BY DC CUEVA
Meanwhile, there is something else going on in the competition sphere this fall: 2022 in The Challenge has seen us enjoy more or less of what we love -- and don't love -- about the fifth major pro sport. We had the tail end of Season 2 of the All-Stars to begin this year, followed a few months later by the third leg of that Paramount+ trilogy which ended the same way in one way: one who started her reality TV journey as a teenager on a Discovery reality show and after a few Challenges finally stood atop the victory podium in Jonna, joined by MJ on Season 2 and Wes on Season 3. And of course, we got to witness The Challenge's network TV debut this summer with a CBS version of the show that was fresh in many ways, but which ended in controversial fashion with a much-talked-about final with Sole Survivor Sarah winning, but the blow being softened a bit by the feel-good story of Danny & Kiki.
Now we are anxiously awaiting the next act of this Challenge journey, and it will take us back to where it is all based in: the cable sphere and the MTV world. Season 38 of this show will see the game change up quite a bit once again, as the focus turns back to both familiar characters and a handful of fresh faces... all playing a totally different game but one that takes a few cues from past seasons. Embedded in this group are plenty of worthy reality competitors from both here at home and abroad who have their eye set on the $1 million, and where cutthroat challenges, brutal eliminations and the like which await them as well as the environment of a show like no other. But all our competitors have something in common: some are family, some are friends, some are lovers, and some are more than those or belong in another category... and the strength of their bonds will be tested in the same Argentinian backdrop that Tyson, Alyssa and co. occupied over the summertime.
Join us here after the break as, with just five days to go until it premieres, DCBLOG kicks off our coverage of Season 38 of MTV's The Challenge, as it's time for the action and drama to go off on Ride or Dies. Thanks for joining us, Challenge Nation... and we are so glad that you're with us.
WHAT TO EXPECT...
A FRESH START
While Season 38 is a totally new game, in many ways Ride or Dies can stretch its origins back over a decade. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, one of the handful who serve as an Executive Producer of The Challenge, Emer Harkin, describes the theme of Season 38 as a mixture of two of the show's most notable formats in Rivals and Exes. Her reasoning for this hybrid: "There's something sort of classic Challenge about this in a way, but rather than bringing people into an environment that they're going to really be awkward and uncomfortable in, why not give them the best chance to win and bring them in with the person they love the most and see how they do? It was really interesting to look at it in that way for a change, because it was a really positive, loving, beautiful entry point."
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Harkin adds that at least one or more of what we at this site like to refer to as a "Teej-bomb" -- those patented twists that the host loves to throw at the competitors at certain points of any season. The EP notes of those twists, "There are a couple of twists throughout the season — there are times where you're not going to know if your ride or die still has your back or if they're actually working against you. They might separate and come back together. The game constantly will keep everybody guessing and there are massive surprises and bombshells along the way that will shock fans, because we do a couple of things that we've never done on The Challenge."
Perhaps, Emer and her Challenge team have been aware of how those of you in Challenge Nation have been feeling about what we've been seeing these past few years -- both this MTV version and the spin-offs. For starters, the spy theme of the past several seasons has finally been laid to rest... and that is just the icebreaker to what Ride or Dies is about, which goes back to one of the reasons why viewers are drawn to this show in the first place. The theme of this season in the kinds of bonds and relationships that these competitors have with one another was a driving factor in drawing the focus back to the people, and Emer feels that, "It's time to celebrate the cast and everything we love about the show. This is just a colorful, energetic, effervescent celebration of The Challenge and the relationships, old and new, that hearkens back to old school seasons in that way and feels a little bit more authentic."
The icebreaker to any good Challenge season is one that boast a solid cast to start out with, and given how so many of you out there gravitated towards what was worth spending $5-10 on Paramount+ to watch All-Stars those behind the fourth wall were well aware of of that spin-off's success. When the draft list for this season was finally put together, the show's producing team was simply glancing over at that board with eyes being gleamed not only at the potential this year's crop has of clicking to us... but also that they successfully got three All-Stars to pull a back to back in returning to the MTV version, another beast of a player to get a chance to redeem herself for what happened three years ago as another one who got burned last year... and of course, getting to reenlist the big cat that is the 7-time champ.
The cast is one thing, but what makes any good season is everything else... and Emer promises that there will be the following: "...a bunch of great challenges, and lots of drama, lots of hooking up, lots of fighting, and you can expect all the hallmarks of a great Challenge season." And another thing that she teases is that there will be something else: the fact that everyone who is in this game is also having a close one nearby also reminds us of that time where a lot of us were forced to watch Total Madness with them next to us and not many of our loved ones. Emer says of the trust factor the players give to their partners, "The best part about these pairs is there is patience, care, love, and compassion expressed in a way that maybe we don't see as often. The world could do with a bit more of that right now."
