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The Amazing Race => The Amazing Race Discussion => Topic started by: G.B. on December 18, 2013, 04:29:29 PM

Title: Double-Episode Finales
Post by: G.B. on December 18, 2013, 04:29:29 PM
A trend that has been going on since Season 20:

Since then, every American season of the show has combined the penultimate and ultimate legs/episodes into one two-hour finale episode.

Do you like this practice, or would you like it to disappear?

Personally, I don't like it. It makes it feel like the show is being rushed, almost as if the producers are hasty to get it over with. It's kinda weird, I know, but it makes me feel like the producers are somehow ashamed of what they're making...
Title: Re: Double-Episode Finales
Post by: supah on December 18, 2013, 04:54:58 PM
I don't like it either. The only double finale which I enjoyed was TAR21 because both episodes were entertaining!
Title: Re: Double-Episode Finales
Post by: stekay on December 18, 2013, 05:11:42 PM
I don't really mind it but at the same time it can leave a lot to be desired. A double length premiere I have always found better as it gives us a chance to find more out about the teams especially their character development so we know more about them from the get go, we get to see the mad dashes to the airport, and it creates a build up of anticipation for the rest of the season IMO.

I have found that team intros have been getting shorter as has the starting line and airport dash scenes. This again is the same with the finale. It is as if the first team crosses the line and that's it woo done. S20 is different whereas we had a great final 3, drama, more drama, and the infamous finding of the pit stop by accident.
Title: Re: Double-Episode Finales
Post by: David on December 18, 2013, 06:27:13 PM
We are not talking about the same thing there. A 2-hour premiere of the first leg is one thing, extremely different to the 2 back-to-back 40-minutes episodes of the last two legs.

I agree that if Leg 01 were to be broadcast in 60/80 minutes, it would let us know more about the teams in the very first leg, which does seem a bit rushed with all the teams, flight thing and such.

Last two-legs being broadcast altogether, I do not really mind. I personally like it. I would rather have a season broadcast in 6 weeks, having two episodes every Sunday. <3 Rushed? The same episode to be broadcast nowor next week? If one of both legs is not great, this will work better for sure so as not to disappoint the audience.
Title: Re: Double-Episode Finales
Post by: Jimmer on December 18, 2013, 08:38:50 PM
I personally don't mind it, and I like it because I get to see more episodes as soon as I can! <3
Title: Re: Double-Episode Finales
Post by: G.B. on December 19, 2013, 02:01:45 AM
I personally don't mind it, and I like it because I get to see more episodes as soon as I can! <3

But then you have to wait longer for the next season...
Title: Re: Double-Episode Finales
Post by: gamerfan09 on December 19, 2013, 02:04:20 AM
I kinda hate them, because two episodes of TAR together just kinda doesn't fell right.

I remember falling asleep during the TAR 21 finale :lol:

Not to mention that the finales post UB have been super underwhelming, so even though Leg 11 is totally AMAZING (TAR 22, TAR 20, TAR 23), the horrid finale leg always kills it.
Title: Re: Double-Episode Finales
Post by: theamazingracer21 on December 19, 2013, 02:15:29 AM
I am more in favour 90 minute finales like TARAu (or the earlier seasons), where they go to a different location before they race to the finish. I loved TAR23's Tokyo leg but the Alaska finale was a total lacklustre but from what I heard the TAR24 final leg should be a good one.
Title: Re: Double-Episode Finales
Post by: Platrium on December 19, 2013, 09:59:30 AM
I actually like it, because we won't know which team gets booted out in 4th. (as long as one doesn't watch the preview)
Sometimes, I think I really shouldn't mind about this.
I'd love to see a 90-120-minute premiere. We get to see more from the teams. I think we needed this in TAR21 because we didn't see how Beekman boys departed 1st but fell to the last flight. :cmas5
Title: Re: Double-Episode Finales
Post by: Mug Costanza on December 20, 2013, 12:32:44 AM
I personally love the double-leg finales. A one-hour finale just seems like such a let-down compared to Big Brother (90 minutes) or Survivor (two hours, but really three). I feel like I get more closure to the season by seeing the last two legs back-to-back.
Title: Re: Double-Episode Finales
Post by: Jimmer on December 20, 2013, 05:53:07 PM
I personally don't mind it, and I like it because I get to see more episodes as soon as I can! <3

But then you have to wait longer for the next season...

Yeah, but typically I'm busy with the holidays, school, and Big Brother during the breaks between seasons, and just because there is one less episode won't affect the start date of the new season (it won't come later because premiere dates are generally similar to each other).

And agreeing with everyone else, 1 hour is just too short to feel like a finale.
Title: Re: Double-Episode Finales
Post by: WalterC on January 07, 2014, 05:32:35 PM
I'm not a fan of the double-episode finales, as watching it "live" just takes up way too much time, with all the commercial breaks. I often decide to wait until Monday to watch the episodes. Until then, I have to work extra hard to avoid spoilers.

