Takin' on 'The Challenge': Struggling to Hold It Together

Season 39 of The Alabama Take's favorite thing -- next to college football -- continues with Battle For a New Champion! This season is all about finding a first-time Challenge champ. Every week, devotees to The Challenge answer questions. Spoiler warning ahead!

Another week in the "chaos" phase of the game saw the daily split the house into two teams. The winning team chose to send Melissa into elimination -- and she then went on a crusade to find out who initially said her name. The rest of the house then voted in Big T after deliberation, despite her efforts to get Colleen voted in. Our champion this week was Kaycee, who drew Big T's name and then begrudgingly sent her home, claiming $10k of the final pot in the process -- meaning the cast has now lost $30k from their potential prize money in this stage.

Question 1: What do you think of the strategy that keeps sending Melissa and Big T into elimination?

TD: It definitely seems more personal than political, but it also seems short-sighted. While Meliisa and Big T are wonderful girls, they don't particularly pose the biggest threat when it comes to the final. The cast should be at the stage where they're thinking about who they'd fare well against in a final, and only Michelle and Moriah seem to be in that mindset. I mean, it's the "chaos" phase, after all, take some big swings.

Blaine: This happens on the show a lot where they target someone and decide continually to send in that person or pair. This happened to the rookies a lot in the previous season -- Horacio eliminated four different players then! It's not a suprise, but like TD said, it does seem a lot more personal. And what are the reasons beyond "We voted for them already?" I have yet to hear a valid excuse, and with Big T and Melissa in such a small alliance of two, it doesn't make good sense.

Question 2: Yet another champion came in and took $10,000 from the house's final prize pot, are you surprised the cast hasn't done more to combat that and protect their money?

TD: I mean, with this group, not really. There's a reason none of these folks have won a Challenge title, after all. You would think they'd catch on and start throwing some stronger players into elimination, in hopes they'd win and save the $10k. I do wonder if there were more vets without final wins in the house, like Cory or Aneesa, if we'd see some smarter strategies.

Blaine: They have not factored this into their decision making whatsoever, and T.J. is doing everything but flat-out telling them that they should take this into consideration. I don't think these players have the brainpower to compete at a high level for The Challenge, at least not yet.

Question 3: Are you gonna start wearing your shorts like Berna? And will Asaf ever get justice for his shirt?

TD: Asaf really liked that shirt, man. I've already forgotten the reason Berna gave for wearing her shorts like she does, but I'd need a few more squats in my daily routine to get there.

Blaine: Asaf has been pure cringe with his confessionals. He doesn't come off as naturally funny. But the shirt comment was a good moment for him; it made me chuckle. As for Berna? She's the worst. She's annoying, whiny, and lacking on game play. The shorts are just an added bit of unawareness.