MEET THE
CHALLENGERS
And it's with that in mind that brings us to the stars of the show: for the past half-dozen years, this show has been the poster boy for being that reality show that offers something for everyone. And this year's MTV Challenge field best fits that statement as, once again, those who've been at this game for years will be joined by a slew of newbies who we both know and who we are curious about.
► IN THE FIRST-CLASS
● JOHNNY BANANAS & NANY CHAMP - When we last saw him, he was sipping champagne for a seventh time as a Challenge champ... and last we saw her, she was devastated at being eliminated in last year's final in the most cruelest of ways. But as Bananas returns to this game two years after Total Madness and Nany looks for her first crown, we know what happened the last time they were paired up... obviously, having her first 1st and his eighth wouldn't be a bad redemptive scenario.
● ANEESA & JORDAN CHAMP - Wasn't that long ago that we saw Aneesa and Jordan on All-Stars 3? We saw her finally return to a final over there in South America, and she's spent her summer getting a psychological degree... and for him, his competitive fire took a backseat to joining in the humanitarian efforts at the outset of the Ukrainian/Russian war. Communication is a vital asset in a partner season like this, and it's most especially the case considering their differences, and something else here.
● DARRELL & VERONICA CHAMP - It also might seem like not long ago that we saw them also on that spinoff, and considering how they're part of the same Road Rules heritage and first generation of this thing that they've proved time hasn't run out on them. Darrell and Veronica collectively have seven title rings to their credit... and the combination of her politicking and his prowess they will be ones to keep an eye out, perhaps a good chance at taking power from the get-go.
● LAUREL & JAKK CHAMP - The last time we saw her on this Challenge stage, she was the victim of the most controversial elimination battle of the past few years... and now after some time away she is back for another shot at getting a second title. And if you got to catch her last on MTV, she took on her ex on the winter Ex On The Beach... and as a rookie making the transition from the Peak to the Big House he has nothing to lose, and is just here to enjoy this ride.
● DEVIN & TORI - Like them or not, there's no question that these two have made a huge impact going from Truth Booth to The Challenge -- it wasn't that long that they were at odds down under in Australia. For Big D, he made it back to the final last year and has since put in sessions in the gym around his golf game getting prepped for this season. And for Tori, she also comes off of a podium place on SLA despite what has been going on around her... and she would love to make this seventh start a lucky one.
● NELSON & NURYS - To be partnered up with one who hasn't won a daily in the last 51 tries could be bad luck, but when you got a history going back to being a couple then it's a sure bet that things may change. That's the case for Nelson and Nurys, where he's worked on his social & political game which may put him over the top... and she takes on the tall order of being this year's rookie headliner who has patiently waited for her Challenge debut. Their bond may make a big difference here.
► CHAMPS, STARS & SIBS
● KAYCEE & KENNY CHAMP - Our defending champion has been able to prove that you don't have to make noise in the house and still be able to beast it on game day... and Kaycee is on her way to being a legend in this game. She is still together with the one who she eliminated in last year's final, and she will have the benefit of playing with two Ride or Dies in this game, as her partner is brother Kenny... there's a good chance that she may go back to back.
● AMBER & CHAUNCEY CHAMP - To have a title to your credit is one thing, but to also go into this season with something to prove is another... and it's especially the case with what Amber has after a last-minute title defense came up short. But in making this third Challenge start, she comes here not only trying to prove her Double Agents win was no flash in the pan, but also with boyfriend Chauncey in tow: he is also physical powerhouse, and combined with her social game they may make a big mark.
● TURBO & TAMARA CHAMP - To survive the show's toughest-ever final gave Turbo the allure that he could be a force, but to have a title defense on War of the Worlds 2 snuffed out by a DQ has given him reason for redemption. Our first international champ from Turkey comes to Argentina hopefully mature enough than he was in Thailand, but also with him is his Ride or Die Tamara who has also trained for his return... the biggest challenge here: try to tame his temper.
● KAILAH & SAM - No one including this blogger expected her Challenge return would be on All-Stars 3, and it was a big surprise to see her do as well as she did earlier this year. That offered Kailah the ideal playground to get back into this groove... and she has better expectations this time around thanks to both that and having her husband & EOTB alum Sam along for this honeymoon. And thanks to their love affair, chances are good they may have some money to take back to the Bird Casa.
● FESSY & MORIAH - When we saw him last, it must've been both frustrating for him and a relief to a lot of you that Fessy fell short of a third straight finals trip. We've all seen how he has performed, acted and the like since we first saw him two years ago, but he still has all of what anyone needs to stand on the top step of the podium. Just staying the course will be a big task in itself, and thankfully Moriah may be one who will make sure to just focus in on the road to his first title.
