Talk:The Amazing Race 17

Season 17 Announcement

Along with videos that were released today on cbs.com previewing the Season 16 cast, links on cbs.com and a post from the official Amazing Race account on Facebook point to the casting application which has been updated for Season 17. Cheesehead Dave (talk) 15:23, 21 January 2010 (UTC)

Location spoilers

Ok, I know they're racing now, and RFF is following, and I'm well aware of WP's spoiler policy. The problem is, RFF and similar forums are not reliable sources regardless of photographic evidence or the like. Unlike, for example, the foreign news report that we had last year for one the S.American legs, we can't just use what we're getting from forum boards. The only reliable source point is the boat club in Boston; everything else needs to be treated as speculation until CBS or another reliable source affirms it. --MASEM (t) 15:11, 27 May 2010 (UTC)

Just want to clarify that the boat club is in Gloucester and NOT Boston, so don't add Boston until they're confirmed in Boston proper. Schmloof (talk) 00:52, 28 May 2010 (UTC)

I noticed this recently with people adding in unsourced information from realityfanforum, I can only assume because of the sites popularity random guests are viewing the forum and adding anything they think is relivant to the page, I don't think said people even view this area. It's probably best to remove unsourced information without a debate, and if they keep adding, warn them 82.15.9.249 (talk) 19:24, 15 June 2010 (UTC)

Photo of Stephanie Smith

I haven't created an article for her yet (will tonight) but if we have a photo of one of the racers should this be included next to the table? Or is there another suitable place for it? Photo of Stephanie is here. PageantUpdater talk • contribs 04:00, 2 September 2010 (UTC)

A better place would probably be on List of The Amazing Race (U.S. TV series) contestants. —KuyaBriBri^Talk 04:20, 2 September 2010 (UTC)

True, thanks =) PageantUpdater talk • contribs 04:21, 2 September 2010 (UTC)

PageantUpdater, Just so you know. I created an article for Stephanie Smith a few days ago. I didn't know you were planning on doing it. Feel free to contribute to it, if you think something needs to be added. It is at Stephanie Smith (pageant titleholder). MissAmericaGirl (talk) 22:59, 9 September 2010 (UTC)

watermelon video

While this is a relatively small point overall, the only reason that the watermelon clip is being mentioned is because of the attention it's gotten in the news. Yesterday it was more blog-level reporting but when you have MSNBC and the Daily Mail reporting it (with MSNBC even analyzing the severity of the possible injury), its definitely more than a curiousity. I know those sources don't exactly say "viral", but "The humorous video has gone around the internet like wildfire" from the Mail article means the same thing; I could also point to this [1] CBS article which does say "viral" but that's a bit of lack of independence in that part. --MASEM (t) 22:52, 9 September 2010 (UTC)

Episode 1 spolier

Who posted the names of the team that will apparently be eliminated in tonight's (9/26/2010) episode? And where did this information come from? This information surely violates multiple WP policies, both those on (1) spoilers and (2) verifiable information. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.82.189.55 (talk) 14:46, 26 September 2010 (UTC)

Some IP added it. It is inappropriate because it can't be verified. --MASEM (t) 14:48, 26 September 2010 (UTC)

Naturally people are viewing realityfanforum and taking educated guesses as verified facts. It can't really be helped, the forum is popular so naturally you'l get those who think the placements stated are official.It seems like this person http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Contributions/24.125.193.30 was the one who added the fake info. He is also adding in unverified information into the upcoming legs area, have had to remove twice now.82.15.11.231 (talk) 02:20, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

Why is the image of Roadblock, FF and speed bump changed?

Why is the image of Roadblock, FF and speed bump changed? Wowovr2 (talk) 12:16, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

Express Pass

I have gone ahead and incorporated the "Express Pass" as a footnote in the Results table ([2]). My suggestion is that when Jill & Thomas actually use the Express Pass, we link to the same footnote and rewrite the sentence to read As a result of winning the first leg, Jill & Thomas received the "Express Pass", which allowed them to bypass any one task of their choosing before the end of Leg 8. They used it to bypass the [RB, Detour, Route Info] task on Leg [#]. If anyone has a better idea feel free to suggest it. —KuyaBriBri^Talk 15:11, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

Does someone receive an express pass on every leg? If so, then we should create a new symbol to match the existing ones. If it's a one- or two-time deal, a footnote should suffice. –[[::User:Schmloof|Schmloof]] ([[::User talk:Schmloof|talk]] · [[::Special:Contributions/Schmloof|contribs]]) 16:24, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

We don't know. I thought, from the pre-premier press, that it was one time only, but then Phil says "the first Express Pass" which could imply there are more. Right now, leaving it as a footnote is best because we don't know the full rules. --MASEM (t) 16:26, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

It hasn't actually been proven that Jill and Thomas use the Express Pass. If I remember right the Pass can be given to another team if they do so wish, it could be that Jill and Thomas are the next Nick and Starr or a simular in strength team and don't really need and offer to another team 82.15.11.231 (talk) 20:09, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

I think we may just use a temporary remark until the Express Pass is really used (or until it is expired), and then decide how to describe it in the result. We don't need to have it done in a rush. bypeng (talk) 22:27, 1 October 2010 (UTC)