Though, it is a lot better now than it was in the much earlier seasons, with no more of the "there are no more eliminations. It's just about placement", which I thought, were wasted legs.
Title: Re: Double-Episode Finales
Post by: RachelLeVega on January 07, 2014, 06:33:37 PM
I don't mind it, but I don't like it. The penultimate and final Leg combination is way too time-consuming for most viewers and they usually fall asleep by five minutes into the second episode. Movie theatre conscience :lol:

Besides, it makes the penultimate Leg look so boring.
Title: Re: Double-Episode Finales
Post by: gamerfan09 on January 08, 2014, 06:50:55 AM
I don't mind it, but I don't like it. The penultimate and final Leg combination is way too time-consuming for most viewers and they usually fall asleep by five minutes into the second episode. Movie theatre conscience :lol:

Besides, it makes the penultimate Leg look so boring.

Actually, the penultimate legs are usually the highlights? (TAR 23,TAR 22, TAR 20) :lol:
Title: Re: Double-Episode Finales
Post by: nosyrabbit on January 08, 2014, 07:51:00 AM
Totally don't mind with it. But, it kinda predictable if every season do this in the future.
Title: Re: Double-Episode Finales
Post by: RachelLeVega on January 08, 2014, 06:44:18 PM
I don't mind it, but I don't like it. The penultimate and final Leg combination is way too time-consuming for most viewers and they usually fall asleep by five minutes into the second episode. Movie theatre conscience :lol:

Besides, it makes the penultimate Leg look so boring.

Actually, the penultimate legs are usually the highlights? (TAR 23,TAR 22, TAR 20) :lol:
TAR20 in Hiroshima was pretty cool (enjoyed seeing the iconic Itsukushima Shrine and war memorial) until the Roadblock came up in Osaka. I kind of wish the Roadblock was solving a giant sudoku board than grabbing chicken in midair. Now THAT would be intense and frustrating...
Title: Re: Double-Episode Finales
Post by: WalterC on January 09, 2014, 08:03:12 AM
I thought TAR21 was the only one that had both episodes as real nail-biters, while TAR20 and TAR22 were the exact opposite, and for the most part, felt like a waste of time.
Title: Re: Double-Episode Finales
Post by: Ryan on January 22, 2014, 11:03:05 AM
Being someone who just watched every season back-to-back on Project Free TV and Hulu, the double finales didn't bother me. I can see how this would be an issue if you're actually watching it live - but maybe it benefits those seasons that had the not-that-exciting penultimate legs.

Additionally, in sports, other shows, and a lot of other competitions, making the "Final Four" is a big deal and something celebrated. On Amazing Race, 4th place is cool, but it still means you're not racing in that final episode. Putting the two final episodes together in a finale format makes it more special to be in the last four and that "last night finale" show, even if they didn't finish the race.
Title: Re: Double-Episode Finales
Post by: Platrium on January 23, 2014, 03:06:05 AM
Being someone who just watched every season back-to-back on Project Free TV and Hulu, the double finales didn't bother me. I can see how this would be an issue if you're actually watching it live - but maybe it benefits those seasons that had the not-that-exciting penultimate legs.

Additionally, in sports, other shows, and a lot of other competitions, making the "Final Four" is a big deal and something celebrated. On Amazing Race, 4th place is cool, but it still means you're not racing in that final episode. Putting the two final episodes together in a finale format makes it more special to be in the last four and that "last night finale" show, even if they didn't finish the race.

In case you don't know, the 4th and 5th placed teams (sometimes even with the 6th) race the last leg as decoys. :)
Title: Re: Double-Episode Finales
Post by: Ryan on January 23, 2014, 02:22:18 PM
Being someone who just watched every season back-to-back on Project Free TV and Hulu, the double finales didn't bother me. I can see how this would be an issue if you're actually watching it live - but maybe it benefits those seasons that had the not-that-exciting penultimate legs.

Additionally, in sports, other shows, and a lot of other competitions, making the "Final Four" is a big deal and something celebrated. On Amazing Race, 4th place is cool, but it still means you're not racing in that final episode. Putting the two final episodes together in a finale format makes it more special to be in the last four and that "last night finale" show, even if they didn't finish the race.

In case you don't know, the 4th and 5th placed teams (sometimes even with the 6th) race the last leg as decoys. :)

And as a new fan, I'll respond to that with WHOA, REALLY!?! Haha, I had no idea. Thats' such a smart idea - it's fun for both the teams left that they really don't have to see their alliance member actualllyyyyy leave the race, but then also cool because making that top 4 or 5 means you have a new role as a distraction, I presume? That purpose being so that fans don't find the finish line?
Title: Re: Double-Episode Finales
Post by: Alenaveda on January 23, 2014, 02:42:34 PM
And you can see decoys in action here:

