Topic: TAR17 starting line/finish line cities?

[mjriches2005]

Has anyone been noticing since All-Stars, that all the final legs of each season has ended in the Western USA.  San Francisco (All-Stars/16) Alaska (12) Portland (13) Maui (14) Las Vegas (15).  I'm guessing that this next season will end somewhere in the Western US again.  The only other major cities that would be a big guess are Seattle, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Denver.  But smaller cities like Boise, Spokane, Sacramento, San Jose, Reno, Albuquerque, Burbank, and Fresno can still be a possibility.
Also, since season 12, Los Angeles is being way overused as a starting line, with the exception for Los Alamitos in Orange County.  BVM and WRP need to find a new place to start since LAX airport since season 12 has spoiled much where they have started from.  San Francisco, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Seattle, and Portland could work.

[georgiapeach]

For those of you wanting to comment, remember this is the discussion thread... no spoilers please. 

[Mandoli]

I'm almost convinced that LA's going to be a starting line for TAR 17. No, I'm not spoiling. I'm just convinced.

If they really want a race around the world, they should pick a city on each coast and make them the start line and finish line depending on which direction they want to go. If they're doing Asia/Australia/western South America first, they should choose a west coast city as the start. If it's Europe/eastern South America, then they should choose an east coast city.

Finish up on the other side of the US when they circle the globe. Coming in from Europe? East coast city. Coming in from Asia/Australia? West coast city.

Just my two cents.

[apskip]

This is a subject that has been the subject of extensive discussion during past seasons (and even in between). The consensus has been that while an Amazing Race could start  or finish anywhere in the U.S., it typically starts in Los Angeles and finishes anywhere. The primary reason I believe this happens is that the World Race Productions offices are in El Segundo, a suburb of LA. Having the start in the greater Los Angeles area allows WRP to not have to transport all of its staff to another city. The tradeoff is that LAX is the easiest first airport for any race to track, so teams starting a new season are frequently spotted there. The list of cities that mjriches2005 has offered above is virtually identical to lists that I have presented on RFF years ago.

It is in the arrival city that more variation can be expected. The Finish Line has been in Alaska for AR12 and Hawaii for AR14. I do not expect it to return to either state anytime soon. The prime West Coast locations (LA, SF, Seattle, Portland, Las Vegas, Phoenix) have been overused as areas for Amazing Race Finish Lines. The only cities other than those to have an Amazing Race finish Line are New York, Dallas/fort Worth, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, NY state park near Buffalo and Niagra Falls and Denver. I would like to see serious consideration of Boston, Atlanta, New Orleans (but not during its 6 month summer), Houston (same), San Antonio, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit, Columbus, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Oklahoma City, Albuquerque, and San Diego.

I expect we will see Boston, Atlanta and San Diego in either starting city or finishing city roles in the next few years.

[Caelestor]

I'm convinced TAR will start from LA (alternatively San Diego) for the rest of its existence. I've gotten used to that, so it isn't too bad. Interestingly, LA has never been the end city... hmmm 

Right now, TAR is in a phase of ending on the west coast. Makes sense if they traverse the world east...but I hated how they ended on the west coast in TAR 13 and TAR 15. Only LA, SD, Phoenix, and Seattle are viable options left (the latter two because they've only had a half leg there).

I think we'll be seeing more of the east coast simply because there are only so many west coast cities. But I am half-expecting and wishing for midwest cities like St. Louis and Chicago.

[Hooky]

Right now, TAR is in a phase of ending on the west coast. Makes sense if they traverse the world east...but I hated how they ended on the west coast in TAR 13 and TAR 15. Only LA, SD, Phoenix, and Seattle are viable options left (the latter two because they've only had a half leg there).  

Why are these the only viable cities? There are other major cities in that area. Is it because they have already been visited? All right, but who can say that they won't be visited again?

Also keep in mind that TAR 10 ended in Garrison, NY, so it doesn't have to be a large city, either.

[ZBC Company]

Why dont it end in Altanta

[georgiapeach]

Why dont it end in Altanta

YEAH!!!

[Caelestor]

Right now, TAR is in a phase of ending on the west coast. Makes sense if they traverse the world east...but I hated how they ended on the west coast in TAR 13 and TAR 15. Only LA, SD, Phoenix, and Seattle are viable options left (the latter two because they've only had a half leg there).  

Why are these the only viable cities? There are other major cities in that area. Is it because they have already been visited? All right, but who can say that they won't be visited again?

