*** Advisory: #DCSocialPulse contains adult language, objectionable content & spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. Due to its length, take frequent eye breaks if you're viewing this top to bottom... you do need those, after all. ***
For a spy thriller-themed season as this is in Iceland, last week saw it take on the boldest of any death-defying feats: going for a skydive to eventually solve a puzzle... and Leroy & Kaycee took out the win to put himself into position to possibly head into retirement as a champion. But the big figures of the week were the team that reunited after a big blowup: CT got into words with Fessy at an 80's dance party to prove who the real boss is, and Big T won her first elimination to earn the last remaining skull at stake.
As we're getting this close to the final, this week the men will be up for the cut where, by night's end, nine players will be left... and the week's daily challenge pays homage to a show that appears on the Pluto TV lineup, and perhaps we may identify who should be the morning line favorite for finals week. And with five teams remaining, an inevitability of any late season will come to pass of an alliance being forced to turn on one of their own, while two players will also find themselves in a late season partnership of their own trying to control the vote, which may be harder as it seems.
In a moment, all the action, reaction and interaction of Week 16 of this Challenge... and then, we'll venture inside the Strategy Room to see where we all stand with just week or so until we arrive at the start line of the final. And in the spirit of this holiday weekend, stick around afterwards where ExtraTime will offer some lessons on how to make the ideal Easter egg just a day before your backyard Easter Egg roll... you will not want to miss this. And welcome to the weekend kiddos...
► BEFORE CHALLENGE WEDNESDAY
@ChallengeMTV: It's defense vs. offense for agents during their next challenge and winning = power for those avoiding a trip to the crater, but which pair will successfully roll their way to the finish line? #TheChallenge36 is all-new tomorrow, at 8/7c on @mtv
@MTVASHLEYBROOKE: How many more episodes for this season yall think?? Probably 3?
- @TheMarkLong: @MTVASHLEYBROOKE 87!?
- @MTVASHLEYBROOKE: @TheMarkLong Lol my two lucky numbers you picked? Coincidence I think not
@WestonBergmann: This Week In Challenge News... As a taken man, Bananas can’t have any “sleepovers”; so he hatched a plan where he has sleepovers on tv. Kyle’s baby is statistically going to have red hair. Wes spent an unaccounted for day in London after 36. A paternity test has been issued.
@SHOTOFYAGER: NEW PODCAST UP! BIG T (@theogbig_t) returns to #ChallengeMania to discuss earning her Gold Skull on #TheChallenge36 , the ups & downs of her partnership with CT, the Itty Bitty Committee & MUCH MORE! Listen everywhere you get your Podcasts & at http://ChallengeManiaPodcast.com
@sjmedd: The Challenge: Double Agents is still on, we got the Real World Homecoming: New York ongoing, and the Challenge: All-Stars airing this Thursday! :D
@angelababicz: Did I really retire from reality tv before taking one of the girlies out in hall brawl
@TheAllanAguirre: I just published The Challenge Double Agents : Should Players Volunteer For The Final Elimination? #TheChallenge36 https://t.co/O1zWpWhcdh?amp=1
- @TheAllanAguirre: Players tried to get their skulls all season, but with one elimination left, going into elimination to get the partner you want for the final might matter most. Example: if CT eliminates Kyle, he could take Kaycee from Leroy for the final. Would Leroy be better off going in?
@emilylongeretta: This week’s episode of #TheChallenge36 features a song & montage I could not love more
@RealWorldMTV: If this friendship isn't real, I don't know what is anymore Catch up on The #RealWorld Homecoming: New York now on @paramountplus!
@v_cakes: Anyone else really LOVING The Real World: Homecoming? This show is giving me all the feels! I love it & I love the cast so much!
@kmacisco: Anyone else tear up watching the real world New York homecoming, or just me?