http://forum.realityfanforum.com/index.php/topic,27206.msg765720.html#msg765720

http://forum.realityfanforum.com/index.php/topic,27206.msg765740.html#msg765740

http://forum.realityfanforum.com/index.php/topic,27206.msg765754.html#msg765754

http://forum.realityfanforum.com/index.php/topic,27206.msg765769.html#msg765769

http://forum.realityfanforum.com/index.php/topic,27206.msg765968.html#msg765968
Title: Re: Double-Episode Finales
Post by: couchracer on January 23, 2014, 02:56:25 PM
I love the double finale. It keeps 4th place exciting. I can watch TAR for hours. I really wish opening episode was 2 hours or at least 90 minutes. I would like to get to know teams better on the first show.
Title: Re: Double-Episode Finales
Post by: Ryan on January 23, 2014, 02:57:59 PM
And you can see decoys in action here:

http://forum.realityfanforum.com/index.php/topic,27206.msg765720.html#msg765720

http://forum.realityfanforum.com/index.php/topic,27206.msg765740.html#msg765740

http://forum.realityfanforum.com/index.php/topic,27206.msg765754.html#msg765754

http://forum.realityfanforum.com/index.php/topic,27206.msg765769.html#msg765769

http://forum.realityfanforum.com/index.php/topic,27206.msg765968.html#msg765968

That is hilarious and genius, thanks for sharing! And on the photos with the Twinnies, that just means some more lucky customers get free pizza, I guess! Pretty cool to still be apart of the leg.

So in terms of shooting, does that mean the final cut scene with getting to the finish line is sliiiiightly staged? I always thought most aspects of Amazing Race compared to other shows never needed to really re-film too much since the reactions are very genuine and the whole point is to catch people off-guard in strange environments with stressful tasks. It would make sense to decoy away from the finish line though for sure, but since all the teams are usually present in that shot, do the 4th-6th place teams run the final leg a couple hours before or something?

I love the double finale. It keeps 4th place exciting. I can watch TAR for hours. I really wish opening episode was 2 hours or at least 90 minutes. I would like to get to know teams better on the first show.

I totally agree - I would love a non-elim in the first episode or two to get to know every team a bit better and because it would be fun for them to stay in the race a little longer :) Either way, a 90 minute premiere and inserting rough challenges right from the get-go would be great and thrilling.
Title: Re: Double-Episode Finales
Post by: Jimmer on January 23, 2014, 03:06:01 PM
TAR should do more 2 hour premier episodes with the first leg or two legs and the first is an NEL. If they were given a 2 hour timeslot for one week (well not that they control the TV schedule of CBS, but anyways), they should make it the premier rather than the finale in my opinion. I would love to get to know the teams more in the beginning.
Title: Re: Double-Episode Finales
Post by: georgiapeach on January 23, 2014, 03:10:46 PM


So in terms of shooting, does that mean the final cut scene with getting to the finish line is sliiiiightly staged? I always thought most aspects of Amazing Race compared to other shows never needed to really re-film too much since the reactions are very genuine and the whole point is to catch people off-guard in strange environments with stressful tasks. It would make sense to decoy away from the finish line though for sure, but since all the teams are usually present in that shot, do the 4th-6th place teams run the final leg a couple hours before or something?



Def NOT. The final 3 are RACING. The decoys will be redirected by production when teams are getting closer to the finish line.
 
Some seasons, decoys are not all over the finale, so it remains on a case by case basis. In Atlanta, for example, I think they were only utilized at the airport. I def did not see any racing near the final 3.
Title: Re: Double-Episode Finales
Post by: Ryan on January 23, 2014, 03:15:46 PM


So in terms of shooting, does that mean the final cut scene with getting to the finish line is sliiiiightly staged? I always thought most aspects of Amazing Race compared to other shows never needed to really re-film too much since the reactions are very genuine and the whole point is to catch people off-guard in strange environments with stressful tasks. It would make sense to decoy away from the finish line though for sure, but since all the teams are usually present in that shot, do the 4th-6th place teams run the final leg a couple hours before or something?



Def NOT. The final 3 are RACING. The decoys will be redirected by production when teams are getting closer to the finish line.
 
Some seasons, decoys are not all over the finale, so it remains on a case by case basis. In Atlanta, for example, I think they were only utilized at the airport. I def did not see any racing near the final 3.

That definitely makes sense - yeah, I would never question that those teams are racing, but my question was more what happens if the decoys are out and about while the first team gets to the finish line. So using them early on in the final leg for distractions, then telling them to sneak back to the finish before the actual final 3 reach that challenge/get to the finish line makes perfect sense.

And using them at the airport is smart - if I were TAR staff, I'd invite back 10 teams not actually in the All-Stars season to distract fans from who was really invited back so that you're never quite sure until CBS announces the real list. I wonder if in that instance they'd get paid to be decoys :P (If this process does already happen, props to production for thinking of it.)
Title: Re: Double-Episode Finales
Post by: Mug Costanza on January 23, 2014, 11:32:09 PM
Just remembered something I don't like about the double-length finales. Foreign viewers probably don't have to worry about this, but I hate that the promos for the final episode blatantly show which teams make the Final 3 (if you know where the final destination city is). Like this past season, we saw Amy, Marie, and Nicole all doing cold-weather tasks in the promos, which made it super-obvious that Leo & Jamal got eliminated.