Travelocity sponsors too. Last season, their prizes were munificent. This year, downscale.
I don't think that airline tickets for twice as many contestants iare a major expense. Schlepping the crews and equipment costs more. They're saving by staying close to home. But considering the huge audience they reach, TAR seems rather low-budget compared with say West Wing, with huge star salaries.
Pit stops in trailer parks? Like there wasn't anything more interesting in Alabama? I felt a cynical hand at work behind the scenes. Sabotage?
Maybe Phil and other producers are taking more profits ...like profit-taking on Wall Street. But it's stupid to stiff the viewer on a show that just reached its peak and should have a few good years left in it if it's not intentionally strangled.
For my money, the season with Myrna and Charla, the midget, was the best with trips to beautiful Buenos Aires and the Pyramids all photographed in spectacular fashion from copters. I forgot who won that one and basically never do care about that. (Unless it's Romber, LOL)
Note to Phil: It's the SCENERY, Stupid.
And where in the world are Rob and Amber now?
Go Paolos!
You are correct it seems that TAR has gone on the cheap, especially since season #7. I think it was you who remarked about how they went half way around the world and then went back.
GSN is currently running season #2 and tomorrow they will have the season #2 finale. In that one I beleive they go from New Zealand to Hawaii to Alaska to the finish in San Francisco. I've seen it before and know who wins and they had much tougher detours and roadblocks, which is missing from the later seasons.