The Challenge: Battle of the Exes

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Battle of the Exes
Season 22
Title Frame 2014-05-24 13-24.jpg
Presented by T. J. Lavin
No. of contestants26
Winners
Location
No. of episodes13 (2 Specials & Reunion Included)
Release
Original network MTV
Original releaseJanuary 25 (2012-01-25) 
April 4, 2012 (2012-04-04)
Season chronology
 Previous
Rivals
List of episodes

The Challenge: Battle of the Exes is the 22nd season of the MTV reality game show, The Challenge . It took place in the Dominican Republic and Iceland, with cast members from The Real World , Road Rules and The Challenge competing. A launch special, "The Pre-Game," premiered on January 11, 2012, explaining the history behind the couples. [1] The season premiered on January 25, 2012, [2] and concluded on April 4, 2012, with the Reunion special. [3]

This is the first edition of the Battle of the Exes series, with Battle of the Exes II following in 2015.

Format

Each team participates in numerous challenges (sometimes called "missions"), which are followed by an elimination round — "The Dome". The winning team of each challenge earns the title of "Power Couple," as well as immunity from entering The Dome, while the last-place finisher is automatically sent to The Dome. The "Power Couple" also earns the right of choosing the team that has to face the last-place finisher in The Dome (from Episode 6, the "Power Couple" was also awarded a $2,500 prize, in addition to their immunity and nomination power). The team who wins the elimination round returns to the game and has a shot at a $300,000 prize, while the losing team is eliminated from the game. [2] [4]

At the end of the season, three teams compete in the final challenge. The first-place finisher wins $150,000, second-place wins $100,000 and third-place wins $40,000. [4]

Contestants

Male contestantsOriginal seasonFinish
Johnny Devenanzio The Real World: Key West Winner
Chris "CT" Tamburello The Real World: Paris Runner-up
Ty Ruff The Real World: D.C. Third place
Mark Long Road Rules: USA – The First Adventure Episode 8/9
Dunbar Merrill The Real World: Sydney Episode 7/8
Abram Boise Road Rules: South Pacific Episode 5
Tyrie Ballard The Real World: Denver Episode 4
Leroy Garrett The Real World: Las Vegas (2011) Episode 3
Dustin ZitoThe Real World: Las Vegas (2011)Episode 3 [a]
Wes Bergmann The Real World: Austin Episode 2
Vinny Foti The Challenge: Fresh Meat II Episode 2 [b]
Nate Stodghill The Real World: San Diego (2011) Episode 1
Female contestantsOriginal seasonFinish
Camila Nakagawa Spring Break Challenge Winner
Diem Brown Real World/Road Rules Challenge: Fresh Meat Runner-up
Emily SchrommThe Real World: D.C.Third place
Robin Hibbard The Real World: San Diego (2004) Episode 8/9
Paula MeronekThe Real World: Key WestEpisode 7/8
Aneesa Ferreira The Real World: Chicago Episode 6
Rachel Robinson Road Rules: Campus Crawl Episode 6
Cara Maria SorbelloThe Challenge: Fresh Meat IIEpisode 5
Jasmine Reynaud The Real World: Cancun Episode 4
Naomi DefensorThe Real World: Las Vegas (2011)Episode 3
Heather MarterThe Real World: Las Vegas (2011)Episode 3 [a]
Mandi MoyerThe Challenge: Fresh Meat IIEpisode 2
Sarah Rice The Real World: Brooklyn Episode 2 [b]
Priscilla MendezThe Real World: San Diego (2011)Episode 1

Teams

TeamPartner 1Partner 2
  Cara Maria & AbramAbram BoiseCara Maria Sorbello
  Aneesa & RachelAneesa FerreiraRachel Robinson
  Diem & CTChris "CT" TamburelloDiem Brown
  Dunbar & PaulaDunbar MerrillPaula Meronek
  Dustin & HeatherDustin ZitoHeather Marter
  Johnny & CamilaJohnny DevenanzioCamila Nakagawa
  Leroy & NaomiLeroy GarrettNaomi Defensor
  Mark & RobinMark LongRobin Hibbard
  Nate & PriscillaNate StodghillPriscilla Mendez
  Ty & EmilyTy RuffEmily Schromm
  Tyrie & JasmineTyrie BallardJasmine Reynaud
  Vinny & SarahVinny FotiSarah Rice
  Wes & MandiWes BergmannMandi Moyer

