Let's begin by admitting this season isn't exceptional in any ways that I can think of. The cast is subpar since only Johnny "Domestic Violence" is around. For those not in the know, Johnny is part of the trifecta known as JEK, or Johnny, Evan, Kenny. The best seasons usually involve at least two of them and also include an adversary who tried to curry support from everyone else to overthrow their rule. It's quite Machiavellian, if Machiavelli played beer pong and made out excessively in hot tubs. This season simply doesn't have that. I surprised, given the three team format, that MTV couldn't get all three and put them on different teams. I think it's obvious that MTV is trying to usher in a new wave of All-Stars, but the Vets aren't done yet. I think MTV needs to treat their competitors just like any other sport. Most of these guys started in their early twenties and are still peaking as they reach their thirties. This is exactly like in regular sports. If Kenny is dominating the Challenge, don't get rid of him. I want to see Kenny on every season!
Aside from Johnny, who are the compelling players? Brad? Sure, he is on a lot of these. But he doesn't stir up drama, especially since he's been wifed up. Ditto for Derrick. The best hope is Abram. But Abram just doesn't have the same qualities that make Johnny and Kenny so compelling. Sure, Abram is crazy. But he is more of the mellow type of crazy who just screams during challenges. He isn't all that conniving. The females have been far more entertaining as they seem to take any slight dis, such as being sent into the Gulag, as the worst thing in the history of the world. Seriously, of all the great injustices perpetrated in the history of the world, the top 3 have to be the Holocaust, slavery, and Laurel being sent into the Gulag over Cara Maria.
With all that said, I can't say this season has been bad. From a competition standpoint, it has been quite entertaining. There is no clear cut favorite out of the three teams. All are pretty evenly matched. With only a few episodes left, here are my thoughts on the teams:
Each team has a strength and weakness. It truly is anyone's game. Let's start with the Blue Team.
They've won 2 challenges. Their team is now Derrick, Johnny, Emily, Jenn, and Theresa. I like it. Two of the best males left on one team and a solid group of ladies. However, they only have two males left. Often, in final challenges that inevitably involve endurance, the guys will carry the ladies for portions of the race. There are only two guys left.If it comes down to an odd balance, I see that really hurting them. Additionally, I'm not so impressed with Jenn's endurance based on previous challenges. And Emily and Theresa are still too new to know what they are going to do. On the plus side, this team has great chemistry. Who would have thought from a team with Johnny on it?
Gray Team:
They've won 3 challenges. They have a good leader in Abram (well, at least people think he is a good leader). They also have Laurel and Sarah, perhaps the two best female competitors in the history of the show. And Cara is no slouch. The negative is they also have only two males left, and one is Luke. Now, I like Luke. I think he is a great competitor for his size. But when parts of the final challenge involve heavy lifting, I think he is going to hurt his team. Laurel will probably have to carry him. Still, the women on this team are just ridiculously strong, so it may not be a big factor. Right now, the biggest X factor is Laurel. She is very pissed at her team and the unity is kind of shot right now. Chemistry is the biggest determinant of success. And this team is starting to lose that chemistry.
Red Team:
They've won 2 challenges. They also have three strong guys in Brad, Dunbar, and Tyler. Tyler is a sleeper in this game because he is perfectly suited for an endurance-based challenge, which the finals always are. Their females are a weak spot, as Tori is average and Paula can't seem to win a challenge to save her life. At least the show is responsible for giving her a boob job. Their biggest problem is team chemistry. Right now they are a mess. But you know what, it seems that they have gotten rid of all the people that caused friction. Actually, they were responsible for causing it, but those people are gone anyway. Let's just say it will be really interesting to see what happens if they lose another challenge. Despite their internal issues, if they keep this current roster intact, I have to say they are the favorites. Wouldn't that be amazing? The losingest team ever winning the whole thing. Brad, Paula, Dunbar all winning on the same team? It could happen.
Of course, this entire evaluation has a HUUUUUUUUGE caveat. That caveat is C.T. (forget Tina. She sucks and I don't know why they are promoting her as some type of game changer). If C.T. joins one team, that teams wins the final. No question. But if they just have him for one competition, then I will seriously slam my fist through my life-size cut out of Kenny. How could they possibly tease CT all season just for him to do one episode?? Let's all pray for the safety of my Kenny doll that this is not the case. I'll see you all after Wednesday's episode.
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