DC SocialPulse Extra: Winter Break: Hunter Mountain - The Bingeathon

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, objectionable content & spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. Due to its length, take frequent eye breaks if you're reading this top to bottom. ***

BACKTRACKED EDITION
BY DC CUEVA                        

■ @DC408DXTR  @ IG/YT/SC/TB

Hello, and welcome to winter... if you happen to be living in one of the many places to have snow on the ground to start this extended, four-day holiday weekend. And it's a fitting backdrop for us to bring you something special this Thanksgiving Eve...
   The winter portion of our MTV Reality journey will soon take us to a rare sight for MTV fans in the United States: the snow and the slopes. It's not that often for these shows to feature the magic of the coldest of the four seasons, though two of the toughest and memorable finals ever on The Challenge did involve winter when Battle of the Exes and Free Agents were decided on mountain tops capped in snow and resulted in Johnny Bananas winning both of them, part of his six titles.
   Come December 5th, MTV's global phenomenon Ex On The Beach will take the American version of "The Ultimate Relations-XXX Show" from the sands of the world's most exotic beaches & locales to a new kind of paradise. This time, it's a ski resort, with colder temperatures, snowboards and everything the winter has to offer, and faces familiar to both MTV and reality TV fans will again grace your screen, as they will have their exes ski onto their turf.
   But as we segue way toward kicking off our coverage of that season later this long weekend, we at DCBLOG are pleased to bring you something very special as part of our lead-up to Peak of Love: a Backtracked edition of the SocialPulse covering the last time we were gifted with this magical sight of ours.

All the way back in February & March of 2018 while our focus was on The Challenge: Vendettas, another show was airing... at least only briefly. From the producers of the Shore franchise - where Floribama Shore is now into its third season and the ninth overall season of the original Jersey show having just ended and it being sandwiched in between those two shows, Winter Break: Hunter Mountain brought eight winter-loving young adults -- Alessandra, Carissa, Jillian, J-Brew, Marc, Sheen, Taylar and TJ - to the Catskill Mountains north of New York City and the slopes and villages for some good old winter fun in a winter Shore.
   But due to matters beyond everyone's control, it disappeared from the main MTV channel after it premiered after the Winter Olympics and was shifted over to the lesser-known MTV2 where after a couple Fridays, the rest of the season was "burned off" in a special season marathon. And that took place on the last Saturday in March in 2018, and when I did watch that it marked a rarity for me in binge-watching a whole season of (or at least, half of) an MTV series - something that, if you have Pluto TV, you can do so with that app now as does the MTV Hits channel on Amazon Prime Video.

To refresh everyone's memory, when we last left the lodge - in the time of this site back in early March of last year, the story that had those handful of viewers watching this talking was the feud between J-Brew and Alessandra, where a call to her parents to stop calling her every day for a welfare check left the house divided. Meanwhile, another person who joined those two in competing against Johnny Bananas and Team Challenge on Celebrity Fear Factor months prior, Marc, had the opportunity to finally seal the deal with Californian blonde Taylar.
   And as we rejoin the house after all this time for this special attraction, plenty going on: There may be feelings for one of the girls to fall for the guy who loves to snowboard in the winter and go cliffdiving over the summer. Some friends from back home decide to surprise one of the guys, while the rollercoaster ride continues on for Marc & Tay. Plus, don't be surprised if there are multiple trips to the doctor, as well as plenty of tensions brewing amidst the fun of snow outside, such as one being faced to stay loyal to his girl and two relationships reaching a crossroads. And the house takes advantage of their time to enjoy the snow and hash out all that drama before it all comes to an end.

After the jump, we take an escape from real life for a Winter Break in Hunter Mountain, New York on this Pulse Extra special attraction ahead of Ex On The Beach: Peak of Love. Nice to have you with us...

