Views & opinions expressed in DC FORUM are only of its hosts and
do not necessarily reflect the views of DCBLOG or affiliated parties.
An MTV Trifecta Discussion
WITH DC CUEVA & ANDREW KIRK
Tonight sees the beginning to Season 28 of The Challenge, as Rivals III takes shape with the twist of enemies of the opposite genders being revealed to the competitors and all the drama that will ensue south of the border in Mexico's South Coast. A new crop of rivalries and competitors will join the establishment of the veterans as matters kick off, and once again DCBLOG will be on top of it all for you here, as well as the ongoing Real World season and Season 4 of Are You The One? too.
Now, returning once again for our coverage of not just Rivals III, but also AYTO 4 is the Strategy Room. At various stages during the summer on the WRAP, we will analyze where the game situation stands at those points, most especially when we enter that crunch time of late in the season when half the field is left in Mexico and after the 5th Matchup in Hawaii. And also back is DC FORUM, with thoughts of yours truly and those who I ask as we roll along the new seasons of all three shows.
Coming up, yours truly and my longtime cohort in covering & following the Trifecta, Andrew Kirk, will discuss our thoughts on the season that awaits us. Plus, I will have an ExtraTime commentary on something that's happened here in the past day or two among Team MTV, and we'll give you info on how you can get involved in the conversation here during our coverage of the next few months in the MTV Trifecta. Join AK and I after the jump for Challenge talk.
Coming up, yours truly and my longtime cohort in covering & following the Trifecta, Andrew Kirk, will discuss our thoughts on the season that awaits us. Plus, I will have an ExtraTime commentary on something that's happened here in the past day or two among Team MTV, and we'll give you info on how you can get involved in the conversation here during our coverage of the next few months in the MTV Trifecta. Join AK and I after the jump for Challenge talk.
STRATEGY ROOM
Pre-Season Preview
Well, let's delve into what I like to refer to these discussions as The Cueva/Kirk Report, owing to the first name of what is now the PBS NewsHour when Robert MacNeil and Jim Lehrer began their respected journalistic partnership back in 1975. Rivals III will be the 14th season of this ecosystem, and the sixth Challenge, that Andrew and I have followed since we started this run with RW St. Thomas when he started doing his webcasts regularly and I joined Twitter in that summer of 2012. And since there's no better expert at this to follow his world than him...you might say that -- with a reference to the pic on the right with me wearing an HBO Sports shirt as this comes to you days ahead of the Canelo/Khan fight this weekend in Vegas -- we are the Jim Lampley and Larry Merchant of covering the Trifecta with his webcasts and my blogs and the both of us being go-to experts, along with many others too many to mention, when it comes to the RW/Challenge franchise and AYTO. Let's get the conversation started once again...
Well, it's here. Our sixth Challenge & 14th MTV season we've covered here. Thoughts on Rivals 3?
● Andrew: "Well the third Rivals season its looking like what the Inferno and Gauntlets were of the last decade. I like that they're changing it up and doing opposite sex teams will make an interesting season to say the least."
● DC: "Yeah, I agree. Trilogies are obviously familiar with combat sports and I believe that Rivals III will deliver. I also agree on that mix-up, it's gonna be very intriguing to have those guy-girl pairs and make for the unpredictability we come to expect from this world we follow diligently."
Let's start with the twist. Rivals I & II was same-gendered. This time it's taking a cue from Exes in co-ed pairs. Thoughts on how this could possibly have a huge effect on how the teams handle this format?
Now, a brief FORUM with just myself with a thought or two on what has happened to some of the Real World Go Big cast in the past few days. If you've seen their Twitter accounts, then you've noticed that Kailah, Dione, Jenna and CeeJai got into a beef yesterday over some petty things ahead of tonight's episode which sees two of those girls get into a fight which we'll see tonight, and after everything we saw with the former two as we've reached the midway point of this season.
In the interest of making my job a little easier on me when I compile all of these tweets for that 'Pulse Double Shot I'll have over the weekend, I will not post their entire tirade in the episode lead-up that precedes the episode posts themselves. Once again, it is policy that if there is conflict amongst members of the MTV community, whether it's on TV or on Twitter, then it's something that I would rather not want to take part of whatsoever in taking sides or putting people down for the sake of attention in the social world.
