The Challenge

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Reality show cast members face off in physical challenges.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that fighting, sex, screaming matches, physically brutal challenges, drinking, smoking, and trash-talking are all standard practice during the challenges. Contestants involved in this reality/game show are from past seasons of MTV's Real World and Road Rules. Issues that cast members had on either of those series often carry over into this one.

  • Yelling, cat fights, ganging up on each other, gossip, drunken hook-ups, arguments.
  • Brutal physical challenges; pushing; fights often break out between contestants.
  • Housemates hook up; indications of sex; heavy kissing; most challenges require players to be in bathing suits.
  • Heavy bleeping of four-letter workds; "bitch" is commonplace in each epsiode; contestants talk down to one another.
  • Each challenge is sponsored by a commerical product (TVs, cell phones, travel companies).
  • A lot of alcohol usage. Viewers don't always see the contestants drinking, but they're often intoxicated in front of the camera.

What's the story?

THE CHALLENGE is made up of former MTV Real World and Road Rules cast members. The contestants are divided into two teams that face off in physical competitions ranging from painting a blank canvas with their bodies to racing head to head in a rickshaw relay. At least one contestant is eliminated at the end of each episode. The last three players from each team compete in a final mission at the end of the season to win $300,000 in cash and prizes.


Is it any good?

 

Teens will be interested to see once-famed Real World and Road Rules cast members come back in a more-competitive setting, but parents need to know that the series, like its predecessors, emphasizes sex, partying, and conflict. Past rivalries, new loves, and old flames add to the drama, and there's no shortage of love and hate among teammates and competitors. All parties involved come across in a negative light as they struggle with teamwork, creating alliances, and backstabbing one another. Disrespect and fighting is not only expected, but tolerated by the producers of the series.

For all the effort these reality TV alums put themselves through, the prize seems small. But many of the stand-out members have been invited back for other challenges or to participate in other off-shoots of MTV programming -- keeping them afloat on the celebrity D-list.


Explore, discuss, enjoy

Families can talk about why there's so much tension among the contestants. Do they handle their differences appropriately? Has life in front of the camera affected their behavior? Is there pressure to act a certain way? Why do some reality TV "stars" keep going back for more punishment on other shows? Is fame really that addictive?


This review of The Challenge was written by
Teen, 15 years old
April 9, 2008
 

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Adult
November 2, 2009
 
GOOD FOR 13+
IT IS A GOOD REALITY SHOW FOR KIDS OVER 13 YEARS OLD. IT IS ALMOST LIKE SURVIVOR.

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Teen, 16 years old
March 8, 2012
 
Action-Packed Reality Show Featuring "Real World" Castmates
The Challenge brings back contestants from The Real World and Road Rules to compete in various risky competitions for a big jackpot at the end. The contestants are put under massive amounts of stress, and the competitions they participate in are dangerous, but full of action. Violence is very prominent in the show. Castmates usually get injured, there is some blood, too. The contestants often talk bad about each other and get into fights, sometimes even physical ones that get them kicked off the show. There is a lot of f-bombs and other major swear words, curses and insults (they are obviously bleeped). Castmates often hook up, make out, flirt, kiss, have sex. There is some nudity but it is censored. There is even some same sex romance. The cast members sometimes go out to clubs and behave irresponsibly and end up getting drunk and doing stupid things. Product placement is pretty heavy because when prizes are given away the brand or the make is clearly being promoted. I wouldn't recommend The Challenge for children because it is probably too intense for them. But for teenagers and adults it's a good show that has a lot of action in it, and you don't really have to be familiar with the contestants to enjoy it. Also, it's a great alternative of The Real World because it focuses less on fighting and partying and more on winning money and competing.
What other families should know:

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This review of The Challenge was written by
TV rating:TV-14
Network:MTV
Genre:Reality TV

This review of The Challenge was written by
 

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