Something on The Amazing Race Bugs Me

Amazing Race

By B-Side | Wednesday, May 17, 2006 | 11:12 am | 41 Comments

Last week on The Amazing Race, two teams struggled with a Fast Forward challenge that forced them to eat stir-fried crickets and grasshoppers. I know it sounds gross, but the truth is, it’s very doable. And to prove that point, my friends and I headed to a restaurant that serves fried insects. Of course, we brought a camera. A brief photo essay of our bug-eating adventure after the jump.

Warning: if you don’t like to see bugs in people’s mouths, you probably should skip this post… (but it’s not really that gross).

Oh — and don’t forget to watch the two hour season finale of The Amazing Race tonight!Well, my friends and I headed to a restaurant in Santa Monica, CA called Typhoon. I knew they served bugs there because — and this is sort of embarrassing — I once saw a guy and a girl go there on that show, Dis-missed. Yes, yes, laugh all you want, but you know you used to watch it too. Anyway, we arrived at Typhoon, and sadly, while there were crickets on the menu, there were no grasshoppers. As a substitute, we ordered sea-worms. I’d never had them before, but they sounded appropriately disgusting; so I figured hey, why not?

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Deep fried sea worms! With a delectable dipping sauce!

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Here’s me about to eat the worms. The air was thick with anticipation! So much so that that lady’s earrings lit up in the darkness!

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I have now officially taken my first worm bite. If there were a worm-eating Roadblock, I’d be set.

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Here’s my friend Amelia taking a hearty bite of worms. Note the refreshing lettuce cup! Delicious!

The worms were okay. Not great, but certainly not barf-worthy. They looked and tasted pretty much like little french fries. The only disconcerting thing was that they had little eyes. Who knew that worms had eyes? Anyway, time to move onto crickets…

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Unfortunately, as you can see, Los Angeles crickets are about ten times smaller than Thai crickets. But as they say, good things come in small packages, right? That’s the cricket-eating spirit! The hardest part about this dish is that it looks like I ordered hash browns and a bunch of bugs wandered into it. Must… get… over… it…

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Ah yes. The pure joy that comes with sticking an insect in your mouth.

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In case you don’t believe that I actually did this…

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Honestly, the crickets don’t taste bad at all. BJ and Tyler are pussies. I mean, yes, they had to eat about ten times more of these, and yes, their bugs were significantly larger, but… okay, maybe they’re not pussies.

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Yum! A fun time was had by all! Except for the cricket — he got fried alive and eaten.

About

41 Comments

  1. 1
    Bauer's Sweetheart
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 11:18 am

    You have beautiful teeth! Your parents and your orthodontist must be so proud.

  2. 2
    bluebell
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 11:23 am

    Oh, no you didn’t!! Egads.

    - what were the hashbrown things served with the crickets? were they actually hashbrowns?

    - how many crickets did you actually eat?

    - the sea worms looked like fried onions, but they had eyes?? Yikes.

    Brave, brave B-Side!

  3. 3
    nate
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 11:24 am

    I agree about the teeth. Who’s your dentist?

  4. 4
    B-Side
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 11:28 am

    Shameful confession: I haven’t been to the dentist in three years. BUT i have an appointment coming up in three weeks. Which is good. I think I have a cavity.

  5. 5
    scorpiella
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 11:31 am

    Okay, I think I’ve discovered your identity from these pictures. Have you been hiding your face because you are Shawn Douglas from Days of Our Lives? It explains the Clipgasm of he and Belle getting it on. You were just bragging! :-)

  6. 6
    derder
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 11:32 am

    Wow- what some people will do for their jobs. You could not pay me enough-
    And yes, you do have a set of lovely choppers…

  7. 7
    B-Side
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 11:36 am

    I AM from Days of Our Lives.

    Funny story — one time I was at a party and the whole cast of Passions was there (don’t ask), and I convinced an agent from William Morris that I was a member of the cast, but I wasn’t talking with them because I was in a fight with all of them. And he believed me.

