The Challenge: Generic Thread

[kvm1977]

Having a mix of Rookies and Veterans will NOT work and if you've been watching the challenges for as long as I have you would know that. Unless they're on separate teams (think Gauntlet 2 and 3) having a balance of Rookies and Veterans is not going to work because the veterans almost always target the rookies first and they end up getting eliminated. So the rookies never get the chance to establish themselves and build a fanbase because they are always eliminated/voted out first or they're too afraid to go against them. It always seems to happen and I'm tired of seeing it. Now there have been exceptions to the rule...but for the most part the new kids almost always go first due to this "rookies gotta pay their dues" BS. That's why I like that this current season...we get to see the rookies actually compete and strut their stuff without worrying about the Vets.

First off, I'm been watching the challenges from the very beginning.

Having a mix of veterans and rookies absolutely works and "good" rookies have proven that countless times. Svetlana made the final of the The Duel, Sarah made the final of The Ruins, Emily reached the final of Cutthroat, Leroy & Michael made the final of Rivals without ever seeing an elimination, Jonna & Jasmine were the final female team eliminated in Rivals, Brittini made the final of the Duel II, etc. The list never ends--those that go and compete survive. Those that aren't ready for challenges go home--that's how it should be. They aren't "exceptions"--they battled and earned the right to stay. Even Kimberly did great in the Duel II which built her a fan base without reaching a final. Same with Jenn in the Inferno III.
Without worrying about "the vets" (aka strong competitors that know what they're doing) this challenge has been a huge disappointment to many long-time viewers. You like it and that's great but that doesn't alter the fact this has arguably been the least competitive season since The Island.

Also, which rookies this season have "built a fan base". SD2 is widely hated, NOLA has no real competitors with the possible exception of Jemmye and St Thomas hasn't shown anything as of yet other than Marie may be good socially.

The rookies that are probably the most liked are Lacey (went home first which proves a fan base can be built even if you leave early), Devyn (because she's funny) and Nany (because she's kind of crazy). What rookie (first challenge) has proven they can compete at a high level so far? Even Zach (who I thought would be great) hasn't shown much of anything thus far.

[kvm1977]

In regards to NOLA2 not being on a challenge until now, while I agree that they waited too long, I don't think NOLA was done filming when Cutthroat started. There weren't really any rivalries that season that could've been on Rivals (except Preston and Ryan but NOBODY wanted to see them on a team together). The only Exes were Jemmye and Knight, and I was surprised they weren't asked to be on BOTE. So other than Exes, they wouldn't have been eligible to do any of the other seasons.

That makes sense but it was still poor planning. That's a long time to wait to introduce a new cast. Plus, if Priscilla and Nate were considered exes couldn't they create something false out of NOLA? Did any of them even kiss once other than Jemmye & Knight?

[ILoveRW]

That makes sense but it was still poor planning. That's a long time to wait to introduce a new cast. Plus, if Priscilla and Nate were considered exes couldn't they create something false out of NOLA? Did any of them even kiss once other than Jemmye & Knight?

NOLA possibilities, most are very weak but they have enough footage to make them all seem plausible.

Rivals:
Sahar & Mckenzie
Ryan & Knight
Ryan & Eric
Ryan & Preston
Sahar & Jemmye

Exes:
Jemmye & Knight
Ryan & Mckenzie
Sahar & Eric

[kvm1977]

NOLA possibilities, most are very weak but they have enough footage to make them all seem plausible.

Rivals:
Sahar & Mckenzie
Ryan & Knight
Ryan & Eric
Ryan & Preston
Sahar & Jemmye

Exes:
Jemmye & Knight
Ryan & Mckenzie
Sahar & Eric

Thanks--did Ashlee do anything on that season? I keep hearing that she could be a good competitor but I don't think anyone has said anything about her during that season.

[ILoveRW]

Thanks--did Ashlee do anything on that season? I keep hearing that she could be a good competitor but I don't think anyone has said anything about her during that season.

Not really, she was the mother of the house and was pretty funny in her interviews but apart from that I can't recall her getting into any of the drama.

[wutzrenzi]

That makes sense but it was still poor planning. That's a long time to wait to introduce a new cast. Plus, if Priscilla and Nate were considered exes couldn't they create something false out of NOLA? Did any of them even kiss once other than Jemmye & Knight?

It was long overdue for NOLA2, I never understood that and their season had good ratings and pretty likable. I think they waited too long with Hollywood as well. Brooklyn, Cancun and D.C. were poorly represented too at one point due to the concepts/formats that didn't apply to them.

[Debut Album]

It was long overdue for NOLA2, I never understood that and their season had good ratings and pretty likable. I think they waited too long with Hollywood as well. Brooklyn, Cancun and D.C. were poorly represented too at one point due to the concepts/formats that didn't apply to them.

Yeah. A lot of these new seasons got the shaft because of these formats that are so limiting. If they're going to keep making new formats then they need to make sure that it applies to a wide pool of castmembers.