Mark Long is often referred to as the “Godfather” of"The Challenge.
“He first appeared in “The Challenge” series in 1998.
During an exclusive interview with The List, Long shared his experience helping to create “All Stars.”
Do you feel like the competition has changed at all throughout the years?
I don’t necessarily think the competition has changed.
It’s definitely taken more seriously.
What was that like going and being more on the creative side of bringing the show to life?
I’ve always had an older brother, godfather hat on throughout the years.
I thought I’d be done competing at this point, but I just finished Season 3.
I’ve made it to all the finals in “All Stars.”
I’m undefeated in my elimination.
I feel like I’m just getting warmed up.
I feel like I could go another 10 years.
I knew from the temperature.
I’m a big social media guy, so I see what people are tweeting about or Instagramming about.
It’s all about timing, and I knew that timing was perfect for this.
It’s been talked about for years, but no one ever proactively got a bunch of people together.
Most of them [said] “Yes.”
I knew people wanted it.
We’re doing something right.
I’m hoping for many more seasons, and it’s so good.
No one’s ever said that.
They’re always like, “When are you doing more?
Give me more episodes.
Bring these people back.”
I love hearing that, especially when I keep my finger on the pulse of everything.
We haven’t gotten that yet.
We’re not taking people from “Ninja Warrior,” Yugoslavia, or whatever.
Now, some of us are [in our] late 30s, 40s.
or “Hey, so glad you brought ‘All Stars’ back.”
I deal with it all the time, and I love it.
It’s nice to feel rewarded for that.
It’s nice to see what’s going on with Paramount, even the CBS Challenge.
Now, they’re doing an Argentina version.
They’re going to do a universal championship.
You know what’s funny?
When I left ‘All Stars,’ it was such a breath of fresh air.”
They’re nasty [on the original “Challenge”].
We’re all a little older and a little bit more mature.
We don’t care about social media numbers.
We don’t care about how many Instagram followers this show is going to get us.
The music is phenomenal.
I love that as well.
What made you want to actually be in the competition yourself?
That’s a whole other conversation, by the way.
I’ve made it to both finals.
I’m undefeated in eliminations.
I sent Laterrian home twice, and the wonder boy, Jordan, I sent him home this year.
That was a huge feather in my cap.
The rematch is always open for Jordan.
I’ll send him home again, all in good fun.
I always say this.
Long’s experience on Worst Cooks
You mentioned being on “Worst Cooks.”
Elisa Donovan, from “Clueless,” was on my team.
I’m not a cook.
Up until that point, I didn’t even have a full set of pots and pans.
I was amazed that I stayed as long as I did on that show.
I can’t complain too much because the kid grew up cooking Italian, but it was really great.
Chef Jeff Mauro and Chef Anne Burrell were super phenomenal.
They were so fun to work with.
I thought I shot long days in “The Challenge.”
Would he ever do a Road Rules reunion?
We had an interview earlier this year with Kit Hoover.
Oh yeah, my girl.
She said she’d be up for a “Road Rules” reunion.
Would that be something you’d ever consider?
“Real World” was all about those seven people in that house.
That’s why widening it out to an “All Stars” cast might work even better.
I will pitch that, for sure.
I had this conversation with Tina, and I’m like, “This is getting pitched.
I’m doing that.”
She gave me that little secret, but at the end of that show I took her skydiving.
It’s natural, it’s organic, and it’s super fun.
His thoughts on The Challenge: USA
CBS just premiered “The Challenge: USA.
“Have you gotten the chance to see that, and what were your thoughts on it?
I always go for the original, but I will say this, the product looks great.
I love that it’s expanded.
I’m the opposite, because I get to meet a lot of [them] every year.
I love seeing new faces.
Do I wish there was more OGs and veterans of MTV on those shows?
Of course, but I’m a fan of the product.
I’m a huge fan of that guy.
He is so awesome, and I love that guy.
All three seasons of “The Challenge: All Stars” are now streaming on Paramount+.
This interview has been edited for clarity.
