So, finale night on Amazing Race. We have Margie/Luke, Victor/Tammy, and The Gingers, Jamie/Cara, battling it out.

Good final leg. I didn’t mind the airport pile up in the beginning, as it sent them all out onto the course, as it were, at the same time. And it stayed fairly tight most of the time, without there ever being an immeasureable lead by any one team. Margie/Luke moved out to an early lead with the first challenge, but the other two teams closed the gap. Traffic issues and Taxi Karma finally biting Jamie on the ass, gave Luke a comfortable lead going into the final “find things from the entire race and put them in order” challenge.

He appeared to be rocking it, but fell miserably apart on the last two items. Victor kept his cool (but not his pants!!) and managed to move ahead. And, for all the Ugly American behavior Jamie exhibited pretty much every second of actual race time, she did return the help that Luke gave her so they could both finally finish the last challenge. Doesn’t make up for much, but it was nice to see.

Also - while I know that we were all absolutely loving the smackdown the “I’m not your personal concierge” taxi dispatcher gave to Jamie, personally, if I hire a taxi and am PAYING them to get me somewhere, and the guy they hire doesn’t know where places are, then yes, taxi dispatcher, you or someone who works for your company IS responsible for figuring it out. That’s what I’m paying you for. You can get as pissy as you want, but it’s the driver you hired, not the passenger, who is at fault here. So, shut up, taxi dispatcher, and give the dang directions already. (However…calling the police? For directions? Shame on you, Jamie! Like they’ve got nothing better to do than help you win money. Any amount of money. Wow.)

In the end, Victor and Tammy hit the final amazing bathmat first and I am very glad to see a team who so enjoyed the amazing adventure they went on, win. It was clear this was very far out of step with how they have conducted their lives, which is, I’m sure partly cultural, partly academic, and partly just them. So kudos to you for stepping out of your world and racing around the actual one for a few weeks.

Team Ginger come in second, with Team Margie/Luke rolling in last. And, though my love for them waned as the race progressed, I hope that Luke, especially, is happy that he completed the entire race. If showing the world that having a hearing loss isn’t a diasbling factor in how a person can face the world, well then, he surely proved that. And Team Ginger…whatever. Am thankful you were not representing as the first all female team to win. Sorry, Cara. You, I’d have clapped for.

So…another season fini! Now we face the encroaching finales of DWTS and American Idol next week, and Survivor this week. Woot!! (And Grey’s Anatomy, too!) Thank goodness we have Fashion Show and So You Think You Can Dance to rely on to get us through the summer. And has anyone heard whether they’re going to subject us to a summer season of Big Brother yet? Enquiring minds…

And yes, it’s another Free Stuff week. Only this week we gotta play Who Wins Survivor. Which means the winner won’t be announced until right here, a week from today. BUT! That gives you more days to enter. You have until Sunday night at 8pm EST to email me at donna@donnakauffman.com and tell me who wins it all. Is it going to be Coach, Erinn, JT, Stephan, or Taj? Just put “I know who slayed the last dragon!” in the subject line. Winner gets a free book of choice from my website bookshelf. Good luck!!

And now? DISH! Who are your picks for DWTS? For American Idol? And will Meredith and Derek tie the knot their way this Thursday? So many questions….

Tags: Writing //