The Amazing Race and the Mercy Elimination

At this point, The Amazing Race seems to have whittled its way down to three teams. I know that happens ever year, but what makes this year remarkable is that there are still four teams technically left in the race.

Apologies to all you Dan and Andrew fans out there, but I don't think they can possibly win. It was pretty clear that last night had to be a non-elimination leg, which is the only reason those two jokers are still around. I actually find myself feeling bad for them. I think it would have been a lot more humane if Phil and the show's producers had looked at them, told Dan and Andrew that it was supposed to be a non-elimination leg, but that because they have been so horrific at the race throughout the producers thought it best to just let them go home now.

Don't look at me that way, if you saw the show, you know what I'm talking about. The guys misread another clue, and wasted tons of time changing out of a military uniform that was required no matter which task they chose to try to accomplish. They chose to go for a task which required them to march with some army folks.

Now, that should have been relatively easy. You stand there, watch some folks march – and it was a pretty simple move-your-arms-with-your-legs march – and you move on. Dan couldn't handle it. Frankly, he didn't even look like he was trying. He looked like he was purposely making an ass out of himself. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he was. Maybe he was trying to torpedo his team. I could buy that. Seriously, all he had to do was move one leg with the same arm and then the next leg with the other arm, and do it reasonably close in time to the rest of the army troops. Not too difficult. Instead, he looked like Frankenstein's Monster trying to polka. And then he acted surprised when they didn't get a passing grade. Perhaps if this had been a Halloween-themed episode they would have been okay.

I don't know about you, but I don't want to have to watch these two guys next week. Episode after episode, Dan and Andrew repeatedly do things wrong, don't read clues, act like fools or worse, and somehow manage to stay in the game. They even pointed out last night that there could be a really long clip reel of all their goof-ups this season.

If, by some sort of miracle, these guys manage to stay in the race next week and down the line actually win the million dollars, the producers could have a real problem on their hands. I understand that this is a reality show, but rewarding stupidity to that degree sends the wrong message. If you can win The Amazing Race without following any directions or reading any clues, what does that say about the show? Perhaps next season some team not even in the game will swoop in during the final leg and claim the prize for themselves.

No, I prefer to believe that Dan and Andrew are already gone even if their bodies remain.