A few random thoughts on Sunday’s episode of “The Amazing Race,” “We Are No Longer in the Bible Belt” . . . . .

That ain't Bud Lite. (CBS photo)

— I’m officially a fan of the cowboys, Jet & Cord. After the first episode, I thought they were playing up the “aw shucks, we’re just simple country folk” angle for the camera. But as time is passing, they seem really sincere, they’re smart racers and they’re having a genuinely good time. Plus, how can you not root for a guy who keeps his cowboy hat on while bungee jumping? That was truly awesome. But how does a cowboy not drink beer?!?

— My second favorite team is the detectives, Louie & Michael, and this episode they finally made me feel better about rooting for them. Their worst-to-first turnaround was well-deserved, they ran a smart leg and showed great teamwork (hey, one guy likes sauerkraut, the other likes beer — perfect!). I hope they keep it up.

— I still have almost no feelings about Steve & Ali. They’re just . . . there. They had some pretty impressive accuracy in the soccer shootout though.

— Come to think of it, I’m pretty neutral on Joe & Heidi and Carol & Brandi too. Both teams are kinda annoying, but haven’t done anything yet to make me love them or hate them. I wonder of Joe’s bum knee was the result of getting kicked by that cow in Chile? Heh.

— That brings us to the hate. Well, maybe not hate, just dismissive dislike:

Dan & Jordan bug me. They’re both too diva-like.

Brent & Caite were actually relatively OK this episode, but I still dislike them out of general principle. Geez, can Brent have any less of a personality? Caite’s whining on the soccer field got real old, real fast. OK, I get that your leg is cramping, but do you really need to keep pointing out that you’ve played soccer since you were 5 and if you weren’t doubled over in pain, this would be such a simple challenge? Seemed like too much of an excuse. Speaking of her pain, I wonder if it was a result of being dehydrated in Chile. All the running around followed by a loooong plane ride can’t be helping her body much. It really bugged me though how she refused to drink any beer, even after poor lightweight Brent threw up. (And why did he hurl right outside the front door? Wasn’t there a bathroom or an alley?) But there was like one chug left, take one for the team, Caite. Well, at least the last gulp of beer got the puke taste out of his mouth. Nice camera shot of their cabbie warily watching him chunder. He was probably all, “Dude, just keep it out of my cab.”

Just shut up and eat it. It doesn't smell THAT bad. (CBS photo)

And then there’s Team Nitwit, Jeff & Jordan. I was so disappointed it was a nonelimination leg. They need to go, now. They’re nowhere near as cute and funny as they seem to think they are, and Jordan’s high-pitched whining is like fingernails on a chalkboard. My favorite bit: When Jordan kicked a ball through the target, and then was like “Oh, we’re supposed to aim for the circles”? Um, yeah, dingdong, that’s usually what targets are for. Would’ve been funny if she thought they were obstacles and she had to avoid hitting them.

— I kinda loved the beer challenge. Man, where was Gus from Season 6? That challenge had his name written all over it (remember when he wanted to stop at a pub in Germany to chug down a pint?). I was waiting for someone to make a “Beerfest” comment (they even had to drink out of a boot in the movie!), but I guess the racers aren’t quite that demo. Though something tells me Jeff has seen it. Awesome burps too, from Joe and Heidi. Heh.

I’ve heard some comments that it’s unfair to have a drinking challenge, since some people might not drink. But come on, everyone on the show knows they might have to do things outside their comfort level, and if you really, seriously CAN’T do something (like drink or eat meat or whatever) you should probably think twice before going on the show. They all should know what they’re getting into.

— FYI, if you’re wondering why the fake Beatles were playing cover songs and not Beatles classics, it’s because the band played cover songs during their time in Hamburg (yeah, I was one of the six people who saw “Backbeat” in a theater). Oh, and CBS didn’t want to blow a million bucks paying royalties for a real Beatles song.

— Highlight of the night: As Jeff & Jordan’s cab drove them to Switzerland (OK, I admit, that was a good line), my girlfriend suddenly blurted out, “Wait, did that offramp sign say ‘Assfart’?” so I rewound the DVR and checked it out: It was the Ausfahrt exit. Which of course, in German, means Assfart. Way to go, Germans, you’re a funny people!