DC ExtraTime: The Miracle Kids, and the New Dad

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

With the new take on love known as Ex On The Beach giving those who watch Jersey Shore Family Vacation a chance to stick around afterwards (and many of you have done just that and getting buzz from Ellen DeGeneres to The Soup on E!), it's only fitting that the show that brought romance to the MTV reality scene and helped to create what we at DCBLOG call the MTV Trifecta is making a big mark this spring. Those who will be part of the latest chapter of that show will no doubt have a tough act to follow following the biggest underdog story to surprise this community since a Road Rules outcast became a Gauntlet queen 15 years ago.
   Are You The One? is responsible for giving us one of the ten singles who have moved into the EOTB house - Taylor, several of the exes who we'll be seeing as this maiden voyage goes along including two from her own cast, and even three alumni to Champs vs. Stars despite them not being champs themselves. One of those people there also happens to Derrick's ex and, as was revealed on the Dirty 30 reunion, who also had a phone-hacking moment similar to what Angela did to his phone in the Shack of Secrets. Another of Taylor's Season 5 castmates -- one who hooked up with the man she's dating right now and has hatred for her -- is still to come, but they are notorious for being the only AYTO cast to leave the show with no money... but after what we saw with Kam going to the final on the most recent Challenge they are pretty much alright.
   For some background to this story, you gotta go through AYTO's whole history, which we have covered every step of its entire six-season run on here. Season 1 took place in these Hawaiian islands in 2014, where another ex who we'll see later, Shanley, first made her mark from the outset. Her most notable moment came midway through that season when she got into AYTO's first big blog-up with someone who would go on to do three Challenges, Simone, just after the most intense Truth Booth ever. Season 2 introduced us to two girls who then did two Challenges, Briana and Christina, the always honest Southerner Ellie and her tattooed perfect match Nate, and two who we last saw being spotted on Dr. Phil, Brandon and Jasmine. We'll later see Cameron from Season 4 who was part of a notable romance with his match Mikala before that ended badly, and Joe from the most recent season of last fall... and if you watched his season then you know who his ex is.

While Season 5 provided us with a fifth of this entire EOTB cast and Shanley's Season 1 cast being the most beloved for that they they have the only perfect match who are together, married and are parents in Amber & Ethan Diamond, the AYTO cast that has accomplished a lot since their season aired is Season 3 - who like the Originals won in our 50th state. The CV that the group as a whole has racked up since we first saw three years ago is so decorated, you might say that they have the most intriguing resume of any MTV cast this decade, and no doubt have the AYTO equivalent of what Johnny Bananas' Real World Key West cast have been able to accomplish.
   Until Joe's Season 6 cast ascended into "Eleventh Heaven" last December in New Orleans, it was Season 3 that pulled off the biggest comeback in AYTO history - and one of the biggest shocks in recent MTV history. Faced with potentially being the first cast to lose, Devin Walker went into his celebrated bag of tricks, popped out a quarter from his pocket and put together red Solo cups to use his head and utilize his playbook. Their goal was to try and figure out how to get from 2 lights where they were most of that season in Week 9, to 10 beams in Week 10 and win the jackpot, which was $750,000 after they recorded a blackout that cost them a quarter of their $1 million bounty. He put together a complex strategy that, in the end, netted them eight lights in the last matchup which, until last December, was the largest 1-week netgain, and the cash too.
   Devin is, of course, the most famous member of that Season 3 cast who pulled out that "Miracle in the Islands" and gave them our Underdog Award in our 2015 Reality Debrief. And after making the Rivals III final as a rookie and winning the AYTO spinoff Second Chances, he has brought his game to Champs vs. Stars after famously taking out his rival Johnny Bananas in elimination on Vendettas. But the apprentice of master manipulator and JB's biggest nemesis Wes is hardly the only person from that cast who has made some headlines... in fact, it's a lot of them:

♥ The girl Big D was with all season and who were in the most intriguing relationship of that season - and one of the most memorable in AYTO history, Hooters girl Kiki Cooper, first made waves even before she went on the show when gossip sites discovered that she was one of the ex-girlfriends of Ryan Edwards, himself an ex to Teen Mom OG's Maci Bookout who last month got 'cuffed again for breaking his probation order on a past heroin possession charge.

♥ Kiki's perfect match, Mike Cresecenzo, had a tumultuous relationship with Popoff Queen Amanda Garcia including a fight on the finale where he left the house afterwards, then became the boyfriend of Derrick's ex Tori who then went to Real World Bad Blood, left that house and broke up with the blonde who dressed up as Hulk Hogan on this week's Champs vs. Stars when she found that he cheated on her with a roommate in Seattle.

♥ After that Week 2 blackout, Southerner Britni Thornton found herself in love with Hawaiian bad boy Chuck Mowery, and upon breaking up with him after over a year together then went on to do the past two Challenges, and this winter landed a champion who emerged from both an 8-year Challenge hiatus and a divorce of his wife who he met on MTV, Brad on Vendettas.

♥ Canadian filmmaker & funny man Zak Longo scored Season 3's other blonde bombshell in New Yorker (and Nick Jonas fan) Hannah Rathbun, and are still together as they have documented their world travels for their hundreds of thousands of social media followers, and with help from Devin, Tori, Mikala and others prank called fellow AYTO alumni.

♥ Amanda, Nelson Thomas and Hunter Barfield have all done multiple Challenges together, with Nelly T. making it to the Invasion final and almost stole a victory from CT (and who also got to hang with Jerry Springer and Steve Aoki), and her & the ladder also making deep runs on The Challenge, the ladder especially. And Devin's match, Rashida Zakiya, partnered with him to win Second Chances... not to mention turned an AYTO After Show stage into a hip-hop club.

