Real World/Road Rules Challenge: Fresh Meat Explained

Bgcolor:
  1. 00BFFF
Season Name:Fresh Meat
Season Number:12
Module1:
Num Contestants:24
Winner:
  • Darrell Taylor
  • Aviv Melmed
Label1:Opening theme
Data1:"Good to Go" performed by General Midi[1]
Num Episodes:16
Network:MTV
Prev Season:The Gauntlet 2
Next Season:The Duel

Real World/Road Rules Challenge: Fresh Meat is the 12th season of the MTV reality game show, The Challenge (at the time known as Real World/Road Rules Challenge).

Fresh Meat is a season that made history on The Challenge by being the first season to include previously unknown contestants as part of the cast. Previous to Fresh Meat, all seasons functioned solely by the program's trademark: strictly using contestants that were previously cast on past seasons of The Real World or Road Rules.

Filmed in Australia, Fresh Meat featured two-player teams; each team had an alumnus of The Real World or Road Rules partnered with a newcomer to the Challenge (collectively known as the "Fresh Meat"). This is the first edition of the Fresh Meat series, with Fresh Meat II following in 2010. A launch special aired May 22, 2006, a week before the season premiere.[2]

Format

Prior to the season, each of the 12 newcomers (referred to as "Fresh Meat") participates in a series of challenges to test their skills. Each alumnus selects one of the rookies of the opposite sex to be their partner for the entire season, using the stats from the pre-season challenges.[3]

In odd-numbered episodes, teams participate in a challenge. (Challenges are sometimes called "missions.") The winner of the challenge has immunity from going into Exile, and selects one team to go into Exile. They also get the chance to pick the order in the next challenge. The remaining teams get together to vote for the other Exile team; the winning team and their pick for the Exile are not present during the process. Each individual gets a vote, and voting is not secret. The team with the most votes is picked to go into Exile.[3]

In even-numbered episodes, teams participate in another challenge. If one of the two teams picked for Exile wins the challenge (sometimes referred to on the show as winning the "pardon"), they can select another team to go into Exile in their place, however, they cannot pick the team that won the previous challenge as that team has immunity. They also receive a prize and will get to pick the order in the next challenge. The challenge of this episode is followed by the Exile.[3]

Exile is a race between two teams. Unlike the elimination games of other seasons of The Challenge, the remaining teams do not watch the battle between the two Exile teams. The Exile teams run a course and whoever crosses the finish line first stays, while the other team goes home. Along the way, there are two optional puzzle stations where, if the puzzle is solved correctly, they will get a prize that will benefit them in the race (such as dropping their bags or taking minutes off their total time.) To make matters more difficult, each member will be carrying bags equal to the weight of the luggage they brought to the Challenge.[3]

A car picks them up and they are taken, blindfolded, to the race course. Once the car stops, they must jump out and go on with the race. Both team members must cross the finish line, but it doesn't matter who carries what bags.[3]

Initially, the final challenge was to consist of four teams, with first-place winning $250,000, second place $30,000, third place $20,000 and fourth place winning nothing.[3] However, due to the medical disqualification of Team Coral & Evan, the final challenge only featured three teams, with all finalists winning money.[4]

Contestants

Alumni Original season Fresh Meat Age Origin Finish
nowrapDarrell TaylornowrapnowrapAviv Melmed21nowrapColumbus, OhionowrapWinners
nowrapTina BartanowrapnowrapKenny Santucci22nowrapCedar Grove, New JerseynowrapRunners-up
nowrapWes BergmannnowrapnowrapCasey Cooper18nowrapThe Woodlands, TexasnowrapThird place
nowrapDerrick KosinskinowrapnowrapDiem Brown25[5] nowrapRoswell, GeorgianowrapEpisode 15
nowrapTheo VonkurnatowskinowrapnowrapChanda Sneed24nowrapLong Island, New YorknowrapEpisode 14
nowrapShane LandrumnowrapRoad Rules: Campus CrawlnowrapLinette Gallo21nowrapPalmetto, FloridanowrapEpisode 12
nowrapCoral SmithnowrapnowrapEvan Starkman20nowrapPerth, OntarionowrapEpisode 11
nowrapKatie DoylenowrapnowrapEric Banks23nowrapNicholasville, KentuckynowrapEpisode 10
nowrapTonya CooleynowrapnowrapJohnnie McBride24nowrapSavannah, GeorgianowrapEpisode 8
nowrapJohanna BottanowrapThe Real World: AustinnowrapJesse Stark19nowrapAlbuquerque, New MexiconowrapEpisode 6
nowrapMelinda StolpnowrapThe Real World: AustinnowrapRyan Kehoe24nowrapParamus, New JerseynowrapEpisode 4
nowrapDanny JamiesonnowrapThe Real World: AustinnowrapEvelyn Smith18nowrapHarrison, New YorknowrapEpisode 2

