Too funny- I kept waiting for the map cutaway too - just to get a sense of things.

By the way, I am delighted to finally have identified who Gretchen sounds like with all her little gasps and moans - this is going to be a bit of a stretch but - does anyone else think she sounds like...Davey from the old Davey & Goliath show?

http://www.stuckinthe70s.com/images/davygoliath.jpg

I closed my eyes early on for one of Gretchen's ooh's, and was convinced it was "It's Pat" from SNL years ago...

yes! thanks for the caption about ambah's coat! i kept saying, "damn, isn't it incredibly hot in india? aren't all those people sweating balls? why the HELL is she wearing a winter coat?"

THANK YOU! THANK YOU, B-Side for including the raised eyebrow from the Philster. My son and I were cracking up! Especially since Gretchidith (I think) had just commented that they were tired and hoping for the pit stop soon.

My favorite moment from last week had to be when Lynn and Alex reported to the mat after their series of vehicle disasters and Phil told them they were the fourth team to arrive. The unison shout of "WHAT?!" was priceless. I wished you had that captured for us.

I would LOVE to see Meredith and Gretchen find, take, and succeed with a fast forward next week. It would bring me pure joy to see the look on Ramber's faces as they were told that they were the second team to arrive, only to look around and see Gretchen's post-facelift gaze upon them, a twinkle in her eye, and an old lady hand wave. A maniacal laugh would top things off.

Money for this leg of the race....$125.00

Pre-paid taxi...300 rubees

Fantasizing Phil dancing with the Sharks and Jets in West Side Story...priceless

great recap !!!

B-side, I picked the same two screencaps for my site as you did (Phil and Amber). So funny.

Hilarious recap, as usual.

B-Side, I think you are giving this episode too much credit. I thought it was one of the most disappointing of the season--at least until the pit-stop "Psych!".

I didn't realize just how backward India is. Yes, you can't swing a dead cat by the tail without hitting a rickshaw or cow wandering through the street, but the most unfathomably primitive feature had to be that office cubicles have not yet made it there. I wonder what Dilbert comics are like in India?

It's funny how the hatred for Rob and Amber colors how people see this show. When Rob (who was smiling at the time) said "Don't try to pull a fast one like that again!" when the wrong guy tried to take the tea, the recap characterizes it as mean and arrogant (The recap says: "Yes, stop not-understanding Rob in his language that is not native to you! How dare you be confused by his foreign tongue!") However, when the exact same thing happened to Gretchen and she (also smiling) said "Shame on you!" and then went on for a moment about how the man was trying to take tea that wasn't his, the recap says it was "tongue-in-cheek. Well, at least they were having fun." Same event, same reaction, similar facial expressions and tones, Gretchen seemed to harp on it for longer than Rob who just made one comment and left it, yet one is characterized as mean and rude, while the other is just having fun and is amusing. Hmmm.

I think it was Kelly that actually figured out that it wasn't a pitstop. As they're leaving the tea shop she said something like "this clue is worded differently!" If it in fact had been a pit stop then I was waiting for the moment to laugh at her....but she was actually right.....oh well...we'll have plenty of chances to make fun of her again next week!

Ashes, that is because Rob is inherently evil. While the old folks are sweet & were innocent in their mistakes.

If Ron makes one more reference to Iraq I am going to scream.

p.s. I would like to say that I am still in the running for the tvgasm contest. YAY!!!

I LOVE the Race in India. Seriously, if they ever have an AR that doesn't stop in India, I think I might not watch (not that I'd have that knowledge ahead of time, but still ...). It seems like in every other country they've carefully instructed (paid?) the locals to scowl at the right time, not get in the way of the teams or cameras, etc etc. In India, they just can't control the teeming crowds. A great reality show would be to just throw a few Westerners in India (people like James and BJ from Survivor -- even better) and see how they fare. I was more entertained watching the Indians in the background than watching the teams do their thing. So psyched we'll still be there next week. And I hope the exhausted teams don't get a chance to sleep before they're forced to "party with the locals." Shit, it looked like Mardi Gras on that clip, with Gretchen even whooping it up on a balcony (partying with the locals from a safe distance, of course). I hope she doesn't get confused and try to get some beads.

See, I thought they were all wearing coats and long sleeves/long pants because it actually WAS cool there. I even commented to my roommate "either they have to respect local custom and not show their skin or it's cool there." I noticed a bunch of ricksaw dudes wearing scarves, too.

I love all the words you come up with for Gretchen's noises. Toots, warbles,...buzzers? HAHAHA!

I loved how Rob also SHOUTED AT THE INDIAN PEOPLE TO GET THEIR CARDS. Cuz, you know, talking louder makes a foreign language easier to understand. Also, I noticed that Ramber were like, "Yoink" when they got their cards, but the other teams took the freakin' time to say "Thank you!" and shake hands with the mustachioed Indian businessmen.

