If they just went home, somebody in the media would be keeping tabs and would be able to tell who was still in the race.

We were on a plane returning home from a cruise when the entire group was on our plane to record the final episode for the season a couple years ago. The contestants were all on board and knew who won. They sign confidentiality agreements. The energy on the plane was very high on board the plane.

Kathy, that would of been so cool! Do you watch the show and if so, did you recognize them?

I didn't. But, I am very immune to the star factor living in LA. I worked managing a bank for many years in the Entertainment division. I got paid to get their autographs everyday.

Once again, Thanks Karen!!!!

Oops, I forgot to recap for Peggy!
I am going to miss Terrence, he provided the most laughs even if he was a whiner!

This Week's Recap: 11/16/08
amazing race 13 cow racersWinners: For the fourth week in a row, brother/sister team Nick and Starr came in first -- and they won a wave runner!

Eliminated: Newly dating couple Terence and Sarah were booted off the show after failing to complete the Fast Forward. The couple ended the Race with an emotional ode to their relationship, complete with nauseating terms of endearment such as, "You're a rock star!" Terence may not have the stomach for sheep meat, but he can certainly swallow sappy public displays of affection.

Detour: Play Like Mad vs. Act Like Fools. Most teams chose the latter, which involved dressing up in a two-person cow costume and drinking a glass of milk at a marked stall in Almaty in order to find a clue at the bottom of the glass. Hilarity ensued when participants appeared on the streets of Almaty dressed as cows. Frat boys Dan and Andrew had a difficult time in the cow suit; the pair forgot to bring their shoes, they read their instructions wrong and they became quite frustrated with the locals while seeking directions (they seemed to be unaware that the official language of Kazakhstan is Kazakh, not English).

Roadblock: At the Alel Agro Chicken Factory, teams had to search among 30,000 chickens for one of seven golden eggs. The teams were slowed by crowds of chickens at their feet -- and many Racers attempted to make their way through the birds by politely saying, "Excuse me" and "Can you move please, sweetheart?" This is not the first time in the Race that the teams have attempted to communicate with animals -- only Terence, who asked Sarah, "Are you seriously talking to the chickens?" seemed to have some knowledge of the limitations of the animal brain.

Fast Forward: Nick and Starr, and Terence and Sarah chose the Fast Forward, which required teams to travel to a traditional Kazakh restaurant, where they had to dine on fat from a sheep's behind. Terence, a vegetarian who hasn't eaten meat for 15 years, failed to consume his meal. Nick and Starr completed the task like champs, downing the Kazakh feast and gagging excessively as dozens of restaurant patrons (who appeared to thoroughly enjoy their own plates of Kazakh delicacies), looked on quizzically.

Funniest Moment: Hands down, the funniest moment was when Tony and Dallas danced through the streets of Almaty in their cow costume, mooing loudly at the locals. Tony, who said he just wanted to "have fun with this," certainly did. But the pair was so busy behaving like a cow that they missed their stall the first time around.

Savviest Travel Move: Starr vowed to not look at the description of her meal on the menu in the Kazakh eatery. The brother/sister team proved that mind-over-matter works, and they breezed through the Fast Forward to win this week's race.

Biggest Blunder: Terence's failure to eat his meaty meal after choosing the Fast Forward in the first place resulted in his team's elimination. Host Phil asked Terrence, "You couldn't do it for a million dollars?" -- and we screamed a similarly worded question at our TV's. Vegetarianism was no excuse for Terrence's bungle, as even the meat-eating Racers fought through nausea and fits of gagging to finish their meals in the Fast Forward.

Must-See Sight: The beautiful mountains of Koktobe near Almaty took our breath away (and the trained eagle and Mongol warriors added an exciting air of history to the lovely scene).

No sympathy for Terence's BIG blunder on the fast forward .... how does a vegetarian even TRY the Fast Forward knowing that it involves food -- I don't think that he ever considered that "meat" might be involved. Costly mistake!

I agree Luke. Also, had they left as soon as they saw what the FF was, they would of saved a lot of time!

Hope you'll do the recap next week as well, as I'll be watching the premiere of "24"; of course, then we have to wait for Jan. for it to "really" begin!