Also keep in mind that TAR 10 ended in Garrison, NY, so it doesn't have to be a large city, either.

Ah, but TAR 10 passed through NYC. TAR 8 passed through Toronto and Niagra Falls.

My point is, the race tries to have most of its final leg in some major city nowadays to attract viewers.

"Is it because they have already been visited? All right, but who can say that they won't be visited again?" Then again, I thought the same thing about San Francisco, so you may have a point. There's plenty to do in the South Bay 

[Coutzy]

Why dont it end in Altanta

Because they know that Peach's spidey sense would start tingling, and she'd spoil the finish.

[georgiapeach]

My nightmare would be to be stuck at work and unable to leave, lol. I'd rather it be in LA than that!

[Coutzy]

I'd leave work if it was me...

[ZBC Company]

i fake my mom death to go to altant a i stay in hotel i could stay at peach house

[theschnauzers]

Why dont it end in Altanta

YEAH!!!

I'm for that; have been for years!

[DavidJunior]

There's plenty to do in the South Bay 

somebody agrees with me! 

[David]

Oh, Gosh! I don't mind starting line and finish line cities much. Some unseen city would be great for a finish line.

What I prefer are the other countries, and I just hope that Spain could be visited now, it's time for it, as it is visited each 7 seasons (TAR3, TAR10).

[Caelestor]

Oh, Gosh! I don't mind starting line and finish line cities much. Some unseen city would be great for a finish line.

What I prefer are the other countries, and I just hope that Spain could be visited now, it's time for it, as it is visited each 7 seasons (TAR3, TAR10).

TAR 3 doesn't count. But yes, we need a visit to Madrid or Seville. Better yet, both of them!

Other places to visit: West Africa, South Australia, Indonesia, South Korea, Brussels/Luxembourg, Copenhagen.

[Hooky]

Oh, Gosh! I don't mind starting line and finish line cities much. Some unseen city would be great for a finish line.

What I prefer are the other countries, and I just hope that Spain could be visited now, it's time for it, as it is visited each 7 seasons (TAR3, TAR10).

Well, the thing about it is that most of the other countries in the world are featured in the race. IMO if they only start in LA and end in the western US every season, it's a waste of places in the US that they could feature. There are many amazing world sites within the US that they still could visit. So I feel that they're sort of excluding the US from being "represented" by what they are doing right now. It's true that it is a show for US audiences, but there are plenty of people here that haven't been to many cool places within their own country. And I don't think the Family Edition quite filled the gap.

It would be like starting every season in Spain in the exact same city, but never featuring any other part of Spain ever. It would be really old after 2 seasons. And you would never really see any culture, lifestyle, etc. that could be found there.

[apskip]

Yeah, Hooky, but we saw how "amazing" Amazing Race 8 was. If that is all World Race Productions can do to showcase the U.S., then I prefer to see only the starting line, transportation, airline options and flight departures in that city plus all the tasks in the Finish Line city and leave touring the United States to some other show (actually, there is one - The Great American Road Trip). Actually, tasks in the area around the Finish Lines have been rather interesting, with AR2, AR5, AR7, AR13 and AR14 being the best I recall for the last telecast hour of those seasons.

[woden]

TI would like to see serious consideration of Boston, Atlanta, New Orleans (but not during its 6 month summer), Houston (same), San Antonio, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit, Columbus, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Oklahoma City, Albuquerque, and San Diego.

I've always thought Indy would be great for a spring finale to either tie in basketball-related tasks (especially with the NCAA & CBS in cahoots) or auto racing-tasks. A finish at the Motor Speedway seems like the perfect Race metaphor. But no one's asking me. 

[georgiapeach]

We had a serious Nascar related spoiler a couple of season's back that never panned out. We really thought they might be finishing in Indy!

[michael]

i fake my mom death to go to altant a i stay in hotel i could stay at peach house

[Neobie]

I guess it definitely helps with the epicness when the race starts or ends at an instantly-recognizable landmark...

Note that I don't even have to caption the below pictures!

[Hooky]

I guess it definitely helps with the epicness when the race starts or ends at an instantly-recognizable landmark...

Note that I don't even have to caption the below pictures!

I say start next season at Delicate Arch! And have the racers hike their way out and drive a few hours to the nearest major airport. That would be an interesting challenge.

Of course, that would be too long for a one-hour premiere.

[TheZanies]

Personally, I don't give a rat's you-know-what about the starting cities, it's not like they have even slightest impact on the Race.