♥ And of course, by way of what happened last winter when this EOTB season was filmed and was revealed to tremendous interest on social media before Christmas -- Devin's Rivals III partner Cheyenne Floyd shares custody of her 1-year-old baby son Ryder K. with Cory.

That brings us to the latest member of the Miracle Kids to bring some buzz to this vaunted group: in that last matchup, Britni was paired up with Texan Austin Sheets, who when we met him was an former Army member from the Dallas area. He was one of those who wasn't involved in much drama or screen time on Season 3, but did get some heat for opting to choose to play for dates rather than go with strategy in one of their getaway challenges - shocking considering his background..
   Aside from a collection of designer watches, high-end cars and big estates that would make you think he is a rapper, Austin is an entrepreneur who has a bit of intelligence beneath those tattoos. When we saw him on AYTO, he was part of network marketing company Team Fusion whose Facebook synopsis read, "We empower people to dream big, strive for their highest potential with hard work and perseverance achieve their goals and dreams!" And those who've been to his social media pages have seen videos of words of wisdom and thoughts to live by from the man himself, who has also taken the stage to speak to fellow network marketing enthusiasts, post-MTV.
   And this past week, Austin revealed some extra news as well: on Instagram, he posted a caption that read, "Nixon Austin Sheets, 8.5lbs and 20inches. 4/24/18."  He joined Ms. Chey Not Shy as parents among the Season 3 cast, as well as not only Amber & Ethan but also Gianna & Hayden of Season 5, among many others, in those who not only have been on AYTO but also found the love of their lives in new babies. Kiki (who was paired with him in their blackout) wrote, "So happy for you!!!!!!", while Zak added, "I’m a Godfather 👋🏽😂." Our congrats go to Mr. Sheets.

Ima dad now. pic.twitter.com/nhkTaav0EQ

— Austin Sheets (@in_my_SHEETS) April 26, 2018

- I AM DC

DC ExtraTime: The Blonde & The Bad Boy

Following is an excerpt from a DCBLOG Pulse diary from Are You The One? Season 4, 

reposted in the interest of readers as one of its co-subjects is on The Challenge XXX: 
Dirty 30, and features additional video not posted in our original post.

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

Last year, we saw the AYTO Season 3 house dominated by Devin & Kiki and his 11th hour Houdini act that saved the cast after a season of bad gameplay - and obviously he's brought that playbook into this Challenge. But there were also other big stories that took place too - two which we've written about here: the toxic relationship of Amanda & Mike that saw them go at it on the finale, the mic-drop speeches given to the cast at matchup by Cheyenne and Rashida, and the man who's being profiled here in ExtraTime.

Chuck is what you might consider from seeing all those tattoos in his pictures, the epitome of a bad boy with, as his bio wrote, that charm, looks and swagger but also possessing a heart of gold too. Being someone who made bad choices with how he picked girls before moving into the house, he became the ladies man of Season 3 in the same way we're seeing with Asaf right now. And the girls Chuck became close with were many: at the start he became close with Hannah, but they were burned by the week 2 blackout and despite that in keeping with a theme of last season, he still hooked up several times with her before she found her own perfect match in Zak, including at a luau before a getaway date with Kiki.

As much as people got on him for how he was playing girls in the house, in the end Chuck did prove the show's very purpose of finding true love, even if the science didn't have him & his girl as a true perfect match though it's still close to it. It was after the blackout that he did what some of his other housemates didn't do: begin to see other people, and he started getting close to Georgia girl Britni, who was of course attracted to this blond-haired guy. It was early on in that season that she joined with the rest of the girls to go off on them for the bad gameplay, and when they got into the pool one day with her having her clothes off they began to click. No wonder why this mermaid became attracting to, what they also call this guy, "Merman."

Though not put into the truth booth when everyone else was obsessed with who Kiki's match was, these two did hold a key to the final outcome as at the last matchup, Chuck was chosen for a second time by Melanie, and Britni chose Austin for the first time, all as the group relied on a last-ditch strategy put together by Devin. Mel choosing Chuck the first time the previous week actually proved to be pivotal because, as she wrote on Instagram, if she picked someone else they would've gotten a second blackout and perhaps the cast could've given up on all hope. We all know what happened there, and everyone had paychecks totaling $750,000 under their Christmas tree.

As Chuck, a Michigan native, called Hawaii home as a scuba trainer even before he moved into the house, it was Britni who was the only one to stay in the Islands when everyone else flew back to the mainland, and their romance has only blossomed since then. Note that they filmed season 3 over a year ago - so, it's now been over a year that these two have been together. And a few months ago, they took their talents eastward back to the continental 48 and back to Britni's home state where they now in a different kind of setting: Atlanta, where the SnapChat photo of them is above. That's just the start for them as, per MTV.com, their plans are to travel the world.

Of course, Amber & Ethan from Season 1 remain AYTO's only scientifically-proven perfect match that have stayed together after the season ended, no less be the first to get married and then become mommy & daddy. But it shouldn't be long before they have some company in those departments in Chuck and Britni, as well as Season 3 castmates Zak and Hannah.

DC WRAP: Are You The One? S3 - The Finale & Strategy Room

BY DC CUEVA

> @DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you out there, and in this week off in the MTV Trifecta ahead of The Challenge: Bloodlines in six days from now, there's peace and calm after what we experienced on Season 3 of Are You The One?. We started this journey back in the dog days of summer on August 20th when a post on MTV's SnapChat hub introduced our latest class of 20 pledges who were unlucky in love and came to Hawaii hoping those bad habits were left behind in the mainland (or in one's case as a Hawaiian resident, back at home down the street).