Yay, Amazing Race!

yes, b-side--the raised-eyebrow shot on phil had me howling; i was counting on you to post it today, and you came through, as usual.

i too am getting thoroughly sick of ron's constant iraq references (though they are almost frequent enough for a weekly drinking game, i.e., 'take a shot whenever ron brings up iraq' or rob says 'holy cannolli' or gretchen makes one of those weird old-lady whining noises), but then again, the boy probably hadn't been any further from home than Fort Benning, Georgia before he got shipped off to the Middle East, so he doesn't have too many other points of reference for places where white people are heavily outnumbered and aren't necessarily in charge.

but i too am happy to see the race return to India, where the ugly American always seems to pop out of at least one of the amazing racers. i doubt it's possible to top brandon appealing to God ('Help her, Lord!) when little nicky got surrounded by a few hundred indians in an open train-car on AR5, but given the kind of attitude kelly's been dishing for the past few episodes, i feel we can count on her to provide something worthy of our ridicule.

Is it just me, or does Phil's expression in the last photo make him look oddly like the Child Catcher from "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"? Minus the black hair of course. The other one, with his Indian homies flanking him, he looks like Jack Nicholson as The Riddler. Quite the animated Phil this episode!!

P.S. FINALLY saw the (In)Famous Phil Package! YAY!

And y'all were right. Once I spied it, I just could not tear my eyes away.

A friend of mine just had a most likely true and hilarious insight into the crowds of people enveloping Gretchen and Meredith. While the rest of us found it heartwarming and, I'm ashamed to admit, it even brought a tear to my eye (I'm hormonal, OK), he was CERTAIN that at least a few in that crowd were probably looking for pickpocketing opportunities.

Still, I'm sticking to B-Side's Newman/Woodward theory. Too funny.

Yes, the phamous phill phackage was very evident in the first stroll...

Kate, I thought it was Amber who pointed out that the clue was worded differently and didn't say it was a pit stop. They were the first to get the clue, and I thought that she pointed it out right away upon reading the clue. In any event, they broadcast the "twist" for us so that it wasn't suprising.

You forgot to mention the part when Ron and Kelly mentioned that Rob and Amber were the "luckiest people" that they have ever seen. I'm sure a few of us were yelling at the TV, "Its called intervention by CBS!" Last week, Kelly also mentioned that she wanted to be an "example to the world." Each week she is an example. An example of how a beauty queen can be a dumbass.

Ashes - you're right: I did have a more favorable tone for Meredith and Gretchen than for Rob and Amber, but hey, this ain't the New York Times. I can be biased if I want to.

Heh.

P.S. - instant replay of the tivo revealed that Rob had not in fact smiled when he reprimanded the local. who's biased now? mwahahaaha (although I'm sure rob was still being tongue in cheek).

Wow, you got screencaps of both Phil and Ambers "ohh face".

Awesome. Now to print them out, cut them into paper dolls and force them to make sweet sweet love to one another.

ANd here I thought this was gonna be a boring day at work....

when they mentioned that rob and amber were the 'luckiest' poeple...i about died...cause THEY had JUST given them the break of NOT Yielding the two! HELLO!?! Kelly and Ron had a chance to break Ramber's 'lucky' streak and didnt take it!

I just said to myself: Smithie, it's nice out, your boss is out for the day, why don't you leave as soon as B-Side gets out the Amazing Race recap.
Thank you B-Side, I thank you, the beach thanks you, my tan thanks you...

I just said to myself: Smithie, it's nice out, your boss is out for the day, why don't you leave as soon as B-Side gets out the Amazing Race recap.
Thank you B-Side, I thank you, the beach thanks you, my tan thanks you...

I wanna work where Smithie works

I laughed wheh the amazing gay duo were so shocked that Rob and Amber didn't yield them. Clue phone guys, they are not threatened by you!!!
I can't stand them.

Smithie, I agree completely. Lynn and Alex are so obsessed with Rob and Amber to the exclusion of all else in the Race that they don't seem to see that Rob and Amber aren't the only other team to worry about. Besides, focusing only on other teams can lead to silly mistakes.

They could have been a funny team, but some of their jokes are so obviously rehearsed ("Survive that!"?) and the rest of the time they are so bitter, whiny, and hypocritical. I had to laugh (and groan) when they said that they are the honest team who plays fair then turned right around and bragged about how sneaky they are. I guess if anyone else does it, it's dishonest and unfair, but if they do it, they are paragons of virtue! It's just too much.

B-Side, thanks for the image of Gretchen, the backpack, and "nothing else." What a hot image! For the first time, B-Side, you made me feel normal. It's nice to know there are other people out there like me. Thank you!

I think I know why they didn't show the map...when TAR said they were at the airport in Mumbai and Gretchen bought the backpack, they were SOOOO in South Africa. Clues: 1) They were in front of a store called "Shades of Africa". 2) The Billabong backpack was 280, which would be like 6 bucks in rupees but 30 or so in rand, which makes more sense. 3)Indian airports are HOLES. SA ones are very nice.

Yes, I am a huge geek, but a well-travelled one.

I'm so hurt that Phil tried to lie to us...

