BY DC CUEVA
Welcome to another edition of DC WRAP as we cover last week in the MTV Trifecta ahead of Episode 10 of Rivals III coming up tonight. Last week, we saw a top contender take control of the game and soccer take center stage in Mexico, while we had an 11th girl sighting and good fortune for the Are You The One? house in Hawaii.
Coming up, a recap of the week's top moments, the Winner's List and fantasy scoring from last week's episodes. Plus, another edition of DC FORUM as I will offer thoughts on the potential game-changer that lies ahead on the next Real World season, and something that happened to me this past week that you all should know about. That's all ahead.
THINGS TO KNOW
When this game begins at the dinner hour - one I would tweet is one of the oddest things I've seen in watching the Trifecta, a mariachi group arrives to entertain the cast playing their song repeatedly. Then, a man dressed as part of the crew and from a radio station swings from construction poles. At midnight, a man in a motorcycle arrives, followed by a man being lit on fire an hour later. As the wee hours roll along, they're then being given tacos, a chainsaw fight breaks out, a sword juggler act appears, and an Iguana named Alberto takes selfies with the competitors.
At 10:30AM the next morning and everyone being like they're in Vegas being up for over 20 hours straight, TJ returns to tell the pairs that this game is just getting started. Inside the boxes they were standing on contains puzzle pieces where they must arrange them in the order of the eight events that occurred that night and answer trivia questions about the most bizarre mission we've had. Of course, if there's a puzzle and Sarah is in that game, it's at least a 90% chance she will complete that, and it's no surprise that she and Bananas win that mission. With Dario not remembering a single thing, it comes down to him & Nicole and Wes & Nany and the veterans are put into elimination, and Ginger thinking they will go all in on him in the Jungle.
● DATE BY THE LAKE: As they're power team, not only do Sarah & Bananas win safety and control the game, they're also given $2,000 and a day trip, plus TJ tells them to pick two other teams to take on this getaway date of sorts by the Mexican sea, and both of those teams are also safe from the Jungle. Johnny's ridiculed cousin Vince and partner Jenna are chosen, as are Cory & Ashley. The next day after much needed sleep, the cousins head out on what they call "a business trip" instead of fun stuff as Johnny wants to hear from Cory as this game goes along. The Ex-Plosion vet has good feelings about him not making much noise outside the game and he feels he will be in the final at the end. But Bananas later confesses that he only made this alliance with him & Ash to earn their trust, and bringing back memories of him being voted into elimination late last season on Bloodlines.
● BLIND SOCCER: Just as it has been the past two summers, we've been inundated with soccer in this country: the last two World Cups, EURO 2016 and Copa America this year, Rio Olympics in a month, and Real Madrid, Leicester City and Barcelona winning the most recent major club titles. Two years ago in Uruguay, Preston surprised us on Free Agents in a soccer challenge before Brazil 2014. And 30 years after Mexico hosted the 1986 WC that saw Diego Maradona do something Lionel Messi couldn't do - lift a trophy for Argentina, it provides the backdrop to this elimination, and a preview of sorts of Rio in that this form of soccer is on the Paralympics program. To be honest, this season in Mexico would not be complete without a nod to the beautiful game.
At the elimination, Team Princess once again escapes in not pulling the black skull, leaving Jamie & KellyAnne to compete vs. Wes & Nany. Their game is Hear Me Out, where the players - who are blindfolded - have to rely on the verbal directions of their teammates to score goals...the first to get to two goals earns safety. As the girls go out first, Nany knows it will take communication to win but her & Wes are determined, but she and KellyAnne struggle in their match but Nany does break through for the first goal. For the guys, Wes admits to not hearing Nany's directions and Jamie capitalizes with the equalizer. For the tiebreaking rubber, a coin toss sees the guys go at it once again.
