Wes Bergmann from MTV's The Challenge joins the host to discuss all things Double Agents. They talk about why Wes picked Natalie, thoughts on the Champions being targeted, Evelyn's departure, and more.
The importance of good rookie classes for the future of the competition.
The impact of COVID-19 on business and the challenges faced during the pandemic.
The need for better coaching, communication, and casting decisions to improve the show.
Deep dives
Podcast Episode Summary
The podcast episode discusses various topics including COVID-19's impact on business, the dynamics of the game, and the challenges faced by competitors. The speaker talks about the importance of rookies in the show and the need for good rookie classes. They also touch on the interactions with different rivals, including Evelyn, and discuss how the show could be improved with better coaching and communication from MTV. The speaker also shares their thoughts on taking breaks from the show and the challenges of making that decision.
Impact of COVID-19 on Business and the Game
The speaker reflects on the impact of COVID-19 on their business and the challenges faced during the pandemic. They discuss how the show's production implemented safety measures for filming during the pandemic. They also highlight the importance of adapting to changing circumstances and the potential risks and benefits of taking on new ventures.
The Role of Rookies and Competition with Rivals
The speaker emphasizes the importance of rookies in the show and the need for good rookie classes to ensure the future of the competition. They discuss the dynamics of different rivalries, including their relationships with rivals like Bananas, CT, and Jordan. They analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each rival and their perception of them as threats in the game.
Taking Breaks and Career Reflection
The speaker reflects on the decision to take breaks from the show and the challenges associated with making that choice. They discuss the fear of missed opportunities and the uncertainty of returning to the show in the future. They also share their thoughts on the potential improvements needed in the show, including better coaching, communication, and casting decisions.
Reflection on the Team Format
The speaker discusses the challenges and imbalances associated with team formats in the show. While team seasons can be exciting and innovative, the speaker argues that they often result in imbalance and unfairness between teams. They highlight past team seasons that have favored one team over the other, and suggest that a better solution could be a two-team format based on original MTV cast members versus cast members from other channels, creating more balanced and hybrid alliances.
The Top Challenge Competitors
The speaker shares their perspective on the top three male and female competitors in the history of the show. For males, they place themselves, Bananas, and CT as the top three based on consistency and their ability to score points in various categories of the show's rubric. For females, the speaker mentions Cara for her well-rounded performance, Evelyn for her maximum scoring potential in different categories, and acknowledges Cam as a potential future top competitor due to her potential and promising performances.
