The Amazing Race 34: 'The Only Leg That Matters' Season Finale Blog Party - Dec. 7

 

The final three teams ...

I will be live blogging 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!

Tonight is the season finale. With no non-Philimination legs, it seems like a short season even though there were two mega-legs. Also, with the Covid era private plane, all teams were always so close to each other. It all was a bit odd. No U-Turns, either. Although an online friend at the time, Jym Buss, created the U-Turn, I've grown weary of it over the years. I liked all the teams this season. Well, I only vaguely recall the first team out and I didn't care much for one person on a team, but really liked the others. When it got down to about the last eight teams, I was onboard for any of them for the win.

Due to my own bias, my favorite team is Derek/Claire.

The Wonderful Lifeguard SueGee has updated the blog pool listing. Here's where we stand:

Derek & Claire -- Beachbound Gmom, ChicMc, Donna NY

Emily & Molly -- Joanne Victoria, Judi Sweeney, Sharon N

Luis & Michelle -- Andi, Mikes Girl, RJMnS

PHILIMINATED

Aastha & Nina

Tim & Rex

Rich & Dom

Linton & Sharik

Abby & Will (Covid)

Glenda & Lumumba

Quinton & Mattie

Marcus & Michael

Aubrey & David

Race fans ready? Let's GO! 

We start with a recap. Teams are heading to Nashville. They will start the leg in Lynchburg. They have to bottle whiskey 30 Jack Daniels bottles ready for shipment. Molly and Emily finish first! They are driving to the next clue. Derek and Claire done. Five minutes behind, Luis and Michelle finish.

All three teams are in a row heading to the Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge in Nashville.

Derek/Claire make it to the clue box first.

Roadblock -- Climb and Rappel to get a clue guitar pick. Derek through first. Emily doing well, Michelle having problems with it.

Derek/Claire heading to Gibson Garage. Emily coming down next. Michelle finally makes it down.

Derek/Claire to the next clue first. Gibson Guitar Delivery. Deliver one electric, two acoustic guitars to honkytonks in town. Luis/Michelle there next because the twins are lost again.

All three teams are delivering guitars now. Derek/Claire get their clues to go to the Municipal Auditorium first. An orchestra is playing the theme song. Teams have to bring the theme to life on giant piano keys (like in the movie BIG) to get the next clue to the Pit Stop. Luis/Michelle arrive, then Molly/Emily.

The 11 second timer on the piano keys is getting all the teams.

DEREK AND CLAIRE DID THE PIANO FIRST! They are on their way to the Pit Stop.

The twins get it next!

DEREK AND CLAIRE WIN THE AMAZING RACE!

Emily and Molly get second place. They are both in happy tears.

Luis and Michelle third.

Survivor 43: Episode 8 Blog Non-Party PLUS The Amazing Race 34 Non-Party - November 9

 

Folks, my apologies. I'm having technical difficulties with a dead television and a new one somehow delayed in transit (or stolen). I blog on my desktop computer with the now-dead TV nearby. I experimented with streaming on my phone and I just can't put it anywhere where I can see it clearly and it's not in the way of my keyboard.

So, I will be passing on blogging both shows tonight. All should be resolved by next week. Feel free to party in the comments, though.

SueGee has updated the blog pools -- here they are:

SURVIVOR

Cody       Cheryl in NC, ChicMc
Noelle     MikesGirl, Tammy
Jesse       AprilW, Donna in AL
Cassidy     Cherrypie, Kelsey NY
Karla       Glenn Allen, monty924
James     DonnaNY, Krysta Gibson
Ryan       John Cantrell, Jackie
Gabler     Donna in FL, Joanne Victoria
Owen    Mike Barer, SueGee
Sami      Brenda, Indiana Jane
Jeanine     Laura. Auntie Leigh

Snuffed Out
Morriah
Justine 
Nneka  
Lindsay 
Geo
Elie

Dwight

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

Aubrey & David -- Donna in FL, Dr Celine, Skyriverblue

Derek & Claire -- Beachbound Gmom, ChicMc, Donna NY

Emily & Molly -- Joanne Victoria, Judi Sweeney, Sharon N

Luis & Michelle -- Andi, Mikes Girl, RJMnSC

Marcus & Michael -- Brenda, Chrob61, Nickelpeed

Quinton & Mattie -- Donna in Alabama, monty924, Sharon C

PHILIMINATED

Aastha & Nina

Tim & Rex

Rich & Dom

Linton & Sharik

Abby & Will (Covid)

Glenda & Lumumba

Have fun!

