“The Amazing Race”

CBS, Tuesdays at 10 p.m.

The executives at CBS must be idiots. That’s the only reason I can imagine why they would move “The Amazing Race,” a great family program, to the 10 p.m. timeslot, especially when this season looks like it is one of the best ever in terms of contestant selection and interaction. I’m hooked already and am willing to forgive the producers for that horrendous “Family Edition.”

Let’s investigate a few of the teams this season.

Lake and Michelle – Could be this season’s Jonathan and Victoria, but they seem to actually like one another and work well despite Lake’s short temper. They will probably do well and make it to the final six or so, but I don’t see anyone rooting for them to win.

Danielle and Dani – Sweet and surprisingly funny, you find yourself cheering for them, despite their stupid choice to put a motorcycle together instead of taking a helicopter ride. I hope they stick around for some time, just because I want to see what else they do wrong.

BJ and Tyler – Another team you can easily root for, this “hippie” team is funny, vivacious and always in good spirits. This is why I love “The Amazing Race:” You could never find these guys on another reality show because they aren’t hunky, but they are some of the best reality characters I’ve seen in some time.

Ray and Yolanda – I want to like them, but so far these two aren’t showing much personality or likeability. Perhaps that will change later (I didn’t like Uchenna and Joyce or Brandon and Nicole until later episodes), but right now I just can’t bring myself to care.

John and Scott – The most annoying part of the race. I’m happy they are gone, mostly because they can’t work together, can’t make decisions, crack under pressure and aren’t nearly as witty as they think they are.

Dave and Lori – My money is on these guys going all the way. How can your heart not melt as these self-proclaimed “nerds” find time to proclaim their love for one another while doing each roadblock and detour?

Eric and Jeremy – Forgettable horny stupid jocks. It might be fun to create a drinking game after them, though. Every time they mention a part of the female anatomy, or that they are dropouts or that Danielle and Dani are hot, you take a shot.

Fran and Barry – I always feel bad for the token elderly couple on the race because I am in constant fear that one of them will have a stroke/heart attack while doing a task. These two seem pretty stupid as well, wandering around a bridge and walking right past a clue-box for a half-hour and then deciding to put a motorcycle together instead of taking that helicopter ride. And in the previews for next week, Fran seems to fall over a cliff. Oh dear.

Contact ALL reporter Robert Taylor at [email protected].