DC ExtraTime: The Caucus Challenge - Deception

A Follow-Up to: The Caucus Challenge (Sept. 2017)

BY DC CUEVA                      

■ @DC408DXTR  @ IG/YT/SC/TB

We hope you, the MTV fans, are enjoying what has already been a big Premiere Week, with the returns of Catfish and Wild N' Out to come, and the countdown now on to Season 7 of Are You The One? - Season of Fate. Last night was the premiere of Season 32 of The Challenge: Final Reckoning in South Africa, and we'll look at last night's explosive opening act here in a few days, along with the debut of Season 2 of Floribama Shore. But to tide you over at midweek, something special...
   Of the nearly 700 posts DCBLOG has done covering MTV Reality since summer 2013, this site has covered every single episode and big moment of the fifth major pro sport and Jersey Shore's Southern cousins, along with Are You The One, Real World and Ex On The Beach, among others. We've also offered glimpses into the people and stories of this special community and the world through this prism, and unique angles into the most buzzed about programming on a channel as young as you are.

But perhaps, in the five years this site has covered this beat like no one does, no single post has had as quite a big impact on fans like you than the story we did last September when we discovered a unique gem in the YouTube atmosphere. There, we traced last year's New York launch tour by The Challenge XXX cast and one of those who met them, a fan of MTV Reality and summer staple Big Brother, Andres Rodriguez, to when he invited his friends in his hometown of Secaucus, New Jersey to do a web series inspired from what they religiously watched those series.
   The Caucus Challenge brought those who Andres knew from high school and their fellow friends from all over this New York suburb known to sports fans where NBA and MLB replay decisions go down there, to the backyard of his house for seasons that film for one day. Then, it is edited in just about the same MTV style to then be posted on his YouTube channel weekly, and it has become much bigger than just a local competition. And our post on this show last fall had a strong personal impact on him and those involved in the series, which is now one of our most-viewed posts on here.
   After Andres took a break from doing these shows for the tall task that is freshman year in college in Orlando, Florida, this past spring over his Spring Break he returned to doing what does best, and again he sent out an invitation to those who were ready to handle what he has in store next. And if the first several seasons provided a good prelude, then they had no idea of what they had in store for what would come in the always intense game of Deception.

Deception is the eighth overall season of The Caucus Challenge, and the sixth to actually be posted in its entirety on YouTube. The most recent season before that, Cutthroat Invasion, had numerous internal problems with players not making it for the first challenge, DQ's and personal reasons, and other than for several elimination battles - the season was left on the cutting room floor. And  after that season that gone wrong, Andres took a break for school and returned home for Season 9.
   The synopsis on the Caucus Challenge site describes: "this season is like no other. Twist after twist challengers compete for their share of the title of a “Champion” and a grand prize. This is the toughest season yet and to become a champion you will need to conquer and play dirty. Yes, it’s a dirty game and playing with your heart isn’t the easiest route. Will friendships and loyalties stand strong or will money and power create a divide?"

   The competitors who are cast for Deception are mostly rookies who are getting a chance to test themselves along with nine veterans with a few titlists in the field.

CAST 
● Abby (2nd season)
● Adam (3rd season)
● Alex (rookie)
● Carlos (rookie)
● Chuck (rookie)
● Cynthia (rookie)
● Damaris (3rd season)
● Destiny (rookie)
● Elvin (rookie)
​● Gillian (rookie)
● Hocine (2nd season)
● Isaac (rookie)
● Kendryck (3rd season)
● Kirsten (rookie)
● Mateo (rookie)
● Mayelin (3rd season)
● Molly (rookie)
● Natalie (2nd season)
● Oscar (3rd season)
● Sabina (2nd season)
● Sergio (rookie)
● Skylar (rookie)
● Steven (rookie)

As for what these twenty-three contestants will encounter along the journey that will take them to the crown that awaits, as it has been for the entire trilogy of this year in the MTV Challenge, it all begins with a purge known here as "The Cleanse" - and unlike what we saw on Dirty 30 last year, TEN players will be sent packing by the time this first challenge takes place. Then, the kinds of challenges and eliminations you're used to seeing on TV are then brought over, in a reduced & economical sense, to the Caucus Challenge: Hall Brawl, Pole Wrestling, puzzles and food - among other things, will take center stage as the process narrows down towards the final challenge that will determine a champion. And for the first time, there is a reunion special, hosted by Andres himself --- all of which is embedded below for your viewing enjoyment.

 EPISODE 1 

 EPISODE 2 

 EPISODE 3 

 EPISODE 4 

 EPISODE 5 

 THE REUNION 

Last year's story on the Caucus Challenge generated plenty of buzz when it was posted, immediately having an impact on those involved in it including its creator. When it was posted last fall, Andres direct-messaged me, "Hey thank you so much for the article! I really appreciate it, you have no idea!" And in December 2017, Andres posted a YouTube Vlog called "Following My Dreams," he made a mention about DCBLOG and how our post on his great creation actually reenergized him during a tough freshman year in college away from family and friends back home.
   He remembered in the video below, “I got this notification on Twitter, and it was an article about my YouTube being discovered and being shared with everybody. And when I read that whole entire article, it made me realize, ‘If I keep it up, it's gonna be bigger and better things from here and out.’ And that motivated me and uplifted my spirits. When I saw that, it was a boost of confidence.”

Often, it's reactions like these that have strong meaning to this blogger in not only recognizing that there is a loyal readership who checks out this site, but for when those who are featured are also impacted by the outstanding coverage and high-level content this site offers to fans each week -- all inspired by the love of the shows we love to watch. For there, this is one of my favorite of the reactions I've gotten in regards to this site, which speaks more to the respect and recognition I receive for covering this MTV beat, and finding fans who share this passion.
   And already, Andres has released a first look at the next season of The Caucus Challenge: the name for the landmark Season 10: "Prime Revival."

▪   ▪   ▪   ▪   ▪

As mentioned up top, last night marked the season premiere of The Challenge: Final Reckoning, which saw plenty of twists and plenty of fireworks in just the first episode alone. If you got to watch it, we're sure you're still in shock by last night's events, but if you haven't seen it just yet - we won't spoil it for you, but we guarantee you will be left with your jaws dropped by how it ends.
   And after we give those of you in the ladder the time to catch up, rejoin us this weekend when we'll have the 'Pulse of the premiere and a recap of that opening act, plus Monday's premiere of Floribama Shore. And we'll venture along with a snowboarder who found himself in some drama earlier this spring and who's spending his summers tackling the most dangerous summer activity of all.
   Be sure to join us for all of that then when go Inside MTV Reality. Enjoy the rest of your week, and we'll see you here this weekend.

- I AM DC
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