The Amazing Race: All-Stars, Insider Clips and More: In It To Win by Heathyr Fields Ford -- 02/22/2007 The racers aren’t the only things that are All-Stars this season on The Amazing Race. The CBS website is packed with fun extras. Recapper Heathyr has all all the web extras right here! Wow, this looks to be a fun season thus far, and CBS has totally amped up their website accordingly! We not only have the normal Insider clips, but Mat Chats are back without needing a damned Sprint phone (yay!), another segment called Pit Stop Cam where we see the racers during their “downtime” at Pit Stops, and Elimination Station, where we’ll be treated to clips of eliminated racers. Totally awesome! With the exception of one team, I am thrilled to see these racers. Yes, the one team is David & Mary. Some racers I don’t quite know, but they appear to be of a decent caliber. David & Mary were not All-Stars in the racing sense, and I found them hypocritical as well, so I don’t see them as All-Stars in any other sense. Lots of people have challenges in life, and all of us are special in some way or another. I just don’t get all the going gaga for these two, and I feel their spot should have been filled by one of the myriad All-Star caliber teams that didn’t get asked back. I hope time improves them, but this episode and all the clips show them to be unchanged and annoying. One quick observation: they dislike Dustin & Kandice for playing the game, but they are all a-swoon over Rob & Amber? See, that’s where they are hypocrites. If Rob’s game style is okay, Dustin & Kandice’s should be just fine, since it’s much more mild than his. It’s things like that which annoy me about these two. Speaking of Rob & Amber, I’d just like to welcome them back to my TV screen. Without them, I wouldn’t be here babbling at you right now. Back in their season, I was inspired by their nickname “Romber” and came up with an article I entitled “Romber Room” and then the next week I wrote “Horseshoes and Hineys” based off of a quote of theirs. Both articles were used by RNO, and I was hooked. I saw no one was doing the Insider clips, and voila, you’re stuck with me! So, thanks for the inspiration, Rob & Amber! Let’s get started with the clips, as there are a ton this week! Elimination Station We are treated to gorgeous shots of Acapulco cliff-diving and then the city itself. John Vito & Jill pull up to a lovely villa on a cliff overlooking the ocean, and I’m sure it’s wonderful, but definitely not where they want to be. Words like “amazing,” “beautiful,” and “wonderful” are heard. Then they say it sucks, because they want to be in cold Ecuador with everyone else. Jill hopes the other teams are cold, dirty, and sweating, then concedes she’d rather be all that too, but she’s just trying to make herself feel better. We get more shots of the house, the view, the pool, and John Vito & Jill. Jill talks about how they first did the race as a dating couple, but broke up two years before the call to All-Stars came in. They then wonder who will be next to join them. John Vito thinks perhaps Charla & Mirna. Jill wishes Oswald & Danny because they’d be a lot of fun. They both agree Kevin & Drew will probably be there soon. They think Oswald & Danny are too good to be there soon, but then remark that they thought they were going to go far as well, so anything can happen. Pit Stop Cam The Newlyweds: Mirna & Charla talk with Uchenna & Joyce. Mirna is a newlywed and has a shirt that says “I love Greg.” She misses him, but has a note he wrote her that smells of his cologne. Charla quips it’s the only thing that smells good about them. Mirna admits to being in the total lovey-dovey phase still and has a picture shirt of Greg for the race too. Uchenna jokes with Charla that as an old hat at marriage it’s nice to get a break. She laughs, then they all get serious about how Thanksgiving is the next day or coming up (the sound isn’t the greatest), and she and Mirna made sure their hubbies were going to be with family over Thanksgiving. Red Roses for a Tired Lady: Eric & Danielle are sitting on a couch looking incredibly beat, and Eric tries to claim the roses and chocolates on the table are from him to her. She’s all like “whatever” and he jokes with Dustin & Kandice that he got all this for Danielle. Then they remark how weird it is they got $49 for the leg and wonder why it wasn’t like $50. Yeah, $49 is weird. Mary Babbles: The sound on this and the accents kept me from really following it, plus we jump into it really obviously in the middle of the conversation, so it’s hard to tell what’s going on. However, Mary is putting down David, which doesn’t surprise me. She declaims that if he loved her, he wouldn’t put her down like that. No, I don’t know how he allegedly put her down. Charla says she wants Mirna to drag her faster, etc, so it must have something to do with making her hurry. See, I hate that Mary has decided that female empowerment includes putting down your life partner all