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Jaymes Vaughan and James Davis receive tips about synchronized swimming from a Russian Olympic trainer on CBS’ “The Amazing Race” on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012.
Monday, Nov. 12, 2012 | 10:33 a.m.
Jaymes Vaughan and James Davis compete on CBS' "The Amazing Race" on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012.
Synchronized swimming should’ve been a lot easier for our Chippendales dancers Jaymes Vaughan and James Davis than the other contestants on Sunday night’s seventh episode of Season 21 of CBS’ “The Amazing Race,” but not if you haven’t learned Russian first and certainly if your dance moves are learned onstage at the Rio instead of underwater.
With only six teams remaining on the Emmy Award-winning reality TV competition, the challenges are getting tougher and more complicated. The teams left Istanbul and wound up in Moscow. Our Team Chippendales hunks didn’t face the adversity two other teams struggled with: a missed flight and lost backpacks with their passports.
The main task was back to school to learn Russian, and this was no Rosetta Stone. This was hard and fast classroom lessons under a no-nonsense teacher, and it looked as if Siberia loomed if you messed with him.
Those four teams agreed to a pact not to finish last, thus race together and finish together. First, though, find books in a Russian library without benefit of knowing the language. Then the synchronized swimming instructions from the Russian Olympic team coach. They also performed Russian military dancing, which again proved tougher than expected.
After a challenge to unlock the traditional Russian wedding Trees of Love, Team Chippendales placed 2nd last night, their best finish to date -- and after nearly being eliminated in several episodes. Then producers sprang a surprise on everybody: The Russian adventure will continue as a two-parter next week, so nobody was eliminated.
To be continued -- for viewers and contestants next Sunday -- and we’ll have the results a week from now.
Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.
Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.
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Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.
Carnival lasts all year at the Rio. With a float occasionally passing overhead and dropping beads while feathered dancers fire up the gamblers below, the Rio tries to keep its 120,000-square foot casino jumping with excitement. Special Brazilian mixed-drinks are also served throughout the casino. The hotel suites tend to be larger than similar priced rooms on the Strip and many offer excellent views with floor to ceiling windows.
The Rio offers some quality shows like "Penn & Teller" and "Chippendales." Many come to the Rio for the nightlife at the VooDoo Lounge, located on the 51st floor, or McFadden's Irish Pub on the casino level.
Others come for a bit relaxation at the Rio Spa or pool area and still others come to shop at the hotel's 60,000 square feet of shops. In each of these endeavors, the Rio attempts to make the experience a bit more fun and spontaneous.
The Rio also offers guests a variety of dining choices from all-American food at the All-American Bar & Grille to Gaylord India Restaurant for something a little spicier and even Carnival World Buffet for the indecisive.
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