The scent of defeat, the prospect of love

By Jim Memmott

Amazing Race, Season 26, episode 7 preview

Munich/Monaco – Bitter. Sure I’m bitter.

Jackie and Jeff, blind-daters who actually liked each other, have been booted off the race and with it goes Cindy and my chance to win 100 smackers.

Here's to you, Jeff and Jackie

Why did they bomb out in episode 6? You know why. They got distracted.

“We’re very passionate,” Jackie said, in what I think was her way of suggesting that they didn’t spend all their off hours plotting race strategy. (Really, they were so lovey-dovey that it made Laura, another blind-dater, nauseous.)

So Jackie and Jeff are gone, and, for the life of me, I can’t remember why. Was it that Jeff was scared on the zip line (and speaking of zip lines, race producers, you're wearing that challenge out. Enough is enough.)

Driving in Monaco

Or were Jackie and Jeff done in by a bad mix of Monaco chocolates? Or did they get lost on the winding roads of Monaco? I think that was it, though it seems surprising that they would not be able to find their way around a principality that is famously tiny.

Nonetheless, they were in love, or at least Jackie was in love, and she’s going to give Jeff her telephone number – that hasn’t happened already? – and host and matchmaker Phil Keoghan can boast that he got at least one romance up and running.

Then again, he may have another one on its way.

Team Affordable Care Act, Dr. Blair and Nurse Hayley, the famously ill-matched blind-daters, have mended their ways and are no longer fighting.

Hayley and Blair up in the air

“Last week I think we were lost metaphorically and literally,” Blair explained at the beginning of the hour. “… The only way our team can do well is to stop being at war with each other.”

And, good heavens, the truce held, Blair even saying that Hayley looked “great” in her take-me-to-the casino gown. 

OK, Hayley did respond by saying that Blair looked like Pee Wee Herman in his tux, but he took that in stride and, in part because they

Pee Wee Herman

both took chemistry in college (ah ha, they do have something in common) they went on to win the episode and a trip for two to South Africa. They seemed happy about that jaunt, so, who knows, wedding bells could follow. Save the date.

Right behind them at the finish line were Olympians Aly and Steve, who have maintained their position as race favorites. They even excelled at the perfume mixing challenge, one where brains counted more than brawn. They could be the whole package.

So where’s the fun? Coming up it could be watching blind-daters Jenny and Jelani turn on each other, as they did briefly over a lost map. He’s cheerful; she’s self-absorbed; somebody’s got to give.

Mike and Rochelle, the truck-stop lovers are always fun, as well, and, if there's a perspiration challenge on the horizon, victory is his. Did you see his soaked shirt after the go- 

Flashy Fitbits

get-your-partner-some-chocolate challenge? Drenched. Big time. Nonetheless, he got his Fitbit steps. He’s a Champ!

Tyler, Laura’s partner, is to cool too sweat. He laughs at everything. I don’t remember a racer who seemed to care less. Gotta like the guy.

Six couples remain. Coming up this Friday: A two-hour special in Namibia. Stay tuned.

Overheard:

Jsckie (about Jeff): Him and I agree.

Rochelle: We do well as underdogs.

Hayley: I feel kind of curvy in this dress.

Ashley: I hate this dress. This is an eighth-grade dinner-dance dress.

Mike: I’m a romantic kind of guy.

Aly: I feel like freaking Cinderella.

Mike: Please quit getting short with me.

Jackie: I love heights.

Jeff: I get scared of heights a little bit.

Blair: It's like you dress up a woman and she’s happy all day.

Ashley: I almost threw up in my mouth.

Phil Keoghan (to Blair and Hayley): What’s going on here; you look like such a couple; do I see love over here?

Order of finish

1) Hayley and Blair

2) Aly and Steve

3) Mike and Rochelle

4) Matt and Ashley

5) Jenny and Jelani

6) Laura and Tyler

7) Jeff and Jackie