The Amazing Race > The Amazing Race Discussion
Why the Amazing Race has lost its magic
The Queen V:
--- Quote from: Cocoa on August 29, 2010, 08:22:45 PM ---
--- Quote from: revengefullycreative on August 29, 2010, 12:57:55 PM ---I'm in pretty much total agreement with Joab. At least as it stands now. It's funny, because I didn't think TAR14 was super-awesome when it aired. It was very good, but nothing like TAR7 or the like. Of course, fast forward to a year and 2 seasons later, and TAR14 looks like super-awesome. Following a season full of one team dominating most of the race and another team dominating most of the other part of the race the winning team didn't dominate, it was pretty competitive, while full of back stories and very awesome people (who were very awesome outside of the race).
Then came TAR15, and yet another season where one team dominated. I guess I enjoyed it before the season since Maria & Tiffany were racing. Sadly, they got screwed as much as they got very lucky to survive on a couple of occasions. TAR16 was okay compared to 15, as it was a spring season and it was a near-even level playing field. What sucked was the bad blood that was injected into the season; the very end was pretty much the last straw (which I meant so much upon the conclusion of TAR16, more than today). Fortunately, we're at the 10th anniversary of TAR, or will be sometime this TV year.
Now, what am about to say might sound dumb, but I think TAR needs to lose the Emmy in order to win in the long run (like losing the battle in order to see and fix what went wrong so that you can win the war). What I mean is that there hasn’t been a lot of effort put into the show over the past few seasons. However, if TAR keeps winning, no one is going to change anything because they think that they're doing something right. OTOH, with a loss, it might be a sign for the producers to restart and put a spark back into the show to best bring TAR back to its glory days.
Of course, TAR would be on life support if they lost tonight (8/29) or whenever. However, an Emmy win doesn't guarantee its survival, but just helps it a lot (and has 7 years later after nearly getting canceled).
ETA: Should've been clearer on this elsewhere, but when saying TAR needs to lose the Emmy, I didn't actually mean I want to see TAR lose (in order to win). I just think it's necessary as a wake up call to get the show back to better days. Hopefully there are other ways to get this done, sans losing the Emmy. Of course, with mswood reminding me of something I've made mention to in the past, if the criteria is based on what you submit, then TAR really can't lose. If it's the overall picture? no guarantees.
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GOOD JOB. NOW YOU GET YOUR WISH. :res: :res: :res:
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theres no room for negativity right now. sorry. but it's not even the last emmys we're ever gonna get.
mswood:
Well one thing to remember seasons 12 and on are going to have serious disadvantages from any previous seasons in that they have less episodes to develop stories (with the same number of teams) and for budget reasons they have to get the shots filmed quicker. Meaning driving (especially long term) is going to be rare, more travel near transportation hubs (ie most tasks near cities) and tasks are in general going to be more controlled (as that is usually easier to film, thus normally, though not always cheaper).
And of course as the show gets older, it is harder and harder for producers to come up with new tasks and new exciting places (not impossible but certainly harder).
Many things I like about seasons 1-11 have to do with the actual production of the show, completely separate from casting.
Many, many, many people complain about casting (And I am one of them) I am not against some stunt casting but I think its gone a little too far. As for conflict between teams I don't mind healthy honest competition, but I utterly hate unsportsmanship.
For example I really liked season 14 (probably my favorite from since season 10). But I hated the conflict between Kisha & Jen and Margie & Luke. I hated it no matter who was at fault.
Season 15 I hated the behavior between the Trotters & Sam and Dan, and Trotters and Mika (go down the damn water slide for christ sake), and this season I hated the conflict between well Brent & Caite and Brandy & Carol. I hated how Brent & Caite would talk to and about Brandy & Carol to others (If you are going to talk bad I would rather it be in the confessional footage or when you are alone in a cab, which is normally where most of Brandy & Carol's was. But I was appalled at Brandy & Carol at the finish line. Utterly appalled. I hated that Michael & Louie were pushing teams to go after each other.
This show isn't survivor. Nor should it want to be.
To me here are two good examples of teams who were very competitive against each other, who went all out against each other but rarely got ugly with each other. BJ & Tyler and Eric & Jeremy. Both teams gave it their all almost every single episode but both teams could still work around and be nice to each other. The other example was Dustin & Kandice and Tyler & James. Yet as competitive as these four teams got with each other, don't think you could ever say they really crossed the line with each other.
I miss that type of racing. I miss it alot.
mswood:
--- Quote from: Hooky on July 08, 2010, 08:25:16 PM ---Enough with casting all the showbiz fringies, the people that TPTB wish all of us ordinary people would constantly act and look like. Enough with recruiting. I want a real race, not some watered down show intended to launch someone's star career. THIS is why TAR has lost it's magic.
In all seriousness, my motivation to watch this next season (TAR 17) is next to zero. The route really doesn't seem unique enough (or good enough to meet expectations), the casting is terrible (as usual), and the prospects are bleak. I truly don't care if a female team ever wins if it means sacrificing what truly makes this show great: Exotic and unique locations, interesting and relevant tasks, and a cast of ELEVEN, TWO-PERSON TEAMS OF ORDINARY PEOPLE. Yes, Lynne Spillman, it's time to actually start casting the way Phil and BvM say you are. Thanks for once again not delivering.(:;)
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I have to disagree to an extent. I don't have a problem in general with this. Just the excess of this. If they cut this down 50% I think I would really, really be impressed.
But there have been many teams that are what I call fringe entertainers that I really, really do like. And many teams that haven't applied normally, either seen by casting and told they should apply, or applied but told to get another partner by casting that I really liked.
I just think we have to many of them, and with those types of teams usually doing at least good (meaning making it through about 2/3rds of the race and with getting about two hours less then what we used to get we don't get much development from some of the more "normal" teams.
The Queen V:
--- Quote from: mswood on August 29, 2010, 10:51:39 PM ---I miss that type of racing. I miss it alot.
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I miss season 3.
kadilahopper:
I miss season 1. You can tell they had a low budget by the camera shots and filming, but it was without a doubt the only season that showcased ALL the contestants and you got to know them in an intimate way. You saw their laughter, their fear, their comraderie, their competitveness, their humor, their strengths and their weaknesses. Today, we only get glimpses of the regular Joes and all the emphasis is on the semi-celebs until they get eliminated. Compared to season 1, today's TAR sucks in comparison. Any one have a roadma; back to the "thunder that roars"?
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