DC Fan's View: Are You The One? S2 Premiere & After Match 1

The views expressed in Fan's View are only those of its subject and do not necessarily 
reflect the viewpoints of DCBLOG or its blogger. This post also contains spoilers for 
international readers and some adult language, please read with discretion.

By DC Cueva, with Janette Diaz

> @DC408dxtr, @JannieL0ve

Welcome to a new week - Happy Columbus Day or Indigenous People's Day to many of you, and to AYTO Monday and our coverage of Are You The One? Season 2. After we saw the season 1 cast one more time to celebrate Amber & Ethan's new baby girl, last Monday we began the sequel in a big way with the revealing of an 11th girl twist to a great cast of 10 perfectly matched girls & guys. And what got everyone talking was one couple who did everything they can to avoid being put into the truth booth. Already, we're looking forward to tonight's 2nd episode and to get you set for it, we proudly bring you the 7th edition of DC Fan's View, my chats with fans on the MTV shows you love.

Once again, just as we did earlier this year, DCBLOG will again involve on here the people who drive the conversation of our favorite shows more than anyone else: the fans. On our DC SocialPulse diaries, in addition to showcasing the instant thoughts of MTV cast members, we'll also include tweets from fans and myself as we see the episodes and the show's big moments. And most importantly, we'll again cover the time when they and cast members get together to relive those moments again and discuss them in detail live in studio.

   If you're an MTV fan, then you know that there's reunions and after shows that take place during the season on select series where the cast gets together to discuss everything that went on during the season. And if the past is any indication, when the cast gets together for the first time since filming ended, there's almost sure to be lots of fireworks, similar to what we see on the episodes. Regardless of whether it's live or taped, there's some things that you didn't see or hear unless you're one of those lucky people who get to sit in that studio & have a front row seat to all the drama.

   Ever since we first did these posts with Real World Portland last year and then with The Challenge Rivals II, RW Ex-Plosion and Are You The One? S1, DC Fan's View has provided a unique fan's perspective on these reunions/after shows: being in the studio, seeing the drama firsthand, off-camera gossip and, of course, thoughts on the cast & moments. With providing this platform in giving them the mic, this adds a totally unique dimension in covering these shows from the point of view of the audience members, complementing the media & webcasts talking to the casts.

   For this sophomore season of AYTO, in addition to the reunion at season's end, MTV is banking on greater success for this show by adding weekly after shows to the mix. Two key differences between seasons 1 & 2 is that the AYTO after shows will air every week after every episode, and will be LIVE instead of being pre-taped & then edited to air weeks later, a total opposite from what's usually the case for The Real World & The Challenge; and of course, there's nothing that's left on the cutting room floor. And aside from the Catfish After Shows, the last time an MTV reunion show took place live was last fall's Rivals II Reunion, best known for Knight slapping Frank on-stage.

Today, as we kick off our latest cycle of Fan's View posts - which will now be more frequent than usual, I'm pleased to welcome back a previous guest of mine on here - in fact my last guest, Janette Diaz (@JannieL0ve). She was one of my two subjects from my last fan chat covering the AYTO Season 1 Reunion back in April where Ethan & Amber get engaged and notched a Top 10 listing in total page views. This time around, she won't have to worry about sitting in that chair for 9 hours like that season 1 reunion, as AYTO After Match Live will take place for just 30 minutes on-air and is a relatively straight-forward event with only a few cast members present.

   Along with covering the season's first after show, the eventful premiere episode and everything that went on last week, we'll also discuss the season 2 cast, provide some preseason predictions of what's gonna happen in Puerto Rico, and look back at the baby shower with the season 1 OG's from two weeks ago. Join me and Janette after the jump as we talk all things Are You The One?...again.

- Editors Note: As we begin, this is a two-part affair: the 1st half is a preseason evaluation of season 2 & its cast and our predictions from just before last week's premiere. And as Jannie told me, they were all answered before heading to the after show with all honesty before the first episode aired. The 2nd half from #10 on-wards will cover that episode & After Match, plus before that the S1 Baby Shower. Unlike last time, it didn't take 3 weeks for her to reply back.

