Team Ready to Blow

The team name is based on my temperamental crew, of course. All of these folks have been known for losing their temper, though some more so than others.

While I was anxiously awaiting the next Challenge show, I found myself completely ill prepared when draft time actually rolled around. Yes, I had watched the latest season of Real World and of course was familiar with the latest rookies. However, I didn't have time to watch the Challenge Trailers, Sneak Peaks, or read up about the rules. It was only dumb luck that my team ended up split male/female, as I didn't even realize that we were going to have a guys and girls winner. Given all this, there wasn't a whole lot of strategy behind my team picks. My overall aim was to pick players that were both athletic and dramatic. I actually think that many of the players on this season have decent athletic prowess, and so the challenge was to figure out which were the players that were going to hook up and cry their way to the top. I'm pleased with how my team ended up. However, since I have never won in the league, I won't get my hopes up too much.

Frank - He was a points queen last season, so hopefully he won't fail this time around. He cries, he fights, he's athletic. I don't know that I'll get any hook ups out of him, but I think he'll stick around the season for a while, especially since he's paired with Johnny.

Paula - First, she's paired with powerhouse Emily. Second, she's shown that she can win a Challenge. Third, she typically cries. A lot. Perhaps I'll also get a few blurcles out of her.

Nany - Well, she got a bit angry last season, and this time around she's paired with Jonna, a lady who looks wimpy but that held her own last time around. Plus, maybe she'll hook up?

Ty -Crazy Ty, I'm hoping for a good explosion or two this time around. His partner Leroy was pretty amazing when paired up with Mike Mike a little while back, so I'm hoping the two of them can pull it together for this season. Plus if I couldn't get my beloved Leroy, I thought Ty would be the next best.

Robb - Well, he was my last choice, but maybe it will pan out. I think Derek is actually a great competitor, so if they can hang on politically, I think they're athletic feats can keep them around. Hopefully we'll have another shirt-ripping episode, but I don't have my hopes up too much for him. Then again, last season I didn't have much faith in my last pick JD, and he ended up making it to the finals. So we shall see how Robb fairs.

The player who got away this season: CT. Then again, he's always the player that got away. What a points machine. Really, what a machine in general! Hopefully he doesn't play Diem too much. I still think they're kinda cute together, even if he can be an ass.

I have to say that MTV's decision to have the opposite sex decide who goes in each week is brilliant. What better way to foster duplicitous hook ups? Seriously brilliant.

And as for TJ, he's not the most charismatic of hosts and yet there he is season after season. Is he tied into the production of the show somehow? Or do others just find him more charming than I do? He's sorta like an old friend at this point, but I'm still kinda surprised that he continues to be the host.

Well, here's to this next season!