Amazing Race: Tank Top Tragedies

Whew--what a brutal, crushing, devastating leg. I can't believe what those poor racers went through this time! I mean, having to count to 41 while jogging around a sidewalk? Playing kayak water polo against a bunch of human pylons? And driving a stick shift--again!?! It's too much.

Seriously, what's going on here? Have they changed the concept to "The Amazing Cakewalk"? When the most exciting part of the episode is catching a glimpse of Big Philly Style busting a move on The Amazing Finish Mat, you know the season might be headed downhill. Come on, producers--ramp it up! I want to see these people gagging through a fear-factoresque eating challenge while riding public transportation in a hostile third world country where no one speaks English. Pronto!

Now, about those tank tops. First, Princess Barbie's choice of a bright white tank top would not have been a smart one even if she was just on a leisurely tour of Europe (which she kind of is, given the way the show's developing, but I digress). For a race, it was utterly stupid. Since she was such a crybaby dramaqueen about the whole detour, I was happy to see her get coated in fish barf. But it least her wardrobe choice wasn't painful for the audience, unlike the other sartorial missteps we witnessed, namely:

Franimal: I have one word for you, Barry, and that word is "sleeves." Please. As the loyal Home Front reader also known as my Mom put it, "He has GOT to get rid of the tank top--ugly hairly skinny arms." Word.

Michelle: Hoboy--Someone should have told her about the schedule change to the family-friendly 8 p.m. slot before she treated us to that tank-top and money holder/string bra look she was rocking at the kayak polo stop. Yikes! I had to sit in a darkened room for a few minutes to rest my eyes after witnessing that.

In other news:

• Tom noted that Lake's accent sounds like Jon Stewart's imitation of George W. Bush. Ah-ha! Now I know why I can't take that guy seriously!
• I knew Nerd Love would be eliminated sooner rather than later, so I wasn't terribly invested in them. But they also ended up being strangely short on personality, and they seemed to be getting worse as the race went on, not better. It didn't look like they were handling the bickering and frustration very well. Oh well--they had no chance of winning, and I'm sure they'll have a happy life in Nerd Love Land.

Next week, Greece. Not Laos. Not Mozambique. Not Honduras. Not India. Greece. And I bet it's non-elimination, too. Hrumph.