The Challenge

The Challenge has been an MTV staple for decades now. This show puts former reality show contestants (originally drawing from the Real World and Road Rules casts exclusively) against each other in physical challenges and/or puzzles, all while they are trapped living in a huge, amazing house. Alliances, politics, backstabbing, hookups, fights, and general drunkenness have also been known to ensue.

What separates The Challenge from other tv shows of similar nature is that contestants often return season to season, with some contestants having been on 10+ seasons. This allows storylines to continue across years. You might watch your favorite contestant rise from 'sweet rookie underdog'to 'multi season champion' to 'veteran bully'. Not only this, but the physical challenges (especially some of the eliminations and the Final challenge) are actually incredibly grueling and require those who really want a shot at winning to specially train year-round.

I was just an elementary schooler when The Challenge began, so I literally grew up watching some of these people and continue to into my late 20s. That's not to say you wont enjoy it if you jump right into the current season without te background experience- the current seasons have drawn lots of brand new contestants from UK reality shows which has introduced a whole new set of characters and a US vs UK dynamic which has totally ushered in a brand new era of the show.

The Challenge has it all- personable characters, ridiculous personalities, great athletes, high drama, endearing underdogs, malicious bullies, and a plethora of VERY attractive people. Phenomenal television.

The challenge is one of the only reality tv shows that I could still watch and enjoy till this day. It brings a whole roster of Real World, Big Brother, Survivor and other reality tv shows to compete for a hefty amount of money. Challenges and drama are why I enjoy this show and how it managed to keep my attention after all these years. The amount of real life drama and confrontation are unfathomable. The alliances that are formed add to this drama and are cutthroat. You hooked up with my chick? Guess what, lets settle it in an elimination. Two challengers get to fight for their right to stay in the house and whoever wins stays in the house. Whoever loses in an elimination goes home empty handed. Win a Challenge and you're blessed with power which comes in anyway shape or form for that season.

This show is one of my favourites it has all the elements of a great reality show drama, challenges, and really getting to know the people. The seasons are always different with a new twist and some of your favourites cast members always come back into the game the following season their not just gone for good after a season.

I would recommend this show to anyone who loves reality TV, the challenges are not easy they are very difficult and take allot of skill to perform great to watch. It is dynamic and lots of crazy drama too!

I cannot wait for the next season to come it is a great watch a mix between big brother and surviver but more difficult and hardcore.

I have to admit that I don't watch much reality tv. I only watch this, Survivor and Big Brother. The Challenge is not only a reality show though, it's a mix between a reality show and competition show. I have to say that I've really come to love this show. It's been around for over 20 years but has continued to stay fun and fresh the whole time. It's become so popular over the years that there are spin-offs all over the world of this show. Even CBS just recently started their own called The Challenge: USA and even has TJ Lavin as the host there. There's also the incredible spin-off called The Challenge: All-Stars where it takes all your favorite and best cast members from over the years and brings them back for a little nostalgia.

Does not explore the worst in people like other reallity shows. It promotes hight competition but is very strict with agressivity which I respect a lot. The fact that most players are returning season after season just makes it more interesting when you see their development and how they change their playstyle, their rivalries, its amazing to see their strategy in the challenges and to follow the charecters.