So, tonight (October 9th, 2015), the season finale of Total Drama Presents: The Ridonculous Race took place. I'll admit, I had my doubts about this spin-off, since I've seen what happens with Cartoon Network show spin-offs (Teen Titans Go), and it makes me puke. I didn't want the series to be ruined. But, of course, I was going to give it a chance. And I'm really happy that I did. Wow, this season was amazing. I am REALLY hoping that they continue to make more, but at the same time I don't want them to deviate from the original series too much. If they can possibly give us one season of Total Drama and one season of The Ridonculous Race per year, I would be cool with that. Let's see if they can deliver on that. Oh, and I'll say this now. I know that each and every season has an "alternate ending", but that's bullshit. The official winner (to me, at least) is the team that I watch, with my own two eyes, win the game on my television. THAT is the official winners. So, if the runner-up makes more "sense" to you as a winner...I'm sorry, but you're wrong. Whoever was on TV are the winners. Accept it.
These are my rankings of all 18 teams that partook in this season of The Ridonculous Race, followed by the OFFICIAL winners of all the seasons and how I would rank them, too. Tell me what you think, please! Oh, and yes, I didn't HATE any team at all on this season! That's insanely rare, but it's true. I liked each and every team in their own way, for some reason.
RANKINGS:
18. Ellody & Mary (Geniuses) - Again, nothing against them, but what did they bring to the race? Absolutely nothing. They were just there. And then they were eliminated out of nowhere. The only consolation that I can give them is that Ellody is freaking hot and she's one of the crushes I got from this race.
17. Kelly & Taylor (Mother & Daughter) :bulletyellow: - Once in a while funny, but overall just not a really likable team and didn't bring much other than parental conflict. Sure, a clever spoof on actual Amazing Race teams, but just not all that enjoyable. Kelly is a nice woman, and Taylor can be hot, but just not fun to really watch.
16. Jay & Mickey (Adversity Twins) - I'm sorry, but WHY exactly do all you people hate Cameron? Honestly, I liked Cameron a lot, while these two were just...annoying. How is "not taking someone seriously" more entertaining than taking someone seriously who is clearly an underdog? I don't get you people. The point is, these two were alright, but again just more annoying than entertaining.
15. Laurie & Miles (Vegans) - So...are they vegans or hippies? Or...vegan hippies? I really didn't get this team. I would've much preferred Dawn coming back. Their elimination episode, and the one before it where they got saved, were pretty entertaining, but I just can't rank them any higher since they really didn't leave much of an impression on me whatsoever.
14. Rock & Spud (Rockers) - Rock is a good guy with a lot of heart and passion, and he was fun. But Spud...ugh. There's a right way to do stupid (Owen, Geoff, Brody) and a wrong way. And this is the wrong way. To be fair, both of them were funny together, and I did find myself rooting for them sometimes, but this is as high as anyone with a brain could feasibly rank them together.
13. Chet & Lorenzo (Stepbrothers) - I REALLY wanted to rank them higher, or even rank them with green bullets, but I just can't. Half the time they were invisible or irrelevant, and that just killed me. When they were together, they were easily likable. Their new sibling rivalry was funny and cute, and when they started to get along, it was adorable. But, just too much being irrelevant and having no story. Really sad.
12. Leonard & Tammy (Live Action Role-Playing Gamers) - How nice, the black guy gets sent out early in Pahkitew Island, and then kicked off first in The Ridonculous Race. How racist of you, Fresh TV. Oh well. Personally, I just like Leonard. He's funny, and even if his voice is grating, I can't help but root for the goofballs, morons, or underdogs. But, the fact that he and Tammy are ranked this low tells you how amazing all the other teams were.
11. Tom & Jen (Fashion Bloggers) - From start to finish, they were just...normal. They didn't fully have any distinguishable qualities that separated them from the other teams, other than being...well, fashion bloggers. They were charming, silly, a bit arrogant (in a good way), and cocky, but they were fun. Plus, they had a sweet elimination episode that made me rather sad to see them go, so even if they weren't all that special, I did really enjoy them.