  8. 8
    k37744
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 11:45 am

    well someone obviously doesn’t drink coffee or smoke.

    then whatever could be your vices?

  9. 9
    scorpiella
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 11:45 am

    I want to see the B-Side True Hollywood Story. You have so many random, D-List stories!
    And to jump on the bandwagon, you do have lovely teeth.

  10. 10
    EdHill
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 11:47 am

    “but it’s not really that gross”

    Yeah right. That was the most disgusting thing I’ve seen since ratemypoo.com

  11. 11
    James Leer
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 11:51 am

    Attempting to figure out B-Side’s identity is the new “what’s in the hatch.”

  12. 12
    k37744
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 11:56 am

    he apparently drinks bleach in his off-time and knows the layered look drives the ladies carrazy.

  13. 13
    MTV4ME
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 11:57 am

    B-Side how can you give Ryan Seacrest crap with the facial hair you sport?!

  14. 14
    B-Side
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 11:59 am

    MTV4ME — because I’m not trying to host American Idol!

  15. 15
    EdHill
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 12:10 pm

    Hmmm. Maybe we should bring a picture of the real B-side to the CT hapy hour as an added incentive to make people go.

  16. 16
    RealityTV4Me
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 12:12 pm

    What’s with the chin pixelation?

  17. 17
    Madeyoulaugh
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 12:18 pm

    RealityTV4Me,

    One drunk night in Mexico, BS tattood his name, social security number, and home phone on his chin. I warned him not to, but there is no controlling BS.

    MYL

  18. 18
    jash
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 12:25 pm

    interesting, i never noticed you do actually have nice teeth and a healthy gumline.

    must be the mentadent.

    anyhow, HOW MANY bugs did you eat out of the hash brown thing? and what do they charge for this type of thing?

    moreover, what counts as a violation in this place when the health inspector comes by, i mean he cant deduct points for, you know, BUGS.

  19. 19
    whoislain
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 12:29 pm

    Ah, don’t worry B-Side, I share your shameful confession. I too haven’t been to the dentist in about three years. And I think I a cavity (my first one :( ). But unlike you, I don’t have an appointment yet…just the intention of making one.

  20. 20
    bluebell
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 12:35 pm

    Thanks for focusing in on my earlier question, jash! Enquiring minds want to know if you did, in fact, eat the bugs, or just put one in your mouth for the photo op…

    Also, how did you get that poor girl to accompany you on this gruesome task? She’s either a really good friend or you have some serious dirt on her!

  21. 21
    jumpedcut
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 12:44 pm

    I know this is off-topic with the bug eating and nice teeth, but I got this email today. I am going to try to make it down there:

    “UALR will host a casting call for the CBS Amazing Race Saturday, May 20 at the Jack Stephens Center. More than 100 teams will audition for a chance to compete on the reality television show and win $1 million.
    Auditions begin at 10 am and the public is invited. Bring your family and tell your friends to join UALR and KTHV at the Stephens Center this Saturday.”

  22. 22
    derder
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 12:47 pm

    A word of warning to those who avoid the dentist-
    Two root canals (which BOTH had to be redone) an implant, and about $5000.00 in damages no longer keep me away. Visit your dentist every six months and FLOSS or you will pay. And even the Vicodin prescriptions don’t make it worth it. (The laughing gas almost does, but not quite).

  23. 23
    Pamsey
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 1:27 pm

    B-Side, I can’t believe how far you are willing to go, for us, your devoted fans. I for one, thank you for this pictorial.
    BTW nice teefs

  24. 24
    HoneyBunny
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 1:31 pm

    How much is a good bug meal in Santa Monica these days? And what does one drink with such a feast? I am thinking Tang…

    hb

  25. 25
    Redhead
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 1:58 pm

    First Arby’s, now Typhoon… another fun
    B-Side dining adventure!

