The Amazing Race 31: Episode 4 Blog Party

Wherever will we race to tonight? Since last week was a nonPhilimination, we know one team will be heading home tonight. Well, they don't actually go home. They get to be on a very cool vacation for the amount of time other teams run. Supposedly, that's to quell spoilers when a team gets home early. However, since they really do race in public, the teams are seen as they race. No way to stop that!

I'll update this entry with the major events as the show airs here on the East Coast. Refresh this page to get the latest news! As always, the party is in the comments area -- feel free to join in on the fun!

Here are the latest standings in the blog pool from SueGee. Strangely … they're just like last week! An nonPhilimination will do that --

From Big Brother
Rachel & Eliza -- Delee, Nickelpeed
Nicole & Victor -- Jackie, Jennifer, Jenna G
Janelle & Britney -- Donna in FL, David, Monty924

From Survivor
Corinne & Eliza -- Dr_Celine, Caela, Willie J
Chis & Bret -- Paula B., Megan in NC, SueGee

From TAR
Colin & Christie -- Donna NY, Petals
Becca & Floyd -- Merrilee, Judi Sweeney, Glenn Allen
Leo & Jamal -- Kelsey NY, Indiana Jane, Cheryl in NC
Tyler & Korey -- Sharon N, Ed in Ohio

Philiminated
Art & JJ
Rupert & Laura

Ready? Let's GO!

Nine teams remain. Who will be eliminated next?

Teams have to go to Snowtown, Saigon. It's going to be a gathering point as it doesn't open until 6:30am. Once inside, they slide down through the snow going for a clue. 

Bret and Chris have their Speed Bump -- fill up container with snowballs and deliver in Ho Chi Minh City. Teams are heading to the city. Rachel is all irked because Eliza tried to steal their taxi.

Roadblock -- must learn motor bike skills to pass drivers test on one.

The Afghanimals get through the Roadblock first followed by Elissa and Rachel. 

Detour - Irritation or Irrigation. Deliver fish or build irrigation wheel.

Cprinne and Eliza are the only ones remaining at the Roadblock/ Even Chris and Bret did their Speed Bump and passed them on by.

Once again Colin/Christie and Nicole/Victor are leading heading towards the Pit Stop.

Pit Stop order:
1. Colin/Christie -- win a trip to the Dominican Republic
2. Nicole/Victor
3. Chris/Bret
4. Becca/Floyd
5. Tyler/Korey
6. Leo/Jamal
7. Janelle/Britney
8. Rachel/Elissa
9. Corinne/Eliza -- Philiminated, not full of grace and dignity, either.

Due to the Survivor finale next week, The Amazing Race won't return until the 22nd.

Survivor 38: Edge of Extinction - Ep. 13 Blog Party

They seriously need to do something with all of the castaways still hanging out over on Extinction Island. Next week is the season finale and we still have all but two castaways remaining technically in the show. It looks like a jury of thirteen?!?! Oh my! 

I will be live blogging the show's major events as it airs here on the East Coast. Refresh this page to get the latest news! As always, the real party is in the comments area -- please feel free to join in!

Here are the latest blog pool standings from the Luverly Lifeguard Laurie --

Aurora McCreary -- Ed in Ohio, marthalight
Gavin Whitson -- Brenda, KelseyNY
Julie Rosenberg -- Delee, MikesGirl
Lauren O'Connell -- Brian, Krysta Gibbon, Sharon N.
Rick Devens -- Auntie Leigh, Merrilee
Victoria Baamonde -- Indiana Jane, Karen in VS, SueGee

Jury & Extinction
Reem Daly -- David, Terry is a Texan, Sharon C
Chris Underwood -- Glenn Allen, Laurie
Aubry Bracco * -- Cheryl in NC, Margo, Petals
Eric Hafemann -- Bizaro22, Pinky, Shannon
Joe Anglim * -- Carol C, Kismet
Julia Carter -- Donna in FL, Monty924, Jennifer
David Wright * -- Dr_Celine, PDX Granny, Renee Buck
Kelley Wentworth * -- Donna in NY, Jenna G.
Dan DaSilva "Wardog" -- Jackie, Nana in the NW
Ron Clark -- Cherry Pie, Judi Sweeney, Rochelle

Survivor fans ready? 