For someone who avidly supports MLS side Sporting KC, it would've be an absolute calamity (and equal to what happened with Iceland over England) for Wes to not win this although the majority of the house wanted him to lose, but Ginger does net the winner and sends the defending champ home. The result of him winning sees going off on everyone in the jungle except those aligned with him, and intends to go into his political ways the rest of the way. This includes the possibility out there that Johnny could face Vince in the jungle, and maybe Wes and Devin could make this a reality.
● JOHN VS. STEPHEN: Meanwhile over in Hawaii, the saga that is John & Julia rolls along, though thankfully she's starting to let him know that they should move on, at least inside the house. Stephen recognizes how she's frustrated by John and wants her to lighten up a bit and win his affection, and he resorts to doing one thing: dressing up as drag and it's that sense of humor that draws her to him.
Later when those two have a moment to themselves, Stephen asks Julia if she still has feelings for John, and she tells him that "explosive people" such as him just doesn't click with her. He then goes up to John to say that Julia is who he feels is his match and will do whatever he can to win her over. The guys get into a heated confrontation and John wishes Stephen best of luck in going for Julia. It's when he says he's given up hope for love in the house that Victoria gets upset at him. And as it turns out, this is just the beginning to their tension as in the days after the episode the guys get into it on Twitter, in addition to what happens below...more on that shortly.
At a clothing optional party later on, the Stephen/Julia/John triangle plays out in public view, as Victoria tells John that Julia has just about had it with him, and Camille tells him the same thing and if he doesn't want to play the game then he should leave. Julia brings John aside afterwards and not only makes it clear that it's his type isn't the one for her and was the reason they're weren't a match and doesn't say if there's still feelings. John admits to being played and didn't realize it until then.
● ASAF - LADIES' MAN: The other guy who dresses up as a woman in the house - and perhaps give 11th girl Christina of season 2 a run for her money - is Asaf. He admits to not having yet connected to most of the girls, and the house tells him to walk up to any of them to kiss her, and he picks Tori. She looks embarrassed but Asaf feels it was natural. Later, Camille joins in on the act in telling him that she wants to have her moment, and he follows through on giving her that kiss. But afterwards Asaf goes back to kissing and flirting with Tori, and he likes both of them but enjoys the blonde's free spirit slightly more. It could set up a possible triangle down the road and if things do heat up, the house should settle this in the booth sooner.
● MORE GOOD FORTUNE: Though the house has been doing fairly well matchup wise, Nicole feels the house's strongest couples should be sent into the Truth Booth to see if the science has it right. One of them is Cameron & Mikala, who started becoming close in week 2 and continue to have a solid connection, though she's prepared for anything. They and the others are tested for their latest Getaway Challenge where they're clued on trivia questions about their partners. Cameron & Mikala barely get on the podium, joining Giovanni & Kaylen and Cam & Julia for scooters in the sea.
While on the date, Giovanni and Kaylen continue to connect, as he says he won't be reluctant to give her a wedding ring or a baby, and she says she'll say "I do" if he proposes to her. Meanwhile, Mikala opens up about the tough life her mom has had to endure, including drug & alcohol abuse and prison time. He tells her that he would be surprised that they're not a match while she isn't sure about it, but when time comes for the Truth Booth, they are chosen, which is a surprise given what we saw last week with Gio & Kay and Gio fearing what could happen in the chamber. The house's gamble does pay off in Cameron & Mikala being AYTO's quickest Truth Booth match, besting Pratt & Paris from Season 2 by one week much to their surprise and to the house's delight.
And when the girls pick at the 3rd Matchup, Camilla beats Tori to the floor for Asaf in having stronger feelings for him, and Tori says "I love a challenge" in response. After Victoria chooses John, he continues to go off and wanting Julia to go for new people but also calls out Stephen as well, and threatens him too over derogatory comments towards women. After confessing that she's a sister to him earlier on, Alyssa picks Sam and when asked if their relationship has gone to another level he kisses her. And it's good luck: along with their first TB match the house gains an extra beam at four, continuing their good fortune. They could perhaps win this going away, maybe even early too.
