Amazing Race 11 Tidbits -- Thoughts and Outlook

Amazing Race Tidbits

CBS' The Amazing Race 11 -- All Stars Edition

Thoughts on Episode 8 and Outlook for Episode 9

Thoughts on Episode Eight--Malaysia

Episode Eight was an elimination leg. Uchenna and Joyce landed far behind in fifth place, totally non-competitive. They fell victim to an overly close connection and a crumpled ticket as a printer and a slightly delayed flight closed the window on their hopes for an early start in Kuala Lumpur. The 45 minute rule for international flights has wreaked havoc on competitive strategy for flights, with teams far behind. Also, the filming dates have resulted in teams looking for tickets in packed airports. This season, Teri and Ian, the Guidos, and Uchenna and Joyce have been eliminated, largely as a result of airport woes. The prior two editions were characterised by teams being only minutes apart, with an hour and a half deficit being large. Will this kind of airport squeeze result in teams not willing to take any risks on flight schedules?

Detour

From the Website:

Cookie Confection: Teams made their way on foot half a mile to Chow Kit Bomba and search through 600 boxes of traditional Malaysian special cookies and find the one that had a black licorice center.

From the Website:

Artistic Expression: Teams needed to travel one third of a mile on foot to Dewan Lama. Once there, they had to use an ancient technique known as batik to exactly duplicate one of three patterns onto and then dye a 45 square-foot piece of cloth. The task required the careful application of an artistic skill

The pattern required an array of prints 15 long hy 4 wide, evenly spaced and applied with an iron. As hard as the judge seemed to be in the batik detour, 600 boxes of cookies were too much for some teams, except for the young couple, Eric and Danielle. Even Danny and Oswald got the handle on batik, and Charla even was able to help out Mirna.

Episode EIght Detour
Members	Detour Selected	Result
Danny and Oswald	Cookie Confection, then Artistic Expression	Also struggled with the cookies, even argued. Batik was just OK as it required a do-over.
Eric and Danielle	Cookie Confection	Nice to be young to face eating challenges.
Dustin and Kandice	Artistic Expression	Made up time on Charla and Mirna, did just well enough while working quickly, judging from the less than thrilled look on the judge's face.
Uchenna and Joyce	Cookie Confection	Not shown as they were so far behind.
Charla and Mirna	Cookie Confection, then Artistic Expression	They took far too long at tasks, allowing the beauty queens to catch up to them as they left the cookie stand. Charla seemed relieved to be able to help with the batik.

Roadblock

Who's ready for a part time job?

From the website: One Team member had to give a nod to Malaysia's eco-friendly practice of recycling. Team members chose a bicycle with a side cart attached and scoured the neighborhood for residents willing to sell them their used newspapers. Once they had collected enough newspapers to make an eight-hands high stack, they would receive their next clue.

Episode Eight Roadblock
Members	Team Member	Result
Danny and Oswald	Danny	Worked slowly, having trouble getting papers from the neighborhood, and getting dehydrated. Danny finally chose to outright buy papers at a store, and get some refreshment.
Eric and Danielle	Danielle	Danielle too quickly said she would do it, then whined that she always does the physical roadblocks. Everyone was more than happy to give old papers to the smiling Danielle. Struggled when a sidecar wheel broke, but got help from a local.
Dustin and Kandice	Kandice	Solid effort--Kandice usually does the physical challenges. Everyone was more than happy to give old papers to the broad-smiling Kandice.
Uchenna and Joyce	Joyce	Not shown as they were so far behind.
Charla and Mirna	Mirna	Fell to second as the more physical Kandice easily outpaced Mirna.

Pit Stop

Teams had to find mansion on hill overlooking Kuala Lumpur, then find Phil nearby. All teams arrived in the order they ended the Detour. Danny and Oswald could not make up any ground on Eric and Danielle, even though it had to be close. Team Cha-Cha was relieved to learn that they had not lost the race for last, but finishing a close fourth

Outlook for Episode Nine

Danny and Oswald had chosen to communicate effectively, but are on each other's nerves more as the Race progresses. Danny is struggling with tasks in the heat and becoming dehydrated. Dustin and Kandice are doing very well for the most part, though they have been down at times.

WIll Charla's weaknesses catch up with her and cause Charla and Mirna to be eliminated, or will Mirna be able to keep the team afloat into the finals? Eric and Danielle have been on each other's nerves.

Comparison of Teams in AMAZING RACE 11
Members	Strengths	Weaknesses
Charla and Mirna	Communication, determination, and excellent at research. Mirna has worked miracles keeping the team afloat in spite of mini-disasters. Mirna is very intelligent and surprisingly athletic.	Limited traveling experience, short in stature, slow at tasks, Charla is not as strong, slow in footraces, and falls easily. Mirna forced to overcome Charla's shortcomings.
Dustin and Kandice	Competitive, college educated, athletic. Dustin has emerged as good leader, while Kandice is strong and effective at whaterver she does. They do well at artistic challenges.	Not paying attention to details of clues--or even preservation of clues, try to push ahead of others, not fastest in foot races, emotional. Dustin is bossy and domineering.
Danny and Oswald	Athletic, fast enough in footraces, good at tasks. Both are highly motivated and determined.	They have had friction between them, and can be a bit hot tempered. Danny easily becomes dehydrated.
Eric and Danielle	Eric is highly athletic, both are intelligent enough. Both are highly motivated and determined.	Danielle had trouble getting lost and losing things. can be emotional. Both can be geographically challenged at times. Eric can be stubborn and insensitive. Danielle can be emotional.

What will the next episode reveal about the racers? It may well be a non-elimination leg, but with plenty of action, Kung-Fu style. Watch the exciting ninth episode of Amazing Race All Stars Sunday, April 15 at 8 PM Eastern/Pacific.