I don’t want to tell you kids how to live your lives, but if you’re not watching the latest iteration of MTV’s Real World/Road Rules Challenge (This time out: THE DUEL!!), then you’re clearly afraid to let yourselves be happy. I’ll be honest and say this round snuck up on me (seems like only yesterday Evan and Coral were hiding their injuries from one another, O. Henry style, during "Fresh Meat"), but since catching the first two eps in repeats this weekend, I’m hooked.
First of all, love the every-man-for-himself structure, where oneguy and one gal will each take home $150,000. Love the pick-’emelimination game that leads to the person going into THE DUEL!!,because it’s like choosing the most evil kickball team ever — and itforces everyone to be nice, or at least pretend to be nice, to everyoneelse. Finally, love THE DUEL!! itself because the roof of the house ison fire.
But the moment not to miss when you’re setting your DVR boyfriends,PopWatchers, happened at the end of the first hour, when that bloated,bitchtastic toad Tina finally hauled off and took a swing at47-year-old provocateur Beth, subsequently getting her ass sent home.I’ve been waiting for this moment for literally years, andperhaps the greatest thing about it was: It happened at almost theexact same time as one of the most compelling moments ever on thatshow, when cancer survivor Diem took off her wig for the first time inpublic… and then went on to win the challenge, G.I. Jane style.
Hold on. Does any of this mean anything to any of you people? I’ve gone and trashed my credibility again, haven’t I?
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Oh, Whitney…you make me laugh even when I have no idea what you’re talking about. :0)
This is my must-see 10:00 show on Thursdays.
Forget ER and who cares about Shark? Six Degress is completely worthless.
Bring on Wes, Derrick, CT, Casey, Diem and Beth being punched in the face by Tina anyday. Seriously, this is the show I have to watch TiVo. I’m so happy they moved Without A Trace to Sundays.
This show is MTV’s version of Survivor and, yes, is BETTER than any version since Australian Outback. Where else can you see drunk crazies who have ALL dated each other look like the loonies that they are? It’s great seeing how the Real Worlders and Road Rulers are doing now too… pathetic but great.
47 years old?!?! God, that woman needs to get a life!
First, I love watching these shows, too! They’re pure fun.
Second, according to imdb, Beth was born in 1969, making her around 37, not 47. Still, that’s crazy old for a Real World/Road Rules challenge.
It’s a true guilty pleasure. As an almost 34 – year old man I should not be watching this show, but I love it.
“47 years old?!?! God, that woman needs to get a life!”
Define ‘a life’.
The best part is this is a CAREER for these people. Amazing!
I love love love the challenge. Seriously, its like one of the most fun shows on TV.
So happy to know a challenge is back because I love the challenges! love, love, love them!
I didn’t realize this had started! I can’t believe I missed Tina fight Beth. Ugh, have to catch the marathon now.
I didn’t realize how into The Challenge I was until I was watching this season’s premiere, referring to four or five past seasons, and trying to figure out just when Steven got booted for slapping Shane.
Totally agree…love this show, each installment improves on the last. Thank you for giving credibility to Challenge-watchers as I have been hiding my obsession with the show from my friends for years.
Guilty pleasure NO MORE, Whitney! I absolutely love the “RW vs. RR” challenges; they blow most every “Real World” out of the water (it’s really not that hard, people). And I already know most of the competitors–that’s half the fun right there! Love ‘em…and I’m sooo not ashamed.
Where is Coral???? Watching the Duel is only half as fun without her bitchily accurate summing up of events in cut-aways throughout the show!!!
I can tell you right now, that supposed “blow” Tina gave Beth was really weak. They played it in slow motion for dramatic effect and she barely got a tap in. The only thing that marked that girl’s face was her own sunglasses as she put her hand up. Tina’s a serious loser who’s all talk and a pathetic bite…
i love these shows, i dont even watch real world anymore it pales so much in comparison to the challenges.
Phew!! I’m not alone in loving this. I’m watching. Thanks to my Tivo or I wouldn’t even know it was starting (why is it on Thursday nights? It has been on Mondays for like 10 years. Why the change and really no advertising?)
Now why can’t EW have a feature on the show, to let the rest of the world know about it? I mean, that Tina / Beth moment is more fun than anything on SURVIVOR.
Oh my gosh, I too am so happy that I’m not alone in watching this show (well obviously because it’s been going on for years now, but still…). My sister and I DIE every time this show comes on. It’s just so well crafted (I don’t think the producers have to do much to make any one look evil on the show). It’s great too that a lot of the people on The Duel have been on the show more than twice, so they know exactly what everyone is looking for… and do a great job at delivering!
“bloated, bitchtastic toad Tina”
best. phrase. ever.
so true, so true.
I have no idea why I love these shows, but, oh, how I do! My boyfriend seriously questions my taste in all things pop culture whenever I bring up Real World, the Challenge, Laguna Beach, etc. (especially after opining on the cinematic virtues of, say, The Departed). But now I have proof! Thank you, Whitney, and to all you other loyal pop watchers/guilty pleasure TV fans out there!
I say Amen, Whitney. I can’t get enough of this show, and I hope the new Road Rules show just announced (featuring American Idol-style voting off of cast members from viewers) will give us even more weird and wonderful people who will need these Challenges and their money and prizes to maintain their carefree and wasteful lifestyles.
“bloated, bitchtastic toad Tina”
holy-crapoly that’s some funny.
You said it all, Whit – the challenges rule and THE DUEL tops ‘em all! As a 29 year old, I’m having guilt issues watching The Real World (I just keep getting older, but they stay the same age), but i never feel this watching the train wrecks on the challenges. 5-Star Reality TV at its best!
can we get a tv watch for the challenge? please?
Whitney come back to TV Watches pleassssssssseeeeeeeeeee
you’re not on anything I watch– Lost, Project Runway, Amazing Race, Survivor…. etc..
we miss you..
you always had the best words
I actually know what you are talking about and couldn’t agree more. I have been watching the challenges for years and this is the best yet. i loved diem going all g.i. jane. it was empowering. and the punch was needed.
Thank you for acknowledging this fabulous show! All the challenges are great, but The Duel is the best so far, and that’s saying a lot. PLEASE do a TV Watch on this and upcoming challenges. There are MANY loyal Challenge watchers who are salivating for it!!!!!
Yeah i love the duel too! Its on tonight!!!
does anyone know how old beth is?
Geesh..As a 36yr old women, I didn’t realize being 37 is ancient. yikes…..I am almost there. Poor Beth.
DUEL IS MY FAVORITE SHOW EVERRRRRRRRRRRRRR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!