And when the girls pick at the 3rd Matchup, Camilla beats Tori to the floor for Asaf in having stronger feelings for him, and Tori says "I love a challenge" in response. After Victoria chooses John, he continues to go off and wanting Julia to go for new people but also calls out Stephen as well, and threatens him too over derogatory comments towards women. After confessing that she's a sister to him earlier on, Alyssa picks Sam and when asked if their relationship has gone to another level he kisses her. And it's good luck: along with their first TB match the house gains an extra beam at four, continuing their good fortune. They could perhaps win this going away, maybe even early too.
WINNERS' LIST
On my Winners' List this week is: from AYTO4 - CAMERON & MIKALA and SAM & ALYSSA, and Rivals III - BANANAS & SARAH (power team) and WES & NANY (winning jungle.)
FANTASY TRAX
► Weekly Point-Scorers
Order (C-Competition, D-Drama, R-Romance, B-Bonus)
1. WES: 55 Pts. (C-35, D-20)
2. SARAH: 45 Pts. (C-25, D-20)
3. JAMIE: 40 Pts. (all in Competition)
T-4. Three Tied at 35 Pts. each (CHEYENNE, DEVIN and NANY)
7. BANANAS: 25 Pts.
8. KELLYANNE: 20 Pts.
T-9. Six Tied at 15 Pts. each
► Top 10 Total Point-Scorers
Players already eliminated are shaded out
1. CAMILA: 390 Pts.
2. ASHLEY: 280 Pts.
3. NANY: 225 Pts.
4. DEVIN: 220 Pts.
T-5. BANANAS and TONY: 185 Pts.
7. JAMIE: 180 Pts.
T-8: SARAH and CHEYENNE: 175 Pts.
10. WES: 170 Pts.
► Category Key Scorers & Big Scores
● WES: Wes earns 55 total points - 35 in Competition for joining alliance with KellyAnne & Jamie, Dario & Nicole and Devin & Cheyenne (15 pts.) and winning elimination with Nany (20 pts.), as well as 15 drama points for meltdown in calling out the house after his elimination win.
● SARAH: Sarah earns 45 total points - 10 for winning with Bananas, 20 for proposing two toasts, and 15 for joining alliance with Cory & Ashley.
● COMPETITION - Aside from Wes & Sarah, all players associated with the alliances (Ashley, Bananas, Cheyenne, Cory, Dario, Devin, Devin, Jenna, KellyAnne, Nany, Nicole and Vince) each earn 15 pts. Jamie, Cheyenne & Devin each earn 20 pts. for drawing a white skull in the jungle, while the defending champ & KellyAnne earn 5 pts. for finishing second.
#DCExtraTime Presents:
DC FORUM
IS IT HAPPENING AGAIN?!
As we enter this month of July, our focus is on these Challenge and Are You The One seasons and in less than a month from now we'll be into covering the Rio Olympics right here. But as we talk to you right now, filming is now underway on Season 32 of The Real World, and considering what we saw in the explosive finale of last season in Las Vegas, all of us are thinking "What's Next?"
First and foremost, the reality pioneer will, for the fourth straight season, return to the site of a past Real World season, and in this case it's Seattle, WA. In 1998, this was home to Season 7 of the show, and it was at Pier 70 where we were witness to Stephen's infamous slap on Irene, Bostonian David breaking down to casting director girlfriend Kira in the streets, and Lindsey learn the stunning news of a friend of hers committing suicide. We also had a direct precursor to The Challenge when the Seattle cast met the Road Rules Australia cast (and future Challenge vet Susie) in a mini-competition of sorts on Puget Sound, and they got to work at iconic Seattle alternative station 107.7 The End and with Mr. "Baby Got Back" - Sir Mix-A-Lot.
We don't know, of course, if we will have a return to the original seven strangers format of the old school or if we'll again have a twist or a certain theme like what we've had since Ex-Plosion, but as I always say I remain loyal to this show even with all the recent wholesale changes to its formula and will look forward to watching this season. It's obviously the great storytelling and relatable people that provides the hook for me on this show and I'm sure they'll keep those principles in tact for this season as they've had for so many years. And of course, DCBLOG will be on top of it once the buzz for Real World 32 begins either later this year or in early 2017.
