BY DC CUEVA
Welcome back to DCBLOG as we add more to Episode 5 of Real World Go Big or Go Home ahead of tomorrow's episode. We saw Jenna finally get to the heart of the email leak where Chris came forward that he got his friends to write scathing comments to her in response to her religious comments. We saw Dione broke as a joke and go gambling with Dean's money in the Vegas casinos but must find a way to repay those losses. And there was something enlightening in the group become fighter pilots for a day, and enduring spiders too.
We'll be shelving the Things to Know episode recap and Winners of the Night for this week, but there's still plenty to discuss here. Ahead, perspective on Chris and the reaction that came about from social world after last week's episode. Then, we'll have observations from the relative old-school nature of this season, and how it compares to other times we've seen traits of the first & second generations of this iconic show. Plus on a lighter note, we'll join with the Season 31 cast as they enjoy their night at the Movie Awards. All that is coming up.
First, the serious business. And if you didn't get to see his tweets in the aftermath of the episode, Chris and his PR rep wrote a press release the day after the episode to respond to what happened last week. You can read the letter to the right of this caption, which provides his point of view on this subject - no need for us to reprint that entire letter on here.
To analyze this whole thing, over the years there have always been questions over the editing of Real World episodes, plus the two other shows of the Trifecta for that matter and even reunions and after shows as well, that can give favor to one castmate or put another in a bad mood; go through Cara Maria'a tweets from Bloodlines as a recent example. It isn't limited to this season, and if you check out the 'Pulse diaries of these RW 31 posts, the castmates have expressed concern too. While I am not here to judge in any which way, I do understand where the roommates come from, and they know that when they join this show, they know the big wigs can do whatever they can to manipulate them whatever they can, but it's when people like us get to meet them or talk to them socially, that's where the real people they are are best represented.
As far as last week's episode is concerned, understandably Chris and Jenna received a ton of hate from social world. In Chris' case, he received several tweets with derogatory language, and he was quick to express his views to his detractors in a timely manner. It included an email he received from a person who went on a rant directed to him which he also posted on his twitter as well. In this age where social trolls are just about everywhere, it was probably one of the worst things we've seen directed towards a castmate from the Trifecta, which you can read on his Twitter, but of course, if you do then it's at your own risk as it contains explicit & upsetting language.
The television site Zap 2 It got a chance to talk to Chris following last week's episode, where he discussed his intentions and all else you want to know from him. Check it out here.
CHRIS RESPONDS
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| Twitter: @MTV_Christopher |
To analyze this whole thing, over the years there have always been questions over the editing of Real World episodes, plus the two other shows of the Trifecta for that matter and even reunions and after shows as well, that can give favor to one castmate or put another in a bad mood; go through Cara Maria'a tweets from Bloodlines as a recent example. It isn't limited to this season, and if you check out the 'Pulse diaries of these RW 31 posts, the castmates have expressed concern too. While I am not here to judge in any which way, I do understand where the roommates come from, and they know that when they join this show, they know the big wigs can do whatever they can to manipulate them whatever they can, but it's when people like us get to meet them or talk to them socially, that's where the real people they are are best represented.
As far as last week's episode is concerned, understandably Chris and Jenna received a ton of hate from social world. In Chris' case, he received several tweets with derogatory language, and he was quick to express his views to his detractors in a timely manner. It included an email he received from a person who went on a rant directed to him which he also posted on his twitter as well. In this age where social trolls are just about everywhere, it was probably one of the worst things we've seen directed towards a castmate from the Trifecta, which you can read on his Twitter, but of course, if you do then it's at your own risk as it contains explicit & upsetting language.
The television site Zap 2 It got a chance to talk to Chris following last week's episode, where he discussed his intentions and all else you want to know from him. Check it out here.
DC FORUM
REAL TALK: OLD-SCHOOL REAL WORLD
What we saw this past week with religion talk on the episode and then on the Real Talk after show might be something that could bore people who are used to big time drama on the Trifecta, and that brought about this post. If you're old enough to remember, then The Real World you watch today was much different than the one that aired in its first generation of this show. But then again, this is one of the singular aspects of this show that give it separation from The Challenge and AYTO in this crown, and is the closest this trio can get to Teen Mom and True Life.
We discussed it in the ExtraTime post on Real World Vegas of how before the cast set foot in the Palms, the show was focused on real issues and things people can relate to. Just about every social issue that's come up in the past 25 years has been delved into on Real World, and the show has always been at its best when both those and young people come together on the reality TV genre's longest-running show. In a way, it's always been the case even as the show has branched out into the voyeuristic side of reality TV over time.
But the show's revamp has not only reinvigorated this TV icon but brought it back to its roots; it's something Chris has repeatedly tweeted about in reference to this season. Last year on Skeletons in Chicago, we saw not only a RW romance that brought about a baby, but also into deeper subject matter. We had Bruno facing his brother he had gotten into a petty fight, while Violetta and Sylvia had to face demons from their pasts, and Tony & Madison reliving people from past relationships. And Jason became a father and met his own dad for the first time as well.
