It goes without saying, but we'll say it anyway: 2020 has been rough. That's likely why the producers behind MTV's The Challenge decided, "Hey! Let's not put our contestants entirely through the wringer." In an exclusive sneak peek at season 36 (!), The Challenge: Double Agents, all 30 rookie and veteran contestants appear legitimately surprised to learn that unlike last season, they don't have to stay in a terrifying nuclear bomb shelter that still haunts us (and probably them).
"The buildup in anticipation of this game is more so than anything I've ever seen in all of my history," says Wes Bergmann, who's returning for his 14th competition. Within seconds, as someone yells, "Pease no bunker! Please no bunker!," they roll up to a fort-like location that proves to be their new, pretty luxurious digs. Rookie and Shipwrecked alum Olivia "Liv" Jawando says, "That is not bunkering, that is bougie AF!"
Speeding into the house, they all freak out at how nice the space is. "It's very modern. This lighting is very flattering, quite a bit of like, club vibe as well," veteran Big T says after screaming, "It's bougie!" There are many, many rooms and places to lounge plus an outdoor garden, full gym, and a hot tub. Sweet!
"It's very, very open and you really can't hide. Everyone's gonna see your little game talks," veteran Nicole Zanatta says. Vet Aneesa Ferreira then chimes in, "I'm looking around at everyone here and I'm like, ‘How are we all connected? What is this game? What are we getting into?'"
Of course, because it's the The Challenge we're talking about, the clip ends with a cryptic and ominous preview of what we expect to be the very first game. Don't get too used to the good life, guys!
Scroll down to meet the season 36 cast of The Challenge.
Amber is a previous Big Brother contestant.
Amber appeared on Are You The One?.
Natalie is a Survivor winner and an Amazing Race alum.
Liv appeared on Shipwrecked.
Gabby has appeared on Love Island and Celebrity Big Brother U.K.
This rookie appeared on America's Got Talent.
Lio is a former WWE wrestler.
Lolo is a U.S. Olympian and Celebrity Big Brother alum.
Mechie is a musician who appeared on Ex on the Beach.
Nam appeared in Ultimate Beastmaster.
This is Big T's third Challenge appearance.
This is Devin's fifth appearance on The Challenge.
CT has appeared on The Challenge 17 times before.
Ashley has appeared on The Challenge seven times before.
This is Darrell's ninth Challenge appearance.
This is Cory's eight Challenge appearance.
This is Jay's second time on Challenge.
This is Aneesa's 14th Challenge appearance.
The Big Brother alum is returning for his second Challenge appearance.
This is Nelson's third time on The Challenge.
This is Kam's fifth Challenge.
This is Josh's fourth Challenge.
This is Kaycee's second time on The Challenge.
This is Leroy's 12th time on The Challenge.
Kyle has appeared on The Challenge five times before.
Nicole has appeared on Challenge twice before.
This is Nany's 10th Challenge.
Theresa will return for her seventh Challenge appearance.
This is Tori's fifth Challenge.
This is Wes' 14th Challenge appearance.
The Challenge: Double Agents premieres Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. ET on MTV.