But considering how we've seen things unravel in the past 24 hours among this cast, it's unfortunate that this has occurred in the cast's behavior getting the best of one another. Whether it's a genuine beef that will initiate a plea for these people to get paired up on a Challenge or something that's a play for viewers to tune in, we'll let you make the call on that one. But in this age where people are putting down one another for attention's sake, for me it's getting a bit out of control. That's why you don't see me tweet or post something negatively or anything like that in social world...I am one of those who likes to keep emotions in check in the digital space.
As we prep for tomorrow's proceedings in Vegas, things are about to get real in the house. Things have been emotional in the house with everyone, except for perhaps Dean, and things are about to head to the level of crazy that have defined the first two trips Real World has made to Vegas. Now, we've got ourselves some good old conflict that should help bring those viewers in. And there's nothing like some good-old ribbing in digital world to help bring that buzz in.
Let's start with the twist. Rivals I & II was same-gendered. This time it's taking a cue from Exes in co-ed pairs. Thoughts on how this could possibly have a huge effect on how the teams handle this format?
● AK: "I think coed teams are so much better. Same sex pairs get to rest for a few days. With this format every team is vulnerable of going home and I think that's how it should be."
● DC: "I concur with you, the drama factor with the co-eds will perhaps be more intense then what we had the first two times. It's not gonna be that guys' and girls' days where a gender who's not up for elimination can relax somewhat, they're gonna be forced to go all out at every mission and go for the win. We don't know how the voting will take place, but everyone's gonna be on edge knowing their dream of the cash could come crashing down at any point."
Looking at the teams starting with the vets and who I think will have a rubber match in the final: thoughts on Sarah & JB and Wes & Nany?
● AK: "Well bananas and Wes rivalry is alive and well and will resume this challenge. The interesting thing is Wes always seems to have a Bananas ally so it forces him to not get rid of Bananas. Rivals 1 Bananas and Tyler beat Kenny and Wes. Rivals 2 Wes and CT best Bananas and Frank. I think we'll probably see one of these two teams take it this season more then likely."
● DC: "It will hard to think of a scenario that a matchup between those two guys in the final won't happen, it should be a shoo-in but of course, anything's possible. JB got the best of CT in the first one, Wes got the second one though he was in essence the supporting act to the Bostonian. And as far as the girls go, there's more pressure on Sarah than with Nany and she doesn't have to worry about if she will win, but now has to worry even more about JB and how she can co-exist. And Nany is itching to get that first W knowing that she has a 2-time champ as her partner. We should have a duel with those two pairs in July, but don't bet on it entirely."
How about of the other pairs that have the vets in there: Leroy/Averey, Camila/Tony & KellyAnne/Jamie?
● AK: "Leroy and Avery is the typical pair that the casual viewer has no clue why they're paired and I agree mtv uses little details just to get Leroy on the show. Camila and Tony could be a good team Tony showed great promise on bloodlines before his injury. Camila needs a breakout season she hasn't been deep on a season since the previous rivals. Idk if this one is it but it could happen. And Kelly Anne and bloodlines champ Cousin Jamie lol is my dark horse team in this season I see them as one of three or four teams potentially grabbing that final three spot."
● DC: "Yeah, we're all wondering why that first pair got on here, but it is what it is of course. RoyLee again has that promise and something more to prove after that exit last time, and Averey doesn't have to worry much about JR. Camila hasn't made a deep run since she was with Jem, and Tony can bring both that drama element and that competitive one as well, and if both can stay calm they can join the conversation. I agree with you on Kelly & Jamie being underestimated; he won last season and she has a finals appearance under her belt... experience counts in this game and they should be in that discussion."
Nice. Now to Johnny & Jessica, and Jenna & Vince.
● AK: "Johnny and Jessica are two I interviewed during Portland so I'm hoping they put they're differences aside but idk if they can they have so much bad blood. And Jenna and Vince short and sweet really like Jenna could care less for him but I think they'll stay around a while cuz of bananas."