the time. That’s. Not. How. It. Works! Surfside 6: Okay, so no young, hot Troy Donahue is in the clip, but they’re talking about Miami airport, so the theme song got stuck in my head. Not that anyone who reads this probably has a clue unless they spent their childhood like I did, rabidly watching “golden oldies” weekends on TV. But, I digress! Anyway, Charla & Mirna and Teri & Ian ran into Chip (of Chip & Reichen fame) in the Miami airport, and they are telling the group about it. Charla figures the cameras were a big clue, but Uchenna tells her she is a celebrity in her own right, and they were always getting asked if they ever got to meet Charla. She’s embarrassed and complimented, in a very natural-appearing way. Amber says something about Rob speaking another language he’s so hard to understand. Everyone’s sort of gathered around chatting and laughing, so a lot of conversations are bleeding over each other. Past Pit Stop Comparison: Dustin and Joyce chill on a couch and talk about previous Pit Stops in their last races. Joyce mentions one where they had their own little cottages. Dustin had a similar one. They both are excited to get out of the mountains because of the breathing issues. They laugh over how long the road to the Detour seemed to last. Random Chatting: Ian grabs a garbage bag and picks up some of the group’s trash because he can’t handle the mess. Heh, he’s funny so far. I get the impression they argued massively last time from what I’ve heard, but so far, I like them both. Uchenna quips that chivalry isn’t dead, and Ian deadpans back that they’re trying to kill it. He’s tired, so he wanders off to rest. Amber chatters about a hat or something that’s a hat, a scarf and a blanket, and I get that scene from Airplane! in my head and snarfle quietly to myself. Oswald & Danny are all snuggled together and half asleep. Joe & Bill are chatting with Amber with Drew between them looking half dead. Rob’s in a sleeping bag and getting ready to sleep. Accents: Mirna jokes with Mary & David about their accents, trying to imitate it, then says that her mom, being foreign and not “getting” different American accents, thought that David & Mary might be English or something, since she’d never heard an accent quite like that. Heh, cute. Insider Clips Kevin & Drew Argue Out the Gate: On the way to the Miami Airport, Kevin tells Drew to make a left. Drew says “I’ve got it, you fruitcake” and oh god, they’re such guy friends, that’s great. Drew is enamored of all the car gadgets, remarking that he doesn’t know what they do. Kevin yells at him to drive, tells him he’s not doing a good job, and wishes he could navigate and drive at the same time to save headaches. Drew says if he believes that, Drew has a bridge to sell him. Who’s Got the Bigger Sack?: Drew and Joyce compare the size of their backpacks. Drew’s looks HUGE. He proclaims there’s not a lot in there. It looks stuffed, awkward and altogether not right for a man with a bad back on a race around the world, but what do I know? They talk about how tiny Rob & Amber’s bags are. Uchenna hefts Drew’s, and the men decide it weighs about 25 pounds. He’s also got a small sack with his meds in it for his herniated disks and various other ailments. He says he got a pounding as a court officer and still suffers injuries from it. Lovers’ Quarrel: Oswald (if he’s the one with the accent) sits in the back and tells Danny that every other team will have turned left at that sign, but, Danny should just keep going if that’s what he wants. Passive aggressive much? Heh. Danny tries to say he doesn’t care and will go back if that’s where they were supposed to go. Oswald tells him to just keep going, whatever. Such a very typical couple sort of fight. In the end, Danny’s turning around, and they never get really nasty, just a bit short-tempered. Brokeback Amazing Race: Oswald & Danny are totally worth watching in this clip, so go watch it. Seriously. I didn’t watch their season, but oh my god, I think I love them! Danny says this show keeps him in touch with his butch side, and he feels like a cowboy. He asks what that gay cowboy movie was called. Oswald says, “honey, I don’t think four-wheeling will make you straight.” Danny: “right back at you, sweetie. I love you!” Oswald: “I’m organizing my purse.” Danny likes this. Then he mentions he wants to do wild horseback riding. Oswald coyly remarks he’s tamed some stallions in his day. Danny wants to ride a pony. I’m choking on my dinner. Oswald calls him Rainbow Brite, and I lose it. I’m in love. Seriously. Getting Lost: John Vito & Jill talk to locals who draw something in the dirt. They’re getting directions, and run back to the car. Once in, they explain they met some foreigners who had a travel guide with them, so they got directions that the guy drew in the dirt, and they copied down. They feel as if they are in bad shape right now. John Vito remembers how many people think they are in last, but really aren’t, and Jill agrees, but they both