This year, and even with the Road Rules-style missions twist, we've seen more of that old-school Real World reemerge in Vegas, and some twitter users has taken note of this return to days of old in talking to the cast. Chris & Jenna engaged in heated religion talk about how they shared that common trait of being raised as Mormons and the culture of this ultra-conservative religion, which we'll see more of this week when Chris returns to his roots in Salt Lake City. Of course, there was that leak that he perfectly hatched up last week of his friends making obscene comments to her over religious actions as a way for her to learn a lesson that became a major bombshell when he revealed that he was the one behind that ordeal.
Young people's views on religion have been featured on Real World over the years, and the story of Mormonism making its way to MTV's longest-running show was the same one we saw with Julie on the first RW New Orleans in 2000 when she came to the Bayou as a student from BYU eager for this experience. We saw her in a house romance with someone who also shared strong religious beliefs but also a good fashion sense in Matt, and also got into words with her parents when they visited town. But when her season began airing that summer, the powers that be known as the Church of Latter Day Saints, who saw that inter-gender living in a house is against their beliefs, clamped down on Julie and expelled her from that college.
Nine years later in Brooklyn, there was Salt Lake City resident Chet, also Mormon, very fashion conscious & ultra-conservative, but best known to us as the one in Team MTV who regularly trolls Hilary Clinton and the Democratic Party on Twitter. His season, which of course introduced us to Challenge stalwart & Rivals III participant Sarah, was a flashback to old-school Real World that was notable for a few other reasons. There was Iraq war veteran Ryan, who had just returned to life as a civilian in Gettysburg, PA and had developed a bromance with Mr. Bow Tie Guy, until a surprise call on Veteran's Day saw him get, on sheer luck of a lottery, recalled back into active duty and one more tour of duty overseas. Everyone on the cast had career aspirations they pursued in the City, from LGBT awareness to art (which Sarah does a great job of BTW) to entertainment, reminiscent of RW's past.
And before the most-notable story of those who've transformed from one gender to another became front page news last summer, there was Katelynn. She had come to Brooklyn almost a year after she had surgery turning former man into a woman, just as Olympian and Kardasian family patriarch Bruce Jenner became Caitlyn Jenner last year. It was the first time that the Real World had a castmate of the Transgendered section of the LGBT community who've been proudly represented on the show since Norman on that first season, also in the Big Apple. I remember watching her and JD bond on that ride back from a night on the town of how they shared common life struggles and of how they are proud to be who they are. Yes, she isn't the best Challenge competitor ever, but Katelynn's story is one of The Real World's most-notable, offering a direct precursor of what happened last summer when the new Caitlyn was revealed to the world for the very first time.
In this generation of recent seasons, we've also seen that old school trait pop up on the Hollywood season in all the cast pursuing something entertainment-related similar to the 1993 L.A. season, the D.C. cast in Mike advocating for LGBT rights similar to Chris this season, and Back to San Diego as well. It's always good to return to where you come from, and when real issues and young people come together on the longest-running show in reality TV, the words Real World are best rung true.
#DCExtraTime
A REAL WORLD NIGHT AT THE MOVIE AWARDS
Last week was the 2016 MTV Movie Awards as Kevin Hart and The Rock teamed up to host the 25th annual renewal at the Warner Bros. Studios Backlot in Hollywood. The Awards are, of course, the traditional prelude, and previously the kick-off, of the big summer blockbuster movie season and saw Star Wars: The Force Awakens walk off with three awards including Movie of the Year, Straight Outta Compton pick up the True Story popcorn, and Will Smith bestowed the MTV Generation Award. Charlize Theron, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ryan Reynolds, Chris Pratt, Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Poehler also picked up awards as well.
As you would suspect for this event, Team MTV was present on the red carpet, and then on the show itself. Three of the ladies from Teen Mom: Farrah, Kailyn and Jenelle, walked on the carpet along with their boyfriends, and in Kail's case with ex Jo (more on her in a moment). And the most-notable fashion moment for the family was Tyler Posey from Teen Wolf wearing the same pajamas that the rest of Team MTV got as their holiday gift a couple years back with the words "I Want My MTV" on the back of those one-sies.
But, of course, the ones you all come here to this site for were at the Movie Awards stage as well, and almost by cue after they requested on Twitter just a few weeks ago of them wanting to get some love from the big wigs. The entire Real World: Go Big or Go Home cast made rounds on the red carpet, with Chris coming in with a straight jacket and everyone else dressed up for their very first time on the red carpet. I'm sure this was the first time that they got to walk on the same red carpet that every great celebrity gets to walk on at these awards shows, and they sure felt like celebs in feeling like rock stars for the very first time as part of Team MTV. And they also rode in the same limo as Jenelle and the mom also photobombed Kailah's selfie shot from the carpet.The RW cast also talked to MTV.com's pool reporter on the carpet and spoke of their anticipation of seeing the likes of Kevin Hart and Ariana Grande, and showed their affection for one of last year's most influential movies in Straight Outta Compton. Chris says of the hip-hop flick, "I think the problem right there is, 'Here we have this incredible movie and it just did not get the credit it deserved, and it's proof that there needs to be more racial representation in film and video." Sabrina adds, "The movie stands for something and everyone needs to watch it. It stands for something in music, race issues across the nation. It's something that needs to be seen."