As far as finishing cities, I'm not all that bothered either, I only wish it's not a city where one particular team has a huge leg up on the others (season 1 could have turned out that way, with Frank & Margarita growing up in NYC, but thankfully it had zero impact on the outcome).

[WalterC]

It's interesting to see that San Diego still has not been used as the starting or finish line city, considering it is only 2 hours away from LA.

[chill_sd]

It's interesting to see that San Diego still has not been used as the starting or finish line city, considering it is only 2 hours away from LA.

As a San Diegan, I would love to see this happen.  San Diego would have fewer options for flights than L.A. though.  I would hope they could work in the Trolley, but since it doesn't go to the airport, the options would be somewhat limited.

I was just thinking, it would be interesting to see a new twist at the start, like putting a Road Block between the starting line and the airport.

[DavidJunior]

i'm sensing a pattern with end cities in post TAR.
each in a different state, all within the same geographical region.

TAR 12- Alaska
TAR 13- Oregon
TAR 14- Hawaii
TAR 15- Nevada
TAR 16- California

only places left on the "West Coast" are WA, AZ, UT, and ID

i say 2 or 3 of those before they start moving into the Central 1/3 of the country.

[Kiwi Jay]

I actually like the fact that TAR is always starting in L.A because thats how we get our excellent team photos.

[redwings8831]

I was just thinking, it would be interesting to see a new twist at the start, like putting a Road Block between the starting line and the airport.

Yes, but then teams would have to be placed on flights based on the completion of the task. If not, then its one big equalizer and the early task becomes virtually pointless.

[Dånooky]

I was just thinking, it would be interesting to see a new twist at the start, like putting a Road Block between the starting line and the airport.

License plates ring any bell? We all know how that turned out.

[Hooky]

I actually like the fact that TAR is always starting in L.A because thats how we get our excellent team photos.

Yes, but surely they could get excellent photos in other places as well. You don't have to be in LA to do that.

[Mandoli]

I actually like the fact that TAR is always starting in L.A because thats how we get our excellent team photos.

Yes, but surely they could get excellent photos in other places as well. You don't have to be in LA to do that.

Agreed. There are other decent enough places in the US that they could start at, and the pictures would be neat due to a nice backdrop. (Okay, besides the backyard of my house, but I doubt they'll be coming here anytime soon. )

[Zack.]

I just want them to come back to the East Coast.  I mean, we're more than just New York, and we don't bite 

While the logistics of this would be hard, this would make an excellent Finish Line location.

[chill_sd]

I was just thinking, it would be interesting to see a new twist at the start, like putting a Road Block between the starting line and the airport.

License plates ring any bell? We all know how that turned out.

Oh, I completely agree.  No eliminations at the starting line.  My thought was something like this:  They start at the Rose Bowl, and teams must make their way on foot to the Norton Simon Museum and locate a piece of art, which they have a detail of a face to match.  Then they must correctly identify the city in the artwork.  When they have correctly identified the city to a museum guard nearby, they are given their next clue which includes flight information.  The first teams get the early flight, but no elimination.  Then they pick a Mercedes from the parking lot and head to LAX.

[georgiapeach]

Love that!!

[David]

Yes! That'd be great. In fact, when I think about starting a fantasy game, there are a pair or three tasks before the flight so that not only a drive-to-airport gives you an advantage or a disadvantage of 2 hours more or less, that is brought to the next leg.

That's pretty cool, chill!

[redskevin88]

Or why not copy TARA and do a starting leg in the host city? Or even fly to Canada-Caribbean first before going to Europe/Asia. I would love to see it happen... Evan?

[Caelestor]

Or why not copy TARA and do a starting leg in the host city? Or even fly to Canada-Caribbean first before going to Europe/Asia. I would love to see it happen... Evan?

Don't agree with having a starting leg in the U.S, because the US is always visited last leg. It works in TARA because they start in a different country each time.

However, starting in Seattle and having to drive to Vancouver would be awesome.

[mswood]

Some points

The pluses with LA, are that, thanks to hard work in detectives and the  exhaustive ground work of Chateau we have gotten footage that we wouldn't get with just random strangers and their camera phones.  I can't really stress the amount of time Chateau had to have spent over the last two seasons.  I tried it once (missed it by a week, and we should be so glad), because it is truly time consuming and he did it many, many days.

Thats the one plus to LA.

As to the idea of a task before leaving the US, I have to real problem with it with two conditions.