Teams

Stats

Each of the 12 Fresh Meat cast members participated in a multi-challenge obstacle course, testing their strength, stamina, and mental ability. The multi-challenge obstacle course included:

  1. A 40-yard dash
  2. A series of wall climbs
  3. Precision throwing
  4. A brainteaser puzzle

The alumni used the stats from each player's obstacle course performance to determine their partner.[3]

Fresh Meat 40-yard Dash Up and Over Hand-Eye Coord. Logic
Aviv Melmed 6.28 sec 0 min 52.87 sec 0 of 5 0 min 3.16 sec
Casey Cooper 7.22 sec 8 min 59.21 sec 1 of 5 9 min 34.78 sec
Chanda Sneed 5.69 sec 0 min 25.40 sec 0 of 5 12 min 20.29 sec
Diem Brown 7.59 sec 0 min 33.88 sec 0 of 5 3 min 9.14 sec
Eric Banks 6.03 sec 0 min 37.06 sec 2 of 5 11 min 45.72 sec
Evan Starkman 5.66 sec 0 min 12.85 sec 1 of 5 2 min 28.00 sec
Evelyn Smith 6.16 sec 0 min 18.91 sec 1 of 5 1 min 41.89 sec
Jesse Stark 6.15 sec 0 min 15.84 sec 0 of 5 0 min 35.91 sec
Johnnie McBride 5.84 sec 0 min 15.47 sec 1 of 5 2 min 15.40 sec
Kenny Santucci 6.07 sec 0 min 52.87 sec 0 of 5 7 min 14.94 sec
Linette Gallo 7.66 sec 0 min 52.87 sec 0 of 5 0 min 15.92 sec
Ryan Kehoe 6.00 sec 0 min 14.97 sec 0 of 5 22 min 16.85 sec

Draft selections

Pick # Alumni Draft Pick Gender Team Weight of bags
Danny Jamieson Evelyn SmithFemale Danny & Evelyn
Coral SmithEvan StarkmanMale Coral & Evan
Darrell TaylorAviv MelmedFemale Darrell & Aviv
Tonya CooleyJohnnie McBrideMale Tonya & Johnnie
Theo VonkurnatowskiChanda SneedFemale Theo & Chanda
Tina BartaKenny SantucciMale Tina & Kenny
Wes BergmannCasey CooperFemale Wes & Casey
Johanna BottaJesse StarkMale Johanna & Jesse
Derrick KosinskiDiem BrownFemale Derrick & Diem
10Katie DoyleEric BanksMale Katie & Eric
11Melinda StolpRyan KehoeMale Melinda & Ryan
12Shane LandrumLinette GalloFemale Shane & Linette

Gameplay

Challenge games

Exiles

Exile is a race between two teams with a start and a finish, and two puzzles in between. The puzzles are optional and can be skipped by the teams, however, teams must grab their flag at each puzzle before proceeding. Puzzles that are completed may result in a reward significant to the remainder of the race. Couples will be carrying bags that, when combined, equal the amount of luggage each cast member brought with them to the Challenge. Couples must carry the bags at all times, unless a reward allows them to drop them.[3]

There are three different Exile courses on this season: Beach, Forest, and Cliffside. Each Exile contains a start, a finish, and two puzzles; however, the terrain of the course may affect a team's performance. Teams that participated on each course are as follows:

