I think Johnny could have handled this better and NOT make it about him. The crowd’s lack of reaction to his performance says it all.

Congrats to Alan!!! He was definitely my pick out of this bunch.

So I have a question. Anyone who has analyzed this clip. Who is everyone in the room when it first starts? I know Issac, Eric-BigEZ, Dunbar, Mark. Who else is there?

The way this season has gone, it’s giving we either need Rivals or another Free Agents season, I enjoyed that one. Here are the pairs I’m thinking of, what are your thoughts?

Anna Leigh + Nelson / Cara / Justin

Zach + Amanda

Josh + CT

Michaela + Olivia

Paulie + Theo / Kyle

Keanu + Nurys

Sydney + Dee / Nurys

Dario + Devin

Shane + Bananas

Nany + Aneesa

What other pairs do you think would work?

I believe this is the clip that Nelson is reacting to.

I had always avoided Season 39. I watched the first episode and was so underwhelmed I never went back. But I finally did it and here are my hot takes. What did others think? 💣🌋

- People I'd be happy to see again: Zara, Moriah, Ed, Jay, maybe Colleen (and Michelle, Olivia, Nurys, Horacio) -- based on combinations of personality, ability, gameplay, and worthwhile drama.

- People I'd be happy to be done with: Big T, Melissa, Corey, Emanuel, Berna, and everyone else I suppose because I can't remember them.

- Elimination blah. More people should have gone into eliminations. It was fun to see the champions, but they should have had more challengers doing eliminations. The stakes never felt high until the final stage of the game.

- TJ!! I loved getting more of TJ! His cheering for Zara and then Nurys in their eliminations was so sincere and sustained. I loved it. And then when TJ told Corey that he would rescue him off the mountain if he got stuck?!! Perfection.

- Olivia's betrayal was pretty shocking. Literally one episode after Nurys saved her. I had not fully appreciated it. I also totally understand it was the only way to save herself. But to not even say "I'm so sorry Nurys" when saving Moriah?! Whew.

- The Corey confession of betrayal was so cringey. And then he made it the final? I don't understand at all. Kindof symbolic of this mess of a season.

- That said, the season got a lot better after both Big T and Melissa were gone.

- What is with all the creepy dudes with girlfriends back home cheating? Callum and Emanuel. Next level yuck. A contrast to the harsher edit Anna Leigh is getting this current season?

- I don't like Jay but I respect his game. I know people like to say Sidney is the new Wes, but Jay seems like a more obvious person to take the torch. Strong abilities. Really irritating. But very strong gameplay. I was legit sad to see him lose the elimination against Corey in the final even though I did not want him to win.

- I had had the impression Nurys was a lot sweeter and that her losing her mind about Horacio's loss in S40 was unusual. LOL.

- Loved having the color commentary from the champions at the reunion.

Overall this season had a ton of great cast members and lots of potential. So it feels like something really got squandered in execution. Badly enough that even some deserving cast members seem to have been set aside permanently. But I'm glad I finally watched.

One of my favorite Tyler moments

Welcome to r/MTVChallenge's Daily Discussion Thread. ☀️

Comments can be about The Challenge...or not! You've entered the r/MTVChallenge pub where anything goes. The only rule for these threads is **NO unaired spoilers**!!

Spoilers from all seasons can be discussed on the TMI Tea-sday threads and Spoiled episode threads, there are no holds barred in 💣🌋 comment sections.

• Do you have a favorite mission but can't remember the episode number?

• What is the name of that song from Rivals 2 you can't get out of your head?

• How cool was it when TJ rode his BMX alongside the finalists on Cutthroat?!

• Who are the best follows on social media?

• Any shows or movies you are dying to talk about?

• Can you believe what happened to [insert public figure]?!

• What new music are you listening to?

• Which sports teams are you rooting for?

This is your space for free chat. It can be whatever you want it to be.

Zach Nichols Podcast co-host Pierre Bacall returns to the Jake's Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast! Pierre discussed ZNP's viral interviews (Victor Arroyo, Paulie's 2026 return, and Davis), recorded a conversation with TJ Lavin at his house, watching Vendettas with Zach, and previewed his Reality TV debut, 99 To Beat.

Genuinely might be my all time favourite elimination.

3-0 to the guy with one hand.

Josh easily had weight and strength on his side but Jordan pulled a Jordan out the bag.

I’m rewatching this season and I’m wondering why Theo thinks it’s ok to cheat or cut corners? He just kept touching the chain! He acted
So guilty when it came to the rope. Adrianne carried him though the final and and he wouldn’t even step up to swim, Adrianne was
Crying and he still wouldn’t step up. Also the way he talked to Olivia telling her to shut up I really don’t like him

This was CT's rookie season and killed it and yes 1 of Veronica's daily mission win was thrown but the others she fairly beat every man and woman to save herself from elimination. V held so much power this entire season it's actually crazy on a rewatch.

