Mel White carries a heavy basket, looking tired Mel White: He and his son Mike were one of the most beloved teams in Amazing Race history. CBS
 

by Linda Holmes

Today's Fresh Air features Mel And Mike White, one of the most popular teams in the 14-season history of The Amazing Race.

Sure, Mike is a screenwriter (School Of Rock) and Mel is a gay ex-pastor who's written extensively about all manner of things, but that's not why they were beloved.

They were beloved because they were personable and good to each other, which is always a relief on a show where various teams throughout history have been pelted with tomatoes, declared their mutual hatred, and — in one very special case — broken up minutes after being eliminated from the race.

Mel was good-humored about not being quite as speedy as the younger racers, and when he struggled a lot with a particular task, Mike — like a good son should — worried as much about his father overdoing it as about the time they were losing. They always seemed like guys who could walk right out of your television and right into your living room, and they would seem right at home.

categories: Television

12:31 - April 7, 2009

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