Nice guys win 'Amazing Race 12'

The Amazing Race 12 is history. And the team I wanted to win did just that.

TK and Rachel (the hippies) beat Mr. Miagi and his daughter (Ron and Christina) and Gramps and the Kid (Don and Nick) to the finish line in Anchorage.

A friend of mine at work was disappointed that Mr. Miagi and his daughter didn't win, going so far as to say the hippies didn't deserve to win. Huh? I told him that either team was worthy, both won multiple legs. But ... TK and Rachel came from last place, with a speed bump no less, to win. I think that says something in and of itself. My friend said "but they were so far ahead." True. But we all know airports are the great equalizer on TAR, and again this proved to be true.

I was hoping Gramps and the Kid would rally, but they screwed up early in the finale when they didn't read the Detour clue correctly and had to do a U-turn and pick up supplies that they left behind.

Still, everybody was neck-and-neck going into the final Road Block,that saw the team members with the best memories (Rachel, Christina and Nick) placing an item from each city they visited onto a stage for their final clue. After a few dramatic one-shots and a commercial break, Rachel proved to have the best memory (No way dude!) and she and TK were off to the finish line.

TK and Rachel graciously accepted their prize (how I'd love to hear Phil start that final speech --"After 30,000 miles and four continents ...") but emphasized that their relationship was more important than the money they just won. Sure. That will change when they realize how much incense $1 million can buy.

I also had no problem with TK saying something to the effect of "Nice guys can definitely finish first." Arrogant? Maybe. But they won, despite the best efforts of others (namely Nate and Jen), who said they were too easy going and didn't deserve to win. TK can borrow a line from one of Ron's T-shirts in reply:

"Who's your daddy now?"

Thank God for TiVo and DVR. I can watch the last couple of episodes until TAR returns, probably in the fall. 

Until next time ...