10. Jacques & Josee (Ice Dancers) - The fact I'm even rating the villains this high, AND saying that I liked them, is impressive. When you get me to actually like your villains, you did something right. But, mostly because they ended up losing. If they had won...yeah, that wouldn't have worked. But, seriously, these two were downright insane and hilarious. Josee really was a great villain; almost as great as Heather in terms of being villainous. Jacques complimented her perfectly, being ALMOST just as evil, but also being kooky and adorable. Really, they reminded me a LOT of Jessie & James from Team Rocket. And...really, when you look at their names...I wouldn't doubt that's where they get the idea for Jacques & Josee from. So, I'm glad they lost, but I did really enjoy watching them.
9. Stephanie & Ryan (Daters/Haters) - I feel so mixed on them, yet since I'm ranking them this high, I guess it means I liked them more than hated them...which, ironically, goes with their Daters/Haters team name. Really, half the time I was cracking up at their arguments (mostly Ryan, since I just found his comebacks and attacks more hilarious than Stephanie's, who was mostly just about yelling and insulting...typical woman), but the other half I was annoyed or bored with them. I seriously didn't expect them to finish all the way up at 6th place, but I'm really glad they did, now that I think about it. They were fun to watch be your typical train-wreck.
8. Carrie & Devin (Best Friends) - Thank God they didn't win, or else we would've gotten the cliche ending that we all feared. But, for what they were, I was impressed. Carrie is a sweetie, and is rather attractive (for a blonde, which I normally hate), and Devin was a huge train-wreck himself. They were a fun team to watch, but much like the Ice Dancers, they work better as losers than winners. Plus, I give them huge points for being nice enough to bring back Geoff & Brody after the Surfers sacrificed themselves for them to stay in the race in the first place. Cute and fun team that I didn't have high expectations for going in.
7. Gerry & Pete (Tennis Rivals) - Yep, these two grumpy old men are all the way up here, and I couldn't be happier with my decision. Much like Statler and Waldorf (The Muppets), these two are pretty much just rotten, sarcastic, insulting hecklers...and I love it. They aren't mean or malicious, and are more like jokesters. Every second they spent on-screen is gold, and I always crack a smile. Are they overrated on my list? Sure, maybe. But, this is how I personally felt about all the teams, and I just really adored these two old kooks.
6. Sanders & MacArthur (Police Cadets) - I kinda feel about them how I feel about the Daters/Haters, in that half the time I loved their obnoxious craziness, but the other half I was either bored or annoyed. Sanders is a nice foil to MacArthur, but...sadly, until the last third of the season...Sanders just didn't do much for me. She was just...there. Really, it wasn't until her broken arm that she finally became interesting and badass. But, this is as high as I can rank them, since I just never was outright rooting for them to win. They're one of the teams that work best when they don't win, since they caused just as much damage as the Ice Dancers in the long run, so they didn't deserve it. They were fun, though.
5. Dwayne & Junior (Father & Son) - Honestly, I really wish I had a father like Dwayne...because I'd just like to have a father in the first place. These two were perhaps rather cliche, since it's the whole "father is overbearing and embarrassing and son is annoyed and mortified" troupe all over again. But, they really were just so heartwarming and fun, since it felt...so real. Junior's little crush on Carrie, Dwayne saying accidental sexist/moronic/uncool/funny things, and both of them outlasting so many other teams made them a great story. I'm glad they went out over Owen & Noah, but I really wish they hadn't gone out that soon. I loved them a lot.