Pre-season romantic backgrounds

Gameplay

Challenge games

Dome games

Viking Quest Final Challenge

The final challenge consisted of the following checkpoints:

Sources for this section: [36] [37]

Game summary

Elimination chart

EpisodeWinnersDome contestantsDome gameDome outcome
#ChallengeLast-placeWinners' pickWinnersEliminated
1Give Me Some HoneyJohnny & CamilaNate & PriscillaWes & MandiX Knocks the SpotWes & MandiNate & Priscilla
2 [b] Hook UpVinny & SarahLeroy & NaomiWes & MandiX BattleLeroy & NaomiWes & Mandi
3 [a] Mental ConnectionDunbar & PaulaLeroy & NaomiTy & EmilyBanded TogetherTy & EmilyLeroy & Naomi
4Rolling in the DeepJohnny & CamilaTyrie & JasmineAneesa & RachelX Knocks the SpotAneesa & RachelTyrie & Jasmine
5Don't Rock the BoatMark & RobinAbram & Cara MariaTy & EmilyX BattleTy & EmilyAbram & Cara Maria
6Lube Me Up [c] Johnny & CamilaDunbar & PaulaAneesa & RachelBanded TogetherDunbar & PaulaAneesa & Rachel
7/8Race to the AltarCT & DiemTy & EmilyDunbar & PaulaHall PassTy & EmilyDunbar & Paula
8/9Feel the BurnCT & DiemJohnny & CamilaMark & RobinX BattleJohnny & CamilaMark & Robin
9/10Viking QuestJohnny & Camila2nd place: CT & Diem; 3rd place: Ty & Emily

Dome progress

TeamsEpisode
12 [b] 3 [a] 4567/88/9Finale
Johnny & CamilaWINSAFESAFEWINSAFEWINSAFEELIMWINNERS
CT & DiemSAFESAFESAFESAFESAFESAFEWINWINSECOND
Ty & EmilySAFESAFEELIMSAFEELIMSAFEELIMSAFETHIRD
Mark & RobinSAFESAFESAFESAFEWINSAFESAFEOUT
Dunbar & PaulaSAFESAFEWINSAFESAFEELIMOUT
Aneesa & RachelSAFESAFESAFEELIMSAFEOUT
Abram & Cara MariaSAFESAFESAFESAFEOUT
Tyrie & JasmineSAFESAFESAFEOUT
Leroy & NaomiSAFEELIMOUT
Dustin & HeatherSAFESAFEMED
Wes & MandiELIMOUT
Vinny & SarahSAFEDQ
Nate & PriscillaOUT
Competition
  The team won the competition
  The team did not win the final challenge
  The team won the "Power Couple" mission and put another team into the Dome
  The team was not selected to go into the Dome
  The team won in the Dome
  The team lost in the Dome and was eliminated
  The team won the "Power Couple" mission and put another team into the Dome, but one contestant's actions later disqualified the team from the competition
  A contestant was removed from the competition due to medical reasons, so his/her partner was also eliminated

Episodes

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleOriginal release dateUS viewers
(millions)
2711"Love Is A Battlefield"January 25, 2012 (2012-01-25)1.91 [38]
2722"What's Love Got to Do With It?"February 1, 2012 (2012-02-01)2.29
2733"Where Did Our Love Go?"February 8, 2012 (2012-02-08)1.91
2744"Love the Way You Lie"February 15, 2012 (2012-02-15)1.94
2755"Crazy in Love"February 22, 2012 (2012-02-22)1.99
2766"Tainted Love"February 29, 2012 (2012-02-29)1.90 [39]
2777"Love and Marriage"March 7, 2012 (2012-03-07)1.82 [40]
2788"On the Wings of Love"March 14, 2012 (2012-03-14)1.81 [41]
2799"Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?"March 21, 2012 (2012-03-21)1.81 [42]
28010"I Will Always Love You"March 28, 2012 (2012-03-28)1.99 [43]

