BY DC CUEVA
■ @DC408Dxtr @ TW / IG / YT
And yes, there was a much ballyhooed boxing match between the top pound-for-pound boxer on earth who later invited a Challenger and her boyfriend to his 40th birthday party and a fighter that, as proud Filipinos, can lay claim to being our own. The fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, of course, for the most part flat out fell on its back... though not only did it give boxing the attention it deserved in a UFC-dominated fight sports landscape, it also gave my family reason to remodel the interior of our house in four days in time to host a house-warming that also doubled as our fight viewing party. But when multiple things happen on the same day, it's one of those days that you never forget.
The weekend of June 1st-3rd, 2018 came the MTV Reality equivalent of "Super Sports Saturday" - something that saw several things happen to those who involved in this special family known as Team MTV. This time, the attention wasn't on just two events as it was on May 2nd, but on several events over those three days that somehow weaved together to create a memorable weekend for those who are part of this exclusive club of being a member of this family, but one which reaffirms how unique and special being on this team is.
There was also the lingering buzz of Angelina Pivarnick's jaw-dropping surprise visit to the Family Vacation of a Jersey Shore cast who once bullied her. Plus, there was the controversy surrounding a member of the Ex On The Beach cast and one who shared a house with her a year ago, where racial tweets from years earlier were uncovered by one of their vendettas on an online after show - and led one of them to deactivate their Twitter. But the focus of this portrait is on those who have a lot on their resume: over 20 Challenge titles, several babies, and lots of memories and laughs.
For a franchise that's revered to 25 years' worth of fans, a group of newcomers to of this community who know how to party hard, and a perfect match who added to their status as the ultimate example of Relationship Goals, these 72 hours served as the perfect storm. And this is the story of An Epic MTV Super Weekend.
For a franchise that's revered to 25 years' worth of fans, a group of newcomers to of this community who know how to party hard, and a perfect match who added to their status as the ultimate example of Relationship Goals, these 72 hours served as the perfect storm. And this is the story of An Epic MTV Super Weekend.
A NEW YORK CHALLENGE TAKEOVER
On Saturday - four days before the revealing of Final Reckoning during last week's of Champs vs. Stars, a number of The Challenge's biggest names from the past and present again on the Big Apple for two events to coincide with the birthday of the late Diem Brown, who would've turned 38 last Tuesday. Challenge legend Derrick Kosinski and friend Scott Yager brought their fan favorite Challenge Mania podcast to a live audience for the first time with fellow veterans and champions Mark Long, Emily Schromm and Darrell Taylor.
But the real treat came when a large crowd jammed Lower East Side nightclub The Delancey/"The DL" for the latest installment of The Challenge Throwdown, a series of events held across the country to benefit the charities Diem was passionate about to support cancer research. The stars of the show are the cast members who get the chance to meet the fans who interact with them on social media, watch them on TV and now having the rare opportunity to meet them in person. Imagine the same people you obsess about standing in front of you as if they're those friends you'd wish you have who get to travel around the world, compete in gnarly challenges and engage us in crazy drama both on screen and off of it too.
Besides Derrick, Mark, Emily and Darrell, those who took time out to meet the fans included the two bona fide stars of this franchise, Johnny Bananas and Cara Maria Sorbello - who went up to NYC after spending Friday night down in Atlantic City. Also with them were fellow Final Reckoning competitors Brad Fiorenza, Britni Thornton, Tori Deal and Jemmye Carroll, fellow Dirty 30 players Jordan Wiseley, Hunter Barfield and Tony Raines (with girlfriend Alyssa in tow), Ex on the Beach's Cory Wharton, and Challenge veterans Ashley Kelsey and Syrus Yarborough. Despite the crowded space of the rooftop garden that hosted this meet & greet, all the castmates got to party up and take pictures with every fan who asked them to share a moment with the world on social media. Included here are a photo from a friend of this site Kaitlyn Macisco (who was featured in two Forum posts on Real World and Challenge reunions), as well as a video of another, Matt Marcello, who met them inside the club.
