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Two teams are U Turned while Jamie and Nary struggle to stay in
By Diane Vadino Special to MSN TV
Last week: Nearly done in by a tent-building challenge, undercover feds Jamie and Nary survived -- just barely -- thanks to a non-elimination leg.
Bing: More about 'The Amazing Race' | Photos: Meet the teams
This week: We're still in Tanzania's Ngorongoro crater -- "regarded as a Garden of Eden," Phil says. "It's just absolutely beautiful," Mark says. "I want to stay here and forget about the race," Rachel (of "Big Brother") says. Tanzania's tourism department, assuming they assisted in bringing the race here (Phil tweets at them during the show's broadcast), is certainly getting their money's worth with this gorgeous segment, showing the teams driving 1600 feet down into the Ngorongoro Crater, past elephants, gazelles, napping lions, galloping wildebeests, “bamboons” (according to Rachel), and the rest. It may be the show's most effective travel-porn segment ever, since the pressure's off and the teams can actually enjoy it -- they're being driven in safari vehicles, and presumably all at the same speed. The leading teams discuss the upcoming U Turns and targeting Rachel and Brendon. "Dave and Rachel gave us their word," J.J. says. "Everyone is in agreement strategy-wise -- everyone wants Team Big Brother out. They're malcontents." Crying in every episode will earn a team that reputation.
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Once at Safari Junction, teams first need to find a souvenir stand named Hillary Clington (it's right near Barack Obama) to discover the Detour: Air Supply or Water Supply, "two chores that are a vital part of living in Tanzania," Phil says. For the former, teams need to patch a leaky bike tire; for the latter, teams have to collect a bunch of empty containers and stand in a very long line to wait to fill them. Of course, they can't see the line until they get there -- bad news for Art and J.J., who are basically starring in a P.S.A. about how incredibly time-consuming just getting water is in Tanzania -- the border patrol agents do the math and estimate that they're looking at a wait of 30 to 40 minutes -- and "it's going to take us 20 to 30 minutes to find [the Air Supply challenge.]" So they stay put -- allowing Dave and Rachel and Mark and Bopper to increase their leads. The Kentuckians, in fact, absolutely speed through this task, perhaps not least because Bopper's a mechanic in real life. "See these hands? They're mechanic hands. Just like a NASCAR pitstop, baby." Rachel and Dave, meanwhile, start bickering again: "Stop being a jackass," Rachel says. "Shush, we're a team," Dave replies. It's not hard to figure out why people are rooting for the teams not in romantic relationships this season. Mark and Bopper are the first ones to set off on foot for the next route marker, at Jack Selzer Pub, three kilometers away. (The one advantage that teams choosing the Water Supply task have is that their walk to the pub is less than half that.)
At the pub, teams have the option of U Turning one behind them -- something Mark and Bopper refuse, and Dave and Rachel do as well, after a bit of contemplation. They'd promised Art and J.J. they would U Turn Rachel and Brendon if given the opportunity -- but they don't, obviously preferring to let the border patrol agents do the dirty deed. The border patrol agents spend a significant amount of time brooding about this: "We're honoring our word -- hopefully Dave and Rachel will come up behind and U Turn the teachers or the cops or whatever else they are," J.J. says. Teams proceed to the Gem Gallery and Art (which will later be the site of the Speedbump) and then on to the Roadblock, at Margaret's Farm. "We just want to stay in the game, but we'd love to have one first place to see what it feels like," Bopper says, en route. Their very ambitious taxi driver then proceeds to give them a lead: "In front of [Rachel and Dave]?" the driver says. "No problem, no problem, no problem."