Now as taping of that season got underway last Thursday in the Pacific Northwest, there's been talk on the grapevine the past week about yet another crossover in this world I like to call the Trifecta. In summer 2014, in between Free Agents and AYTO Season 2, social world was abuzz when it was discovered that four cast members from the legendary first season of Are You The One? were put on the Exes 2 cast. It's no clue that many purists have been revolting against this invasion, but for fans like me who's been on Team AYTO from the beginning we were jumping up & down like kids on Christmas morning to this news. And if you know why I tweet the hashtag #BestInTheBiz when I listen to friend Andrew Kirk's webcasts, it's him posting a blog post featuring some AYTO castmates on a fantasy Challenge before this all became a reality.
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| Credit: IG/@RealWorldSeattle |
When we first got to know him, Mike was a guy from Long Island who was also a stripper with his nickname "Magic Mike" in reference to those movies. When we introduced you to Amanda upon her arrival on Rivals III, we discussed the relationship she had with him in the house where they hooked up on the first night, but then were part of the money-losing blackout in week 2 but those two stayed together for most of the rest of the season. In the finale, Mike was caught hooking up with another roommate, Kayla, in one of those instances where Mike was doing something questionable that caught Amanda's eye. And similar to what would happen to Tony and Camila, Amanda got into his face and threw a pillow at him, which in response saw him put his hands on her and threw her across the bed and got his roommates riled up. Eventually, he left the show and dampened the mood a bit in the house, even when they did come back from a deep deficit and win.
This represents an unprecedented break in tradition for The Real World in taking someone previously cast on another MTV show and putting them into the house, though it's not the first time this has happened when you account shows from outside the MTV universe. A few of my colleagues, who I won't name here, voiced their displeasure about how someone who engaged in violence would be re-cast on an MTV show and robbing some who would've been on this show from getting a spot on the show. But if you're someone who follows all reality TV, you all have to remember that CBS had a Big Brother castmate on the last Survivor season and it's not a surprise. We've had those from other reality shows on other networks getting a second shot on our MTV shows in the past, including two from the AYTO4 cast, and it's a trend across the whole reality TV landscape as well.
If something like this can happen there, it can happen here - and for me it won't affect how I perceive this season. And my guessing is that if Season 32's theme is featuring roommates who've done something wrong in their past (it's just a wild guess I'm taking here, I haven't gone to any rumor sites), than Mike would fit the mold of wanting a second chance and to erase that bad stigma he caused in what happened with Amanda last November. There's also a younger-skewing audience that AYTO draws that could draw those viewers to both The Challenge and to Real World and introduce those shows to that segment too, which in turn cross promotes each other within the Trifecta. And it benefits those like me who avidly & equally follows all three shows as well.
If something like this can happen there, it can happen here - and for me it won't affect how I perceive this season. And my guessing is that if Season 32's theme is featuring roommates who've done something wrong in their past (it's just a wild guess I'm taking here, I haven't gone to any rumor sites), than Mike would fit the mold of wanting a second chance and to erase that bad stigma he caused in what happened with Amanda last November. There's also a younger-skewing audience that AYTO draws that could draw those viewers to both The Challenge and to Real World and introduce those shows to that segment too, which in turn cross promotes each other within the Trifecta. And it benefits those like me who avidly & equally follows all three shows as well.
On our Challenge Pulse last weekend, we discussed Challenge champ Ashley from Back to San Diego earning another shot at glory on The Runner. We never expected seeing someone from the new darling of this triple crown to make his way from a strip club to the AYTO house to the original of reality TV. Now Mike has blazed a new path in telling us that anything's possible in this world of the Trifecta, even if the moment we all remember of him isn't the best one ever. We now have something to look forward to when this Trifecta cycle begins anew later this year.
CLEARING THE AIR...
