TAR6: Stomping Grapes, Making Whine

Thoughts on last night's TAR episode "Tell My Mom I Love Her":

Maybe it is my lingering cold, but I did not get all that much into last night's TAR episode, though it is tough to get all the excited over a non-elimination leg. 

Even before the episode started, I suspected it might be... call it a TiVo spoiler.  We have an Auto-Recording Wish List set up for "Amazing Race" -- so that means any show with that phrase is automatically put on our record list.  So this not only catches the primetime show, but also if the Racers or Phil are appearing on some talk show (it is one of the nice TiVo gems, that are not on those non-Tivo branded DVRs).  So this generally picks up Wednesday morning's The Early Show where "the latest team eliminated from The Amazing Race" is often one of the guests.  So when I saw that The Early Show was not on the "To Do" list, I figured we were in a non-elimination scenario.

Put on Some Clothes
This season it seems like the contestants are not terribly shy about their bodies.  At the airport it seemed many of the women were not wearing much other than sports bras... Rebecca and Hayden jump to mind here.  Though I have to say, Rebecca's abs were quite impressive.

Child Rearing
Thought it was hilarious that Adam complained about Rebecca treating him like a child. Dude, when you admit that your Mom cuts your toenails what do you expect?

Showing Cracks
With only six teams left, tensions are bubbling to the surface.  While being physically fit is a given, staying mentally fit in the latter stages of the Race seems to be more of a factor in winning.  That has been the key with most of the TAR champs thus far (with the possible exception of TAR3's Flo & Zach)... crazy can get you 2nd (TAR2's Tara/Wil, TAR5's Colin/Christie) though.

So with that... prediction-wise I am edging towards Jon & Kris or even (yuck!) Freddy & Kendra as this season's victors.  Sure there was Freddy-gate last week, but the meltdown was not internal within the team. 

My take on the other teams:

• Adam & Rebecca - Got to first thanks to the Slow Fast Forward, but this was, to the best of knowledge, their first top 3 showing... their youth got them this far but their inability to work together as a team will not stand up to the remaining competition.
• Lori & Bolo - Tend to to have short fuse and despite their athleticism, I think they are just too big.  Llean, mean and fast are more important qualities as the Race winds down.
• Jonathan & Victoria - Really nothing to say, I think they can still make it the final leg... but the constant drama/antics zap the energy needed to win it all.
• Aaron & Hayden - Think things really cracked with them in last night's episode.  Aaron seemed to be losing his patience -- and I think that has been the key to this team's success thus far.   It will be interesting to see how they deal with their 2nd chance - will they re-group or have they reached the point of no return?

Oh, for the Googler who was searching for the Aaron Crumbaugh height - I don't know what to tell you.  While running through the wine cellar, Aaron's voiceover sounded like he said he was 6'5" ... but at his modeling site his height is listed as 6".    And since I was there, here are some of Aaron's other modeling "stats": Suit: 42, Waist: 32, Shirt: 16, Inseam: 34, Shoe: 12.  Happy shopping!

Now, the Googler from Germany who asked about size of michael phelps speedos, you are on your own!  (Folks, I don't make these up!)

Comments

[Aaron Crumbaugh]

I'm 6'5"!! The height is wrong at JetSet's website. I'm to tall more modeling ie. the clothes so they always put a lower height. My card says 6'3". Lies all Lies, I'm 6'5"!!

[Aaron Crumbaugh]

Just wait for next week in Ethiopia, we have our redemption and the world will cheer because the wicked witch is dead!!!haha

[Nicole Whitmore]

Hi Aaron, we're all rooting for you and Hayden back home!!! Haven't missed an episode.