Nov 5 2007
Playboy without the Playboy
The race kicks off at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles, California, where the
11 teams of 2 will travel more than 30,000 miles, in 11 legs of the race, to try and win the million dollar prize. Even though the opening leg started at the infamous Playboy Mansion, there was no sign of Hugh Hefner, nor of his 'Girls Next Door' girlfriends.
First Stop
Shannon, Ireland
We're On Our Way! Wait! Where Are We Going?
Teams are predictably hyper, giddy and revving to go right out of the gate, but then reality quickly hits and they realize they have to figure out where they're going - namely, LAX. There's much confusion on how to get to the 405 freeway, and where the 'Park and Fly' area is, but most teams eventually make it there without any team falling too far behind.
Lucky 7
The first seven teams that make it to LAX get seats on the British Airways flight out to Ireland (connecting through London). The other four teams must take Air Lingus, which departs approximately 45 minutes later and connects through Dublin, Ireland.
‘Love Letter to the Planet’
Pat, the lesbian minister, who is racing with her spouse, remarks that the show is like a love letter to the planet, allowing it to showcase the planet's splendor and incredibly beautiful sights. We have to agree, especially with all the panoramic shots of Ireland's lush, green countryside.
Long Walk to a Tiny Church
Once in Shannon, teams were instructed to take a ferry to an island off the coast of Ireland and locate 'the world's smallest church.' The church ended up being a long distance from the ferry stop, and many teams fell behind on the arduous trek, which proved to be costly, as finding the church quickly helped to secure your spot on the earlier ferries going back to the mainland.
She Has the Right Hair Color
Vyxsin, half of the dating goth team, remarked that she and her partner, Kynt, were like 'gothic energizer bunnies.' With her bright pink hair, she certainly has the right coloring.
The Drama Queen Award. . .
. . .goes to Lorena, who threw a hissy fit, when she realized that she and her boyfriend, Jason, were getting lost. Instead of helping Jason navigate by reading the map while he drove, she contented herself with screaming and crying about how they didn't know where they were going. After they stopped and asked for directions, Jason remarked that she should have helped him instead of just screaming, to which Lorena replies that they have trouble communicating. No wonder Jason interviewed in the introductions that he has 'one foot out the door' when it came to their relationship.
Let's Go For a Bike Ride. . .Way Up High!
The Roadblock required one team member to ride a high wire bike, suspended about 200 feet above the Atlantic, while his/her partner is placed on a seat directly below the wire bike (think of a tandem bike but with the seats placed vertically, as opposed to horizontally). Most of the teams seemed to enjoy the thrill of riding a bike along a wire, high above the ocean.
Irish Donkeys . . .
. . .apparently understand English. After the adrenaline rush of the high wire bike ride, teams must select a donkey to carry 15 pieces of peat back to Cleggan Farm. Nathan/Jennifer (dating couple who have issues due to Nathan cheating on Jennifer) and Ari/Staella (best friends) have trouble with their donkeys. Perhaps because they alternately screamed, pushed, prodded, and threatened the donkeys. Ari, in particular, threatened to cut up his donkey and eat it. Is it any wonder the donkeys just grew more stubborn?
The ‘Donkeys Have Souls Too’ Approach
Pat/Kate (married lesbian ministers) and Ronald/Christina (father/daughter duo) used a different tactic with their donkeys, and their kinder, gentler approach paid off. Despite being on the last ferry, and more than an hour behind the other teams, they managed to catch up, and actually pass Nathan/Jennifer and Ari/Staella.
Sibling Power
Azaria/Hendekea, the brother and sister team, won the first leg of the race and are awarded a trip for two to a resort in Alberta, Canada.
Done in by an Ass
Ari/Staella's (losing) battle with their uncooperative donkey proved to be too much of setback for them to overcome, and they are eliminated from the race.