● JAY & MICHELE - After what we saw this summer, it would be easy to say that Survivor alums can translate their island experience into this much more rigorous Challenge game. But Jay and Michele can let Sarah and Danny know that it'll be much different when they join them in this MTV game: his two stellar seasons has given suggestion that he may be on his way to the top, but her rookie go last year didn't go quite as planned. But their combined rapport may be just fine in their return here.
► 2022's FRESH MEAT
● NAM & EMMY ROOKIE (her) - Let's face it: Nam lays claim to having the worst luck of any Challenger in this short decade... injury as a rookie, then Lolo Jones last time out. But for any hardship a player can go through on this game, there has to be a bright spot... and not only does he come here how serious he wants to overcome this bad luck, he also has a German reality vet by his side in Big Brother Germany alum Emmy. Let's do hope third time will be a charm or at least has a better ending than the first two.
● ANALYSE & TOMMY ROOKIES - This year's rookie reps from our summer TV tradition are from what we called Big Brother's most controversial season ever: Season 21 in 2019. Analyse & Tommy were part of the Gr8ful alliance in the camp house, where she got blindsided at the midway point and he went deeper into fall finishing out of the finale. They will have their work cut out coming into their debut, as they will try to overcome their small size to make a big splash.
● JOHNNY & RAVYN ROOKIES - In essence, Johnny has the momentum going from being on All-Star Shore to this Challenge stage... and yes, the dailies he will be encountering will be a far different animal than he had in Spain or even in the Love Island villa. He's a longtime fan of this show, but it doesn't mean that he may look for something more in this game... good thing he will have Ravyn with him to make sure to stay in those train tracks.
● OLIVIA & JORACIO ROOKIES - Also making the transition from going for love in that famed LI casa is Olivia, who will come into the arena with a title badge on her uniform after walking out of Hawaii with the top prize, but who's spent the past year just being single. Joining the Alaskan is Mexican soccer player Horacio, who competed on Telemundo competition show Exation and trying to do much better than Alan on WOTW1 knowing that there's nothing to lose as rookies.
● COLLEEN & KIM ROOKIES - The last all-rookie pair also have something in common with the first one of this last wave: a German flag. As the U.S. show makes its triumphant return this week, Colleen comes to us from The Mole where she played the kind of game that personifies that unique format. Kim, on the other hand, comes from a romantic reality show there, but who sports a strong dancing resume and used to making those moves. Sometimes, odd couples can make it happen.
What can we expect in a season like this? For the most obvious elephant in the room, it's the fact that Jordan will have to deal with clicking with partner Aneesa, who is co-host to the Challenge podcast with his ex Tori. There's also how much rust Bananas might have returning to this game, or if time is running out on the All-Star vets. How will the CBS alums fare after what happened to fellow Eye-Net brethren just last month, and what kind of curiosity do this year's fresh meat have in store for us? And there's a whole bunch of other questions that will be answered in due course the next several months.
There is indeed something for everyone: best friends, exes, couples and bloodline siblings... all coming together as they try to navigate their way through the warfare and landmines that will take over Hump Day once again, and with an eye on the $1 million when we get deep into the new year. The relationships that they all have will no doubt be tested through their beliefs in one another... and that will be the difference between whether these bonds may meet its end, or will find itself being showered in those Benjamins falling down on them like the snow come deep into the wintertime. You've got a few days to stock up on that popcorn for what begins in a matter of days from now...
👪 🤼 💑
This is the tenth anniversary season for DCBLOG, having begun our coverage of the wide world of MTV Reality television a decade ago... and we will be devoting time, effort and resources to covering this thirty-eighth Challenge season during the course of the coming several months. Our signature offering of SocialPulse will bring you all the uncensored Twitter reaction to the episodes, plus traditional recaps and related content when necessary. And of course, there's our trademark ExtraTime franchise: original storytelling from the world of TV's most-talked about reality programming -- chances are, your favorite Challenger or MTV star has been featured in one way or another in these posts.
That includes what has popped up in this brief Challenge offseason aside from the usual array of big days, stars and the like we get to feature on this site regularly. And had it not been for a theme like this, it would still be on our TV's anyway: bloodline-related siblings of two Challenge alumni have been appearing on other networks' reality shows during this leadup to Ride or Dies, and we'll be letting in on both of those following our premiere coverage next weekend, along with our traditional introduction to the first-time competitors on Who Are These Newbies? coming your way here in the days ahead.
It's with that in mind that we invite you to bookmark this site for all of that, like, share and comment on our posts, and spread the word of what we do around here by sharing our posts on the social media platforms of your choosing. That way, you can help to introduce our quality, high-caliber content to more & more fans and, in turn, will boost our site's exposure & presence while turning those fans of the show into regular visitors of this site. This is most especially the case as this blogger has earned his stripes going Inside MTV Reality like no other site has for the past ten years... and if you like it all, tell a friend -- they will no doubt enjoy our view of this world on here.
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