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Welcome to Reality Derby, your weekly exploration into the realm of reality television, hosted by Gold Derby senior editors Marcus James Dixon and Denton Davidson.
This week, we feature Mark Crawford and Larry Graham, the first contestants eliminated from The Amazing Race Season 37. They share insights about their audition experiences, the challenges they faced during the competition, and their perspective on age dynamics within the series. (Our conversation begins at the 27:00 mark in the video above.)
After a lengthy flight, Larry expressed that one of his highlights was simply appreciating the beauty of Hong Kong, describing it as “the cleanest place I’ve ever been.” The duo made a conscious effort to take their time and fully enjoy their surroundings instead of rushing through the experience.
SEE ‘The Amazing Race’s’ Phil Keoghan discusses the advantages of the Fork in the Road, the challenges of double elimination, and his predictions before the season began.
Despite the intense competition and the pressure of being in the race with 13 other teams, Mark recalled moments of amazement, including sightings of iconic landmarks like the Buddha statue. He underscored that the value of the experience lay not in just reaching the destination, but in the connections they made along the way.
With both Mark & Larry and Jackye & Lauren being among the oldest competitors and exiting in the premiere episode, the question arose whether younger teams are favored in this contest. “Of course,” Larry stated, adding that being fit is crucial. He humorously remarked on the remarkable physicality of this year’s contestants, questioning the absence of heavier competitors: “Where are all the fat people? We’re competing against some incredible athletes.”
Reflecting on their performance, Larry pointed to a stroke of misfortune during the “Dance vs. Sing” Fork in the Road challenge, emphasizing that their limitations in dancing and singing were clear. He expressed a belief that had they participated in more practical tasks, such as driving or other physically demanding activities, they would have excelled.
Mark echoed Larry’s sentiments, noting that their early struggle with performing arts significantly impeded their chances. However, he remained optimistic, suggesting that if the tasks leaned more toward navigation or practical skills, their experience and competencies would shine through. He offered a thought-provoking conclusion regarding the advantages of age in such competitions, asserting that wisdom and experience can outweigh the perceived benefits of youth. “It doesn’t pay to be young. It pays to be older with a bit of experience,” he remarked.
This week on Reality Derby, we also delve into the finale of The Traitors (“The Day of Reckoning Is Upon Us”), the latest episode of Survivor 48 (“Humble Traits”), and the premiere of Group B on The Masked Singer (“Voices of Olympus”). Catch this week’s episode above, and join the conversation in our forums.
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