We just hit 30k members, so to users new & old - WELCOME TO THE SHOW + THE SUB !! 🥳🥳

Hey y’all! Welcome to the show and this subreddit !! 🎉

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Since the premiere of Season 33, War of the Worlds, we have gained ~6,000 subscribers! That’s BANANAS! (with the pun definitely intended)

Some of those people may have come out of the woodwork but have been watching/lurking for years, and that’s great! Welcome to the community, and I promise, I and the other active mods are nicer than we (sometimes) come across. Appropriately zealous

But for those of you who are new to the show, this post is for you! (It’s long but worth it that’s what he said)

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HERSTORY OF THE SHOW

The Challenge began a LONG time ago, in June 1998, and looked a lot different than it does today. It started as a silly competition with alumni from Real World and Road Rules, with a light-hearted “summer camp” feel, no eliminations, and small prizes.

Season 5 (Battle of the Seasons, 2002) was the first to have eliminations, but only by vote-off. Elimination rounds (typically one-on-one physical competitions, sometimes puzzles or endurance) began in S7 (The Gauntlet 1, 2004). This is one reason that that separates The Challenge from other reality TV competitions like r/BigBrother and r/Survivor.

Casting originally expanded on S12 (Fresh Meat I, 2006), with people (the titular Meat) who had not been on reality TV before. This happened again on:

• S19 (Fresh Meat II, 2010) with the same idea

• S26 (Battle of the Exes II, 2015) with alumni from r/AreYoutheOne?

• S27 (Battle of the Bloodlines, 2016) with relatives of alumni from RR/RW/AYTO/FM/Spring Break Challenge

• S31 (Vendettas, 2018), with alumni from Big Brother US and MTV UK shows Geordie Shore and r/ExontheBeach

• S32 (Final Reckoning, 2018), with alumni from Bad Girls Club and r/VanderpumpRules (both of whom were on Ex on the Beach US)

And then Season 33 (War of the Worlds, 2019) had 18 competitors debut from a huge variety of shows: BBUS, EotB UK, AYTO Brazil, Survivor Turkey, Geordie Shore, Party Down South, The Bachelor Canada, The Bachelorette US, BB Over the Top, American Ninja Warrior, Love Island UK, r/Floribama Shore, and even a telenovela.

And all along the way, The Challenge has gotten harder, less friendly, more extreme, and more “cutthroat” - with innovative formats / themes, experimental (and controversial) twists, fewer winners, and a much larger prize purse.

Gone are the carefree days where people would volunteer to go into elimination and cast members had access to phones and email, as well as days off to relax, go bike riding (looking at you, Trishelle), or whatever. Now they have less freedom and the Double Cross and steal-your-money twists and Mercenaries who can take your spot in the game, with everyone clawing and backstabbing their way to get their share of $1,000,000+.

It's lit 🔥

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SO, WHERE TO EVEN BEGIN?

to dive into this 20+ year old franchise with so much lore? Well, let me tell you.

The What Season Should You Watch 1.0 thread can guide you and answer some questions, and I’ve tried to make it as useful as r/Survivor’s version. It’s not yet there, but it is only the 1.0 version, so that’s fine. Check it out anyway.

The biggest difference between The Challenge and other popular reality TV competitions like Survivor, Big Brother, RuPaul’s Drag Race, and maybe The Amazing Race (idk I don’t know her) is that cast members come back season after season.

Of course, there are returning players on those shows too, but the luckiest on RPDR and BB have only had 3 chances, and before S39/40, Survivor only had 4 people who played 4 times.

But on The Challenge, Johnny “Bananas” has been on 19 seasons + 2 spin-offs; CT on 16 + 3 spin-offs; Cara Maria on 14 + 2 spin-offs; and Wes on 12 + 4 spin-offs. Yeah, it’s a lot. Some would argue that's way too much, but I digress...

But the ability for these characters to return season after season is what makes The Challenge so great! You see this long-form storytelling, with alliances forming and falling apart; how actions in one season affect future ones; relationships starting, progressing, and ending (including multiple weddings and divorces between cast members); multi-season story arcs; people growing/glowing up and going from hopeless underdogs to multiple champions; and how 3 players who were eliminated first on their debut season may actually have become the Greatest of All Time. It’s fascinating and makes for compelling television. There’s no other show like it!

Because of this, though, it means there is always history and past events that will enrich your viewing experience when watching a season – the background and context of relationships between players. But as a new fan, it might seem daunting and difficult to plunge into this world. So I’ll help you out.

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WHAT SEASON(S) TO START WITH

Option 0: Watch Season 33 (War of the Worlds, 2019)

As in, you should’ve done this already, before reading this post. Of the cast, 18/34 have never been on a previous season, and 2 others have only been on 1 before (and 3 only 2 before, etc). So you don’t really need to understand all the past events to enjoy it, because the majority of players haven’t been on the show before.

People loved this season and see it as a great return to form for The Challenge, with more physical dailies and eliminations, the hardest final they’ve ever had, and a less twisted / convoluted format. It’s superb, not overlong, and very recent. Check it out.

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If you’ve already watched WotW and liked it, but don’t want to go too far back just yet -

Option 1: Watch Season 29 (Invasion of the Champions, 2017) + then the Trilogy

An excellent starting season to meet many of the major players for the next couple seasons (including WotW). Of the cast, 8 are debuts and 6 are on their second season, so again, you don’t need too much knowledge of the past to enjoy it. Also underrated in my eyes (it renewed my love for the show and is also when I got super involved on this sub), but people don’t like it because of (valid) complaints about the format.