Rick is trying to convince everyone his idol came from  Extinction. Gavin feels bad about betraying Ron and thinks it will now put everyone's focus on getting Rick out. Rick knows he's a lone wolf and looks for an idol. Meanwhile, although some are believing idols and advantages might just be found on Extinction, Lauren knows otherwise. She thinks she'd like to add a second one to her pocket. But Rick is really going after it. 

Welp, Rick found an idol and we're heading into the Reward challenge. Helicopter trip over the island, fancy meal. Toss a ball, catch on the other side of an obstacle. Dig under a beam, get two balls, then land the balls on a narrow perch.

Gavin wins Reward, chooses Victoria saying she hasn't been on Reward, then Lauren. The others mention that Aurora hasn't been on Reward just like Victoria.

The three on Reward think Rick needs to go next. They want Aurora in there with them sticking together. Victoria tells her she wants Julie out after Rick. Aurora isn't a happy camper.

Extinction -- they get the letters they wrote to themselves before the game. Overly dramatic similar the the drama and tears when the "loved ones visit." 

On camp, since he now has an idol, Rick decides he should torment the others. After all, he knows they all want him out anyway. He's having a ball letting them follow him around and hiding. 

Time for the Immunity Challenge. Race to slide tiles into a target, two handles to transport through obstacle course, solve puzzle -- a six word phrase. 

Not living on the edge tonight is the phrase. Rick Devens wins! He knows the second target after himself is Julie. He wants to try to keep her int the game.

Aurora is calling Rick a thorn in her side. The others are still talking about taking Julie out. Julie knows that the only one who really would work with her is Rick. She tries working on Lauren to possibly target Aurora. Lauren makes the suggestion of Aurora to Gavin. Rick himself wants to create some chaos at tribal and get the Gavin alliance turning on each other.

At Tribal, Jeff already has Julie talking about the four person alliance. Aurora once again says how much they need to get Rick out. As they all talk about getting him out, Rick is grinning like the Cheshire Cat. Rick talks about how Aurora is sitting on the bottom of her alliance. He also says he's going to play his idol to save Julie and pulls the idol out to show them. It's wrapped up, they don't know if it's real or fake. 

The tally -- Rick does NOT play his idol.

Aurora, Julie, Aurora, Aurora, Aurora … she's out! 

Naturally, she grabs the torch and heads to the fast growing city of Extinction. 

Jeff says one will come back from Extinction next week. I guess we'll just have a huge jury.

Survivor 38: Edge of Extinction - Wednesday Technical Problems

We had one anonymous commenter on last night's show post who kept experiencing technical problems while watching the show. He or she kept hearing just the show theme music instead of the dialogue. No one else partaking in the comments had the same issue.

Well, anon … it's not your television. It's not your cable company. And, you're not alone. CBS has made the episode available online, no CBS All Access needed due to the issue. I saw this article today. Since you're anon, I can't give you a personal heads up. I hope you see this!

The Amazing Race 31: Episode 3 Blog Party

Two teams Philiminated in the first two episodes. The first episode Phil said a team WILL be eliminated. The second episode, he said MAY be eliminated. What will he say tonight? Are we due a non-Philimination? 

I realize there are spoilers out on the web regarding the winning team and the two other teams in the finale. I ask that no one post the spoilers in the comments here. If you wish to know, just Google the show name, season number and "spoilers." Then, when you find out -- keep it to yourself!

I will be live-blogging the major events as they air here on the East Coast. Refresh this post to get the latest news. I hope it's not like last week with a gaggle of teams arriving atop of each other. I couldn't keep up with them! The party itself is in the comments area -- feel free to join in!

