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[Haunted]

I don't watch Survivor at all. You're telling me you watch reality tv?

[AmericanEagle]

^ Like you don't watch any reality TV

I've watched Survivor since 2000, when I was still in elementary school. So, I continue to watch it out of loyalty

Do you watch The Amazing Race?

[Haunted]

^ Amazing Race - maybe a few seconds of it over the years I watched it for the scenery to broaden my geographical knowledge

[AmericanEagle]

^ I'm a fan of TAR, as you can probably tell

I remember when they came to Toronto in TAR8, and I was like: "I know where those places are!"

I actually prefer TAR to Survivor because there is less lying and backstabbing.

[Haunted]

^ isn't lying and backstabbing what reality tv is all about?

eh, you don't watch the Bachelor and/or the Bachelette, do you?

[AmericanEagle]

^ isn't lying and backstabbing what reality tv is all about?

I guess that lying and backstabbing on Survivor is necessary in order to create alliances, and to try not to get voted off.

TAR is more merit-based because the teams' success depends on their own efforts and skills. So, there is little need for lying and backstabbing. But, some teams still resort to these unnecessary shenanigans.

eh, you don't watch the Bachelor and/or the Bachelette, do you?

No

[Haunted]

^ thank goodness.

so TAR is your fave?

[AmericanEagle]

^ Yes!

It's nice to see all the places that they visit, and all the different languages and customs. Most of the tasks and challenges are entertaining/hilarious for the viewers.

For some reason though, some of the racers seem to think that Spanish is the universal language of the world. I remember that the racers were speaking Spanish to people in Cambodia.

I would say, however, that TAR does have its nasty moments. Some racers are rude to the locals, and are constantly running up and down the street yelling: "Does anyone speak English?! Why doesn't anyone speak English?!" and "Why won't anyone help us?!" and "I hate this country!" I think that it's shows like this that give Americans a bad reputation overseas.

[Haunted]

^ I agree, that's really rude. One of the reasons I don't watch. Like I want to see people behaving badly *frown*

[AmericanEagle]

^ Well, it's only a small fraction of the racers who are rude. Most of them try to be courteous. Some of them even learn a few words and phrases in different languages.

In TAR1, a racer said: "You have to approach people in an affable, friendly way! You don't do it like you're in New York!"

It's a shame that some racers in subsequent races don't heed that advice. I'm sure that more people would be willing to help you if you were nice to them, rather than accosting them.

[Haunted]

^ Funny thing though, people in NY don't really talk like that, it's a stereotype. Once in a while you run into those types, but often people are quite helpful. One time I was on the subway platform, a girl fell right onto the tracks, I think she passed out. A guy immediately jumped down right onto the tracks to get her, no knowing even if any trains would pull into the station. He really risked his life to save her. That's a real life Superman Hero

[AmericanEagle]

^ That particular racer is a New Yorker, so I don't know if he was being truthful or sarcastic.

I'm sure that New Yorkers are nice people I was focusing on the "You have to approach people in an affable, friendly way!" part.

[Haunted]

^ well this one is

you do wonder how much of that stuff is an act just for the tv....

[AmericanEagle]

^ Well, all reality TV is somewhat scripted. But I think that the comments that the racers make are candid. Unfortunately, a few of those candid comments can be quite offensive, but most of them are comical.

Here are two of the more comical ones: "Donkeys have souls, too."

Guy: "Who's my girl?"
Girl: "You are. No, I am."

[Haunted]

^ that's hysterical.

reminds me of the people in Jaywalking on Jay Leno