The Amazing Race 34: 'It's Simply Medieval' Episode Blog Party - November 2

 

Yes! Yes! The Real Love Boat has been moved to only stream online on Paramount + and TAR has been moved up an hour earlier, directly following Survivor. While it will make me have to sit and blog two hours in a row, that's better than it starting as late as it has been.

I will be live blogging 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!

The Wonderful Lifeguard SueGee updated the blog pool for us. Are you still in it to win it?

Aubrey & David -- Donna in FL, Dr Celine, Skyriverblue

Derek & Claire -- Beachbound Gmom, ChicMc, Donna NY

Emily & Molly -- Joanne Victoria, Judi Sweeney, Sharon N

Glenda & Lumumba -- Glenn Allen, Indiana Jane, Petals

Luis & Michelle -- Andi, Mikes Girl, RJMnSC

Marcus & Michael -- Brenda, Chrob61, Nickelpeed

Quinton & Mattie -- Donna in Alabama, monty924, Sharon C

PHILIMINATED

Aastha & Nina

Tim & Rex

Rich & Dom

Linton & Sharik

Abby & Will (Covid)

Race fans ready? Let's GO!

We get a recap. Then Phil tells us the teams are flying from Jordan to the south of France. The teams start off in groups separated by fifteen minutes to start. The first group is having trouble finding the chateau they need for their next clue.

Grr. Derek is telling teams to follow them. He tells Claire (who is not happy that he's telling them to follow) that if they get lost, all the teams following them will also be lost. Um. Okay.

Lumumba/Glenda, the last from the last leg, leave all alone last for this leg.

Luis/Michelle first to the Roadblock. Who wants to climb the family tree? Rappelling to see five names for five family crests. Memorizing the information with 100s of names at hand in the beginning.

Michelle makes it through then Roadblock first and she and Luis are driving to the next clue.

Eep! Glenda tried to turn around their vehicle because they were heading the wrong way. The vehicle fell into a ditch. They cannot afford to lose any time -- they are forty-five minutes behind the first group! A neighbor pulls them out with a tractor. 

Meanwhile, Mattie is the next one completing the Roadblock. Then Emily. Then Derek. Marcus/Michael through but Michael left his keys and they have to go back for them.

Marcus/Michael to clue for Detour first. Walnut Cracker - crush walnuts, walnut oil to fill container. Medieval Gamer -- playing with knives and win three games. More and more teams are arriving. Lumumba and Glenda made it through the Roadblock and are on their way.

Michael/Marcus make it first through the Detour and are heading to the Pit Stop. Derek/Claire finish the games and they are second to head towards the Pit Stop. Other teams are finishing the walnuts. 

David/Aubrey crumbling as they head towards the Roadblock. Lumumba/Glenda doing well at the games and don't fight no matter how far behind they are. All the teams heading to the Pit Stop are having issues getting there.

Pit Stop Order

1. Michael/Marcus - won $7,500

2. Emily/Molly

3. Derek/Claire

4. Luis/Michelle

5. Quinton/Mattie

6. Aubrey/David

7. Glenda/Lumumba -- Philiminated

I figured they wouldn't win, but they were a joy to watch.

The Amazing Race 34: 'Step by Step' Episode Blog Party - October 26

 

The teams remain Jordan and I'm once again out of my own blog pool early! Now, since the start I've had a soft spot for Derek and Claire, so I will cheer them on!

I will be live blogging 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!

The Wonderful Lifeguard SueGee updated the blog pool for us. Are you still in it to win it?

Abby & Will -- Jasonuwp, Krysta Gibson, Marthalight

Aubrey & David -- Donna in FL, Dr Celine, Skyriverblue

Derek & Claire -- Beachbound Gmom, ChicMc, Donna NY

Emily & Molly -- Joanne Victoria, Judi Sweeney, Sharon N

Glenda & Lumumba -- Glenn Allen, Indiana Jane, Petals

Luis & Michelle -- Andi, Mikes Girl, RJMnSC

Marcus & Michael -- Brenda, Chrob61, Nickelpeed

Quinton & Mattie -- Donna in Alabama, monty924, Sharon C

PHILIMINATED

Aastha & Nina

Tim & Rex

Rich & Dom

Linton & Sharik

Race fans ready? Let's GO!

