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As far as the targets of his ridicule, Rachel & Dave are officially team number one with their sixth first place. They are only one such placement away from tying the record. If they pull out a win the next leg and take home the million dollars after that, they will be the winningest team in Amazing Race history.

Uncomfortably, Big Brother and Anti-Big Brother hit the mat in second and third and Phil morphs into Jeff Probst by stirring the animosity pot between them. He asks if there will be any penalties, which Vanessa says she doesn’t know because she thinks that Big Brother miscounted their wheelbarrows. This allows them to rehash all the ugly comments back and forth in front of our host. They actually apologize for some of the harsh comments they have made, like the nose job one, and shake on it. But they also admit they won’t be friends when this is over.

Squarely in fourth place for now, Border Patrol’s JJ slices open his pinky on the lid of the box. With blood dripping, they fight each other all the way to their delivery. Meanwhile, Team Justified are about to be giddy as school girls when they see the Fast Forward still available. It’ll take even less time considering Mark is already bald. The guys at the temple at least go through the motions of pretending to shave Mark’s hair and Bopper’s head takes no time at all.

Border Patrol has delivered their boxes but is stuck in traffic as Team Justified is cruising along the streets. Oh is this a case of creative editing or truthful storytelling?

It is creative editing, as a disgruntled Art & JJ stroll up to the mat as the fourth team to arrive. JJ is demoralized and isn’t exactly thrilled to be in fourth. They are still determined and convinced they will win it.

That means our Kentucky boys are in last and are finally eliminated from the race. They are proud of how they raced and are humbled by the overall experience. Well, with the teams that are left and Bopper & Mark gone, the race will be a lot less care-free and fun-loving and more competitive backbiting and bitterness.

Next week the producers bring back the two-hour season finale, so we will have to settle in for a long one. In it, both Rachels yell at their team mates with Blonde Rachel's "Then shut the [expletive deleted] up!" being the standout.

It also offers up a first: A team hits the final mat with all the other teams on hand but fails to complete the Roadblock, so Phil can’t crown them the winner until it is completed. My guess is that it will be Border Patrol or Army of Two. My other prediction is that the final three will be those two teams and Big Brother with Vanessa & Ralph being eliminated in the first hour. This is based solely on previews and the fact that I REALLY don’t want another disappointing winner but will probably get one in Brendon & Rachel.

Until next week.

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