WE HAVE BEEN LED TO DISTINGUISH TWO KINDS OF DRIVES: THOSE WHICH SEEK TO LEAD WHAT IS LIVING TO DEATH, AND OTHERS, THE SEXUAL DRIVES, WHICH ARE PERPETUALLY ATTEMPTING AND ACHIEVING A RENEWAL OF LIFE: Sometimes a Race is just a race, and sometimes it's an excuse for Flight Time to start peeing on the wall at the University of Vienna. This was an episode for music, whether it's "Hello, Dolly" (well, for those who noticed it), "Chim Chim Cher-ee," "The Sound of Music" or Generic Heroic Cowboy Music, so deserved and appreciated this week compared to the Whining of the Goths through tonight's tasks.
For whatever reason, the Amazing Task Testers goofed on one of tonight's -- making it far harder to swallow than intended (I'm guessing) -- but other than that this was a well-designed leg, so long as you didn't focus too much on the product placement.
Did someone say something about the Amazing Ford Focus Race, brought to you by Ford Focus, in which the winning team used a Ford Focus to obtain a clue that enabled them to win a Ford Focus?
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, the two teams I thought had the best shot at actually finishing the food in twelve minutes didn't attempt it - the cowboys and the Globetrotters. I'm grateful we didn't have to listen to the Goths whine through that one, though I'm not sure listening to them whine through the couch task was any better. (Hint - if they give you something with wheels, there's probably a reason!)
ReplyDeleteBut it's all ok, because I now have an inexplicable desire to go buy a Ford Focus.
I think my favorite reality tv/product integration remains the night that Colby and his mom got to spend the night in the back of a Pontiac Aztek. Either that or Sandra's gushing about Outback during H v V.<span> </span>
ReplyDeleteI remember that Aztek one - I think of it every time I see one of those things. That was creepy.
ReplyDeleteAnd please remember that the Ford Focus has a back-up camera and Ford Focus Touch My Life Music Activation or something.
ReplyDeleteI actually wasn't too bothered by this particular product integration. I mean I kind of like it when the product integration is loud and obnoxious and in your face rather than quite and insidious.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, seriously, is this going to be a 36 episode version of TAR because every other freaking leg is NEL or keep racing NEL??? Because the shine has tarnished. Start eliminating people already, even if they are a team I really really like.
The Aztek placement was referred to in this solid Inventory from AV Club today - 18 reality-show clichés we never want to see again
ReplyDelete<p><span>When it seemed, momentarily, like product placement might have been a force powerful enough to justify providing working GPS, it made me wish for a season—even just one leg—where they go ahead and give them smartphones (and up the difficulty factor a little) to see how it might up the game for some and maybe encourage some more out-of-the-box strategy. I’d bet it would prove a distracting liability for some.</span>
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</p><p><span>Assorted other thoughts:</span>
</p><p><span><span><span>-</span><span> </span></span><span>Was perfectly happy for the first place result, but wish the cowboys’ choosing the direct flight had worked out to their advantage/proven more interesting.</span></span>
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</p><p><span><span><span>-</span><span> </span></span><span>Agreed – it seemed like there was only one viable detour choice and then a trap/booby prize, which doesn’t seem right. I assume the penalty for not making it was starting over again with a full plate, which no one would ever have chosen . . . I wish there had been some advantage to finishing in one rotation (you’re done immediately) and maybe a penalty (an additional rotation for every extra minute needed?) to make it a harder decision to switch tasks.</span></span>
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</p><p><span><span><span>-</span><span> </span></span><span>I really can’t stand Kent.</span></span></p>
Sandra gushing about Outback I think has eclipsed Colby/mom for me, mostly b/c Colby/mom was so creepy...
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