The ROCKERS team former Megadeth bassist James LoMenzo (L) and his lawyer friend Abba were stolen from twice on the Amazing Race. Once buy fellow contestants and a 2nd time by a Russian taxi driver who took off with their bags and Abba's passport. No passport resulted in them being eliminated from the race - (CBS photo)

Dating university students Trey and Lexi wanted the thieving twins to share the stolen money with them - (CBS photo)

Twins Nadiya and Natalie have bad Karma on their hands from stealing money from fellow contestants rockers James LoMenzo and lawyer friend Abba. The rockers have been eliminated but the twins remain in the Top 4 of the race for US $1 million - (CBS photo)

Video Beat - AMAZING RACE LOST THE PLOT - THE VOICE IS CHOICE

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

When it comes to establishing low standards the Amazing Race 21 wins the trophy. THIEVING TWINS REMAIN IN RACE - The Voice is 10 times better than previous seasons with better talent, look and production quality. Our Top 3 VOICE CHOICES & WHY - Scam City & Locked Up Abroad on viewers menu- Recommended TV Listings

Monday December 03, 2012

THE VIEWERS CHOICE

In East Asia starting tonight Monday December 3rd through tomorrow Tuesday December 4th there is plenty to see on TV. Starting tonight on the Amazing Race USA edition now in its 10th leg with four contestants. This season AR has set an all time low for moral integrity. The reason why is they permitted to contestants to steal from another team without retribution or eliminated from the race. That decision sent the wrong message to the International viewing public that it's OK to steal. In most countries stealing is a crime punishable by imprisonment. On The Amazing Race it is tolerated

As we explained in our last edition female twins Natalie and Nadiya of Sri Lankan heritage but raised in New York City took the money two fellow contestants left on the counter of a tourism company as they were all together with a third team booking tickets from Bangladesh to Turkey. One of the twins yelled out who's is this and the other said for her to shut up and keep the money. That led to the team referred to as the rockers James and Abba to beg for money in the streets of the very poor Bangladesh. Fortunately a young lady came to their rescue and they remained in the race.

This story has been reported and the twins conduct criticized. When they reached the pit stop the incident was not called to their attention and they were permitted to continue in the race.

What was not reported is the conduct of the third team in the office the clean cut dating college students Trey and Lexi. Trey was a member of the University of Texas football team. They asked the twins to split to money with them. As clean looking and educated as they are that was a shocking surprise. As they say you can't tell a book by its cover.

Bad Karma is in the lives of the twins but they are living a charmed life as in tonight's episode that aired in the USA last night the twins came last of the four remaining teams but luckily for them it was a non elimination leg with two legs to go.

This is a strange quirk in the shows scheduling as from the beginning they plan how many legs will be in the race. As the show progresses the producers can eliminate a team or award them a pass noting it is a non elimination leg. The criterion is to keep teams that are interesting or celebrity for the sake of making good television. The boring and misbehaved can be eliminated. The twins fall into the misbehaved category.

The rockers James and Abba didn't know what happened to their money until the saw a show promotion the week of the airing of that episode. They thought they lost it in traveling in a van and it fell out of their pockets. The reality is that Abba a lawyer left it on the travel agency counter. He committed another blunder when he left his passport in his bag that they left in a taxi in Russia and the driver ran off with their possessions.

They claim they are fans of the show and watch it often. Obviously they missed Season 13 when a mother son team had their bags and passports stolen in Russia by a taxi drive that drove off with their possessions and they were eliminated. Both being 50ish one excuse is fatigue from the pace of the show could cloud their memory.

Being that the finals consist of three teams racing for the US $1 million prize the twins couldn't be eliminated as the show would have three teams in the semifinal next week thus eliminating the element of surprise for the final. The production of the show is clever as the race was filmed between May 26, 2012 to June 16, 2012. The results are cleverly held back until the show airs. The first episode aired September 30th in the USA and is scheduled to conclude December 9th in the USA. The show airs a day later in East Asia.

That brings about another strange quirk in the programming schedule. The race chart lists two more legs yet in the USA the series is scheduled to end on the 9th or next week. Since the twins were saved and two legs remain the possibility exists that the show could end with a double final episode in the US where at the end of the first hour a team can be eliminated. The remaining teams will be told that the race is not over and to continue.

Given that the show airs the following day in Asia a two part episode that aired in America could be split in to two separate episodes in Asia with the 1st hour ending with a to be continued the following week. This is done as not to interfere with the Asian programming schedule. This is a cliff hanger situation. In Asia in the past they have split a double episode into two that airs two consecutive weeks.

We don't recall any final that had four teams competing for the AR title. The way they schedule programming in Asia defies logic and common sense. They schedule programs to start as much as 15 minutes past the top of the hour or 10 minutes prior to the top of hour. This will be another revelation as how absurd the scheduling of programming in Asia can be.

This is the Karma test. If the twins win then as many Buddhists and Muslims say they will suffer in their next life. For the Amazing Race it has a good thing going as there is now attention being paid from those who are rooting for the twins to lose due to their EVIL DEED.

THE VOICE IS THE CHOICE

Given the sharp decline in the production of American Idol and its apparent fixing of the results the Voice has seized the opportunity to take a giant step forward in being a better show. In our view the first two seasons were boring and the talent not so good. This season the show is 10 times better in its production quality and talent.

The judges Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Cee Lo Green and Christina Aguilera have hit a groove and seem to blend well in what appears to be a harmonious relationship. The good news is they critique with respect of the contestants feelings and are not cruel with their statements.

The show is down to its final six and all are good. Our favorites and reason why are as follows:

1. Nicholas David - He has the best quality voice and the most professional experience having been in a band. He's mature and in his 30's which can be an advantage dealing with the entertainment business wars. He makes great song choices to fit his voice. David has been the most consistent performer throughout the competition. He has yet to have a poor performance.

2. Trevin Hunte - Great voice. He's only 18-years old and is shy, lacks confidence and experience. Hunte could be a super star as he gains experience, confidence and matures. Being so young and being exposed to the Hollyweird community can be overwhelming. Should he survive the mental part of the business and be mentored by the right manager he could go far. His weakness is trying too hard in showing what he can do. The result is he reaches beyond his talent and has a tendency to make slight vocal errors.

3. Cassadee Pope - Has improved the most of all the contestants. The past two weeks she has shined with two strong performances. Of all the contestants she is the most marketable being that she is young, attractive, and talented. Her pop/country style is the most appealing to record buyers that tend to be her age or younger.

The remaining talents all are gifted with interesting and saleable voices.

Tomorrow night Tuesday in East Asia tune in to Scam City & Locked Up Abroad on viewers menu list below.

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