We get a Previously On segment. I see my blog pool pick team get Philiminated once again.

Teams are in the capitol of Jordan and will face a second leg there. Abby and Will are gone. GAH! A positive Covid test and they have been Philiminated. They both look fine (on video) but ...

All teams leave together. No elimination this leg because someone is already gone. However, the order they arrive at the Pit Stop dictates the order they leave for the next leg with four groups, one team leaving 45 minutes after the first group.

They get their clues inside the Citadel. It directs them to go to a bookstore. But they have to find the bookstore! With Molly/Emily, the leg injury one had last leg might be an issue. All the teams seem to be on the lost side looking for the bookstore.

Detour is their clue. Step by Step, learn a dance dressed up in native clothes. Letter by Letter has them memorizing the Arabic alphabet and reciting it.

Michael and Marcus get through the alphabet first.

Roadblock - Who's feeling broken-carted? One team member has to build a cart and deliver. Michael/Marcus are having a problem finding the park. All the other teams are still at one or the other detour. Emily/Molly make it through the alphabet first and are now on their way to the Roadblock.

Derek can't roll his Rs. Claire helps him. Aubrey and David make it through the dancing. Then Luis/Michelle make it through dancing. Derek/Claire make it through the alphabet. Lumumba and Glenda are still trying make it through dancing. Now all the other teams have hit the Roadblock. FINALLY, they pass the dancing!

Luis/Michelle finish the building of the cart first. They have to wheel their cart to Phil at a ruins site. They already lost a wheel and the cart is falling apart. They have to stop and fix it. David/Aubrey pass them by with their cart.

Pit Stop order:

1. Luis/Michelle - Won reward points for a five night trip to Barcelona

2. Aubrey/David

3. Quinton/Mattie

4. Derek/Claire 

5. Michael/Marcus

6. Molly/Emily

7. Lumumba/Glenda - will leave last for the next leg.

The Amazing Race 34: 'The Amazing Race of Arabia' Episode Blog Party - Oct. 19

 

Last week finished up a two-episode double leg. This week they head to a new country. Woot!

I will be live blogging 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!

The Wonderful Lifeguard SueGee updated the blog pool for last week and it's still good this week! Cool! Who's your team?

Abby & Will -- Jasonuwp, Krysta Gibson, Marthalight

Aubrey & David -- Donna in FL, Dr Celine, Skyriverblue

Derek & Claire -- Beachbound Gmom, ChicMc, Donna NY

Emily & Molly -- Joanne Victoria, Judi Sweeney, Sharon N

Glenda & Lumumba -- Glenn Allen, Indiana Jane, Petals

Luis & Michelle -- Andi, Mikes Girl, RJMnSC

Linton & Sharik -- Cheryl in NC, Jackie, Willie J

Marcus & Michael -- Brenda, Chrob61, Nickelpeed

Quinton & Mattie -- Donna in Alabama, monty924, Sharon C

PHILIMINATED

Aastha & Nina

Tim & Rex

Rich & Dom

Race fans ready? Let's GO!

The teams are flying to the Kingdom of Jordan, a first for the show. They are taking a steam train in the desert. Uh-oh, men on both horseback and camelback coming at them with swords! They ride up to them, then one hands out clues to each team, wishing each team good luck before they take off once again.

They have to get in cars with a driver. They're wearing masks as are their drivers. I think Covid, but it should also help with dust. Ah, they take them off outside the cars. Covid.

Roadblock: Who wants to test their metal? Search for movie spaceship debris buried in the sand with a metal detector.

They will go to the City of Petra. Michael/Marcus are in the lead. Unfortunately, my personal favorites -- Derek/Claire -- and my blog pool pick -- Sharik/Linton -- are in the third and last group. The groups are fifteen minutes apart. Now Sharik/Linton are the last team searching for the Petra clue.

The teams are running through Petra to get the next clue. Detour - Camel Caravan -- Hungry camels need their hay and water. Palace Puzzle -- what the carved cliff art looked like five thousand years ago slide puzzle.

Luis/Michelle and Derek/Claire get the puzzle done first and second. Michael/Marcus rue their choice of the camels, realizing it's a difficult physical task in the heat. It's off to the Pit Stop next. Linton foolishly chooses the camels when they are the last team arriving at the Detour. Aubrey and David are having problems with the puzzle ... but it could be for editing effect. I think I will probably be out of the blog pool tonight! Sure enough, they show the two teams finishing their tasks and heading towards the Pit Stop around the same time.