Reunion special

The season concluded with the reunion special on April 4, 2012, which was hosted by Mike "The Miz" Mizanin after a seven-year-long absence from The Challenge. [3] The cast members who attended the reunion were: Johnny, Camila, CT, Diem, Ty, Emily, Mark, Robin, Dunbar, Paula, Rachel and Aneesa. [3]

Controversy

During this season of The Challenge , former The Real World: D.C. cast mates Emily Schromm and Ty Ruff were partnered together. During the 7th episode, which aired on March 7, 2012, Schromm appeared in blackface before the entire house of cast mates by smearing her face in Nutella, mocking Ruff, who is African American, directly in front of him. Camila Nakagawa, originally from Spring Break Challenge , was involved in the incident as well mocking Paula Meronek, Ruff's flirtatious partner on the show. After the show's cast mates were all seen disturbed by Schromm's actions, Schromm would later defend herself by claiming unawareness to blackface as a result of a sheltered childhood; this claim is questionable, however, considering Schromm brought up racism before presenting herself to the rest of the cast mates in blackface, at which point Nagakawa assured her that such actions would not be racist. Schromm is, however, told the action is racist by Ty in the midst of taunting him, before continuing on with it. Despite revelation of its racist history from all the cast mates, Nakagawa is seen complaining to all the cast mates having no sense of humor and being too sensitive. She also stated that Ruff was just offended out of jealousy despite the fact that it was Schromm who was discontented with Ruff's flirtatious relationship with Meronek. [34] After being confronted on the issue by Ruff and Aneesa Ferreira on the season's Reunion special, Schromm made a tearful apology. She also expressed regret for taking advice from Nakagawa, making the point that Nakagawa isn't even from America but Brazil. [3] [44] [45] [46]

