The Challenge: Cutthroat Explained

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Season Name:Cutthroat
Season Number:20
Module1:
Num Contestants:30
Winner:
Location:Prague, Czech Republic
Num Episodes:12 (Special & Reunion Included)
Network:MTV
Prev Season:Fresh Meat II
Next Season:Rivals

The Challenge: Cutthroat is the 20th season of the MTV reality competition series, The Challenge.

Filmed in Prague, Czech Republic, Cutthroat features a first-ever three-team format with cast members from The Real World, Road Rules, and The Challenge. The season premiered on Wednesday, October 6, 2010, and concluded with the "S#!% They Should Have Shown" special on December 22, 2010.[1]

Format

This season of The Challenge features a new format, consisting of three teams. A race to the "Gulag" was held to determine the selections of the teams. The three players that finished last in the race — Camila Nakagawa, Shauvon Torres and Emilee Fitzpatrick — were chosen as the team captains. Those three selected players, alternating between male and female, until each team was split evenly — five men and five women on each team — see Cast and Draft sections below.

The three teams will participate in numerous challenges (sometimes called "missions"), which are followed by an elimination challenge, known as the "Gulag." The team who wins a challenge will receive a cash prize of $20,000 to be banked in their team bank accounts, as well as winning immunity from the Gulag.

The two losing teams will then be forced to choose one player of each gender from their own teams for possible elimination. Each player will cast secret votes to decide which two men and two women will battle in same-gender Gulags. The winning players will rejoin their respective teams and stay in the game for a chance at a share of $120,000, while the losing players will be eliminated from the game.[1]

Cast members who had been eliminated were removed from the opening credits, leaving only current members of the three teams left. It is the first (and so far only) time in challenge history that this has occurred.[2]

In the event a vote is tied, a run-off vote is conducted. If the run-off does not resolve the tie, the player going into the Gulag from the opposing team selects any (same-sex) member of the other team to send to the Gulag.[3]

Contestants

nowrapMale contestants !Original season Finish
Brad FiorenzaThe Real World: San DiegoWinner
Dunbar Merrill Winner
Tyler DuckworthWinner
Abram BoisenowrapRunner-up
Luke WolfeRunner-up
Derrick KosinskinowrapEpisode 9/10
nowrapJohnny DevenanzioThe Real World: Key WestEpisode 8/9
Dan WalshEpisode 7
Brandon NelsonThe Challenge: Fresh Meat IIEpisode 6
Chet CannonEpisode 6
Ty RuffEpisode 5
Eric BanksnowrapEpisode 4
Vinny FotiThe Challenge: Fresh Meat IIEpisode 3
JD OrdoñezThe Real World: BrooklynEpisode 2
Derek ChavezEpisode 1
nowrapFemale contestants !Original season Finish
Tori FiorenzanowrapRoad Rules 2007: Viewers' RevengeWinner
Cara Maria SorbelloThe Challenge: Fresh Meat IIRunner-up
Laurel StuckyThe Challenge: Fresh Meat IIRunner-up
Sarah RiceThe Real World: BrooklynnowrapRunner-up
Emily SchrommThe Real World: D.C.Third place
Jenn GrijalvaThird place
Paula MeronekThe Real World: Key WestnowrapEpisode 9/10
Theresa GonzalezThe Challenge: Fresh Meat IIEpisode 8/9
Camila NakagawaSpring Break ChallengeEpisode 7
Melinda StolpEpisode 6
Katie DoyleEpisode 5
Ayiiia ElizarrarasThe Real World: CancunEpisode 4
Shauvon TorresThe Real World: SydneyEpisode 3
Mandi MoyerThe Challenge: Fresh Meat IIEpisode 2
Emilee FitzpatrickThe Real World: CancunEpisode 1

Draft

Round
CaptainCamilaShauvonEmilee
1DunbarVinnyJohnny
2ToriLaurelJenn
3BradAbramDerrick
4PaulaSarahEmily
5TylerDanTy
6MelindaAyiiiaTheresa
7ChetLukeDerek
8MandiCara MariaKatie
9BrandonJDEric

Heavy hitters

Heavy hitters[4] Original season
nowrapChris "CT" Tamburellonowrap
Tina BartanowrapRoad Rules: South Pacific