Before we wrap things up, I want to take a moment here to bring the spotlight on myself and to help clear the air on something that happened on Wednesday on Twitter. As I was compiling posts for last week's AYTO 4 diary that was posted Friday, I found out that a person who, I shall not name right now, had blocked me on Twitter, and this is for no apparent or explained reason that I have absolutely no knowledge about. Of course, you all know that I don't tweet or post anything negative towards anyone in social media, and this came as a huge surprise to me which I didn't expect.
Now shortly after this happened, I sent a request message to this person to unblock me and added that I did no wrong and DID NOT say anything offensive towards them. And without telling him or her about this there and should you be reading this post, I will be giving this person a deadline of next Sunday, July 10th (before AYTO 4 returns the next night) to respond to this order I have sent them. Should this person not obey my requests, just as I did here a couple years ago I've made the difficult decision that I will publicly call out this person - name and twitter handle - to all of you on this site, and the person in question will have to face the music on here.
Now shortly after this happened, I sent a request message to this person to unblock me and added that I did no wrong and DID NOT say anything offensive towards them. And without telling him or her about this there and should you be reading this post, I will be giving this person a deadline of next Sunday, July 10th (before AYTO 4 returns the next night) to respond to this order I have sent them. Should this person not obey my requests, just as I did here a couple years ago I've made the difficult decision that I will publicly call out this person - name and twitter handle - to all of you on this site, and the person in question will have to face the music on here.
That is, of course, the last thing that I want to do here and we know we do not want to go down this route again --- but if things don't work out now until then, unfortunately that will be necessary. And with this site being the one place in all of cyberspace where I can best express myself in addition to the great work you expect from this site, all of you readers will be the first to know about this if we head in that direction we hoped we would not want to go to. Stay tuned to see what happens next.
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
With that off my chest, that is all for this edition of DC WRAP. To get you in the mood for what happens tonight, check out the following webcasts:
● Last week, The Ledge Sports, a site that covers the sports world and beyond, joined the Trifecta podcast fray when hosts Zack Hummel and Stephen Beaulieu were joined by Devin as they discussed what happened on last week's episode including, of course, all that gameplay talk. Check out their interview at TheLedgeSports.com.
● The Brain Candy Podcast/Back to Reality series with Sarah and Susie have been covering this Rivals III season from that unique point of view of the former, and over the weekend they posted a halftime report pod of what has happened so far in Mexico. Check out that show here, plus their Episode 9 video recap and live chat and all those juicy stuff on YouTube and the BCP site.
● In case you missed it, last week Barstool Sports and host Dave Portnoy talked to Challenge legend C.T., discussing everything you wanted to know about him and his Challenge career, which you can listen to here, plus follow them on Twitter for their live episode tweets and all else that's happening in the sports world.
● Last week, there was a double dose of the MTV RHAP, and that meant two times listening to Brian Cohen (@BusDriversRoute) & Ali Lasher (@LashsTweets). First, they discussed episodes 2 and 3 of AYTO (they're doing it alternating weeks this season) and what happened in those weeks, and they did a late-night after-show pod for Rivals III episode 9 and what happened there too. Also check out past shows and his YouTube for all your Trifecta fix from Brian & Ali.
● Last week, The Ledge Sports, a site that covers the sports world and beyond, joined the Trifecta podcast fray when hosts Zack Hummel and Stephen Beaulieu were joined by Devin as they discussed what happened on last week's episode including, of course, all that gameplay talk. Check out their interview at TheLedgeSports.com.
● The Brain Candy Podcast/Back to Reality series with Sarah and Susie have been covering this Rivals III season from that unique point of view of the former, and over the weekend they posted a halftime report pod of what has happened so far in Mexico. Check out that show here, plus their Episode 9 video recap and live chat and all those juicy stuff on YouTube and the BCP site.
● In case you missed it, last week Barstool Sports and host Dave Portnoy talked to Challenge legend C.T., discussing everything you wanted to know about him and his Challenge career, which you can listen to here, plus follow them on Twitter for their live episode tweets and all else that's happening in the sports world.
