Watching Reality TV

So we had another new episode last night (that’s one thing I love about reality tv, very little repeats). And I was reminded of my horror from last week, when the Beauty Queens failed to be Philiminated. Maybe I’ve been lured into complacency regarding this show, but I always thought there were no more than two non-elimination legs in each race. Not saying that they can’t totally change the “rules” but I was faked out last week and felt rather denied. As well as annoyed that I would have to watch the BQ’s compete for yet another week.

The Models arrived first at the pit stop so they were the first to depart. They remark at how they want the BQ’s out of the game. They figure, wisely, that it would be harder to beat them in the final three than ‘Bama. I would probably agree with that. However, I also think it’s unwise to underestimate a team like that, particularly one that tends to fly under the radar like ‘Bama does. I hope the Models get their wish, if just so I can watch ‘Bama kick their booty in the finale. That’d be a fun change of pace, no?

So they’re off to Casablanca with $295 to spend on this leg. ‘Bama leaves, followed by Rob and Kim. I’m surprised that I don’t hate them that much. I expected at the beginning of the show, when R&K were portrayed as being this bickering, feuding, dysfunctional couple that I would hate them. But I don’t. Don’t get me wrong, they still have their moments. But for the most part, I think they’re actually pretty normal. The BQ’s leave last and I’m once again reminded by all that disgusts me about them. I don’t enjoy how they are constantly looking for the “easy way”. They always want a cab to lead them, a local to guide them… whatever. Then they act like that’s good racing strategy. Which, it is to an extent, but then that means they can’t get annoyed when the other teams follow their lead or copy their moves. Because it’s just as lazy to think up those “shortcuts” in the first place as it is to copy them. But I digress.

The Roadblock is actually pretty simple: eat 1 pound of camel meat using a local recipe. According to The Models, it takes just like a really good burger. Which… yum. Now I want a burger. Somehow, the BQ’s arrive at the Roadblock next. ‘Bama is MIA and R&K are lost. The Models finish easily and are off to Barcelona, Spain! I smell an airport equalizer coming, don’t you? ‘Bama and R&K show up at the Roadblock just as the BQ’s are finishing up and heading to the airport. No one can believe they caught up so quickly. The Models gripe again about the possibility of being up against them in the final three. They would love for ‘Bama to be in the final three, because they believe that would be an instant advantage to their game. Then one of them quips (after all this time, I still can’t tell them apart, so I can’t tell you which one said it), “I’d love for us to go to the final three.” The other Model replies, “That’s fo’ sho’.” Heh.

What I loved is how Rob told Kimberly to do the camel meat Roadblock, and then barked orders at her the entire time. If you’re going to have your teammate do the task, you’re better off just sitting there and keeping your thoughts to yourself. Which ‘Bama didn’t do either as Carlyn (I think it was Carlyn, I’m just SO bad with names) gripes at her partner the entire time. I think both teams are feeling the pressure and stress of the BQ’s being ahead of them. After all, they don’t know there’s likely a bunching coming up at the airport.

Which, speaking of, the Models are reserving their seats on a plane while the BQ’s have the audacity to ask that the boys let them hit the mat at the pit stop first, if they are both there at the same time (and first, natch). That’s pretty audacious right there. The boys pretty much just laugh in their faces. Do you see what I mean about looking for shortcuts and the easy way out? Ugh!

As predicted, the teams are all on the same flight to Spain. In Barcelona, the teams have a rather interesting Detour: Lug it or Lob it. In Lug it, they need to carry these super-creepy looking giant 9 1/2 foot tall doll-things on their shoulders for one mile through the city. They’re essentially costumes. In Lob it, they have to search through a humongous pile of tomatoes for a clue that is buried INSIDE one of the tomatoes all while locals throw tomatoes at them. It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack within a haystack all while being under attack. Sounds like fun to me! The Models and BQ’s choose Lug it (which is what I would have chosen, most likely) and ‘Bama and R&K choose Lob it. R&K have a near meltdown, Kimberly in particular. It seems no one really realized that the tomatoes would be thrown at them (?) and that they would HURT. However, once they buckle down, they get the job done and are FIRST to the pit stop, which is at this amazingly gorgeous museum/architectural wonder. When interviewed post-leg, Rob all but breaks down when talking about his relationship with Kimberly and why he wants to win the race. Call me a sap, but I was touched.

There’s a lot of confusion and running around and searching for the pit stop, but ‘Bama comes in second at the mat which is SWEET. Turns out, they are the first all female team to make it to the final three. Really? WOW. That’s pretty awesome. Go ‘Bama! Now it’s pretty much guaranteed the BQ’s are going to be Philiminated, but I was truly happy to see The Models hit the mat next. This means the BQ’s are last and they can’t say that the only reason they were Philiminated was because of the time penalty or anything. No, they are gone because they lost their focus and their game suffered as a result. I’m glad to see it. They interview that they worked really hard (*snort*) and hope the stereotype of the blond beauty queen has been shattered as a result. I wouldn’t count on that one, girls.

I’m pretty pleased with this Final 3. Of course, ‘Bama is a personal favorite of mine and I would love to see them win. But I wouldn’t be upset if The Models or R&K won instead. I’m looking forward to that finale next week, should be a great race. Anyone have any predictions on who will win?