The Challenge USA launches next week and I of course have to do a full preview! The problem? I don't know who any of these Big Brother, Survivor, Amazing Race, or Love Island people are!?!? Luckily, I've got a heavy hitter within the Challenge universe here to help me out, as the Queen of Challenge Tik Tok and the host of Most Likely Two podcast, Paige, is here to help me sort through what we know, fill me in on every single cast member, and answer the burning question of what the f**k an algorithm has to do with The Challenge. Topics for the podcast include:

• Introducing Paige and some background on her Challenge fandom and how she became so embedded in this world (03:39).
• Our thoughts when the initially announced this new version of the show compared to where we are now one week out from it's debut, the future of the flagship MTV version, and thoughts on what type of casting has worked or not worked (12:22).
• Thoughts on the format, an algorithm being involved, the term "handsome reward" being reintroduced, how many winners will make it to the global tournament portion, and if production really rigs the game for better TV or not (20:44).
• A full cast breakdown where I fully judge every player based solely on their casting photo before Paige let's me know how wrong I almost always am and fills us in on actual facts about each player (34:21).
• Amazing Race alums: Cayla (37:12), James (39:42), Leo (42:02).
• Big Brother alums: Alyssa (44:16), Angela (46:22), Azah (51:52), David (53:36), Derek (55:42), Enzo (58:04), Kyland (01:00:33), Tiffany (01:03:24), Xavier (01:05:03).
• Love Island alums: Cashay (01:10:24), Cashel (01:11:29), Cely (01:13:13), Cinco (01:14:00), Javonny (01:15:54), Justine (01:16:43), Kyra (01:18:30), Shannon (01:19:33).
• Survivor alums: Ben (01:22:25), Danny (01:24:07), Desi (01:26:06), Domenick (01:27:08), Sarah (01:28:35), Shan (01:31:15), Tasha (01:33:21), Tyson (01:34:20).
• We wrap up by choosing the players we are most rooting for to win, as well as our predictions for who we think the winners will ultimately be (01:38:07).

Isn't Paige the best? You should totally follow her, listen to her podcast, and buy all the cool Challenge merch she's got going on. Here's where to do all of that:

Listen to Most Likely Two on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Follow Paige on Instagram and Tik Tok

Pick up some incredible Challenge themed merchandise here, and use code HISTORIAN so that your proceeds will go to help Challenge alum Anastasia in her recovery from a traumatic birthing. You can also donate straight to Anastasia via this gofundme.

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