Here are the latest blog pool standings from Lifeguard SueGee:

From Big Brother
Rachel & Elissa -- Delee, Nickelpeed
Nicole & Victor -- Jackie, Jennifer, Jenna G
Janelle & Britney -- Donna in FL, David, Monty924

From Survivor
Corinne & Eliza -- Dr_Celine, Caela, Willie J
Chris & Bret -- Paula B, Megan in NC, SueGee

From TAR
Colin & Christie -- Donna NY, Petals
Becca & Floyd -- Merrilee, Judi Sweeney, Glenn Allen
Leo & Jamal -- Kelsey NY, Indiana Jane, Cheryl in NC
Tyler & Korey -- Sharon N, Ed in Ohio

Philiminated
Art & JJ
Rupert & Laura

On your marks, get set … let's go!

Nine teams remain. Who will be eliminated next?

They're off to Vietnam next and have to use (and promote) the Travelocity app. 

Once there, they have to pick up a package of herbal remedies from the House of Vietnamese Medicine. 

Team Fun tries to make up and explain the U-Turn to Tyler and Korey. Meanwhile, Rachel and Elissa try to apologize to Team Fun. One apology seems to be accepted, the second one not so much.

BB makes an alliance to not U-Turn each other.

Vietnam is where Floyd got heat stroke during their season. Not so good memories for him!

Teams are racing around a building looking for the doctor.

Detour -- Catch you own prawns or dance with a dance group.

Leo and Jamal try to head the Survivor gals the wrong way, but they're onto them.

Team Fun finishes the dance first and heads to the Roadblock which is memorizing and singing a song in Vietnamese.

Watching the teams try to remove the prawns from the hooks is a hoot. Only Tyler and Korey and the Survivor Gals chose that. Rachel/Elissa are stuck on the dancing detour as other teams (including Victor/Nicole) pass them.

Team Fun hits the Roadblock and it's up to Floyd to take it on. Meanwhile, Elissa wants to quit the dancing. Chris and Bret are just about to start the dance. The Afghanimals and Britney/Janelle are still roaming about lost.

Chris/Bret head off fishing for prawns after one horrific try at dancing. The Survivor Gals beat out Tyler/Korey at prawns. 

Floyd got the Roadblock done on the first shot and they're headed off to the Pit Stop. Janelle/Britney made it through the dancing and now it's the Afghanimals trying to dance.

Eliza shows up as Victor is trying to learn the Roadblock song. She starts screaming so he heads off to do it. Heh. He made it through it despite Eliza.

Pit Stop --
1. Becca and Floyd, Team Fun! Also won a trip to the Bahamas.
2. Nicole/Victor
3. Colin/Christie
4. Tyler/Korey
5. Corinne/Eliza
6. Janelle/Britney
7. Rachel/Elissa
8. Leo/Jamal
9. Chris/Bret -- NON-PHILIMINATION!

All teams still in it. Chris and Bret will have to do a Speed Bump in the next leg.

Survivor 38: Edge of Extinction - Episode 12 Blog Party

Okay, now we're going into the 12th episode with all but two castaways technically still on the show. At present time, there are more sitting over on Extinction than there are playing the game. My personal guess is that only one of the Extinction bunch will be eventually let back into the game. But what will happen with the jury? I can't imagine a jury as large as fifteen voting. Hmm. If I were there, I'd be thinking "I could have spent this time leading the good life on Ponderosa!"

Tonight is the -- in my opinion -- the overly dramatic "loved ones visit" episode. While I sometimes find it interesting to see who arrives for whom, that's it. Sorry, but they've been gone about a month at that point doing a reality television show. Perhaps I'm a bit callous, but I just don't get all the tears and drama. There have even been recent complaints from various castaways about how many make this visit episode a goal like making it to the merge or making it to jury. Of course, I feel the goal should be to make it to the win. Maybe that's just me.

I'll be live-blogging the major events as the show airs here on the East Coast. Refresh the page to get the latest news. The party is, as always, in the comments area -- feel free to join in! A separate post for The Amazing Race is sitting in the wings and will appear a few minutes before the show.