I think it comes down to personal opinion as to how best to represent it on the page, as we have barely any info besides the effect it has on the outcome of a leg. Speaking of which an unregistered changed the Express pass icon under the results table citing colorblind users wouldn't be able to view it. I wonder if we need to discuss on how best to represent the pass on the results table before people start editting in their own interpretations? 82.15.11.231 (talk) 04:52, 4 October 2010 (UTC)

Recommendation - source legs from EW recaps

I recommend, just to boost these articles, to use the recaps from ew.com (eg [3]) to source each leg. While a TV show that you normally don't need to source its summary, this will only help. --MASEM (t) 05:12, 4 October 2010 (UTC)

Conflicting Ratings Reports from Multiple websites

Not really sure what to do in this regard. Basically it seems tvbythenumbers and tvaddict are giving 2 different ratings results. For example for episode 3 thetvaddict gives the show a 12.11 million result. tvbythenumbers 11.99 million. There's a huge difference here. I found this again with Episode 2 CBS gave a different number to what tvbythenumbers reported. Someone added in a link but because I couldnt verify(Region locked website) I stuck with what I originally entered. I ask because I formatted the other links when people added(Old ip). And thus far I'm unsure which website to believe because Wikipedia naturally wants accurate information, and in this case which website if any are reporting the true ratings for the show 02:23,82.15.11.104 (talk) 02:24, 15 October 2010 (UTC)

The best source for ratings is the final report from CBS' press release every Tuesday which are final ratings and not fast nationals or overnight ratings. Weekly rankings for viewers are in the CBS press release while tvbythenumbers has the weekly rankings in the 18-49 demographic. So really, the ratings section should be edited on Tuesdays when the final ratings are released officially from CBS. Teamkapamilya (talk) 05:05, 25 October 2010 (UTC)

I think that pretty much decides it then. I personally will be using tvbythenumbers as a source as they're the most reliable source besides CBS. If and when CBS releases official ratings if someone wants to add in the final figures then I guess the articles ratings section can be improved. However with thetvaddicts 13 million figure for episode 5 they've lost all credibility as a source and I personally will remove any ratings sourced from there 82.15.11.104 (talk) 12:48, 26 October 2010 (UTC)

No Speed Bump in Leg 7

I hope someone with knowledge can look into this but I have read on a few sites that Nick & Vicki did not have to complete a speed bump in leg 7 because of a judging error in leg 6.

[4] States that:

Nick had posted on his personal Facebook page that in the Classical Music Detour in the previous leg, there'd been a judging error. Apparently they'd been giving a correct answer, but a judge had been telling them that they were wrong. Apparently because of the judging error, the producers ruled that rather than give the Speed-Bump penalty, Nick & Vicki would just be allowed to continue with the game as if nothing happened.

IMDB page: [5]

Also, Phil normally instructs a team at a non-elimination pit stop that they will need to perform a speed bump in the next leg. This was never told to Nick & Vicki at their check in.

Of course this was never explained to any of us but could have been very easily.

Tim 174.100.43.73 (talk) 07:50, 8 November 2010 (UTC)

We need a reliable source that states this. Hearsay on IMDB isn't good enough.—Ryūlóng (竜龙) 09:50, 8 November 2010 (UTC)

Yes I understand Hearsay is unreliable, but there has to be an explanation for no speed bump being shown when a team in leg 6 was saved with a non-elimination leg. There has to be someone out there with this information. People have information about upcoming unaired legs but nobody will say why there was no speed bump. Anyone with info please advise to keep this Amazing Race 17 posting up to date. 174.100.43.73 (talk) 16:32, 8 November 2010 (UTC)

It will inevitably show up during the week. Do not worry.—Ryūlóng (竜龙) 18:27, 8 November 2010 (UTC)

The following URL contains a statement provided by either CBS or World Race Productions to the administrator of a TAR forum site concerning the Speed Bump, and the problems with the piano detour task in leg 6. The poster is a host of a weekly interview show on that site, and therefore deals with CBS and WRP on a regular basis. http://forum.realityfanforum.com/index.php/topic,23648.msg571540.html#msg571540 http://forum.realityfanforum.com/index.php/topic,23648.msg571540.html#msg571540 Theschnauzers (talk) 05:35, 9 November 2010 (UTC)theschnauzers

Picture tab error

The picture showing where the teams have been so far is correct when clicked on, but the thumbnail on the actual article shows an older version which showed all of the future legs' destinations. Can anyone help with this? S51438 (talk) 21:59, 14 November 2010 (UTC)

The local thumbnail was not updated when the map was updated far into leg 11. I have fixed this by resizing the thumbnail.—Ryūlóng (竜龙) 22:39, 14 November 2010 (UTC)

Express Pass symbol

For the past several weeks, the Express Pass symbol in the Results table has been an ≥. I recently changed it to ℮ because it is a stylized E much like the stylized F (ƒ) used for the Fast Forward tasks. It does not make sense to use one of these mathematical symbols which we use similar ones for the Yield and U-Turn symbols. Besides, considering the new U-Turn mechanic, it may be more useful to use that symbol for the second U-Turn (although I have put the subset and superset symbols there for now).—Ryūlóng (竜龙) 05:25, 15 November 2010 (UTC)

Whatever you think works. I agree. You've been an asset to the page with your updates I think we should all go along with what you want in this case 82.15.11.104 (talk) 15:50, 17 November 2010 (UTC)

Thank you. Some people think the special characters I've been using are wrong, despite policies that say otherwise.—Ryūlóng (竜龙) 20:20, 17 November 2010 (UTC)

Results table format change

As it seems that some anons do not agree with my recent reformatting, let's discuss it here.