   What would unfold afterwards was a season that put us on a roller-coaster of emotions with a cast that stirred plenty of controversy, saw lots of broken hearts and more than our usual share of drama. We had couples stay together after they were not a match, an early blackout that cost them a quarter-million dollars, a castmate from New England with questionable behavior, and sketchy gameplay that went nowhere for the house for 90% of the season.

   But of course, what we saw last week was the year's two most-eventful hours in the MTV world: a NY stripper going overboard in his relationship with a Coloradan, questionable strategy to try & reverse the tide, and leading to perhaps the most famous coin-toss since the one on Thanksgiving 18 years ago that saw the Steelers lose on a simple heads/tails call. And almost no one, expect for the cast themselves, expected that it would end with the same result that their two predecessors would have.

Of course, we'll have a recap of the two-hour finale of Are You The One? Season 3 covered here on the Blog with the 10 Things to Know moments. Then after the Winners of the Night, we'll take a trip into the Strategy Room to look back at how the group pulled off the almost seemingly impossible but more than miraculous run to winning $750,000. Join In after the jump for one last look back at Season 3 of AYTO.

DC SocialPulse: Are You The One? S3 - The Double Shot Finale (MEGA)

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, objectionable content 

and spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. Due to its long 

length, take frequent eye breaks if you're reading this top to bottom. ***

BY DC CUEVA                           
> @DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

So, here we are...this is the season finale MEGA edition of DC SocialPulse for Season 3 of Are You The One?. In the heat of the summer back on August 20, we kicked off the countdown to the third installment of a show that created this thing called the MTV Trifecta, along with the question of "How will Season 3 respond to what we saw in the first two seasons of this show?" Now, as the holidays are in order, we have seen another crazy season come to an end in the most dramatic and perhaps crazy & controversial way. But then again, that's what you expect for a social experiment as great and fresh as AYTO.
   Last week in Hawaii, we had the breaking point for many for Devin as his fling with Kiki saw them hook up once again and make more enemies. And aside from Hunter enjoying going horseback, it was more of the same both in the Truth Booth and at the Match-Up. Yes, there was more jealousy and not much else in the group wanting to reverse the tide.

   This week, it's a Double Shot of sorts with a two-hour season finale that first sees Amanda go off once again, but this time it leads to an unprecedented level and the fallout becomes much bigger than the house could have anticipated. Plus with hopes seemingly lost after their eighth MC, the group decides to strategize and throw a challenge in order to send the right couple in the truth booth.
   And then in hour two and with their backs to the wall, the couples find themselves at a crossroads between going for love or strategizing to salvage their last chance at pride. And in one of the biggest moments of risk & reward you'll ever see, the house decides to resort to a simple toss of a coin to decide their fate. And will they turn a mere 25 cents into $750,000 and pull off a miracle comeback?
   We'll have all the interaction from the last AYTO Wednesday and its aftermatch covered here, including a first look at Challenge Bloodlines which debuts in two weeks. And if you can gut it out through the thousands of tweets compiled here in this mega-post, we'll tell you who's become the latest member of Team MTV to become an expecting mom/dad.

- As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but I am keeping it uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)
- Plus, if you haven't watched the episode yet, or if you're an international fan and this episode has yet not aired in your territory, then do not proceed. But don't worry, be sure to bookmark DCBLOG as I will compile all of these tweets into these posts after every episode so you won't be in the dark of how your favorites saw this all unfold.

So, Join In after the jump as Team Ohana goes for one last shot in the craziest finale ever on this final season 3 edition of DC SocialPulse - AYTO.

DC SocialPulse: Road to the AYTO 3 Finale and DCBDAY 2015

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language and objectionable 
content for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. ***

BY DC CUEVA                           

> @DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

Hi, hello, what's up and welcome back to DC SocialPulse on DCBLOG and to the beginning of a busy stretch around here as we put the final touches on our coverage of Season 3 of Are You The One? and go into the buildup for The Challenge: Battle of the Bloodlines in this week off in the MTV Trifecta, and of course the short holiday week coming up. And this is also the 200th overall published post here on the site as well...an important milestone as well.
   If you're a fan of the MTV Trifecta, then you come here for the social interaction for the two above mentioned shows and Real World, including the spontaneous episode reaction. But to kick off this trifecta of posts to recap this week's Double Shot season finale, we're gonna be doing something different in bringing you the vibe and anticipation of the cast heading into Wednesday's episodes. We'll be bringing you the interaction from AYTO Wednesday, the episodes themselves and the hangover from the Thursday & Friday after the finale for you later this weekend.
   But also, it was also an eventful weekend last week that was dampened by the events that took place in Paris, France, but also highlighted by Ronda Rousey's loss to Holly Holm last weekend at UFC 193. And following the Team MTV interaction, we'll shift the focus somewhat to yours truly as this was also my DCBDAY Weekend and I got to again mark my birthday with both my inner circle of family and friends, and obviously those in the social world as well.

- As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but I am keeping it uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)
- And this Pulse Extra post is necessary in order to separate the lead-up tweets from those of finale night and the episodes themselves to help conserve as much space on these posts too.

So, following the jump, join us for the countdown to the AYTO 3 finale and the most eventful weekend and two weekdays that preceded it.

