KEY POINTS:
What: The Amazing Race
Who: The Goths - Kynt and Vyxsin
Where & when: TV2, Tuesdays 7.30pm
There are some competitors in The Amazing Race who you want to reach through your TV screen and throttle.
Not to pick on anyone but the bickering Nate and Jennifer, whose favourite phrase is "I hate you," come to mind.
Then, on the flipside, there are the beautifully turned out and likeable goths, Kynt and Vyxsin. In the 12th season of the round the world dash (TV2, Tuesdays 7.30pm) the pink-and-black clad pals are running a different sort of race - a passionate, fun and stress-free one. (Well, it was until this week when they had a minor tiff in Italy.)
But you won't see them bark at a travel agent to hurry up, harass locals rudely for directions, or wave a taxi driver away with disdain (that's you Nate and Jennifer).
The goths have a temperament similar to laid-back newly-dating couple TK and Rachel, only they look better.
"Vyxsin and I are best friends through and through," says Kynt in his camp, business-like tone. "We share the same goals, the same outlook and the same cosmetics, and we brought that team mentality to the race."
It helps the goths are from a humble background. Back in the real world, in their hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, they wait tables for a living and do fashion, art and music projects on the side.
Vyxsin is too nice to say it, and you won't catch these two badmouthing their rivals, but some of the teams couldn't care less about the scenery and the main focus is the million bucks first prize.
"For us," says Vyxsin, "we're just appreciative of being able to go to these places that I've only ever dreamed of visiting and could never have afforded. So the whole time we are just in awe of our surroundings and that is probably a little different from some of the other teams. We try to appreciate and treasure every moment."
However, don't think they couldn't do with $1 million.
"We want to win the money like everybody else but win, lose or draw we have the mentality that we are going to learn from this experience and just plain have fun," says Kynt.
The most stressful part of the race for the goths is booking flights.
"It is the most anxiety producing part of the show," says Vyxsin, "because if your task is to run up this hill, you can run as hard as you can and put all your nervous energy into your performance, but booking flights is so tricky because it can make or break you. If everyone makes the flight, except you, no matter how well you do at the task that could be enough to knock you out of the game."
And manners and courtesy go a long way in this race too.
"We always kept that in mind because these people are at work and we are guests in their homeland so it's not fair for us to impart our stress on them. So when I get up to a ticket office I speak slowly, respectfully and made sure they felt good and not rushed," says Kynt.
"People are really willing to go above and beyond for you if you smile and say thank you," adds Vyxsin.
The goths are so enthusiastic about the show that sometimes they come across like an advertisement for the award-winning reality show franchise. But it's just that they love the experience so much.
"There's nothing else like it on TV," gushes Kynt. "It's action-packed and it's so beautiful and inspiring. Each episode shows interpersonal conflict and challenges, but also each episode is a lot like National Geographic."
Little-known African nation Burkina Faso has been the goths' favourite destination so far, even though the hot and dusty country wreaked havoc with their look.
"It was a challenge to put mascara on in a pup tent," laughs Kynt, "but we're committed. Fashion is our passion."
"There were times when we ended up looking pretty melty. But I think our make-up held up pretty well," adds Vyxsin.
This week the pair were hooning around Italy, where they came in last but were given a reprieve because it was a non-elimination leg, and the week before they were flying high above the stunning clear waters of the Croatian coast on a flying fox.
"I could not believe how beautiful Croatia was. It's a wonderful blend of historic and modern, the water was crystal-clear and you could see all the way to the bottom, and that was one of those magical moments: 'Is this really happening?'," says Vyxsin.
And they'll be pinching themselves again next week as the race continues and the teams confront the craziness of India.