    When is B-Side going to get his own show on the Food Network? I’d watch!

  26. 26
    dredge
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 2:17 pm

    mmm.. alittle soy sauce and ginger and peanut oil and you’re good to go.

  27. 27
    happy_gal
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 2:39 pm

    B-side, I always have wicked fantasies about kissing you, but now . . . not so much.

  28. 28
    happy_gal
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 2:41 pm

    Because of the bugs, I mean. Your teeth really are gorgeous.

    Oh what the hell, what are a few bug guts between special friends? ;-)

  29. 29
    tvaholic
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 2:51 pm

    I tried a chocolate-covered cricket once. Not bad, kind of like a Nestle’s crunch but with legs. Props to you & your friend Amelia B-Side, don’t think I would have been smiling like that with a plate full of bugs.

  30. 30
    m_ruv
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 3:06 pm

    Pamsey: I believe technically it’s ‘toofs’.

  31. 31
    Pamsey
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 3:29 pm

    Thanks m_ruv, I think you’re right, the plural would be toofs.

  32. 32
    jash
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 3:46 pm

    m_ruv, they’re teeth.

  33. 33
    doctorsnark
    Posted May 17, 2006 at 5:31 pm

    B-Side-

    maybe you could head to the local 7-11 with your camera and document your attempts to eat a “P’EatZZa”… (that HAS to be much worse than some crispy bugs). oh yeah… and bring your trusty friend ferbs for the fans at home!

  34. 34
    zevonia
    Posted May 18, 2006 at 1:09 am

    k37744, (#12)- B-Side doesn’t need to drink bleach for whiter teeth. Urine will work just as well and is less toxic! The ancient Romans believed Portuguese urine to be the best- try some today! This message brought to you by the Portuguese Urine Packers Association.

  35. 35
    3G_Phil
    Posted May 18, 2006 at 4:40 am

    Wow,

    Thanks zevonia #34 (and the Portuguese Urine Packers Association) for the info. I guess all the lead exposure that the Romans endured wasn’t the worst thing for them after all.

    On a totally random note, CBS is moving The Amazing Race to 8PM on Sunday night for the fall line up, following 60 minutes.

    Any thoughts on whether or not this will help TAR with it’s ratings?

    Oh, and I’m going to have a horrible day at work waiting in angst for the TAR finale recap! WOW!! what an episode!!

  36. 36
    Intrepid
    Posted May 18, 2006 at 9:44 am

    B-SIDE!! Please tell me you are gay. And willing to move to Baltimore. And like (probably) older guys. You are smokin.

  37. 37
    pageblank
    Posted May 18, 2006 at 11:37 am

    Oh, B-Side! Who knew such witticisms came from between those pearly-whites? And yeah, if you ever feel like visiting Toronto and being gay for a few days, I’m totally down with that.

    Also, get to the Amazing Race wrap-up already! I’m dying of anticipation!!

  38. 38
    QCB
    Posted May 18, 2006 at 1:56 pm

    B-Side, didn’t I see you on Reality Remix recently? Talking about Wife Swap & one of those nanny shows VS Blow Out & RHOC? If not, then someone was pretending to be you…

  39. 39
    B-Side
    Posted May 18, 2006 at 2:18 pm

    Why yes, QCB. That was me!

  40. 40
    G-Money
    Posted May 18, 2006 at 2:19 pm

    Edhill: (post #10)

    “Rate…My….Poo”?

    I’m almost afraid to type that into my location bar.

    But not nearly as afraid as I am of asking you how you came to know of this website?

  41. 41
    Pandora
    Posted May 20, 2006 at 6:58 pm

    Sheesh, it’s really not such a big deal to eat fried insects, I don’t see why some folks are so squeemish about it. You eat lobster, shrimp & crab, right, and they’re arthropods too. Deep fried crickets aren’t that bad, just a little shell-y, though I probably wouldn’t want to swallow a bunch in a time crunch like the hippies did.

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