Roll out

Here's your Sunday sampler.

"The Amazing Race" (CBS, 8:00): The competition is the closest it's ever been. The remaining teams have all run good races up to this point and it's really anybody's game. I knew my Globetrotters would still be here, along with Team Chip & Dale (Sam & Dan). I'm a little surprised by some of the others. Most boy/girl pairings would've imploded by now, and Team Dad Doesn't Know Me (father/son Gary and Matt) has the oldest player left in the game at the ripe old age of 47. I guess it's a testament to these couples strong relationships to be able to make it this far without ripping each other's lips off.

Teams make their way to Stockholm, Sweden. When Flight Time announced that it was his birthday I knew it could go either way for the Globetrotters. Either they would get eliminated in dramatic fashion or come in first. At the Detour, teams make their way through a theme park to find the Fritt Fall, a ride that plunges 24 stories in three seconds. Flashback: I rode something similar to this at Disney World in Florida called the Tower of Terror. A part of my stomach is still on that ride. Flight Time didn't even allow himself to scream. That's some self control you got there, partner. Team then must play ring toss for a travel gnome before heading to the Road Block. Pause it: How cute was it that the Globetrotters gave theirs a name?!

After a second Detour that involved explosives, the racers made their way to the Road Block Switchback, a task from a previous season that only one person could perform. When I heard they would be repeating the infamous "needle in a haystack" challenge from season 6, I knew these teams were in trouble. It was one of the most daunting tasks in "Race" history. Teams search a sprawling field of hay bales looking for one of only seven clues. The first time around, one team spent 10 hours searching. Women give birth faster than that!

I was really disappointed in Cheyne (Team Unmarried Married Couple) for making Meghan do the task. Yes, boys and girls are created equal, but he totally punked out on this one. Even Brian paused to think about making Ericka do it, but at least he stepped up. Matt made his dad do the searching, saying dad had been around hay all his life. (Matt is one lazy kid). Chip & Dale were coming apart at the seams. Is it bad that I enjoyed watching them yell at each other? Flight Time got his birthday wish as the Globetrotters came in first. These guys definitely have the best luck, being able to find the clue in less than two hours. Dad manages to find a clue after almost 3 hours and luckily for them, it was a non-elimination leg. Normally I hate those, but Gary totally deserved a second chance after baling all that hay. (Giving Matt the stink eye).

"Brothers & Sisters" (ABC, 10:00): Kitty wants to try alternative medicine and positive thinking instead of chemotherapy. She wants to eliminate all the stress from her life and focus her energy on bringing in good vibes. I know some people won't agree with me, but it was nice, if not heartbreaking, to see someone being vulnerable with cancer. Most of the time we see people get a diagnosis then become all empowered and vow to fight a good fight. I think Kitty's reaction mirrors what most women feel. This questioning of why this happened to her and the uncertainty of her future. When she realized her hair was falling out, she didn't pretend to be strong. She hid in the bathroom and sobbed. Call me pessimistic, but I liked the realism. Kitty does eventually shave her head, but the scene is very muted and not over-the-top dramatic.

As for the rest of the Walker clan, Scotty finds out his parents are separated because his dad cheated; Sarah is worried that her Parisian boy toy is a little too young and Rebecca finds out she's pregnant. When would be a good time to discuss Kevin's hair? Dude is in need of a trim. Seriously!

CHANNEL SURFING
On "Desperate Housewives" (ABC, 9:00), Julie confides in Lynette about her affair with Dominic. Being the good, feisty neighbor/friend that she is, she confronts Dominic and threatens to reveal his secret if he doesn't stay away from Julie. I was pleasantly surprised to see the Scavos sit Julie down like she was their own daughter and school her on her stupidity. It proved how much they value their relationship with Susan.
Rewind the tape: Does Bree really know how to cook or does she just go around borrowing recipes from everybody on Wisteria Lane? Tonight she wanted to use Angie's Italian recipes. Didn't she try to steal a pie recipe from Katherine two seasons ago? It's not really cooking if you have to use a recipe. I'm just saying.