When it comes to MTV’s The Challenge, there is an extensive list of rules and regulations that cast members must follow in order to stay on the show. There are even significant fines for rule-breakers, up to tens of thousands of dollars. However, the various rules and the very strict environment don’t stop Challengers from competing year after year. In the age of tech addiction, it’s especially impressive that newcomers to the franchise thrive as well as they do without their cellphones. For years, many fans have known that about the “banishment of technology” rule, but there are other interesting rules they may not be aware of.
The absence of tech on The Challenge has forced cast members to get busy. When they aren’t aggressively working out or flirting with their enemies. they throw costume parties and prank one another to fill the void in their leisure time Apparently, a cellphone can be met with a fine of up to $25,000, as reported by Women’s Health.
Traditionally, casts are allowed a few phone calls per week, but these calls have been parceled back little by little over the years. Corey Wharton told US Weekly that, at this point, cast members are only allowed 10 minutes weekly for video calls, which they can use up right away or split up during the week.
The Challenge Competitors Can Be Fined
There is definitely a fear of leaks and spoilers that would hurt the show’s ratings, which isn’t great for producers, cast members, and crew members. More bizarre is the rule that The Challenge cast can be fined for bringing in puzzles and books. While this wouldn’t lead to any leaks, it might make for some extremely dull footage. The absence of activities leads to forced socialization and inevitable drama, as people butt heads in the highly isolated environment. Tensions definitely tend to simmer over, especially when the drunken nights come into the mix. “Emotions run high” is maybe one of the most overused phrases of the franchise when it comes to such instances. With such pressure to perform in a highly restrictive environment, with twenty to thirty people that one may or may not enjoy the company of, the bubbles of The Challenge tension burst eventually.
Challengers Can’t Get Violent
However, any physical violence of any kind is not permitted, drunken or not, and the cast members who do decide to lay hands on each other are typically kicked off the show within a 24-hour period. Younger castmates have learned this lesson the hard way. The drinking has also been pared down in general, according to US Weekly. Cara Maria Sorbello told US back in 2018 that beer, wine, and an “occasional” fifth of vodka dyed blue (so cast members can’t disguise it in water bottles) are permitted. These days, the cast is only allowed a specific allotment of drink tickets, and when they run out, the party is over.
The strictest rule for drinking is that everyone must show up sober to challenges. According to Rolling Stone, the fan-favorite veteran CT Tamburello said, “the rules have changed. The things we used to get away with, we’d never get away with now. Every season, the fines list gets longer and longer. You get fined if you show up to a challenge drunk. You’ll probably get kicked off the show because that’s a liability. We do these crazy stunts where we’re hanging above a tall building on harnesses. You can’t be doing that if you’re drunk.” While CT has likely cut down on the drinking since his dad bod days and youthful outbursts, he still knows how to show fresh meat how to enjoy the ride. If one thing is for sure, we may see more and more rules added to The Challenge as the years roll on
Source: Rolling Stone. Women’s Health. US Weekly
