The Amazing Race: We’re Only Doing Freaky Stuff Today
March 12, 2016 12:47 PM - Season 28, Episode 5 - Subscribe

8 pairs of Social Media “names" race up Mont Blanc and back down again on a race around the world.

This episode featured a guy in a yeti suit waving a french flag. There were also - the by now standard - failures to read the clue, overobssessing on a minor point, almost running past the isolated clue box, and a lack of understanding how things work — BUT we also got someone dropping the clue down the side of the mountain for novelty’s sake.

There was also free (but necessary) outerwear, mugging for the camera, Mont Blanc looking spectacular, baguettes, mountain guides, stupid hashtags, rope-walking, avalanches, snowy mountain hiking, shoveling snow, paragliding launch failures, the dreaded backwind, and the necessity of paying attention.

Sheri totally saved this leg for her son.
posted by julen (12 comments total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
I remain pretty ambivalent about most of the teams, but the challenges and scenery the last two episodes have really made me jealous.
posted by olinerd at 2:29 PM on March 12, 2016 [2 favorites]


Yeah the scenery and activities were spectacular in this episode. And Sheri did save her team.
posted by pmurray63 at 10:04 PM on March 12, 2016 [1 favorite]


I wish they had done a little more with the "search for a car with one of these license plates" challenge, it seems like it could be interesting if they expanded on it.

Were they actually carrying dynamite? Or were they carrying props and set off charges already set in the snowpack?
posted by clorox at 7:36 AM on March 13, 2016


I can't believe they'd let them carry live dynamite, but then again, I'm pretty uninformed on the state of modern explosives and those things might have been useful for hammering a nail in until given the proper electric charge.

The mountains were incredible and did a lot to make the episode interesting in a way the teams kind of failed to do. How often are "setup this camp/encampment" challenges really ever the fastest way to get through a speed bump? (I guess it was faster than making milk that one season?)

Teams keep falling off, but I just haven't really gotten behind any to care that much. I'm definitely done with "Blodie," so if one of those two teams can hit the road, I'd be much obliged.

Also, the whole flashing Twitter hashtags across the screen for the silliest things gets old fast.
posted by Atreides at 1:07 PM on March 13, 2016


I actually fell asleep watching this episode. I know I am not the intended audience for a season of social media stars, but I'm having a hard time maintaining a lot of interest in these teams.

Another positive vote for the incredible scenery, but I would have lost my shit if I'd had to do the zip-line thing this time.
posted by briank at 2:41 PM on March 13, 2016


I'm definitely done with "Blodie," so if one of those two teams can hit the road, I'd be much obliged.

Make it the FrisBros, please. I've been tired of THE LOUD ONE since the first leg.
posted by pmurray63 at 5:15 PM on March 13, 2016


Not only the scenery was amazing, but a great job by the people who designed the tasks on this episode (not even sure what that role would be called), and the camerapeople and editors. Loved a task that can legitimately inspire a fear of heights in those prone to it (and not the bungee/rappel from a height we've seen so often before). And the cinematography was great, not just of the scenery itself, but the shot of the final three racers lined up with their parasails, and waiting for the wind to pick up, was stunning.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 9:01 PM on March 13, 2016


I have said many times that I would *LOVE* to see a "behind-the-scenes" look at how they produce TAR.
posted by briank at 5:36 AM on March 14, 2016 [2 favorites]


This may be odd, but I really love the Phil in the moment segments, when rather than film Phil talking about a challenge earlier (or later?), they film it when the racers are in the midst. You get the random, "Hey Phil!" as people rush by to tackle the speed bump or what not and you can see them going at it in the background. It creates something of a live impromptu sensation to something that's otherwise heavily produced (like all Reality Tv).
posted by Atreides at 7:08 AM on March 14, 2016


I have been assuming that Phil isn't really there during those moments -- that he's green-screened in later, somehow, and that racers are just encouraged to say "Hi, Phil" at certain points to make it seem more real. His presence in those moments always seems really fake to me. But I could definitely be wrong -- I don't know if there's a way to know for sure?
posted by cider at 11:13 AM on March 17, 2016


If he wasn't there, it'd crush me! (Okay, be mildly disappointing). I'm sure some research could uncover if he was there or not.
posted by Atreides at 12:37 PM on March 17, 2016


The one in this episode did not appear the least bit green-screened to me. He seemed to be a little bit flustered as the contestants were busy behind him. I have no doubt whatsoever that they are shot to coincide with the presence of the contestants at the location.
posted by briank at 6:29 PM on March 17, 2016


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