The Amazing Race Review: Shake Your Money Maker

On this week’s episode of The Amazing Race the teams travel to Yogyakarta, Indonesia where a simple case of unread directions puts two teams out of the running in the series’ first ever double elimination. And while we’re much better off without one of the eliminated teams, I must admit I am a little sad to see the other go as the remaining nine teams continue on their race across the world.

Sunday night’s episode started off with the teams learning that there will be a double elimination at the end of this leg. Immediately, the teams begin to wonder if that means that Ma and Pa (as they call Bill and Cathi) were spared elimination this time around. Their question is answered when Bill and Cathi round the corner where the teams are huddled at the airport. The teams all give Ma and Pa a standing ovation and while some teams are genuinely happy to see them, others (Ethan and Jenna) are happy to see one more team that they can easily beat if it comes down to a foot run. Now, I don’t blame them for saying this, in the same position I’d probably feel the same way, but Ethan and Jenna are working on borrowed grace so I’m going to say that wasn’t well done of them.

I’m sure some of the other teams secretly want Bill and Cathi around for the very same reason. Their slow and relaxed pace provide the possibility that there’s at least one more team behind you, and could be an extra boon for all the other contestants. And I’m not contesting the fact that Bill/Cathi are just plain nice to have around, because even in my absolute desire to see these two go, I can’t help but love them. (Which, as I mentioned before, was the reason I need them to go since they’re obviously not going to win this thing.)

This week Bill and Cathi take their politeness tour to a whole new country as they invade the city of Yogyakarta with their universal goodwill. From their taxi driver to a group of orphans and everybody in between, Bill and Cathi are genuinely nice to everyone that they meet, including EACH OTHER! (Calm down people, we’ll make it through this together. Just breathe.) This is rare to see, and one must wonder if it can hold up over time in the extreme conditions of the race. I tend to think so, because they’ve managed to take on the stress of marriage and life together. And really, what’s running around the world in the face of that?

Anyway, in spite of their relaxed and leisurely attitude (or improbably because of it), Bill and Cathi manage to stay near the top of the pack this week. Starting with their taxi driver, and their Speed Bump which involved them untangling a large and twisted rope, Bill and Cathi gently prod and conquer all that stands in their path. Their way to play this race is probably not much different from how they live their life and that’s honestly quite refreshing. But still I say they’ve got to go, as admirable as it is, I still think they don’t stand a chance. I hope that I’m wrong, but I don’t think so.

For the first challenge, the teams had to repel down a mountain into a cave and look for a mask and dagger, then scale a ladder to deliver it to a guy who will give them their next clue. None of the teams seemed to have a problem with the repel, but when climbing up the mountain, Cindy’s shorter legs caused several other teams to pass her by, including Bill who finished first, and Liz who was the second to escape the cave. While rushing to their cabs, Bill/Cathi found out that getting first to the task did not come without cost. All the cabs of the other teams who arrived after them blocked their way from the road, so Bill/Cathi were blocked until the taxis moved, allowing Liz/Marie to get into first place.

For the second challenge, the teams had to choose between two tasks of earning money: Shake your Money Maker vs. Ticket Taker. In the first task, teams had to go to a busy intersection of Yogyakarta and earn tips by dancing for the motorists, while one partner dances, the other accompanies by beating on some type of drum. The teams must earn 30,000 rupiah to continue on. In the second task, the teams must become parking attendants and park enough motorbikes to make 15,000 rupiah. Once done, both teams must travel to a local orphanage and give all their money to the people there before they can check in at the pit stop with Phil.

Liz/Marie, Marcus/Amani, Ethan/Jenna, Jeremy/Sandy and Ron/Phil choose to shake their money makers. Liz/Marie get through this task easily while Marcus finds it’s not that easy to shake what your momma gave ya. On the other side Cindy/Ernie, Bill/Cathi, Andy/Tommy, Justin/Jennifer, Laurence/Zac, and Lisa/Kaylani chose to become parking attendants. This is a very straightforward task that becomes complicated when another team one-ups you and steals your customers (like Ernie/Cindy) or you can’t tolerate your teammate (Justin/Jennifer who seem to fight over everything).

Ernie/Cindy are the first to complete the task and head on to the orphanage where they donate their 15,000 rupiah before heading off to meet with Phil. Ernie and Cindy completely miss the sign telling them that they must donate ALL of their money, not just the money earned in the task, to the orphanage therefore when they meet up with Phil they’re distressed to find out that although they are first to arrive they cannot be checked in. Phil tells them that they must go back and give all their money to the orphanage before they can continue and Cindy just freaks out.

Okay, I honestly didn’t have a problem with Cindy before this. I know some people find her annoying but I thought she was alright, uninteresting, but alright. I see now where I was wrong. After learning about her team’s mistake, Cyndi starts crying and throws a COMPLETE tantrum, filled with waterworks and whining, the whole shebang. It’s completely, completely childish as well as unproductive but it makes me smile because frankly it’s hilarious in a horrifying fashion.

Anyway, most of the teams don’t read this sign and turn up at the pit stop only to be sent away. It would be quicker to name the ones who did notice it and were checked in without difficulty. Andy/Tommy are the first to read the sign and give up all their money, so when they arrive at the check-in fourth they actually become the first to check-in, scoring themselves a trip to Ireland. Laurence/Zac are the 8th to arrive but become the second to check in. Kaylani and Lisa are the tenth to arrive and would be in danger of elimination, if not for the fact that the other teams had to go back, making them the third to check in. Kaylani cries and so do I, because well, I’m a pansy.

Amani/Marcus, Ethan/Jenna, and Bill/Ron are the last three to be checked in but Amani/Marcus managed to keep ahead of Ethan and Jenna to score the last place out of elimination. Ethan/Jenna and Bill/Ron were the last two teams to arrive and are eliminated

Here are the rankings:
1. Andy/Tommy- winning a trip to Ireland
2. Laurence/Zac
3. Kaylani/Lisa
Every player below arrived at the check-in earlier and was sent back to complete task:
4. Ernie/Cindy
5. Liz/Marie
6. Jeremy/Sandy
7. Bill/Cathi
8. Justin/Jennifer
9. Amani/Marcus
10. Ethan/Jenna- eliminated
11. Bill/Ron- eliminated

And here’s where I stand:
Rooting for: Kaylani/Lisa, it feels like they’ve got a second chance
Rooting Against: Justin/Jennifer, because I’m tired of the pointless arguments
Who Will Win: Andy/Thomas, it just feels right

For more on this episode, check out It’s All In The Details by Gabe Callahan.

Season 19, Episode 2: “The Sprint of Our Life” (original airdate October 2, 2011.)

The Amazing Race airs Sundays at 8/7c on CBS.

Image courtesy of Robert Voets/CBS.