> Preseason: Before Premiere

DC: Obviously, both of us enjoyed season one of Are You The One?. How much are you anticipating this second season that premieres tomorrow? I know I am.
- Janette: I would definitely have to say that I am highly anticipating the second season of Are You The One. The cast of the first season made the show so successful with all the drama, suspense, and variation of personalities that they all shared. They kicked off the show to such a good start, and kept all the viewers coming back for more! Last season was crazy to say the least, so I'm sure I can speak for myself and many of the fans when I say that we have high expectations and are so excited to see what will be in store this second time around!

DC: Now to first impressions of the cast, starting with the girls.

- Janette: I watched all the girls' interviews online, and I have to say, I can tell that this season is going to be interesting. My first impression was that some girls came off as sweet and vulnerable while others are straight forward with strong personalities. Usually, those two don't mix too well so it it is evident that there will be plenty of drama. 

DC: How about your first impressions of the guys?

- Janette: I also watched the interviews on the guys online, and I thought they were all hilarious. I got the impression that there is a couple of hopeless romantics this season. Many of the guys seem like they REALLY suck at love, and are hoping to find it within this experience. I see a difference in the levels of confidence between all the guys. Some come off as confident, and others as insecure due to their bad luck with love. Overall, the group has several kinds of personalities, and they will make a contribution to a hell of a show!

DC: From the castmates you're following & talking to on twitter, you've already got some preseason favorites...tell us more about them. Pretty cool to have 4 people from San Diego on this cast, isn't it?

- Janette: It's wonderful! Hey, maybe I'll even be on the show someday! Haha. Alexandria is from Oceanside, CA which is literally like 15 minutes away from me, so that's awesome! Briana is also from San Diego, and I spoke to her a bit. She's probably my favorite right now. Her personality is just like mine, (Bold, and wears the pants in the relationship)!  I love the way she thinks, so I'm excited to see all the madness she does on the show and whose heart she breaks, lol. Another favorite of mine is Tyler! She's such a sweet and dorky gal. I've spoken to her a couple times, and she's very modest. I am also excited to see what trouble she gets into and how she handles her love situation. 

DC: What's your thoughts on the 11th girl twist and how that will make the game more tougher than in season 1? For me, it's a new ballgame & a great/huge twist.

- Janette: When I saw that crazy twist in the preview, I was shocked! Adding an odd number to a LOVE equation is never a happy ending. This will make the game more stressful because everyone who is there, is looking for love. With an extra girl, there will be extra options, extra competition,  extra drama, and extra hearts broken. Season 1 had 10 girls, and 10 guys. So they knew that everyone's match was there, because everyone had one. But with an odd one out, that will make it harder on everyone as a group to figure out 10 couples before time runs out!

DC: What's your thoughts on all the footage we've seen in the trailer and promos? How about the extra online interviews/casting tapes?

- Janette: The ONE word I would use to describe the footage that I have seen is suspenseful. Like I said earlier, my expectations are so high due to the first Season, but with all the previews, promos, and trailers that I've seen I can already tell that this season is going to be intense! The extra footage online is great because we got to see a little side of some of the casts' personalities. It also shows some crazy scenes where there is blood involved, tears involved, and definitely gets everyone hyped up for all the chaos that awaits! 

DC: Now, predictions. First, which pairs do you think will be perfect matches? And who do you think will hook up first?

- Janette: Perfect Matches; Nathan and Shelby, Briana and Dario. Garland and Tyler. Aside from them, I don't have too many predictions about the rest of the cast, because I have not seen their full personalities and who they interact with. I think the first couples to hook up will be, Briana and Dario. Jessica and Garland. And Nathan and Shelby. 

DC: Where will you rank the season 2 cast's preseason chances of going 10 for 10: Easier (same as in season 1), Harder (huge expectations) or Difficult (because of the 11th girl twist)?