DC WRAP: Are You The One? S3 - "Sorry Dad"

BY DC CUEVA                           

> @DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

The time is almost at hand for the two-hour finale of Are You The One? Season 3 coming your way tomorrow night. And considering everything we saw this autumn on the Big Island, we are headed towards a most-interesting finale to what's been an eventful run that began in the dog days of summer and about to conclude a week before Thanksgiving.

   On Episode 8 last week, we saw Kiki finally taking a stand against Devin, the girls' exes spilling dirt on them to the guys, and the girls putting the guys on high alert for making bad decisions at the Matchup which could ultimately decide their fate even before we get to the last two tries at the cash. We'll review that episode for you here.
   Plus, in the aftermath of Ronda Rousey's upset loss to Holly Holm over the weekend, after our Wrap on ExtraTime, we'll look at how a Challenge underdog spent his summer vacation and how that eye-opening experience might change your opinions of him. That's coming up after the jump.

DC SocialPulse: Are You The One? S3 - "Sorry Dad"

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, objectionable content 

and spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. Due to its long 

length, take frequent eye breaks if you're reading this top to bottom. ***

BY DC CUEVA                           
> @DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

It's DCBDAY Weekend across the DC Social Network and it's also the homestretch of Season 3 of what's been an eventful season of Are You The One?. And we are heading towards the end of a season that has just about had everything: from controversial cast members to questionable gameplay to, of course, plenty of hook-ups and beyond.

   Last week in Hawaii, we had the breaking point for many for Devin as his fling with Kiki saw them hook up once again and make more enemies. And aside from Hunter enjoying going horseback, it was more of the same both in the Truth Booth and at the Match-Up. Yes, there was more jealousy and not much else in the group wanting to reverse the tide.
   This week, we saw some special guests make their way to Hawaii and to the AYTO house, and seeing the singles' parents and the guys' exes the past two seasons, it's the girls' ex-significant others that will show up on the beach for some exclusive dirt. The Kiki & Devin Show continues as she tells the group about her flings with him to everyone, and she ultimately fesses up to him too. And the girls go all in on the guys for bad decisions at the match-up, showing the house dis-unity this year.
   We'll have the interaction surrounding this week's AYTO covered here, plus a castmate celebrates a birthday, Team MTV remembers both Veterans and a Challenge legend, the intelligent voice of the house does something very special for his family, and of course more venting. And after all that, as we talk to you on Saturday, November 14th and this day after my birthday, we'll have details of a BIG event taking place tonight as this DCBDAY Weekend continues.

- As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but I am keeping it uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)
- Plus, if you haven't watched the episode yet, or if you're an international fan and this episode has yet not aired in your territory, then do not proceed. But don't worry, be sure to bookmark DCBLOG as I will compile all of these tweets into these posts after every episode so you won't be in the dark of how your favorites saw this all unfold.

So, Join In after the jump for Moms, Dads and more on this edition of DC SocialPulse - AYTO.

DC WRAP: Are You The One? S3 Episode 7 & DC FORUM - Devin's Behavior

BY DC CUEVA                           

> @DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

It's DC BDAY Week on the DC Social Network and tomorrow, the festivities continue with an all-new episode of Are You The One?. This comes as the buzz for Challenge Bloodlines kicks into full gear and as some of our MTV friends are off on a rather early winter vacation. And if things are correct on what we think they're up to, we'll have even more to look forward to in the new year.

   On Episode 7 this past week, we saw the latest chapter of the Devin and Kiki Show, another potential Truth Booth pick go by the wayside, and more of the same in the Match-Up, along with Hunter enjoying his surroundings on a horseback as well. We'll, of course, have the Five Things to Know wrap-up of the episode's key moments.

   Then, we'll have a new edition of DC FORUM to provide takes from fans and myself on what we've seen from Devin this year and how it compares to other instances in recent years when a castmate's behavior casts a dark cloud over an MTV Trifecta show. And if you think this is all serious business, don't worry as after that on ExtraTime we'll join with both a Challenge legend and an MTV host who got to run in the largest annual footrace in the world.

   Join In after the jump for a recap of last week's episode as you prepare for tomorrow night.

DC WRAP: Are You The One S3 - Episodes 5 & 6

BY DC CUEVA                           

> @DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

We are already into the month on November, and it's almost hard to believe that time has flown by so fast that we are halfway through Season 3 of Are You The One?. Tonight is an all-new episode and the past two episodes have been something: a game-changing speech, a much-needed first perfect match, and plenty of emotions and hook-ups as well.
   We'll be recapping both Episodes 5 and 6 here to whet your appetite for tonight's show, plus on ExtraTime a brief look at who from AYTO made a cameo on network television. Join In for that, the Ten Things to Know and a trip to the Strategy Room after the jump.

DC SocialPulse: Are You The One? S3 - "Getting Lei'd"

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, objectionable content 

and spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. Due to its long 
length, take frequent eye breaks if you're reading this top to bottom. ***

BY DC CUEVA                           
> @DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

