxis.

Mail Rail is snail mail and it's a Roadblock. The teams must ride the rail to the loading dock then search mail for the "perfect envelope." It's an Amazing Race envelope. Ryan found it first. He and Dusty are the first ones through with the Roadblock. Raquel and Cayla next. Heh. Penn and Ray don't trust Anthony that they had the correct clue. He goes on and they continue searching. They waste a half-hour before deciding the clue was the clue.

Lester *misspelled!* Leicester or something like that Square Detour. Dart players. Club Victoria -- hit a specific target. Each team member throws three darts, if both hit a bullseye, clue. The other part is decorating a cake depicting a flag with fruit toppings. It must be a flag from the EU. Cayla and Raquel forget that England dropped out of the European Union. Anthony and Spencer know but don't tell them.

Dusty and Ryan finish the dart Detour and are heading to the Pitstop on a double-decker bus.

Pitstop

1. Dusty and Ryan - won nothing? Hmm
2. Connie and Sam

3. Arun and Natalia

4. Cayla and Raquel

5. Anthony and Spencer ?

6. Kim and Penn

7. Caro and Ray

8. Akbar and Sheri

9. Taylor and Isaiah

10. Lulu and Lala - non-Philimination

I might have the order a bit off as I somehow missed Anthony and Spencer arriving.

Teams are heading to Scotland.

The Amazing Race 33: Meet the Teams Part 3

 

Going into this I didn't realize how many of the teams already had their 15 minutes of fame. We carry on ...

AKBAR AND SHERIDAN

First off ... shout out to more New Jersey in da house! Now, this couple live in very suburban Martinsville, near my old workplace. I didn't connect. Oh, d'oh! He's that school principal in a really bad part of Newark who was in all the papers a while ago. He's done some amazing things there and is such an advocate for the children! I hope he and his wife can indeed be amazing on the race!

Like the singing cops, he was on Ellen ...

This article is well worth the read.

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

ANTHONY AND SPENCER

I searched all over and could not find the official TAR cast introduction video for this team. What that means, I do not know. However, I found a lot of other things about them. They too had their 15 minutes and heroic ones at that. I recall reading and hearing about the terrorist shooting on a train in Paris thwarted by a few heroes. There was even a movie made about the incident. Well, guess who?

They are shown in this overall cast video --

And, guess what? They were on Ellen also!

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

CONNIE AND SAM

I suppose I should do a thorough search just to make sure they haven't made previous national news, eh? Oh, geez. First YouTube search comes up with a video with this caption --  "Four years ago, Sam Greiner made national news when he led Harding to its first state title in 53 years. Now he goes back as the head coach at rival West Charlotte." Okay. Now, this is one I wouldn't know at all because I don't follow football at all.

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

RAQUEL AND CAYLA

Now, don't tell me two flight attendants have made national news. I guess I better go look! While there are other people with their names, they aren't them. Phew! Normal kind of people! 

Don't forget! Tonight's TWO-HOUR season premiere begins at 8PM ET/PT. The blog pool listing will be included in the blog party post. I hope to see you there!     

The Amazing Race 33: WARNING - Blog Pool Sign Up Closing Soon!

Blog pool sign-up will end at 8PM ET/5PM PT!!

If you want to be in the pool and haven't signed up yet, go do it right now!

The sign-up post is at this here link.

 

The Amazing Race 33: Meet the Teams Part 2

Not only do we have the "Internet Famous Three" teams I already spoke about in my previous post, but we do also have some other teams who might be well-known by some. Not by me, but by some!

CARO AND RAY

I don't watch Love Island, so I have/had no idea that these two were on the show. He is part of my shout-out for New Jersey in the house as he's from Toms River. No, there is no apostrophe in Toms. I didn't create the town. I'm not responsible.

RYAN AND DUSTY

Ryan has an interesting albeit kind of tragic backstory and is probably famous around Columbus, Missouri. The case was also fodder for many investigative television shows. I looked up the arrest and incarceration along with its eventual innocent outcome after ten years in jail. Eep. You can check that out here at the Wikipedia article about it.

LULU AND LALA

More Jersey in the house! That said, I don't ever listen to IHeart radio, so I have never heard of these twins. Now, this could just be me and I might be just a bit too judgmental, but I find the names Lala and Lulu just a tad cringe-worthy. They are very identical. I know right now when one is doing a Roadblock I will be stymied which one if I miss it listed on screen.

ARUN AND NATALIA

There is something about father/daughter teams which make me smile. Had life been different decades (scores!) ago, I would have loved to run the race with my own father. Due to Covid, I doubt we'll see his stickshift skills in India; hopefully he has taught her how to drive manual. She has watched the show since the age of eight with her Dad. Hopefully the Superfan sense will kick in for them!

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The Amazing Race 33: Meet the Teams Part 1

My apologies for the delay in posting about the teams. I cut my finger quite badly and it's been limiting my ability to type! No, not life threatening or anything of the sort ... just a cross between painful and awkward. I'm going to cheat on these intros and use videos I found online.

We have three teams who are somewhat "internet famous." I was only familiar with one of them -- Kim and Penn Holderness.

Here is their show intro video -- 

Here is an example of their humor from their YouTube channel. It's usually more her than him. I find them funny for the most part although a bit of the humor is hit or miss with me. I just wonder what they will be like not "on" all the time.

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The next "internet famous" team would be the "singing cops" from Buffalo, New York. That would be Michael Norwood (tall one) and Armonde "Moe" Badger (shorter one, duh).

The video I'm including of them is from their appearance on Ellen a while back although there are many videos of them online. I am a bit worried that, due to their jobs, they could be one of the two teams who couldn't return. Police officers have been needed so much throughout the pandemic and the civil unrest. They look like they will be a fun team.

 

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The last of the "internet famous' teams would be Taylor Green-Jones and his husband Isaiah Green-Jones. No, I never heard of them, and it seems the only thing on YouTube of them is the video I'm posting below the show introduction. If TAR has a dance challenge, my money would be on them!

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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.

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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!