Fascinating how some are still not reading the clue on AR.

Kathy, I sure will do a recap for both you and Peggy! Hopefully, I can report that the boys got booted. I couldn't believe how slooow they were walking through the airport last episode, even though they knew they were probably in last place. I find them very frustrating to watch!

Amen, Karen, hope its the last week for the defeatist frats. everything is just toooo haaarrrd for them. And, of course, the fates are always conspiring against them. Was that an eagle or a falcon? It was impressive whatever it was.
------------------
Helen

This weeks recap for Peggy:


This Week's Recap: 11/23/08
amazing race 13 dan andrew pit stop moscowWinners: Dallas may have a crush on Starr, but he's still eager to beat her to the finish line -- and this week he finally did it. He and his mom Toni were rewarded with a trip for two to Punta Cana.

Eliminated: Frat boys Dan and Andrew finished last this week after bumbling their way through the Detour, but they were saved by the second non-elimination leg of the Race. Next week they will have to complete an extra task, called a Speed Bump, as a penalty for this week's poor showing.

Detour: This week's Detour was a military task pitting Boots against Borscht. Every team at least took a stab at the Boots option, which required putting on an army uniform and completing a parade march with a squad of Russian soldiers. There was nothing particularly complicated about the march, but Dan, a self-described "Jewish white kid with no rhythm," couldn't seem to fall into step with the others. He and Andrew turned to the Borscht task instead, serving up bowls of beet soup to 75 hungry military men.

Roadblock: This week's Roadblock required some heavy lifting, with one member of each team having to lug 50 sacks of flour, each weighing 55 pounds, from the back of a truck into a bakery. Manly pride was on display as Dallas pushed himself to the limit to out-haul former NFL football player Ken.

Funniest Moment: The ever-bumbling Dan and Andrew were a rich source of amusement this week, starting from the moment they set off with paper hotel slippers on their feet instead of shoes. But our favorite moment was watching Dan march -- or should we say flail? -- to the beat of his own drummer at the Detour.

Savviest Travel Move: It didn't help them much in the end, but Dan and Andrew at least gave themselves a chance at catching up when they decided to hold onto their taxi driver during the Roadblock. That meant they didn't waste time trying to find another one, as Nick and Starr ended up doing. (Of course, Dan and Andrew's cabbie probably wished he hadn't waited for them when they proved unable to pay him his full fare.)

Biggest Blunder: While we understand why Dan and Andrew wouldn't have wanted to run the race in a dinky pair of hotel slippers, spending so much of their money on new shoes proved to be a costly mistake (literally). By not having enough money to pay their last cab fare, they jeopardized their position in the Race and denied a hard-working cab driver his rightful earnings. The term "ugly Americans" comes to mind....

Must-See Sight: Moscow's beautiful Krutitske Podvorye Monastery provided a solemn, peaceful moment on an otherwise rather chaotic Race. We'd love to visit the place for ourselves -- and spend a little more time there than the Racers did.

Thanks, Karen!

Happy to see that Toni and Dallas made it in first. Thanks, Karen!

I am still annoyed by these challenges. Serving borscht? Seriously?

I am bummed! I will have to wait till tomorrow to post a recap for Peggy so I won't spoil who is in the final 3. I can say this is not my ideal final 3!!

Ditto, ditto, Karen!

Interesting. Well them's the breaks in this game, I guess. I won't say any more. I'll miss the final, but will pvr it, for sure.

Recap for Peggy:

Four teams remain. Andrew and Dan, because they finished last in the previous leg, have to overcome a speed bump on this leg. The Speed Bump is a challenge that only they have to conquer. We'll see if their insane, otherworldly luck can continue. Also, apparently one of the teams loses their passports and money. This will be difficult to overcome, though the teams aren't leaving Moscow for this leg.

