BY DC CUEVA
Welcome to the month of August and to this edition of DC WRAP, as we begin to get into business mode of the two competition shows of the MTV Trifecta. The Rivals III Challenge has now entered its final after paring down from a semifinal four to a final three by way of a straight trip into the last Jungle that saw something familiar take place in the last piece of prelude to the final. And on Are You The One?, we now have our second Truth Booth match, as well as another love triangle emerging involving the resident wolf of the house now looking at getting close to one of the key girls from earlier in the season, which may spark some fireworks in the stretch run that's to come.
As DCBLOG will now be devoting energies to doing our posts covering the Rio Olympics, we'll be tabling the Episode recaps to after the Games - and this Trifecta cycle - conclude. But coming up, we'll be taking another trip into the Strategy Room to look at where we now stand with the bulk of the final coming our way on Wednesday. We'll also have the results of our first-ever DC FORUM Polls on three questions that we posed to Twitter followers following the episodes, along with our usual features. And on ExtraTime, we'll tell you who Sarah's other Rival is, and let you in on a sighting between two originals. That's all next.
DC FORUM
Strategy Room
Strategy Room
RIVALS III: FINAL THREE
With things now being more clearly defined in this final trio of pairs, it might be just a mere formality for Johnny Bananas and Sarah to patch up this one up, and then it becomes a matter of if either one will or won't screw over the other person once we arrive at the summit. The possibility is always there that a Cinderella story will occur, and often there's a spirited battle for any of the places in the final podium. Anything can happen - as you will find out in this evaluation of this final field, and this game is not over until we get to the finish line. Here now, a look at the final field:
● BANANAS/SARAH: As we reach the end of the first leg of this multi stage final, it's no surprise that Bananas & Sarah are leading. But, how will the twist of the point system determining who will make the decision of whether to split the money or keep it all now will affect how they approach this final? It's brought worries that we may relive the backstabbing move we saw on Exes 2, and in the first checkpoint that brought about tension this early that may cause either of them to take all the money rather than split it 50/50. If it continues to linger throughout this final and what seems to be a victory lap towards winning this, it could slow their momentum down and either of the two other teams could catch up to them and they may be forced to work even harder. She does have the edge now, but anything's possible. More on that later.
● DEVIN/CHEYENNE: For us, it's hard to believe that we have to again talk about someone who's gotten to a Final by just pure luck...at least Johnny Portland became very competitive in the Free Agents final and beat Bananas head to head to make things more interesting. For Devin & Cheyenne, if you had them making this final...you must be as lucky as they are. They got here on dodging all those bullets of the skull draw and that brought them here, which left a bad taste among those who believe you should earn your way into a final (unless you're a vet). But as what we saw over in Uruguay, Team Princess finished 2nd in the first checkpoint and in what's seemingly a race for $50,000, it's now possible they could have the same finish Reilly had on Free Agents. It's too early to think about it, but if this tension between JB/Sarah lingers throughout the final, don't be surprised if the improbable happens yet again.
● JENNA/VINCE: To think that we'd be talking about Jenna going to a final in her first three tries, we would be scratching our heads about it at first, but after winning that first mission and playing well to not be sent in the rest of the way - and not only being safeguarded by his cousin, they do make a case why they should be here even if they didn't go to a jungle. Of course, she had that strength that carried her & Brianna on the first phase of last season's final, and we all know what happened to him on that season as well. What we've seen from them so far here is that he blamed her for being in last after this first station. But being that they have nothing to lose here, all they just need is to take advantage of whatever weaknesses D & Chey have the rest of the way, and they should take the $50,000.
● JENNA/VINCE: To think that we'd be talking about Jenna going to a final in her first three tries, we would be scratching our heads about it at first, but after winning that first mission and playing well to not be sent in the rest of the way - and not only being safeguarded by his cousin, they do make a case why they should be here even if they didn't go to a jungle. Of course, she had that strength that carried her & Brianna on the first phase of last season's final, and we all know what happened to him on that season as well. What we've seen from them so far here is that he blamed her for being in last after this first station. But being that they have nothing to lose here, all they just need is to take advantage of whatever weaknesses D & Chey have the rest of the way, and they should take the $50,000.