Gameplay

Challenge games

Gulag games

Czech Point final challenge

The final challenge begins with each team sprinting to the first checkpoint, "Seeing Spots," in which each team has to designate one player to stand in front of a wall containing five white targets, and one teammate has to hit each target with a paint ball gun before advancing. The next checkpoint is "So Tired," in which teams have to roll oversize tires on the tarmac. The next checkpoint is "Down & Dirty," in which players have to slide through an obstacle course containing a dirt pit. At the "Free Ride" checkpoint, all players from each team have to ride horses to the next check point. (Note: Since the Blue Team only had two members — Emily & Jenn, they instead ride a single horse.) At the "Hard Wood" checkpoint, each team must transfer a pile of wood to the top of a hangar in a designated area before advancing to the "Sign Language" checkpoint, in which each team has to memorize the placement of a sign post containing Czech road signs, then crawl through an obstacle course through mud and under barb wire, then swim through a lake. After swimming through a lake, each team has to slide a series of Czech road signs through a pole to duplicate the sign post from the earlier "Sign Language" checkpoint. If a team slides in each sign correctly, they can advance, otherwise, they have to return to the original "Sign Language" checkpoint. The final stretch involves a sprint to the top of Bezděz Castle.[11]

Game summary

Elimination chart

EpisodeWinnersGulag nomineesGulag gameGulag outcome
ChallengeRedGreyBlueWinnerEliminated
1Gas ProblemsBrandonDerekHandcuffsBrandonDerek
CamilaEmileeCamilaEmilee
2Brain BusterBrandonJDBack Up Off MeBrandonJD
MandiMandi
3Bed HeadVinnyEricDie HardEricVinny
ShauvonKatiecolspan=4
4Bottleneck StampedeAyiiiaKatieSwatKatieAyiiia
LukeEricLukeEric
5Surf's UpBrandonTyPole Me OverBrandonTy
CamilaKatieCamilaKatie
6Sky HookMelindaEmilyHandcuffsEmilyMelinda
BrandonDerrickDerrickBrandon
7Gimme a HandDunbarDanDie HardDunbarDan
CamilaLaurelLaurelCamila
8/9High BallToriTheresaBack Up Off MeToriTheresa
TylerJohnnyTylerJohnny
9/10Riot ActTylerDerrickPole Me OverTyler Derrick
PaulaEmilyEmilyPaula
10Czech Points2nd place: Grey Team; 3rd place: Blue Team

Cutthroat progress

ContestantsChallenges
12345678/99/10Finale
BradSAFESAFEWINWINSAFESAFESAFESAFESAFEWINNER
DunbarSAFESAFEWINWINSAFESAFESAFESAFEWINNER
ToriSAFESAFEWINWINSAFESAFESAFESAFEWINNER
TylerSAFESAFEWINWINSAFESAFESAFEWINNER
WINSAFESAFEWINWINSAFEWINWINSECOND
LaurelWINSAFESAFESAFEWINWINWINWINSECOND
LukeWINSAFESAFEWINWINSAFEWINWINSECOND
AbramWINSAFESAFESAFEWINWINSAFEWINWINSECOND
SarahWINSAFESAFESAFEWINWINSAFEWINWINSECOND
EmilySAFEWINSAFESAFESAFEWINSAFETHIRD
JennSAFEWINSAFESAFESAFESAFEWINSAFESAFETHIRD
PaulaSAFESAFEWINWINSAFESAFESAFESAFE
Derrick K.SAFEWINSAFESAFESAFEWINSAFEOUT
JohnnySAFEWINSAFESAFESAFESAFEWINOUT
TheresaSAFEWINSAFESAFESAFESAFEWINOUT
CamilaSAFEWINWINSAFEOUT
DanWINSAFESAFESAFEWINWINOUT
BrandonWINWINOUT
MelindaSAFESAFEWINWINSAFEOUT
ChetSAFESAFEWINWINSAFEMED
KatieSAFEWINSAVEOUT
TySAFEWINSAFESAFE
EricSAFEWINOUT
AyiiiaWINSAFESAFEOUT
ShauvonWINSAFE
VinnyWINSAFEOUT
MandiSAFEOUT
JDWINOUT
EmileeOUT
Derek C.OUT
Teams
  • The contestant is on the Red team
  • The contestant is on the Blue team
  • The contestant is on the Grey team
    Competition
  • The contestant's team won the competition
  • The contestant's team did not win the final challenge
  • The contestant's team won the challenge and was safe from the Gulag
  • The contestant's team lost the challenge, but the contestant was not chosen for the Gulag
  • The contestant was chosen for the Gulag, but did not have to compete
  • The contestant won the Gulag
  • The contestant lost the Gulag and was eliminated
  • The contestant was disqualified in the Gulag and was eliminated
  • The contestant withdrew from the competition prior to the Gulag
  • The contestant was removed from the competition due to medical reasons