At this point, the show divides into two segments: the race for first (with Mark, Bopper, Dave, Rachel, and less impressively, Art and J.J.) and the race to stay in -- between Team Big Brother, Vanessa and Ralph, and Jamie and Nary, who leave around three hours after Dave and Rachel set off and are wearing adorable "I'm With My BFF" t-shirts. Vanessa and Ralph are beset by problems from the get-go -- including their inability to find Hillary Clington -- they actually go so far past it that they wander into the Air Supply challenge, where Rachel and Brendon are there to laugh at them. Of course, the joke's on Team Big Brother when they arrive at the pub and discover that the border patrol agents have U Turned them. ("Shocker!" Rachel says.) This gives them, though, the chance to "U Turn our favorite people in the world, Vanessa and Ralph."
Mark and Bopper are first to the Roadblock at Margaret's Farm. Phil reminds us that "more than 50% of Tanzania's economy is centered around agriculture" -- and honey is a big part of it. One team member needs to put on a protective bee suit and harvest 500 grams of honey from a hive, a task that looks a tiny bit scary but really not that incredibly hard -- it's clear that none of the team positioning is going to change much here. Mark takes the challenge, and we learn that a limping Bopper recently had knee surgery -- not what fans of the team want to hear. But they eke out enough of a lead that even though Rachel and Dave look to be only minutes behind them, they arrive at the Pitstop at Lake Manyana first, winning a trip for two to Hawaii. I would have rather seen them win, say, $20,000, but this first-place finish will have to suffice for now. "I'm just a country boy from Kentucky, and I never thought I'd have a chance to stand in the middle of Africa with my best friend," Bopper says. Rachel and a grumbling Dave are second (Phil: "You have to give her props, Dave"), followed, at a distance, by Art and J.J., who are still steaming about the U Turn: "If I could do it all again and jump in front of them, I'd tag [Rachel and Dave] for the U Turn. It makes me sick to my stomach," J.J. says. "It's just you and me racing," he tells Art.
Thanks to the double U Turn, all the conditions are ripe for Jamie and Nary to stay in the game -- but it looks like their finish in last week's episode was actually a mortal wound that took an extra episode to kill them, sort of like William on "Downton Abbey." Even though Ralph and Vanessa get a flat tire, the federal agents still have a Speedbump to do, arranging art at a roadside stall according to a painted guide, and it takes just enough time to knock them out -- thanks, as well, to the no-challenge challenge with the bee collecting. It's a shame -- they were a hardworking team that supported each other and rarely complained -- but they're out.
Next: India!
"The Amazing Race" airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.
You mean to tell us reality television isn't real?
By Michelle Strub
MSN TV
Dashing all of our hopes and dreams that reality TV might in fact (or at least even a little bit), be real, the cast of the "Real Housewives of NYC" was caught allegedly staging and re-filming scenes over the weekend. Shocked. We're shocked.
Bing: 'Real Housewives of NYC' | Heather Thomson | Carole Radziwell
According to onlookers in Southampton where the show was filming, Heather Thomson and Carole Radziwell were acting like actors when they took instructions from producers, took breaks in dialogue to wait for camera setups and shot multiple takes.
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"Carole and Heather stood on Meeting House Lane and waited for the crew to call 'rolling,' before walking toward the camera and sitting on a park bench. They even shot the scene twice!" observed a concerned citizen.
It's not the first time a "Real Housewives" cast -- or any reality show for that matter -- has been accused of faking reality, but we still can't help feeling like we just found out all over again that Santa Claus doesn't exist.
Will you still watch knowing this about the show? Tell us at MSN TV on Facebook and Twitter.
'Bachelor' and Catherine turned down offer for even more screen time
WENN
Former "Bachelor" Sean Lowe has revealed he and fiancée Catherine Giudici were offered another shot at reality TV stardom, but they decided to turn it down. Just one week after Lowe proposed to Giudici on the season finale of the hit dating show in March, Lowe continued his run on ABC by joining the cast of "Dancing With the Stars." While he didn't nab the Mirrorball Trophy, his extended run on reality TV had critics believing he was just in it for the fame. Lowe slammed the reports at the time. And during a recent interview with talk show host Katie Couric, he backed up his statement by revealing network bosses offered the couple even more screen time with a new series - which they turned down.