sort of laugh and remark that this time, they think they’re right. Sad, but true. John Vito is frustrated by the equalizer that got rid of their lead, but Jill reminds him it works both ways on the race. They’re obviously frustrated, but not nasty, which is good. Joyce, Racing Part Deux: Joyce, while in the car, discusses how fearful she was the first time around. She says she was scared of so much, like flying and such, and she learned she could just do it. She knows she can do anything now. She will not waste time crying about things, but she will just do them. She’s got a great attitude. She points to Uchenna and says he’s fearless. He’s also awesomely hot. I like these two, but I must admit that I was frustrated to see them back and talking about marital troubles. The race is not therapy. Marriage, or any long-term relationship, is a lot of work, and I don’t like anyone using my television as their therapy session. However, I thought that last time too, but it never really came up much, and they were enjoyable. I’m hoping it stays that way! Meet Me in Miami: Some of the teams start congregating together and introducing themselves, finally having a breather after the start of the race. Jon & Bill have orange vests that say Team Guido on the back, and I like it. I never thought of them with real names, since everyone who references them calls them Team Guido, and I didn’t see their season. Heh. David & Mary show up and hug Uchenna & Joyce. Joyce makes me a bit ill as she tells Mary that David & Mary are like one of the most loved teams ever. I honestly don’t get it. I, of course, want them to have a good life as much as I want anyone to, but nothing about them screams “special!” in a way that makes me want it MORE for them, ya know? Ah well, I’ll still keep an open mind. Maybe it’ll become apparent. I doubt it though, because I started off last season appreciative of all they were learning, but ended up just sick of them. Mary=Stubborn and Idiotic: At the restaurant, Uchenna & Joyce and Mirna & Charla are drinking the high altitude tea stuff, but Mary doesn’t get it and won’t drink it. They try to explain it to her, but she stubbornly clings to her “I don’t drink tea” mantra and refuses to listen. She asks what about high altitudes might affect her. I bang my head against the desk. She says she’s fine. Mirna brings up that things like Coca Cola, coffee, hashish, etc are all in the same realm as tea as far as their origins. Mary doesn’t get it. Mary=Complainer: At the restaurant the next morning, Mary & David wake up to a totally awesome sunrise. The view is great, with a mountain off in the distance, its snow-capped peak visible for miles about. Mary snots that she told David it would be cold, and she’s the only one not going to be cranky because she has long sleeves on. Yes, it’s smart to have them on, but the attitude could chill. A few minutes later, more of them are gathered and chatting about things they want to do. Mary only wants to bungee jump and she wants to stay away from that mountain. Chip in Miami: In the Miami airport, Mirna & Charla and Teri & Ian run into Chip. He hugs everyone, getting down on his knees to give Charla a big hug. Mirna pulls him aside to ask for winning tips, and he mentions finding people who genuinely speak English, not just a cab driver that will say “yes, yes” just to get you as a fare. Good advice, that. He says “you guys are so beautiful” and hugs the two of them again. Rob & Amber=Savvy: Rob & Amber go into the airport bookstore and find a book on South America. They approach a gentleman and his wife, and explain that they are in a race and going to Quito, Ecuador, and have no money, but they would really like the book, and would the couple be willing to buy them the book? They are caring, clear and calm in their request, and they also take the time to shake hands, ask the couple’s names, and take an interest in the couple. It’s basic customer service and people skills, but it’s amazing how rare that can be. It’s an essential skill in this race and shows how great they are with interpersonal relations. The couple bought them the $34 book, and Rob & Amber go out the gates already ahead in many ways! Apologize Now!: Ian gets directions inside a gas station and comes back to relay them to Teri, who has some different ideas. They sort of snipe, but not badly, and then her directions are right. They have to do her thing first, then what the guys told Ian. She calmly remarks “and I’d like an apology now.” He gives it, explaining she was right, he was wrong, she’s getting good at navigation, and he’s sorry. She says no problem, and quarrel averted. A Ho By Any Other Name:Eric attempts to convince Danielle that he and Jeremy called she and Dani “the ho’s” and that it is a complimentary term everywhere but New York City. They’re obviously joking, so it’s amusing. Eric says it’s nice to race with Danielle and not worry about hormones. Heh. Sneakiness 101: Rob & Amber they are not, but Dustin & Kandice tell the camera they try to make people believe they’re sharing good information they get from others without actually sharing the really good information, and by doing so, fellow racers will share even better information with them, thinking the girls are being helpful. Nice tactic. There’s some joking about how they’ll do something like “I found out they had really big turtles there, but they’re called Galapagos or something” and then others will just give them tons of info. Heh. I used to love riding the Galapagos tortoises at the San Diego Zoo as a kid. Such fun! Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow: Jill tells us that John Vito was one of the wonderful things her brother brought into her life, and they were all good friends. After he died, she continues, she and John Vito continued their friendship, and it evolved into a relationship. She says breaking up was the right thing to do but difficult, and she’s feeling like old times with him here on the race. She says the hardest part isn’t losing the money, but realizing that this chapter, this adventure, is now closed. She realizes they will have more life adventurers, but this particular one is gone now. John Vito chimes in that he’s disappointed, but they are looking forward to moving ahead with their relationship. National Park Begging: Mirna & Charla rave about a stranger’s kindness. Apparently, a man led them quite a ways, then realized it would be a lot of gas, so he parked and rode with them, then took a bus back to his car. He took hours out of his job, Charla says, and it was just so nice of him. They gave him all the money they had left, then wound up at the park entrance without the ten dollar fee, she adds. Mirna admits shame and humiliation when they had to beg people on a tourist bus for money to get in. Charla explains they never had to beg before, and to do so in such a poverty-stricken country was very hard for her. That was nice to see that acknowledged. Too often I see racers begging for funds without any realization that they’re taking money, in the hopes of getting more money than those people will see in their lives combined! Charla says they tried to trade back rubs or their last banana for the money because just taking it seemed wrong, and Mirna chokes up over it. This Sucks! This Rocks!:Danielle is excited they came in fourth as she reminds us it is the highest she’s ever placed. Eric interjects that it’s the lowest for him. She’s all like “yeah whatever” and jokes about how different her original race was from his. Eric admits to being miserable and pissy the night before after being so far behind. Danielle begs to keep them on top because he gets so grouchy. I had thought they came in last or close to it once during his season, guess I was wrong. Eric explains he will never be happy unless they are first. Mat Chats Rob & Amber: Phil wants to know if it’s all business this time. Rob quips that he’s sick of second and ready for a win. Amber wisely doesn’t rub it in that she has won, but I giggle to myself anyway. Amber laughs about how insane the road to get there was, and Rob dies over how long they looked for the sword before switching tasks. Phil asks what they thought about the chance to come back. Rob explains that they thought long and hard about it and were hesitant, but then they thought about what an honor it was to be chosen, and they just couldn’t pass it up. Phil queries about the competition feeling different this time. Rob absolutely agrees and says they are focused on their game, and will not worry about others. That will work to their advantage, since too many others all fret about “what Rob & Amber are doing” which is SO stupid, but whatever. Amber explains that all the teams are a lot smarter this time around, and a lot sneakier, and Phil jokes they all learned that from Rob & Amber. Danny & Oswald: Phil asks them if they can win the race, and the answer is definitely, we came in second this leg! It at first seems really awkward and forced with Phil, like these three really don’t get along or something. Maybe it’s the high altitude fatigue, or maybe there’s a history I don’t know about. Do feel free to fill me in! Phil asks who the smartest teams are, and Oswald includes their team in the top three along with Rob & Amber. Oswald likes them and their game so far, but they both deny really knowing anything about them. Huh, nice rock they must live under! Oswald also thinks Uchenna & Joyce will do well since they have a “zen” that Danny & Oswald like. Plus, he gives Teri & Ian props, but calls them Team Depends, which I didn’t get until the next clip. Phil questions them about nicknames and the Cha Chas they had before. Oswald is over and done with Team Cha Cha. He calls Kentucky Team KY, like K. Y. Like the jelly. I choke on my grilled cheese. Then he says David & Mary what to call them Cha Cha Cho which they totally don’t get, and neither does Phil, because I don’t see these guys being like the Cho