BY DC CUEVA
Hello to all of you out there, and we welcome you back Inside MTV Reality on DCBLOG... and if you'll understand, a blogger in chief who's put his heart & soul into this site the last decade has put this hobby on the backburner for most of this tenth anniversary year, and not just for a much-needed break from the grind. If you don't know, my family continues to go about life without the most important man in our house some fifteen months after my dad's passing -- and I've spent most of this year tending to being man of the house. But his absence will be most prevalent when the one event I look forward to the most out of everything else takes place in a few days from now... more on that in just a brief moment.
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| Poster Courtesy: MTV |
And that brings us to the one thing we have covered the most on this site: MTV's The Challenge, which is marking a quarter-century this year as the first of its kind reality competition-based series. This past week, we crowned the second set of winners on the show's first spinoff to network television as The Challenge: USA on CBS played host to not only alumni of those two aforementioned Eye network shows above as well as their relatively lonely global comrades of The Amazing Race. The ones who garnered the most buzz of the entire cast were five previous Challenge champions who've won on MTV and a sixth who won the most on the All-Stars spinoff on Paramount+.
One of those who competed on that just-concluded second CBS season also doubles as one-half of the defending champions of the mainline MTV series, but that one will not have the chance to put on the line that first title she worked hard to win last spring on Ride or Dies. But Tori is, though, among the many veterans who will be taking part in the thirty-seventh MTV season of this show, but in a totally different capacity than usual: she will be out to take out those who have a chance to join her and those in the winners' circle -- and this fall's competitors will be composed entirely of those who have never ascended to the top step of the podium... and who are motivated to follow in her footsteps to becoming champion. All they have to do is to get over both them and their fellow competitors to get there.
In a moment, DCBLOG will bring you our first look at The Challenge: Battle for a New Champion... and premiere night this time around will take on added spice of sorts as, less than 24 hours after it kicks off -- and in some 60 hours from now as this post goes up on this late Monday night October 23rd -- this blogger will not be in front of this screen getting to do a new traditional recap of the premiere in the all-new Challenge WRAP, but will instead be doing something else. That would be of roaming the streets of that happy place that doubles as the hometown of the show's host... and if this one runs into TJ Lavin in Las Vegas, NV this pre-Halloween weekend, then this blogger & #DCVegas vlogger will have fulfilled an item on that sacred bucket list. Anyway, we're glad you're with us once again to get this all started.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR...
When this blogger and a few of his fellow fans in Challenge Nation who he met on the platform known formerly as Twitter first got engaged to this show eleven years ago this fall, Battle of the Seasons II saw the birth of a new generation of Challengers. And something similar has been happening every few years since as we've seen with the influx of newbies that have come from around the wide world of reality television to compete with the big boys & girls. The only difference between the former and the ladder is that there were veterans to contend with along the way... but born in both of those instances are those who are now staples of the entire Challenge franchise when Zach and Nany made their debuts as has those from CBS and other reality programming.
After the first of the two steals that had everyone shocked, Invasion of The Champions pledged a fresh start of sorts: we had the GOAT in CT winning ring #2 in edging out Nelson for the men, while there was a surprise winner in Ashley M. Then a year later saw Vendettas where those from across the pond and MTV's eventual (and once-again) reality siblings were invited along in time for the global invasion and expansion of this American program... which led to the World Championship and its first ever appearance on network television which we just saw its second season of last week. And with a year away from reaching an always momentous TV milestone, this time around those who master this craft behind the fourth wall are doing it again in taking a gamble on something that they've had in their rear view mirror for some time but are now putting it into play ahead of Season #40.
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| (Jonne Roriz/Paramount) |
The lady at the heart of this operation behind the scenes, executive producer Emer Harkin, talked to Entertainment Weekly and while lamenting the vets' reduced presence this time around she hopes this new start will usher in a new era: "Of course there's a concern, because all those cast members are so beloved and they're who we follow and they're who we tune in for, but hopefully this will be a balance that will be appetizing." And as far as giving more leeway to the contenders she adds, "No one wanted our champions to come in and rule the house and dominate and be able to get involved in politics and manipulate the game. The contenders are playing the game, and we wanted them to play their own game, so we wanted to feature the champions and for them to have a really significant imprint on the game, but without being in the house and manipulating like they did in Invasion."
