Analyzing The All-Stars

Well, CBS just announced which teams would be competing on the all-star edition of The Amazing Race. You remember that a few weeks ago, when they announced the all-star season, I offered my suggestions for who the all-stars should be. It turns out that I wasn't that far off.

Joe & Bill (Season 1)
As I predicted, Team Guido is back for more.

Kevin & Drew (Season 1)
No complaints here. The baldheaded frat boys already made a cameo appearance in the family edition. These fan-favorites are justifiably back for more.

Oswald & Danny (Season 2)
Nothing like Team Cha-Cha-Cha to add a little of flair to a great cast.

Teri & Ian (Season 3)
If Jonathan and Victoria couldn't make it (or were too big a liability to ask back), Ian will do just fine filling the abusive spouse slot.

John Vito & Jill (Season 3)
Absolutely a great choice. How could you not love this couple? Jill was the cute, perky blond while John Vito was the strong, silent-type boyfriend, who actually turned out to be a really nice guy. They're a hard-working team who rubbed nobody the wrong way.

Charla & Mirna (Season 5)
Bring on the dwarf! Charla (a/k/a Schmirna) is arguably the most driven contestant to ever run the race. And I guess her whiny cousin needs to come along as well.

Uchenna & Joyce (Season 7)
The lone former champions to be asked back, Joyce is sporting a new head of hair.

Rob & Amber (Season 7)
Stop me before I vomit. The biggest fame whores this side of Trista Rehn have been granted yet another fifteen minutes. Then again, can anybody honestly say they were surprised? It will give Rob a chance to lose his fifth straight reality show.

Eric & Danielle (Season 9)
They competed on separate teams the first time through, but one of the frat boys fell in love with one of the Double D's during the race, and now, they're an item. Why anybody would be turned on by a guy with nipple piercings is beyond me, but more power to them.

David & Mary (Season 10)
We knew that the coal miner and his wife would be asked back as soon as the last race concluded. I could do without Mary's shrieking voice, but in all fairness, no team grew as much by running the race as these two.

Dustin & Kandice (Season 10)
This selection is the only true head-scratcher in the bunch. What did Dustin and Kandice do to distinguish themselves from all the other blond pretty faces to run the race? I don't know either.

Biggest Omissions
I can't believe that the now-"divorced" couple of Chip and Reichen weren't asked back, unless, of course, reuniting them would cause their new boyfriends to slap fight to the death. I also think that Jonathan and Victoria should have been given a second chance, though I understand if the producers wanted to draw the line at verbal, instead of physical, spousal abuse.

The new season starts February 18th. Having not missed an episode since Season 2, I'll be tuning in for sure.