- Janette: MOST DEF Difficult because of the 11th girl. Having to match up TEN couples without knowing who's a match and who isn't is already a puzzle, so when you add one more girl, and make it an odd number, it becomes that much harder. If MTV did all sorts of tests on who's compatible, then eventually they will figure it out, but I believe it's going to take more time than the last season!

DC: Back in April, we talked about how tough an act season 2 has to follow. After watching the promos & talking to the cast, what's your expectations for it now? Will this live up to the hype & bar set by the originals?

- Janette: I really can't say where they will stand against the originals. After one season of a cast, you never know if the next cast members in the next seasons are trying to be like the first, have their own personalities, are in it for the partying and money, or if it's really about love. The first cast on the other hand, did not even KNOW that there was money involved till' later. But if people watch the first season, and see that they win money, then they know what to expect for the next seasons. Not only that, but the first cast MADE the show what it is, and even had a couple with quite the ending! (AMBER & ETHAN) So I guess we will just have to wait and see what happens... BUT, I do have to say, that as for the cast members I've talked to, and all the promos and all that I have seen, I think this season will be VERY successful and amazing! I am sure that they did their best to live up to it, or even out do it! Haha

> Season 1 - Baby Shower

DC: What's your thoughts on the Special Delivery baby shower? To me, it was awesome to see them all together once again.
- Janette: The Special Delivery baby shower was wonderful! It was so great to see everyone back together. When Shanley walked into the girls hotel room, I was expecting her to be like "Oh great", because of Paige and Kayla.. but it seems like everyone has grown to be civil after the show, and become a family. It was so sweet of Amber and Ethan to wait till' everyone was back together, in order to share the sex of the baby. It does make sense, because AYTO was the reason for their future together, so the Special Delivery was such a beautiful gathering.

DC: What was your favorite moment of the 2nd reunion: Amber/Ethan & the baby, Chris T./Shanley, Simone, Jacy/Scali, Adam/Ryan's failed bromance, or other?
- Janette: I would have to say my favorite part was when Chris T. and Shanley talked things out and HUGGED. It was crazy to watch them be so nervous to speak to eachother, and then watch the conversation unfold. You could tell that Shanley held so much hostility due to everything Chris. T had done, so to see them hug it out and be civil at the end, was probably the best closure to all the fans and viewers. I almost thought Shanley was not even going to try to talk to him, because in a sense he did not deserve it, but ofcourse, she's got balls and SHEEE DID. 

DC: As you watched their last reunion, other than going to that first reunion, what will be the thing you will most remember about the season 1 cast, the O.G.'s?
- Janette: I will definitely remember their modest and real attitudes towards the experience. I was lucky enough to be able to attend the Reunion after the show had ended, and all the cast members were so wonderful and interacted with the audience. They came and said jokes, spoke to us, hugged us, etc. They were so modest and I loved that about them. Another thing is, seeing that they all put their REAL feelings in the experience, is something I will always remember about them. Everyone who has watched AYTO, and wants to be on the show, knows what to expect. Not that their feelings won't be real, but they are in it for love AND money, so they'll be walking away with something for the most part. While on the other hand, the FIRST cast mates did not know a thing about money, so they were there with their hearts on their sleeve, 100%. THAT is something I will always remember about them.


> Season 2 - Episode 1 & After Match #1

DC: Now to season 2...What's your thoughts on this week's premiere? Favorite moments from it?
- Janette: The premiere of this show was awesome. There was hookups, laughs, tears, and drama already in that first epsidode, It's off to such a good start, and I am very excited to see what this cast has in store. Although, I did notice that Paris and Pratt were basically pulling the same thing that Chris T. and Shanley did.. FALLING for eachother after the first episode, and hooking up. If they are falling for eachother then that's natural, and no one can do anything about that, BUT; they should be more original and learn from Chris. T and Shan's relationship/mistakes. Aside from that, my favorite moment was when the 11th girl walked in. HAHA, it had me dying of laughter. Especially when you see Briana say, "She walked in with her blonde asss hair, couldn't you be ugly?? FUCK this bitch!!' LOL. The 11th girl is going to make this season so interesting and different from last.