INSIDERS' PICKS
I asked a few of my fellow MTV Insiders to provide their picks of who wins the final, and it was a unanimous vote among these three but also a clear favorite among all those who follow this show...
● ANDREW KIRK @CSUGradAKirk: "Bananas and Sarah duh lol."
● BRIAN COHEN @BusDriversRoute: "Bananas and Sarah by a lot."
● ALI LASHER @LashTweets: "It's gotta be bananas and Sarah."
● ANDREW KIRK @CSUGradAKirk: "Bananas and Sarah duh lol."
● BRIAN COHEN @BusDriversRoute: "Bananas and Sarah by a lot."
● ALI LASHER @LashTweets: "It's gotta be bananas and Sarah."
In the end, I will join everyone else and call this for Bananas & Sarah to win, whether we like it or not. But you have to give it up to them for how dominant they've been this season and how they've been able to put aside - at least up until the final - everything that took place in the past and focus in this task. It should be a good battle for 2nd and 3rd between the two other teams, and there's always the possibility that a team may quit or a player getting injured badly that the team can't continue. Our hope is that we will not revisit what happened to Jay two seasons ago and that everyone will cash in. But I think Jenna's newfound finals experience should prevail and she & Vince should finish 2nd, and Devin & Cheyenne should finish third provided they finish, and they will have proven themselves to us should they gut this thing out.
POLL RESULTS
As part of an effort to get more of you involved in the conversation on the Trifecta, I will be conducting post-show Twitter polls at @DC408Dxtr after episodes conclude airing on the west coast. I will be doing these polls starting with this homestretch of the Trifecta cycle and when it starts up again when the countdown to Real World 32 in Seattle begins later in the fall. Last Monday, I conducted my first ever polls and asked social world the following questions - the last two after Rivals III aired on Wednesday.
"After Sam & Alyssa became match #2, who should be sent next into the AYTO Truth Booth?"
● MORGAN & TORI: 30%
● ASAF & CAMILLE: 9%
● EMMA & JOHN: 15%
● JULIA & STEPHEN: 46%
- Out of 54 Total Votes Cast
"So Who Do You Want To Win The Challenge Rivals III?"
● BANANAS & SARAH: 53%
● JENNA & VINCE: 6%
● DEVIN & CHEYENNE: 41%
- Out of 125 Total Votes Cast
"If you won the The Challenge Rivals III Final, what would you do with the $275,000 winner's check?"
● Split 50-50 w/ Partner: 70%
● Take All Of The Money: 30%
- Out of 23 Total Votes Cast
The analysis from these first series of polls show the following:
● For AYTO: Because Stephen, Julia and Gio are now in the latest love triangle, it's best that if they win a date then they should next be put into the Truth Booth. It was two of these scenarios that ultimately decided the first cast's $1 million ride into history when they settled the Ryan/Kayla/Wes and John/Jacy/Scali triangles. Based on what we might see down the road, Tori and Morgan have such a strong attraction that if the house had its way, they can vote them in and hope they are that match. If either of these scenarios, as well as possibly John & Emma, come up, the house should take advantage of it. Otherwise, they'll risk getting behind late and they may not win the money.
● As for Rivals: This is the same kind of late season surge that we saw with CT and Wes on the way to their win on the last Rivals that we're now seeing with Bananas & Sarah. It's obviously hard to see them not win this season after winning the last two regular missions, and it would be easy for those who would root against them, including my fellow Insider Andrew Kirk, to go another way. That's why there's been love for Devin & Cheyenne after the luck we've been seeing from them and now being in second at the end of stage #1.
As for the twist, it's wise that if you won this season, you would want to share that $275K bounty with your partner...after all, they helped you get to this point, and you would not want to get greedy and take that share away from them. That's what I would do, too. Imagine what this would be like if Johnny screwed over Sarah if he does come back and win this coming week...you won't believe the kind of eruption that might come from social world if that does happen.
WINNERS LIST
● BANANAS & SARAH: Without much to say after winning this last elimination and being in the lead after the first stage.
