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So, yeah, the newest season of the Amazing Race started a few weeks ago. This time, rather than having eleven teams of two racing around the world, they have eleven teams of four person families racing around the, er, United States eastern seaboard.

Bo-ring.

I knew it was going to suck. Although, actually, the first few weeks weren't as bad as I thought they would be. The challenges were mildly entertaining, and the families were -- with one notable exception -- all sort of likable.

But therein lies the problem: what's the fun of the show when there's no one to root against? And, yes, the Paolo family is horrible, but it's not like there's any chance they're going to make it to the final three, so they're not particularly menacing.

Last night's Nickelodeon-esque episode was a yawn-fest. Look, watch the families shuck shrimp. Watch the families ride on the Space Camp ride. Watch the Weavers melt down. Watch the . . . Zzzzzzzzz.

In a weird, masochistic way, I find myself missing -- dare I say it? -- Rob and Amber. They were insufferably smug and annoyingly lucky, but at least the show had some bite last season.

Things had better improve quickly, or I'm going to Philiminate the show from my rapidly dwindling Tivo list.

Posted 12 October 2005 at 07:34 PM