Final challenge

Game summary

Elimination chart

EpisodeWinnersExile contestantsExile gameExile outcome
ChallengeWinners' pickVoted InWinnersEliminated
1Stuck On MeCoral & EvanWes & CaseyDanny & Evelyn
2Bush WhackedCoral & EvanBeach CourseWes & CaseyDanny & Evelyn
3Hang OnCoral & EvanMelinda & RyanWes & Casey
4Jail BreakTheo & ChandaForest CoursenowrapWes & CaseyMelinda & Ryan
5Climber's ParadiseCoral & EvanWes & CaseynowrapJohanna & Jesse
6Rollin' In OatsCoral & EvannowrapCliffside CourseWes & CaseynowrapJohanna & Jesse
7Crossed PathsTheo & ChandaWes & CaseyTonya & Johnnie
8nowrapIncredible Deflating KayaknowrapShane & LinetteForest CourseWes & CaseyTonya & Johnnie
9Swimming With SharksShane & LinetteKatie & EricTina & Kenny
10Human Ox PullDarrell & AvivBeach CourseTina & KennyKatie & Eric
11nowrapBatten Down The HatchesDerrick & DiemnowrapShane & LinetteWes & Casey
12Jump Down UnderDerrick & DiemCliffside CourseWes & CaseyShane & Linette
13Deep BlueDerrick & DiemTheo & ChandaDarrell & Aviv
14Target TrainingDarrell & AvivTina & KennyBeach CourseTina & KennyTheo & Chanda
15What A CrocTina & KennyDarrell & AvivForest CourseDarrell & AvivDerrick & Diem
Derrick & Diem
16Miles of ExileDarrell & Aviv2nd place: Tina & Kenny; 3rd place: Wes & Casey

Exile progress

TeamsEpisodes
123456789101112131415Finale
Darrell & AvivSAFESAFESAFESAFESAFESAFESAFESAFESAFEWINSAFESAFENOMWONWINNERS
Tina & KennySAFESAFESAFESAFESAFESAFESAFESAFENOMSAFESAFESAFEWINSECOND
Wes & CaseyNOMNOMNOMNOMSAFESAFENOMSAFESAFESAFETHIRD
Derrick & DiemSAFESAFESAFESAFESAFESAFESAFESAFESAFESAFEWINWINWINSAFEOUT
Theo & ChandaSAFESAFESAFEWINSAFESAFEWINSAFESAFESAFESAFESAFENOMOUT
Shane & LinetteSAFESAFESAFESAFESAFESAFESAFEWINWINSAFENOMOUT
Coral & EvanWINWINWINSAFEWINWINSAFESAFESAFESAFEMED
Katie & EricSAFESAFESAFESAFESAFESAFESAFESAFENOMOUT
Tonya & JohnnieSAFESAFESAFESAFESAFESAFENOMOUT
SAFESAFESAFESAFENOMOUT
Melinda & RyanSAFESAFENOMOUT
Danny & EvelynNOMOUT