4. Emma & Kitty (Sisters) - What a shock, right? I'm sure we ALL thought they were going to win, but we were wrong! Oh, and don't lie to me and say that you knew they were going to lose, because you aren't fooling anyone. We all got tricked. Admittedly, I didn't like these two sisters coming into the race. Emma was just a calmer version of Courtney and Heather combined, and Kitty was just calmer, female version of Lindsay/Owen, and...that's just not all that interesting. But, when they got involved with Owen & Noah, they became a thousand times more interesting and likable. Emma started to be more fun, Kitty started to act a bit more serious, and they became a likable team to cheer for. I was really sad they didn't make the finale over the Ice Dancers or Police Cadets, but I ended up loving them.
3. Ennui & Crimson (Goths) - Again, just admit it; none of you expected the Goths to be this entertaining or likable coming in. Most of you thought they were going to be villains, or be like the Geniuses and just be irrelevant. They were neither, and I'm glad they were neither. The Goths are just so fascinating because you can tell they have their hearts in the right place, but they show it and act in such odd ways that you can't help but find them fascinating. It's almost like The Addams Family, am I right? In that great movie/TV series, what they do is highly disturbing, creepy, and weird...but they all love each other so much and enjoy what they do so much that...it just works. The same goes for the Goths. Who they are, what they say and do, and how they came across on the race was just fantastic. Giving them too much airtime would've ruined them, so for what we got, it was brilliant. I adored them, and was heartbroken when they left. Also, go Loki!
2. Geoff & Brody (Surfer Dudes) - Our winners! Coming into the race, I was rooting for them a little, since I really wanted a Total Drama player to win The Ridonculous Race, but they weren't my first picks...as you can tell. However, this is easily the most I've ever enjoyed Geoff. He was...alright in Total Drama Island. He was...an asshole in Total Drama Action. He was...just there in Total Drama World Tour. But, here? His likability really shined through. I'm going to mostly ignore Brody, since other than his crush on MacArthur, he was basically just a Geoff clone...but that's fine! Geoff's constant positive attitude was allowed to come out more on the race more than it ever could in Total Drama, and that's a plus. A lot of people will disagree, but they were probably the best possible winners for this season, even if I hate to admit it. They never gave up, they always fought for one another, and time and time again their infectious positive attitudes let them charge ahead. Also, I think that's the underline message of the season: good karma always comes to those who open their hearts and be nice to others. Geoff & Brody sacrificed themselves for Carrie & Devin, and were unfairly eliminated. So, what happens? Carrie & Devin withdraw from the race and Geoff & Brody are brought back, and they win. That's a great message and a great ending to the season. Still not QUITE my favorite, but they surpassed any and all expectations I had. I'm impressed.
1. Owen & Noah (Reality TV Pros) - Yep, nothing is ever going to knock two of my favorite players of all-time from the top spot. The fact that the show put them TOGETHER as a team...there was less than a 1% chance I was EVER going to NOT rank them #1 coming out of the season, regardless of their final placing. I HATED them being eliminated and found it unfair, but I suppose it all turned out alright in the end. Owen was so hilarious here, much more than any other season he's been in, except maybe Total Drama Island. And Noah gaining a shocking relationship with Emma? Hell yes! To all you morons out there who love Noah x Cody and thought Noah was gay...just stop. Trust me, I feel your pain; it sickened me seeing Twilight Sparkle being paired up with Flash Sentry in Equestria Girls! But, you know what? Just deal with it. Emma and Noah make a really cute couple, and really it makes sense, since their personalities are rather similar. Owen was not only funnier, but a lot smarter and more focused on winning this time, while Noah shifted gears and was a lot more distracted due to Emma. Both of these changes really helped keep them fresh and entertaining, even though they already were (to me), and it just made them THAT much more amazing. They may not have won, but they're easily my favorite team of the season.
WINNER RANKINGS:
7. Duncan (Total Drama Action)
6. Mike (Total Drama All-Stars)
5. Lightning (Total Drama Revenge Of The Island)
4. Heather (Total Drama World Tour)
3. Geoff & Brody (Total Drama Presents: The Ridonculous Race)
2. Shawn (Total Drama Pahkitew Island)
1. Owen (Total Drama Island)