And for another one who wasn't on a show in the Trifecta (but who even sent an audition tape one time), in a ways he was the MTV family member with the most interest. It was in the week prior to the NYC Throwdown that Javi Marroquin, known as an ex-husband of Teen Mom 2's Kailyn Lawry and who had recently dated TM2 co-star Briana Dejesus, revealed to the world in an Instagram post that he and new girlfriend Lauren Comeau would be expecting a new child later this year, with his first son Lincoln holding the sonogram. With him being a new dad once again, this was the first time he went to a public event since the news became public... but as it turned out, it would not be the first time that MTV's most high-profile show would dominate this event - more on that to come soon.
But the real treat came when a large crowd jammed Lower East Side nightclub The Delancey/"The DL" for the latest installment of The Challenge Throwdown, a series of events held across the country to benefit the charities Diem was passionate about to support cancer research. The stars of the show are the cast members who get the chance to meet the fans who interact with them on social media, watch them on TV and now having the rare opportunity to meet them in person. Imagine the same people you obsess about standing in front of you as if they're those friends you'd wish you have who get to travel around the world, compete in gnarly challenges and engage us in crazy drama both on screen and off of it too.
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| Instagram @KMacisco |
And for another one who wasn't on a show in the Trifecta (but who even sent an audition tape one time), in a ways he was the MTV family member with the most interest. It was in the week prior to the NYC Throwdown that Javi Marroquin, known as an ex-husband of Teen Mom 2's Kailyn Lawry and who had recently dated TM2 co-star Briana Dejesus, revealed to the world in an Instagram post that he and new girlfriend Lauren Comeau would be expecting a new child later this year, with his first son Lincoln holding the sonogram. With him being a new dad once again, this was the first time he went to a public event since the news became public... but as it turned out, it would not be the first time that MTV's most high-profile show would dominate this event - more on that to come soon.
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GINGER GETS HITCHED
For the man who has been Johnny's adversary for more than a decade, Wes Bergmann entered the newest phase of his life – one for which that, historically, his days of competing on a Challenge might now be behind him, and perhaps he may ride off into the sunset a champ. While Rivals III was airing in summer 2016, Wes got down on one knee in the parking lot of Kaufmann Stadium at a Kansas City Royals game in front of his girlfriend Amanda Hornick and popped the magic question, and she got to say yes to him asking if she would be his wife. And on Friday, June 1st, they etched that in stone with wedding rings and with friends and family to watch them become man and wife.
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| Instagram @WestonBergmann |
There to experience this special moment in America's heartland were four of those Wes had the opportunity to share quarters in that Real World Austin warehouse thirteen years ago, and who would then join him on later seasons of The Challenge. Melinda Stolp-Collins – herself well known for a Real World romance, Gauntlet III champ Rachel Moyal, a teammate of his on Battle of the Seasons II Lacey Buehler-Hanmer, and his closest MTV friend, Nehemiah Clark, all were there to see him say "I do." Also there was the man Wes faced off against in elimination on Champs vs. Stars and a protege of his in the art of manipulating Challengers, Devin Walker. Only Wes' ex Johanna Botta and one who backstabbed him on a previous Challenge, Melinda's ex Danny Jamieson, were not present for Wes' big moment.
For those who remember the most famous wedding to air on Real World, fans remember Mike Ross and Naomi Defensor on Back to Las Vegas head to the same wedding chapel that hosted Britney Spears' ill-fated bliss with Kevin Federline, and did a mock wedding that featured the most hilarious wedding vows ever seen on TV. Wes channeled what the Rivals I bronze medalist did in coming up with his promises to be fateful to the one he will spend with the rest of his life with, as he told MTV News: "My favorite part of the wedding was the vows. They were the most beautiful combination of seriousness and hilarity."
Nehemiah posted on Instagram @Nehemiah_TV, "One of the happiest weekends of my life. Not only did I get to marry my best friend, I got to be in the company of some of my favorite people. So much gratitude!!! @westonbergmann thank you for having me part of this special day. @nomastayinkc is truly your soulmate and I’m excited for the years to come!" Mel tweeted @MelindaStolpMTV, "Damn… what a great weekend! It was amazing attending @WestonBergmann wedding! I loved catching up with @NehemiahMTV @imalacey & Rachel! It felt soo good to reconnect :) #misssedyall."
