BWW Recap: Winning Team Revealed on THE AMAZING RACE

This is it, folks: THE AMAZING RACE Season 26 Finale. This leg is for all the marbles. If you thought teams had it rough when they had to ride a "seahorse" through waves to a buoy, or when they had to channel their inner RuPaul for a drag competition, think again. These last legs are the baddest of the bad; they're the creme de la creme of Amazing Race legs, if you will. This is the last chance for teams to show us what they're made of. Oh, and the million dollars. There's also that. We can't forget that.

For the finale, teams return to the good ol' U.S. of A. and begin the final leg in Texas, and if the previews are any indication, we've got a lot of Americana-themed challenges on the horizon. Rip out your bandanas and strap on your cowboy boots: this last leg is gonna be a rip-roarin' good time!

But don't let my ridiculous word choice distract you: four teams made it into the finale, so (as Phil promised) there will be a mid-leg elimination at some point during this episode. Let's hope it's Hayley and Blair! (Did I say that out loud? Oops.)

Place your bets now: are you rooting for Mike & Rochelle? Or maybe Laura & Tyler? How about Jelani & Jenny? I won't even ask about Hayley & Blair. We all know no one's rooting for them. Let us know who you want to see win in the comments below or tell me on Twitter @CourtHenley! Then, join me right here tonight at 8 PM PST as I react live (that's right - live!) to the season finale of THE AMAZING RACE. Let's do this!

---

8:08 : Another equalizer. I love it! Giving everybody a fresh start for the final leg.

Also, I don't know who's more aggrivated by Hayley: us, or Blair. Blair may have me beat on this one.

8:12 : Wait, this challenge actually looks awesome. First, you fly like Superman to the top of the stadium, then you get to fly right back down. Wheeeee!

It's the second bit that seems harder: catching a pass and kicking a field goal. That I don't think I'd be able to do. But evidently these teams are better at sports than I would be - and better than a lot of professional atheletes, for that matter.

Let us, for a moment, observe Mike: that would be me. And probably most of America. That's why I like him and Rochelle so much: they're the average team, running the race for all of us unfit fans. You go, guys!

8:16 : Somebody PLEASE get me ear plugs. Hayley and Jenny's screaming is ridiculous.

8:20 : Not sure why Hayley's so upset about the cab situation. This is the final leg of The Amazing Race, people, it's every team for himself!

But wait, Mike and Rochelle's taxi wouldn't stay and wait for them!? If I were them, I would've literally forced that driver to wait. That's ridiculous. Boo, that cab driver!

8:22 : I don't trust challenges where you have to wrangle animals. Animals never cooperate. Especially bulls.

Oh, sorry Hayley, your horse got spooked the last time you were on one? Maybe it's your voice. Maybe that's what spookd the horse.

But wait AGAIN: Mike and Rochelle are having more cab problems?! Those poor guys can't catch a break!

(Side note: I hope they have helmets on under those hats because those hats look HUGE.)

(Side side note: I really hope they have helmets on, now that Jenny fell off that horse!)

8:27 : "All the cattle have been rounded up" is probably the worst way to find out you've been eliminated. Mike and Rochelle, I'm really sorry to see you go. I really like you guys. You deserve it. You did your best, you never - not once - fought, and you found the humor in everything. Kudos. I hope to be as determined a Racer as you guys one day.

8:30 : Road Block time: climbing a tower and finding a clue somewhere in the city skyline, all while rappelling down said tower. Sounds awesome.

Wanna know what makes it even more awesome? Hayley messed it up! All those times she yelled at Blair for messing up, and now she's the one at fault. How does it feel, Hayley?!

8:35 : Typical. She still finds a way to make it Blair's fault! I'm just happy that the other teams are just as annoyed with her as I am.

Wait, Jenny, are you catching Hayley's stupid?! How do you see like...80 yellow and red flags waving in the wind and still think the clue is that random red car on top of the parking lot?!

8:37 : Nice dramatic cab split graphic, Amazing Race editing team! I'm SO happy Laura and Tyler went the right way. They're my team now! Just like Mike and Rochelle, they never fight, and they have fun while being awesome at every challenge.

You drive that monster truck, Tyler!

Driving that truck does look awesome, though.

8:40 : It's that time of the season: memory test time. I always said that if - nay, when - I get on the Race, each night, at the mandatory 12-hour rest period, I'll make a list of where we've been and in what order, and I'll study it. This way, when me and my teammate make it to the finale, we know everything about everywhere we've been and when. Let's hope Laura and Tyler have done something like that.

In other news, ha ha, Hayley! I do feel bad for Blair, though. He really drew the short straw with Hayley as his blind date partner. I feel bad for him.

But back to the challenge at hand. Evidently, Jelani and Jenny used my studying technique...but the same can't be said for Laura and Tyler. Once teams open their locked shed, they must match the selfie with the location in which it was taken. Kind of cool, I have to admit, even though I still stand by my anti-Race-selfie sentiments I expressed earlier this season. I just don't like it. But at least they're coming into play.

8:48 : Just like that, Laura and Tyler are back in the game!

Wait, seriously, I'm on the edge of my seat right now. Laura and Tyler just caught up - and pulled ahead, actually - and Hayley and Blair are at the final challenge, too. Pretty tight, for a finale.

This is great. Come on, Laura and Tyler! Sorry I can't be more impartial, but hey, it's the finale. You have to root for someone.

Laura, Tyler, get out of the cab! Don't get in the cab unless you know! GAH! COME ON! BEAT JELANI AND JENNY!

This is tough. Jelani and Jenny got in the cab with the driver who knows where the bridge is, and Laura and Tyler got into the cab with the guy he doesn't know where he's going.

8:52 : YES! YOU GO LAURA AND TYLER!!!!!!

You all already know why I love them: they've always been happy, they've worked their butts off, and they've never argued. Also, they've appreciated everywhere they've been, and to me, as a fan and a future Race hopeful, that's key. So many people wish they could have this opportunity, and I'm so glad that they recognize and take advantage of the chance they've been given. Good for them.

Now let's see how much Hayley yells at Blair when she finds out they came in third.

8:55 : I do have to say, it is pretty cool that none of the top three teams knew their partner when they started the Race. Talk about the ultimate social experiment.

8:57 : Ugh. I love this show. So so much.

To post a comment, you must register and login.