The team won the competition

The team did not win the final challenge

The team won the challenge

The team won the challenge and a pardon

The team was selected for the Exile

The team won the Exile

The team was put into Exile by the team that won a pardon and won

The team lost in the Exile and was eliminated

The team was removed from the competition due to medical reasons

Voting progress

Winner's
Pick
Wes & Casey
Melinda & Ryan
Wes & Casey
Wes & Casey
Katie & Eric
Shane & Linette
Theo & Chanda
Tina & Kenny
Darrell & Aviv
Derrick & Diem
Voted Into
Exile
Danny & Evelyn
Wes & Casey
Johanna & Jesse
Tonya & Johnnie
Tina & Kenny
Wes & Casey
Darrell & Aviv
colspan=2
VoterEpisode
1/23/45/67/89/1011/12131415
DarrellDanny & EvelynWes & CaseyJohanna & JesseTonya & JohnnieTina & KennyWes & CaseyTina & KennyTina & Kenny
AvivDanny & EvelynWes & CaseyJohanna & JesseTonya & JohnnieTina & KennyWes & CaseyTina & Kenny
TinaTonya & JohnnieWes & CaseyTonya & JohnnieWes & CaseyWes & CaseyDarrell & AvivDarrell & Aviv
Derrick & Diem
KennyTonya & JohnnieWes & CaseyTonya & JohnnieTina & KennyWes & CaseyDarrell & Aviv
WesWes & CaseyTina & KennyTina & KennyDarrell & Avivcolspan=2
CaseyWes & CaseyTina & KennyTina & KennyDarrell & Avivcolspan=2
DerrickDanny & EvelynWes & CaseyJohanna & JesseTonya & JohnnieTina & KennyShane & LinetteTheo & Chandacolspan=2
DiemDanny & EvelynWes & CaseyJohanna & JesseTonya & JohnnieTina & Kennycolspan=2
TheoTonya & JohnnieWes & CaseyTina & KennyWes & CaseyTina & KennyWes & Casey
ChandaTonya & JohnnieWes & CaseyTina & KennyTina & KennyWes & Casey
ShaneDanny & EvelynWes & CaseyJohanna & JesseTonya & JohnnieKatie & Eric
LinetteDanny & EvelynWes & CaseyJohanna & JesseTonya & Johnnie
CoralWes & CaseyMelinda & RyanWes & CaseyTina & KennyTina & Kenny
EvanTina & KennyTina & Kenny
KatieDanny & EvelynWes & CaseyJohanna & JesseTonya & Johnnie
EricDanny & EvelynWes & CaseyJohanna & JesseTonya & Johnnie
TonyaDanny & EvelynWes & CaseyJohanna & JesseTina & Kenny
JohnnieDanny & EvelynWes & CaseyJohanna & JesseTina & Kenny
JohannaShane & LinetteJohanna & Jesse
JesseShane & LinetteJohanna & Jesse
MelindaShane & Linette
RyanDerrick & Diem
DannyTonya & Johnnie
EvelynTonya & Johnnie

Challenge placings

DraftTeamsEpisode
12345678910111213141516
3836364623153314WINNERS
6Tina & Kenny758979374342521SECOND
7649778694456453THIRD
991041045554511132
529215714222423
12Shane & Linette363823611535
211111112345
10Katie & Eric411106726845
4Tonya & Johnnie1227221046
8Johanna & Jesse101211575
1111854
157

Episodes

Reunion special

The reunion special, Well Done: The Fresh Meat Reunion, was aired on September 11, 2006, and was hosted by Susie Castillo. It was revealed on the reunion show that Casey spent her $10,000 on breast implants, and Wes said he spent his on Johanna. Kenny spent his $15,000 on a wrestling ring.[21]

After filming

In October 2011, Starkman and Santucci were named in a lawsuit filed by fellow castmember Tonya Cooley, in which Cooley claimed that she was raped with a toothbrush while passed out from heavy drinking, during filming of season 18 of The Real World/Road Rules Challenge.[22] [23] The case was settled out of court on October 24, 2012. The details of the settlement have not been made public.[24] Since then, Starkman got married and welcomed his first son.[25]

Casey Cooper and Ryan Kehoe were flown out to Argentina with the initial cast of to serve as alternates although both were sent home after not being used.[26] Both Cooper and Kehoe were ultimately cast on the second season of The Challenge: All Stars.[27] Shortly after her appearance on the reality competition series, Cooper announced her pregnancy, and married husband Kyle Toups on December 7, 2021.[28]

Death of Diem Brown

During the filming of Fresh Meat, Diem Brown revealed to her partner Derrick Kosinski and Aviv Melmed that she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. During the Fresh Meat reunion show in 2006, MTV donated $5,000 to her then-charity organization liveforthechallenge.[21] In June 2012, after six years of remission, she announced that she was diagnosed with cancer for a second time. Shortly after successful completion of chemotherapy in February 2013, she competed in . One year later, while filming in Panama, she collapsed on set and was air-lifted to a New York-area hospital, where she was subsequently diagnosed with cancer for a third time, though she kept it hidden for two months prior to filming.[29] Brown died on November 14, 2014, at the age of 34.[30] [31]