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THE CHALLENGE MEETS DOUBLE DARE
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| (Getty Images) |
MTV's younger sibling Nickelodeon is arguably the Viacom portfolio's most successful channel due to its longtime ratings leadership among the kid crowd - and it being home to iconic shows over the years: Drake Bell is, of course, a Nick alum. So many people across the generations grew up with everyone's favorite channel with an orange logo, and it came as both no surprise and an absolute joy to everybody when Double Dare became the latest show to announce its return to television a few months ago. The series became a cult favorite in mixing trivia, physical challenges of a different sort and good old family fun in the slime during its run in the channel's earliest years of the '80s and '90s.
The show's longtime host Marc Summers - who will join digital creator & actress Liza Koshy for Double Dare's newest incarnation starting next week - greeted CT, Jenna, Kam and Leroy as Team Challenge faced off against Team Comedy Central, led by comedian Haha Davis. Below is them facing off on day 3 of Comedy Central's ClusterFest which took place in San Francisco on Sunday.
The show's longtime host Marc Summers - who will join digital creator & actress Liza Koshy for Double Dare's newest incarnation starting next week - greeted CT, Jenna, Kam and Leroy as Team Challenge faced off against Team Comedy Central, led by comedian Haha Davis. Below is them facing off on day 3 of Comedy Central's ClusterFest which took place in San Francisco on Sunday.
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A NEW BABY DIAMOND
And down the ways from the cities and the Midwest, the Southwest is home to two of those who know what it's like to meet on a romantic reality series and be one of the handful who not only have made it work in the long run, but also have a family to show for it. |
| IG @AmberLeeDiamond |
Scarlett Avery Diamond became an early Christmas present to Amber & Ethan when she was born on December 21, 2014... and it was in that holiday theme that last Christmas after Scarlett turned 3 years old that this family of three would reveal in an Instagram post the best holiday gift Santa had ever delivered to them. Their captions read, "You guessed it!! Santa left us something a little EXTRA special this year! Excited to welcome BABY DIAMOND no.2 June 2018! (It’s about time, huh?) #babydiamond2" ... "Here we have the last official family Christmas photo as 3 Karats... This time next year, we will be 4! We would like everyone to help welcome our next addition to the Diamond family, coming June 2018!!! 👨👩👧👦🤰🏻💎😁"
Amber's water broke on June 2nd and hours later, this family ceased being a trio and became a foursome when Serena Mai Diamond was brought into the world in a delivery room that resembled more like a hotel suite than a hospital room. The husband captioned in his social media stories seconds after birth, "Am I dreaming? Or is life really this perfect? Mama only pushed 3 times. Serena latched immediately sleeping/feeding like a champ. Daddy magically soothes cries. Scarlett will meet her soon."
Ethan shortly announced on Instagram @Ethan.G.Diamond, "I'm happy to announce that June 2nd now belongs to the newest member of the Diamond family, miss Serena Mei. This 7 lbs 5 ounces bundle of joy couldn’t wait one more week until her due date. I’m starting to think these two in my arms just couldn’t wait to meet each other. Love my growing family and my beautiful strong wife who is responsible for this beautiful day." And Scarlett no doubt enjoyed those first moments with her new sister, and even playfully played a nurse to her mom.
Amber's water broke on June 2nd and hours later, this family ceased being a trio and became a foursome when Serena Mai Diamond was brought into the world in a delivery room that resembled more like a hotel suite than a hospital room. The husband captioned in his social media stories seconds after birth, "Am I dreaming? Or is life really this perfect? Mama only pushed 3 times. Serena latched immediately sleeping/feeding like a champ. Daddy magically soothes cries. Scarlett will meet her soon."