● SAM & ALYSSA: From the beginning of AYTO S4, Sam & Alyssa shared having a same home region of Chicago and other things as well that you pretty much knew that they would be sent into the Truth Booth at some point. And for a group in need of good news to lift their spirits, Tori did the right thing in letting Alyssa win that challenge, then the house voting for them to go in. If they were not a match this would've made this game more worse, but good thing they got the perfect match message. Though they're still stuck at four beams, having Sam & Alyssa as TB match #2 does give the group something to build on if they want to win the money. And they're perfect for one another too.
● SAM & ALYSSA: From the beginning of AYTO S4, Sam & Alyssa shared having a same home region of Chicago and other things as well that you pretty much knew that they would be sent into the Truth Booth at some point. And for a group in need of good news to lift their spirits, Tori did the right thing in letting Alyssa win that challenge, then the house voting for them to go in. If they were not a match this would've made this game more worse, but good thing they got the perfect match message. Though they're still stuck at four beams, having Sam & Alyssa as TB match #2 does give the group something to build on if they want to win the money. And they're perfect for one another too.
● GIOVANNI: Okay, so why did I put Gio on this list? Well, it's not related to this show but for something he did after last week's episode aired. Last Wednesday, he went out into the community in his Bridgeport, CT hometown and helped out youth at a teen center to ride bikes with them and help them get active, as well as take part in the Pokemon Go phenomenon as well too. After what we saw last week, he knew he wanted to at least put out any bad stigma he had for his actions in the AYTO house, and by helping kids in his community, it was worthy enough for him to be on this list and, at least for a moment, showcase him more positively.
FANTASY TRAX
► Weekly Point-Scorers
Order (C-Competition, D-Drama, R-Romance, B-Bonus)
1. DEVIN: 75 Pts. (C-10, D-65)
2. CHEYENNE: 60 Pts. (C-10, D-50)
T-3. BANANAS: 55 Pts. (C-35, D-10)
T-3. SARAH: 55 Pts. (C-30, D-10)
5. JENNA: 45 Pts. (C-10, D-35)
6. VINCE: 20 Pts. (C-10, D-10)
► Top 10 Total Point-Scorers
Players already eliminated are shaded out
1. DEVIN: 440 Pts.
2. CHEYENNE: 430 Pts.
3. CAMILA: 390 Pts.
4. NANY: 365 Pts.
5. JENNA: 325 Pts.
6. ASHLEY: 320 Pts.
7. BANANAS: 305 Pts.
8. WES: 280 Pts.
9. SARAH: 265 Pts.
10. VINCE: 260 Pts.
► Category Key Scorers & Big Scores
● DEVIN: Devin earns 75 overall points this week: 20 points for getting into two verbal fights worth 10 pts. each (Vince, Jenna & Sarah in the bedroom, and a second one with Jenna in the bedroom), 20 pts. for having a meltdown in yelling at the group and defending Cheyenne, 15 pts. for throwing a drink at Bananas in the hotel room, and 10 pts. for giving a toast to the two guy finalists. He moves into first in season scoring at 440 points, in addition to competition points below.
● CHEYENNE: Cheyenne gets 60 overall points this week: 10 points for crying twice (when she wants to go home and while talking to her mom), 10 points for a verbal fight with Vince in the hotel, 10 for expressing homesickness in calling her mom back home, and 20 points for a meltdown in wanting to go home. She moves into second in season scoring at 430 points behind Devin, along with competition points below.
● BANANAS & SARAH: Both of these players get 55 points this week, which in addition competition points below also earns 20 points for winning their elimination. He gets 25 points for physical fighting when he pushed Devin out of the bedroom, while she earns 10 points for giving a toast to the female finalists and 15 pts. for reading TJ's finals clue.
● DRAMA - Jenna earns 35 drama points: 20 for two verbal fights with Devin in the bedroom and 15 for throwing a drink at Devin in bed. Vince gets 10 pts. for verbally fighting Devin in the hotel.
● COMPETITION - As the Final contains a mass start, all three finals teams earn 10 points each for starting a challenge.
#DCExtraTime
SARAH'S OTHER RIVAL
Now, of all of the people she has been paired up with over the years on The Challenge, that list of those people doesn't even include who she considers a rival bigger than any of those people from the RW/Challenge franchise. In fact, it is someone who's an alum of Team Viacom as someone who, for many years, starred on Nickelodeon's iconic show All That (which I remember watching back then) and her self-titled show, as well as on The CW's What I Like About You. It is Amanda Bynes, and both her and Sarah share some common similarities and how it was Amanda's star status that won over the people back back when they - and us fans - were young.
