Watching Reality TV

It happens so rarely on a show like “The Amazing Race” that I’m surprised as much as I was by last night’s episode. When you’re in your umpteenth season, you’re pretty formulaic and save for a shocking elimination or two (grr… still upset about Rob and Amber going home), chances are nothing is going to be a shock. So it’s rather nice when you can still find yourself surprised while watching, right? Here’s what surprised me about episode 5 of last night’s “Amazing Race: All Stars”.

• What a pig Eric actually is. I mean, I had an inkling after Episode 3 where he told Danielle to use her big boobs in the Roadblock task and generally made some piggy remarks about her that offended ROB of all people. But last night he was downright awful. My “favorite” was him getting pissed at Danielle when the Guidos beat her to the mat at the pitstop and he heckled her about getting beaten by the “Queens.” Oh yes he did. Is it possible that I’m feeling sorry for Danielle? Yes. Is it possible I feel some amount of vindication for rooting for the Hippies during Eric’s season of the show when no one else liked them and wanted the Frat Boys to win? Yes.
• How amusing the Roadblock where giant rats had to indicate where to dig was. And how tickled I was at Teri and Ian’s rat’s name being Tupac. You’d think I would have been grossed out, but I was charmed instead.
• How imbalanced the Detour was. Let’s see, haul tons of coal around or paint nails. Hmm. Teams that picked the nails finished quickly and easily. Not so much for the coal. Were the teams afraid to have to approach locals, you think? Did the producers take that fear into acccount when they set up the challenges?
• The BQ’s coming in second was less surprising than the fact that I… don’t think they’re actually that bad. Seriously! I’m warming up to them. They were so cute during the Detour, interacting with the locals. And giving that little girl a free manicure because she didn’t have money but wanted pretty nails… SO cute. And I love how they shrugged it off, saying, “Her nails were so tiny, it only took a minute.” Aww. Dare I say I’m sorta enjoying them this season? You know what that means, they’ll be eliminated next week.
• Oswald and Danny were hilarious this episode. I loved how Oswald chased Phil around at the pitstop mat, threatening to hug him. Good times.
• Charla and Mirna came in FIRST. FIRST. They came in FIRST. This is where I started to wonder if we’d taken a major detour to Bizarro World. FIRST. That just ain’t right, people. This will give them the idea that a) they’re actually good at this race and b) they have a chance of winning. Which neither is at all true. Mirna SUCKS and I am not a fan of this team. I want them gone. HATE HATE HATE.
• Uchenna and Joyce came in LAST. LAST! I think this is a good indication of how messed up this entire leg was. Charla and Mirna come in first and Uchenna and Joyce come in last. We are definitely in Bizarro World now. Luckily, it’s Non-Elimination and while they’re Marked for Elimination next week, they’re still in it.

Am I still bitter about Rob and Amber being eliminated. Yep. But I was able to find some enjoyment in the episode last night. Next week, Eric gets kicked off a plane and I can only hope it’s because the airline discovered what an ass he is.