Real World/Road Rules 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.

Best reality TV show !!! I'm pumping watching this

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.

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.

The Challenge has been around a long time and even though I'm not a big reality tv fan and only watch a few reality shows, this is great and has been the whole time! It started off with only Real World & Road Rules stars but has expanded over the years to include a huge variety of reality shows including shows like Big Brother, Survivor, Are You the One, etc. This show really does get addicting, especially once you get to know the players and get invested.