In the lead-up to Rivals II three years ago, Sarah talked to TV blogger Danielle Turchiano about the rivalry she had with Amanda that dates back to when she was only a celebrity to just family and friends. Transcribed from the YouTube video you can watch here, here's her story in full.
"Amanda Bynes and I were friends with the same group in elementary school. She went to the rival elementary school, and in fifth grade we had what's called The Fifth Grade Oratorical, which is where you pick a book, a piece of literature, and you perform it in front of the school, and then the top people from each school get to go and compete at the county level. "At the time, she was on All That.. so she was really popular. And I chose The Giving Tree; she chose If You Give A Mouse A Cookie. Obviously The Giving Tree is the greater piece of literary work, duh, no contest there! And so I won for my school; she won for her school; and we performed against each other; and she won-- and she won because everybody was going, 'Isn't that the girl from All That? I was the girl from nowhere. So, even though mine was obviously better and more theatrical and beautiful. And it was fabulous, she beat me. "And then, that weekend, we had my friend Bridget's birthday party. And Amanda played soccer with Bridget, so they were friends, and Amanda was there. And I showed up at Bridget's house with my sleeping bag and my little overnight bag -- which was My Little Pony backpack or something adorable like that. And I got to the door and Bridget's mom said that I had been uninvited from the party because Amanda Bynes didn't want me there! And so, in 5th grade, I got uninvited from a birthday party. And ever since then, I've said, 'Amanda Bynes, justice will be served!' And if you ask me, it kind of is because if you ask me the 'Who Wins' game, I'm pretty sure I do."
How is it that someone who was as famous as Amanda was back then in the '90s could deny someone who would eventually become famous herself the opportunity to hang out at a birthday party just days after a book recital, which turned out to be a mere popularity contest based on here being on a TV show and Sarah being just a no one? It wasn't fair for Sarah who had the most pure literary work to not be chosen a winner, and lose to someone who had a greater following because of her TV status. It's obvious that Sarah will one day try to settle the score with Amanda, and as she told the blogger later in the interview that if she had a chance to reenact their contest many years after the fact, she knows she would beat someone who's now retired from acting, knowing she has an advantage of now being known by more people than it it was 20 years earlier, and is deserving of a rematch. Let's hope they get a chance to settle the score once again.
CHRIS T. MEETS SNOOP DOGG
Last week, we told you about Prosper hanging out with Mac Miller before he became famous, and Challenger Ashley getting to shoot a video with E-40 and TECH N9NE before she got cast on Real World. Now, you can add another hip-hop sighting to this list: this time with two O.G.'s.
Today, as MTV celebrates its 35th anniversary and marking it with the relaunch of VH1 Classic as MTV Classic as it airing the channel's iconic shows, Snoop has been part of the channel's legacy for so many years. It has just been announced over the weekend at the TCA Summer Tour in L.A. that he will be executive produce a sitcom this fall based around, of all things, pot - of course - when that show premieres in the fall. During this summer of racial uncertainty in this country, in early July he and The Game led a peaceful march to LAPD headquarters, and last week he was at the Democratic Convention in Philadelphia to spur support and encourage young people to register.
At the very beginning of this MTV cycle 12 months ago, we told you about Chris Tolleson from Season 1 of Are You The One? becoming a dad, and he became one earlier this year. Last week, Snoop and Wiz Khalifa began their High Road Tour summer trek, and that included a stop in Chris T.'s hometown of Virginia Beach - best known to locals as simply Hampton Roads. And the club that Mr. Tophs Tweets calls home base served as venue for the official local after party for their tour stop.
Chris' tweet to Snoop read, "@SnoopDogg I'll see you soon brotha, my name is Chris and I'll be your bartender tomorrow evening. We bout to get down with the get down." In addition, he added along with a picture attached to it, "In other news my mom will be at @SnoopDogg private event tonight this should be a legendary." A video of his night with Snoop is embedded below.
