Last week, I released the first entry in my series about casting archetypes on MTV’s The Challenge — Spicy Latinas. To say it was controversial was an understatement.

My motivation here is not to reduce these diverse people and personalities into one homogeneous box. That’s not how I think and not something I want to do. Similar to what Walt Whitman said: “I am large, I contain multitudes.” People are complex and cannot, and should not, be distilled down to one primary characteristic or personality trait.

However, I am putting myself in the shoes/minds of a casting director. Reality TV can be lowbrow and appeals to the masses. This is more the case for MTV and The Challenge (and Ex on the Beach, and Are You the One), whose target demographic are young adults. It’s popcorn escapism and not designed to be nuanced, but rather to entertain. Therefore loud, brash people are better TV than mature and measured folks, and MTV will select people who bring the drama — such as Spicy Latinas. I am not advocating for reductionism, but rather for critical analysis of casting for MTV shows.

So please get past that, suspend your disbelief, and help me accomplish what what I am trying to do — which is analyzing The Challenge and identifying possible/potential “boxes” that people are slotted into when casting directors decide who will be on the show. It could also be applied to Survivor, Big Brother, Real World, and Road Rules — but I know The Challenge much better than those, so that is what I am critiquing.

Casting archetypes on MTV’s The Challenge

II. All-American Studs

I originally had another archetype in mind for this week, but I foresee that one being controversial too. And since Spicy Latinas got so much flak, we’ll go with one that’s more palatable — the All-American Studs. Future archetypes will be hot takes, so don’t worry, I’m not being neutered. Can’t be tamed.

Anyway, who are the 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.

And here they are — with rulebreakers below, broken down into those who flopped and those who became Studs.

Eric Nies — originated on Real World: New York (season 1); debuted on Road Rules: All Stars (season 1)

Mark Long — originated on Road Rules: the First Adventure (season 1); debuted on Real World/Road Rules Challenge (season 2)

James Orlando — originated on RR Maximum Velocity Tour; debuted on Extreme Challenge

Theo Vonkurnatowski — originated on RR Maximum Velocity Tour; debuted on Battle of the Seasons 1

Mike “the Miz” Mizanin — originated on RW Back to New York; debuted on Battle of the Seasons 1

Abram Boise — originated on RR South Pacific; debuted on The Gauntlet 1

Alton Williams — originated on RW Las Vegas; debuted on Gauntlet 1

Brad Fiorenza — originated on RW San Diego; debuted on Battle of the Sexes 2

Landon Lueck — originated on RW Philadelphia; debuted on Inferno 2

Kenny Santucci — originated and debuted on Fresh Meat 1

Evan Starkman — originated and debuted on Fresh Meat 1

(late) Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio — originated on RW Key West; debuted on Duel 1

CJ Koegel — originated on RW Cancun; debuted on Fresh Meat 2

Pete Connolly — originated and debuted on Fresh Meat 2

Leroy Garrett — originated on RW Las Vegas 2; debuted on Rivals 1

Zach Nichols — originated on RW San Diego 2; debuted on Battle of the Seasons 2

Jordan Wisely — originated on RW Portland; debuted on Rivals 2

Tony Raines — originated on RW Skeletons; debuted on Bloodlines

Joss Mooney — originated on Ex on the Beach UK 1; debuted on Vendettas

Paulie Calafiore — originated on Big Brother 18; debuted on Final Reckoning

Rulebreakers — who became Studs

Chris “CT” Tamburello — originated on RW Paris; debuted on Inferno 1

Frank Roessler — originated on RW Las Vegas; debuted on Battle of the Sexes 2

Derrick Kosinski — originated on RR X-Treme; debuted on Battle of the Sexes 2

Wes Bergmann — originated on RW Austin; debuted on Fresh Meat 1

Frank Sweeney — originated on RW San Diego 2; debuted on Battle of the Seasons 2

Nelson Thomas — originated on AYTO 3; debuted on Rivals 3

Hunter Barfield — originated on AYTO3; debuted on Invasion

Rulebreakers —who flopped