Toni and Dallas are the first to depart. They must travel by taxi to an old nuclear submarine and find the sonar room. Once there, a dude who was in The Hunt for red October will give them a clue. Dallas has to draw a submarine for the cabbie. The language barrier is very difficult here in Russia. Ken and Tina depart next. Tina has to draw a submarine too. Nick and Starr are the next to leave. Andrew and Dan, who have no right making it to the final four, have a chance to make the final three. They wonder if Sean Connery will be waiting for them in the submarine. The first three teams all arrive on the submarine at the same time, with Dallas and Ken finding the clue first, closely followed by Nick and Starr.

Next, teams head to the Graveyard of Fallen Monuments. I think this is the place in the Bond movie Goldeneye. They must search the grounds for their next clue. The first three teams are stuck in abysmal traffic. Andrew and Dan, after the sub, find an English speaking taxi. Nick and Starr find the clue next. It's a Road Block. They have to scour the park and count the number of Lenin and Stalin statues, combine the numbers, go to a bookstore, tell the bookkeeper the number, get a book, turn to the right page number and learn that they have to go to a famous apartment. That's completely insane. This is going to take Dandrew multiple days to finish.

Foreshadowing? When Dallas decides to do the Road Block, Toni mentions that she's giving him the money and the passports. Meanwhile, Dandrew went to the wrong park. They can literally not do anything right.

Nick has found six Lenin statues and two Stalins. Those are the right numbers. Good work, sir. Dallas is searching as well, but he appears lost. Ken and Tina show up and are bickering at each other. Tina mentions the money and the passports too. Ken, Toni and Starr wait at the apartment where they hope to meet their partners after they figure out the clue. Nick arrives at the bookstore, gives the right number, receives the book and heads to the address given. Dallas gives the number 36. He is not close.

Dallas, at the bookstore, has to wait ten minutes between guesses at the bookstore. Nick arrives at the apartment – he and Starr get the next clue – they have to go to another park and find the woman with the Shetland Pony. OK. They find the pony and the woman. It's a Detour. Ride the Rails or Ride the Lines. On Ride the Rails, they have to follow clues by primarily using the metro subway system. In Ride the Lines, teams have to walk to a bus stop and follow more clues.

Nick and Starr decide to Ride the Rails. Andrew is shown around the statue park by a local. Tina figures it out, then tells Dallas the right number. Andrew thinks the number is 61. Wrong, sir. No one has yet lost their money and passports. Nick and Starr attempt to decipher the subway system. It's pouring down rain now. Tina is upset that she helped Dallas. Andrew is denied by the bookkeeper.

Oh no! Dallas left his bag with the money and the passports in his cab as he reaches the apartment. He tries to flag it down, but to no avail. Andrew guesses that the number is 62. Wow. Dan has no money to lend Dallas and Toni, though he probably wouldn't have given them any if he had it. Dallas and Toni end up getting some money for some locals. Andrew and Dan are only a couple minutes behind Toni and Dallas, who now have to take a bus to the park.

Ken and Tina, in second place, decide to Ride the Lines. Toni and Dallas are not allowed to pick up their clue because they didn't take a cab. At the park, Andrew and Dan receive their speed bump. They have to dance with some a Russian troupe. As you may remember, Dan is the worst dancer in the history of mankind.

Nick and Starr find their next clue, but the Detour continues. Ken and Tina re having a hell of a time with their buses. They got on the wrong one and have to cab back to the start. Dandrew finish their dance, receive the Detour clue. Dallas and Toni are given enough money to take a cab back to the park.

Nick and Starr get the final clue, and walk to yet another park, where they will find the next pit stop. Nick and Starr are team number one. They win a trip to the island of Anguila. I don't know where that is.

Ken and Tina are just in front of Andrew and Dan, both searching for that final park. Dallas and Toni have to raise more money by begging. A nice lady gives them some more money. Ken and Tina/Dandrew have trouble finding the final clue box. Wow, quite a turn of events. Dan and Andrew are team number two. Ken and Tina spot them, and follow them to the pit stop, though they haven't found the final clue box. They reach the pit stop, but Phil tells them to go back and get that last clue. This would be a devastating way to lose.

Ken and Tina are still searching for the final clue, though I suspect this is a product of editing. It looks like Dallas and Toni are creeping. Ken and Tina find the final clue, finally. They are team number three.

