Challenge 37: Spies, Lies and Allies (Aug 11, 2021)

**Xno Kappa** · 2021-08-19 11:27

Originally Posted by Byrd

Thoughts:

Spoiler: show

Scoring:

Spoiler: show

Challenger Scores to Date:

Spoiler: show

Standings:

Spoiler: show

Awww this is wack as hell! Amber B should’ve been mine lol.

**Vil** · 2021-08-20 12:58

I can't believe Byrd has been watching some weird Netflix show when he knows he should be watching FBOY Island, which is getting a season 2. I'd try to venture a guess which of the guys may end up on The Challenge, but if they do pull people from that, they're bound to pick some random as hell options anyway. Some of the twists (and these shows need nonsense twists) leave you thinking "is this allowed?"

Anyway, there actually is one significant crossover with The Challenge, which is kind of hilarious all things considered.

**Byrd** · 2021-08-20 17:24

I tend to try to limit my brainless TV viewing to one show at a time, and the Challenge certainly qualifies. The Nikki Glaser-as-host did interest me, maybe I should check it out. Although the three seasons of "A Shot at Love" did hold my interest back in the day., I'm typically likely to watch a show where 30 women competed for 3 men instead of the other way around, I think. More eye candy for me, I suppose.

The HBO Max bit is a draw, is there swearing and nudity?

Originally Posted by Vil

Anyway, there actually is one significant crossover with The Challenge, which is kind of hilarious all things considered.

What is the connection there?

**Vil** · 2021-08-20 17:35

I don't understand the need for swearing, but the only language censored is "FBOY".

I'm not going to spoil the connection.

**Moss** · 2021-08-20 17:37

Some rumors I've picked up from the interwebs and Johnny Bananas new ringer podcast:

-there was a COVID outbreak early in filming and they had to quarantine everyone, that's what sent Nam home (positive test?)

-Lauren C who was edited out completely said something racist to Aneesa and that's why she got kicked

I'm kinda split(hah) on the Bananas podcast so far - I preferred the recaps from Simmons and Jacoby but he obviously does have a lot of insight and some of it is really interesting. We'll see if I can handle 60+ minutes of his voice every week

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**Byrd** · 2021-08-20 17:42

Originally Posted by Vil

I don't understand the need for swearing, but the only language censored is "FBOY".

If the contestants don't swear, I'm fine with it - I don't need it, but I would just rather hear swearing than beeps. It feels more natural to include swearing.

Originally Posted by Moss

I'm kinda split(hah) on the Bananas podcast so far - I preferred the recaps from Simmons and Jacoby but he obviously does have a lot of insight and some of it is really interesting. We'll see if I can handle 60+ minutes of his voice every week

So far, I've liked Bananas' podcast better than the 'official' one with Aneesa and Tori. I was a little disappointed neither he nor Bill knew about episode zero prior to the first episode. Even if they had to record it before they could see it, they should have known it was coming.

**Moss** · 2021-08-20 17:46

Originally Posted by Byrd

So far, I've liked Bananas' podcast better than the 'official' one with Aneesa and Tori. I was a little disappointed neither he nor Bill knew about episode zero prior to the first episode. Even if they had to record it before they could see it, they should have known it was coming.

I haven't even tried the official pod because I know I wouldn't like it lol. And you know they can't talk about certain things because "official"

Lol I was annoyed by that too, he mentions in episode 2 that everyone was calling him out for it.

He was also forgetting people's names like Emy, which while understandable is also annoying since you're getting paid to do the damn podcast. Would it kill you to prepare a little...

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**Vil** · 2021-08-20 17:57

Originally Posted by Byrd

If the contestants don't swear, I'm fine with it - I don't need it, but I would just rather hear swearing than beeps. It feels more natural to include swearing.

Ok, I get that. They do curse, but beyond the first few times I heard, it wasn't noticeable to me. That's not to say that they don't get into arguments and whatnot. They just actually use more extensive vocabularies (especially a certain doctor/aspiring Olympic bobsledder) than the average dolt that gets put on The Challenge.

I used to like when Simmons did kind of a general "reality show" podcast way back at Grantland, though I'd only check it out once in a while. That's kind of surprising that they'd let them party as much as they have with them having had a quarantine shut down production. Just this past week, I think there were two separate big parties.

**Byrd** · 2021-08-20 18:01

Originally Posted by Moss

I haven't even tried the official pod because I know I wouldn't like it lol. And you know they can't talk about certain things because "official"

Yeah, I tried it this week for the first time, and I think even they inadvertently spilled some things like about how long certain contestants might less. More of a "so and so saw a bunch of puzzles this season" which is a spoiler that they are there for at least a while. I don't think I'll be listening to that one again.

Originally Posted by Moss

Lol I was annoyed by that too, he mentions in episode 2 that everyone was calling him out for it.

Which was good, but then claimed it wasn't his fault that he didn't know about it. Dude ... it might not be your fault he couldn't listen to it, but it was definitely his fault he didn't know about it. Or MTV's fault for not telling him when he got his advance copy.

Originally Posted by Moss

He was also forgetting people's names like Emy, which while understandable is also annoying since you're getting paid to do the damn podcast. Would it kill you to prepare a little...

Agreed. If Emy had no visible role in the show yet, I could see him forgetting their name, but she's been a top 3 rookie in terms of presence. He is a noob to the podcast thing, though, so maybe he'll improve. I'll probably be sticking with his podcast, though. I've traditionally listened to the RHAP podcast, and I find myself losing interest in it much of the time, so am kind of in the market for a new one.

**Moss** · 2021-08-20 18:02

Yeah I'll give him a chance, he's a reasonably smart and insightful guy so I'll give him a chance to get better at the podcasting thing

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**Headspace** · 2021-08-23 10:24

Should get points if your player is chosen as a teammate. I say this now, selfishly, because Devin and Tori keep getting stolen.