Because of how the cast makeup is like here, once February or March comes around the possibility will exist that someone may just as well go into the final without getting a chance to prove themselves down in the elimination arena and do what Rogan did and come away having that champagne sip at season's end -- and that could because they aced the social aspect of this game. But the true measure of what it takes to be a champion is having to take down one who's won one of these before on the field of play -- and if what Emer teases in that EW feature that we may see everything, then it will fit the bill of what any good Challenge season is about. And the EP also teases that this year's MTV field has come here with their game faces on when it comes to the seriousness of their task is, although a game of that seminal icebreaker to any MTV show of "Spin the Bottle" and how two people of the same gender got it on in the preview special last week is a sign, then not everything will be serious.
In any event, Harkin adds of this season that begins tomorrow night -- and whose first visual proof is embedded below, "These are people that want to become part of the legacy of The Challenge franchise, and so you're going to have to prove yourself and work your @$$ off. Nothing about it is going to be easy... and at the end of this no one is ever going to be able to say that you're not a deserving champion. It's a really interesting lens to put on our franchise, and it's one that we've never seen before... It's very different and unpredictable."
MEET THE CAST
Cast Bios Courtesy MTV.com
We always seem to say in these cast capsules that this is that one MTV show that has something for everyone... you all reading this who've been following this show for most of its quarter-century will be coming for the ones at the bottom of this section in the champions. But those of you who know quite a bit about this show in its current era, and in the case of some -- those who we have followed through their whole run on this ride Inside MTV Reality on here -- are most definitely staying for what all the contenders have to offer.
The cast of this Battle for a New Champion have quite a bit to prove, including one who certainly has a chip on her shoulder after what happened with her eye last spring, and another who had the enigma of being eliminated first last time out but (and though not mentioned on here) got to compete last year on American Ninja Warrior to train for his return. And there's quite a bit of other things below as we head towards the premiere in over twenty-four hours from now... should be quite a few months ahead.
► THE CONTENDERS
● ASAF 🇮🇱 - "After being the first person eliminated on The Challenge: Total Madness (Season 35), Asaf is eager to get his redemption. He currently is a member of the pit crew on RuPaul's Drag Race and a full-time music producer. The former Judo Champion and Are You The One? alumni is focused on playing a big, risky game to make his wife and newborn son proud."
● BERNA 🇮🇱 - "Berna, the three-time competitor on Survivor Turkey, is more motivated than ever. On The Challenge: Spies, Lies and Allies (Season 37), she found love with Challenge vet Nelson but couldn't navigate the social game well enough and found herself in elimination twice. The acrobat and personal trainer wants to dial in her strategy and win the money in hopes of pursuing her dreams of becoming an actress."
● CALLUM 🇬🇧 - "This Ex on The Peak and The Challenge UK alumni found himself in the Final on his first Challenge appearance without ever touching the elimination floor. He radiates charisma and confidence and uses it to his advantage – claiming that he can make it to the end once again with his charm. Callum is a boxer and currently holds a 1-0 record, but now he hopes to win the Challenge crown to help change his family's life forever."
● CHAUNCEY - "Coming into his second season, a lot has changed for Chauncey. This time around, he'll be without his girlfriend, Challenge Champion Amber, but he also has the most significant motivation: his newborn daughter, Sunny. Last season, he set a goal to prove to himself that he belonged amongst some of the most competitive challengers and have fun while doing it. This time, it's all business – win the money to support his family and claim the title to become a champion."
● CIARRAN 🇦🇺 - "The Challenge Australia finalist was only a few minutes shy of winning his first season, and it's what's motivating him to come back and become a Challenge Champion. Born in the UK, but living in Australia since he was 12, Ciarran spent five years in the Australian army before finding himself on the Australian version of The Bachelorette. Now single, he hopes to find himself a cute American, win the money for his mom… and grow his Pokémon card collection."
