The Challenge Historian

Balls In has been ruined, Tori bests Amanda again, Godfather vs Pitbull, Katie the MMA star, Olivia and Nurys don’t hate each other, Cara and Laurel definitely do hate each other, eight eliminations in 70 minutes is a LOT to breeze through, and Theo rocks Paulie's world and then some! It’s The Challenge Battle of the Eras Episode 2 Recap, topics include: Cold Open (00:00) Intro & Agenda (00:34...

CT is the first to cry, even before me! Plus: an awesome opening challenge, Cara vs Laurel is the rivalry that’ll never end, CT Pro Tips, a simple puzzle stumps a lot of people, Cory on the verge of wasting his power, Era 1 realizes their all best friends and this sucks, and Era 4 sets the stage for a Paulie Theo showdown. It’s The Challenge, Battle of the Eras, Episode 1 Recap, topics include: Co...

The Battle of the Eras Launch Special was AWESOME! And well worth a recap, so I did one. Covering some high level thoughts about the launch special, a handful of specific moments and what they mean for the season, ideas for season promo in the future, and then finally a break down of the super trailer and my final (I swear these are the them) predictions for the season and it's winners. Intro &amp...

Battle of the Eras kicks off with the Launch Special tonight (8/7) and then for real next week on Wednesday (8/14). To get prepared your Challenge Historian breaks down the trailer, what we know about the opening Eras Invitational, and gives out 40 wishes or predictions for this monumental 40th season! Intro & Agenda (00:00) Trailer Breakdown (06:06) Eras Invitational Predictions (22:38) Forty...

While in Vegas last weekend, I had the absolute pleasure of meeting up with the legend himself, TJ Lavin, for some coffee and a quick conversation about his Challenge career. It was so much fun getting to speak with TJ, and I hope you enjoy listening to the conversation as much as I enjoyed having it.  Introduction (00:00) Battle of the Eras Podcast Schedule (03:04) TJ Interview (06:54) -- --...

I've been recapping every season of The Challenge one by one over on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, and today I bundle and bring you my recaps of seasons 14 - 25! They started to get a tad bit longer, so this podcast is therefore a little longer. There will be one or two more batches of these released in podcast form during the lead up to Battle of the Eras, but if you want to watch/listen daily,...

The Challenge 39 Seasons in 39 Days Franchise Recap has been humming along over on Instagram and YouTube, and today, for you audio only listeners delight, I'm bundling up the first 13 seasons worth of recaps into one podcast episode. Each season has been getting a 60 second or less recap on IG, and a 3 to 5 minute recap on YouTube. What you will hear today are those 3 to 5 minute versions all smus...

All Stars 4 may have ended last week but the record books still need to be finalized! Your Challenge Historian is back one final time covering this season in all it's mess and glory. The biggest storylines, did the change in direction for the franchise work, who do I want back, who won all the awards, and what grade do I give the season overall? All will be answered, tap in! Intro & Agenda (00...

The All Stars 4 Carnival - er, excuse me, final - comes to a close! Major advantages are given, the group is whittled down, TJ goes full Ron Burgundy, Steve makes an all time mental mistake, and Laurel vs Cara is decided once and for all! It’s The Challenge All Stars 4 Episode 12 aka the finale recap coming up right now! Cold Open (00:00) Intro & Agenda (00:36) Zero Athletic Skill Required (02...

I finally got a prediction right... sort of! Plus: one last challenge means one last chance for a star, the RV makes a major comeback, TJ is putting together his Emmy reel, maybe the most fun looking checkpoint in challenge finals history followed by one of the more unpleasant ones in finals history, and a cliffhanger with two contenders lives in the game hanging in the balance… It’s the Challenge...

One ocelot plays scared while the other goes for the throat! Plus: Ace is having the best worst time, Veronica and Flora are beginning to really waste space, Leroy is feeling some deja vu brewing, the levels of schtick continue to increase, Adam gets super heated, and Starmaster Steve continues his winning ways! It’s the Challenge All Stars 4 Episode 10 recap, topics include: Cold Open (00:00) Int...

They've officially begun filming All Stars 5 which means we've got the final* cast list and this Historian is here to break it all down. The return of Ashley Millionaire Mitchell (praise the lord). The return of Frank freaking Sweeney (I could cry). And a healthy mix of vets and (double checks the list) borderline newbies to the franchise? There's some home runs and some head scratchers, and oh ye...

Only one week later and Cara Maria is back on top! Plus: a genuine pool party, TJ clearly loves Kam, part 2 of Laurel’s master plan is enacted, and then she doesn’t go through with it and leaves Kam out to dry! It’s The Challenge All Stars 4 Episode 9 recap! Disclaimer & Apology: I forgot to plug in my mic (lol) so sorry that the audio isn't as pristine as it normally would be. Cold Open (00:0...

