I have to say, this woman who wrote this article, she DESERVES the Peabody Award, or some kind of award, she is a Genius!!!!
Rob
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SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/tv/218144_tv31.htmlRob and Amber: an 'Amazing' disgrace
Thursday, March 31, 2005By MELANIE MCFARLAND
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER TELEVISION CRITIC
"They're kind of like an STD. You've got to protect yourself from them, and the only way you can do it is just keep yourself away from them."
-- "Amazing Race" contestant Lynn, referring to "Survivor" alumni Rob and Amber
First, allow me to reveal an obvious bias: I can't stand "Boston" Rob Mariano and his wimpy assistant/fiancee Amber Brkich. Couldn't stand them on either of their "Survivor" stints, couldn't stand them on "Survivor: All-Stars," and I hope terrible traumas befall them on this cycle of CBS's "The Amazing Race," (9 p.m. Tuesdays, KIRO/7) in which they have been chosen as celebrity contestants.
Yeah, that's not nice, but you know what? Neither are they. Rob is a disgusting slug who has represented the lowest qualities of Americans to people across the globe. Amber, his spineless, acquiescent partner, the one who actually won "Survivor's" million-dollar prize, shares his guilt by cheering him on dastardly deed after dastardly deed. People all over the world recognize and love them, but I don't. I truly do not.
At the same time, it's not their fault that I hate their guts. I'm supposed to hate them. Bertram Van Munster, all the other producers of "The Amazing Race," "Survivor's" Mark Burnett and the couple are counting on my unchecked, white-hot fury. They want me to remain passionate enough to care whether they win or lose, because as long as I feel that way, they know I'll tune in.
This is why throwing Rob and Amber into "The Amazing Race 7's" mix is at once one of the smartest and most cynical tactics in reality television. The move breeds both addiction and possible resentment in longtime viewers, putting us at odds with the show and ourselves.
If you're a die-hard fan, "The Amazing Race's" celebrity infusion is mostly distressing. In a genre famous for manipulation and fakery, this is an unscripted series that seems a little more pure in both premise and execution. Instead of limiting its competitors to an island, it makes the Earth their arena. Everyone becomes strangers in strange places, a factor that makes them commiserate as much as clash.
The game's most powerful lure is in the role luck -- some would call it karma -- plays in crowning winners and eliminating losers. A person can be the smartest, most physically fit and well-traveled contestant in the galaxy, but take the wrong train, choose a task unwisely, make the wrong turn, and someone slower can sail right by to the finish line.
"The Amazing Race" attracts men and women from all walks of life, whether black, white, Hispanic, gay, straight, young or old. It takes anyone with a thirst for adventure, and in doing so invites even couch-rooted shrinking violets to dream of globe-trotting. This is not to imply the show is immune to jerks; it has had its fair share in past cycles. Unlike, say, the memorable, scheming ingrates who go far on "Survivor," "The Amazing Race's" stars tend to be the nice guys.
With the exception of Rob and Amber, "Amazing Race 7's" remaining teams are the kind of people you'd love to have over for dinner. Among them are boyfriends Lynn and Alex; married adventurers Uchenna and Joyce; underdog retirees Meredith and Gretchen; the all-American couple Ron and Kelly (he's a former POW, she's a former beauty queen); and Brian and Greg, brothers who provide much of the show's comic relief.
But Rob and Amber rose quickly to become "Amazing Race" stars for no other reason than their familiarity and, in doing so, took the focus away from the regular guys. Audiences used to cheer one of the average joes in past seasons; this time around, we're hung up on figuring out where Amber and Rob are so we can curse them.
Their presence also loads the dice -- not because they're scum, but because they happen to be famous scum. Over five episodes, they've come to represent the nadir of American celebrity, coasting through the impossible on unfair perks without suffering much in the way of consequences. All host Phil Keoghan can do is smirk at them.
The couple's fame gained them free guides in Lima, Peru, and Soweto, South Africa, and their experience on "Survivor" inspired them to bribe locals into tricking other contestants. Sure, it's a contest, and they're allowed to do anything and accept any favors to win.
On Tuesday night's two-hour episode they sank to more inhumane lows, and drove right by Brian and Greg after the duo's truck rolled over, hurting a cameraman.
"There was no way we were stopping," Rob said, his car's cameraman training the lens on the wreck as they zipped by. "It's a competition."
We know we're being manipulated. We can't help but let it happen. The action makes us too giddy, even if later on, once we really think about what Rob and Amber did this week and last, and previously to that -- oh, and remember that they already have a million dollars in the bank -- it simply makes us seethe.
Who knows, maybe some good can come from witnessing their true colors. The more wretchedness they display, the less inclined we may be to witness their Burnett-produced televised hitching. Keep in mind, fame and fortune doesn't guarantee they'll win. But the damage is done, and a respectable show has been irreparably tainted. Various reports have revealed that a future cycle of "Amazing Race" may stack the deck with "Survivor" winner Rupert Boneham.
At least he's nice.
