The Amazing Race 26--Blind Date

Ian;2449961 wrote: Loving this season so far ... I'm kind of having a hard time picking a favorite, because I really like pretty much all of the teams.

Sadly, I've found this season's start to be greatly disappointing. The first two teams eliminated were pretty bad and were forgotten as soon as they were eliminated. Then there was a very early non-elimination leg (3rd leg) that according to my dvr tracker, nothing happened until the 20 minute mark, then they actually did something finally to start the leg. Now, the 4th leg, you knew from the minute that the New Kids didn't get on the same flight as the other teams, that they'd be gone.

Probably the worst 4 opening episodes of TAR that I can ever remember. Good locations, but the lack of any suspense or anything meaningful happening, the way too much emphasis on backstories and relationships has dragged it down.

My only hope is that they are now finally all together, equal footing, and hopefully we can start seeing some teams run the Race like they are actually feeling threatened by elimination, instead of knowing they are safe. Once that happens, teams, especially the blind daters will start to crack. That Harpy Jenny not only had a 3 hour lead over New Kids, but still holds the Express Pass, yet was still going nuts over how they'd finish. That team is a powder keg waiting to go off.

Blair, I'm just waiting for him to run so far ahead that he checks in an hour before Haley. It was hilarious, Blair to Hailey "You are in charge this leg, you make all the decisions, you are on board with this right?" Hailey "Yes, now what do you want to do?" Blair, so you want me to decide now? Ok, let's go this direction" Hailey: "Yes, I want you to decide, but let's go this direction instead!" If they make it to final 3, I just hope no weapons are involved because I think Blair might sacrifice the million to take her out.

Even though I've been disappointed with it thus far, bummed that its off the air until April 3rd due to the NCAA's.

I do like the hairstylists, its fun to watch for their weekly screw-up, you know its coming, it happens every week, just a matter of when.

I'm with HHG... The novelty wore off quickly for me.

Wow - I guess that based on the last post being over 2 months old, pretty much is a good indicator of how people felt about the "blind date" season.

Just watched the finale last night, only thing I can say is, the finale pretty much summed up the season for me, and it seemed fitting. This wasn't the worst season for me, but I'd put in my bottom 5 without having to think too much about it.

It was pretty obvious that the blind date theme was a fail pretty much from the get go. Very few of the blind date teams had any real chemistry in that sense, despite how many times Phil tried to force it on them. I think the blind-daters actually had an overall advantage this season. One was obvious, a majority of the dating couples were older and not nearly as fit, so definitely a physical advantage for the blind date teams, and then while not knowing each other does hurt to some extant, not having to worry about repairing any relationship once the Race is over, makes getting through the Race a bit easier in my estimation.

The season in general pretty much lacked anything resembling suspense. In the first 11 legs, only one leg held any suspense as to which team would finish last, and that was the leg in Monaco, otherwise every other leg the last place team was never really in doubt, only if it would be non-elimination or not.

TAR26 twist - blind date theme - epic fail. Not much more to say, it really brought nothing to the show. Haley/Blair maybe, but put that Harpy with anyone and its great tv, but the twist was nothing.

Final 4 twist - part II. I was really hoping that after last years twist that allowed Amy and Maya to still be in it, would have been thrown out as a terrible idea, but nope, they kept one of the worst ideas they've ever had. Only consolation was that Phil's mid leg elimination at least required teams to perform one roadblock before elimination. Last year it was leave airport, drive to City Hall, drive to studio lot, last team there eliminated.

Finale: Sadly probably one of the more lame finales in TAR history. The nice commercial for Jerry Jones and the Cowboys stadium was pretty lame. Not much skill needed in that roadblock, catch and kick a football, not that difficult. The task at P2 Ranch, just a time killer, all they did was ride a horse from point A to B, there was no skill involved nor did they actually have to achieve anything. Repelling down Reunion tower, again no skill involved other than finding a half dozen flags right where the clue told you to look (easy for anyone but Haley). Monster truck, just for show. Final memory selfie task, probably the 2nd or 3rd easiest memory task they've had. Only thing about the final was, that when Jenn & Jelani got to the construction shed 2nd but managed to get the combination before Laura and Tyler, I did think it was over. So to see L&T finish first and win Amazing Race was a bit of a surprise I guess. But I didn't like that you had no way of really following their final progress with the selfies. Not like with flags where they show the viewers a check or a red X if they are wrong.

I guess the only memorable part of the finale was watching Haley come unglued when they were in the cab trying to find the parking garage where she thought the next clue was. She was out on an island and was doing everything possible to somehow make Blair responsible. "Blair - tell him where to go, you have to help me! Listen to me, Listen to me!" Sorry Haley, only you saw the clue box, Blair can't help you. Many would call it Karma.

Race has been renewed for TAR27 and it looks like it will be on in the fall in its Friday timeslot. I don't think they've renewed it (or cancelled it) for Spring 2016 yet.

After watching this season, its probably the first time I can honestly say, I'm getting prepared for the show to end its run. It will be a sad day, but it feels like the timing could be right.

The whole season was kind of bland. The winners were not much of a surprise to us. Just about our only emotional involvement was crossing our fingers that Haley did not somehow win. Blair should have received some sort of consolation prize for not wringing her neck somewhere on the course.

Personally, I enjoyed the race. Obviously the entertainment factor was Hayley; she and Blair grew on me after a while (but yes, he does deserve a medal!) about the only team that I couldn't get behind were the lawyers. It wasn't that I disliked them, they just weren't that interesting to watch.

I do hope the blind date stick was a one-time deal and they go back to regular teams on the next go-round. And no All-Stars or Unfinished Business either