Earlier this week I reformatted the results tables of every single Amazing Race season (including Asia, Latin America, Brazil, Israel, and China) to put a space before the ƒ that signifies a Fast Forward leg or win. I have added this space to make the tables easier to read and it looks better to have a space before the ƒ, separating it from the number placement. I initially made this change because of the symbol I chose to replace the Express Pass symbol as described in the above thread (it looked like 5the, but now it looks like "5th ℮" with the space. I figured that doing this for the only other letter-like symbol these pages use would also help, but due to lack of communication with 97.102.105.41 (talk · contribs · WHOIS) and vehement opposition from 174.1.48.24 (talk · contribs · WHOIS), I'm bringing it up for discussion. Seeing as this is the only highly edited page, it's better to discuss it here because as far as I'm aware there's no WikiProject for the race.—Ryūlóng (竜龙) 22:49, 18 November 2010 (UTC)

If you have gone to the trouble of putting a space between the number and the f on all seasons of the Amazing Race then I fully support your decision that the space is needed. S51438 (talk) 01:34, 19 November 2010 (UTC)

I'm not a regular editor of these articles and I don't hold especially strong feelings. That said, I think Ryulong's added spaces improve the tables' clarity and readability. I also think that his (or someone's) use of color and special symbols in these tables has been resourceful and helpful. This is true, too, of the use of icons (flags, planes, trains, etc) in the rest of the article -- the layout is not overly flashy but it works very efficiently at communicating information.

The spacing issue is certainly not worth fighting over and I would support whatever other established editors (both anonymous and named) agree on. However the consensus evolves, I hope dissenters will shrug off any disappointment and fall in line. There's just not a lot of "face" to gain or lose on this one. Anyone looking to go to the mat over editing a Wikipedia article would probably find more sport fighting over our Israel and Palestine articles.

To avoid reinventing the wheel on this issue for every TAR article, I suggest putting a link on the other TAR talk pages to this discussion.

--A. B. ^{(talk • contribs)} 01:48, 19 November 2010 (UTC)

Well, A.B., there are only three current seasons of the show, and the American version gets more traffic than the Asian and Latin American versions.—Ryūlóng (竜龙) 01:55, 19 November 2010 (UTC)

I found that when the f was connected to the 1st, it looked similar to a footnote, you know? It's like, you wouldn't write 1st * or 1st ¹, you would write 1st* and 1st¹. I understand why you changed it because of the e, but with that other one I tried out (ɛ I think...) it's no longer confusing. I dunno, the "e" might have good reason to be spaced, BUT since the Express Pass is always going to have a footnote attached, that just makes it longer and more cumbersome. My main point is that when the f was "attached" to the number, it looked like it belonged there. Remember that the Fast Forward used to be identified by a green color only, and the f was tacked on for accessibility purposes. If they're connected, then it looks like they belong together and helps people understand that the team used the Fast Forward to help them get to 1st (or 4th or 2nd or whatever) Shadow2 (talk) 03:37, 19 November 2010 (UTC)

Oh, and not to mention that the Yield, U-Turn and Intersection are directly connected to the numbers. (And PLEASE don't consider adding a space before all of those two. That would just be ridiculous) Shadow2 (talk) 03:54, 19 November 2010 (UTC)

Well, the Yield, U-Turn, and Intersection things aren't letters. Because the Fast Forward and Express Pass things are letters, it's better to separate them.—Ryūlóng (竜龙) 04:40, 19 November 2010 (UTC)

What's the difference if they're not letters? They're still extra symbols tacked onto the end of the placement to signify that the team did not reach that placement on their own. No-one's going to be confused if you don't put a space before the "f" because it frankly looks a lot different than a regular f. With the "e", it was a different story because the "e" looked like a normal e (which is why I think ɛ is better), but with the f, it's fine. It's not going to confuse a single person. My main problem with you is that you always say "it's better" to do this, "it's better to do that. You're not the sole judge of what's better and what's not. Shadow2 (talk) 05:32, 19 November 2010 (UTC)

Because they'renot letters there's no confusion as to being a weird other word like "1stf" (first f what?), etc. Why does the space matter so much that it is there?—Ryūlóng (竜龙) 06:15, 19 November 2010 (UTC)

Because you took it upon yourself to become the master of the TAR tables. ANYTHING you say goes. We're all just pawns in your grand scheme. You're a jerk, you know that? I still see no valid reason for the change, and I'm opposing it because it doesn't make sense and it looked better without the space. Whatever Shadow2 (talk) 08:31, 19 November 2010 (UTC)