Pit Stop

1. Luis/Michelle - Won $5,000

2. Derek/Claire

3. Marcus/Michael

4. Abby/Will

5. Emily/Molly

6. Quinton/Mattie

7. Lumumba/Glenda

8. Aubrey/David

9. Linton/Sharik -- Philiminated

My blog pool pick team is out. Long live Derek and Claire! 

The Amazing Race 34: 'Everyone's an Artist' Episode Blog Party

 

Last week was NOT a non-Philimination despite the fact that no one went home. This week is a continuation of that second leg. Apparently, that's how they are going to fill out the season without elimination legs thrown in. Um. Okay.

I will be live blogging 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!

The Wonderful Lifeguard SueGee updated the blog pool for last week and it's still good this week! Cool! Who's your team?

Abby & Will -- Jasonuwp, Krysta Gibson, Marthalight

Aubrey & David -- Donna in FL, Dr Celine, Skyriverblue

Derek & Claire -- Beachbound Gmom, ChicMc, Donna NY

Emily & Molly -- Joanne Victoria, Judi Sweeney, Sharon N

Glenda & Lumumba -- Glenn Allen, Indiana Jane, Petals

Luis & Michelle -- Andi, Mikes Girl, RJMnSC

Linton & Sharik -- Cheryl in NC, Jackie, Willie J

Marcus & Michael -- Brenda, Chrob61, Nickelpeed

Quinton & Mattie -- Donna in Alabama, monty924, Sharon C

Rich & Dom -- David, Kelsey NY, Nora M, Sue

PHILIMINATED

Aastha & Nina - No one was assigned to this first gone team.

Tim & Rex

Race fans ready? Let's GO!

Two Detours, two Roadblocks, two cities. And we've only finished the first ones. Well, they. And, not all of they.

The second city in Florence, Italy. Marcus and Michael are in the lead heading to the second half of the mega-leg. 

Marcus/Michael have found the first clue and are followed immediately by sisters Emily/Molly. Roadblock - who wants a chiseled body? Use tools, chisel out a block to reveal a sculpture hidden inside, it will be inspected. Luis/Michelle arrive to the Roadblock next. Then Linton/Sharik - this is the first Roadblock she has done. Abby/Will next. Quinton/Mattie. Aubrey/David. Derek/Claire.

Rich and Dom are once again not doing well. I'm really getting a poor opinion of Dom -- she picked on Rich's driving, whined about her bag and is flipping out at the Roadblock. Lumumba/Glenda beat them to the Roadblock.

The sisters get the next clue first. Detour. Eye for Fashion, find three fashion shoots, see sketches, match. Or Window of Opportunity - pick up three things for diners from windows throughout the city.

Dom thinks she could take a four-hour penalty instead of doing the sculpture. She keeps saying it's not her and she can't do it. @@ D'oh! NOW she reads the clue and realizes it doesn't take art talent!

The sisters and brothers teams end up together at one fashion shoot. The girls seem much more comfortable with the Detour.

Sharik is ready to give up. Oh, NOES! They are my blog pool team! Linton hopefully will talk some sense into his daughter. Linton tells us that they are not quitters! She's acting like a spoiled brat.

Lumumba/Glenda finish the Roadblock leaving just Dom/Rich there. Oh, well. I don't think either team will win, but like Lumumba and Glenda's enthusiasm and drive more.

The brothers Michael and Marcus are on the way to the Pit Stop following the girls.

The Pit Stop order:

1. Emily/Molly - won Expedia trip to Australia.

2. Marcus/Michael

3. Abby/Will

4. Luis/Michelle

5. Quinton/Mattie

6. Aubrey/David

7. Derek/Claire

8. Glenda/Lumumba

9. Linton/Sharik - she whines she wants to go home. Phil gives them a choice. Linton wants to carry on, so she stays.

10. Rich/Dom - Philiminated.

The Amazing Race: TAR34 Season Premiere Blog Party

 

Good evening! Welcome to the blog party for the season premiere of The Amazing Race 34! In promos, they're showing the racers starting off in Munich, Germany. That's first -- starting out somewhere outside the United States. They still have Covid protocols and the private jet (or airplane, whatever). So, that means every leg will be a bit of a bunching point. The promos also have it that there will be NO non-philimination legs this season. I think I saw something about U-Turns being gone, as well.