Happy Halloween to all of you out there, wherever you are on this big last Saturday of October. And what did DCBLOG bring to you today? It's this DC SocialPulse diary for Episode 306 (Season 3, Episode 6 if you're scoring at home) of Are You The One? to check out as part of your pregame to tonight's trick-or-treating and costume parties. And just as it was last week, there's both tricks and treats on this show too.
   Last week, the house came to the realization that they're not playing this game as they're supposed to, and realize they have to move on from their non-match crushes. We saw Chuck get caught kissing Britni and we had an explosive . But we also had the first right move in the game this year: Chelsey going with her instincts that Connor is her match, and the truth booth confirmed that she was indeed right on target. But that was the only good news as far as the game play was concerned.
   So how can we top what some of us call the best episode in the three seasons of AYTO? This week, the drama continues with what's become an AYTO tradition: a chance to let loose in the night sky for a group in desperate need of good news. There, a wild luau, a Hawaiian party full of entertainment, provides us that in telling us who is getting laid, or lei'd to make things better, and who's getting played. Jealousy on the part of our New Englander causes Devin to flip his lid in frustration. And confusion reigns when the guys decide to bring strategy in an effort to reverse the momentum.
   We have everything covered with the interaction from this week's episode and the proceeding lead-up and aftermath, including some of the girls' weekend visit to SoCal. Also included in this week's diary: reaction to the World Series from KC and NY points of view of Team MTV, an AYTO castmate showing love to an ESPN anchor, and .
   And then on ExtraTime, the record year Team MTV has had in the baby department has gotten even better...find out who the latest castmate to become a parent is. You may be surprised to find out who it is, but don't be surprised when you consider how changed a person the new mom/dad is now.

- As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but I am keeping it uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)
- Plus, if you haven't watched the episode yet, or if you're an international fan and this episode has yet not aired in your territory, then do not proceed. But don't worry, be sure to bookmark DCBLOG as I will compile all of these tweets into these posts after every episode so you won't be in the dark of how your favorites saw this all unfold.

So, Join In after the jump for all things AYTO, Pulse style.

DC SocialPulse: Are You The One? S3 - "The Little Merman"

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, objectionable content 
and spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. ***

BY DC CUEVA                           

> @DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

It's the weekend before Halloween and before you go out and pick your costume and begin to stock up on that candy for the big occasion next Saturday night, I have this DC SocialPulse diary of Episode 5 of Are You The One? Three to share with you. And we've had both our tricks and treats for the cast, both during the season and most particularly this week.
   Last week, it was déjà vu all over again as we saw non-matches keep staying together and putting a hurdle in the quest for the cash, despite a bounce-back from the blackout. But again, the pressure that comes with playing this game of love and money came to three girls: Britni and Hannah when they got into words at the Truth Booth, and Rashida bolting from the Match-Up when Devin picked Stacey over her. And we saw Mike get caught in the act once again by Amanda, and they lost a light at that MC and picked a wrong TB choice, creating for some uncertainty.

   This week, the house finally realizes what they're doing as they lose it when their crushes are finally deciding to play this game and move on. Chuck finds himself between a rock and a hard place when the roommates see him get it on with another non-match. But Chelsey has other ideas than most of the house, as she has her sights on proving that the Gentle Giant Connor is her match...is she right? Plus, we have a most gross challenge to contend with, along with a black and white party as well.
   We'll have all the interaction from Episode 5 and its lead-up and the aftermath. Included there is the joy Team MTV got to enjoy when Sabrina the Teenage Witch became their latest follower, some of the girls reunite in L.A. and reaction to last weekend's Michigan St./Michigan tilt which was of huge interest to both an MTV host and a Real World alum who was there at the Big House. And speaking of the reality icon, on ExtraTime we'll bring you more on where the next RW season will be at, which is in a very familiar place to both MTV fans and yours truly.

- As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but I am keeping it uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)
- Plus, if you haven't watched the episode yet, or if you're an international fan and this episode has yet not aired in your territory, then do not proceed. But don't worry, be sure to bookmark DCBLOG as I will compile all of these tweets into these posts after every episode so you won't be in the dark of how your favorites saw this all unfold.

So, Join In after the jump for all things AYTO, Pulse style.

DC WRAP: Are You The One? S3 - Episodes 3 and 4

BY DC CUEVA                           

> @DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

Welcome back again to DCBLOG and this double WRAP of Episodes 3 & 4 of Are You The One? Three. Due to DC Vegas last week, I moved the recap of last week's episode to this week's recap, and things are indeed starting to get real in Hawaii. When last we did a recap for Episode 2 two weeks ago, we saw the group dealt two big blows: the best couple so far of Devin and Kiki being put into the Truth Booth and emerging out of it a No Match and of course them getting a Blackout at the ensuing Match-Up and losing $250,000.

   Obviously, the group was distraught by this dating disaster, which led to yours truly posting on IG a picture of a Hawaiian Ohana hat to help cheer them up. But they didn't easily take this news to hand, as them keeping on hooking up with their non-matches from that blackout put a damper on the house in their quest to go 10 for 10. Additionally, we saw Amanda go all in on Ryan Devlin & on Mike, Hannah get into words with Kiki & then with Britni, and Rashida buckle under the pressure. And we saw Hunter bare all too. Quite the last two episodes.

   We'll have the ten things to know (five from episode 3 and five from EP 4) and winners of the night from the latest episode on this edition of DC WRAP. Plus in ExtraTime, if you think you see the host of this show on your screen more often than just Wednesday nights on MTV, you're right...we'll explain that story and also his business venture. So, stick around for all that after the jump.

DC SocialPulse: Are You The One? S3 - "Dazed and Confused"

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, objectionable content 
and spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. ***

BY DC CUEVA                           

> @DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

I've just returned from the usually big trip I make to Las Vegas that I have every year or so, and obviously I enjoyed it if the pics on my DC IG and on DCNOW are any proof. But I'm glad to be back on the blog grind to bring you this DC SocialPulse diary of Episode 4 of Are You The One? Three. And if Vegas is proof, fortunes can rapidly change in an eye blink, which is exactly what the Ohana in Hawaii have been through after three episodes.
   Last week amidst my DC Vegas preparations, the house had to deal with the week 2 blackout at the matchup that cost them $250,000 and obviously with the tears and frustration they took the loss hard. However, the players had a hangover from that bad night as they still can't separate from their non matches for the sake of the team, and we saw Kiki finally but temporarily get over Devin by making a play for Hannah's guy Chuck, which causes a riff. But it's staying together for most of the group that led the house to take notice of that shadiness, despite a matchup bounce back.

