Well, fall has arrived, which of course is Christmas for those who love television. The returns of our favorite network programming plus many cable shows are as much a rite of autumn as football season starting up, kids going back to school and the leaves falling outside our windows.
Now, you all know me as a huge MTV fan since I was in high school - 16 years if you're counting. And both my attention and the focus on this site is on the Trifecta known as Are You The One? - season 3 premieres two weeks from tonight on Thursday September 24th as this is being posted, The Challenge and Real World. Of course, DCBLOG will be covering those three shows extensively here over the course of the next several months.
But again, it's worth mentioning that as someone who's more receptive to the TV world around me than others, I've been more aware of the broad range of programming out there that satisfies my curiosity. In the nearly 40 months that I've been here covering and following this world in social land, I've befriended many of those from Team MTV from just about every corner of the world, covering all aspects of the millennial generation too many to mention.
When I began watching the Teen Mom franchise for the first time (life events of me becoming uncle many times the last several years was the reason), it became the 17th new MTV show that I've tweeted/followed since joining the broader social media world. Last winter, I added my first network show to the slate with CBS' iconic Survivor, and there's some other ones out there that I might not live tweet but do watch loyally.
Now, my live tweet schedule is so jam packed that now, for the very first time, there's something for me to live tweet on a regular basis on several straight days & nights, both sports and TV wise. And we haven't gotten into the mouth-watering prospects of that MTV Trifecta. So, I'm about to head into the busiest time I've had of regularly using my DCNOW hub as much as my primary DC408Dxtr home.
After the jump, a look at four shows that are providing me (or have provided me) with a good warm-up with the busy time I'll be having this fall. But for big overall TV fans, just a reminder before you head there - neither of those shows are called Big Brother or the recently-premiered Fear The Walking Dead (that spinoff of that AMC mega-hit my family doesn't even know about), but don't be surprised to find out which ones I chose. But do check it out anyway and you'll understand why I've gone this route.
HARD KNOCKS
First, we start with something that everyone's familiar with. It was this summer that for the first time in many years, my family subscribed to a premium TV network. Through a offer made by the one provider we've gotten our TV service since we first got Pay TV service of Comcast, we got not one but two of them: the King Kong of these networks HBO, and its longtime rival Showtime. There, a family who loves the sweet science now has the maximum amount of boxing that's being made available - premium, network & basic cable - in this year of its resurgence. Of course, there's a great movie lineup on both channels, has stellar original shows, and this fall it becomes a new home to Sesame Street.
Thanks to having the XFINITY App on my iPad (a must-have if you're a subscriber) and it streaming the channel in line with the East Coast, it's also made possible for me to add the much-buzzed about series and a rite of fall for many in August: HBO's Hard Knocks. Of course, it debuted in 2001 as the first docu-series of its kind on sports television and, by way of both strong interest and viewership would suggest, is the epitome of sports and reality TV being mashed up into one (that is, excluding Challenges of course). And of course, it also incorporates the well known style of NFL Films, which was featured in our Summer of Sports series here.
Just like any other reality show, the series documents the personal and professional lives of the players, the coaches and the staff. It captures the intensity of the battles for positions on the team roster, the intimate moments of them in their off-field family life, and even pranks and inside jokes to add a sense of hilarity to an otherwise intense atmosphere.
There is particular focus on those rookies adjusting to playing on American sports' most-revered stage, as well as undrafted players and journeymen who, while this is in actuality the preseason, this is the regular season for those not as well known as the team's biggest stars. And given that some key players were drafted outside of the much-hyped college players who enter the Draft, we never know who will step up during the season and become an instant star almost out of nowhere.
Since its 2001 debut, Hard Knocks has featured the Ravens, Cowboys (two times), Chiefs, Bengals (two times), Jets, Dolphins and Falcons as they go through their training camps. A number of teams have declined to be the featured team, but later policy was changed to require one team to participate in the show though teams can still volunteer. Exemptions of being forced to do the show, multi-year extended a few years ago by the league and HBO, are given to teams with new coaches, recent playoff teams or past teams documented by the HBO cameras.
This year, the network that was once home to Inside the NFL chose the Houston Texans to film foe the latest installment of the series, the first time the AFC South has been represented. Of course, there's nothing like the soothing voice of the man who is joint custody of the two premium networks, Liev Schreiber (longtime voice of HBO Sports and star of Showtime's Ray Donovan) guiding us through this training camp. And there's nothing like seeing the intensity of these players going through these two-a-days at the highest level, as well as preseason games and all the all-access NFL Films provides.