    Voting progress

    Voted Into
    the Gulag
    Brandon
    JD
    Eric
    Luke
    Ty
    Derrick
    Dunbar
    Tyler
    Tyler
    Camila
    Cara Maria
    Katie
    Ayiiia
    Katie
    Emily
    Camila
    Tori
    Paula
    Derek
    Brandon
    Vinny
    Tie VoteEric
    Brandon
    Brandon
    Dan
    Johnny
    Derrick
    Emilee
    Mandi
    Shauvon
    Katie
    Camila
    Melinda
    Laurel
    Theresa
    Emily
    VoterEpisodes
    12345678/99/10
    BradBrandonBrandoncolspan=3 rowspan=2 BrandonBrandonTylerTylerTyler
    CamilaMandiCamilaMelindaCamilaToriPaula
    DunbarBrandonBrandonBrandonBrandonTylerTylerTyler
    CamilaMandiCamilaMelindaCamilaToriPaula
    ToriBrandonBrandoncolspan=3 rowspan=2 BrandonBrandonDunbarTylerTyler
    CamilaMandiCamilaMelindaCamilaToriPaula
    TylerBrandonBrandoncolspan=3 rowspan=2 BrandonBrandonDunbarTylerBrad
    CamilaMandiCamilaMelindaCamilaToriPaula
    Abramrowspan=2 AbramLukeLukecolspan=2 rowspan=2 Dancolspan=2 rowspan=2
    ShauvonShauvonSarahLaurel
    Cara Mariarowspan=2 LukeVinnyLukecolspan=2 rowspan=2 Dancolspan=2 rowspan=2
    ShauvonShauvonAyiiiaLaurel
    Laurelrowspan=2 JDVinnyLukecolspan=2 rowspan=2 Dancolspan=2 rowspan=2
    Cara MariaShauvonCara MariaCara Maria
    Lukerowspan=2 JDVinnyLukecolspan=2 rowspan=2 Dancolspan=2 rowspan=2
    Cara MariaShauvonAyiiiaLaurel
    Sarahrowspan=2 JDVinnyLukecolspan=2 rowspan=2 Dancolspan=2 rowspan=2
    Cara MariaShauvonAyiiiaCara Maria
    EmilyDerekrowspan=2 EricEricEricTyDerrickrowspan=2 JohnnyDerrick
    EmileeKatieKatieKatieEmilyTheresaEmily
    JennDerekrowspan=2 EricTyEricTyDerrickrowspan=2 JohnnyDerrick
    EmileeKatieKatieKatieEmilyTheresaEmily
    PaulaBrandonBrandoncolspan=3 rowspan=2 BrandonBrandonDunbarTylerDunbar
    CamilaMandiCamilaMelindaCamilaToriTori
    DerrickDerekrowspan=2 TyTyEricTyDerrickrowspan=2 JohnnyDerrick
    EmileeEmilyKatieKatieEmilyTheresaEmily
    JohnnyDerekrowspan=2 EricEricEricTyDerrickrowspan=2 Johnny
    EmileeKatieKatieKatieEmilyTheresa
    TheresaDerekrowspan=2 EricEricEricTyDerrickrowspan=2 Johnny
    EmileeKatieKatieKatieEmilyTheresa
    CamilaBrandonDunbarcolspan=3 rowspan=2 BrandonBradBrad
    MandiMandiMelindaMelindaTori
    Danrowspan=2 JDLukeLukecolspan=2 rowspan=2 Dan
    Cara MariaShauvonAyiiiaLaurel
    BrandonChetDunbarcolspan=3 rowspan=2 BrandonDunbar
    CamilaCamilaCamilaPaula
    MelindaDunbarBrandoncolspan=3 rowspan=2 BrandonBrandon
    CamilaMandiCamilaCamila
    ChetBrandonBrandon
    CamilaMandi
    KatieDerekrowspan=2 TyTyTyTy
    EmileeTheresaKatieKatie
    TyDerekrowspan=2 EricEricEricTy
    EmileeKatieKatieKatie
    EricDerekrowspan=2 TyTyTy
    EmileeTheresaKatie
    Ayiiiarowspan=2 JDVinnyLuke
    Cara MariaShauvonCara Maria
    Shauvonrowspan=2 LukeVinny
    Cara MariaShauvon
    Vinnyrowspan=2 JDLuke
    ShauvonShauvon
    MandiBrandonBrandon
    CamilaCamila
    JDrowspan=2 Luke
    Cara Maria
    EmileeTy
    Katie
    DerekTy
    Emilee

    Partners

    Gas Problems (Episode 1)
    Dunbar & CamilaAbram & Cara MariaJohnny & Emilee
    Brad & ToriLaurel & LukeDerrick & Emily
    Tyler & PaulaJD & ShauvonDerek & Jenn
    Chet & MandiDan & SarahTy & Katie
    Brandon & MelindaVinny & LaurelEric & Theresa
    Surf's Up (Episode 5)
    Derrick & JohnnyAbram & LukeChet & Tyler
    Emily & JennLaurel & SarahCamila & Tori
    Katie & TheresaCara Maria & DanMelinda & Paula
    Derrick & TyBrandon & Dunbar
    Brad & Tyler
    Gimme a Hand (Episode 7)
    Johnny & TheresaTyler & CamilaAbram & Cara Maria
    Emily & JennDunbar & PaulaLaurel & Sarah
    Derrick & JohnnyBrad & ToriDan & Luke

    Episodes

    In contrast to past seasons of The Challenge, the title sequence features only the players that are still in the game for that episode (in past seasons, every player that participated would be shown, even after elimination).

