‘The Amazing Race 36’ premiere recap: 13 teams race through Mexico in ‘You Can’t Drive While You’re Crying’ [LIVE BLOG]
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Thirteen new teams embark on the journey of a lifetime when host Phil Keoghan kicks off the 36th season of the reality TV competition series “The Amazing Race,” Wednesday, March 13 (9:30-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on CBS. Teams begin in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico where they participate in a traditional Mexican rodeo and try to lasso their way to the finish line without coming in last.
Here are the teams in contention: Amber & Vinny (dating), Angie & Danny (mother/son), Anthony & Bailey (twin brothers), Chris & Mary (father/daughter), Derek & Shelisa (married), Juan & Shane (best friends), Kishori & Karishma (cousins), Maya & Rohan (siblings), Michelle & Sean (married), Ricky & Cesar (dating), Rod & Leticia (married), Sunny & Elizabeth (best friends) and Yvonne & Melissa (dating).
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Follow are full live blog recap below.
9:30 p.m. — Previously, on “The Amazing Race”! In the season 35 finale, brothers Greg & John Franklin crossed the finish line in first place to claim the $1 million prize. Best friends Joel Strasser & Garrett Smith finished in second place with father/son duo Rob & Corey McArthur ending in third. But enough about last season, let’s head to Mexico and get this race started!
9:35 p.m. — Teams have gathered in “the friendliest city in the world,” Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. After a few brief introduction, let’s get going! Phil reminds everyone there are no non-elimination legs, so there’s no room for error. He also reveals they’ll be traveling to two new countries “The Amazing Race” has never been to before. Their first clue is on the cars parked on the other side of the hotel. GO!
9:45 p.m. — Teams must drive themselves to downtown Puerto Vallarta for their next clue. There’s no map, so finding directions is vital. Chris takes an early stumble and falls to the ground, putting the father/daughter duo in the back of the pack early on. As they drive downtown, Angie gives the line we now know is the title of this episode, “You Can’t Drive While You’re Crying.” She’s emotional because she is so thrilled to watch her son live his dream on this race. Ricky & Cesar arrive at the clue box first and it’s a Detour. In “Pick’Em Up,” teams will pick up two rocking horses from storage and transport them down the narrow, cobblestone streets. Once their horses have a happy young rider, they’ll get their next clue. In “Pin’Em Down,” teams will watch a lucha libre wrestling match and match 5 pairs of luchadores based on who’s fighting who in all the mayhem. Ricky & Cesar choose “Pin’Em Down.” Hot on their trail are Rod & Leticia, who choose the same challenge. Derek & Shelisa are in third place and decide to transport rocking horses.
10:00 p.m. — The first team riding the struggle bus are Maya & Rohan. They’re completely lost and Maya starts getting emotional behind the wheel, stating, “I definitely made a wrong turn somewhere.” Can they make up time and get back on track? Up front, Ricky & Cesar reach the wrestling ring and soon realize how chaotic this is. After a brief match takes place, they race off to try and complete the memory task. In the middle of the pack, Yvonne & Melissa and Anthony & Bailey are next to reach the first clue box. Both decide to move horses. Teams continue to arrive and choose one of the Detours. I’m not sure why Chris & Mary choose the physical detour after Chris has already shown signs of fatigue. Lucky for them, Mary & Rohan are nowhere to be found.
10:15 p.m. — After three attempts, Ricky & Cesar complete their task and are the first team to get the next clue. They’ll have to drive themselves to Lienzo Charro Miguel “Prieto” Ibarria. Among the horses they’ll find their next clue. Right on their heels are Rod & Leticia, who completed the wrestling task in two attempts. The teams dragging rocking horses down the cobblestone streets look miserable. When Chris & Mary reach the top of the hill, they realize all the horses are gone and they have to do the other Detour. They’re not happy about it, but this could be a blessing in disguise. Chris looks exhausted.
10:30 p.m. — As Juan & Shane walk up for rocking horses they’re met by Chris & Mary who tell them there are none left. “We should not have told them,” Chris mutters. Mary asks if the boys want to stick together with them and help each other. The best friends comply, but will they make good on their promise? I wouldn’t. Sure enough, Juan & Shane quickly take off running in a different direction while Chris & Mary continue looking for directions to the other Detour. Meanwhile, a group of teams finish the rocking horse Detour, led by Derek & Shelisa who are now in fourth place.
10:45 p.m. — Rohan & Mary not only suffered from navigation issues, but now they’re gridlocked between curbs and can’t turn their car around. It’s an absolutely disastrous leg for the siblings. Eventually they inch their way out and find a parking space. They finally made it to the first clue box and head to “Pin’Em Down.” Lucky for them, Juan & Shane still haven’t completed the task and Chris & Mary haven’t even found it yet. Right now it’s a three-way race to stay out of last place. Juan & Shane finish in 9th place and head to the next destination. Now it’s a memory contest between two teams.
10:50 p.m. — En route to the rodeo Rod & Leticia have somehow passed Ricky & Cesar and are now in first place. In the Road Block, “Who’s Feeling Loopy?”, teams must jump through a series of seven spinning lassos without knocking off their wide-brimmed hat. Rod will take this one with Cesar starting right behind him. Rod is 6’3 so this may not be the easiest task for him. At the back of the pack, Chris & Mary and Maya & Rohan completed the Detour and head to the Road Block. Rod has finished the Road Block first so he and Leticia will now drive to the first Pit Stop at Plaza de Los Arcos del Malecon. The last team to arrive will be eliminated. Ricky & Cesar finish next as other teams begin to arrive. Karishma makes a huge mistake by not putting on her red handkerchief, and nobody can tell her it’s required. She may keep attempting this and not understand why she’s failing. Yikes!
11:00 p.m. — Karishma finishes the task but isn’t allowed to move forward. Finally, she reads the clue again and realizes she isn’t wearing a handkerchief. She has to do it all over. Kishori says, “I knew this was going to be an issue. She doesn’t read directions carefully.” Up at the Pit Stop, Rod & Leticia finish in first place! However, they’re still racing! This leg isn’t over and Phil hands them another clue. See the full order of tonight’s finish below. Despite the leg not being over, there’s still an elimination at this Pit Stop. Siblings Maya & Rohan are devastated to find out it’s them. Their dream of being on “The Amazing Race” comes to an early end.
Leg 1 results:
1. Rod & Leticia
2. Ricky & Cesar
3. Derek & Shelisa
4. Juan & Shane
5. Michelle & Sean
6. Yvonne & Melissa
7. Angie & Danny
8. Anthony & Bailey
9. Sunny & Elizabeth
10. Kishori & Karishma
11. Chris & Mary
12. Amber & Vinny
13. Maya & Rohan (eliminated)
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Launch Gallery: 'The Amazing Race 36' cast: Meet the 13 new teams
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