Seriously!

Very good finale.

And the puzzle at the end was extra amusing with the added height.

Kudos to Ernie for reasoning out what to do about the missing 1 key.

I was really surprised that the missing key stumped everyone for a little bit. I was taught to type on a typewriter not much more advanced than that one, and it didn't have a "1" key either, so I had to always use the "l" instead. I guess these people just aren't as ancient as I am...

I amused my college-age nephews recently telling them how you could rent typewriters by the hour when I was in college, or pay somebody to type it for you.

I went to Clarion West in 1991, and was one of the five out of 20 students who brought a computer.

pay somebody to type it for you

I earned a few bucks doing this in college, where I at least had an electric typewriter. I also would proofread/edit the paper before typing it up, so the person always got good marks on their writing ability, if not their content. My roommate senior year (1987-88) had a home computer in our room, but she was the only one I knew who did. There was a computer lab in the library, but since they closed at midnight, Ms. All-nighter here didn't take full advantage of them.

I was totally thinking Bill and Cathy would've done awesome on the typewriting.

I would've felt worse for Jeremy and Sandy, getting to the other Dump, but I didn't like them much, so...

This is the first season I've ever watched TAR, and now I'm all about it. Roomie got me into it and now I'm all "Let's apply! I wanna go! Even though I'm out of shape and afraid of heights and don't do well in heat or lack of sleep or food...er...."

But can you drive a stick shift?

You have to drive stick shift! And know to check if your rental car requires diesel fuel.

They showed an ad for TAR3 and TAR4 on dvd last night, and it reminded me that my first race was TAR4. Dating virgins! The first gay married couple on the show (IIRC)! Clowns! Nutbunches!!! (Still the best ever episode, with Kelly and Jon losing out on the Fast Forward [feeding fruit to the orangutans!] and then racing to the mat with the virgins in hot pursuit.)

meara, you're an experienced traveler and I think that counts for a lot. But as they say, make sure you know how to drive stick. Er, so to say.

TAR4 was also my first! I still don't follow many reality shows but make a huge exception for this one. Especially because you CAN win the contest w/o being mean, rude or backbiting.

I've never learned to drive a stick shift. I am, at heart, shiftless.

Yes, the plan would be to learn to drive stick, and get in better shape, and do a lot of watching old races and learning geography and shit.

Only I doubt we'd be exciting enough as a team to get chosen. Roommates? Meh.