There is particular focus on those rookies adjusting to playing on American sports' most-revered stage, as well as undrafted players and journeymen who, while this is in actuality the preseason, this is the regular season for those not as well known as the team's biggest stars. And given that some key players were drafted outside of the much-hyped college players who enter the Draft, we never know who will step up during the season and become an instant star almost out of nowhere.
Since its 2001 debut, Hard Knocks has featured the Ravens, Cowboys (two times), Chiefs, Bengals (two times), Jets, Dolphins and Falcons as they go through their training camps. A number of teams have declined to be the featured team, but later policy was changed to require one team to participate in the show though teams can still volunteer. Exemptions of being forced to do the show, multi-year extended a few years ago by the league and HBO, are given to teams with new coaches, recent playoff teams or past teams documented by the HBO cameras.
This year, the network that was once home to Inside the NFL chose the Houston Texans to film foe the latest installment of the series, the first time the AFC South has been represented. Of course, there's nothing like the soothing voice of the man who is joint custody of the two premium networks, Liev Schreiber (longtime voice of HBO Sports and star of Showtime's Ray Donovan) guiding us through this training camp. And there's nothing like seeing the intensity of these players going through these two-a-days at the highest level, as well as preseason games and all the all-access NFL Films provides.
After watching an entire season of Hard Knocks for the first time, I can see why fans love watching this series. It's having the right mix of how popular this sport of ours is, what NFL Films is best known for, and bringing the intensity of NFL training camp and all that takes place into a show regarded as the best in its field, produced by two of sports television's best storytellers.
AMERICA'S BEST DANCE CREW
Next, a return of sorts with another familiar show. I didn't follow much of America's Best Dance Crew during its original run just before I joined Twitter in summer 2012. But given the show's strong word-of-mouth buzz and the January announcement of its return to MTV as the lead-up to the VMA's this year, I had to join in and add it to the slate. It became the 18th new MTV show that I've live tweeted and/or covered here on social media when it aired this summer, and definitely didn't disappoint for my first go-around following it.
Five previous season winners came to this eighth season of ABDC in the search to add more to their award case: Quest Crew (S3), I.Am.Me (S6), We Are Heroes (S4), Elektrolytes (S7) and Super Cr3w (S2). A sixth, non-champion team joined them in KINJAZ, who have members of past crews from the first season including S1 champs Jabbawockeez. Given the five champion crews have won the big prize, and the sixth with some champion experience in their new team too, it was no surprise that the competition this season was as packed as you can get for any all-star competition show.
There are various weekly challenges each crew go through to put together their best routine set to a various theme. For this season, the teams set about meeting that challenge by creating great dance routines set to hit music. From top hits to double-crew collaborations, to even a beat boy performing with one crew, they brought everything to the stage, even when they were shorthanded on a few occasions. Given that this is my first time watching ABDC, I was entertained by all of the crews. I'm not one of those people who would go to clubs and see people dance, but nonetheless I enjoyed my first time.
As time went by, the competition gets tense as the field is whittled down from 6, to 5, to 4 and to 3 crews in the running for the $100,000 prize and golden trophy. And considering how deep and packed this field was for this Road to the VMA's season of ABDC, it was obviously no easy task for this year's judging panel of T-Pain, Teyana Taylor and Frankie Grande to choose who to keep and who to cut.
In the end, it was Quest Crew, Super Cr3w and KINJAZ that advanced to the final three, which was gonna be the final two but considering how well every crew performed this season the judges kept the last half of the field in just before the public vote. And when the dust settled on VMA weekend, it was Quest Crew who got America's vote and once again became America's Best Dance Crew.
Something I also admired about this show is that unlike the Trifecta where there's often bad blood among those in the various casts of the ecosystem, for ABDC it's nothing but a friendly competition. There's so much love and respect for all the members of the crews, where they're supportive of one another, provide words of inspiration both to members and other crews to be at their best, and being grateful when you win and handle elimination with class. We even saw an on-stage proposal too.
After seeing this season and the show for the first time, I've now starting to really like watching America's Best Dance Crew and in considering looking around MTV.com and video sites to catch up and watch past seasons and see what I've been missing. Let's hope we get to see another season of the show and see who can step up once again.