Ethan shortly announced on Instagram @Ethan.G.Diamond, "I'm happy to announce that June 2nd now belongs to the newest member of the Diamond family, miss Serena Mei. This 7 lbs 5 ounces bundle of joy couldn’t wait one more week until her due date. I’m starting to think these two in my arms just couldn’t wait to meet each other. Love my growing family and my beautiful strong wife who is responsible for this beautiful day." And Scarlett no doubt enjoyed those first moments with her new sister, and even playfully played a nurse to her mom.
Next up to feel this life-changing moment of going from the Boom Boom Room to the Delivery Room are another fan-favorite couple who aren't exactly a perfect match but are a match in any other way: Gianna Hammer & Hayden Weaver from Season 5 welcome their first baby - a boy - in August.
Last year, Floribama Shore signaled the return of the Shore franchise to American airwaves, which after Jersey Shore took a long hiatus saw Challenge Vendettas & Final Reckoning competitor Kyle Christie be recruited off the streets of Newcastle to be part of the long line of castmates to grace the British equivalent, Geordie Shore. MTV's move to ditch its failed attempt at scripted shows and returning to its reality roots has paid off in seeing a string of increased viewership in the midst of uncertainty corporately and changing viewer habits. That also included delving back into the past in meeting everyone's want of the Jersey originals returning in connection with the newbies' arrival.
The mission Shore showrunner SallyAnn Salsano had was to mold what viewers loved about Jersey Shore in big time drama, bold characters, the sun, the beach and the fun, with another show she made in CMT's Party Down South in having a slice of the American South, and MTV's desires to capture Millennials not only having the time of their lives but also experiencing a coming of age. And Floribama brought Aimee Hall, Candace Rice, Codi Butts, Gus Smyrnios, Jeremiah Buoni, Kirk Medas, Kortni Gilson and Nilsa Prowant to Spring Break hotbed Panama City Beach, Florida for this Shore reintroduction to the YouTube generation.
The result was a stellar rookie season that saw the group find themselves in two bar brawls, drunk-dialing for pizza in the middle of the night, roam the beaches of this paradise, one girl making out with a roommate's brother, and even parents deciding to party exactly the same way that their kids do. Unlike its Jersey counterpart, Floribama's cast included the Shore franchise's first two black cast members, and also dealt with relatable millennial themes too. And when it premieres the same week as Final Reckoning the first full week of July, they'll be returning to PCB for an unforgettable summer as they and the Gator phone take the baton from Snooki, The Situation and company.
While The Challenge family were partying in Lower Manhattan, the Floribama crew were in town to not only get down with them, but also officially kick off the countdown to Season 2 with a week-long press tour that saw them talk to MTV's own Sway on his Sirius radio show and other media outlets. And they also found time to have some fun, like Kortni piercing Gus' ear, Codi deciding to take the "walk of shame" in a hotel hallway with just his boxers on just as he did on Season 1, and below - the girls dancing in the streets and attracting the attention of those in the Big Apple.
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A SLICE OF FLORIBAMA IN NYC
Something that Ex On The Beach, Are You The One?, Catfish and Siesta Key (Generation Y's Laguna Beach) all have one thing in common: they were slotted into a visible spot of following a high-rating MTV show. The former has been following up Jersey Shore Family Vacation this spring, while the ladder three debuted their first seasons following the ongoing baby mama drama of the Teen Mom franchise - which now reportedly sees AYTO & Challenge Cheyenne Floyd (plus baby Ryder and Cory) join the OG girls. So is another show that gained the most-coveted spot for any new MTV show to take it by storm, which brings us back to NYC and the newbies of the MTV Reality family.
The mission Shore showrunner SallyAnn Salsano had was to mold what viewers loved about Jersey Shore in big time drama, bold characters, the sun, the beach and the fun, with another show she made in CMT's Party Down South in having a slice of the American South, and MTV's desires to capture Millennials not only having the time of their lives but also experiencing a coming of age. And Floribama brought Aimee Hall, Candace Rice, Codi Butts, Gus Smyrnios, Jeremiah Buoni, Kirk Medas, Kortni Gilson and Nilsa Prowant to Spring Break hotbed Panama City Beach, Florida for this Shore reintroduction to the YouTube generation.