And for Will Smith receiving the Movie Awards' equivalent to a Lifetime Achievement Award or the VMA Video Vanguard Award, CeeJai says, "Thank you Will, because he has opened it up for everybody. And I am not even going to lie; He's done a great thing: first, you grab the ears and then their hearts. And that has stuck with me. And I'm not going to lie: I only go to the gym because you says nobody trains harder than you, and I am trying to prove myself wrong. I am in the gym because of you, Will. So, congratulations."
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| IG @Kailah_Casillas |
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| IG @ItSabrinaK |
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| IG @Jordan_Wiseley |
MISCARRIAGE MISFORTUNE
Lastly to serious matter, and something of interest to those MTV viewers who not only watch the Trifecta but other shows too. Last year, I began watching Teen Mom for the first time after the many times becoming an uncle gave me reason to watch and learn about that ultimate life challenge. I'm taking the current season of TM 2 off to focus on the blog and the Trifecta, but last week, there were two episodes and while there was joy in Chelsea getting engaged to boyfriend Cole, there was an unfortunate revelation by one of those who were also at the MA's as well.The aforementioned Kailyn revealed to a friend of her's and then what's likely to be her soon-to-be ex (and now serving overseas) Javi that she had suffered a miscarriage and losing her third child before she could get to say hello to them. For the joy that's taken place among the Trifecta family in so many becoming parents the past few years - another one we will discuss here next week, this misfortune brings to mind a story we told you during Are You The One? Season 2, and a total opposite in emotions. As I prepare to cover Rivals III, I got to re-watch for the first time since the episode aired a similar revelation that one of the new competitors this season, Briana, revealed during her original season when she, too, also saw the dream of becoming a mom vanish in a blink of an eye. It also happened to fellow RW veteran Tami Roman in the past year as well.
We'll revisit Briana's misfortune during our coverage and we introduce her in our season preview, but the feeling of having a miscarriage and losing the kid you waited as many as 9 months for is a painful feeling that needs no words. Prayers go out to Kailyn after this painful revelation.
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And that will do it for our RW Episode 5 posts on the 'Blog. We've got a big stretch of posts and coverage coming up here which we'll explain below, but in the meantime, check out the following...
● In case you missed it, last week on The Brain Candy Podcast, Sarah discusses her relationship and rivalry with Johnny Bananas with her co-host Susie Meister. Check out that podcast and other RW/Challenge goodies on The BCP site, and the ladies have announced that the necessary funding on KickStarter has been reached for their upcoming Rivals III coverage, for which as we told you above Sarah is paired with Johnny Bananas, and will of course be a must-watch come next month.
● On Friday at 1:30PM ET after tomorrow's episode, Sabrina is slated to join Reality Radio Podcast on Blog Talk Radio as they will discuss everything that's gone on in Vegas as they reach the halfway point. Reserve your spot for that chat here, and follow them @RealityRadioPod, @CSUGradAKirk, @JanelMCG & @SandersCSS. Also, check out Andrew's Big Time Reality TV blog with his weekly power rankings for Survivor 32.
● And earlier this week, Ashley Weitzel-Hill (@AshleyWeitzel) got to talk to Chris about what happened in episode 5 and all else so far on Real World and his life as well. Check it out here, plus other webcasts that she's done throughout the cycle on YouTube.
As you saw above, I didn't do a Things to Know wrap for this episode - saving it to either next week or the week after as I'm writing both preview material for Rivals III and retrospective of the first Rivals Challenge. Obviously, I want to have as much time as I can to work on those posts and that's why this post is semi-abbreviated. And if you haven't gotten a chance, check out my look back at Real World Las Vegas which you can check out here. By the way with her tweet "thanks for the trip down Memory Lane!! :)", thanks to Arissa from the original cast for those kind words.
With tomorrow's Real World episode, the countdown to Rivals III now into the two week mark, and the cast reveal for Are You The One? Season 4 a week from tomorrow, you will want to bookmark DCBLOG for all your MTV Trifecta coverage. Also follow DCNOW @DC408DxNow for live episode tweets, plus tonight's episodes of Survivor and Catfish, The Dude Perfect Show and the NBA Playoffs. And as always there's DC Instagram and @DC408Dxtr on Twitter too.
Thanks for reading and until we talk to you on DCNOW in a bit and back here on the weekend, have a good one.
Thanks for reading and until we talk to you on DCNOW in a bit and back here on the weekend, have a good one.
- I AM DC
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