GAINESVILLE
From the intensity of football training camp and the fun of dancing with friends, this leads us to the most surprising of the shows I chose, but something I prefer in the reality TV world. That would be of shows that are more down-to-earth, more storytelling-oriented and is more of a docu-series than a competition show. It's why that though I love Are You The One? and The Challenge just as much, The Real World remains my first love in the MTV Trifecta for those reasons and a few others.
In the MTV Sampler edition of The Look last year, one of the shows featured there documented a tight-knit, diverse group of friends who live in the Washington Heights neighborhood in uptown New York City and have the feel of them being more like family than friends. It's always a breath of fresh air to see a reality show that's relatable and personal and while it might have some drama to it, there's always a relaxed feel compared to other shows. Well, it has been revived in a way, but the focus shifts down the East Coast to a Florida college town that's also home to the University of Florida.
As the first non-MTV basic cable show that I'm following & live tweeting, CMT's Gainesville is the coming-of-age story of seven young friends who are living on their own for the very first time in that town that's also their hometown. Whereas stablemates Party Down South have brought a fun, Jersey Shore feel to MTV's country music-oriented siblings, Gainesville is its Real World/Laguna Beach where the vibe is more of the relaxed kind, just as it is in the sun-soaked locale of the Sunshine State. Fittingly, the chorus of the show's theme begins with, "Lay back, way back" - it's the Florida way.
Our seven friends - Andreya, Austin, Beth, Brian, Kenny, Kerryn and Shelby - are all looking to find their place in life in Gainesville and as twenty-somethings. They're fighting their way through the usual challenges people their age go through: devastating breakups, complex relationships within and outside their clique, financial struggles of paying college tuition, and moving out of where they called home in their childhood. Just it was for JP, Reyna & friends in the Big Apple, the Gainesville girls & guys are bonded by this transition into becoming adults and dealing with these hurdles, but are always making sure that they have some fun along the way, too.
Our seven friends - Andreya, Austin, Beth, Brian, Kenny, Kerryn and Shelby - are all looking to find their place in life in Gainesville and as twenty-somethings. They're fighting their way through the usual challenges people their age go through: devastating breakups, complex relationships within and outside their clique, financial struggles of paying college tuition, and moving out of where they called home in their childhood. Just it was for JP, Reyna & friends in the Big Apple, the Gainesville girls & guys are bonded by this transition into becoming adults and dealing with these hurdles, but are always making sure that they have some fun along the way, too.
Through a few episodes, we've seen budding romances blow up after nights at the bar, a BFF friendship go down in the Florida night when one of them becomes close with her ex, and another love affair go down by way of sketchy texts. We've even seen Brian have fun at the thrift shop, a car wash with girls in their bikinis pleading to cars to help pay one's tuition, and of course tailgating at Florida football games.
Yep, there's never a dull moment when you're in Gainesville with these great people. Again, it's refreshing to get away from the competition- and drama-filled shows I'm accustomed to for the kind of reality TV where I can just sit back and relax instead of being on the edge of my seat.
TODRICK
And finally, there's number four, which was a last minute addition to the slate, and another surprise for some of you. But after the show's star namesake had a very good showing filling in for Max Joseph as Nev Schulman's right hand man on Catfish during VMA week, that earned him the spot of 19th new MTV show since joining social world three years ago.
As was proved by watching the Alaskan version of Buckwild, Slednecks last year, I have the ability to enjoy having some fun, and this one gives me a chance to let loose a little. Plus, there's also a slice of the aforementioned Heights, which documented the group's career aspirations, something that's paramount in this new show. Todrick is the real-life story of one of Young Hollywood's fast-rising stars and the quest to make it big in Tinseltown, his way.
Todrick Hall is the epitome of a quadruple threat in the social media age: he's a singer who was on season 9 of American Idol a few years ago and made it into the semifinals. He's a YouTube sensation with 1.7 million subscribers to his channel with viral music videos with over 160 million views. He's a Broadway star and choreographer who creates his own dance moves. And oh, he's got the manager's manager of music's biggest names as his boss, Scooter Braun; not to mention being shortlisted in the Hollywood section of Forbes Magazine's Top 30 Under 30 last year.
Now, Todrick joins Rob Dyrdek, the Osbournes and so many other A- and B-list celebrities who've added membership of Team MTV to their resume as stars of their own MTV show. Cameras will be given all-access into the creative factory he's developed in the Hollywood hills, and also introducing us to the passionate inner circle of those he collaborates with who do everything they can to being subscribers his weekly videos. Rather than waiting for someone in SoCal to make them stars, Todrick & friends do all the work on their own: writing, choreographing, styling and directing full-on productions each week. Plus, they also have balancing jobs on the side to help pay those bills as they look to make realize their dreams of becoming big in the place where dreams come true.