Subsequent seasons of The Challenge

Aviv MelmedBattle of the Eras
Casey CooperThe Duel, The Gauntlet III, The RuinsThe Challenge: All Stars (season 2)
Chanda Sneed
Diem BrownThe Duel, The Gauntlet III, The Duel II, The Ruins, Battle of the Exes,
Rivals II, Battle of the Exes II
Eric BanksThe Duel, The Gauntlet III, The Duel II, Cutthroat, Battle of the Seasons (2012)The Challenge: All Stars (season 1)
Evan StarkmanThe Duel, The Gauntlet III, The Duel II, The Ruins, Rivals
Evelyn SmithThe Inferno 3, The Gauntlet III, The Island, The Ruins,
Fresh Meat II, Rivals
Spring Break Challenge
Jesse Stark
Kenny SantucciThe Duel, The Inferno 3, The Gauntlet III, The Island,
The Ruins, Fresh Meat II, Rivals
Spring Break Challenge
Linette Gallo
Ryan KehoeThe Gauntlet III, The Island, The Duel II, Fresh Meat II, Battle of the ErasThe Challenge: All Stars (season 2),
The Challenge: All Stars (season 4)

Note: Evan appeared as a color commentator on Spring Break Challenge

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kickin' Things Off – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20090728012115/http://www.mtv.com/videos/fresh-meat-ep-1/1535622/playlist.jhtml. dead. July 28, 2009. MTV.
  2. Web site: Shows A-Z - challenge, the on mtv . TheFutonCritic.com . 2022-05-05.
  3. Web site: Episode 1: "Kickin' Things Off" - Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20090728012115/http://www.mtv.com/videos/fresh-meat-ep-1/1535622/playlist.jhtml#series=2211&seriesId=19929&channelId=1 . dead . July 28, 2009 . MTV.
  4. Web site: Episode 11: "Money or Friendship?" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20090727042058/http://www.mtv.com/videos/fresh-meat-ep-11/1537371/playlist.jhtml#series=2211&seriesId=19929&channelId=1 . dead . July 27, 2009 . MTV.
  5. "Fresh Meat - Kickin' Things Off." Real World/Road Rules Challenge, season 12, episode 1, MTV, 29 May 2006.
  6. Web site: Episode 2: "Anxieties Run High" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20090728012126/http://www.mtv.com/videos/fresh-meat-ep-2/1535634/playlist.jhtml . dead . July 28, 2009 . MTV.
  7. Web site: Episode 3: "Hanging Tough" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20090728012126/http://www.mtv.com/videos/fresh-meat-ep-3/1535640/playlist.jhtml#series=2211&seriesId=19929&channelId=1 . dead . July 28, 2009 . MTV.
  8. Web site: Episode 4: "Jailbirds" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20090726072307/http://www.mtv.com/videos/fresh-meat-ep-4/1535641/playlist.jhtml#series=2211&seriesId=19929&channelId=1 . dead . July 26, 2009 . MTV.
  9. Web site: Episode 5: "Climber's Paradise" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20090726073947/http://www.mtv.com/videos/fresh-meat-ep-5/1535643/playlist.jhtml#series=2211&seriesId=19929&channelId=1 . dead . July 26, 2009 . MTV.
  10. Web site: Episode 6: "Costume Extravaganza" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20090726072312/http://www.mtv.com/videos/fresh-meat-ep-6/1536724/playlist.jhtml#series=2211&seriesId=19929&channelId=1 . dead . July 26, 2009 . MTV.
  11. Web site: Episode 7: "Crossing Paths" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20090726073952/http://www.mtv.com/videos/fresh-meat-ep-7/1536754/playlist.jhtml#series=2211&seriesId=19929&channelId=1 . dead . July 26, 2009 . MTV.
  12. Web site: Episode 8 "Kayak Challenge" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20090726073957/http://www.mtv.com/videos/fresh-meat-ep-8/1536757/playlist.jhtml#series=2211&seriesId=19929&channelId=1 . dead . July 26, 2009 . MTV.
