So you sent in your audition tape, beat out hundreds of thousands of hopefuls, and now you're one of the new Fresh Meat competitors on the Real World/Road Rules Challenge. Congratulations, you've officially been thrown to the sharks. Despite the exotic tropical backdrops and lush island accommodations, Real World/Road Rules Challenge are actually elaborate minefields filled with sadistic physical competitions and political deception. Take a wrong step and you're likely to get blown limb from limb. In preparation, here's some Fresh Meat secrets to ponder on that long plan flight to hell.
Leave extra baggage at home – And we're not talking about luggage here either. Boyfriend/girlfriend duos are a recipe for disaster on challenges. From Alton and Irulan to Danny and Melinda, couples are never accepted by the Fresh Meat faithful and it's not hard to see why. Other participants are always suspicious of players who have a ready-made alliance before the game even begins. They question these players' loyalties, and are always anxious to see them go. Point is when preparing for the Real World/Road Rules Challenge make sure the only extra cargo you're packing is your toothbrush. Do what Darrell does--The stats don't lie, and Darrell's stats couldn't be simpler, 3-0. As in three wins, zero loses, as in he's won every challenge he's ever been on, a feat no other competitor can lay claim to. Darrell's laser-sharp focus and smooth attitude helped him reach the promised land on the original Gauntlet, Inferno, and the Inferno II, and there's no reason he won't be at the top of the Fresh Meat heap. After all, he's got a reputation to maintain. Don't be Tonya's partner – Fresh Meat's success is determined as much by popularity as by physical merit and no one's ever crowning Tonya Ms. Popular. Known for being overly flirty with her male teammates (especially those with girlfriends) while antagonizing everyone else, girl's burned so many bridges she's practically her own sovereign nation, the Principality of Slutsville let's call it. She's also proven herself unreliable in competition, you never know when you'll get a front row seat for the next Tonya freakout. Pray you're not in exile with Derrick – Don't let his sweet, dopey charm fool you, when backed against the wall no one's more vicious than Derrick. During the Gauntlet 2, Derrick faced elimination five times, fighting back like the proverbial pit bull, clawing and gnashing for survival, often against opponents twice his size. He came within one heartbreaking elimination from the final mission on his last Fresh Meat appearance so you know this time he wouldn't go down without a fight. Say you've never heard of Austin, Texas – Fresh Meat brings together diverse people from all across the country with very little in common, but there is one topic on which they all agree: they hate anyone from Austin, Texas. Brash and cocky the Austin players immediately alienated themselves from the rest of the group. Add to that the fact that each of the Austin players are also in relationships with each other (and we know how Fresh Meat contestants just love those) and It's true everything's bigger in Texas but say you're from Austin and pardner, you're in for big trouble. -Scott K.