So far, we've seen Todrick shoot two videos: one a birthday gift to a friend poking fun at the pop culture were into, and the other an inspirational anthem reminding those who want to live on their own terms to be proud of who they are. In addition, in the last episode we saw him & his team fly to his Texas hometown to not only shoot a video but also visit his family who of course have their own Todrick museum. And we also met his brother too, where while he played the part of young Todrick, the older brother let him know that he's gay, something that wasn't addressed on Idol. And those on twitter not only love the show, but also like the show's positive nature and how it proves that you can achieve your dreams your way. I'm enjoying it so far.
Whether it's seeing NFL training camp in its grittiest form, seeing top dance crews move their way to the top, simply relaxing with college kids at a crossroads or just seeing a fun-loving guy live his dreams, it might surprise you that I chose Hard Knocks, ABDC, Gainesville and Todrick for The Look. But don't be surprised that, for someone who might not be into the scripted fare that much that everyone else is into, this is the best that it can get in my television diet outside of sports and of course the Trifecta.
Again, DCBLOG has just kicked off our wall-to-wall coverage of the MTV Trifecta of Are You The One? and The Challenge/Real World franchise. We devote enormous time and resources to covering the three shows I love on here, with weekly & wide-ranging posts and a majority of blog traffic driven to here by my links to them on DC Twitter (@DC408dxtr). Watch for regular posts coming your way here including DC SocialPulse diaries, episode wraps and more.
- In case you missed it, coinciding with the cast being revealed prior to VMA week, we kicked off our coverage with a Blog preview looking at all of the 20 singles who have traveled to Hawaii to search for love and money in the most unique dating show of its kind. Plus, we discussed the game-changing twist coming to the new season and also provided a follow-up on how Team MTV spent their offseason, which includes lots of babies for fellow alumni. Check it out here, along with an interview with host Ryan Devlin at talknerdywithus.com.
- To help further advance our already top-notch coverage, I'm introducing DC WRAP, now separate from my signature SocialPulse diaries, for those of you who want just a simple wrap-up and analysis of the episodes rather than jog all the way down through the tweets for them as in the past. I plan on also posting quote pics of social media's best on both my Instagram and on Twitter as a way to help drive more people to this site, as well as excerpts on my Tumblr page dc408dxtr.tumblr.com.
- And I'm also considering giving fans an even more regular voice on DCBLOG during the season in a mini DC FORUM section of the WRAP just for them to discuss the episodes and more. I'll be reaching out to fellow hosts Andrew Kirk, Brian Cohen, Ali Lasher and Reality Radio to take part, and expect to hear them and others right here during the season, as well as on their shows and blogs too.
For now, our focus is on sports and entertainment before the Trifecta cycle begins. As always, make sure to follow my social media platforms below:
- First, follow my dedicated live tweet hub, DCNOW at Twitter @DC408DxNow. This summer, the Summer of Sports has witnessed every big event on there, and the fall will be a good one as well with NFL action, baseball races and postseason, NBA and NHL beginning, NASCAR and golf winding down, and UFC and boxing too. We'll have a special DC SocialPulse post here looking back at this sporting summer to wrap up our Summer of Sports coverage here soon, as well as a full slate of sports and other non-MTV related posts right here on DCBLOG.
- On VMA night, I announced that I'll be traveling to Las Vegas next month for my latest vacation, and you can expect good amount of social media posts on my visual platforms of Instagram, Snapchat, Vine and Flickr, along with DCNOW.
- Of course, there's also a packed live tweet TV slate, which in addition to the Trifecta and all shows above will also include season 31 of Survivor, Follow the Rules with Ja Rule, Teen Mom and more. And as always, don't forget to follow my primary Twitter handle @DC408Dxtr, my Instagram account also at the same handle, and at Tumblr at dc408dxtr.tumblr.com. I'm open for you to chat with me anytime on Twitter, so if you want to talk sports, MTV or pop culture, I'm here for you.
Again, thanks for reading this edition of The Look at shows giving me a good warmup for the huge stretch of fall TV programming coming up. Make sure to join me on DCNOW tonight for the NFL Kickoff in New England to kick start a busy next few days of live tweets, and follow me at my social media platforms above. Until we talk again here, thanks for reading, have fun and stay cool.
- I AM DC
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