The Amazing Race Ideal All-Stars

CBS has announced that the next season of The Amazing Race will be an all-star edition (unlike the last one, which only seemed like an all-star edition because of typecasting). The teams that have been asked back, beyond David and Mary from the most recent season, are still a closely-guarded secret. I have created my list of the 12 teams I would like to see on TAR All-Stars, subject to the following rules:

1. Every season (except for Family Edition) must have at least one representative
2. Not all champions get a spot in All-Stars, but more consideration is given to teams that made it far into the race
3. Teams that were eliminated through a stroke of bad luck get additional consideration
4. Noteworthy "villian" teams get additional consideration, because we always need bad guys
5. Teams whose relationship status has changed since they last appeared on TAR get additional consideration if they would make for good television
6. As always, the show should provide for proper diversity in age, race, gender, and relationship status

Joe & Bill (TAR 1) - Team Guido from the first season (Guido was their dog's name, and has nothing to do with their ethnicity) was the original ornery gay couple that lay the groundwork for the likes of Lynn & Alex, Tom & Terry, and John & Scott.

Blake & Paige (TAR 2) - This brother and sister team, dubbed "The Smileys" were travel novices from Texas that made it to the final three on the basis of charm, good cheer, and resourcefulness. They deserve a second go.

Oswald & Danny (TAR 2) - While Team Guido might have been the original ornery gay couple, Team Cha-Cha-Cha was the original flamboyant gay non-couple. Who else finds time for a shopping trip in the middle of a race around the world?

Flo & Zach (TAR 3) - Team FloZach won TAR 3 despite the fact that Flo whined incessantly, at one point all but quitting the race and forcing Zach to drag her along. It's worth bringing this team back just to see if Zach will put up with her the second time around.

Chip & Reichen (TAR 4) - The married gay couple that won TAR 4 have since been "divorced." It will be interesting to see how the ex-lovers get along with each other now, particularly since Chip must be jealous over Reichen's relationship with *NSYNC member Lance Bass.

Charla & Mirna (TAR 5) - Charla was the energetic and competitive dwarf who proved that determined little people can do anything as long as they put their minds to it. Mirna was her crotchety, overprotective cousin.

Lena & Kristy (TAR 6) - The absolutely adorable sisters from Utah were eliminated from the race prematurely, when Lena spent eight hours unrolling haybales in Sweden trying to find a clue. Eventually, Phil Keoghan had to come onto the course and inform them that the leg was over.

Jonathan & Victoria (TAR 6) - Jonathan is the abusive husband everyone loves to hate. His shove of a disconsolate Victoria as they were running toward the pit stop in Berlin shocked the viewing audience. While they had a therapy session with Dr. Phil after the race, I'm willing to bet that Jonathan will be back to his old tricks if they run again.

Uchenna & Joyce (TAR 7) - The champions of TAR 7 were willing do whatever it took to win the race, including begging strangers for taxi fare and getting their heads shaved. On the last leg, Uchenna incredibly managed to convince an American Airlines pilot to bring the plane back to the gate, so he and Joyce could keep up with Rob and Amber. And speaking of Rob and Amber...

Rob & Amber (TAR 7) - Yes, their fifteen minutes were used up long ago, but Rob and Amber are the consummate reality show couple. Rob actually changed the game by introducing elements of manipulation and malice into what used to be an every-team-for-itself competition. Amber came along for the ride.

B.J. & Tyler (TAR 9) - The happy-go-lucky hippies displayed their joyful spirit during every moment of the race, respecting the native cultures and making friends with people they met along the way. However, they were criticized for being overly (and falsely) dramatic, and for being, in actuality, just as cutthroat and conniving as any of the other teams.

Bilal & Sa'eed (TAR 10) - These two best friends and observant Muslims promised to make for compelling television, since they were willing to abide by the pillars of Islam in all circumstances, even if it meant rolling out their prayer mats in the middle of a Detour. They were eliminated halfway through the first leg, before we even got a chance to see how their faith would play out during the race. They deserve a second shot.