Chris' tweet to Snoop read, "@SnoopDogg I'll see you soon brotha, my name is Chris and I'll be your bartender tomorrow evening. We bout to get down with the get down." In addition, he added along with a picture attached to it, "In other news my mom will be at @SnoopDogg private event tonight this should be a legendary." A video of his night with Snoop is embedded below.
— \ / (@TophsTweets) July 28, 2016
MORE LIFE-CHANGERS
Finally, we want to send our congrats to two of Chris T.'s fellow members of the original AYTO cast: first, Jessica will be joining him, and Amber & Ethan, in the company of being parents when she announced last week, via Instagram, that she and her husband, Tyler Prongay, are expecting their first child in early 2017. And second among the Originals, and a bit belated here, Joey announced his engagement to his girlfriend back in late May. Congrats to the both of them on these life changers, and there's a third one among the wider Trifecta family which we'll discuss here on next week's posts.
And that'll do it for this edition of DC WRAP as we now enter what will be a very busy month of August. As we prepare for a week that will see things get serious in Hawaii, reach a climax in Argentina and begin with pageantry in Brazil, check out the following webcasts...
● If you're an Are You The One? fan, last week The Bone Zone - with hosts Brendon Walsh and Randy Liedtke - got to talk with show host Ryan Devlin as they discussed season 4 and all else you want to know about the social dating experiment. Check out that podcast here on SoundCloud, plus other podcasts including many they got to do with the Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl.
● In case you missed it, the No Quitters Podcast got to talk to Nicole just before the elimination that changed everything for her and her cousin Nany. They discussed how she got on the show, her make-up and all else, which you can listen here, and check out their episode discussions on SoundCloud while they last as they are only up for a limited time.
● For the first-hand look at this Challenge, check out the Back to Reality series with Sarah & Susie on their YouTube channel. They do live Q&A's, weekly webcasts and other videos there on YouTube, plus check out The Brain Candy Podcast at TheBrainCandyPodcast.com when they reflect on 80's and 90's pop culture for those of you who love to reminisce.
● The MTV RHAP duo Brian Cohen (@BusDriversRoute) & Ali Lasher (@LashsTweets) have a doubleheader of podcasts this week as they discussed the penultimate Rivals III episode with fellow Rob Has A Podcast host Eric Stein and all the events of the first week in Argentina, and the past two episodes of Are You The One? as well. Check out those two shows and others at robhasawebsite.com and YouTube, and hopefully some interviews coming as well.
● There's AfterBuzz TV and the recaps they do for the MTV Trifecta, which you can check out at afterbuzztv.com. Last week for AYTO, Stephen and Kaylen joined the panel as they discussed the events surrounding Episode 7 and adding their names to the star-studded list of those who've been guests on the show on what's become a must-listen.
● In case you missed it, check out past SpreeCast interviews by Andrew Kirk (@CSUGradAKirk) on his YouTube channel, spanning a slew of the Trifecta's top names too many to mention in this brief paragraph. Also check out Reality Radio Podcast (@RealityRadioPod) and AfterBuzz TV at afterbuzztv.com, and I plan to once again bring Andrew on at the end of this cycle for our traditional Reality Debrief to recap the whole summer in reality TV.
● Finally, there's Ace Nichols (@AceNichols33) and her hilarious recaps on her YouTube channel and much more as well. Just posted was her Episode 12 recap which you can check out there, and just an hour ago she posted her Episode 13 recap, though it does get released early if you help her out in her plans to do cast interviews and other things in addition to recaps, check out her Twitter for more details.
Now, as we put a bow on this week here, in case you missed it I am now live tweeting episodes of the MTV Trifecta three hours earlier due to a recent TV provider change. That means, my live tweets of this week's episodes now come your way three hours earlier than normal now at 7 PM Pacific on my DCNOW live coverage hub at @DC408DxNow. Don't worry if you live out west, I will still live tweet episodes, but now on my other hub @DC408Dxtr in now including live chats, Q&A's and polls in addition to highlighting key moments from DCNOW.