Again, not a bloated season, entertaining, and is v. recent. After that, watch 30-32 to catch up to where we were on WotW and get ready for S34, probably premiering in September 2019.

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Really like the show and are comfortable going back a couple more years?

Option 2: Start with Season 19 (Fresh Meat II, 2010) + watch chronologically from there

The Fresh Meat have not been on TV before, so you can get to know them here. A strong political season with big personalities, a unique location, and an exciting, unpredictable boot order and final. The debut of 2 women who are in the argument to be Top 5 of all time, along with some other fun characters. Followed by Cutthroat, a good season (better than FM2 in my eyes, and a great Old School and New School season), and then comes Rivals 1, which is often people’s favourite season.

Why don’t I recommend to start with Rivals 1? Well, it’s like Survivor Heroes vs Villains, possibly the best season of all, but much better when you understand the history and everything that precedes it. You’ll enjoy it more if you don’t watch it first. So do what you want, but that’s my twoenty cents.

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Love the show and want to see more of what made it great?

Option 3: Start with Season 12 (Fresh Meat I, 2006) + watch chronologically from there

An amazing season that is the debut for SO MANY huge characters and competitors that will dominate the show one way or another for the next 10+ seasons (some of whom are still "killing it" on the show nowadays). The Fresh Meat have not been on TV before (again), so you can get to know them here, and 4 of the alumni on this season come from RW Austin and debut on FM1 – so knowing much history is not critical to enjoying FM1.

Also followed by another perennially favourite season, The Duel I, which is a phenomenal format and season, which also debuts 2 people who have been on 10+ seasons. Honestly >> this is where any new fan should start << simply because of the calibre of the debuts (even if it missed some of the best seasons like Inferno 1). Episodes are only 20ish minutes and not widely available or in HD, but still, it’s a must-see.

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Adore The Challenge and want to really invest your time in enjoying it?

Option 4: Watch Season 5 (Battle of the Seasons, 2002) + watch chronologically from there

The first season with eliminations and thus the start of The Challenge as we know it today. A large cast of 32 people (when the casts before only had 12), including the debut of many Challenge legends. It’s really what made the show what it is today, and soon after it, it has some all-timer seasons (The Gauntlet 1, The Inferno 1, Inferno 2, and I guess the Battle of the Sexes seasons).

Obviously it’s super old at this point, and thus not available widely or in high-definition – but that doesn’t mean it’s not hella entertaining! A great show. (The first 4 seasons are fine too, and the debut of other legends, but don’t have eliminations so they are much different from other Challenge seasons)

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WHERE TO WATCH

You can view many past seasons legally and for free on mtv.ca; some on mtv.com; and maybe on other international MTV sites. Check out this comment for a way to do this if you don’t have cable. Amazon Prime has "MTV Hits" right now for only $6, which is gr8. You can buy full seasons from Amazon as well (like Fresh Meat 2 and Invasion), and on the Microsoft store. Maybe iTunes? Is that still a thing?

Of course, there are other ways to watch them too, but don’t comment or post on this sub asking for them. It’s against Reddit rules; can jeopardize our sub; and is generally just annoying. LMGTFY like a big kid.

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THIS SUBREDDIT OF OURS

And while you’re watching these seasons and getting up in this gig – PLEASE come and participate in the sub! The new/active mods are striving to make this a great forum and community to discuss this, its history, and its iconic cast members. We have instituted various weekly threads that you can look forward to:

• MotorMouth Monday (gab about whatever)

• What If Wednesday (ask how hypothetical events would have affected seasons/the show in general)

• Friday FunDay (occasional lite content, like “guess which dog belongs to which Challenger!”)

• Salty Saturday/Sunday threads (for unpopular opinions / hot takes / whatever, still focused on The Challenge)

• and of course, live and post-episode discussion threads when seasons are airing!

And beyond that, we try to be fun, active, helpful, and only occasionally snarky people! The active mods are u/NovaRogue (me!); u/SweetMissMG; u/judiciousdrinker; and often u/survivorfan123456 and u/JuanRiveara. With new ones incoming - nominate yourself or your friends!

Of these, Juan and I are unspoiled, but the rest know spoilers and run the spoiler threads. Feel absolutely free to PM the mod team in general or any of us specifically, with your questions, concerns, or even for advice on your personal life. It’s all about connections! (But plz don’t spoil Juan or me)

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CHALLENGE PODCASTS

There's lots of podcasts you can listen to, often for free, about the Challenge and often by/with Challenge alumni. These are great to learn behind-the-scenes secrets & interesting tidbits. Check out the Brain Candy Podcast by Challenge alumni Sarah Rice & Susie Meister; Challenge Mania by Challenge veteran Derrick Kosinksi & his buddy Scott Yager (who also did a wonderful recent AMA on our sub); Smashing Heads; No Quitters; You Killed It; and others - a list is here.

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FINALLY, some basic rules to this sub:

• NO SPOILERS (except ONLY when properly flaired, spoiler text-ed, and in spoiler threads)

• Don’t be overly rude or nasty, to other users here or people on the show

• Make content good (like - use the search bar before posting to ensure it’s not a repost; keep hot takes to the unpopular opinion threads; flesh out / explain your thoughts; title your posts well – something more than 1 word plz). Memes are gr8 tho.

• Don’t share personal info, and don’t ask for ways to watch the show (I addressed this above)

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Ok, werk. Go have fun, enjoy the show, and long live the Lavender Ladies! 💜