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8) Jennifer & Caroline: Blonde country singers (fourth place in Season 22) - I wonder if the producers gave these ladies a heads up about the Afghanimals' previous preoccupation with blondes because as much as the cousins loved the Ice girls, the producers should have a professional obligation to do so. Anyway, here's a refresher in Jennifer & Caroline: They are the country singers that happen to be related to John Wayne and Daniel Boone. Plus they parlayed an alliance with ultimate season 22 champs Bates & Anthony into a fourth place finish. That result far outweighed their abilities, methinks, so that is why I think they won't fare as well this time. Now that I think about it, the girls may want to hitch their horse to the Afghanimals' wagon and try to go deep in the race again.

9) Joey & Meghan: Team Youtube (fifth place in Season 22) - We are now entering the bottom of the rankings where the teams' previous placement isn't really indicative of their abilities. If there was an award for enthusiasm then these two web "stars" would have been the winners two seasons ago for sure. As I said then, enthusiasm doesn't always translate into results or as I now know doesn't even translate into likability. These friends struggled in the middle of the pack all season and just barely squeaked by elimination until all the even lower hanging fruit was picked off or their luck finally ran out. This season there are just more teams that are stronger, better competitors and frankly, less annoying, which really is just a factor for me but hey, it's my rankings so they get ninth.

10) Bopper & Mark: Team Kentucky (fifth place in Season 20) - Speaking of luck, dumb luck is about all that propelled these friends through season 20. It seemed that each week I pegged them as the team poised to go home but they defied my odds. These good ol' boys were in over their heads by their own admission but plugged along. I doubt history will repeat itself this time. I like them and think they are good guys but Kentucky should be out in the first couple of legs.

11) Margie & Luke: Mom/Deaf Son (third place in Season 14 & eighth place in Season 18) - The bottom of the barrel this season is occupied by a team that is getting a third shot at Amazing Race glory. Since they have had a polar opposite trajectory of the Globetrotters, I have to put them as the last team and first one eliminated. This mother/son team went from third a whopping 11 seasons ago and then fell to eighth on the Unfinished Business season. So that path means that last place is the next step for them. The consolation prize is that Margie & Luke can boast that they have Amazing Race seniority as they appeared on an earlier season than any of the others. That's about all I can come up with positive to say. I'm not a fan of them but we should be spared extensive race exposure until they are gone again.

Tonight's the night for our first dose of Season 24 All-Stars or as I like to dub it: Amazing Race All Stars - Rachel Reilly Strikes Back.

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