The Amazing Race: Finale and Season 6 Review

As Tuesday’s season finale of The Amazing Race closed, Freddy, winner along with fiancée Kendra, commented on his partner’s “perfect human soul”. If the previous season was any indicator, this is nonsense. We marveled as Kendra commented about how the people in Africa couldn’t stop “breeding and breeding” as if they were common animals. When she left Africa to Germany, she expressed relief about being out of “ghetto Africa,” earning lovely nicknames such as “KKKendra” and “Chesty McHatesalot.” Luckily Freddy was the better half, freaking out when he got hit by a door, saying that he would “break [the person] in half."

This season had all kinds of wonderful people with souls of sludge that helped put the “UGH” in “Ugly American.” Three of the four finalists were repulsive characters. Hayden and Aaron, who did nothing but bicker, were the first to go in the finale. Had they proven to be halfway sympathetic (or at least given the impression that they liked each other), maybe this would have been a more moving moment. Ahead of them came Adam and Rebecca, aka Team Hellboy, after Adam’s incredibly stupid hairstyle consisting of a shaved head with two antenna-esque extensions. Had they not wanted to quit or Adam whined every episode, I would’ve supported them more.

Tragically second were Kris and Jon. Unlike most of the couples on the show, Kris and Jon came off like they actually liked each other, were respectful of foreign cultures and customs and were having a fun time on the race. Winners Freddy and Kendra may have liked each other, but they loved themselves far more. Kris and Jon would’ve been the kids in high school who would’ve danced with the nerdy wallflowers at prom, whereas Freddy and Kendra would’ve laughed anyone below their standards out of existence.

While Freddy and Kendra won fair and square, the finale wasn’t nearly as exciting as it could’ve been. One of Race’s best assets is the fact that standings in the game can change dramatically over one leg. The last leg lacked any major shake ups. Finding the key among a line of 3000 locks was a good challenge top help change the standings, but eating 2 slices of a deep dish pizza? Had the final leg not been in Chicago, they should’ve just driven to a McDonald’s and had a large value meal. I think they could’ve done far better than snacks.

Once a show that was almost canceled, Amazing Race broke out last summer, welcome news to critics and fans. It is still above most of the reality slime, but this season they lowered their standards. No example is more fitting than the scumbag Jonathan of Jonathan and Victoria. Last season’s creep Colin is a sweetheart compared to Jonathan. His most infamous infraction, screaming at and pushing a hysterical Victoria to the pit stop caused Phil Keoghan, the show’s host, to intervene and ask that he apologize to his wife. When he met up with her, he yelled at her even more. I've seen other reality shows where a mere slap in a non confrontational interaction got someone kicked off. Somehow he continued to berate his wife on the air with very little intervention.

Maybe it was inevitable that they would find so many undesirable people to race, but it still feels disappointing that they have sunk a bit from their more lofty position, even if they’re still one of the best reality shows (which is not an oxymoron.) Next season the preliminary question is will they survive the stunt casting of Rob and Amber (from Survivor) on the show as racers. I certainly hope they learned from this season. In the upcoming season or the next, depending on how much was filmed when Amazing Race 6 was aired.

Finale: 7/10
Season 6 overall: 6/10