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 In Episode 3, Dustin suffered a knee injury at the house that required stitches and he was medically prohibited from competing. Heather was sent home as well since she was Dustin's partner. [30]
  2. 1 2 3 4 Vinny & Sarah won the "Hook Up" challenge in Episode 2. However, they were later disqualified from the competition, following an incident at a nightclub in which Vinny ripped off Mandi's dress in public, exposing her breasts. Sarah was sent home as well since she was Vinny's partner. Because they were the Power Couple at the time of their disqualification, the winning couple of the Dome elimination round became the new Power Couple. [29]
  3. 1 2 The same-sex pairing of Aneesa & Rachel would both participate in the female heat time trial tests - meaning that they both had to get a ball in order to avoid elimination. The pairing did not compete in the male heat time trial tests.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "The Challenge: Battle Of The Exes "The Pre-Game" – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on January 15, 2012.
  2. 1 2 "The Challenge: Battle Of The Exes at MTV.com". Archived from the original on January 3, 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "The Challenge: Battle of the Exes Reunion – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on April 7, 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "The Challenge: Battle Of The Exes Episode 1 "Love Is A Battlefield" – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on January 29, 2012.
  5. "The Challenge: Cutthroat Reunion – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on December 19, 2010.
  6. 1 2 "The Challenge: Rivals Episode 7 "Blood on the Dance Floor" – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on September 30, 2011.
  7. Marcus, Lilit (March 24, 2011). "Cara Maria Sorbello Breaks Up With 'Challenge' Costar Abram Boise Following His Arrest". crushable.com. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
  8. "Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Duel II Episode 8 "If These Duels Would Talk" – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on May 31, 2009.
  9. "Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Duel "The Duel Ain't Over 'til the Reunion" – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on July 28, 2009.
  10. NOTE: Though CT and Diem were not present at the Gauntlet III reunion, Katie Doyle mentioned this at the reunion. "Real World/Road Rules Challenge: "Trim The Fat: The Gauntlet III Reunion" – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on November 25, 2009.
  11. 1 2 "Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Duel II Episode 1 "Damned If You Duel..." – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on April 12, 2009.
  12. "Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Duel II Reunion – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on June 22, 2009.
  13. "The Challenge: Cutthroat Episode 10 "Czechmate" – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on December 19, 2010.
  14. "The Real World: Las Vegas (2011) Episode 8 "Dustin Shows His Hand, Heather Folds" – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on April 30, 2011.
  15. "The Challenge: Cutthroat Episode 4 "Swat The Hell?" – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on October 30, 2010.
  16. "The Challenge: Cutthroat "The S#!% They Should've Shown" – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on December 25, 2010.
  17. NOTE: Jonna mentions this about four minutes into the podcast. "Derrick Kosinski's Ultimate Challenge Radio w/ Jonna & Jasmine MTV Real World & Challenge Rivals".
  18. "The Real World: Las Vegas (2011) Episode 9 "Guys Who Like Girls Who Like Girls Who Like Sex" – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on May 7, 2011.
  19. "Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Duel Episode 1/2 "Welcome to Brazil" – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on July 27, 2009.
  20. "The Real World: San Diego (2011) Episode 1 "First Impressions" – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on October 1, 2011.
  21. "The Real World: San Diego (2011) Episode 11 "Tick, Tick, Cabo-oom!" – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on January 7, 2012.
  22. "The Real World: DC Episode 2 "Bipartisan Lovin" – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on January 9, 2010.
  23. "The Real World: DC Episode 4 "Love Hits a Sour Note" – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on February 4, 2010.
  24. "The Challenge: Cutthroat Episode 5 "Couching Tyger, Hidden Danimal" – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on November 6, 2010.
  25. "The Challenge: Rivals Episode 1 "Welcome To The Jungle" – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on June 24, 2011.
  26. "The Challenge: Fresh Meat II Episode 2 "Meating of the Minds" – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on April 18, 2010.
  27. "The Challenge: Cutthroat Episode 3 "Karma's a Bitch" – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on October 24, 2010.
  28. "The Challenge: Rivals Episode 6 "Blowup" – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on September 30, 2011.
  29. 1 2 3 "The Challenge: Battle of the Exes Episode 2 "What's Love Got To Do With It?" – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on February 4, 2012.
  30. 1 2 3 "The Challenge: Battle of the Exes Episode 3 "Where Did Our Love Go?" – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on February 11, 2012.
  31. 1 2 "The Challenge: Battle of the Exes Episode 4 "Love The Way You Lie" – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on February 18, 2012.
  32. 1 2 "The Challenge: Battle of the Exes Episode 5 "Crazy In Love" – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on February 29, 2012.
  33. 1 2 "The Challenge: Battle of the Exes Episode 6 "Tainted Love" – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on March 3, 2012.
  34. 1 2 "The Challenge: Battle of the Exes Episode 7 "Love And Marriage" – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on March 10, 2012.
  35. 1 2 "The Challenge: Battle of the Exes Episode 8 "On The Wings Of Love" – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on March 17, 2012.
  36. 1 2 "The Challenge Episode 9 "Ep. 9 Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?" – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on March 24, 2012.
  37. "The Challenge Episode 10 "I Will Always Love You" – Video at MTV.com". Archived from the original on April 5, 2012.
  38. Bibel, Sara (January 26, 2012). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Dog the Bounty Hunter' & 'Challenge: Battle of the Exes' Top 'Royal Pains' + 'Hot In Cleveland,' 'Face Off' & More". Archived from the original on July 1, 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
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  41. Kondolojy, Amanda (March 15, 2012). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: NBA Basketball Finishes First; 'South Park', 'Challenge: Battle of the Exes', 'Face Off' 'Sons of Guns', 'Psych" + More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 17, 2012. Retrieved March 15, 2012.
  42. Bibel, Sara (March 22, 2012). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'South Park' Wins Night, 'Psych,' 'Challenge: Battle of the Exes', 'Dog the Bounty Hunter,' 'Sons of Guns,' 'Robot Chicken' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 24, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
  43. Bibel, Sara (March 29, 2012). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'South Park' 'Psych,' 'Challenge: Battle of the Exes', 'Sons of Guns,' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on August 17, 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  44. Lawson, Catherine (March 8, 2012). "Ty Almost Quits 'The Challenge' After Emily Pulls Blackface Prank". Huffington Post.
  45. Morrissey, Tracie Egan (March 8, 2012). "Blackface Happened on MTV". jezebel.com. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  46. Hines, Ree (March 9, 2012). "MTV contestant uses Nutella for blackface on 'Battle of the Exes'". today.com. Retrieved March 9, 2012.

19°45′15.1″N70°28′51.5″W / 19.754194°N 70.480972°W / 19.754194; -70.480972