● Last week, there was a double dose of the MTV RHAP, and that meant two times listening to Brian Cohen (@BusDriversRoute) & Ali Lasher (@LashsTweets). First, they discussed episodes 2 and 3 of AYTO (they're doing it alternating weeks this season) and what happened in those weeks, and they did a late-night after-show pod for Rivals III episode 9 and what happened there too. Also check out past shows and his YouTube for all your Trifecta fix from Brian & Ali.
● There's AfterBuzz TV and their recaps of The Challenge and Are You The One?, which you can check out at afterbuzztv.com. They've had on several castmates from those shows on their wraps which are always a must-watch, and if you're a Game of Thrones fan catch up on the discussions of the most-recent season there featuring AYTO alum Ryan Malaty.
● Check out Ace Nichols (@AceNichols33) and her recaps on her YouTube channel and much more as well. This includes her recap of Episode 9 which you can check out now and all else from her five years doing these recaps. Plus, there's Andrew Kirk (@CSUGradAKirk) and Reality Radio Podcast (@RealityRadioPod) where they are covering not just the Trifecta but also the new Big Brother season as well. Check them out on YouTube and Blog Talk Radio.
As we post this on Wednesday, July 6, this is the 300th overall article we've published here on DCBLOG, and thanks to all of you for your loyalty as we continue to bring you top-notch coverage of the Trifecta, the sports world and all else that matters from the point of view of yours truly. We'll be planning a special post at the conclusion of this cycle to look at what makes this site one of a kind. And aside from our weekly episode coverage we'll have a long-form on the first Rivals that should be up as soon as this weekend. As always, do us a favor and spread the word by sharing these links on your social networks so that this site's great coverage can be in the hands of more & more readers.
With the usual HeadsUp to join us for live tweets and our Rivals III conversation at #DCChallenge, DCNOW @DC408DxNow has a HUGE sports weekend ahead: U.S. Olympic Trials, UFC 200, Wimbledon and the final of UEFA EURO 2016. Preceding our Rivals III coverage tonight is the first of two special Fight Night live tweets surrounding UFC 200 as we'll be retro live tweeting Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier I, which begins at 8:30PM PT. On Friday, we'll have Miesha Tate vs. Holly Holm and Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir 2, so be sure to follow DCNOW for all of these events and so much more.
Thank you for reading and until we talk to you here this weekend, enjoy the rest of your week and see you then.
- I AM DC
● Check out Ace Nichols (@AceNichols33) and her recaps on her YouTube channel and much more as well. This includes her recap of Episode 9 which you can check out now and all else from her five years doing these recaps. Plus, there's Andrew Kirk (@CSUGradAKirk) and Reality Radio Podcast (@RealityRadioPod) where they are covering not just the Trifecta but also the new Big Brother season as well. Check them out on YouTube and Blog Talk Radio.
As we post this on Wednesday, July 6, this is the 300th overall article we've published here on DCBLOG, and thanks to all of you for your loyalty as we continue to bring you top-notch coverage of the Trifecta, the sports world and all else that matters from the point of view of yours truly. We'll be planning a special post at the conclusion of this cycle to look at what makes this site one of a kind. And aside from our weekly episode coverage we'll have a long-form on the first Rivals that should be up as soon as this weekend. As always, do us a favor and spread the word by sharing these links on your social networks so that this site's great coverage can be in the hands of more & more readers.
With the usual HeadsUp to join us for live tweets and our Rivals III conversation at #DCChallenge, DCNOW @DC408DxNow has a HUGE sports weekend ahead: U.S. Olympic Trials, UFC 200, Wimbledon and the final of UEFA EURO 2016. Preceding our Rivals III coverage tonight is the first of two special Fight Night live tweets surrounding UFC 200 as we'll be retro live tweeting Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier I, which begins at 8:30PM PT. On Friday, we'll have Miesha Tate vs. Holly Holm and Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir 2, so be sure to follow DCNOW for all of these events and so much more.
Thank you for reading and until we talk to you here this weekend, enjoy the rest of your week and see you then.
- I AM DC
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