The reason this show can't transcend where it exists, even as it's gone on for decades, is that it handicaps or outright defiles the reason I believe people tune in. There's the "reality TV drama" part of it all, which some seasons have leaned further into than others, but I don't think is the push or appeal. There's the legacy of these people that some of us have been watching since we were in middle school. But, ultimately, these personalities and history you wish to be treated fairly. Instead, they get handcuffed to what feels like inane circumstances of terrible partners, ill-conceived games, or just wasted potential when random shifts or wrenches are thrown in as bids to stay "interesting." I don't want a major player who's compelling, talented, and there to do well to get eliminated because their partner is bad at math or the exact wrong person to be doing one aspect of an elimination or challenge.

If whether or not they do well in competitions or are good at politicking registers as 10-20% of whether they can even really compete at the end, what are we watching? Is it for one highlight real moment every 3 episodes?