The result was a stellar rookie season that saw the group find themselves in two bar brawls, drunk-dialing for pizza in the middle of the night, roam the beaches of this paradise, one girl making out with a roommate's brother, and even parents deciding to party exactly the same way that their kids do. Unlike its Jersey counterpart, Floribama's cast included the Shore franchise's first two black cast members, and also dealt with relatable millennial themes too. And when it premieres the same week as Final Reckoning the first full week of July, they'll be returning to PCB for an unforgettable summer as they and the Gator phone take the baton from Snooki, The Situation and company.
While The Challenge family were partying in Lower Manhattan, the Floribama crew were in town to not only get down with them, but also officially kick off the countdown to Season 2 with a week-long press tour that saw them talk to MTV's own Sway on his Sirius radio show and other media outlets. And they also found time to have some fun, like Kortni piercing Gus' ear, Codi deciding to take the "walk of shame" in a hotel hallway with just his boxers on just as he did on Season 1, and below - the girls dancing in the streets and attracting the attention of those in the Big Apple.
Thotin’ & plottin’ #MTVFloribamaShore https://t.co/xcwBby2mUb— MTV Floribama Shore (@FloribamaShore) June 7, 2018
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REMEMBERING A SUPERHERO
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| IG @AnthonyMartin |
In April, Anthony Martin from Are You The One? Season 6 had a chance to meet an extraordinary six-year-old named "Superhero" Julian Rogue, who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called DIPG - short for "Diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas." There, Anthony gave the superhero the first trophy he received in playing soccer - one of many gifts the youngster the first trophy he received in playing the world's game, just months before the World Cup.
Unfortunately, since our story on their meeting in mid-April, Julian's health worsened as his brain tumor returned. And at 9:00PM Pacific, Midnight Eastern Saturday evening, he took his last breath while his parents, brother and sister held his hands. A Instagram post announced @SuperheroJulian, "Fly high my superhero ,Julian he gained is wings at 9:00 pm in his mothers and father brother and sister arms after 4 1/2 years fighting DIPG #Superherojulian"
And just on Monday, June 18 (as this story is posted), his funeral was held and was given a proper sendoff by superheros. The GoFundMe page that his parents made for their son was then transitioned to another page, the Superhero Julian Memorial Fund, which since it was launched after his passing has raised nearly $10,000... that site is accessible at this link. And the closing weeks of this spring MTV cycle is dedicated in Superhero Julian's memory.
The finest The Challenge has to offer celebrating the start of a new season, others living out their fantasy of being kids again, and one of its most famous players saying "I Do." A true definition of Relationship Goals to MTV viewers experiencing the joy of becoming parents again, and the new members of this family getting to have fun before their biggest summer yet begins.
The first weekend of June is memorable for the fact that six of these stories spans each of the three shows we have covered on this site in the past five years, along with two franchises that trumps them in terms of ratings and press recognition - but now with these worlds now starting to be accepted thanks to certain events, again offers proof that there is no reality like MTV Reality.
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Posts such as this is what makes DCBLOG one of a kind among all sites that cover the always compelling world of MTV Reality. In addition to traditional coverage with episodes recaps and opinions, DCBLOG focuses on offering an Insider's look at The Challenge/Real World franchise, Are You The One?, Ex On The Beach and other series that have its distinctive reality formula, which features posts on the people and stories of these shows, and social media reaction to every episode.
Bookmark this site for all things MTV Reality with DCBLOG's high quality coverage, and help us by sharing our links on your favorite social media avenues so more of your fellow fans can check out our unique look at the MTV world, and introduce them to our acclaimed content that we know they and you will enjoy. And join the conversation by tweeting to @DC408Dxtr and include the hashtags #DCBLOG and/or #SeeForYourself in your posts.
See you here this weekend for our posts covering tonight's finale of The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars, the continuation of Spit-Gate on Ex On The Beach, and Part 1 of the 2017-18 Reality Debrief.
- I AM DC
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