   This week, we see the same thing from last week of non-matches keeping on hooking up and, just as it was last year, preventing the house from trying to sweep away the 10 for 10 table. The house does everything they can to let off some much needed steam, but a blow-up among two of the girls at the Truth Booth and then a Match-Up meltdown with another proves that some will crack under the pressure of love and money. Plus, we get to see Magic Mike do his thing once again along with a first-ever nighttime getaway date as well.
   If you want to relive the interaction from Episode 4 or if you're catching up for the first time, we've got you covered along with the lead-up and the aftermath to all that. Afterwards on ExtraTime, we'll have life-changing news for three ladies of Team MTV, which includes a follow-up to our subject from last week who not only is helping online daters find romance they're also now engaged herself.

- As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but I am keeping it uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)
- Plus, if you haven't watched the episode yet, or if you're an international fan and this episode has yet not aired in your territory, then do not proceed. But don't worry, be sure to bookmark DCBLOG as I will compile all of these tweets into these posts after every episode so you won't be in the dark of how your favorites saw this all unfold.

So, Join In after the jump for the week that was in AYTO World, Pulse style.

DC SocialPulse: Are You The One? S3 - "Libido Limbo"

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, objectionable content 
and spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. ***

BY DC CUEVA                           

> @DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

In a matter of hours from now, I will be in Las Vegas for the time of my life, part 7, in Sin City. But before Saturday evening comes, there's this DC SocialPulse diary to take care of as we look in on Episode 3 of Are You The One? Three. Through two episodes we've seen just about everything, and we do mean everything.
   After Alec's kiss-fest and spin the bottle in the premiere, last week we saw Kiki and Devin be put through the ringer of the truth booth and emerge out as a non-perfect match much to the cast's shock, but stayed together in the house bringing back memories of Cranley and Bristina. But aside from a trip to the strip club and a revealing challenge, it didn't prepare the house for what happened at the week's Match-Up: an early blackout and them losing $250,000.
   It's them dealing with that gut check that this week, we see of course all the aftermath from getting no matches quicker than any truth booth match in previous seasons. The gameplay is thrown for a loop by non-matches still not separating for the sake of the team and ultimately the house takes notice as the group tries to bounce back. And what happens when the girl half of the house's most notorious pair makes a play for the first AYTO castmate to enjoy home field advantage?
   We'll have all the interaction from Episode 3, plus the lead-up and the aftermath for you here in what will be a one-post only review this week...the reasons are for obvious reasons as this fan is ready to head to Vegas tomorrow. But afterwards on ExtraTime, we'll catch up with a Real World & Challenge alum who's now following the footsteps of Nev & Max and helping with online romance.

- As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but I am keeping it uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)
- Plus, if you haven't watched the episode yet, or if you're an international fan and this episode has yet not aired in your territory, then do not proceed. But don't worry, be sure to bookmark DCBLOG as I will compile all of these tweets into these posts after every episode so you won't be in the dark of how your favorites saw this all unfold.
- And featured in the After Hours section is a discussion of, shall I say, intimate matter that also makes it NSFW viewing and is for mature audiences only, though luckily there's nothing of an visual explicit nature in there (after all, I want to keep it PG-13).

So, Join In after the jump for the week that was in AYTO World, Pulse style.

DC WRAP: Are You The One? S3 - "Can't Buy Me Love"

BY DC CUEVA                           

> @DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

Welcome back once again to DCBLOG and our look back to Episode 2 of Are You The One? Three. While last week was the perfect introduction to this season in cramming everything we want in a season of reality TV in one hour, this week it matched it and then some.
   We saw episode 2 of The Kiki and Devin Show once again as they got to enjoy their date on the scooters, he got to utter his trademark catch phrase and then be brought back to earth by being sent into the truth booth and emerging out a no match. We also saw Magic Mike being let out of the cage, Connor confess his obsession with One Direction, and saw more of the housemates than we saw in the premiere. But of course, the lasting moment from this episode, and of the season through two episodes, is obviously them getting punched in the gut with a blackout at the 2nd matchup and being docked $250,000 for not garnering a match.
   Yes, things are getting real around the house on the big island, and we have the things to know and winners of the night from Wednesday for you on DC WRAP. Plus in ExtraTime, we'll share you a back story involving this very fan and this cast, and a consolation prize to help cheer them up in the wake of what we saw on episode 2. So, stick around for that, along with the announcement of the next new show I will be live tweeting this fall.  That's next after the jump.

DC SocialPulse: Are You The One? S3 - "Can't Buy Me Love"

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, objectionable content 
and spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. ***

BY DC CUEVA                           

> @DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

Well, welcome on in to the month of October and to DC SocialPulse's look at Episode 2 of Are You The One? Season 3. If our Ohana of this season promised to all of us that this season would be something else, than for those who watch this show loyally it is delivering the goods so far...and we are only thru more than a furlong into this roller coaster.
   On the Premiere episode last week, we saw just about everything you can cram into a season in one night: Alec kissing four girls, Amanda & Kiki going at it at matchup, Devin at the heart of a triangle and of course spin the bottle. And we saw host Ryan Devlin give them a rather unpleasant welcome to the Big Island of Hawaii of a twist that could change the game at any moment.

