I felt that the race was manipulated this season.
The Hippies, who I loved, we not only in 2 non-elimination rounds, but the rounds were only seperated by one week, I believe. I don't remember from past seasons, but isn't that unusual?.......to have two NER's almost consecutive.
My feeling at the time was that they only made that an NER because the Hippies came in last. The Hippies made for good TV. Very enjoyable to watch.
Then, on the finale show, the flag thing was a feat that required some brain power.
When the Frat boys hit the mat, Phil brought this up and said that it came down to brains in the end. Did they think it would come down to that. The Frat boys said they were college drop outs and BJ went to Yale or Harvard.
Anyway, I suspected manipulation back to the 2nd NER and when Phil mentioned that at the end, I thought.......hmmmmmm
First, they usually have more NER at the end of the race then at the beginning. The Hippies came in last, then someone else did and got eliminated, then the Hippies came in last again.
Next, there was a brain quiz at the end of the TAR: Family edition. In the final, they had to put together a map of the United States.