DC: After watching this episode, who made the strongest first impressions on you?
- Janette: The strongest first impressions I got were Briana, because she is so bubbly and blunt, and DEFINITELY Jessica. Haha, Jessica makes me laugh. She's hilarious, has no filter, says what she wants, does what she wants, and I respect her 100% for that. Who CARES if she had sex with someone on the first night, it's a one time experience, do what you want, and that's what she did. Then on the airplane, how she held hands with someone who wasn't her date, HAHA. Man, she's crazy.. def had the biggest impression on me.

DC: The big storyline was Pratt/Paris and them faking a fight to get attention that got the house talking. Thoughts on it, and are they Chris T./Shanley 2.0?
- Janette: They are NOT Chris. T and Shanley 2.0. They are trying to be. At the end of the day, if they are not a match who cares! A match doesn't mean you have to be together. They need to be team players if they want to win, so they should just play by the rules and if they still want to be together when the time is over, then they can, with no one telling them anything. DO NOT TRY TO COPY THE FIRST SEASON, be original. Enough said.

DC: How about what happened just before the first truth booth with everyone going off on Pratt & Paris?
- Janette: Everyone had the right to feel that way about Pratt and Paris. If it wasn't for them, PERHAPS they could have gotten atleast one couple down, or found out if they weren't a match, and moved on. I would have been the exact same way, if I was in the other cast members situations. Paris did not want to find out if they weren't a match, AND she wanted to get to know more people. K, if you wanna get to know more people before being sent off with one person, then DO that. Don't stick to ONE person from the getgo; EXPLORE.

DC: What about your thoughts on the other couples that clicked, like Brandon/Christina, Briana/Curtis, Jessica/Layton, etc.
- Janette: Brandon and Christina are cute, and so are Briana and Curtis. I hope that things work out between them, but who really knows what will happen. Since it is so early in the season. Plus I doubt they would pull a Paris and Pratt. Jessica and Layton are also cute, but Layton is being smart by telling Jessica the way it is, so that way he can also see his options and not intentionally hurt her. 

DC: Only 2 matches in the first matchup. Thoughts on who picked who and are you surprised at that low number? I'm not surprised myself.
- Janette: I am not surprised on that low number. I'm surprised that they got 2 actually, since it is only the first episode. If they keep this rate up, then they will finish quickly. The couples that I think are a match are, Layton and Jenny, Nathan and Shelby, and Curtis and Briana

DC: What's your thoughts on this first After Match? What was your favorite part of it?
- Janette: The first AfterMatch was a blast! Being able to see a couple different people, from the first season, this season, Awkward, and the host from Girl Code was a great experience. Not to mention the drama that was discussed. I would have to say my favorite part was when the host Nicole asked Jessica, if she asked Anthony to take the bucket hat off, and Jessica said yes. Then Nicole said, "you asked him to take it off before sex, and asked him to put another kind of hat on". LOL. The Host made it that much more entertaining. And of course, it shocked me when they asked Scali who's hotter, Jessica or Jacy, and he said Jessica in a heartbeat. [hmm, who knows what is going on between him& Jacy at the moment]. I loved the show after all and I am looking forward to attending many more!

DC: How much did you enjoy After Match and the experience this time? How different was it between the longer, taped reunion and the shorter, live after show?
- Janette: Like I said, I truly enjoyed it. It was such a blast. Although, I have to say I enjoyed the LONGER Reunion that much more because we were there much longer and we were actually able to interact with all the cast members, unlike at this show. This show was filmed live, and they all just left afterwards. It only took about an hour. It was fun regardless, but I am definitely looking forward to the reunion and longer tapings. The audience did not have to do much this time other than applaud, but at the longer taping, we had to do all sorts of expressions, clap, yells and things for the camera! The longer taping was tiring, but waaaaaaaay more worth it! 