Lowe divulged, "ABC approached us about doing a six-episode miniseries a while back, and at the time, it wasn't really something that we wanted to do only because we need time to be ourselves and to be normal and not to have cameras around. I don't know if that's something we would entertain in the future or not." Giudici added, "Camera chapter is done. This is a new one. It's nice to be quiet and get to know each other on a different level." Despite the fact the happy couple turned down the miniseries offer, Lowe and Giudici still have plans to have a televised wedding on the network but have yet to set a date for the big day.
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'X Factor' judge wishes she was as straightforward and courageous as her boss
WENN
Demi Lovato has confessed she admires "X Factor" creator Simon Cowell's honesty and wishes she was as courageous as he is when it comes to telling wannabes the truth. The "Heart Attack" singer has returned for a second season as a judge on the singing competition, reclaiming her place next to fellow mentor and frequent rival Cowell. And, although the two playfully butt heads on the show, Lovato does commend him for having no filter when it comes to doling out usually harsh criticisms to poorly performing hopefuls.
She tells Heat magazine, "Whatever he has to say, it's the honest truth. Sometimes I don't agree with him, but most of the time he says what I'm wanting to say but, like, I just physically can't because it's so mean! He knows what he's talking about. He knows that he's doing, and he's gonna tell you straight up, whether you want to hear it or not." Lovato and Cowell are currently in the middle of auditions for Season 2, along with new judges Paulina Rubio and Kelly Rowland. They will hit three more cities across the U.S. this summer before the live shows premiere this fall.
Plus: Top 25 stars under 25 | Most vicious 'True Blood' villains | Miss USA 2013 contestants
Host confesses he hated having to eliminate teary child contestants
WENN
"Amazing Race" host Phil Keoghan regrets filming a family version of the series, admitting he found it extremely difficult to eliminate the kids competing on the show. After 12 years, 22 seasons and 13 Emmy Awards, "The Amazing Race" is still one of the most popular reality series on television. And having been with the series since its inception, Keoghan has been through many ups and downs. But the one thing he wished had never made it to air was Season 8's family edition where families of four competed in the race around the world, including the youngest contestant at the age of 8.
During a roundtable discussion with the Hollywood Reporter, he admits, "I wish we hadn't done the family version of 'Amazing Race,' but I'm proud that we tried it. It didn't work, and it came back to the whole thing of having to eliminate kids. It's hard enough to eliminate anybody because they want to be there so badly. And I had to look into a kid's eyes with the tears pouring down with a raised eyebrow and dramatic pause, cameras coming in: 'I'm sorry to tell you, you've been eliminated.'
Plus: Top 25 stars under 25 | Most vicious 'True Blood' villains | Miss USA 2013 contestants
'The Wanted Life' honcho knew right away Brit band's lifestyle would translate well
WENN
The Wanted are perfect for reality TV because of their unapologetic, wild and crazy rock star lifestyle, according to reality TV kingpin Ryan Seacrest. The Brit boy band broke onto the U.S. music scene last year with their hit "Glad You Came" and landed an E! series, "The Wanted Life," which follows their journey in America. Seacrest, who is the brains behind the new show, tells "Access Hollywood" that he knew the fivesome was perfect for reality television.
The "American Idol" host, who is also responsible for bringing the Kardashian clan to E!, reveals, "We had been playing their music on the radio, and they came into the office one day. And a lot of people that you meet with are a little bit guarded when they're in a meeting or when they're gonna do a television show. The Kardashians are not guarded, and I noticed that the Wanted are not guarded at all. They really will let you shoot anything. And they're wild. And they are unapologetic about being crazy rock stars, 20-something-years old and not caring if they're diving into fountains in Las Vegas and getting into trouble for it. And so, when I saw that, I thought, 'This is a TV show!'"