Lifeguard Laure has returned from her Pacific Ocean gig watching the beaches in Hawaii and here are the updated blog pool standings --

Aurora McCreary -- Ed in Ohio, marthalight
Gavin Whitson -- Brenda, KelseyNY
Julie Rosenberg -- Delee, MikesGirl
Lauren O'Connell -- Brian, Krysta Gibbon, Sharon N.
Rick Devens -- Auntie Leigh, Merrilee
Ron Clark -- Cherry Pie, Judi Sweeney, Rochelle
Victoria Baamonde -- Indiana Jane, Karen in VS, SueGee

Jury & Extinction
Reem Daly -- David, Terry is a Texan, Sharon C
Chris Underwood -- Glenn Allen, Laurie
Aubry Bracco * -- Cheryl in NC, Margo, Petals
Eric Hafemann -- Bizaro22, Pinky, Shannon
Joe Anglim * -- Carol C, Kismet
Julia Carter -- Donna in FL, Monty924, Jennifer
David Wright * -- Dr_Celine, PDX Granny, Renee Buck
Kelley Wentworth * -- Donna in NY, Jenna G.
Dan DaSilva "Wardog" -- Jackie, Nana in the NW

Survivor fans ready?

We open up with the aftermath of the Wardog ouster. Rick thinks every time he's trusted Ron, he's been lied to. Ron realizes that and gives him the advantage thinking he will need his trust. Of course, the advantage is no good, but Rick doesn't know that.

Right to the loved ones Reward Challenge time. I simply cannot report on all the tears and drama. Can you hear my eyes rolling?

Race with a bucket, get water from ocean, toss water to loved one's bucket, loved one fills container to raise flag will win. Love and a picnic is the reward. 

Ron and his husband Lloyd win Reward. Who will come with them? He picks Julie. Then he picks Gavin (who said he was married two days before he had to leave for the show). I actually think that was a thoughtful decision, but not all the others feel the same.

GAH! Gavin -- "Whenever I left …" NO! It's NOT "whenever." It's WHEN. I really cringe every time I hear that.

The ones not on the picnic are talking Rick for the next target. They think he's out there looking for an idol. He catches Victoria and Aurora going through his bag. Rick decides he'll use Aurora going through his bag as a weapon to target her. While looking, he finds a clue saying that the idol is in the trees above their camp. He finds it and thinks in addition to what Ron gave him, he's golden.

The Immunity Challenge is a repeat of the perched between two walls, last one up wins.

Rick out first. Ron out. Victoria out. Julie out. Oh my gosh, Ron carries her because she can't walk. Aurora out. Lauren and Gavin left, Lauren drops.

GAVIN WINS IMMUNITY!

Ron is thrilled because Rick went out first and he thinks all Rick has is that fake advantage. Little does he know …!

Back at camp, Rick is getting the silent treatment. He thinks Ron might be the only one who will work with him, but doesn't trust him. Ron is convincing Rick that Aurora's the target. He thinks if everyone else votes for Rick and Rick happens to have an idol, it will be Aurora going home with Rick's vote. The girls are thinking it might be wise to split the vote and vote for Ron to go. 

Aurora wants to give Gavin her extra vote advantage (last time it can be played). She figures if it goes to a tiebreaker and her name is in there, Gavin is the only real safe one. Gavin is in a quandary as Ron let him go on Reward yet he doesn't want to alienate Lauren and Aurora.

Off to Tribal Council. The million jury members troop in. Rick brings up Aurora going through his bag. Lots of talk about lots of plans. Jeff asks Ron Probsting questions about his choice for Reward partners. Jeff likens this season to a pinball machine with people in place of the balls bouncing about. Aurora admits she doesn't want to be sitting next to Rick in the final three. Jeff is really stirring the pot this Tribal.

The tally -- Rick plays the menu Ron gave him and asks for immunity, finds out it was expired. So, he lights into Ron and Julie and plays his idol.

Rick, Rick, Rick, Rick, Aurora, Ron, Ron, Ron …

RON is voted out! Aurora is giddy. Of course, he heads off to Extinction. And, of course, they're all still on Eviction. When is that herd going to thin?