1.  No damn starting line elimination, one of the foulest things the production has ever done (that and making teams read hate mail about themselves as a task, this show is supposed to be above that type of behavior).

2.  No equalization with flights or once landing in the destination city.

Take season 15, we had a task at the starting line, which determined flights, but the problem with this (besides the stupid elimination) was that in Japan, production equalized everyone (and worse to that, let random chance be what released them, the first and only time that has ever happened for tasks, and it was stupid).  But clearly they can let teams arrive and go straight to tasks (they have done that many times).

[georgiapeach]

TOTAL AMEN TO THIS!!!

[mswood]

Well with all the time for research people of done (tips, calling for permits, taking scraps of data to narrow down time frame and location sites to playing phone and email tag, to the actual physical time Chateau spent going through the airport, talking to the Shuttle services (and their workers) for tips and contact info. 

Now that doesn't mean if they had a different location we wouldn't also be blessed with a resident in the area who would go that extra mile and do all that leg work (but I think we are very, very lucky) and get us things like pictures, talk to racers (buy them books) to get info for things like flights and next destination.

But clearly just the luck of the draw random camera/phone person who posts and tweets isn't going to do all that.

I mean seriously look at season 15, and the excellent footage chateau got.  With all the behind the scenes detective work to get him to the actual starting line.  To get the coverage he got there, to actually getting to the airport and get the coverage there as well.

Its extremely impressive.

[DrRox]

+1

[Dånooky]

I was just thinking, it would be interesting to see a new twist at the start, like putting a Road Block between the starting line and the airport.

License plates ring any bell? We all know how that turned out.

Oh, I completely agree.  No eliminations at the starting line.  My thought was something like this:  They start at the Rose Bowl, and teams must make their way on foot to the Norton Simon Museum and locate a piece of art, which they have a detail of a face to match.  Then they must correctly identify the city in the artwork.  When they have correctly identified the city to a museum guard nearby, they are given their next clue which includes flight information.  The first teams get the early flight, but no elimination.  Then they pick a Mercedes from the parking lot and head to LAX.

The problem is, unless it's a two-hour opener, we get another " only 10-minutes in Japan" situation were the first destination is practically non-existent.

[Caelestor]

I wonder why they don't bother to have 11 legs, but make the first leg slightly longer (not a full double-length) and make it two hours long. I'd much rather see more of the first country (provided it isn't a country that's constantly being reused) than the last. Another provision: don't hold two legs in the same city 

[Mandoli]

Another provision: don't hold two legs in the same city

This. If production wants two legs in the same country, then that's fine - granted that they don't have back-to-back legs in the same city.

[DavidJunior]

Another provision: don't hold two legs in the same city

This. If production wants two legs in the same country, then that's fine - granted that they don't have back-to-back legs in the same city.

This I actually don't mind too much, with one major condition:

No cities that have been used quite often.

I liked the double Prague legs, and I like the idea of double Shanghai legs (we'll see if they actually turn out to be good when it airs)

Beijing and Moscow, on the other hand, I very greatly disapproved of.

There are very many big cities around the world that can be used that will still yield wonderful tasks and entertainment value for two back-to-back legs

I say keep it, for now

[mswood]

What truly doesn't make since is why CBS has cut the first episode down from either an hour and a half or two hours.  Season 10 is the last season to have the first leg be longer then an hour (something that started with season 4).

It just doesn't make logical sense, the single leg shown over two hours has consistently generated stronger then average ratings for TAR.  And with the exception of the 9 episodes of Undercover Boss) TAR is consistently the strongest demo performer for CBS on Sundays.

And since the two hour episodes are typical designed the same as a typical leg, they just include more of the footage, and show all the actual route markers (Something that often gets edited out).  So it gives CBS the benefit of having another strong performer, with having almost no additional cost.  Its a win, win.  And on a business level makes absolutely no sense.

Now I can understand making the race shorter, as it saves money on all aspects, but to not take the footage you already acquired and maximize your profit off of it makes zero sense.

There is no rational reason for why we don't get 13 hours (even if its only 12 legs and shot with the new 21 day race plan).

[Caelestor]

Another provision: don't hold two legs in the same city

This. If production wants two legs in the same country, then that's fine - granted that they don't have back-to-back legs in the same city.

This I actually don't mind too much, with one major condition:

No cities that have been used quite often.

I liked the double Prague legs, and I like the idea of double Shanghai legs (we'll see if they actually turn out to be good when it airs)

Beijing and Moscow, on the other hand, I very greatly disapproved of.

