MTV''s hit show The Challenge is incredibly successful, with the show currently producing 3 - 5 seasons a year. Of course, with a show this successful, production needs to have a perfectly crafted formula.
In the years since The Challenge began, a lot has changed. New rules are always arising as the producers revisit what worked and what didn't work during a season. Though the producers try to keep most behind-the-scenes information, there are some things fans have come to learn after years of watching The Challenge. Check out these 10 behind the scenes facts about The Challenge!
Smuggling Phones
There are a lot of things the contestants aren't allowed to bring into The Challenge house, and the list only continues to grow. Perhaps one of the hardest limitations for contestants to accept is that they can not bring their phones. This has led to contestants trying to hide burner phones in creative places.
Some examples include cutting a hole in a jacket or keeping a phone in a shoe. This has led producers to conduct increasingly thorough searches of the contestants and their belongings before they enter the house.
Phone Calls
Contestants on the show are sometimes shown on the phone with significant others outside of the house. This doesn't mean that they have unlimited access to calls though.
While it is not as extreme as some other shows, such as Big Brother, which completely limit connection to the outside world, the calls made in the house are extremely limited. Contestants are allowed 2 10 minute phone calls a week and these calls are highly monitored to limit the information that leaves the house.
Limited Alcohol
Sometimes it seems like the cast has unlimited access to alcohol. Many of the scenes that make it to the show outside of the competitions are alcohol-induced fights or hookups. But these moments are disproportionally shown because alcohol leads to more interesting moments.
In actuality, the liquor provided to the cast is extremely limiting. They receive a specific amount of wine, beer, and vodka a week. The vodka is even dyed blue to prevent contestants from pouring it into their water bottles and hiding what they are drinking. When contestants leave the house to go to the bar, they are limited to the same choices in liquor.
Casting
It is a requirement for The Challenge for contestants to have been on at least one other reality television show. In recent years, casting has begun to expand the shows they pull contestants from. They want to ensure that their contestants can hold up to the physical challenges on the show.
Although the contestants aren't put through physical competitions to qualify, they are highly screened with production looking for evidence of their fitness capabilities. Of course, rookies aren't the only ones cast. When considering which vets to cast, it all comes down to the theme of The Challenge that season and whether or not popular vets fit on with the theme.
Don't Spill The Secrets
Seasons of The Challenge film long before they are released. For example, the season currently airing was filmed 8 months ago. It is important for production that secrets about the outcome and events of the show are not released before airing.
Players may be tempted to share some of the information, but that would be a big mistake. Everyone who competes is forced to sign a non-disclosure agreement and they are subject to huge fines for releasing information about the show. Producers have even been known to hire investigators to find the source of leaked information.
Good Money
Part of the show's success is due to the returning veterans. In order to entice these players to return, they are offered large amounts of money.
In addition to the potential prize money, players are paid a set amount for each week they survive the house. The pay increases the more seasons a player competes. While veterans $1,000 a week, some of the original challengers could be earning up to $5,000 a week! Some contestants even get a flat fee for appearing on the show in the first place, which could be as high as $80,000.
Short Notice
Some contestants don't have that much time to prepare before they begin filming. In an interview, Challenge veteran CT revealed that the most notice contestants will get is a few months ahead of time.
But in some circumstances, contestants may have a month, a week, or may even be ed while filming has already begun.
Mystery Location
One of the most exciting aspects of The Challenge is the different locations in which the show is filmed. The cast has repeatedly stated that the ability to travel to new places in the world and compete in these unique challenges is part of what makes the show so fun.
But these contestants have no idea where they are going until they get to the airport. Once signed in at the airport, they are given a plane ticket and that is when they discover the filming location for the season.
Movie Night
With little to no entertainment in the house, fans are desperate for something to do. The most exciting moments for them end up being fights between individuals in the house.
When a fight begins, someone will yell out "movie night" and all of the players will come running to watch the argument. Some players have even itted to instigating fights out of boredom.
Pre-Season Planning
While information about the season is kept pretty secret, that doesn't keep players from trying their best to train and prepare. All of the contestants train physically, but some try to plan their strategy as early as possible.
While some players, such as CT, have given up on trying to figure out who is going to appear in the season, others take a different approach. Wes, in particular, is known for reaching out to potential players pre-season and attempting to make deals and alliances with them.
