Suh bruh.

If you’ve been off on some safari or in an intensive professional development gig or living under a rock or for some dumb reason not paying attention to me or this scintillating Medium page for the past 10 weeks, first off, how dare you.

And second, you’ve missed my weekly series that critically analyzed and broke down the archetypes found on MTV’s The Challenge, in addition to other reality TV shows like (US) Big Brother and Survivor. It’s been a fun 2.5 months, and controversial too — and thus thought-provoking and discussion-generating. I’ve enjoyed it, and hope y’all did too. Or learned/realized something, or at the very least, enjoyed the pretty pictures I found.

But I’m curious what y’all think:

What archetypes did I miss?

Which examples were the best?

What was I f*cking wrong on?

For reference, the 10 were:

Spicy Latinas

Spicy Latinas are women of Latinx descent (with some exceptions) that are known for being loud, argumentative, and getting into arguments and people’s faces. They are brash and bold personalities that don’t back down or get intimidated by much. Shamelessness plays a factor too.

Veronica, Jisela, Tina, Jenn, Brianna, Theresa, Sandy, Ayiiia, Camila, Nany, Cooke, Averey, Nicole R, Amanda, Briana L, Kailah, Sylvia, Alicia, Angela, Dee

Rulebreakers: Ibis, Johanna, Priscilla, Larissa, Natalie N

Article — including a nota bene, since some of these women are not Latina

All-American Studs

These are (most often) white straight cis men who are cast to be the stars of their seasons. The edits they receive are extremely positive, often sweeping their unsavory actions under the rug. They are central characters and kingpins on the show. They excel at The Challenge and are fit, muscular athletes with a typically attractive aesthetic. Think Steve Rogers as Captain America, above.

Eric N, Mark, James O, Theo Von, Miz, Abram, Alton, Brad, Landon, Kenny, Evan, Bananas, CJ, Pete, Leroy, Zach, Jordan, Tony, Joss, Paulie

Rulebreakers — who became Studs: CT, Frank R, Derrick K, Wes, Frank S, Nelson, Hunter

Rulebreakers — who flopped: Ace, MJ, Danny J, Dave M, Dan W, Derek M, Dunbar, Ty, Nate S, Dustin, Trey, Cory, Vince, Dario, Brandon T, Devin, Theo K-B, Anthony, Victor, Chase, Ashley C, Bear

Article

Feisty Black Women

Outspoken, in-your-face, opinionated, articulate, sassy, and entertaining to watch get into arguments because the one-liners that come out are iconic. And for most of them, their bark is backed up with quite the bite, too.

Piggy, Kameelah, Ayanna, Coral, Melissa H, Aneesa, Irulan, Chanda, Janelle, Angel, Brianna, Sydney, Jasmine, Naomi, Nia, LaToya, Simone, Cheyenne, Kam, Alicia, Da’Vonne, Faith, Shaleen, Big T

Rulebreakers: Cynthia, Roni, Sharon, Gladys, Christena, Arissa, Sophia, Shavonda, Brittini, Jonna, Devyn, Candice, Anika, Esther

Article — including examples from other shows

Weak Gay Men

The “Weak Gay Men” of The Challenge are known more for their sass and humour, and the drama they bring, instead of impressive physical feats or athletic excellence.

Dan R, (late) Shane L, Nick, Karamo, Danny D, Ryan, (early) Tyler, Davis, Derek C, JD, Preston, Shane R, Ammo, Jozea

Rulebreakers: Norman, Danny R, (early) Shane L, Stephen, (late) Tyler, Frank S, Marlon, Sean

Article — including some Queer Coincidences

Alpha Women

Alpha Women came into the game strong and excelled without taking almost any time to get their footing. They are strong-willed and dominant in athletics and/or politics, often being the leaders on their teams or in their pairs. They aren’t easily intimidated and do not kowtow to other players. They have BDE.

And interestingly, many of the Alpha Women identify as bisexual or lesbian — in contrast to the previous week’s entry on “Weak Gay Men.” Stereotypical? Yes. But surprising? No.

