There’s been something I’ve wondered about The Amazing Race for some time now (long before Hendekea’s inconvenient bathroom break last week): how often do the competitors have to interrupt their travels for an emergency ‘pit stop’?

If I remember correctly, Hendekea and her brother had just traveled 100 miles via taxi before she found it necessary to pee.  Assuming she didn’t force her driver to make any stops along the way, I think her ability to hold out for that long was actually quite impressive.  Is it the fact that she had to find a place to squat what angered Azaria?  Was it her inability to whip it out anywhere she liked what Azaria meant by a ‘physical limitation’?

Unless I am mistaken, that incident was the first time I had seen a bladder issue affect a team’s position in the game. (The siblings were in first place before the pause; they were then temporarily in third after the restart).  At the very least, it was the first time I can recall the Race producers documenting nature’s call at all.

But in the annals of Amazing Race history, there must have been other status-threatening ‘pit stops’.  Are you seriously telling me that someone hasn’t been sidelined with a ‘travel tummy’ before?  Thankfully Hendekea only had a minor issue this time around; what if she needed to do a #2?

I honestly think The Amazing Race should air more of these pee breaks…even if they have no affect on the outcome whatsoever.  Here’s a list of why I feel those private moments should not be reserved for the DVD extras:

1. It would add one more layer of believability to the show.  (As it is, they’re never seen eating during their long journeys.)
2. Speaking of eating, how are the local delicacies factoring into the equation?  Are the competitors sticking with items they already know, or are they risking their digestive systems by sampling foreign foods?
3. Although still exciting, the show - currently in its 12th season – could always use an injection of fresh material.
4. Footage of a closed door would also create an extra element of tension.  Will Donald’s bathroom break cause Nicolas to tap his foot impatiently?  Would the delay allow TK and Rachel to come narrowly close to catching up?
5. In that last episode, Hendekea sought a bit of privacy before she could relieve herself.  Where else are they ‘going’ in the remote locales?  What conditions are they being forced to contend with?
6. And what about the camera crews following them?  How do their emergencies impact the teams?
7. And last but not least, I think documenting bathroom breaks (or lack thereof) will give us a better sense of the competitors’ physical limits.  Which racer has a chronic problem with IBS?  Which ones have strong, healthy bladders? Which ones are wearing astronaut diapers?  Which competitors are taking Detrol for frequent urination?

Now, don’t get me wrong—I’m not asking for the show to suddenly become disgusting or graphic (this is still a family-friendly program).  I’d just like to know how those Energizer Bunnies keep going…and going…and going.