● DC: "Of all the rivalries, Johnny & Jessica have more cred to it than most of the others because of him going off on her for her weight, and that led her to be more fit. He went to a final and she had a good run on Free Agents and they are able to contend if they can keep themselves focused, which I'm sure they'll be. For Jenna & Vince, this is their opportunity to shut the doubters, especially him after that bad rookie outing. She has proven that she has both the looks and the ability to compete, and being able to ride under the radar to two finals, especially proving her worth on Bloodlines. I don't know if it's gonna be three finals for her, but absolutely don't count her out."
Next three pairs I have are Cory & Ashley, Simone & Tom, and Dario & Nicole.
● AK: "My boy Cory killed it on bloodlines not sure how Ashley is going to do we only saw her in 3 1/2 episodes on Explosion. But we did hear Cory say Ashley's hear to compete and I like that so thats a good sign. Thomas and Simone something that went unaired so dk why they're rivals but with that being said I don't see them lasting long Simone seems to be very firecrackery in the trailer so I think they'll be in trouble very early. Dario and Nicole same situation as Vince and Jenna they'll make it further then their supposed to based on Nicole's cousin. Nicole get's into a hookup with a new guy so maybe that'll keep her on the show longer idk."
● DC: "It'll be interesting to see how Cory follows up Bloodlines, but I remember watching RW 29 and seeing how Ashley was in the house, but from her pics she does have something to prove. We don't know the whole gist of 'Monie & Tom's rivalry from those few seconds in that Exes 2 trailer, but given how she was the big personality in that AYTO1 house I sense she'll have fireworks this time around, and Tom doesn't have to worry about being part of that crossfire as it was last season. I know Dario wants to improve upon what we saw in Turkey and he has that physique...and Nic's got that fiery personality that could clash with him there. All these teams should have some drama ahead."
The AYTO Pairs: Brandon & Briana, Christina & Nate, Devin & Cheyenne
● AK: "Brandon and Briana were two of my favorites in AYTO 2. However I see my buddy Brandon to be in trouble big time if he runs his mouth like he did in PR. Christina and Nate on paper I don't see them going very far because if Nate goes into a physical elimination round he's losing easily. You know DC how much I don't like Devin. I thought he was the most annoying person in the show and I don't see him changing so I see an early to mid exit for him and Chey.."
● DC: "Yeah, we saw what one of the most awkward perfect matches got to do in the PR, and Brandon has that challenge experience with that physique, while Bri has that bluntness and social game too. And you're right, he needs to be calm or he'll head home. Obviously, we know what happened with Team Eleven in Turkey and now she's sharing a house with the same guy she dated in PR, but Nate does have some football experience as well. And I called it when I sensed that Big D would get a chance to unleash that same game we saw last year that rescued his cast here, while Chey Not Shy won't be shy once again when it comes to the house activity and speaking her mind as she did brilliantly. I don't know if all three will go deep, but I won't be surprised either if they make a decent run or even exceeding Bradam on Exes 2."
Who and which rivals do you feel got snubbed from this?
● AK: "Don't really see any big snubs. Could've had a team like Trey and Marie or Jay G and Jamie or Nia but I don't see any issues with the cast, At least for this format."
● DC: "Yeah. For that first pair you mentioned, and though we are biased because we've been Team STT from day 1, I feel Marie & Trey got one of the two biggest snubs as far as I have it. We saw them bicker on Hassel Island and then in Turkey...if RiRi did decide to return to Turkey, I have a tinkling things would be different with Tony, and I know Trey is itching for another shot and Trey Day should return soon. Another pair is Jason & Nicole from Skeletons considering what happened at the end in Chicago after being very close right up to that unfortunate fight. And with all due respect to him and to her and the legacy she carries on of one of my favorite MTV casts ever, I would've like to seen either of those two pairs here rather than of Tom & Simone for obvious reasons."
To the predictions: It was Cory last year. Who among the six first-timers do you got as the one who could possibly make the deepest run or strongest impact on Rivals III?
● AK: "based on who her partner is and how great he did last season I'm going with Ashley her and Cory are ones to watch."
● DC: "I agree with Ashley too and won't be surprised about it at all. For me, I believe Devin will have the biggest impact for the reasons stated above and I feel the establishment will be in for a big surprise when he puts that winning plan into motion. I should expect a respectable debut for Bri, Tank Top Tindel and Nate too, provided they keep things calm."