And, in addition to continuing our signature MTV coverage here until the cycle comes to an end here later this month - though somewhat scaled back, now our energies are being devoted to the Rio Olympics, as our DC GAMES '16 series begins here this week to coincide with the beginning of the XXXI Olympiad. The first two posts on the Olympics should be up this week and weekend, and will continue throughout the month of August. Of course, DCBLOG will have this week in the Trifecta covered this weekend as usual, and as always share these links with your fellow fans and share your thoughts on them to me, and follow me on my social platforms as well.
For now, thank you for reading and see you later tonight on DCNOW. Enjoy your week ahead.
- I AM DC
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
And that'll do it for this edition of DC WRAP as we now enter what will be a very busy month of August. As we prepare for a week that will see things get serious in Hawaii, reach a climax in Argentina and begin with pageantry in Brazil, check out the following webcasts...
● If you're an Are You The One? fan, last week The Bone Zone - with hosts Brendon Walsh and Randy Liedtke - got to talk with show host Ryan Devlin as they discussed season 4 and all else you want to know about the social dating experiment. Check out that podcast here on SoundCloud, plus other podcasts including many they got to do with the Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl.
● In case you missed it, the No Quitters Podcast got to talk to Nicole just before the elimination that changed everything for her and her cousin Nany. They discussed how she got on the show, her make-up and all else, which you can listen here, and check out their episode discussions on SoundCloud while they last as they are only up for a limited time.
● For the first-hand look at this Challenge, check out the Back to Reality series with Sarah & Susie on their YouTube channel. They do live Q&A's, weekly webcasts and other videos there on YouTube, plus check out The Brain Candy Podcast at TheBrainCandyPodcast.com when they reflect on 80's and 90's pop culture for those of you who love to reminisce.
● The MTV RHAP duo Brian Cohen (@BusDriversRoute) & Ali Lasher (@LashsTweets) have a doubleheader of podcasts this week as they discussed the penultimate Rivals III episode with fellow Rob Has A Podcast host Eric Stein and all the events of the first week in Argentina, and the past two episodes of Are You The One? as well. Check out those two shows and others at robhasawebsite.com and YouTube, and hopefully some interviews coming as well.
● There's AfterBuzz TV and the recaps they do for the MTV Trifecta, which you can check out at afterbuzztv.com. Last week for AYTO, Stephen and Kaylen joined the panel as they discussed the events surrounding Episode 7 and adding their names to the star-studded list of those who've been guests on the show on what's become a must-listen.
● In case you missed it, check out past SpreeCast interviews by Andrew Kirk (@CSUGradAKirk) on his YouTube channel, spanning a slew of the Trifecta's top names too many to mention in this brief paragraph. Also check out Reality Radio Podcast (@RealityRadioPod) and AfterBuzz TV at afterbuzztv.com, and I plan to once again bring Andrew on at the end of this cycle for our traditional Reality Debrief to recap the whole summer in reality TV.
● Finally, there's Ace Nichols (@AceNichols33) and her hilarious recaps on her YouTube channel and much more as well. Just posted was her Episode 12 recap which you can check out there, and just an hour ago she posted her Episode 13 recap, though it does get released early if you help her out in her plans to do cast interviews and other things in addition to recaps, check out her Twitter for more details.
Now, as we put a bow on this week here, in case you missed it I am now live tweeting episodes of the MTV Trifecta three hours earlier due to a recent TV provider change. That means, my live tweets of this week's episodes now come your way three hours earlier than normal now at 7 PM Pacific on my DCNOW live coverage hub at @DC408DxNow. Don't worry if you live out west, I will still live tweet episodes, but now on my other hub @DC408Dxtr in now including live chats, Q&A's and polls in addition to highlighting key moments from DCNOW.
And, in addition to continuing our signature MTV coverage here until the cycle comes to an end here later this month - though somewhat scaled back, now our energies are being devoted to the Rio Olympics, as our DC GAMES '16 series begins here this week to coincide with the beginning of the XXXI Olympiad. The first two posts on the Olympics should be up this week and weekend, and will continue throughout the month of August. Of course, DCBLOG will have this week in the Trifecta covered this weekend as usual, and as always share these links with your fellow fans and share your thoughts on them to me, and follow me on my social platforms as well.
For now, thank you for reading and see you later tonight on DCNOW. Enjoy your week ahead.
- I AM DC
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