● COLLEEN 🇩🇪 - "With a master's degree in psychology under her belt, Colleen found great success on Germany's The Mole, in which she manipulated the entire game on her own. But on The Challenge: Ride or Dies (Season 38), she couldn't use those same tactics and found herself eliminated early. Back for the second time, she wants to flex her manipulative muscles and use her education to mastermind the game to help out her family with the money."
● COREY - "Things didn't go to plan for Corey on The Challenge: Spies, Lies and Allies (Season 37), he found himself against the house, resulting in his early elimination from the game. Knowing he's a tall, muscular guy, Corey knows floating through the game won't be easy. This season, he is ready to live every day like it's his last in the house and make big moves. As a black gay man, the video game producer wants to serve as a role model for the underrepresented community, so this win means everything to him."
● ED - "This high-energy engineer, and extreme sports junkie, is back for his sophomore season of The Challenge. The Circle alumni is excited to prove he's a threat in the game with his Ivy League degree and physical prowess. However, Ed's big dilemma this season will be if he's able to overcome his "Mister Nice Guy" persona. Ed hopes to use his golden retriever demeanor to take home the money for his girlfriend and stepson."
● EMANUEL 🇷🇴 - "Emanuel's dream of being a Challenge Champion was cut short by one puzzle on The Challenge: Spies, Lies, and Allies (Season 37). His under-the-radar game won't fly this season, as everyone knows he's a physical threat. The Romanian dancer found himself in two relationships last time, but he is currently in a committed relationship. He dreams of winning the money for his mom, who raised him and his brother as a single mom."
● HORACIO 🇲🇽 - "Horacio stole the hearts of Challenge fans on The Challenge: Ride or Dies (Season 38), but a freak accident saw his dreams of being a Champion crushed during the Final. The soccer superstar is still the same 'good guy' fans fell in love with, but he wants to finish what he started this season and take home the crown at all costs. Since we last saw him, he's run the Grand Canyon and attempted to run 24 hours straight – all in preparation for his revenge."
● HUGHIE 🇮🇪 - "Hughie lived for the drama on his first season of The Challenge, but the big-bootied Irish lad is ready to show that he's matured and isn't as naïve as he was his first go around. Knowingly outspoken, Hughie wants to prove that's not all he brings to the table and that he can also be a physical threat. Hughie wants to prove that gay men are not weak and hopes to win the Final to fulfill his dream of becoming a dad."
● JAMES 🇬🇧 - "A celebrity in the UK, James is excited to leave that all behind for another shot at redemption on The Challenge. Though he's glad to be back, his family is not too sure after the devastating fall he took on The Challenge UK, finding himself eliminated first and bruised for months after the fact. The self-proclaimed 'alpha male' isn't scared to back down from a fight… and possibly find some love in the game."
● JAY - "Back for his fourth season, Jay only has one goal in mind; to make it to the Final. In his quest to become champion on The Challenge: Ride or Dies (Season 38), he made it the furthest he's ever been. However, his cutthroat and strategic gameplay left him wide open in the firing line of the Veterans. Jay never wants to hurt anyone's feelings, but he feels like a Final is within his grasp this time, motivating him to take home the win, help his sick mom, and invest in his clothing company."
● JESSICA 🇦🇺 - "This Challenge-super fan is back after an early elimination in The Challenge Australia. Jessica wants to prove her short stature and tattooed body aren't her entire personality. This avid bookworm and former martial artist prepares to play the game hard, though she worries that her cocky and jealous persona might rub people the wrong way. With Bachelor in Paradise fling Ciarran by her side, she hopes to gain momentum and break people's perception of her."
● JUJUY 🇦🇷 - "The loveable Argentinian Jujuy is back for her third season. After losing on The Challenge World Championship, Jujuy was overwhelmed by how much the house loved her and wants to take that same energy into this season. In preparation, she's been taking English lessons. She hopes to win the game and use the money to open a boutique hotel with her parents in her hometown in Argentina."
● KYLAND - "After a disappointing loss on The Challenge: USA (Season 1), superfan Kyland has studied the game, using AI and spreadsheets to take an analytical approach to the game. He wants to use all of that information to his advantage. Recently, Kyland was diagnosed with autism and ADHD, which has come as a relief and allowed him to find clarity and solace in who he is. He's ready to put his emotions aside and play a purely analytical game to bring him his first challenge championship."
