So there was much buzz over the start of this seventh installment of The Amazing Race, particularly with the inclusion of the champion and runner-up from Survivor All-Stars, Amber Brkich and Rob Mariano. Their (well, okay, Rob’s) scheming was generally resented on Survivor, and were they just trying to extend their fifteen minutes by running in the Race?
I never thought I would say this, but there is no team in this field I want to win the million dollars MORE than Rob and Amber.
While Rob’s scheming nature might have been distasteful on a social game like Survivor, it’s PERFECT for the Race. Amber is very much along for the ride (as she was on Survivor; her victory was more a matter of the jury not wanting to give the money to Rob than wanting to give it to her), but she’s pleasant eye candy, so we’re fine with that. Rob is the only guy out there PLAYING the game – bribing bus drivers, taking advantage of his (waning) celebrity to get help from the locals, even talking contestants into abadoning challenges in favor of a four-hour penalty – it’s obvious he CARES about winning and will go to whatever length to do that. And the other teams are standing there slackjawed, and bitching and whining instead of giving as good as they’re gotten. Bravissimo.
I’m right there with you. It’s not even so much that I like his tactics…I just like the fact that the rest of the teams are so up in arms about it. I guarantee you if I ran TAR, I’d be gaming the rules left and right wherever possible, and I’d be tipping my hat to Rob right now for effort, even if it might be a bit over the top this early in the race.
It’s a RACE people. If you want everyone to stand in a nice single file because you said so, go become a Kindergarden teacher! They’ll even give you string!