DC ExtraTime: Summer Break - Cliff Diving with TJ (of Winter Break)

BY DC CUEVA                      

■ @DC408DXTR  @ IG/YT/SC/TB

Amidst this madness of Premiere Week and the launch of the month-long countdown to Are You The One? Season 7 along with the first half of this year, it would be easy to forget that there are other shows to look in at besides just The Challenge, Jersey & Floribama Shore, and Ex On The Beach. And the journey that involved one of those other series began last fall and has been on more of a roller coaster ride than your usual MTV reality series.

If you remember watching Fear Factor last year, the season finale of Season 1 saw Bananas, Laurel, Leroy and Aneesa face off against four relative unknowns from a show that didn't air on MTV for another six months: Marc, Carissa, Alessandra and J-Brew of what would become Winter Break: Hunter Mountain. The genius behind Jersey/Floribama Shore, Sally-Ann Salsano, brought a show and formula synonymous with the beach to the snow and the Catskill Mountains, where there was a lot of drama taking place with them, TJ, Taylar, Jillian and Sheen.
   TJ (Angus, not TJ Lavin) found himself in plenty of drama during their stay in the winter cabin in Hunter Mountain, starting when he opened up about his experience serving as a serviceman in the Army, him having a girlfriend back home, and drama with Alessandra and Jillian that even spilled over into the Twitter-sphere. And as he waits out this long summer to go back into snowboarding following what we saw on that short but sweet season north of the Big Apple, TJ is keeping himself busy with a rite of summer of going diving into a lake... only this one is more adventurous.

Old-time sports fans who remember watching ABC's Wide World of Sports in the pre-ESPN age saw the sport of cliff-diving: a sport that's not for the faint of heart being brought from the springboards and platforms to the cliffs of Acapulco, Mexico, and at higher elevations than in the most dangerous of all the summer Olympic sports. A group of divers based in that Mexican paradise dive from 30-40 meters above the sea down into La Quebrada, and high diving is now featured in the Red Bull action sports series and at the FINA World Aquatics Championships sharing the same worldwide stage as diving, swimming and water polo in between Games.
   Whether it's warmer or colder, TJ frequently travels with friends who share that passion for activities that get the adrenaline pumping... and in this case, it's going all the way down 35-110 feet into the waters below for the thrill of it - the most dangerous activity anywhere which often claims lives when not done properly. Last week, a YouTube video was posted at NoahMouth that saw TJ join more than 80 other cliff divers from home and abroad to his Vermont backyard, down to Tennessee and everywhere in between to take on the task of diving off of some of the most beautiful waterfalls and quarries anywhere, from North to South.
   The last scene before the credits features TJ throwing the bird at the camera, and the video caption adds, "This has truly been one of the craziest trips yet for sure!!"  As they always say, please do not try this at the nearest waterfall.

For the handful who watched that show including this fan, due to matters beyond everyone's control Winter Break: Hunter Mountain had a short run on MTV and MTV2 and it led to only my second time binge-watching most of a season of a TV series. We've archived all those posts from that Binge-Fest of five episodes that aired on Final Four Saturday in late March, and we'll share that here later during this cycle (Don't go in on us... it is, after all, winter in the Southern Hemisphere and at last check snow was falling at Thredbo Mountain six hours south of Sydney).

- I AM DC
#DCBLOG

MTV Trifecta: Winter Break Hunter Mountain - "It's Complicated"

*** Advisory: Pulse Diary below contains adult language, objectionable content & spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. Due to its length, take frequent eye breaks if you're reading this top to bottom. ***

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

We have arrived at the last weekend of March, and as you begin this holiday weekend with this Passover Friday, we're about to take you Inside the MTV Trifecta. Coming up, The Challenge Vendettas reaches its Elite Eight, but we start things off with some winter fun with our friends at Winter Break: Hunter Mountain.
   On Episode 2 two weeks ago, two more visits by the cops for welfare checks being initiated by her mom saw the already brewing tension between JBrew and Alessandra reach new levels. For Jillian, she received the news that she has a broken arm, but decides to not leave the house this early into her trip. But on a lighter note, we saw our first hookup in the house, as was our first prank in ranch being put into Marc's lotion, as well as the mesmerizing sport of pink pong meeting Jack@$$.
   On Episode 3 last week, JBrew and Alessandra's feud continues to hang over the house over whether it was the right thing to have the parents get into this thing in the first place. However, matters turn for a few to the most important people these people have back home, including one of them who might find themselves in a precarious spot when a call from home comes up. And for two of them who have been flirting a bit since they moved in, will they finally hook up?