   This week, Kiki keeps her eye on Devin in spite of his questionable behavior, while other couples begin to fall hard for one another around the house. We also have a trip to the strip club in the comfort of the AYTO house, as well as a revealing challenge that even reveals a closet One Direction fan. But, it's a completely bewildering Truth Booth and an even more shocking Match Up Ceremony that leaves the house in nothing but stunned silence. Yes...that happened.

   We'll have all the interaction from Episode 2, plus the lead-up and the aftermath for you here for what again is a two-part post; DC WRAP will bring you the episode's big moments and a DC FORUM to discuss matters in depth later this weekend or early next week. After the interaction on DC ExtraTime, we'll join with fellow Team MTV'ers in Washington as they honor the late Diem Brown with Congress, plus find out who my latest famous Team MTV follower is and her storied career.

- As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but I am keeping it uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)
- Plus, if you haven't watched the episode yet, or if you're an international fan and this episode has yet not aired in your territory, then do not proceed. But don't worry, be sure to bookmark DCBLOG as I will compile all of these tweets into these posts after every episode so you won't be in the dark of how your favorites saw this all unfold.

So, Join In after the jump as we enjoy dancing, biking and more with the AYTO kids, Pulse style.

DC WRAP: Are You The One? S3 - The Premiere

BY DC CUEVA                           
> @DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

Welcome back once again to DCBLOG as we recap the premiere of Are You The One? Season 3. Again as mentioned in our last post, DC WRAP is a new, separate post from this site's signature SocialPulse diaries which were posted over the weekend and designed just for those who are in a hurry and who want just a straight-up recap of the episodes.

   Last week's premiere episode of AYTO 3 had just about everything to kick things all off: a game-changing twist, a ladies man kissing several girls in the first 15 minutes, two girls going at one another at the first matchup ceremony, a Bostonian at the heart of a good old love triangle, and of course everyone's favorite communal game of Spin the Bottle played by an eclectic cast looking for love and money. Quite an opening salvo.

   Coming up here, we'll have the Five Things to Know recap of the night's key moments and Winners of the Night. And then on DC ExtraTime, we'll have the story of one of this season's singles and the connection they have to a fellow MTV show pivotal in AYTO's growth. That's ahead after the jump.

DC SocialPulse: Are You The One? S3 - The Premiere

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, objectionable content 
and spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. ***

BY DC CUEVA                           

> @DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

Hi, hello, what's up and welcome back to DC SocialPulse on DCBLOG. Fall has officially arrived on the calendar as of Wednesday, and that means we are back into covering the MTV Trifecta following the long off-season. After six long months over the spring and summer and me focusing principally on a great Summer of Sports in many retrospects, the shift back to covering the thing this site specializes in covering also means the return of this weekly routine of bringing you the episodes of Are You The One?, The Challenge and Real World as Twitter saw it.

   On Thursday, or Friday for some of you if you got to record the show since it aired for one time only this year in that coveted spot of follow Teen Mom 2, season 3 of Are You The One? kicked off with, as one of my webcast hosts calls it, a whole season crammed into the first episode. And indeed it was, as in addition to the usual pomp and circumstance that comes with our new cast of 20 girls and guys single and ready to mingle, there is also a huge twist that will change the game for sure this time around. As for what goes on in the house, lust at first sight sees hearts on the line as we see the quick formation of couples and love triangles right out of the opening gate, along with all the emotions of reality TV that we come to love as well.
   We'll have all the interaction from the premiere, the lead-up to it and the aftermath covered here in the first of our two-part post covering this wild premiere episode that will now need two blog posts each week to cover it. Plus after all that on DC ExtraTime, we'll catch up with a member of Team MTV who has now made the transition into the world of Hollywood in his post-MTV life. That's all ahead here as we kick off our weekly posts here.

First off, as we begin our fifth cycle covering the MTV Trifecta here on DCBLOG, in case you're a newbie here and checking us out for the first time, as always welcome aboard, it's great to have you with us and get comfortable here. A signature feature unique to DCBLOG, the 'Pulse brings you exclusive, one-of-a-kind running twitter diaries of AYTO and The Challenge/Real World franchise as seen by the people watching the episodes in 140 characters or less - cast and fans alike.
   Social media has changed the game in how people can have the true communal experience of watching TV shows and events, and interacting with cast, fans, friends and everyone. With having grown a strong rapport with Team MTV for three years now, this site strives to bring that interaction to you on these journals, which are also the premise of my secondary DCNOW twitter hub devoted to live tweets. And of course, often times it's the episode interaction that becomes the big show as the cast relives the drama in its edited form with more than just family and friends.
   If you're a fan who wants to relive how your favorite castmates reacted to a hookup, fight, challenge, getaway date, truth booth, matchup or anything else that took place, of course we have everything covered and you can check out all the twitter reaction and hoopla right here. But most particularly, in the case of some of you such as yours truly, those who might have stayed off social media while the episodes aired and didn't get the benefit of having the true TV/Twitter experience of your favorites tweeting along with you either out west or even watched it on your DVR or Over the Top a day or so later to avoid those spoilers, The 'Pulse is your first chance to catch up on the tweets you missed. These diaries are specially designed, curated and pieced together by me in real-time, tweet-by-tweet, uncensored and unfiltered to bring that experience and interaction as a public service to you, the fans, so you don't miss a moment. It's easier than just catching up on tweets one by one.
   With all the time and effort I put in to bring these posts and the reactions of everyone to you on this site, The 'Pulse is only part of the DCBLOG MTV experience, offering a worldwide audience, who are always appreciative of this MTV fan's great work, a unique angle on AYTO and the two other shows in the Trifecta, The Challenge and Real World, which we'll be covering here later. It's fitting that they, along with other MTV shows, are perfectly suited to the kind of great insight, perspective and storytelling that makes MTV reality programming unique, and no channel lays claim to the kind of deeper, more intimate relationship & impact on all those involved.

