You've all made it crystal clear why I haven't been as into the show as I always have. I originally thought the family idea would put a different spin on it but unfortunately it did to its detriment. And only driving around in this country is boring, boring, boring. That's what made the show so cool before, seeing all those far-away places. Doubt if they'll get an Emmy this year!

True this edition is not as good as previous ones, but i am not giving up on this show. Perhaps it will pick up as more of the teams are eliminated. I will look forward to getting back to the teams of 2 for Race 9. Perhaps an all-star version could be in the works? Would love to see the Bowling Moms, Terri and Ian and others go at it again. Worked for Survivor, why not the Race?

I gave up on this show halfway through the first episode of the season. I can't buy in to the whole family thing. Note to all television producers, the words "family edition" do not necessarily make a better show. In fact, they rarely bode well for a program. I hate family editions of anything. And if they're not going to other countries, then what's the point. I want to see them going places I'm not likely to go. I live in the US, so it's not that fascinating to me. I've been to Canada. It might as well be the 51st through 64th states. Ok, the French can have Quebec. If you're going to trick up the show, throw in some competitions for traveling money or something like that. Don't whip me with unweildy, four-person teams, and leave the kids at home with a sitter.

They have to have special rules because of the children. Did you notice that they all started around 8am? I'm sure they did a ton of research and all the pitstops and challenges are designed to keep those kids from working too long in whatever locality they may be in.

Actually the will apparently be leaving the United States... they're supposed to be coming to Canada later in the series.

Wait, they're seriously not leaving the country? That's so lame. Personally, I kinda like the Paolos. But then again, I grew up in an Italian family, so it's nostalgic for me to see that kind of bickering. I just hope I was never quite as cutting to my mom as the Paolos' kids are.

Yeah, the lack of international destinations is a serious turn-off for this season. Half the fun of the Amazing Race, for me at least, has been seeing all of these incredible locales around the world that I'd never heard of. Now its just roadtripping around Amish country and Washington DC. Boring.

Did anyone else fail to realize, like myself, that they aren't going to leave the country?? How boring! Evene Phil now says, "The second pitstop...in the Amazing Race." instead of "in a race around the world." No fights at the airline ticket counter? No pleas (or ruses) to get on an earlier flight? Booooooo.