Toni and Dallas have been eliminated. For some weird reason, Phil and The Amazing Race doesn't even allow Dallas and Toni to finish the leg. Dallas is devastated about losing the money and passports. Thye have a teary farewell from the game. Unfortunate turn of events for those two.

One thing I didn't understand about last nights episode was when Toni and Dallas took a bus to the clue instead of a cab. Normally, the greeter would give them the clue and then Phil would tell them they have earned a time penalty after they reached the mat; I have never seen the greeter turn someone away like that, very odd

We had the same query about the opportunity to cure the transportation mistake rather than incur the penalty. This once again made us wish for some "realtime" aspect (eg., periodically posting the time of day when the event happens), although I know this would take away from the edited drama.

Speaking of editing, interesting to note that the video clip of the "forgotten" money/passport pouch was in a white taxi, although Dallas was riding in a black taxi.

Toni and Dallas in lieu of DanDrew would have made for a SUPER final ... I'm curious to see how much of a time "cushion" Nick and Starr enjoy (although that can be wiped out by waiting for a building to open or a flight to leave).

BTW, throughout my journey to Morocco last week for Dad's medical emergency, I kept thinking "if this were part of the The Amazing Race, I would ....."

LOL Luke, we have been in several situations where we thought if this was part of the race....

I also didnt understand how the pony lady even knew that Toni and Dallas did not take a cab? They could have gotten out of the cab a block away out of her sight, couldn't they? Did the camera guy rat them out? I cannot believe the frats are in it. They have sucked at everything!! "Amazing" race, indeed.
---------------
Helen

Another thing.... when Tina and her hubby had to do a speed bump on their episode, didn't they have to do BOTH detours? Why did the boys only have to do a lame dance as their speed bump?

Since they lost their passports, they might have been forced to "lose" so that they did not delay the next leg of the race. However, I am surprised that cameraman/producer with them did not immediately call in the cab info so that they could get their passports back. I wonder how long they had to spend in Moscow after shooting.

Quick research: Nick and Starr have equaled Colin and Christe's record of 8 segments won in a single season (C&C's season had 2 more total segments). N&S have also tied the record for most consecutive segments won (4).

I am also bummed that Toni & Dallas have been eliminated and that the frats are still in the race. Nick and Starr were among my favorite pairs from the beginning so I am really cheering for them now. Anguilla is a small island with exclusive accomodations in the Caribbean just north of St. Martin. I remember two of their other trips are to the Westin Resort on St. John, USVI and to a resort in Princeville on Kauai, Hawaii. We've been right near-by those last two and know we would love all three of those trips. I would not be surprised if they each take a a trip or two with someone else as their other part of the "trip for two". They have so many to choose from.

I can't remember if team 2 and 3 get any money
Does anyone know?
I think that you posted it last year Karen.

I am really happy about the result tonight

Me too, Bette! I would of been annoyed had the frat boys won!

Here is a recap for Peggy, which also explains why Toni and Dallas were missing from the finish line reception!:


Nick and Starr Spangler crowned 'The Amazing Race 13's champions


By John Bracchitta, 12/08/2008

The "Brother and Sister" team of Nick and Starr Spangler were revealed to be The Amazing Race's thirteenth-season winners during last night's finale broadcast of the CBS reality series.

"I'm proud of [Starr] as a person, as a competitor, and as a racer," Nick said following he and his sister's victory. "She's been unbelievable on this race."

Nick, a 22-year-old actor from New York City, and Starr, a 21-year-old former NFL cheerleader from Fort Worth, TX, were the first team to reach the race's finish line in Portland, OR and claim the $1 million grand prize.

"More than the million dollars, more than being the winners of The Amazing Race, I love the experiences that I've gone through with my sister, and I've loved seeing her succeed so greatly," Nick added.


The "Separated Couple" team of Ken and Tina Greene finished the race in second place. Upon arriving at the Pit Stop, Ken took out he and Tina's wedding rings -- which they had not worn since they had separated -- and proposed starting their marriage over again to "do it right this time."

Tina accepted.

