The end of February can’t come fast enough, at least for this self proclaimed Amazing Race –aholic. The last version of the show was such a clunker that it feels as if it never happened. Or maybe better yet – should not have happened. What were they thinking?! Taking a successful premise and then watering it down to accommodate the changed dynamics of the competitors, a family edition!
I think it still could have been successful with a family edition if they had put a minimum age limit on the kids, which would have allowed for more demanding tasks and locales. Or second thought, not make it a family edition and just make it 4 person teams. Think of all the temper tantrums, raging egos and hissy fits we could have witnessed between 4 people linked together in a high stress environment? And we thought Jonathan and Victoria, from Amazing Race 6, were awful, that has a potential of an all out war.
The new teams for the 9th race can be viewed on the CBS.com website, (http://www.cbs.com/primetime/amazing_race9/), they seem to be a capable bunch. Though I must admit, I tend to favor the good-looking male duos and the quirky, “have fun” duos. I am turned off by the intense, driven, “win at all costs” couples. I think having fun and common courtesy are key elements to surviving the race. Actions and attitudes do come back to haunt.
CBS has been touting the start of the new race as being more exciting, with new destinations than previous races. I, for one, am looking forward to this version if not for seeing a new season but also to take the bad taste of the last race out of my mouth and mind. Hopefully this franchise will continue for another 5-6 more years. I have a 13 year-old son and we faithfully watch and comment on which tasks each of us would do and which of the roadblocks we would pick. And we would like to compete when he comes of age, by then he should be old enough to get over the teenage disdain of being seen with one’s own mother.