TAR 34, Recap Leg 0, 9/22/22

Welcome back to the Amazing Race! It’s season number thirty-four. Which actually feels ungimmicky and with a lot of the same spunk as some of the early seasons, even with the COVID restrictions in place. Also, a relatively quick turn around, as this season filmed in May and June of 2022. As opposed to the last romp about Europe. Oh, and I brought Toyouke along for the snark. Aren’t you lucky? We’ve read the bios and watched the videos, so let’s get to this shall we? (Toyouke: “Why are the individual team bios on Instagram? I refuse to get an Instagram account and this is obnoxious.”) The twelve teams (first time since TAR 15!) for TAR34 are: (click for more)

Aastha and Nina, Team EnGayged. They are an engaged couple from California. They’ve got a really great set of personalities and feel very laid back. (Toyouke: “I like them and I like how Aastha has clearly explained to literally everyone how to pronounce her name, but this shot of them crouched and waving their hands in circles bugs me. It's like you wanted to do Fortnite dances but you don't know any. I can't tell if Nina thinks she's special for being "complex" when everyone is complex and she's not special, or if she's naïve for thinking the editors won't make her and Aastha into archetypes.”) Prediction: Eleventh Place.

Abby and Will, Team High School Sweethearts. There were some really cute pictures of them in high school together in Alabama. They’ve spent a really large part of their lives together. Also definitely superfans. (Toyouke: “Superfans can be hit or miss, but they seem OK. Not like whats-his-face that failed in the last leg. Justin? Whatever. They're fine I guess.”) Prediction: Seventh Place.

Aubrey and David, Team Ballroom Dance. This couple met each other when David signed up for ballroom dance lessons and Aubrey was the instructor. I think they have a really great personality and connection together. Prediction: Winners, TAR34.

Derek and Claire, Team Big Brother. Dating couple, met on Big Brother, blah, blah, blah. Also one of the younger teams. (Toyouke: “Are we casting older people only? Are younger people not interested in auditioning? I don't mind not having 21 year olds but it just seems odd.”) They have a really good connection and seem to understand how a reality show works. Prediction: Fifth Place.

Emily and Molly, Team Long Lost Twins. Twins from Korea who were adopted by different parents in the US and are racing together. It’s like when the daughter ran with her birth mom. (Toyouke: “It was a disaster with the mom and daughter and I don't see anything in this video to indicate it won't be a disaster again.”) Prediction: Twelfth Place.

Glenda and Lumumba, Team Tall and Small. They are a married couple from Georgia. He is 5’7” and she is 6’2”. I can really get behind this dynamic. (Toyouke: “Why is every team made up of one detail-oriented person and the other person will calm them down? Why do I like them even though they said the same things as the other YDCs? Is it the Chris McGee vibe?”) Prediction: Ninth Place.

Linton and Sharik, Team Jamaican Me Crazy. The father and daughter duo from New York City. They immigrated from Jamaica when Sharik was young. (Toyouke: “See, she's the youngest at 23 which feels so much younger than everyone else for some reason. But they seem competent.”) Prediction: Fourth Place.

Luis and Michelle, Team Croquetas. A couple from Miami. I don’t know, I’m not getting a specific vibe from them. (Toyouke: “This girl and her "I hope there's lots of dance challenges! Because I'm a dancer!" ...sigh.”) Prediction: Tenth Place.

Marcus and Michael, Team Military Bros. Brothers who serve in different branches of the military. They seem extremely capable and likeable. (Toyouke: “I like them. I don't know why. I guess it's being military without talking a lot about duty and patriotism and whatever.”) Prediction: Second Place.

Quinton and Mattie, Team NFL Cheerleaders. Friends and former Rams Cheerleaders from California. They’re funny. (Toyouke: “I never believe anyone who declares themselves "funny". Did the clowns ever say "we're funny!" I don't think they did.“) They’ve at least got a good personality. Prediction: Eighth Place.

Rich and Dom, Team Motivation. Motivational Speakers from California. They are in love. (Toyouke: “First of all her dreads are amazing.”) They give me really good vibes, in that they really like being around each other. (Toyouke: “They are clutching each other through that whole interview and it doesn't bode well for their first disagreement.”)  Prediction: Third Place.

Tim and Rex, Team T-Rex. Friends from Tennessee, Rex is the former coach of the Buffalo Bills. (Toyouke: “So he's not used to winning.”) Heh. They think they can get by on their smarts, because they aren’t particularly physically fit. (Toyouke: “The Race has really moved away from challenges you can solve by being smart, and towards rewarding the most physically fit. So who knows.”)  Prediction: Sixth Place.

And there it is. Another crazy batch of “ordinary” contestants. Hopefully, you are able to tune in on Wednesday, September 21 at 8:00 pm CDT for the premiere! We’ll see you and the first recap then!