Well, you told me earlier that KellyAnne & Jamie is a team that could be in the discussion for teams who could sneak in. And as we post this, we just had a 5000-1 underdog win soccer's Premier League title. Who else do you see as a possible Dark Horse?
● AK: "if I had to pick another dark horse it'd be Johnny Reilly and Jessica. Johnny has had two great season's. I didn't say Jamie and Kelly Anne were a fly under the radar team I just see them making a deep run and could pull of an upset over the two teams we expect to go one and two."
● DC: "I agree with you on your choice there for the above reasons there. I also see not just Jamie & KellyAnne going deep but also Cory & Ashley going late into this and him proving what happened in Berlin was no fluke."
Finally, who do you have as your top five pairs that could possibly make it into the final, and among them who do you have winning this season/making the final three? And who wins the whole thing?
● AK: "Final five will be Cory and Ashley Wes and Nany Bananas and Sarah, Kelly Anne and Jamie and lastly its a toss up between Johnny Reilly and Jessica and Vince and Jenna. Most people are saying Bananas and Sarah got this in the bag because both are great however; I don't want to be predictable and say they're my winner pick so I'm saying Wes and Nany win Rivals three over Bananas and Sarah in 2nd and Cory and Ashley in third."
● AK: "Final five will be Cory and Ashley Wes and Nany Bananas and Sarah, Kelly Anne and Jamie and lastly its a toss up between Johnny Reilly and Jessica and Vince and Jenna. Most people are saying Bananas and Sarah got this in the bag because both are great however; I don't want to be predictable and say they're my winner pick so I'm saying Wes and Nany win Rivals three over Bananas and Sarah in 2nd and Cory and Ashley in third."
● DC: "Well, I extended that list from three to five because unless something crazy happens, Bananas & Sarah and Wes & Nany should face off in the final and wanted to give more love to the other teams. Anyway, the three pairs who I have rounding out my top 5 are KellyAnne & Jamie, Cory & Ashley and Jessica & Johnny. There are some other good pairs out there who could make a strong case to be in those late stages and, though everyone says this cast is weak compared to the great first Rivals cast and what we had last time out, they do make a case for this season and what we can expect.
In the end, it's a toss-up between those two aforementioned pairs above. JB becomes an immortal whether people like it or not if he wins #6 and Sarah becomes an all-timer if she overcome this hatred she has for him. Same thing for Wes if he beats Bananas, and Nany would usher in a new era in this thing if her & him win. Should be a good season, much better than we had just a few months ago."
And that... is that. Want to once again thank Andrew for joining me here to discuss all things Challenge as we prepare to go all-in on covering Rivals III for both his webcasts and my blog. You can expect the both of us to come together once again at summer's end when we discuss this Challenge season, Season 4 of AYTO and Season 31 of Real World. Follow him on Twitter @CSUGradAKirk and check out his webcast platforms of BTR-TV on Google+ on YouTube, Reality Radio Podcast on YT and BTR, and past webcasts on BlogTalkRadio & SpreeCast, plus his Big Time Reality TV blog too.
In the end, it's a toss-up between those two aforementioned pairs above. JB becomes an immortal whether people like it or not if he wins #6 and Sarah becomes an all-timer if she overcome this hatred she has for him. Same thing for Wes if he beats Bananas, and Nany would usher in a new era in this thing if her & him win. Should be a good season, much better than we had just a few months ago."
And that... is that. Want to once again thank Andrew for joining me here to discuss all things Challenge as we prepare to go all-in on covering Rivals III for both his webcasts and my blog. You can expect the both of us to come together once again at summer's end when we discuss this Challenge season, Season 4 of AYTO and Season 31 of Real World. Follow him on Twitter @CSUGradAKirk and check out his webcast platforms of BTR-TV on Google+ on YouTube, Reality Radio Podcast on YT and BTR, and past webcasts on BlogTalkRadio & SpreeCast, plus his Big Time Reality TV blog too.
▪ ▪ ▪
DC FORUM
TWITTER HATE
Now, a brief FORUM with just myself with a thought or two on what has happened to some of the Real World Go Big cast in the past few days. If you've seen their Twitter accounts, then you've noticed that Kailah, Dione, Jenna and CeeJai got into a beef yesterday over some petty things ahead of tonight's episode which sees two of those girls get into a fight which we'll see tonight, and after everything we saw with the former two as we've reached the midway point of this season.