@ISuttner: I thought 10 years went by fast! But 28 years!!!! @paramountplus @GamerVev @shutthedoor14 @BunimMurray @WeWantOGs @jonbrennan_com @MTVBeth @thehappyhourwHB @NormanKorpi @JulieOGentry @RealWorldMTV #LA #TheRealWorld #TheRealWorldHomecoming
@NormanKorpi: Here I am, folks! Making pasties at the #bakery! Don’t they look good?! Know what else is #cooking? A new episode of @RealWorldMTV on @paramountplus tomorrow! More tears, more laughter and more crazy #realitytv! #Tunein. Thanks for your love and support. Love, The Norm
@mikethemiz: It’s almost here! The World Premiere of our highly anticipated hit single “Hey Hey Hop Hop” debuts TONIGHT on @wwe #Raw. @usa_network https://instagram.com/p/CNBPCuKpL3z/?igshid=161d0mb5cju5b
@itskcheyenne: Happy @TeenMom Tuesday! Who’s going to be watching a brand new #TeenMomOG with us tonight?
@CelebSleepover: .@johnnybananas woke up like this.#CelebritySleepover premieres SATURDAY after SNL on NBC!
@WestonBergmann: Thank you all for the love and support this past month. It means the world to me!
@SwaggyCTV: One. Year. Later. Happiness. Say hi to Velvet’s biological sister, Gianna Amethyst Velvet has gotten so BIG! Can’t wait to see how big Gigi is next year. I love my Cavapoos.
@brittany_baldi: Just pulled into the @WEEI parking lot! Wish me good luck & send good vibes. Haha I am rockin’ a throwback Tom Brady tshirt for goodluck. Overall hoping its a fun time as guest host! — @TheGregHillShow this morning tune in
@usweekly: #CelebritySleepover host @JohnnyBananas looks back at how #TheChallenge used to be, says while he wants to be on it forever, "at some point, you’ve gotta leave the nest." https://t.co/aUPcLnLOBF?amp=1
- @johnnybananas: @usweekly Some birds feathers are too colorful to be kept in cages @CelebSleepover
@turabicamkiran: The Challenge İngiltere Netflix’de. Umarım Türkiye Netflix’e de gelir. @netflixturkiye @NetflixUK @netflix
@ChallengeMTV: One thing CT is going to do for Big T. is make sure she stays on her A game at all times, but will these training efforts take them to the top? #TheChallenge36 continues TONIGHT, at 8/7c on @MTV
@tjlavin: Thank you guys for watching the show!!! Dont miss tonight it’s pretty damn sick.. and thank you @challengemtv @bunimmurray and all the cast amd crew that continue to kill it... https://instagram.com/p/CNGJmZQhXO2/?igshid=do9iflrndip3
@amberborzotra: It’s challenge day!!! Tune in tonight at 8 PM on @MTV #TheChallenge36
@fessyfitness: My face when i hear someone say they can see me in a physical elimination
@ChallengeMTV: We're keeping the suspense rolling with an all-new episode of #TheChallenge36 in just 30 MINS only on @mtv
► AS THEY SAW IT: "Most Wanted Man"
@ChallengeMTV: New episode of #TheChallenge36 begins NOW on @MTV I challenge you to reply to this tweet with your best gif if you're watching (GIF of CT)
@ChallengeMTV: "This is my warm-up?" #TheChallenge36
@ChallengeMTV: Leroy and Kaycee's game plan to go hard or go home was very predictable #TheChallenge36 (GIF of them: "They're playing twice.")