Total Package: Emily B, Holly B, Coral, Evelyn, Tori Hall, Kellyanne, Laurel, Cooke, Nicole Z, Kam, Ninja

Rulebreakers — Took a while to warm up to it: Kina, Jodi, Jenn, Sarah, Theresa, Camila, Nia, Ashley M

Rulebreakers — Have the attitude but not the success: Beth, Tina, Aneesa, Jo, Brianna, Sandy, Marie, Amanda, Kailah, Melissa, Da’Vonne, Dee

Rulebreakers — Have the success but not the attitude: Holly S, Ellen, Ruthie, Rachel R, Christena, Sophia, Brittini, Cara Maria, Emily S

Unknown: Jenny West

Article

Southern “Gentlemen”

Men from the American South who talk about the importance of respecting women but who don’t always live up to that. They are often laid-back and speak more slowly, but when they get angry, watch out. Their edits are frequently favourable, and they are almost always Christian and heterosexual.

Gentlemen: Jon B, Matt S, Ace, MJ, Cohutta, Mike Mike, Dustin

“Gentlemen”: Dunbar, Tony, Hunter, Gus

Rulebreakers: Danny R, Davis, Shane R, Turbo

Article — including a mention of Clint Wright from RW33

Bubbly Blondes

These are women who, obviously, are bubbly and blonde (either natural or by a bottle). Most often, they are upbeat, carefree, likable, sweet, and not known for their intellectual capacity. That is, in common parlance, the Bubbly Blondes = dumb blondes / ditzes / bimbos.

As far as competition goes, and their role on the show — they are good sidekicks, members of showmances, and used for entertainment, comedy, and/or drama. They are typically good enough at competing but not elite, and are not known for being scrappy, confrontational fighters or politicians.

Amaya, Michelle P, Christina P, Leah, Robin, Cameran, Melinda, Casey, Diem, Paula, Colie, Shauvon, Kim, Carley, Mandi, Heather, McKenzie, Ashley K, Jenna, Christina L, Brianna J, Liz & Julia, Morgan, Georgia, Zahida

Rulebreakers — Not Blonde: Brooke, Prscilla, Anika, Nicole B

Rulebreakers — Not Bubbly: Beth S, Julie, Tonya, Trishelle, Brianna, Marie, Jill T, Nicole Z, Britni, Melissa R

Rulebreakers — Not Ditzy: Emily B, Susie, Kelley, Holly B, Genesis, Evelyn, Sarah, Ashley M, Tori D

Article

Dumb Jocks

All brawn and no brain. They excel in physical challenges (including endurance and/or swimming) but fail at puzzles, strategy, and/or politics. They work harder, not smarter. And they are often eye candy.

Eric N, James O, David B, Ace, Derrick K, MJ, Tyrie, Dunbar, Emily S, Ty, Leroy, Ashley K, Knight, Johnny R, Adam Kuhn, Cory, Tony, Dario & Raphy, Vinny “Pig”, Nelson, Hunter, Nicole Z, Derrick H, Faith, Mattie, Ashley C, Georgia, Idris

Article — including a factoid about Landon

Wily Women Underdogs

That is, female contestants who surpassed expectations with their no-quit attitude, despite their size disadvantage. They are often smaller / less muscular and thus immediately dismissed as weak or ineffectual… Only to show more heart or grit than people ever thought.

Veronica, Susie, Elka, Ruthie, Sarah G, Katie, Casey, Svetlana, Paula, Kim, Sarah, Carley, Cara Maria, Camila, Jasmine, Nany, Jessica, LaToya, Brittany B, Nicole R, Christina L, Amanda, Ashley M, Sylvia, Natalie N, Kayleigh, Da’Vonne, Georgia, Big T

Article — including each of these women’s impressive feats

Unhinged but Competent

They are good competitors, at least physically, and found success as a result. But at the same time, they have a screw loose, or a chip on their shoulder, or are just generally unstable or wacky in some way. Typically, you need a good head on your shoulders to succeed on the show, since it’s an all-around game (mental, physical, strategic, political) and only the strong survive. But these people have proved you can excel even while being slightly unhinged.

Ayanna, Julie S, Miz, Puck, Tonya, Trishelle, Katie, Abram, CT, Jo, Dan W, Isaac, Camila, Ty, Adam R, Frank S, Nia, Tony, Ashley M, Paulie, Bear, Turbo

Honourable Mention: Brooke

Article — including each of their unhinged moments

[Bi]bliography