Photo: Kailey Schwerman/SHOWTIME
The season 2 premiere ofYellowjacketsfeatures some unexpected dead weight. And no, we’re not talking about frozen Jackie in the shed.
So whyThe Challengeand why that moment?
“There were no other options,” co-showrunner Bart Nickerson tells PEOPLE exclusively.
Co-showrunner Ashley Lyle explains, “I am a massive fan ofThe Challenge. Nothing, I mean nothing, can compare to the CT, Johnny Bananas showdown that was the Johnny Bananas backpack incident. We requested it specifically.”
“When we learned that we got the clip, our entire editorial department was waiting to see our reaction — and I don’t think we disappointed,” says Lyle. “We cheered, there was yelling.”
Adds Nickerson: “It was nearly as exciting, but not quite, as the actual backpack moment.”
Thankfully, all these years later, seven-time winner Johnny Bananas, 40, is able to laugh about the incident.
“Of all the moments over my long, illustrious reality television career, the Johnny Banackpack clip is the gift that keeps on giving,” he tells PEOPLE. “From prime time, to Showtime!”
Five-time champion Tamburello, 42, still looks back at the iconic moment with reverence. “That moment kickstarted my road to redemption,” he says.
“They must be watching @paramountplus,“Derrick Kosinski, who also appears in the clip,jokedon Twitter.
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New episodes ofYellowjacketsdrop Fridays on the Showtime app and air Sundays at 9 p.m. on Showtime. New episodes ofThe Challenge: World Championshipdrop Wednesdays on Paramount+.
source: people.com
