For the 37th time, a new season of MTV's "The Challenge" is blessing our television screens. For more than 20 years, the iconic reality show has brought us memorable moments, awesome challenges and unforgettable characters, and this season is expected to be no different. For many of us, the show has been a staple of our TV watching rotation, but the show has recently exploded in popularity, and many viewers are just now getting into the series for the first time now. Therefore, for those looking to watch this season but maybe want an idea of what to expect, or for those just looking for recommendations of which past seasons to watch , I present to you my top ten favorite seasons of all time.. and yes, no spoilers!
10. The Challenge: Rivals (Season 21)
For the first time in the series, the challengers were paired up, not with friends, but with their worst enemy. The dynamic would prove to be a successful one, as the show would go back to this theme two more times. This season has a little bit of everything: drama, fights, romance, iconic moments, and memorable challenges. However, despite it being the franchises 21st season, I still consider it a very early version of what the show is now. If you can get past the fact that the entire season looks and feels like 2011, it's a very good season. I believe it marks the end of one era of the show, but also marks the beginning of another, far more strategic one. I'd recommend this season to anyone who doesn't mind going way back into the vault to start their Challenge journey, or someone who wants to watch a great season with very few episodes.
Notable Rookies: Leroy Garrett, Jonna Mannion
Favorite Challengers: Kenny Santucci, Adam King, Evan Starkman, CT, Wes Bergman
9. The Challenge: Battle of the Bloodlines (Season 27)
For the first and only time in the franchise's history, the challengers are paired up with a loved one who is making their reality TV debut. The loved ones are all either cousins or siblings, but some of the storylines and challenges this season are anything but family friendly. For a season where half the cast are not natural reality TV stars, the season does a surprisingly good job at keeping me entertained all the way through. The pace is quick from the very beginning, and doesn't let up at any point. For my money, it's one of the easiest seasons to watch all the way through, even if the cast is one of the overall weakest. I'd recommend this season to anyone who really enjoys relationship drama over hardcore strategy, and doesn't mind that nearly half the cast never plays again.
Notable Rookies: Cory Wharton, Jamie Banks, Vince Gliatta, Toney Raines, Dario Medrano
Favorite Challengers: Johnny Bananas, Cory Wharton, Abram Boise
8. The Challenge: Total Madness (Season 35)
One of the more recent seasons, I'd consider this a great starting spot for someone who wants more backstory for the current season. This season introduces us to a lot of the current major players, and will give more context to storylines still playing out on the current season. While many seasons of The Challenge are set in warm, tropical locations, this season is set inside a cold and dreary bunker in the Czech Republic, which sets the tone for the season. Here we are also introduced to the Red Skull twist, which means that the Challengers must win an elimination to be eligible for the final, and thus cannot just politic their way to the end. I would say this is the best season for new viewers of the show to start with. It has a good mix of iconic veterans, fresh new faces, big upsets, high-level strategy and (for some) a satisfying ending.
Notable Rookies: Fessy Shafaat, Jay Starrett, Kaycee Clark, Bayleigh Dayton
Favorite Challengers: Johnny Bananas, Jenny West, Kaycee Clark, Stephen Bear, Nelson Thomas
7. The Challenge: Double Agents (Season 36)
Directly following Total Madness, this season brings us back to a season where teams are played in pairs. However, in this season, the big twist is that the winners of the elimination round have the power to pair themselves up with any remaining player of the opposite sex. It's a rare twist that we haven't seen before, that delivers in both execution and exciting results. While I consider this season to be part of a trilogy with Total Madness and the current season, even more so than Total Madness, this season feels like a fresh start where the new main players of the series really emerge. Obviously with this being the most recent season to air in its entirety on TV, I would recommend this season to anyone who wants more backstory coming into the current season of Spies, Lies and Allies.
Notable Rookies: Nam Vo, Amber Borzotra, Lolo Jones, Natalie Anderson
Favorite Challengers: Leroy Garrett, Kam Williams, Kyle Christie, Devin Walker, Kaycee Clark, Big T
6. The Challenge: Rivals III (Season 28)
The third and most recent installment of the Rivals theme, this season switches things up a bit. Instead of having same-sex pairs, this season has the challengers paired up with their biggest rival of the opposite sex. Also unlike previous Rivals seasons, the team that wins the daily challenge has the power to nominate two teams, who will potentially face the pair that came in last during the daily challenge. Those two teams will then figure out who goes into elimination by drawing either a white or black skull. This season has plenty of memorable characters, and perhaps the most memorable individual moment in the show's 36 season run. I think this is a great starter season for any new viewer, and a must-see for any fan of the show, period.