Bros at ALL. They think David & Mary want to be racing buddies, but Oswald & Danny are having none of it. They will be friendly, not familiar. That’s a great way to word it. I like that. Oswald’s pretty perky and talking, but Danny looks bad, and Phil has him look at him, then tells them to go rest. They stumble off. Ian’s Dedication: Phil starts off by asking if Ian & Teri brought the disposable underwear this time, and I quickly pick up on the Team Depends comment now. Ian says they do, and they’ll be breaking it out after this round. Phil jokes that he goes commando, and Teri denies it, but Ian fesses up that he did in the last leg of their race because they’d run out. Phil asks if they have anything more to prove this leg, and Ian says they are racing with a purpose. He wants America to support the troops. Their son is in his second consecutive tour to Iraq. My thoughts and prayers with him and them. I am all for supporting the troops. I wish they didn’t have to be there, and I think we endangered them needlessly, but I am 100% behind the troops, so you go, Ian. Ian says they will go 100% until they drop, running strong with determination. Phil jokes about more years, more lines and miles on the old bod, and Teri says, “maybe you, not me!” while Phil admits that never her, but just him and Ian. Heh, quick recovery, Philly boy. Group Chat: Eric & Danielle are with Joe & Bill on the mat, so Phil turns it into a group Mat Chat. Eric jokes about trying to remember seventh grade Spanish to get by, one of the Guidos remarks on the spectacular view, and Danielle admits this is the most stress they’ve put on their new relationship. Phil asks what they learned about using good looks and charm like last time, and Danielle easily admits that it’s not the way to run the race. Phil asks the foursome how the race will end, and Joe & Bill think the four of them and Rob & Amber will be at the end. They also give props to Uchenna & Joyce and Teri & Ian. They all laugh about the disposable underwear. Team Guido is running the race for friends fighting illness and for those who have died recently, and I didn’t catch all of it, but there is a heartfelt “Give ‘em hell, Margaretta” and some choked up moments, and I really am falling for this team as well. Uchenna & Joyce: Phil remarks on how great her hair looks, and Joyce says she made sure it was short so she’s ready to shave it off if need be. They’re both ready to do whatever is required of them to win this race. They know that everyone is a “lone ranger” during this race, so no sharing of info at the same level as their first race. They say “bring it” when Phil tries to stir up a little Rob & Amber rivalry. Group Chat 2: David & Mary and Charla & Mirna are at this Mat Chat. Charla & Mirna are overwhelmed by all the driving and stress. David goes on about how his life has changed and that this is the best of the best and “who don’t want to be a part of it.” The English teacher in me dies a little, but I understand not having the academic chances, so that stuff is forgiveable. They rave about being fans of Charla & Mirna, and Mary says her daughter cried when they were eliminated before. Mary is all star struck about being on All-Stars because she doesn’t feel she is one. Damn right. Not so far as The Amazing Race is concerned anyway. Good TV though, I suppose, so I can forgive the producers eventually. Charla & Mirna stroke their ego, as I’m sure they were hoping, and tell David & Mary that they’re special and stars now too. Charla & Mirna are honoured to be back. Kevin & Drew: Phil asks them who needs to be eliminated, but Kevin & Drew don’t have a list of who needs to go when, they just want to chip away, one team at a time, as long as it’s not them. They joke about the drive and how they drove for five miles on a flat tire and on the rim. They are worried to be in tenth, but they hope to make it up. They want to get to the others to figure out how far behind they are. Phil asks if it’s tougher, and there’s more joshing about the men all getting older and how some of the racers are a lot younger than them. They say even the girls are younger, but Kevin smirks as he says they’re fun to follow. They high five. They glance around and do the obligatory “but we’re married” spiel, but Phil reminds them, with his impish grin, that they can still look. Damn right! Looking is fun! John Vito & Jill: Phil remarks they scared a lot of teams, and Jill concurs that they rocked the first half of the leg. Phil tries to get a straight answer out of the two of them about whether or not they will go back to being a romantic couple, but we get a lot of doublespeak. They talk about being close, always special place in the heart, etc. and then finally say something about being more than friends, but no wedding bells yet. I think they both are probably toying with the idea of giving it another go, but they’ve been on the run and need to get alone sans cameras to really talk about it, and hence the platitudes.