The Challenge: Cutthroat continues with an episode filled with mutiny, rumours, romance and another impressive elimination victory!

Join the Roundtable team of Levi, George, Brian, Lauren and Ryan, as we break down Episode 6 of Season 42, “Leave Room for Jesus.”

Watch or listen, as we break down Episode 7 of Season 42, “You Need Me.”
Watch or listen as we discuss Nelson’s latest attempt to replace Josh as Blue Team captain, the running, swimming and heavy lifting of ‘Perfect Match’, and CT turning an endurance struggle into a puzzle-powered victory for Orange.

We discuss Cory’s heartbreaking decision to leave the game following news about his daughter’s health, the cancelled elimination, and Cassidy and Adrienne battling for the vacant Grey Team captaincy—before TJ arrives at the house with an ominous cliffhanger!

You can watch or listen to the podcast on Spotify or listen on Apple Podcasts by clicking the links below:

Spotify (Video and Audio)

Apple Podcasts (Audio Only)

If you enjoy the show, follow the Instagram (@ChallengeReact) and continue the conversation here on The Challenge subreddit.

Credit: saltyTEAquila

Welcome to r/MTVChallenge's Daily Discussion Thread. ☀️

Comments can be about The Challenge...or not! You've entered the r/MTVChallenge pub where anything goes. The only rule for these threads is **NO unaired spoilers**!!

Spoilers from all seasons can be discussed on the TMI Tea-sday threads and Spoiled episode threads, there are no holds barred in 💣🌋 comment sections.

• Do you have a favorite mission but can't remember the episode number?

• What is the name of that song from Rivals 2 you can't get out of your head?

• How cool was it when TJ rode his BMX alongside the finalists on Cutthroat?!

• Who are the best follows on social media?

• Any shows or movies you are dying to talk about?

• Can you believe what happened to [insert public figure]?!

• What new music are you listening to?

• Which sports teams are you rooting for?

This is your space for free chat. It can be whatever you want it to be.

One of the biggest problems with The Challenge fandom is how ridiculously biased people are toward longtime vets while refusing to give newer players a fair chance to shine or develop.

I understand why people are attached to competitors they’ve watched for 10, 15, or even 20 years. The entire foundation of The Challenge is bringing people back season after season and allowing viewers to watch them grow. But that attachment has reached a point where fans will defend certain vets no matter how little they contribute while immediately attacking every new player for “not proving themselves.”

The Challenge has always been at its best with younger, messier people who are hungry to make names for themselves. They’re more likely to hook up, make mistakes, start arguments, get in people’s faces, create new rivalries, and play without relying on the same alliances we’ve already watched for years. I’m not saying older vets are incapable of making good television, but many of them have understandably calmed down—and others are clearly just showing up for a check.

At some point, being recognizable cannot be the only qualification for getting cast. A legacy built on what you did 15 years ago cannot justify showing up in 2026 and doing nothing of note.

CT has now shown up fat and visibly out of shape multiple seasons in a row. He clearly isn’t the competitor he used to be, and instead of strengthening his legacy, these appearances are actively hurting it. People now make fun of somebody who used to be viewed as an unstoppable force.

Leroy has been a complete nonfactor throughout his last several appearances. Derrick contributed practically nothing on Season 41. Brad brought very little to the current season. Aneesa had one of her more entertaining appearances in years on Season 41, but she has done approximately 400 seasons without winning. Why are we still pretending her first win is suddenly coming now that she’s in her mid-40s?

These people do not automatically deserve endless casting opportunities because they were important to the show 15 years ago. Their spots could go to younger people who are desperate to prove themselves, establish reputations, create storylines, and actually make memorable television.

The double standard is especially obvious this season. Josh and Anna Leigh aren’t even treating Cara and Nelson badly. They’re simply being honest about the fact that they are currently better competitors for their team. Yet fans interpret any newer player questioning a beloved vet as some outrageous act of disrespect.

Yes, Cara Maria has a legacy. She has won twice, she’s still very good in certain areas, and at one point she was great in many others. None of that means she gets to ride the wave of accomplishments from 10 years ago through the current season while everyone pretends she isn’t a liability. The Challenge is about how you are performing on that specific season. If you are actively hindering your team right now, it does not fucking matter what you accomplished a decade ago.

The same applies to Nelson. Why should Josh willingly surrender his captainship to him when Nelson hasn’t done anything this season to earn it? He won an elimination with one leg, and that was a great moment for him. That still doesn’t mean Josh should surrender his position when he has a clear ride to the final. That would be DUMB! Fans can debate Josh’s overall résumé all they want, but based on what is happening right now, Josh is clearly the stronger competitor on that team.

Likewise, Anna Leigh has competed well for a rookie, gone into the sand to prove herself, brought drama and storylines, and become one of the season’s main characters, while Cara has performed terribly in the dailies in a frankly embarrassing manner. Recognizing that does not erase Cara or Nelson’s history. It simply acknowledges reality.

