Why I can't hate Rob & Amber

Reality shows don't always bring out the best in people. Which is why we watch, right? I mean, would it really be that fun to see hours and hours of cooperation?

I'm enjoying Survivor, and dabble in the occasional Real World/Road Rules challage, but my favorite of the genre has to be The Amazing Race. The Race puts a different spin on reality, pitting couple against couple (and, once, family against family -- but I'm trying to forget that blah season). These relationships, be they friendships, marriages, dating, etc., are either forged in the heat of competition or just flame out. Yelling is one thing, and it can get downright unpleasant, especially when it's followed by a slap. But usually, it's just the entertaining kind of static, and good pairs work through it.

I am a little surprised to be saying this, but Rob and Amber, the arrogant Bostonian and the pretty girl who fell in love on Survivor All-Stars, set a great example for couples in reality TV. It's moderately annoying that they're whoring themselves in all kinds of ways -- they had a televised wedding and show on Fox Reality that should have been called Unsubtle Product Placement instead of Against the Odds. But they seem to genuinely love (and like) each other. They're tough competitors, but they don't chew on each other when things go south. That's not to say that their interactions lack drama: They don't. Rob and Amber don't always agree, and they're arrogant. They're also not afraid to lie, which they point out is not against the rules.

After winning the first three legs of The Amazing Race All-Stars, they got eliminated, and I miss them. And after reading this article, I can't wait to see what they'll do next.