Enough of that prologue. Let's get now to the reason you are actually here for: the following are the actual tweets of the cast, alumni, fans and me as we got to see the premiere, along with the buildup to, and the aftermath of, premiere day, and of course the first episode.
- As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but I am keeping it uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)
- Plus, if you haven't watched the episode yet, or if you're an international fan and this episode has yet not aired in your territory, then do not proceed. But don't worry, be sure to bookmark DCBLOG as I will compile all of these tweets into these posts after every episode so you won't be in the dark of how your favorites saw this all unfold.

So, dust off that name tag, strap yourself in and Join In after the jump as we head off to the Hawaiian islands once again for Season 3 of Are You The One?, SocialPulse style.

DC SocialPulse: Are You The One? S3 - Road to the Premiere

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language and objectionable 
content for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. ***

BY DC CUEVA                           

> @DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

Hi, hello, what's up and welcome back to DC SocialPulse on DCBLOG and to the first of our weekly posts covering the social interaction of the MTV Trifecta for this new cycle, which begins today with Season 3 of Are You The One?.

Typically, we present the tweets of cast members before, during and after they watch episodes of AYTO as well as The Challenge and Real World. But today, to help kick off our weekly posts here in the first of what will be three DCBLOG posts to be posted here in the coming days, we're doing something rather different in presenting not the episode tweets as twitter saw it, but to bring you the vibe and anticipation of the cast as they counted down to last Thursday's premiere.
   We'll be covering that spicy first episode coming up a bit later on today, as this is being posted on Sunday, September 27th, with all the episode reaction from our new group of Alec, Amanda, Austin, Britni, Chuck, Chelsey, Cheyenne, Connor, Devin, Hannah, Hunter, Kayla, Kiki, Melanie, Mike, Nelson, Rashida, Stacey, Tyler & Zak, as well as fans like myself. But to whet your appetite for that 'Pulse post here later, we'll bring you the twitter interaction in the days leading up to the big day. This is also necessary to separate this group from the tweets of premiere week and the episode itself to help conserve as much space as possible on these posts too.
   In reading the conversations between cast members from the three shows in the Trifecta, you can get a sense of what the vibe is like among the casts as they await their time in the sun. I always would think of the days leading up to an MTV premiere as the grown-up millennial version of the lead-up to Christmas, with kids everywhere feeling the anticipation of what it's gonna be like when the big day arrives and seeing what the man with the red suit might leave them under the tree. I also compare it to the anticipation for a sports season or a big fight in that premiere week is the culmination of weeks of hype, talk and everything else that precedes the big day, and the moment the opening titles air it brings that great feeling to the cast that they now have the spotlight. That's the feeling every MTV cast member goes through as they count down the days to premiere night of their show or season.

- As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but I am keeping it uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)

So, following the jump, join us for the countdown to the premiere of season 3 of Are You The One?, SocialPulse style.

DC FORUM: Are You The One? Season 3 Preview

The views and opinions expressed in DC FORUM are only of its hosts

and do not necessarily reflect the views of DCBLOG or affiliated parties.

A DCBLOG Trifecta Preview

WITH DC CUEVA & ANDREW KIRK

> @DC408Dxtr / @CSUGradAKirk

Well, after a six-month offseason, the day all of us who follow the MTV Trifecta have waited for all summer will at long last arrive with the premiere tomorrow night of Season 3 of Are You The One?. And even as the weather here in California has soared the 90's & 100's this week, it will sure feel like Christmas as the brand new season will begin with a new cast and a new twist that will sure make things interesting as we follow our new cast of 20 singles in their quest for love and $1 million.
   AYTO will kick off a new season in over 24 hours from now as our third set of girls & guys unlucky in love will arrive on the Big Island of Hawaii with lofty expectations in following the show's first two casts who both scooped up the $1 million by going 10 for 10 in getting their perfect match. Anything is possible here, from its only perfect match becoming man & wife with a baby, to a late comeback to winning last year, to what could possibly happen this time around with a big twist looming over this season's new kids on the block.

On this edition of DC FORUM - my fan discussion series I do here occasionally and plan on doing more often this time around, again I'm joined by the one & only Andrew Kirk, great social friend and fellow MTV insider & host. As you know, the both of us have followed this world on a full-blown basis since summer 2012 and are about to begin our fourth year and fifth cycle covering the MTV Trifecta on both his webcasts and our blogs. Obviously, a lot's happened in the course of nearly 40 months that it feels like we've been at this for 10 years now, though in actuality we're about to cover our 11th season of a RW/AYTO season or a Challenge. And of course, Andrew, along with fellow podcast hosts Brian Cohen & Ali Lasher, is among the best in the business in talking this great franchise of ours and interviewing an endless amount of people from around the MTV community.

As for the present, with hours until Are You The One? Season 3 debuts, there's enough time for Andrew and I to discuss what will be going down this season and, of course, to look at the new cast. And in this post that's again more of a discussion-based thing than is usually the case here, we'll be dissecting the new cast, the big twist that's been put on the new kids and of course giving our predictions of how things will play out. With the both of us having our opinions of what's about to go down, there's sure to be a good deal of discussion to help fire you up for the premiere.

   So, join your friends, DC and Andrew, after the jump as we discuss Are You The One? Season 3 as we count down to the premiere in only a matter of hours from now.