"People do change, and so much today people do throw marriages away so quickly without really working hard at them, and I think I've tried to hold onto the fact that, at Kenny's core, he is a great person and he has many wonderful qualities," Tina said. I think he showed me on the race that I'm important to him, that our marriage is important to him."

"This had not been an easy relationship, it has never been smooth," Ken added. "If we want to be married we want it to be a great marriage, and so there's gonna be work... We've had enough tough times, its time to move in and have good times."

The "Fraternity Brothers" team of Andrew Lappitt and Dan Honig were the third and final team to finish the race after suffering through yet another litany of mistakes and bad fortune while racing.

"When we started this race we thought we had no chance in hell to make the Final 3 and before you knew it we were here and we'd finished the course," Andrew said later.

"We're the ambassadors of the college frat guys. I think any frat guy watching would be proud of our performance, not many people say that they did this well -- especially beer-guzzling idiots like us," Dan added.

The Amazing Race 13's eleventh and final episode began with the three remaining teams leaving VDNKh Park, a memorial park in Moscow, Russia that had served as the Pit Stop of the race's tenth leg.

Following the mandatory rest period between the legs, Nick and Starr were the first team to depart from the Pit Stop for the race's final leg at 10:56PM.

Upon leaving, Nick and Starr were given a clue instructing them to take a taxi to the local airport and fly over 5,000 miles to Portland Oregon. Once they arrived in Portland, they were told to make their way to the Tilikum Children's camp and retreat center to receive their next clue.

"Nick and I are definitely sleep deprived, we're tired," Starr said. "It's been a long race, but I think adrenaline will carry us through this race.

Andrew and Dan were the second team to leave the Pit Stop at 2:28AM. Ken and Tina left the Pit Stop in third place at 3:30AM.

While Nick and Starr were the first team to arrive at the airport, all three teams ended up arriving in time to catch the same 7:05AM flight to Portland, OR that connected in Frankfurt, Germany.

After arriving in Portland, the three teams ran out of the airport in search of taxis to travel to the camp, with Nick and Starr leaving the airport first, Ken and Tina leaving in second, and Andrew and Dan leaving in third.

Andrew and Dan quickly suffered yet another misfortune en route to the camp as their taxi driver got lost. As they trailed Nick and Starr, Ken lamented that Nick and Starr had managed to catch so many breaks throughout the competition's ten legs.

"I'm telling you, Nick and Starr have a horseshoe stuck in their rear ends," he told Tina.

However, Nick and Starr's run of good luck hit a temporary snag when their cab driver missed a turn while heading to the camp allowing Ken and Tina to jump into the lead and arrive at the camp first. Upon their arrival, Ken and Tina received a clue that informed them that it was time for the leg's two Detour options: "High and Dry" or "Low and wet."

"High and Dry" required each team to go to a forest obstacle course, climb up a 30-foot-tree, and then walk across a 40-foot-log before jumping off of it towards a beam to get two separate halves of their next clue. If either contestant fell off of any part of the course, they would have to restart their turn over.

"Low and Wet" required each team to walk across an 850-foot-bridge made up of logs floating on a lake towards a piece of land containing their next clue.

All three teams chose "High and Dry," with Nick and Starr arriving at the camp in second place and Andrew and Dan arriving in third place.

Ken, who went first for his team, had no trouble competing the tree course as Nick followed slightly behind him. Starr also had little trouble getting through the course either, however Tina's fear of heights and some difficulty with her helmet slowed her significantly and dropped her team into second place behind Nick and Starr.

After finishing the Detour, Nick and Star received their next clue, which instructed them to travel to the Bridge of the Gods and ride a 2,000-foot zip line to a small island that contained their next clue.

As he and Tina raced to the bridge behind Nick and Starr's taxi, Ken noted that the competition had essentially become a "two man race." While still en route to the camp with their lost taxi driver, a disappointed Andrew essentially echoed Ken's comments.

"If we win today, it would be the biggest win in the history of The Amazing Race," he said in a dejected tone.

Meanwhile, Nick and Starr's taxi driver missed another turn as they traveled to the bridge, which allowed Ken and Tina to be the first team to reach zip line location and narrowly move back into first place.