There are very many big cities around the world that can be used that will still yield wonderful tasks and entertainment value for two back-to-back legs

I say keep it, for now

My main problem with 2 legs in the same city is that often half of the tasks are subpar.

Take for example Dubai last season. The water finding roadblock and the gold/glass detour were very interesting. The snow detour and the boat roadblock were just lame. We could have had one good leg instead of two mediocre ones. I'll give Prague a pass because most of the locations visited were good (except the random kayaking detour).

Also look at Beijing TAR 14. The first leg was just a roadblock and a detour, and there was so much "drama" padding that episode. With some changes, the producers could've easily produced one interesting episode.

[DavidJunior]

Another provision: don't hold two legs in the same city

This. If production wants two legs in the same country, then that's fine - granted that they don't have back-to-back legs in the same city.

This I actually don't mind too much, with one major condition:

No cities that have been used quite often.

I liked the double Prague legs, and I like the idea of double Shanghai legs (we'll see if they actually turn out to be good when it airs)

Beijing and Moscow, on the other hand, I very greatly disapproved of.

There are very many big cities around the world that can be used that will still yield wonderful tasks and entertainment value for two back-to-back legs

I say keep it, for now

My main problem with 2 legs in the same city is that often half of the tasks are subpar.

Take for example Dubai last season. The water finding roadblock and the gold/glass detour were very interesting. The snow detour and the boat roadblock were just lame. We could have had one good leg instead of two mediocre ones. I'll give Prague a pass because most of the locations visited were good (except the random kayaking detour).

Also look at Beijing TAR 14. The first leg was just a roadblock and a detour, and there was so much "drama" padding that episode. With some changes, the producers could've easily produced one interesting episode.

I forgot about Dubai!  Which, I agree, was pretty "meh"

That, and Beijing would've been better had they been only one leg and went to another location within close proximity.  Qatar or Abu Dhavi for Dubai, and anywhere in Northeastern Asia (Japan, Korea, Northern China) for Beijing.

The tasks in Moscow were interesting, but then again a good amount of the first leg could've been filmed anywhere in Russia.

Prague so far was their best.  Locations and tasks that were unigque to Prague (and the Czech Rep. in general), difficult for racers, yet entertaining for us, and it was a city that hadn't been grossly overused at that point.

Although, Shanghai has been used before, I don't feel it's been overused, yet.

I think it's a good idea, they just need to pick better locales to host the double legs

[Zack.]

I'd think the two legs in one city trick would be a good way to boost the continent count, say, having two legs in Cape Town or Nairobi or Sydney - they can pick a reasonable hub and have a) ways to get in and out, b) enough to do for two legs and c) not much in the way of expenses.

[georgiapeach]

What truly doesn't make since is why CBS has cut the first episode down from either an hour and a half or two hours.  Season 10 is the last season to have the first leg be longer then an hour (something that started with season 4).

It just doesn't make logical sense, the single leg shown over two hours has consistently generated stronger then average ratings for TAR.  And with the exception of the 9 episodes of Undercover Boss) TAR is consistently the strongest demo performer for CBS on Sundays.

And since the two hour episodes are typical designed the same as a typical leg, they just include more of the footage, and show all the actual route markers (Something that often gets edited out).  So it gives CBS the benefit of having another strong performer, with having almost no additional cost.  Its a win, win.  And on a business level makes absolutely no sense.

Now I can understand making the race shorter, as it saves money on all aspects, but to not take the footage you already acquired and maximize your profit off of it makes zero sense.
There is no rational reason for why we don't get 13 hours (even if its only 12 legs and shot with the new 21 day race plan).

I totally agree.

I actually quite liked how TARA does the Introduce the racers pre-show. If we had something similar, then the whole first hour could be devoted to the RACE, not the "meet the racers", giving that first stop much more exposure.

And then there is the reunion show idea....for the cost of a few plane tickets, they could have a whole hour of entertainment...tell me there wouldn't be fireworks sometimes!! Doesn't the Survivor reunion show get decent ratings??

[mswood]

The survivor Reunion show takes a hit (it still does well), but its about 25% lower then the finale episode (sometimes even more) it is of course running in the 10pm slot so its still head and shoulders above what normally would air during that time (Cold Case Currently).

But of course the survivor finale generates higher numbers then what TAR would get, but isn't the reunion show for Survivor where they technically announce the vote?  If so there is no way a TAR reunion would hold anywhere near the level of interest.

