Placing the blame

Besides Survivor, my favourite reality competition show is The Amazing Race (TAR). For me it's a true test that is based on luck and skill, and should be done without the dependence on others, except your teammate. Unlike other reality shows where you have to "trust" others to help you in this game, competitors on TAR should only depend on themselves to get further in the game.

Since the first season of TAR the reason for losing the race has been because of a blunder caused by the cab driver, the locals or wrong directions. My favourite reason for losing the race is when someone blames their teammate. This past Sunday didn't have Jaime or Cara, the NFL cheerleaders, placing the blame on each other but just bad luck. In the previous season they competed in, season 14, they lost because of a poor cab driver in Hawaii, ending in second place overall.

At the end of each leg, everyone who does poorly tries to find an excuse as to why it was not them who hurt their chances of winning or staying in the "front of the pack." But I wonder this: isn't it your fault as you are part of the same team. The best couple for who wronged whom was back in season one, Lenny and Karyn, who fought with each other so much that Karyn dumped Lenny on the finish mat when they were eliminated. Now that's class!

Like I said before, you cannot blame another for your loses. Just like in life, wins and loses are determined by your motivation and ability to succeed. Most of the time, teams are running for a chance to win the money. At one point or another, they re-evaluate their chances only to determine how important the grand prize really is. Those who get to the end and win do so by true determination; those who lose gave it their all and failed trying, or gave up half-way to the finish mat. Just don't blame the local citizens for their wrong directions, because it was you who chose to ask them.

To check out more TAR and other great reality TV blunders, check out MrTheamazingrace on youtube.