I think I know why they didn't show the map...when TAR said they were at the airport in Mumbai and Gretchen bought the backpack, they were SOOOO in South Africa. Clues: 1) They were in front of a store called "Shades of Africa". 2) The Billabong backpack was 280, which would be like 6 bucks in rupees but 30 or so in rand, which makes more sense. 3)Indian airports are HOLES. SA ones are very nice.

Yes, I am a huge geek, but a well-travelled one.

I'm so hurt that Phil tried to lie to us...

Amber's Oh face. Phil about to break out in song. And Phil's face at the non-pitstop.

Too much, I say!

Wouldn't it be funny if Gretchen and Meredith finish last next week, at the end of a non-elimination leg, and they have to give up their shiny new backpack...again!?!?!

Ouch. Okay, I'm done.

love the west side story reference. my students are watching it right now. i doubt i'll be able to keep a straight face in class tomorrow.

phil handing out clues? i'm not used to seeing him without an ethnic sidekick.

Is there such a thing as 'non-ethnic'? Doesn't everyone have an ethnicity?

Ashes, I just watched it again and it was in fact Amber who said it was worded differently (Ron and Kelly were right behind them getting the clues, so I forgot when it was said)....I'm actually more surprised that Amber was smart enough to figure it out!

Best shot of Ambah. Evah.

I bet Rob gets to see that a lot. Ewwwww.

yes, everyone has ethinicity. the word ethnic, however, refers to someone of different cultures or customs.

Great Recap of the India leg! I personally love Phil's 'you're not finished yet'. Random thoughts on the show & posts...
I'm glad to finally see Ramber succeed through sheer effort... rather than the luck of someone recognizing them, pulling in someone to help, or manipulating things. I'm no big fan of Lynn & Alex either, but let's call it what it is... when Rob was angry that the boyfriends wouldn't share their cab... what was he expecting? Rob had already bribed, lied, and stolen other peoples money and taxis... and he's upset when he's refused a shared cab??? Also... no one, anywhere, seems to have given Lynn and Alex credit for the fantastic job they did on the rapids, passing Ramber out of pure effort and sportsmanship, coming in first on that difficult leg, and then not having any 'prize' thrown in.
Yes, they 'flame'a bit much... but they are pretty good racers. On Ron and Kelly... agree on everything... would love to see Ron race with someone else as his partner. Personally I'm still rooting for Uchenna and Joyce. Thank all!
Long Live TAR!

Could you please change the Phil pic on your banner to this one? Trust me, it would be a good move :o)

Eddys, I agree that it was sad for Lynn and Alex to come in first on only 1 leg so far and have it be 1 of only 2 non-prize legs. However, some people are trying to claim this was discrimination by CBS which is silly. Those legs are pre-determined, and gay people have won the Race (the whole thing, not just 1 prize leg) so why would the network care now? It was unfortunate for the team that they won that particular leg instead of the one before or after it.

All these comments and no one has mentioned Alex's complaint about his butt hurting while riding in one of those archic modes of transportation. As no other contestant in TAR complained about a pain in the posterior while riding I wonder if Alex's discomfort resulted from some other activity. What goes on during those pitsops?

Why do I ALWAYS forget to look for Phil's package? Ugh. I already deleted it off Tivo... Can someone find a screen cap of it?

Ashes,... agreed on Lynn and Alex... their sexual orientation never came to my mind when thinking about their win in that leg of the race. It is just bad luck it wasn't a 'prize'leg of the race.
They, like Ramber, make good T.V. Alex's butt hurting is an editorial choice to, albeit a stereotypical one... (I can't think they'd take another minority group and let the stereotpes about them flow like they are with L&A)..but we're after a T.V. audience here. Oh well... they provide some great moments of self-effacing humor though, and are from time-to-time likable, and racing better than anyone thought they would.
Viva TAR!

If I hear Lynn and Alex mention "Rob and Amber" one more time...I swear...I quit!!

They're obsessed, and frankly it's starting to scare me.

Rob...don't drop the soap man. Lynn and alex obviously have a hidden agenda for you.
Ewww...

I agree with Melisa,...their obsession scares me too... but what scares me is the lack of knowledge and ASSumptions about being gay, and the crude jokes about it. Would 'no-harm-intended' jokes made about Uchena and Joyce be tolerated and looked at the same way by us fans? I sure hope not. I guess we've got along way to go yet on that.
Viva TAR!

You asked if Merideth and Gretchen will catch up, b-side. Ever hear of bunching?

p.s. am I invited to the wedding?

I heard on the radio this morning that Rob & Amber's wedding will be broadcast against the American Idol finale- which is also on against the 2 hour season finale of Lost. Seriously, who is going to watch that wedding over one of the other two shows? Sad as it may be, I think I'll probably Tivo one (probably Lost) and then catch the last 5 minutes of AI. But you couldn't pay me to watch that wedding.

Okay, you COULD pay me. But we'd have to negotiate.

This may or may not be relevant but I just missed out on meeting Phil. I was visiting my sister in New Zealand (where Phil is from) and walked past a book store that said he would be there that afternoon signing copies of his book. Sadly I had to catch a plane at that time so couldn't meet him. My sister went back and got for me the book and an autograph from the great man. She couldn't report on his crotch though as he was sitting down.