Find out the answers to all of that after the jump as we bring you our look at Episode 3 of Winter Break: Hunter Mountain, as we welcome you to the weekend with DCBLOG.

MTV Trifecta: Winter Break Hunter Mountain - "How Jill Got Her Groove Back"

*** Advisory: Pulse Diary below contains adult language, objectionable content & spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. Due to its length, take frequent eye breaks if you're reading this top to bottom. ***

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

As those of you out East are trying to get through the latest blast of winter, we have some good news here on this fourth day of spring: Winter Break: Hunter Mountain, that is. Despite it moving to MTV2 and to Friday due to unforeseen circumstances, that doesn't mean that DCBLOG is bolting out... in fact, things are only getting steamier for this latest guilty pleasure.
   If you saw watched its premiere a while ago - or caught it for the first time last week, the lovable bunch of Alessandra, Carissa, J. Brew, Jillian, Marc, Sheen, Taylar and TJ all settled into their cabin in the Catskill Mountains north of New York City, and it didn't take long for them to gel and to enjoy the surroundings that their winter village offers. And with some love in the club, a bromance brewing and clothes being stripped off, those of you who yearn for a Real World-like show with the fun of the Shore franchise will no doubt be entertained.
   On Episode 2, the fun vibe of the first few days in the snow evaporate as the tension between two of the housemates gets out of hand when something the cabin encounters the first night then becomes one they just can't seem to get out of their heads -- quite literally. For another, a spill on the mountain has put their vacation into some doubt. But not all is serious business: the question becomes of who will be the first to officially hook up in the house, and a condiment we all put into our salads becomes part of our first house prank. And who knew a mesmerizing Olympic sport can hurt so much?

After the jump, Winter Break: Hunter Mountain begins... again. And welcome to the weekend.

DC WRAP: Winter Break Premiere, and Challenge Vendettas Thru 9

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

After such a nice weekend with the Oscars, a big Sunday for golf fans and a lot more, we're into a new week. And before this week's episodes of the MTV series we cover here weekly take to the air, we have this week's WRAP to review last week's premiere of Winter Break: Hunter Mountain and a little Challenge talk before the drama goes down in Spain tomorrow. Last week's first stanza in the Catskill Mountains saw a lot go down in just the first night alone, while Vendettas rolls along with the sweet sixteen still left.
   Due to our extensive slate of posts this weekend which began back on Thursday when we had to catch up on the two episodes that took place before last week's, we'll recap not only this week's Challenge but also the past several episodes before that and this coming week's show on here next week. But coming up, a recap of the eventful and fun premiere of Winter Break: Hunter Mountain, plus we'll share a couple photos with you with a few special guests... find out who just ahead.

MTV Trifecta: Winter Break - Hunter Mountain: The Premiere

*** Advisory: Pulse Diary below contains adult language, objectionable content & spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. Due to its length, take frequent eye breaks if you're reading this top to bottom. ***

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

Wherever you are tonight -- except perhaps if you're in Florida, California, Hawaii or in South Padre Island, TX where Spring Break is about to begin, it is likely cold outside, and if you're out east chances are you are being snowed in by the latest Nor'easter, we at DCBLOG have the perfect remedy for your late Saturday night: something spankin' new as roll along on our ride around the MTV reality world.
   The channel is in the midst of a Renaissance, and the hits just keep on coming: a new group of Teen Mom, this Monday's season finale of the sultry Siesta Key (which we covered here earlier), the upcoming reunion of the Jersey Shore OG's in Miami, and their Southern successors Floribama Shore to return afterwards. And just days removed from the flame being extinguished following an incredible Winter Olympics, this week sees another new MTV series take to the screen in one that was spawned by both Jersey and Floribama: Winter Break: Hunter Mountain.

