The Amazing Race: All-Stars, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Episode 1 - Back Together by Mike DeGeorge -- 02/23/2007 It's been said that The Amazing Race brings people together. This season, it seems that the Race is bringing people BACK together! A number of All-Star teams who had gone their separate ways since their seasons got back together specifically for this season. Who says reality shows don't serve a purpose? Plus, what mystical force is helping Rob & Amber? Find out inside! I said this at the beginning of the Survivor: All-Stars season as well as Big Brother: All-Stars, but I’m going to try and give each team a fresh start and not pre-judge them based on past seasons. It didn’t work then and I don’t see it working now. Speaking of which, full disclosure. Unlike most, I never watched the first season of Amazing Race (despite having the DVDs sitting right on the TV stand), so I have no direct pre-formed opinion of Kevin & Drew or Team Guido, except that everyone seems to love Kevin & Drew for whatever reason. One of the more interesting things about this season, to me, is how many of the couples in the Race have split since their seasons, and furthermore, how many of them agreed to run the Race again with their former partner. I’m sure it will come as a surprise to many that John Vito & Jill had broken up, as I’ve seen them described many places as the perfect couple. Then there’s Teri & Ian, who many thought were one step away from killing each other, much less divorce, and they’re as close as ever. (And don’t say people that old don’t get divorced. If you believe that, ask my parents.) Just goes to show, I guess. One last note, I have no feeling one way or the other about the Detour options. They were a bit silly, but didn’t qualify for Bad or Ugly status, so I’m giving the producers a pass this week. I really hope the challenge quality goes up from last season though, as this IS All-Stars, right? The Good: All-Stars by Name if Not by Function: Yes, I know I said last season that this roster of teams totally underwhelmed me. Don’t get me wrong, I still think there are some key omissions (I still would love to see how Mom and Dad Gaghan would do on their own), but after seeing the episode, I’ve come to realize that the teams were selected because of personality, not talent. And as my fiancée said, I’d really rather it be that way. He’s Just a Common Man: My favorite part of this week’s episode? David & Mary telling the other teams how they were big fans of theirs, only to have Charla & Mirna tell them they’re fans of David & Mary! I said it before, I want to mock, or just outright dislike, David & Mary for their simple, ‘aw shucks’ ways, but I just can’t. If they stick around a while, I’m sure they’ll get annoying just as they did last season. Mix ‘n’ Match: My favorite team, in that they’re the most interesting, has to be Eric & Danielle. I love that the producers switched us up a little by combining members of two teams who fell in love. Unfortunately, judging from this episode, they also chose the two less interesting members of those teams. Let’s All-Star Again, Like We Did Last Summer: My favorite team, in that I’m thrilled to see them again and want them to win, is unquestionably Rob & Amber. Even though I was almost happy to see Uchenna & Joyce win over them in Season 7, I can’t help but love these guys. I don’t know why – maybe it’s the same mystical force that allows them to find the right taxi and leap into the lead so far they could actually change Detours and finish before the second place team even arrives. And this is after a bunched start! I would also be remiss in not mentioning that this is the second All-Star edition of a major reality show that Rob and Amber have appeared on. Love them or hate them, that’s pretty impressive. And no, apparently at least I’m not sick of them yet. The Bad: These Guys Are Popular Why?: As stated, I haven’t yet seen the first season, and right now I’m even more mystified as to why Kevin & Drew are so beloved. Sure, they seem like fun-loving guys, but seeing Drew roll around on the ground like Peter Griffin from Family Guy made me think that, so far, he’s been pretty well useless. I still can’t believe he drove on a flat tire for so long without something bad happening. How long does it take to change a tire? For someone who knows what they’re doing, five minutes. For me, maybe 30. How long would it take for them to get a replacement vehicle out there? It was a stupid risk that happened to pay off. Phil Kural Is Just Inconsolable Right Now: Poor John Vito & Jill. They’re awesome competitors and phenomenal athletes, but they’re the total polar opposites of Rob & Amber in that they just can’t catch a break on the Race. But that’s part of it, you have to have good luck even when you have bad luck, as evidenced by Kevin & Drew. John Vito & Jill just never were able to come back from their bad luck. On the other hand, I have to quote an idol of mine, Ron Burgandy. Jill still has an absolutely breathtaking heiney. I mean, that thing’s good. The Ugly: Miiiiiiiiiiirna: Remember what I said about not letting previous opinions color my judgement of the teams? Forget it. The first time Mirna whined about going to the wrong entrance, the old hackles raised up and I immediately hated her all over again. I was very much hoping that she really would toughen up this season, possibly having realized what a baby she looked like in her season, but those hopes were dashed when she let Charla do the heavy work with the horse. Sigh. If only John Vito & Jill had gotten better directions.