I reserve the right to no longer feel this way when it’s Fessy being stolen every week.

**Vil** · 2021-08-25 22:18

You can have points for that if I can have points for challengers that are shown bleeding.

Segments like Nelson's boot camp are things that have been missing from a lot of recent seasons.

That challenge was a decent enough concept, but I think it's one that seems really hard to regulate with the conditions. Ashley going for that kiss after Hughie puked right in front of her, eww. Even with them showing the quick cut for like 60% of the heats, that just went way too long. I know there were a couple things that they needed to spend time on, but still, it went through like 2 (maybe 3?) commercial breaks.

I was really apprehensive about Tommy when he was on the cast list, but after an episode, I was looking forward to see how he'd do. I'm disappointed that he went out like that.

Last week, Josh was the leading strategic voice for the vets. This week, it's Tori. They were better off with Josh at the helm. I have no idea why Tori talks so much, but she does it way too much for someone who is simply not good at that part of the game. It's on display again this episode.

D: "Ok, we've finally got it back to even numbers."
T: "So, send a vet in?"

I hoped that Agent Ed immediately saying he'd let Tori handle that stuff was just a setup for him not following her when it came down to it. I was disappointed. He's a good addition and probably doesn't want to push his luck when he thinks he's in a semi-stable position, but I wish he would.

Tacha calling out Corey/Michele thinking that's her only option. *facepalm* Can people on my team stop targeting others on my team? I'd substitute rookies and rookies for that, but let's be serious. With the numbers even, they're not even. Does anybody think that GABO is going to have the sense to join a rookie coalition if one formed? He's just the most glaring example I can think of.

Great elimination, very difficult. I don't know what kind of incline those rungs had, but it looked like there wasn't one, and a tiny movement and those poles were flying off since they were barely fitting on them. Bulkier guys would probably have had a hell of a time with that.

**Byrd** · 2021-08-25 23:53

Originally Posted by Vil

You can have points for that if I can have points for challengers that are shown bleeding.

I do give points for bleeding. Added points for medical on top of that. Getting hurt is good for the Fantasy game, so long as you don't get knocked out like Tommy.

Thoughts:

Spoiler: show

Scoring Notes:

Spoiler: show

Challenger Scoring to Date:

Spoiler: show

Standings:

Spoiler: show

**Moss** · 2021-08-26 01:02

You need to add puke points for Hughie pls

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**Moss** · 2021-08-26 01:10

God I was really holding out hope they would bring Kelz back to replace Tommy. Missed opportunity MTV!

Hughie is hilarious and I hope he lasts a long time

Tommy stumbling out of the sea nude is/was simultaneously amazing and disturbing

I wonder if Berna vibes with Nelson because he has a limited vocabulary so he's easier for her to understand. And yes him calling himself daddy was creepy AF

Gabo seems like terrible casting so far, he seems dumb as a rock

Why isn't Corey L trying to rally the rookies to vote together? Or any of the other rookies? Obviously you get an enormous target on your back if/when the vets find out, but the alternative is getting picked off one by one. Kelz would've done it, RIP

Can't wait to see the veteran truce break and the Josh meltdown they teased, it looked like a good one

I don't think that elimination was play-tested well, very close to being made too hard. But I liked it overall. Not sure why neither girl took 60 seconds to arrange the poles in size order on the ground first, but alas

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**Vil** · 2021-08-26 01:56

Why isn't Corey L trying to rally the rookies to vote together? Or any of the other rookies? Obviously you get an enormous target on your back if/when the vets find out, but the alternative is getting picked off one by one. Kelz would've done it, RIP

Even if they're not organized or have any possibility at corralling the votes right now, don't tell me that there aren't people at least having conversations. What we get is the bare minimum and if you're not in the elimination/escaping it, you're probably not heard from. Is the point of this to make it seem like a big deal if they do manage to turn the tide at some point? They'd probably just spin it as "veterans are dumb" moreso than the rookies getting their acts together.

**Byrd** · 2021-08-26 10:37

Originally Posted by Moss

You need to add puke points for Hughie pls

I saw the aftermath, I didn't see him actually doing it. I might've looked away at that time, was it shown on camera and I just missed it?

I also missed Confessional Cleavage award for Ashley. I should quit drinking as much on Challenge nights.

**Moss** · 2021-08-26 11:20

Originally Posted by Vil

Even if they're not organized or have any possibility at corralling the votes right now, don't tell me that there aren't people at least having conversations. What we get is the bare minimum and if you're not in the elimination/escaping it, you're probably not heard from. Is the point of this to make it seem like a big deal if they do manage to turn the tide at some point? They'd probably just spin it as "veterans are dumb" moreso than the rookies getting their acts together.

Yeah very possible they're trying and failing because of the airhead Gabo's of the world but they should be giving us a taste of who's trying

Originally Posted by Byrd

I saw the aftermath, I didn't see him actually doing it. I might've looked away at that time, was it shown on camera and I just missed it?

I also missed Confessional Cleavage award for Ashley. I should quit drinking as much on Challenge nights.

Yep, it was on camera. Right as he's bitching to Ashley and right before they show Aneesa laughing about it

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**Byrd** · 2021-08-26 16:59

Originally Posted by Moss

Right as he's bitching to Ashley and right before they show Aneesa laughing about it

Sure enough. Not sure how I missed it, I just must have been looking away. I'll get that and Ashley's cleavage added to next week's spreadsheet.

**Headspace** · 2021-08-26 21:33

Rookies needed to vote as a bloc but you’ll never convince someone like Emanuel to do it given his stable position. They’d rather make connections with a solid vet partner I think

Thread: Challenge 37: Spies, Lies and Allies (Aug 11, 2021)

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