Jacob and Tony are back one final time to wrap up Survivor 46! Full finale recap, followed by our full season awards. Thanks for tuning in all season long! Intro, PSA, Agenda (00:00) Finale Recap (10:24) Confessional King or Queen of the Season (01:21:20) Moment of the Season (01:26:58) Best Strategic Move of the Season (01:33:22) Worst Strategic Move of the Season (01:37:43) Whose on the DVD (01:...

What did she do? I know y’all are scared of her in a final, but this is next level! Plus: the zoom monitor is still tiny, boat day happens I guess, a master plan unfolds with a helpful daily to make it work, and some fun things maybe happen in the house but we see none of it because Laurel and Nicole are too busy yelling at Cara Maria every chance they get! It’s The Challenge All Stars 4 Episode 8...

Tony and Jacob are back with two amazing episodes (and sad exits) to cover as they dive into episodes 11 and 12 on this week's recap! Maria's villain turn and Venus' ultimate downfall are covered from episode 11, then all things Charlie vs Maria, Ben's accidental vote, Q's downfall, Liz's poop, and more covered from episode 12. Intro, US vs AUS, Agenda (00:00) Episode 11 Recap (06:55) Episode 12 R...

Trivia time baby! Plus: can’t they just fling them into water normal style, Ryan’s journey to sobriety, Cara continues playing defense, way too many people are not concerned about needing a star, Leroy gets his mojo back, and Ace may be Adam’s Knight in shining armor, but to Brad he is whatever the opposite of that is! It’s The Challenge All Stars 4 Episode 7 recap, topics include: Cold Open (00:0...

Pour one out for Confessional Queen Jasmine because she just got robbed! Plus: Nicole and Laurel is so back on, Brad walks around naked, Steve is building workout equipment because the gym they are given isn’t good enough, Ace sleeps in weird places, we play an insane game of musical chairs, Cara strong arms, Kam offers herself up, and a double elimination leads to some shifting of stars! It’s The...

Liz proves her marketing genius by providing Applebees with the greatest sponsored content moment of all time! Plus: Q is still playing, Maria reaches master levels of strategy, Charlie wins another showdown, Tiff leaves with an idol, and did we mention Liz didn't get to eat Applebees?!?! It's the Survivor 46 Episode 10 recap with Tony and Jacob, topics include: Intro & Agenda (00:00) Liz Fume...

Revenge comes quick when Cara Maria is dishing it out! Plus: haircuts, life chats, oversized bobbleheads, Brad going too fast, Brandon’s Wakandan work trip, the Nicole Laurel rollercoaster goes up and down, and TJ’s two "my guys" of the house face off in elimination! It’s the Challenge All Stars 4 Episode 5 recap, topics include: Cold Open (00:00) Intro & Agenda (00:36) Cara vs Kam / Brandon (...

Jacob and Tony are back to break down episode 9 of Survivor 46. How bad was Hunter's gameplay, what did we think of Tiff going off on Q, why will no one recognize our queen Liz, a whole bunch more topics, plus awards and a game of "Can they win (and how)?" Intro & Agenda (00:00) Q Fallout, Liz Overshadowed (04:32) Picking Teams, Twitter Troll Jeff, Charlie Beats Hunter (12:56) Blindside Opport...

Well, we can finally say for certain that THEY DO NOT RIG THE ELIMINATIONS! Plus: group jumping photos, daily challenge call backs, Jasmine the quote machine, Brandon semi backstabs, Kam has one mission, Laurel flirts, and we get an all time matchup and they are made to throw star thingies! It’s The Challenge All Stars 4, Episode 4 recap, topics include: Cold Open (00:00) Intro, Reminders, Agenda...

Well THAT was something, huh? Venus continues to get her name slandered (leave my queen alone now please and thanks), everyone wants credit for everything, the group plays a very revealing game of hide and seek, Hunter wins with a dash of showboating, "the six" never gets off the ground, Q tries to quit, and Liz masterminds her way through it all to get Tevin out! It's the Survivor 46 Episode 8 re...

Lord Father God let the truth come out, cause this house has no idea who or what to believe! Plus: Kam and Leroy have a cell phone, everyone picks a partner, Tony sadly leaves the game, Laurel and Nicole talk, Rachel rides for Ayanna, Cara rides for Rachel, Kam just wants the truth, and Jasmine goes full bride of chuckie in a true throwback moment! It’s The Challenge All Stars 4 episode 3 recap, t...

Jacob and Tony are back to cover not one, but two episodes of Survivor 46! Episodes 6 and 7 have seen the merge limbo play out and there is a lot to discuss. Tribe lines holding firm, Venus making waves and moves, Q mostly just making waves, Charlie breaking the fourth wall, Hunter skating through, Mo, Tim, and Soda all sent packing, and a whole bunch more. Plus awards and power rankings after wal...