Since TAR5 is way way behind us, i think it's safe for me to mention that i was invited to the editing in L.A. after i had helped the production team in my country. The editing session i sat down on was during the halfway point of the race so it may not hold true all the time that the editing is done only once the race has concluded. The editor at that time said he had edited midway thru the race one other time and that he wasn't part of the editing for all seasons of TAR.

1) I don't think Rob & Amber won (or will win, depending on perspective)
2) I don't think CBS or WRP manipulated things to help them win
3) I don't think the other teams are THAT bad. Even the best teams have made mistakes from time to time.

LAST EDITED ON 03-09-05 AT 01:15 PM (EST)

I will say that the producers usually don't pick two highly fit men to be in the race as a team because they would have a strength and speed advantage over the other couples.

You would think the brothers have a physical advantage over Romber in this race even if it has not been the case so far.

Handcrafted by RollDdice

As to your points:

check all three sand piles for the earliest departure time

When the clue was first spoken on air, it sounded like there were three piles of sand each and the departure times were spread among the times. Granted, reading the clue might have revealed that the three piles had different times. But this was the first task they undertook on the race, and it's not particularly surprising that some may have panicked a little about it.

try to move two lamas at once

First off, the smart choice was obviously carrying the baskets. But for the teams that opted to move llamas, I don't think it's so clear that moving two at a time was a better option. E & J moved one at a time and they seemed to finish as fast as M & G did moving two at a time.

opt for the book challenge when they don't have money to go on the food shopping challenge

As has been pointed out elsewhere, the problem didn't appear to be a lack of money as much as a lack of converted money. Further, without actually beginning the task, how would you know you didn't have enough money? By and large, the teams that shopped were teams that had no chance of moving the books in a timely manner.

count the books to make sure there are enough before going to the library

The teams that didn't try to carry all 180 books at once knew they didn't have 180 books. It wasn't a counting error, it was an intentional choice based on what they reasonably felt they could move at one time. If you don't think you can move 180 books at once, then you're an idiot if you try to move 180 books at once.

I know it is easier to be an armchair quarterback, but really, in retrospect:

-check all three sand piles for the earliest departure time
Their panic...it wasn't that hard of a task to check each pile just to see what the situation is. These are competitors. To pick the first pile and go with it seems ignorant.

-try to move two lamas at once
I've never moved lamas, so maybe you are right. However, if you are in the competition, it is worth a try.

-opt for the book challenge when they don't have money to go on the food shopping challenge
Money conversion, no money, who cares. It is an unnecessary hurdle knowing you are going into a challenge with funding issues. I also disagree that the teams that shopped, couldn't schlep. Perhaps in some cases, but not in every case. For those that could have schlepped but didn't, well, back to my original point - they are weak competition.

-count the books to make sure there are enough before going to the library
I was referencing the Ron & Kelly, but I might have to review the tape. As I recall, he had a look of astonishment when the librarian said he only had 112 books. Not to mention he was right next to Rob, where he could have easily copied Rob's superb stacking technique. Again, another team that does not have what it takes.

I was referencing the Ron & Kelly, but I might have to review the tape. As I recall, he had a look of astonishment when the librarian said he only had 112 books. Not to mention he was right next to Rob, where he could have easily copied Rob's superb stacking technique.

Ron got frustrated with Kelly during the challenge in that Ron was being careful loading the books on the two wheeler. Ron gets frustrated and just say ok...let's go we will have to make two trips to begin with.

The funny thing to me about the book challenge was when Ron/Kelly got to the library Kelly says something like...we have to count them? Well you will have to that (while looking at Ron)! Why couldn't she count them? She obviously can't count that high!

>Kelly says something like...we have
>to count them? Well you
>will have to that (while
>looking at Ron)! Why couldn't
>she count them? She obviously
>can't count that high!

Also, when she heard they had 112 books, she said they needed to get 78 more. Ron had to correct her and tell her they only needed 68.

I think you are so right. You are a genius to have picked up on this. After reading what you wrote, I really sat down and thought about it and it seems obvious and clear. CBS is pushing their golden couple onto us. After all, all the other players TRIED OUT to be on the show while Rob and Amber were ASKED to be on it. Everyone else is wrong and you are right! ROCK ON!

Is it just me, or is anyone else wondering if this is serious or sarcasm?

It was serious. He's smart and intuitive and the rest of you can't see beyond the end of your nose.

First, I'm wondering if it is serious or sarcasm.
Second, if it is serious, are they the same user?

I really can't tell if it is sarcasm, even though if it is, it is very thickly laid. I'm very confused at this point, although that is not rare.

....Further proof that ppl on this discussion are not very bright.

Yeah. Sure. Whatever.

You been eatin' too much rice.

Moves courtesy of Syren

This is a formal warning directed to "Rice Eaters do it better."

We only have one shakes the clown on this board, whom you are free to flame or be snarky with. When you are replying to anyone else, even if you intend to be satirical or sarcastic, you have to follow the Community Guidelines. If you continue to fail to do so, your membership on the board may be terminated.

No, you are not the only one - I am wondering too...

i definitely wondered, and am glad you asked for clarification, because it let me see how much smarter this person is than i. in fact, i think i'll let him/her tell me what to believe for the rest of the season. you see, because not only am i intellectually inferior, but i am very lazy as well. i might as well not check these boards any more because now i know that rob/amber are the winners. maybe i'll just stop watching TAR altogther. that is how much faith i have.

~ cq

following one sheep is just as easy as following the whole flock