● MELISSA 🇬🇧 - "Melissa is making her long-awaited return, and while her fiery personality is still there, her life has changed quite a bit. This single mom of a three-year-old has more fight in her than ever. Being one of the only Contenders with a Final appearance, she's ready to make another run at the final. Melissa is ready to manipulate the house and take home the money for her daughter."
● MICHELE - "Michele's decorated history as a Survivor winner has not managed to carry over to her career on The Challenge. Narrowly missing the Final on The Challenge USA (Season 2), Michele has seemingly perfected her strategic game and seeks to utilize her many friends to make her first Challenge Final. The Survivor Champion has found love in the past in the game, but this time, she's hoping to put her feelings aside and focus on the game."
● MORIAH - "Moriah is entering the game solo this season, without any Challenge Veteran supporting her, and she couldn't be more thrilled to prove she can play this game on her own. Though she lurked in the shadows on The Challenge: Ride or Dies (Season 38), she's ready to open up, show more of herself, and prove she's a physical threat. Moriah is the oldest of six kids hoping to take home the win in order to buy a home and help support her parents."
● NURYS - "Nurys proved she was underestimated all last season, even though she helped break her Ride or Die Nelson's daily Challenge losing streak. What she lacks in her swimming skill set, she makes up for in her endurance, brains and politics. After being part of a messy love triangle last season, she's not necessarily looking for any more romance in the challenge house. Nurys is excited to take her hustler attitude and prove she has what it takes to win the game."
● OLIVIA - "The last time viewers saw Olivia, she was riding off in an ambulance after a devastating injury during the The Challenge: Ride or Dies (Season 38) Final. With a strong rookie performance alongside her partner Horacio, Olivia is ready to redeem herself and is determined to make a strong sophomore appearance. Though she admits to having trust issues, the Alaska native is prepared to be on guard and fight like a warrior to take home the Challenge championship that slipped through her fingers last season."
● RAYVN - "Ravyn came out hot on The Challenge: Ride or Dies (Season 38), taking home the first daily challenge win of the season. But she found herself in a messy love triangle which ultimately led to her going home in the third elimination of the season. The recently accepted Columbia University acting student is prepared to redeem herself this time, focusing on the grand prize to help fuel her dream of becoming a full-time actress."
● TULA/"BIG T" 🇬🇧 - "Big T charmed her way into her fellow Challengers' (and really, all of our) hearts with her perseverance and wit. Having just missed out on a Challenge Final in her two previous appearances, she is now ready to take the crown. Having completed culinary school and set out to explore a new part of her life, she's excited to open up more and prove to everyone that she's more than just a social butterfly."
● ZARA 🇬🇧 - "Zara had a breakthrough performance on The Challenge UK, coming in second during the final, just a minute away from claiming the championship herself. The daughter of a hotelier won the combine on The Challenge: World Championship and impressed everyone with her speed and athleticism but was quickly deemed a threat and sent packing. The warm and magnetic Brit wants to use her charm, humor and wit to make her way back to her second final appearance."
► THE CHAMPIONS
● BRAD - "The one-time Challenge champion is back and ready to take out the contenders. With his win on The Challenge: Cutthroat (Season 20), Brad has found himself in numerous Challenge Finals, including most recently on All Stars 3. He not only wants to prove he still has what it takes to win to himself, but also to his children."
● CARA MARIA - "After competing in 14 seasons and making it to 9 finals, Cara Maria is back after a long hiatus and itching to see what the new blood has in store for her. The two-time champion is ready to prove she still has plenty of wind in her sail."
● CT - "Perhaps one of the greatest Challengers to ever play the game, the five-time Challenge Champion is back. After a bumpy early road in his Challenger career, he found wins in The Challenge: Rivals II (Season 24), The Challenge: Invasion (Season 29) and The Challenge: War of the Worlds 2 (Season 34). With recent back-to-back wins on The Challenge: Double Agents (Season 36) and The Challenge: Spies, Lies and Allies (Season 37), the GOAT is ready to see if the new bloods have what it takes to compete with the best the game has to offer."