DC: What are you most looking forward to the rest of the season? For me, there's so many, I'm looking forward to everything.

- Janette: I am looking forward to more drama, finding out who becomes good friends and who ends up hating eachother and why. I am also looking forward to who falls for eachother but does not end up together. The matches, the no matches, the heartbreaks, and ALL that good stuff. BUT THE MOST EXCITING PART; Who the odd girl ends up being without love and without money...DUN DUN DUN...!

And that's all she wrote. Wanna send a BIG thanks to Janette for joining me once again to talk about the first After Show of season 2 of Are You The One?...definitely a much different experience this time around after the season 1 reunion. By going to back-to-back after shows and talking to me about it here both times, she becomes my 2nd repeat Fan's View subject after Eric during Real World Ex-Plosion; as always, great to hear unique insight from fans just like yourselves. And, if Janette goes to yet another After Show this season - which will then make her my first 3-time guest here, you'll likely hear from her once again. Jannie, it's been awesome to talk to you again, let's hope we do this again.

Every time I do a Fan's View post, I also make mention of our friend, Challenge & now-AYTO fan and podcast host Brian Cohen (@BusDriversRoute). Like Janette did for Are You The One?, Brian has been to both a pre-taped and live reunion show for the RW/Challenge franchise - three of them in all. Be sure to read about his trips to both the taped Real World Portland and live Challenge Rivals II reunions at www.busdriversroute.com, which can also give you a greater difference between doing a longer taped reunion and a live show. And also listen to his podcast wrap-ups of Are You The One? with fan Ali Lasher (@LashTweets) at www.robhasawebsite.com.

   The two reunion posts Brian wrote on his blog are the reason why I do these Fan's View posts, which in the case of RWPDX, in turn also helped to spark my interest in doing blogging and writing, and is partially the reason why, except for live tweeting, why I don't tweet as much now as in the past. And perhaps I may follow his lead and interview cast members on here; stay tuned of course.

Now, if you're a passionate fan of Are You The One? who lives down in SoCal and plans on going to the Live After Match after shows this season, then I'd like to have you with me on DCBLOG to talk AYTO on here. All you gotta do is to either tweet, follow or send me a direct message to my twitter @DC408dxtr, or just shoot me an email to dc408dxtr@icloud.com and we'll set up things (i.e. Asking for your email via DM). All I just need to do is to watch it again after the original airing, along with its related episode, to put together the right questions to ask, and then I'll email you an email questionnaire for you to fill out. You'll then have a week to answer as many questions in the form as you can, and you should preferably reply back to me within a week of when you receive it in your inbox. As always, the quicker you reply, the faster I'll be in posting it. And of course, I look forward to talking to you throughout the season on this guilty pleasure. After all, the stars of these Fan's View posts are you, the people who watch and support these shows just like me.

Be sure to bookmark and follow my social platforms for full coverage of Are You The One? S2 in Puerto Rico and all things MTV & beyond. Tonight, there's a DCNOW doubleheader in store at my live tweet hub @DC408DxNow, starting with the 49ers traveling to St. Louis to face the Rams on Monday Night Football at 8:30pm ET/5:30pm PT. Episode 2 of AYTO2 follows shortly thereafter at 10PM PT, with curated real-time tweets for west coast fans, followed by After Match Live featuring Team Eleven herself, Christina, as well as Shanley from season 1. And here on DCBLOG, there's my signature SocialPulse diaries with the full twitter play-by-play from cast & fans - the next one to be posted later this week after I take the time to edit it and allow some of our international fans to get to see it, plus a Look at the next new MTV show to take shape, Slednecks.

   Once again, thanks to Janette for joining me once again to talk Are You The One?. And until I join you on DCNOW for football and romance in a bit, thanks for reading and talk to you on twitter.

- I AM DC