The show promises to bring that both fun spirit of their Shore counterparts to the winter fun we all get to enjoy this time of year -- especially with what's going on this weekend along the Eastern seaboard, and to continue the wave of interest in all things winter sports thanks to the events of the past month. And this week, it all begins with Alessandra, Carissa, J. Brew, Jillian, Marc, Sheen, Taylar and TJ moving into their new quarters in a cabin where they'll have a case of cabin fever, but also the snow right outside for them to do their thing.
   Yes, there's all the usual pomp and circumstance of the roomies getting to know one another in the first hours of them being together for the next month or so, and also getting used to their new surroundings. But also: what happens when cop visits, hot tubs, club kissing and stripping down all come together with having some fun in the powder? It's all in a first day's work in this winter paradise that's only a few hours' drive north of the Big Apple.

This is the latest new series -- over 20 in all outside my three favorite shows -- that I have been able to follow in my five years following the MTV world socially, and DCBLOG will offer Winter Break the same wall-to-wall coverage treatment that we do with Floribama Shore, The Challenge and other series with a Pulse diary of all the action, reaction and interaction of the week's episode from social media land, plus a traditional episode recap or one of our original stories from the ExtraTime files relating to this series -- time permitting.
   After the jump, it's the premiere of Winter Break: Hunter Mountain. Have fun enjoying it... (and thanks for staying up here tonight)

The Look: Winter Break - Hunter Mountain

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

Last year as its parent Viacom put their new strategy into action, MTV experienced a renaissance in relevance and ratings — 2017's second half garnering increased year-to-year viewership. There, they turned The Challenge into a year-round franchise, which made our work a bit busier along with two seasons of AYTO and their spinoffs. We also saw the state of Florida become a reality capital in Siesta Key and Floribama Shore premiering to much buzz. And in a time of TV returns and with Ludacris' help, a 2000's NBC hit was rebooted on MTV in Fear Factor, which returned for Season 2 this past weekend with new stunts and screams to scare the living hell out of those who dare to even try.

   Last September, a special postseason episode of that new Fear Factor pitted four Challenge icons: Bananas, Leroy, Aneesa & Laurel — versus four people who, like the British imports who have made a huge mark in Spain, were relative unknowns to most of us. This was because their show hadn't aired just yet, even though there was just a brief taste of it in a promo during last year's Video Music Awards when their show actually had a different title. The foursome who made their MTV debuts before the autumn equinox were no match for Team Challenge, and they didn't make it to the Final Fear and a shot at the $50,000 - which the guys eventually won.
   Now in the midst of the winter, those four who we saw in the SoCal sun are now ready to show us what they're really made of in their natural, ideal environment, in a much different climate. They and the rest of the cast live for the thrill of shredding it on the powder on the slopes with those skis & snowboards like so many of us who've been watching the Winter Olympics all this month along with The Bachelor Winter Games, all around Vendettas and Celebrity Big Brother. They are anxious to party like gold medalists and ready to kill it on the slopes, and what better place for this to go down then in a village three hours north of America's largest metropolis.
   If you enjoyed Floribama, are anxious for the Jersey OG's return in over a month, and/or wanting something house-based to fill that Real World void, you might've found the ideal candidate. And as a grand Olympiad in Korea has come to an end, tonight the focus of the year's coldest season will turn from the slopes of PyeongChang across the ocean to the mountains of New York State, as we take offer The Look at MTV's cooler hybrid of Jersey Shore and all things snow & ice: Winter Break: Hunter Mountain.