‘Amazing Race’ finale created lots of questions

We've received umpteen questions about "The Amazing Race" since its finale one week ago, so we're devoting this week's column to investigating your three main questions. CBS did not respond to a request for comment by press time.

We received dozens of variations on three main questions:

BACKING UP THE PLANE
"How real was it that the pilots let Uchenna and Joyce on the airplane to Miami? If they hadn't gotten on, the race would have essentially been over with Rob & Amber the winners. Did the producers have a hand in the flight being re-opened? It seems highly unlikely that that would have happened in today's security climate without outside influence."    —Billy

PAYING THE CABBIE
"Uchenna and Joyce waited to go to the mat to win so they could beg for the money they needed to make good with the cabbie for his fare.  Is it a requirement of the show that they did that or was that more of a moral choice for Uchenna?" —Becky

WHAT DO SECOND- AND THIRD-PLACE FINISHERS WIN?
"I love ‘The Amazing Race’ and have always been curious if there's any money for finishing second or third."     —Anonymous

A: The two-time Emmy-winning series “The Amazing Race” has always been popular with a core group of fans. But the show is now officially a hit, as the finale of the seventh season was watched by a record number of viewers (16.01 million).

With popularity comes scrutiny, and this season’s finale had a few moments that made some think the show didn’t play fair during its season finale. Immediately after Joyce and Uchenna Agu won the $1 million prize, conspiracy theories about the outcome began to surface.

Some theories show ignorance about the race; for example, the bridge-jumping task in San Juan was 87 miles away from the airport and closed until morning, which permitted Joyce and Uchenna to catch up. That seemed like a plot against Rob and Amber to some, but these “equalizers” have frustrated some fans since the first season. They both increase drama and make the production possible (otherwise teams could be in, say, four different countries at once).

DA PLANE, DA PLANE
The main conspiracy theory centers on the final plane ride. Rob and Amber boarded a flight in San Juan, and thought they were safe when the doors closed.  Joyce and Uchenna were close behind, but at the gate, they were denied entry. The gate agent radioed to the pilot, who decided to let the couple on the plane, creating a two-team race to the finish in Miami. Add to that the fact that American Airlines has been a sponsor of the race, and those unlikely events seem like a conspiracy to some.

Rob and Amber helped fuel these rumors. Rob told TV Guide he “was yelling and screaming at the producers on the plane” and says this “was a bit sketchy to me ... it wouldn’t have been too dramatic if only one team was running to the finish line.”

CBS, of course, says these claims “are completely without foundation.” A spokesperson told The New York Post, “Reality series are always breeding grounds for conspiracy theories. Only an understanding gate agent and the goodwill of the pilot returned the Jetway back to the plane. Uchenna and Joyce treated everyone with kindness and respect throughout race, and that karma was returned at a crucial moment.”

PAYING UP
Others accuse the show of creating drama when Joyce and Uchenna, just steps away from the finish line, had to beg for money to pay a cabbie. Although tension was definitely manufactured by the editors — ultimately, Rob and Amber checked in about 30 minutes after Joyce and Uchenna — the situation was not.

Uchenna said paying the driver “was all about honor,” but really, they had no choice. “Amazing Race” rules stipulate that teams can’t break local laws, and that would include stiffing a driver. Teams can certainly bargain — hence Joyce and Uchenna’s deal with a Jamaican cabbie who drove them around for just $40 — but they can’t walk away. And their driver wanted his money.

COMING IN SECOND
Once they were able to coax enough cash out of strangers, Joyce and Uchenna claimed the $1 million, and Rob and Amber followed them onto the mat. So what do Rob and Amber win? “Survivor” contestants are paid on a sliding scale, but “The Amazing Race” never has officially revealed what non-winning teams receive for their accomplishments.

While we don’t know for sure, the TARflies Times reports that they “have heard rumors that the second-place prize for some seasons has been $25,000 or $50,000, and third place was $10,000 or $25,000."

Even if we don’t know what their second-place prize was, Rob and Amber did quite well, racking up prizes after most of their five first-place finishes. And, of course, CBS paid for and is broadcasting their wedding on May 24. While second place probably wasn’t the outcome Rob hoped for, he and Amber are doing just fine.    —A.D.

Gael Fashingbauer Cooper is MSNBC.com's Television Editor. Andy Dehnart is a writer and teacher who publishes reality blurred, a daily summary of reality TV news.

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