Common Sense Media Review
By Jill Murphy
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Reality show cast members face off in physical challenges.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Challenge
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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
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?
TV Details
- Premiere date : June 1, 1998
- Network : MTV
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : November 11, 2020
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