    Reunion special

    The Challenge: Cutthroat Reunion was aired after the season finale on December 15, 2010, and was hosted by Maria Menounos. The cast members who attended the reunion were: Brad, Dunbar, Tori, Tyler, Cara Maria, Laurel, Luke, Abram, Sarah, Emily, Jenn, Derrick, Paula, Johnny and Eric.[12]

    Controversy

    During the third episode of the season, which aired on October 20, 2010, Fresh Meat II castmember Laurel Stucky drunkenly directed a series of insults at Fresh Meat castmember Eric Banks, regarding Banks' body image.[6] Stucky later issued a tearful apology on MTV.com after the episode aired,[13] however, at the Reunion special, Banks confronted and chided Stucky for the lack of sincerity and making the apology on MTV.com instead of apologizing to Banks in person during filming, though Stucky claimed that Banks brushed her off following the incident.[12]

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: The Challenge: Cutthroat at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20100910115742/http://www.mtv.com/shows/rwrr_challenge/cutthroat/series.jhtml . dead . September 10, 2010 .
    2. Web site: Episode 1: "Czech Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20101009192939/http://www.mtv.com/videos/the-challenge-cutthroat-ep-1-czech-yourself-before-you-wreck-yourself/1649168/playlist.jhtml#series=2211&seriesId=33008&channelId=1 . dead . October 9, 2010 .
    3. Web site: Episode 4: "Swat The Hell?" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20101030221152/http://www.mtv.com/videos/the-challenge-cutthroat-ep-4-swat-the-hell/1650668/playlist.jhtml#series=2211&seriesId=33008&channelId=1 . dead . October 30, 2010 .
    4. Web site: Episode 8: "Back With a Vengeance" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20101204132310/http://www.mtv.com/videos/the-challenge-cutthroat-ep-8-back-with-a-vengeance/1653147/playlist.jhtml#series=2211&seriesId=33008&channelId=1 . dead . December 4, 2010 .
    5. Web site: Episode 2: "Newbie Doobie Doo" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20101016224324/http://www.mtv.com/videos/the-challenge-cutthroat-ep-2-newbie-doobie-doo/1649628/playlist.jhtml#series=2211&seriesId=33008&channelId=1 . dead . October 16, 2010 .
    6. Web site: Episode 3: "Karma's a Bitch" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20101024024452/http://www.mtv.com/videos/the-challenge-cutthroat-ep-3-karmas-a-bitch/1650192/playlist.jhtml#series=2211&seriesId=33008&channelId=1 . dead . October 24, 2010 .
    7. Web site: Episode 5: "Couching Tiger, Hidden Danimal" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20101106234526/http://www.mtv.com/videos/the-challenge-cutthroat-ep-5-couching-tyger-hidden-danimal/1651197/playlist.jhtml#series=2211&seriesId=33008&channelId=1 . dead . November 6, 2010 .
    8. Web site: Episode 6: "Where the Red Team Blows" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20101113212908/http://www.mtv.com/videos/the-challenge-cutthroat-ep-6-where-the-red-team-blows/1651781/playlist.jhtml#series=2211&seriesId=33008&channelId=1 . dead . November 13, 2010 .
    9. Web site: Episode 7: "Hell Hath No Fury" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20101121032022/http://www.mtv.com/videos/the-challenge-cutthroat-ep-7-hell-hath-no-fury/1652300/playlist.jhtml#series=2211&seriesId=33008&channelId=1 . dead . November 21, 2010 .
    10. Web site: Episode 9: "Always a Bridesmaid..." – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20101212074404/http://www.mtv.com/videos/the-challenge-cutthroat-ep-9-always-a-bridesmaid/1653703/playlist.jhtml#series=2211&seriesId=33008&channelId=1 . dead . December 12, 2010 .
    11. Web site: Episode 10: "Czechmate" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20101219011915/http://www.mtv.com/videos/the-challenge-cutthroat-ep-10-czechmate/1654352/playlist.jhtml#series=2211&seriesId=33008&channelId=1 . dead . December 19, 2010 .
    12. Web site: The Challenge: Cutthroat Reunion – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20101219011920/http://www.mtv.com/videos/the-challenge-cutthroat-ep-11-reunion/1654378/playlist.jhtml#series=2211&seriesId=33008&channelId=1 . dead . December 19, 2010 .
    13. Web site: The Challenge: Cutthroat "Laurel's Apology" – Video at MTV.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20101024025540/http://www.mtv.com/videos/misc/588140/laurels-apology.jhtml . dead . October 24, 2010 .