In the interest of making my job a little easier on me when I compile all of these tweets for that 'Pulse Double Shot I'll have over the weekend, I will not post their entire tirade in the episode lead-up that precedes the episode posts themselves. Once again, it is policy that if there is conflict amongst members of the MTV community, whether it's on TV or on Twitter, then it's something that I would rather not want to take part of whatsoever in taking sides or putting people down for the sake of attention in the social world.
But considering how we've seen things unravel in the past 24 hours among this cast, it's unfortunate that this has occurred in the cast's behavior getting the best of one another. Whether it's a genuine beef that will initiate a plea for these people to get paired up on a Challenge or something that's a play for viewers to tune in, we'll let you make the call on that one. But in this age where people are putting down one another for attention's sake, for me it's getting a bit out of control. That's why you don't see me tweet or post something negatively or anything like that in social world...I am one of those who likes to keep emotions in check in the digital space.
As we prep for tomorrow's proceedings in Vegas, things are about to get real in the house. Things have been emotional in the house with everyone, except for perhaps Dean, and things are about to head to the level of crazy that have defined the first two trips Real World has made to Vegas. Now, we've got ourselves some good old conflict that should help bring those viewers in. And there's nothing like some good-old ribbing in digital world to help bring that buzz in.
DC FORUM is the part of DCBLOG's Trifecta coverage where it's both a chance for me to express opinions and perspectives on the RW/Challenge franchise and AYTO, and for people like Andrew to join me here and discuss our thoughts on the three shows as well. Now we want you to join in.
From the looks of the 40,000 views this site has achieved, we know that a lot of people in the MTV community, as well as so many fans out there, check out DCBLOG each week for the social reaction, original stories, episode recaps and the like surrounding this ecosystem. And once again, we are reserving a spot for you to have a voice on this site and give you a chance to discuss your thoughts with DCBLOG, or for people to have a chance to talk to yours truly for these Q&A sessions.
We are extending an invitation on this site to fellow fans, bloggers and webcast hosts to provide your thoughts on what happens on Rivals 3, on AYTO 4 and on RW 31 for the FORUM. And most especially, we'd also like to invite former castmates from the Trifecta to provide a veteran's view of what's going on in these three seasons and bringing that unique cast member's perspective of having done this show previously and bring that unique insight that this site is known for.
Frequently, we plan to have a DC FORUM section where I'll be asking one of those from the invitee list to join me and do a Q&A session of up to 10 questions on the episodes and the game situation as it stands at various points of the season. It's something I'm looking forward to doing here more often to provide a more regular platform for opinions, to liven things up and to do our part to help provoke and fuel the conversation.
If you're interested in doing a DC FORUM Q&A for this site on the Trifecta, just tweet, follow or send me a DM to my twitter @DC408dxtr, or simply email me dc408dxtr@icloud.com. Thanks to Twitter now having a Messenger-style, unlimited way of conversations via DM, it's now becoming more and more the norm for doing these Q&A sessions in private, but either platform is fine. But if you do opt to do it snail-mail style, do reply in a timely fashion so I can post them ASAP.
I look forward to talking to you about the shows you love on the FORUM. After all, I know you got plenty of opinions, and I look forward to translating them to this blog, just like you all do on the webcasts and socially. And you're the people who watch, support and drive the conversation of these shows like me, and it's fitting that now, I get to turn the tables and get your thoughts as I continue to do one of the things I love: following this world of all things MTV with DCBLOG.
From the looks of the 40,000 views this site has achieved, we know that a lot of people in the MTV community, as well as so many fans out there, check out DCBLOG each week for the social reaction, original stories, episode recaps and the like surrounding this ecosystem. And once again, we are reserving a spot for you to have a voice on this site and give you a chance to discuss your thoughts with DCBLOG, or for people to have a chance to talk to yours truly for these Q&A sessions.
We are extending an invitation on this site to fellow fans, bloggers and webcast hosts to provide your thoughts on what happens on Rivals 3, on AYTO 4 and on RW 31 for the FORUM. And most especially, we'd also like to invite former castmates from the Trifecta to provide a veteran's view of what's going on in these three seasons and bringing that unique cast member's perspective of having done this show previously and bring that unique insight that this site is known for.