@fessyfitness: That’s how you fucking kill a challenge Nani Clapping hands sign we were movinggggg
@fessyfitness: "@realitea11: @fessyfitness you still dk how to spell her name?" RT i can’t win NANY** But if you saw my eyes raise when TJ said there was 3 teams within 1 i was surprised just because of how fast me and nany were moving i thought we for sure had it. I think we worked fantastic together and executed a game plan but what do i know
@ChallengeMTV: Leroy and Kaycee started off a little ruff #TheChallenge36 (GIF of them falling inside sphere)
@JOSHMBB19: Leroy & Kaycee have killed this szn w. The most wins! Love to see that shit
- @fessyfitness: @JOSHMBB19 NO CAP. Kaycee the goat on the womens side
@ChallengeMTV: Kaycee and Leroy at it again #TheChallenge36 (GIF of them hugging after winning)
@PubeyHowser: Amber B learning that doing favors always gets you fucked in the end. Gotta look out for number one at all times in this game. #TheChallenge36
@bayy_casillass: The final 5 women are poc. Love to see the diversity #TheChallenge36
@ShoBusyLivin: @amberborzotra queen standing her ground, game time! #TeamAmber #TheChallenge36
@fessyfitness: Kyle said what he said
@fessyfitness: HALL MF BRAWL
@ChallengeMTV: CT's motive may only be all things CT, is that fair? #TheChallenge36 (GIF: Kyle - "He doesn't give a s___ about anyone else")
@Bruce_Lee85: Girls day
@fessyfitness: Bruhhhh the whole house thought we just voted in ct vs Kyle. We were blindsided with it being a females elim
@jenngeoghan: GOD I SAY THIS EVERY TIME I LOVE HALL BRAWL SO MUCH #TheChallenge36
@ChallengeMTV: Here we go #TheChallenge36 (GIF: TJ - "It comes down to this")
@mtvrrdarrell: Let’s go @amberborzotra #TheChallenge36 #luvyaBigT
- @amberborzotra: @mtvrrdarrell Ayeeee, let’s goooo!!! 🌪
@ChallengeMTV: Who you got? #TheChallenge36
- Big T 45.2% / Amber B. 54.8% 4,009 votes · Final results
@ChallengeMTV: This was TOO close for comfort #TheChallenge36 (GIF of them in Hall Brawl elimination)
@fessyfitness: say what you want but there’s a reason I’ve gotten stolen 3 times and no other guy got stolen. I’m a competitor
@ChallengeMTV: Amber B. before picking Fessy #TheChallenge36
@ChallengeMTV: Loved the excitement on Fessy's face after being picked by Amber B #TheChallenge36 (GIF of him reacting)
@ChallengeMTV: A special guest joins The Challenge Aftermath host @DevynSimone and a few agents following an all-new episode of #TheChallenge36 NOW on our YouTube channel
- @DerrickMTV: @ChallengeMTV @DevynSimone Hahahahaha!
@_DaishaDixon: Oh shit Amber can shake the house by stealing Fessy #TheChallenge36
@1Nausaya: I ain’t gonna cap we all know @fessyfitness would have won last year if it wasn’t for the snow if it was actual just running I sorry he would have won
@1Nausaya: I’m not bout to Cap @ThatStudMuffin and @fessyfitness looking like the future of the challenge #TheChallenge36
@aslifeunfolds: Amber was smart af for that. Not only can Fessy no longer gun for her, but now she’s safe because of the BB alliance. They’re STUCK. #TheChallenge36
@Irving_A07: I get that they have to build storylines, but I hate all the foreshadowing at the beginning of EVERY EPISODE #TheChallenge36 #TheChallenge
@TheAllanAguirre: Yeah, I'm sorry, these scenes with CT training Big T for Hall Brawl and the final just don't hit the same after what he did a few weeks ago. Cute gestures though. #TheChallenge36
@TheAllanAguirre: On Rivals 2, CT and Wes run miles around the patio of their house every to prep themselves for the final, and then crushed 2 cardio beasts in Frank and Bananas. Watching CT/Big T, why don't more people train like this all season? #TheChallenge36
@TheAllanAguirre: Today's Daily Challenge is a straight recreation of the game Atlasphere from American Gladiators Except they added smoke #TheChallenge36
@TheAllanAguirre: This is probably both Kyle and Amber's most impressive performance in a daily challenge this season. Even with Fessy/Nany solely playing defense on them, they kept pace with an uncontested Leroy/Kaycee. Gutting loss. #TheChallenge36
@Irving_A07: Amber B has been carried by the BB alliance thus far, Kaycee is right they don’t owe her anything more than that #TheChallenge #TheChallenge36
@TheAllanAguirre: Leroy and Kaycee get daily challenge win #5. As mentioned last week, Leroy competed in 7 partners seasons prior to DA, and had won 4 dailies his entire career. The man is going out with a bang. Massive props to Kaycee as well. #TheChallenge36 #TheChallenge
@TheAllanAguirre: I don't know what's funnier, Amber being upset that her Big Brother Meal Ticket has run out and she has to play the game, or Fessy calling someone else entitled. It's a real toss-up. #TheChallenge36 #TheChallenge