● DARRELL - "The only player to win back, to back, to back, to back Challenge Championships … Darrell is one of the best Challengers to ever set foot in the sand. Don't mistake his quiet demeanor and lack of politicking for weak gameplay; his physical abilities do the talking, and they are some of the best the game has seen."
● DEVIN - "The master manipulator of the Challenge found his first Challenge victory alongside enemy-turned-friend Tori on The Challenge: Ride or Dies (Season 38). Trading golf outings for gym outings, the businessman utilizes his smart and savvy strategy to further himself in the game but puts in the work when his back is against the wall."
● JORDAN - "A natural athlete with a legendary motor, Jordan has never been anything less than a fierce and straightforward competitor, and he's used that to lead him to four Challenge championships, including being the reigning Challenge World Champion. Jordan never backs down from a fight and will put anyone, especially a rookie, in their place."
● KAYCEE - "With only four season appearances, Kaycee has seen the Final three times and has taken home the championship on The Challenge: Spies, Lies, and Allies (Season 37). Known for having a dominating physical nature and an impeccable social game, Kaycee knows how to utilize her Big Brother gameplay in any scenario to get far in the game."
● KAZ 🇬🇧 - "The Love Island UK and Ex on the Beach UK alumni is much more than just a pretty face; she's dominated in her two Challenge appearances, seeing the elimination only once and taking home a championship both times. As the reigning Challenge UK Champion and World Champion, Kaz is not someone to be taken lightly.
● LAUREL - "Laurel is one of the most decorated Challengers of all time. With 20 daily challenge wins, an elimination record of 10 wins and 3 losses, and 1 finals win, all eyes are on Laurel when she's in the game. After a disappointing recent appearance on The Challenge: Ride or Dies (Season 38), Laurel is ready to show the Contenders she still is the best to ever play the game."
● TORI - "A social and physical threat, Tori finally found success after three Finals appearances, taking home the win in The Challenge: Ride or Dies (Season 38) alongside close friend Devin. Tori is known to be feared amongst everyone as she is beast in all types of competition. She's eager to take on the contenders and show them how a Champion plays the game."
🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆
As mentioned above this is DCBLOG's tenth anniversary year, having begun our coverage of the wide world of MTV Reality television back in 2013 prior to The Challenge: Rivals II when CT won the first of his five rings. This blogger here has devoted time, effort and resources to covering Challenge Nation and elsewhere, and it has been no different from year to year... and that is, 'till this year.
As mentioned at the outset, I have taken time out from this site to being the dad in my house... much different plans than I had at the beginning of this year. To reflect both that reality and the ever-evolving environment that the platform that this site has relied on to cover this world, our weekly episode coverage is also evolving going forward: as revealed back this summer, our new Challenge WRAP will take a traditional approach in now recapping the top moments and analyzing things -- though our schedule for posting our recaps will vary depending on how things are outside this site for yours truly. And with that, the 'Pulse will cap off these recaps with embedded social media highlights... other than that, all else plans to stay the same from our introductions to the newbies to the ExtraTime storytelling franchise taking a different angle on all things MTV Reality and The Challenge franchise.
As this site likes to remind all of you, be sure to bookmark this site, like, share and comment on here (and be courteous)... and if you like what we offer, tell a friend and all your fellow MTV fans about this site's high-caliber content. It's especially so since that as the former Twitter platform has been changed drastically, I do not have the benefit of having to promote my content on there that much (I'm not in a position as of now to take on verified status considering all that's happening there, but am still obligated to be on every platform wherever it may be)... and if you got thoughts, follow me at @DC408Dxtr.
Obviously, I am looking forward to this Challenge... but there's a valid reason why DCBLOG's weekly Challenge coverage will have to wait to begin until next week (or beyond): that's because the day after tomorrow night's premiere, this one will board a plane from the Bay Area bound for Sin City. DC VEGAS Weekend commences with that Challenge live-watch on my DCNOW live-watch portal, and after that will be part of a group-wide takeover of all my social channels listed below with a bevy of content coming all throughout this long weekend, and climaxes with the new vlog series debuting as part of your Thanksgiving weekend activities. Enjoy this Challenge/Vegas Week ahead, everyone...
- I AM DC
@DC408DXTR
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