  13. Web site: Episode 9: "Kenny VS Tina?" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20090727072907/http://www.mtv.com/videos/fresh-meat-ep-9/1536756/playlist.jhtml#series=2211&seriesId=19929&channelId=1 . dead . July 27, 2009 . MTV.
  14. Web site: Episode 10 Bonus Clips: "All About Teamwork" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20081110050445/http://www.mtv.com/videos/misc/98162/all-about-teamwork.jhtml#id=1536758 . dead . November 10, 2008 . MTV.
  15. Web site: Episode 10 Summary: "Game Over?". https://archive.today/20130710182027/http://www.mtv.com/shows/rwrr_challenge-fresh_meat/episode.jhtml?episodeID=100761%23moreinfo . dead . July 10, 2013 . MTV.
  16. Web site: Episode 12: "Jump Down Under" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20090727061010/http://www.mtv.com/videos/fresh-meat-ep-12/1537735/playlist.jhtml#series=2211&seriesId=19929&channelId=1 . dead . July 27, 2009 . MTV.
  17. Web site: Episode 13: "Diving In" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20090727042103/http://www.mtv.com/videos/fresh-meat-ep-13/1537736/playlist.jhtml#series=2211&seriesId=19929&channelId=1 . dead . July 27, 2009 . MTV.
  18. Web site: Episode 14: "Kenny and Tina's Triumph" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20090727065609/http://www.mtv.com/videos/fresh-meat-ep-14/1538650/playlist.jhtml#series=2211&seriesId=19929&channelId=1 . dead . July 27, 2009 . MTV.
  19. Web site: Episode 15 "The Death Roll" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20090727072902/http://www.mtv.com/videos/fresh-meat-ep-15/1538999/playlist.jhtml#series=2211&seriesId=19929&channelId=1 . dead . July 27, 2009 . MTV.
  20. Web site: Episode 16: "And The Winners Are..." – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20090727065614/http://www.mtv.com/videos/fresh-meat-ep-16/1539000/playlist.jhtml#series=2211&seriesId=19929&channelId=1 . dead . July 27, 2009 . MTV.
  21. Web site: The Real World / Road Rules Challenge Episode List - TV.com.
  22. News: Tonya Cooley 'Real World' Lawsuit: MTV Settles 'Toothbrush Rape' Lawsuit . The Huffington Post . 2012-10-24. 2012-10-24 . Alex . Moaba.
  23. News: McKay. Hollie. Tonya Cooley 'Confused and Frightened' After Alleged Sexual Assault on MTV Show, Source Says . TV. Fox News. 28 October 2012. 2011-11-04.
  24. 14 MINS . Real World Rape? MTV, Tanya Cooley Settle Lawsuit . Hollywood Reporter . 2012-10-24. 2012-10-24.
  25. Web site: Longeretta. Emily. 'The Challenge' Greats: Where Are They Now?. US Weekly. April 22, 2020.
  26. Web site: Bricker. Tierney. April 2, 2021. The Challenge: All Stars: Why These 24 OGs Didn't Return. April 4, 2021. E! Online.
  27. Web site: Ossad. Jordana. The All Stars Are Returning to The Challenge on Paramount+. https://web.archive.org/web/20211013174809/http://www.mtv.com/news/3181592/all-stars-returning-challenge-paramount/. dead. October 13, 2021. MTV News. October 13, 2021.
  28. Web site: Nardino. Meredith. The Challenge: All Stars' Pregnant Casey Cooper Marries Longtime Love Kyle Toups Before Welcoming 1st Child. US Weekly. December 8, 2021.
  29. Web site: Vick, Megan . 'Battle of the Exes II': Diem Brown knew she was sick . . January 20, 2015 . January 20, 2015 . May 23, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150523072324/http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/battle_of_the_exes_2_diem_brown_knew_she_was_sick-2015-01 . dead .
  30. Web site: Ossad, Jordana . Diem Brown, 'Challenge' Star, Dies After Brave Cancer Battle . https://web.archive.org/web/20141117020859/http://www.mtv.com/news/1995993/diem-brown-dies-cancer/ . dead . November 17, 2014 . . November 14, 2014 . November 14, 2014.
  31. Web site: Tauber, Michelle . Diem Brown Dies at 34. . November 14, 2014 . November 14, 2014.