@Irving_A07: I really can’t believe they’re only giving us an hour tonight but have wasted soooo much time with the deliberation #TheChallenge #TheChallenge36
@TheAllanAguirre: CT always call Kyle a Snake, but I feel like Kyle is more of a Rat who keeps getting baited into taking some cheese. Every single time Kyle thinks him and CT are aligned, CT pulls one over him, voting him into elimination, stealing his partner. #TheChallenge36 #TheChallenge
@TheAllanAguirre: Not a great look for CT fans (or the Fuck Fessy Club) for CT to vote in Kyle because he doesn't want to risk facing Fessy in elimination. #TheChallenge36 #TheChallenge
@BranRealityStan: Who are Fessy and Kaycee to call anyone out for being rookies OR entitled? They’re fucking on their second season and been acting like their shit don’t stink for weeks! I’m tired?! #TheChallenge36
@TheAllanAguirre: The worst part about this being a Single Elimination if you know that next week we are getting another boring episode, yet again, elongating the season and keeping us from the final. Fucking lame. #TheChallenge36 #TheChallenge
@TheAllanAguirre: If this was a Male Elim, CT beats Kyle, he steals Kam from Cory, Cory picks Amber B as his new partner. Big T becomes rogue and likely goes to the final. Amber likely faces Nany in the final elimination. #TheChallenge36 #TheChallenge
@TheAllanAguirre: I love Big T and the crowd kept saying she was getting low, but in all honesty, Big T just already starts low. A good effort by her -- this just isn't her elimination. #TheChallenge36 #TheChallenge
@TheAllanAguirre: Amber's season reminds me a of a slightly better version of Britni from Dirty 30. They both won 2 eliminations as rookies, but they also beat tiny women in physical games, so it's not like we are that impressed. #TheChallenge36 #TheChallenge
@TheAllanAguirre: Fessy's Face when Amber picked him says: Wow, go team Big Brother. Expect the unexpected. Fuck Devin Walker. Who Flipped? #TheChallenge36 #TheChalenge
@TheAllanAguirre: NANY WHAT ARE YOU DOING. YOUR ALLIANCE HAS BEEN TRYING TO KEEP CT OUT OF THE FINAL ALL SEASON. YOU JUST GAVE HIM A FREE PASS BECAUSE YOU HAVE FUN WITH KYLE. BONEHEEEEEAD PLAY. #TheChallenge36
- @giselle_nieblas: @TheAllanAguirre How? If she don't want to be with CT and it's about her at the end of the day
- @EmilyTordi: @TheAllanAguirre It’s not dumb really. So she has Kyle, guys day next, he loses and then she can pick her partner
@TheAllanAguirre: The duality of life. #TheChallenge36 #TheChallenge
@TheAllanAguirre: Nany.... You know you are down bad, when Kaycee who keeps everything to herself just blurts out "That was so dumb." #TheChallenge36
@TheAllanAguirre: I just published The Challenge Double Agents Episode 16 Recap: 10 Biggest Takeaways #TheChallenge36 #TheChallenge https://t.co/adWBWX1ao3?amp=1
@Irving_A07: Amber B and Nany just made terrible decisions tonight #TheChallenge36
@TheAllanAguirre: There was a 75% Shot we would have gotten CT vs any of Leroy, Cory, or Fessy in the Final Elimination if not for Nany. ROUGH. #TheChallenge36 #TheChallenge
@AmanAdwin: I'm sorry imma sound like a hater especially since I watch a show like BB...but why TF is this season of The Challenge STILL airing? That shit started December 9th.
@dc408dxnow: And we have @survivorband’s “Eye of the Tiger” playing as Big T works out with CT. As of now, she’s my front runner for Breakout Challenger of this season, and why wouldn’t it? She’s had an eventful winter & spring here. #DCChallenge
@dc408dxnow: This week’s daily: “Mission: Global Domination.” And it’s a team game inside a sphere. And this will bring memories of the atmosphere game on Gladiators… #DCChallenge
@dc408dxnow: Leroy & Kaycee win another daily challenge. Kyle is not happy. But most of us are watching this on our sofas… we want this man to go out a winner - so does me also. #DCChallenge
@dc408dxnow: And then, we see a hallway. This should be good… #DCChallenge
@dc408dxnow: And Amber takes the win and sends home Big T after all of that. And the Big Brother alliance now takes over with Amber joining Fessy. And Nany joins with Kyle once again. And CT is rogue as we get closer to the final… #DCChallenge
@theogbig_t: What an incredible journey. Thank you to all my cast and viewers who’ve been so supportive . Congratulations to amber tonight you beast! I can only hope I get another chance to go back, improve in areas where I lack and not let myself down. Thank you #TheChallenge36
- @amba1210: @theogbig_t So proud of you beautiful!