Frequently, we plan to have a DC FORUM section where I'll be asking one of those from the invitee list to join me and do a Q&A session of up to 10 questions on the episodes and the game situation as it stands at various points of the season. It's something I'm looking forward to doing here more often to provide a more regular platform for opinions, to liven things up and to do our part to help provoke and fuel the conversation.
If you're interested in doing a DC FORUM Q&A for this site on the Trifecta, just tweet, follow or send me a DM to my twitter @DC408dxtr, or simply email me dc408dxtr@icloud.com. Thanks to Twitter now having a Messenger-style, unlimited way of conversations via DM, it's now becoming more and more the norm for doing these Q&A sessions in private, but either platform is fine. But if you do opt to do it snail-mail style, do reply in a timely fashion so I can post them ASAP.
I look forward to talking to you about the shows you love on the FORUM. After all, I know you got plenty of opinions, and I look forward to translating them to this blog, just like you all do on the webcasts and socially. And you're the people who watch, support and drive the conversation of these shows like me, and it's fitting that now, I get to turn the tables and get your thoughts as I continue to do one of the things I love: following this world of all things MTV with DCBLOG.
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
● The Brain Candy Podcast with Sarah and Susie will sure be a must-listen and must-watch this season as the former returns to the Challenge stage in Mexico. In case you missed it, check out the various podcasts from the lead-up to this season, from Challenge secrets being revealed to Sarah's relationship with Johnny Bananas, all waiting for you at thebraincandypodcast.com. The duo will host video webcasts during this season in addition to their podcast - including a live webcast later tonight, so be sure to follow them on YouTube for their unique take on this season.
● Check out the must-listen MTV RHAP with Brian Cohen (@BusDriversRoute) and Ali Lasher (@LashsTweets), and their preview of this Rivals III season. There, the duo discussed all the pairs in depth, their thoughts on the season, and the favorite part of any Challenge for them - doing a basic fantasy draft. Check out that podcast here, plus previous shows on Rob Has A Podcast & YouTube.
● Over a week ago during the unplanned week off, Real World 31's Sabrina joined Andrew and Reality Radio Podcast on Blog Talk Radio as they talked about her music, the season up to Episode 5 and other things. Check out that podcast here, the Rivals III preview on YT, chats Sabrina did with Keno Radio on SoundCloud and with Ashley Weitzel-Hill on Get Real LOL.
● There's our favorite video recap host, Ace Nichols (@AceNichols33), who you can check out her videos for all the Rivals III episodes on YouTube. Check out her season preview now, and tomorrow she and Challenge queen bee Coral will begin doing a weekly review of this season on her YouTube channel, which of course has recaps for every episode dating back to Rivals I.
Now, be sure to follow DCNOW @DC408DxNow for the Main Event of the Rivals III premiere starting at 10 PM Pacific, with live & real-time tweets of that, tomorrow's Real World, and ExtraTime that follows, for which tonight after The Challenge, we'll bring you the buzz from celebrations in England back on Monday of Leicester City becaming Premier League Champions. While you watch Rivals III with me, be sure to join the conversation and my post-episode survey at the simple hashtag, #DCChallenge...you may see your thoughts in our 'Pulse diaries over Kentucky Derby weekend.
Of course, whether you're watching it live out East, here out West or later, we'll have all the social play-by-play waiting for you here on the 'Pulse, plus the weekly WRAP as well which also has news on the latest Team MTV baby, among other things. Tomorrow's RW WRAP will have thoughts on Chris' big moment of resigning from the LDS Church, as well as Team AYTO at Spring Break, and of course you can follow me on DC Instagram and Twitter @DC408Dxtr.
Thanks for reading and until we talk to you in some nine hours from now on DCNOW and then tomorrow here on the weekend, enjoy your hump day. And of course, May the 4th Be with You.
- I AM DC
No comments:
Post a Comment
Got something on your mind? Let us know! But please be mindful and do not post spam or negative comments (due to that, all comments are subject to blogger approval... and we reserve the right to disable these sections if things get way out of hand).