Ken and Tina maintained their lead as they rode the zip lines. After competing the zip line, they received their next clue, which told them they had to solve a memory board consisting of the show's Route Info, Roadblock, Detour and Pit Stop symbols.

As each team revealed a symbol on the board for each of the race's ten previous legs, they would have to find a corresponding picture relating to the symbol in one of 150 clue boxes placed in a nearby field. Once a team found all ten correct images, they would receive their next clue.

"This is gonna take forever," Tina said as Nick and Starr completed the zip line and began the challenge in second.

While both teams struggled with the challenge, Nick and Starr were able to regain their lead and finish the challenge slightly ahead of Ken ant Tina. Upon finishing, the team received a clue which instructed them to travel to downtown Portland and find their next clue near a green dinosaur in a building across the street from the Portland Building.

Nick and Starr arrived at the building and were the first to find the clue by the dinosaur, which told them to travel on foot to Alder Street where they would receive their next clue from a Russian food cart. As they left for Alder Street, Nick and Starr were careful to avoid being seen by Ken and Tina, who had arrived at the Portland Building but were having trouble finding the dinosaur.

The brother and sister made their way to the Russian food court where they received their next clue that only had the phrase "the magic is in the hole," the motto of their next destination: a local doughnut shop named Voodoo Doughnuts.

After repeatedly shouting the phrase to pedestrians in an attempt to gain some context of the phrase, Nick and Starr were able to make sense of the clue and head to the doughnut shop while still maintaining their lead.

Upon arriving at the doughnut shop, the team received instructions to the race's finish line where Phil and the competition's previously eliminated teams -- minus Toni and Dallas Imbimbo, who were delayed in Russia due to Dallas' lost passport -- met them.

"23 days, five continents, and almost 43,000 miles," Phil said to the team. "Nick and Starr, you are the official winners of The Amazing Race!"

I have a feeling that the "Frat Boys" were spared having to finish the memory test. The other teams were probably so far ahead that they put them out of their misery and had them go straight to the finish. If not, I could see them still trying to finish it the next day!! They didn't show any footage of them doing that challenge.

In case you didn't know, Nick Spangler is an actor and is currently in the off-broadway revival of "The Fantasticks" .... Fantasticks Frontrunner Finishes First

Wow Luke, I had no idea!

Thanks again, Karen. Wow, didn't know that Starr was a neighbor, how'd I miss that? Of the remaining teams, I liked Nick and Starr the best.

CBS Early Show today had a post-race interview with the "Final Three" --- TAR 13 -- the day after

:app: Well, if it couldn't have been Toni & Dallas (mom & son team), then I am happy for Nick & Starr (yay Fort Worth!!!!!)

Anyone notice that Toni & Dallas were not at the finale? Only thing I can figure is, they must have still been caught up in the passport snafu. What a shame. :( They were an inspiration to me!

Kristin, you are correct! The recap above gives them a brief mention:

Upon arriving at the doughnut shop, the team received instructions to the race's finish line where Phil and the competition's previously eliminated teams -- minus Toni and Dallas Imbimbo, who were delayed in Russia due to Dallas' lost passport -- met them.

Oh--thanks, Karen! I missed that before.

Now I am looking forward to the Survivor Finale - woo hoo!

Me too, Krisitn. I am so hoping that Bob wins but I don't think he has a chance!

I also noticed Toni & Dallas missing from the finale and correctly guessed that they were still waiting in Russia to get passports replaced. With them out of the running I was very happy that Nick & Star won the race.

Speaking of Survivor, last night's tribal counsel was one of the best ever! I just loved when Sugar sat there and said "Matty, take this cursed immunity idol from me" and handed it to him to save him. I'm not so sure about Randy, but Marcus, Charlie and Corrine sure enjoyed that move from their jury seats.

Sugar has really won me over! At first, I thought she was an airhead but she has turned out to be a smart and thoughtful person. I liked it when she got all upset when they were ragging on poor Matty and she came to his rescue!

I would love to see Sugar and Bob as the final two. As a fellow geek, I wanted to like Kenny but he just creeps me out for some reason! I don't mind Sue but I hope she doesn't make it to the final, she really hasn't been involved in the game at all.