- @JOSHMBB19: @theogbig_t Congrats on a great szn T
@fessyfitness: Hell of a season Big T!!
💀 💀 💀
STRATEGY ROOM
THIS CLOSE TO THE CASH...
After getting the W this week as everyone else turned their attention to everyone else in the game - and provided either one of them don't go into the crater next week, it's very much clear that Leroy & Kaycee will enter the final the bettor's choice. He's stated his intentions at the start of this that this is the last dance, and he's more than lived up to not going into retirement without making a huge mark. And when you win five dailies after garnering only four going into this -- and having a solid partner who made it to the end last year, then there's no doubt that Leroy & Kaycee have done so well. You'll think that them winning will rescue this season though they haven't made much noise on all three fronts of the physical, social and politics worlds... and we would love for him to go out a champion around here, yes.
If you were like Allan Aguirre watching the post-Crater activities, you would probably also do a face palm seeing what Nany did choosing to take back Kyle. Going into this, she also has never tasted a win with just one final, and Kyle has gotten to the end two times including last time out on Total Madness. But what we saw with them partnering up again set up a possible nightmare coming: if they don't win the last challenge during "semifinal week" next week (our definition for the last competition week before the final), then it's likely they'll be voted in and he would have to face any of the other guys outside of CT who probably has his ticket booked by that baffling decision. The rest of Allan's recap will explain all of the intricate possibilities and other things, as he so brilliantly does.
Most of you would probably put the rest of this Double Agents season on the backburner compared to what we'll be covering here later, but we're not quite there yet at making a definitive call of who will sure be in the final. And something we bring up a lot when we do this piece of original analysis is, you wouldn't be all that certain of what you'd expect from this show.... strange things have happened before.
🐰 🐰 🐰
#DCExtraTime
MAKING THE IDEAL EASTER EGG
There's a centuries old ritual of the springtime holiday of renewal: the eggs of this season symbolize Jesus' tomb, and which are often decorated in an assortment of colors and filled with candy especially in this country where it's as important a season for chocolate lovers as Halloween, Christmas and Valentine's Day. And it's likely that you probably did one of these activities when you were a kid and are probably still doing as parents to your youngsters: decorating Easter eggs.
We sure have missed the presence of the two figures who adorn The Challenge's poster art on Paramount+, and Cara Maria is rolling along there in the Montana surroundings with a man who we will be writing on this weekend in Paulie. And in the spirit of Easter, earlier this week they got to set up a camera in their kitchen and decorated some eggs for IGTV... below are the results.
Still ahead this Easter weekend: the originals take over as The Challenge: All-Stars kicks off down in Argentina, and this is certainly no game for the younger kids to tackle. But before that, we'll be heading up to Montana as the Floribama Shore Bam looks to get over the drama of Gus bolting away in the cold, and we'll also let you in on what Paulie has in store next: possibly joining a fellow Double Agent and two of her Champs vs. Pros alumni at next winter's biggest sporting spectacular.
Meanwhile, this is a big holiday weekend as some sense of normalcy gets restored on this weekend of renewal, and on the #DCNOW live Twitter hub @DC408DxNow there's lots to look forward to...
● College basketball is front & center as we reach the final stage of March Madness and the NCAA basketball tournament. First, former rivals in the old Southwest Conference - Baylor and Houston - renew old acquaintances, then Gonzaga's quest for perfection continues as they face UCLA in the National Semifinals, with tickets to Monday's national championship at stake in Indianapolis
● We'll also have another edition of #DCPlaylist following the nightcap to tonight's hoops doubleheader as well as tomorrow night, too. And also for Easter Sunday, we plan to offer a special live tweet of a surprise program that won't be announced until we begin our live session. So, be sure to join in for that then and other things this long Easter weekend, with the schedule being subject to change.
See you shortly on DCNOW for the basketball, and enjoy your holiday weekend everyone...
- I AM DC
#DCBLOG