[chill_sd]

The survivor Reunion show takes a hit (it still does well), but its about 25% lower then the finale episode (sometimes even more) it is of course running in the 10pm slot so its still head and shoulders above what normally would air during that time (Cold Case Currently).

But of course the survivor finale generates higher numbers then what TAR would get, but isn't the reunion show for Survivor where they technically announce the vote?  If so there is no way a TAR reunion would hold anywhere near the level of interest.

They could do the same thing with TAR, though, and not show the finish in the first hour.  Then start the second hour with the race finish and segue into the Reunion.

[Caelestor]

The survivor Reunion show takes a hit (it still does well), but its about 25% lower then the finale episode (sometimes even more) it is of course running in the 10pm slot so its still head and shoulders above what normally would air during that time (Cold Case Currently).

But of course the survivor finale generates higher numbers then what TAR would get, but isn't the reunion show for Survivor where they technically announce the vote?  If so there is no way a TAR reunion would hold anywhere near the level of interest.

They could do the same thing with TAR, though, and not show the finish in the first hour.  Then start the second hour with the race finish and segue into the Reunion.

I've always advocated a 90 minute finale and a 30 minute reunion. Though TAR needs to have a good finale to keep me interested for 90 minutes...

[arun1125]

I think the finish will be in LA.

[AmazingRace]

I'm guessing the finish line is somewhere in New York area or Texas.

[Caelestor]

It's going to be on the West Coast again unless TAR makes a stop at Vancouver.

[topaz]

I do believe that Boston will be both the start and final city for TAR 17.  GO CELTICS GO!!!  BEAT L.A.!!!

[mjriches2005]

It's going to be on the West Coast again unless TAR makes a stop at Vancouver.

Need more Midwest finish lines (Minneapolis, Detroit, Cleveland, St Louis) Southeast (Atlanta, Charlotte, Orlando, Tampa) East Coast (Philadelphia, Washington DC, Baltimore, Buffalo, Portland/Maine) Plains/Mountains/Southwest (Salt Lake City, Houston, Oklahoma City)
-Hopeful West Coast Finishes-
(Boise, Spokane, San Diego, Sacramento, Reno, Los Angeles)
We might have 13 legs again since All-Stars?

[apskip]

I do believe that Boston will be both the start and final city for TAR 17.  GO CELTICS GO!!!  BEAT L.A.!!!

Topaz:
I have no idea where the finish line will be, but I absolutely agree with your sentiments about the Celtics. Celtics fans now have only 12 hours to wait before finding out who the 2010 NBA Champions will be.

[georgiapeach]

The finale city is available in the spoiler thread, if you need/want to know.

[TexasLady]

The finale city is available in the spoiler thread, if you need/want to know.

Well tell us here! LOL

[georgiapeach]

Can't...this is the discussion thread...no spoilers!

[TexasLady]

Phooey! 

[topaz]

I do believe that Boston will be both the start and final city for TAR 17.  GO CELTICS GO!!!  BEAT L.A.!!!

Topaz:
I have no idea where the finish line will be, but I absolutely agree with your sentiments about the Celtics. Celtics fans now have only 12 hours to wait before finding out who the 2010 NBA Champions will be.

but sadly, the Celtics lost to Lakers and I cried!

Oh hell, they'll make it again next year but now I read on the specs that the final city of TAR 17 is on LA, and will it be ironic if all the 11 teams, Phil Keoghan and the WRP crew had watched the game after the final race?  It could be.

[apskip]

I do believe that Boston will be both the start and final city for TAR 17.  GO CELTICS GO!!!  BEAT L.A.!!!

Topaz:
I have no idea where the finish line will be, but I absolutely agree with your sentiments about the Celtics. Celtics fans now have only 12 hours to wait before finding out who the 2010 NBA Champions will be.

but sadly, the Celtics lost to Lakers and I cried!

Oh hell, they'll make it again next year but now I read on the specs that the final city of TAR 17 is on LA, and will it be ironic if all the 11 teams, Phil Keoghan and the WRP crew had watched the game after the final race?  It could be.

It's possible. I guess the belief is that the race finished on June 16 in the LA area. The traditional after-the-finale party would have been in between games 6 and 7, so teams could have watched the NBA finale on June 17. But if you had been away from home for almost a month, wouldn't you want to get there ASAP? I know that I would. Most of the AR17 teams would not be from the greater Los Angeles area and would probably not be Lakers fans or Celtics fans.