Plus: Top 25 stars under 25 | Most vicious 'True Blood' villains | Miss USA 2013 contestants
Host fretted that hit series was going to be another 'karaoke show'
WENN
"Voice" host Carson Daly initially turned down the offer to host the singing competition, confessing he didn't want to be part of a "karaoke show." The 39-year-old has built his career around his love of music -- as a radio DJ, the former host of MTV's "Total Request Live" and now as a host on NBC's hit singing contest. But it was as a devoted music fan that he declined the role on "The Voice" when he was first offered the gig. During an interview with late-night TV host Jay Leno, Daly, who also serves as a producer on the show, confessed he was apprehensive about joining the series in 2011, especially with similar shows like "American Idol" and "The X Factor" already on network TV.
Daly admitted, "I was pitching some dumb idea to NBC bosses to keep me around, and they said, 'We think we finally found the right prime-time vehicle for you, and it's a singing competition show.' And I said, 'No, thanks. I love music. I need to keep it credible. I'm not interested in a karaoke show.' They showed us a tape from Holland where they had 'The Voice,' and it was just great... I got goose bumps. I said 'If you'll have me, I'm in.' And really, people thought we were crazy because the market's been flooded with these types of shows. But we just felt we could put a show with the names of like Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Cee Lo Green, real people who really wanted to help people and not just tell them they sucked. Maybe it could be uplifting, and it could work. And it did."
Plus: Most vicious 'True Blood' villains | Miss USA 2013 contestants | TV shows based on books
'Teen Mom' and sex tape star feels she shines both personally and professionally
WENN
Farrah Abraham has slammed comparisons between her and Kim Kardashian, insisting she's a "smarter person" than the reality TV star. The 22-year-old, who is arguably the best known of the "Teen Mom" cast members, recently released a sex tape with adult film star James Deen. Now that the single mom is reaping the benefits of her newfound fame following her X-rated debut, many critics have likened her to Kardashian, who most gained notoriety when her sex tape with ex-boyfriend Ray J was leaked in 2007. However, Abraham tells New Jersey's Metropolis Nights magazine that she could not disagree more with the comparisons between her and Kardashian, insisting she has and will make smarter decisions in her life, both personally and professionally.
Bing: More about Farrah Abraham
Abraham asserts, "I definitely feel it's an unfair comparison. I have been very successful with other things in my life besides just being a reality TV star. I have books and other things going on in my life that outshine Kim Kardashian. I feel I just outshine her when it comes to both our personal and professional lives. That's why I don't like being compared to her. We're two really different people. I don't for see myself getting married more than once. I don't see myself making the same choices that she has made. Good or bad, I just feel I'm going to be a smarter person. I don't want to be negative. We're just different people. I wish her the best, but I'm going to focus on my life."
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'Tamar and Vince' star takes to Twitter on Father's Day to share the news
WENN
Tamar Braxton has finally revealed the name of her first child with husband Vincent Herbert. More than a week after announcing the arrival of her newborn son, the singer and reality TV star has shared the name of the newest Braxton family member: Logan. On Sunday, she took to Twitter and posted a photo of their little one's hand grasping at Herbert's, writing, "Happy Father's Day to the love of my life, my best friend, my husband Vincent Herbert! Our son Logan Vincent Herbert & I are proud to share this day with you!! We love you soooooo much!!"
Bing: More about 'Tamar and Vince'
Last Thursday, the first-time mom to share the happy news with fans, writing, "HE'S finally here!" alongside a snap of a group of blue teddy bears with the words "baby boy" printed on their feet. This is the first child for Braxton and Herbert, who wed in 2008 and star in their own WEtv spin-off show, "Tamar and Vince," which recently was renewed for a second season.
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Deanna Barnert | Los Angeles, Calif.
Entertainment journalist Deanna "TVDeeva" Barnert visits sets, interviews industry players and critiques the final product. Buzz's daytime TV queen covers it all for MSN TV, but loves her sitcoms, soaps and any juicy drama that doesn't call itself Reality TV.
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