Since we are skipping the first boots, the Survivor and The Amazing Race blog pools are both still open for sign-up until Friday. But don't wait! The Survivor blog pool sign-up is this here link. The Amazing Race blog pool sign-up is this link.

I will be live-blogging tonight's show the best I can. I can't promise perfection, mind you. I am not all that familiar with the cast and won't really know them for a few weeks. But I should get all the major happenings down. Refresh the page to get the latest update. As always, the real party is in the comments area. I hope to see you there!

Race watchers ready? Let's GO!

Yep, in Munich. We get brief team intros as they are aboard a huge raft ride. I admit I already have a bias towards favoring Derek and Claire because I liked them both on BB. More intros after they are on solid ground. Phil tells them they can complete the challenges in any order -- it's a Scramble and that there will be no non-elimination legs.

On their luggages, three addresses, they can choose the order, when all three challenges complete, they will know where to meet Phil at the Pit Stop. Roll, Saw and Smash are the challenges. All Oktoberfest related.

Scramble has them scrambling! Derek and Claire take off in their car first. 

It's going to take me some time to get used to these teams. The Military Brother team chose Roll and they have to roll a keg through an obstacle course. The Motivational Speaker couple have Saw, they have to saw a log with musical accompaniment. Aubrey and her partner are dancers. Derek/Claire go through Roll quickly.

The Military Bros are headed to Smash while Derek and Claire head to Saw. Several couples are at Smash. They have to smash a huge ice block to get at a clue inside it. Not only do I not know these teams, they're at all three different tasks! I cannot keep up with this!

Emily and Molly (Twins) are at a clue box selecting Route Info. Hmm.

Phil showed several teams have completed two tasks, others only one. Apparently no one has done all three. Until NOW, that is! Derek and Claire! They have figured out the clue is an angel! They are on the way to the Pit Stop!

Pit Stop order:

1. Derek and Claire! Won $2,500 each!

2. Glenda and Lumumba (tall and short couple)

3. Quinton and Mattie (NFL cheer) 

4. Linton and Shark

5. Marcus and Michael

6. Rex and partner

7. Luis and Michelle???

CONFUSED ME!

11. Aubrey and David

12. Aastha and Nina - Eliminated

I have to study these teams. I swear I'm losing my mind!

The Amazing Race 34: Blog Pool OPENS!

 

Come one, come all! The Amazing Race Blog Pool is now OPEN! The season premiere is Wednesday at 10PM EDT, following the season premiere of Survivor 43.

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 Friday, September 23, 3PM EDT, or noon PDT.

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!

The Amazing Race: TAR34 Preview Video and Cast List

What? No non-Philimination legs? The Amazing Race 34 makes its premiere Wednesday (September 21), at 10PM ET following a two-hour Survivor season premiere. BB24 is not on that evening and will air a special Friday show on the 23rd with its finale on Sunday, the 25th.

Have I confused you yet?

 

Here are the teams:

Aastha Lal (33) and Nina Duong (34), an engaged couple from Marina Del Ray, CA

Abby Garrett (24) and Will Freeman (25), childhood sweethearts from Birmingham, AL

Aubrey Ares (29) and David Hernandez (29), ballroom dancers from Los Angeles, CA

Derek Xiao (24) and Claire Rehfuss (25), a Big Brother reality romance living in Los Angeles, CA

Emily Bushnell (36) and Molly Sinert (36), long-lost twins from Ardmore, PA, and Palm Beach Gardens, FL, respectively

Glenda (41) and Lumumba Roberts (41), newlyweds from Norcross, GA

Luis Colon (34) and Michelle Burgos (34), a married couple from Miami, FL

Linton (50) and Sharik Atkinson (23), father and daughter from Brooklyn, NY

Marcus (38) and Michael Craig (30), military brothers from Richmond Hill, GA, and Alamogordo, NM, respectively

Quinton Peron (29) and Mattie Lynch (27), former Los Angeles Rams cheerleaders from Pasadena, CA, and Vista, CA, respectively

Tim Mann (40) and Rex Ryan (59), golf buddies from Brentwood, TN

Rich Kuo (32) and Dom Jones (35), motivational speakers from Huntington Beach, CA