Notable Rookies: Devin Walker, Nelson Thomas, Ashley Mitchell, Amanda Garcia
Favorite Challengers: Johnny Bananas, Devin Walker, Sarah Rice, Ashley Mitchell
5. The Challenge: Vendettas (Season 31)
Up to this point, the show had never crowned just one individual winner. However, that would all change on this season of The Challenge: Vendettas. Despite it being an individual game, everyone on the cast comes into the season with beef, or a vendetta, against one or multiple other challengers. This dynamic leads to plenty of drama, but in my opinion, this season stands out for its incredible rookie class. In The Challenge: Vendettas, three players every round form what is called the Troika. The Troika then select three players for possible elimination, before ultimately voting one of them in against the last place finisher of that rounds daily challenge. This season has all the elements of a classic Challenge season, and I would recommend it to those who enjoy epic challenges and high level strategy.
Notable Rookies: Kyle Christie, Joss Mooney, Kam Williams, Natalie Negrotti, Da'Vonne Rogers
Favorite Challengers: Kyle Christie, Cara Maria Sorbello, Kam Williams, Nicole Zanatta
4. The Challenge: Free Agents (Season 25)
For a lot of people, this ranks as their favorite season of The Challenge, and for good reason. The cast is amazing, the strategy is cutthroat and there are no shortage of big moments. Plus, this season's twist of "The Draw", where challengers nominated for potential elimination would have to turn over the "kill card" in order to face elimination, gives another element of luck to the season. I enjoy this twist because it adds drama to the game, and prevents politics from steamrolling the season. From a casting standpoint, nearly all the big names in the show's history are on this season, making it a great starting point for any new fan. Also, the game changes every round, with some challenges being played in teams, pairs or individually, adding some more unpredictability.
Notable Rookies: Johnny Reilly, Devyn Simone
Favorite Challengers: Johnny Bananas, Laurel Stucky, Jordan Wisely, Cohutta Grindstaff, Nany Gonzalez
3. The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II (Season 26)
For the second and final time in Challenge history, the challengers play the game paired up with their ex. Now, not all relationships are the same. Some of the couples dated for years, others were just casual hookups from past shows and seasons, and some pairs allegedly only had a relationship off-screen. However, in this season, all the pairs deliver in one way of another. The cast is one of the strongest in the show's history, specifically on the men's side. For better or worse, It also features the first time in the show's history where an eliminated pair would return to the game. Overall, I really like this season because I feel that strategy is the predominant driving force throughout. Also, it features some of the biggest names in the show's history, a good mix of relationship drama (obviously), memorable moments and really intense emotional tributes to two fallen castmates. I would recommend this season to anyone who wants to watch a really strong strategic game, however you may want to start with a few seasons earlier to fully understand all the dynamic coming into this season.
Notable Rookies: Jenna Compono
Favorite Challengers: Sarah Rice, Johnny Bananas, Jordan Wisely, Wes Bergman, Leroy Garrett, Nany Gonzalez
2. The Challenge: War of the Worlds (Season 33)
Full disclosure, this is the first full season of the show I ever watched, so it holds a special place in my heart. However, I still believe that this season is arguably the best one of the last 15 years. I think the biggest strength of this season is its rookie class, who not only play a big role in this season, but in future seasons to come. Also, all the rookies are entertaining as hell and know how to deliver in the diary room, something you don't always get. The twist of this season sees the challengers all play in pairs, with the pairs consisting of one veteran and one rookie of the opposite sex. Essentially, this season could also have been called Fresh Meat 3. I also believe this is a great starter season for anyone new to the show, especially if you want to go back and watch a few seasons, but not a ton.
Notable Rookies: Turbo, Theo Campbell, Georgia Harrison, Stephen Bear, Josh Martinez, Natalie Duran
Favorite Challengers: Wes Bergmann, Stephen Bear, Da'Vonne Rogers, Turbo, Georgia Harrison, Kyle Christy
1. The Challenge: Rivals II ( Season 24)
For whatever reason, the Rivals seasons seem to always deliver. For my money, this is the best season in the show's history, for a lot of reasons. First and foremost, this season is called Rivals 2, but it could really be considered an all-star season. Nearly ever big name is on this season, and the action is fast and cutthroat. Plus, you get another chapter of the love story between CT and Diem Brown. I think this may be the best starting point for any new viewer of the challenge, because you are guaranteed to get hooked, and this season starts a run of seasons that I would consider the golden age of The Challenge.
Notable Rookies: Jordan Wisely, Marlon Williams,
Favorite Challengers: CT, Diem Brown, Wes Bergmann, Johnny Bananas, Emily Schromm, Paula Meronek
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