We are one week out from The Challenge 39 aka Battle for a New Champion premiering, which means it's time to do a full season preview. This Historian is hyped for the new season and here to get you feeling the same. Was this theme/cast a good idea? Can Olivia and Horacio live up to their budding face of the franchise status? How will Michele, Jay, Big T, and Mel fare as the "vets" of the house? What role will the champs actually be playing? Will the weather be warm? Why is Ed the absolute best? All these burning questions and more answered in this preview podcast!

PROGRAMMING ALERT: the "launch special" episode of Battle for a New Champion airs tonight, Wednesday October 18th, 8/7c. They do not promote this as an actual episode but it has in the best basically been a real episode, so you should totally watch it!

Timestamps:

Intro, Reminders, Agenda (00:00)

State of the Challenge and Hype Meter Going Into 39 (07:05)

Concept, Theme, Format, Location (17:45)

Full Cast List Quick Thoughts (28:05)

Five Females I’m Most Excited For (42:25)

Five Males I’m Most Excited For (47:33)

Champs Element and Cast (52:23)

Power Rankings and Predictions (56:56)

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Follow Jacob on Instagram if you additional content or to chat Challenge, @ChallengeHistorian

If you'd like further preview of this new season, check out the cast reaction podcast I posted a few months back when they took off for filming, you can find it here.

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