Zac Sunderland, the first person under 18 to sail solo around the world, and his father Laurence have been tough competitors in the Amazing Race. The problem is that although the boy has sailed solo around the world in a sailboat his father is exerting unnecessary pressure on the young lad- Sonja Flemming/CBS photo

Former NFL (National Football League) player Marcus Pollard and wife Amani finished first in the last leg of the Amazing Race in Thailand. The episode aired Monday October 24th on the AXN Network in Southeast Asia - Sonja Flemming/CBS photo THE AMAZING RACE

THE AMAZING RACE LOSE A HUMAN INTEREST STORY in cancer survivor Ethan Zohn with his girlfriend Jenna Morasca both Survivor show winners but were eliminated on the Amazing Race notched the 4th spot on our NEW NR TOP 10 - CBS photo NEW NR TOP 10 CHARTS

Video Beat Part 1- THE AMAZING RACE USA IS SHAPING UP

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

Monday is a good night for television viewing in Southeast Asia with two interesting series available. Locked Up Abroad has turned it up a notch - There are several celebrities on the show that are running a good race. One celebrity team consists of Zac Sunderland, the first person under 18 to sail solo around the world, and his father Laurence. In this race dad is in control of decision making and dominates his son. The father made a bad decision in Thailand when they got on and later off a VIP bus from Phuket to Bangkok - Part 2 - Aung San Suu Kyi Documentary review - Recommended TV Listings

Monday November 07, 2011

THE RACE... IS ON!!!

Monday is a good night for television viewing in Southeast Asia with two interesting series available. Locked Up Abroad has turned it up a notch with truly a new season of episodes that we've never seen before. In the past they have announced that it was a new season only to televise old episodes. Now this is real deal with NEW EPISODES of Locked Up Abroad WORTH WATCHING.

The other worth watch is The Amazing race USA version that has an interesting cast. Two primary purposes of the Amazing Race is to obviously have a TV show as well as promoting tourism in the countries they visit. By bad example Thailand failed in their bid to show how hospitable the country prides itself on being. Over the years we've spent a lot of time in the country and at first it appears to be paradise. After one has experience Thailand's cancers emerge.

Two episodes ago the Amazing Race USA visited Phuket, Thailand and songthaew drivers ripped off (overcharged) several contestants for $150 in short trip from point to point on the island. One could fly round trip from Bangkok to Phuket for less than that. We've traveled around that entire island several times on a small motor-bike and believe us there is no such thing worth a $150 short wait round trip.

A team of grandparents Bill and his wife Cathi are proving to be tough competitors in the race. They are respected by the other teams as being old but quick and strong. What the opposition didn't say was the grandparents are intelligent.

Over the seven legs of the race they have finished 11th, 7th (3 times), 2nd and 6th. For the elder man Bill hauling 200 pound bails of tobacco around a warehouse proved to be a piece of cake for him but not for several of his younger competitors. His edge is that he has and worked on his farm.

There are several celebrities on the show that are running a good race. One celebrity team consists of Zac Sunderland, the first person under 18 to sail solo around the world, and his father Laurence. In this race dad is in control of decision making and dominates his son.

The father made a bad decision in Thailand when they got on and later off a VIP bus from Phuket to Bangkok. The father thought that they could not travel 1st class. They returned to Phuket and took a regular bus that makes several stops along the way. On arrival they were informed that the rule only applies to air travel and that the father's decision almost caused them to be eliminated. In this case it proves that father always doesn't know best. The duo have been strong competitors with successive finishes of 6th, 2nd, 2nd, 4th, 6th and 4th.

Former Olympic snowboarders Andy Finch and Tommy Czeschin have had the most successful racers having finished 1st four times in the 6 legs including the last leg and three consecutive times in legs 2, 3 and 4.

One team includes former NFL football player Marcus Pollard and wife Amani who finished 1st in Thailand. They went from first to worst in the last leg in Malawi, Africa. Fortunately for the couple this was a non elimination leg of the race. As Marcus describes he likens their competitiveness as that of a pro football team that starts slow at the beginning of the season and gains momentum throughout in time to be ready for the playoffs. Stay tuned and tune in on their progress.

Tonight the race continues from Malawi to Denmark. There are tow airings one early and a late evening repeat of the episode. Please note the schedule below.

NOTE:

In our most recent National Top 10 rankings of stories most read our column featuring The Amazing Race Loses a Human Interest Story ranked # 4th on the list. The interesting aspect about their story is they both were winners of the Survivor reality series. Each won their titles in separate series. Since winning Survivor competition Ethan Zohn has been battling cancer which is said to be currently in remission.

For those not familiar with Survivor it is the most challenging physical experience of any reality show with contestants having to survive in jungle conditions. They must be popular with their rivals as many tasks involve team as well as individual competitions. The handsome Zohn proved to be strong and the most likable.

He has an athletic background playing and coaching soccer/football. By the dating couple being eliminated in the 2nd leg of the race the program lost some of their celebrity luster.

Part 2 - Aung San Suu Kyi Documentary review

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TV SCHEDULE

Note: The shows listed are for the Cambodia/Thailand time zone. Check our chart or your local listings for time in your area.

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