The Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Gauntlet 2 – A Preview

Here we go again! This is about the forty-millionth edition of The Real World/Road Rules Challenge history, but this time they got a new concept together: Veterans vs. Rookies. The question is, will the Vets pull in all their experience in not having a job and participating only in challenges to pull out a victory? Or will the Rookies come together and try to overcome the odds and win in their first or second time competing? I don’t know; that’s why we watch the show. This time around the competitors are going to stay in Tobago in the Caribbean, which probably makes those who had to go to Telluride, Colorado and Santa Fe, New Mexico a little pissed.

Let’s get to the cast.

First up are the Rookies:

Adam K (Real World 13: Paris)
Challenge Record: 1 (Battle of the Sexes 2)

Adam K is best known as the son of the Commodore who couldn’t rap to save his life and made a Spiderman quote into an analogy about life. Also, even in the City of Lights he couldn’t hook up with anyone. He was in Battle of the Sexes 2 for about three episodes when all of the rookies were being sent home (see where this concept came from.) Despite all of this Adam K really has been a nice guy. In Paris he got into a fight with Leah in the beginning but they eventually made up. I think he can go far, as long as he doesn’t let the bigger personalities take over.

Alton (Real World 12: Las Vegas)
Challenge Record: 1 (Gauntlet 1)

Everyone remembers the Vegas season: threesomes. Fights. Sex. More Sex. Trishelle. Alton was involved in all of those (except Trishelle.) Hell, he was even involved in fights about threesomes. For the first Gauntlet he arrived with his girlfriend Irulan and the behind the scenes staff nicknamed them “Bobby and Whitney.” Alton was in the final mission and made the decision whether to put Theo or Coral in the final Gauntlet. He chose Theo, who lost. Then on the final mission, Coral got a spider bite and almost died. They lost. I don’t think he made the right decision. Do you? Anyway, for this season he’s recently single and on the prowl. He’s one of the physically strongest, and even though he was the Bobby in “Bobby and Whitney” he is usually conflict-free, unless he’s having sex. Which he might.

Cameran (Real World 14: San Diego)
Challenge Record: 1 (Battle of the Sexes 2)

Back in San Diego, Cameran was the sweet southern girl who got involved with a -gasp - Yankee, Brad. She ditched work with Robin and was actually the voice of reason when Frankie became too punk rock for The Real World. On Battle of the Sexes 2 Cameran was the second to be sent home after she and Angela started to care less about what others were doing in the first competition. Cameran is a nice girl but she doesn’t really have a chance against all of the gung-ho “hoo-rah” challenge type.

Cara (Road Rules 12: South Pacific)
Challenge Record: 1 (Gauntlet 1)

Cara was the second person voted off in her season of Road Rules and was replaced with Tina, who was never the calmest person, shall we say. Cara, on the other hand, didn’t have much of any conflict with anyone. She was well liked, especially by Dave, her South Pacific and Gauntlet 1 cast member. They have broken up but Cara has a new boyfriend. In Gauntlet 1 Cara was on the winning Road Rules team and even won a few Gauntlets along the way. Despite this, I think Cara is still viewed as weak and will probably make it only halfway through.

Danny (Road Rules 13: X-Treme)
Challenge Record: 0

Danny was the first voted off on his season, and was replaced by the nice but boring Nick. Danny couldn’t eat weird parts of a bug in Chile so they sent him home. He had conflicts with Derrick and his “earmuffs” comments when Danny was talking about being gay. To me, he’s always come across as arrogant, so I didn’t feel too badly about him getting voted out. I think he has a lot of potential for conflict and for being sent home early because of his arrogance.

Ibis (Road Rules 13: X-Treme)
Challenge Record: 1 (Battle of the Sexes 2)

Ibis is one of the most pleasant people on her season, and in recent seasons. Ibis was the third person voted off in her season and she did it herself. She felt she was responsible for their loss, so she opted to leave. Unfortunately, she was replaced with Jillian (more on her later.) Ibis went back for Battle of the Sexes 2 and made it a little past halfway. She was also behind the plan to oust some of the veterans who were taking over the game, and Rachel was out because of Ibis’ effort. Ibis isn’t the strongest, but she is one of the smartest and that should be able to take her far.

Jamie (Real World 9: New Orleans)
Challenge Record: 2 (Exteme Challenge & Battle of the Sexes 1)

One of the older of the Rookies, Jamie was part of the winning team in Battle of the Sexes 1 with Mark and Colin. In New Orleans, he was the epitome of the white frat boy. He’s a nice guy, but man, is he weird. Not only did he name his sea urchins in a mission, according to the main website, he bungee jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge and is now living in a Buddhist monastery. Being on two challenges he should technically be part of the Veterans, but I guess the producers had to split people up somehow. If he can connect with the members on his team, he’ll do fine.

Jeremy (Real World 12: South Pacific)
Challenge Record: 1 (Inferno 1)

Is he back? Damn. Jeremy was Donnell’s replacement in Road Rules and even though he was only there for about three missions, he got the “handsome reward” at the end. He then came back for Inferno 1 and gave a whole bunch of crap about “some people are born to be leaders.” I just can’t stand him. I pray he goes home early.

Jillian (Road Rules 13: X-Treme).
Challenge Record: 0

Speaking of annoying, we have Jillian. She came in to replace Ibis, probably the best person from her season, and Jillian decided she wanted to leave her mark. And she did - her first night there, she had sex with Patrick. Angela couldn’t stand her and I felt guilty siding with Angela. By the end, Patrick wasn’t paying much attention to Jillian, but at that point she had already dug herself too big of a hole for me to feel sorry for her. On this challenge Jillian can hook up with all of the guys and maybe that’ll be her way to stay. I don’t see her being too popular with the girls.