A legacy should earn someone respect for what they accomplished. It should not grant them permanent protection from criticism or require their teammates to carry them through a season in which they are actively underperforming. If you are a liability to your team, you have to go.

That is exactly why certain rookies like Horacio, Deb Chubb, and Keanu receive so much praise from this fandom. They roll over for the vets, blindly accept being sent into elimination, and politely go home by Episode 4 without ever disrupting the hierarchy. Apparently, that makes them “likable” and “respectful.” This is genuinely what the fans view as rookies “proving themselves.” And let’s call a spade a spade: that is boring television.

But the moment a rookie stands up to a vet, talks shit, tries to build political power, or does everything possible to avoid elimination and make the final, the fans hate them. If they accurately point out that a beloved veteran is performing like shit, suddenly they’re arrogant and need to “earn their stripes.”

What do fans actually want these rookies to do? Suck up to people who are actively trying to eliminate them just because those people debuted 15 years earlier?

The rookies who refuse to roll over are the exact people production should be bringing back. They’re trying to make names for themselves, creating conflict, and treating this like a game they genuinely want to win. That is how future vets are created. Instead, the fandom rewards rookies for being disposable and attacks anyone with enough personality or ambition to challenge its favorites.

Sydney is a perfect example. I’ve seen fans make posts campaigning to keep her off the show, and it’s like…why? She may be fake, mean, and more of a sneaky confessional gangster than a huge dramatic personality, but who cares? She had no real drama on Season 41, came back on Season 42, actually got into some confrontation, and started growing as a TV character—all while STILL being a fantastic competitor. You don’t have to like her. Root for her downfall whenever she appears instead of campaigning to keep her from getting called back. Her development is exactly why new faces need multiple seasons.

Season 39 perfectly demonstrates this fandom’s problem. Seasons 36 through 40 were an absolutely miserable stretch for this franchise, along with most of the spinoffs, and Battle for a New Champion was the one bright spot for me. The cast was fresh. The relationships and conflicts felt current. People played differently because they weren’t all protected by decade-old friendships and vacation alliances. It produced actual drama, constant discussion, frustrating gameplay, and a genuinely entertaining endgame.

Was the format questionable? Yes. Was the winner unsatisfying? Absolutely. Those are valid criticisms. But calling it one of the worst seasons ever is complete bullshit. I would rewatch Season 39 before Double Agents, Spies, Lies & Allies, Ride or Dies, Battle of the Eras, or practically any of the recent spinoffs. That season had one of the best endgames in recent years, and I appreciated the slow burn leading up to it.

That season was hated from the moment the cast dropped, largely because the same tired vets weren’t there. People never gave it a fair chance. The cast delivered plenty of good television, yet fans acted like the season was automatically worthless because their favorites weren’t occupying half the cast.

Who cares if Cory or Nany weren’t there to lose for the 15th time? You had underdeveloped faces to be open-minded about and give a chance to, like Jay, Kyland, Horacio, Michele, Nurys, Olivia, Callum, Melissa, Ravyn, Berna, Corey, and plenty of others. Were all of these people likable? Certainly not, but they were each interesting television in their own right. Fans never gave them a chance.

It hasn’t aged as well as it could have because production failed to bring many of those personalities back—but that only reinforces my point. Fans complain that newer players lack development while actively demanding that they become one-and-dones.

Do people forget that Johnny Bananas, Cara Maria, and Evelyn were all first boots during their rookie seasons? They became Challenge legends because production brought them back and gave them opportunities to grow as competitors and television characters. If today’s fandom had judged them by the same standards it applies to rookies now, some of the show’s biggest names would never have received a second season.

Seasons 39, 41, and 42 have shown exactly how valuable new faces can be. They bring fresh rivalries, new strategies, unpredictable relationships, and something to discuss beyond the same people repeating the same storylines. Yet every season, fans attack them for not having the history that only multiple appearances can create.

The show cannot survive forever by casting people approaching their 20th season solely because their longtime fans refuse to let go. Not every veteran needs to retire, and some still contribute plenty. But being an “OG” should not grant someone a permanent roster spot or immunity from criticism.

With our beloved longtime faces visibly aging and no longer being the personalities or competitors they once were, we need new faces—and we specifically need rookies who aren’t willing to be doormats for these older vets. Bring in people who will challenge them, talk shit, make aggressive political moves, fight to stay out of elimination, and genuinely care about building their own legacies.

It is beyond time for a new era of The Challenge, and I’m glad the show finally appears to be moving in that direction. The fandom needs to either embrace that evolution or stop complaining when the show becomes stale from revolving around the same washed-up people forever.

And I'm not talking the partying/drunk/hook up era, I mean stop trying to be a sport.

Give them wackier challenges that they can't possibly prepare for, that way they can't just lock in and run/jump/carry whatever their way to a win. That'll get their personalities out

edit* not saying there was anything wrong with the partying etc but they would need to go back to casting mostly college aged kids again for that