DC WRAP Double Shot: Challenge Invasion Wk12 & AYTO Second Chances Ep6

BY DC CUEVA                     
■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

As we say goodbye to this weekend and the month of April, back we are at DCBLOG to WRAP up this past week in the MTV Trifecta... coming to you a little earlier than normal. The final of The Challenge Invasion is underway, but not before the last elimination in CT winning over Darrell, one last piece of drama with Ashley threatening to go home, and one last moment of reflection for all of the competitors before they go off for a chance at the money. And on Are You The One? Second Chances, there was yet another super twist in a Blind Choice given to the final five couples, plus lots of good and bad movies made, and the drama that is Torgan
   We'll be recapping all of that in this recap post, plus provide my predictions on who will win, place and show in the Invasion final. And after the fantasy scoring, we'll catch up with a Real World'er who has just dropped his latest musical joint, as well as show you his football experience. That's all next.

MTV Trifecta: Stranded with a Million Dollars - The Finale

BY DC CUEVA                     
■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

As you wrap up your weekend and this month of April, welcome back to our view Inside the MTV Trifecta on DCBLOG. And after bringing you through a light week ahead of the final on The Challenge Invasion, and a big twist on AYTO Second Chances, it's time to bring you the main event of sorts of this week's wave of posts: the finale of Stranded with a Million Dollars in Fiji.
   Last week, the two rival camps of Team Makody and Team Algina took their war to another level when Mr. Thrive decided to take a take care of his business in the main source of water on this island: the lake, with the hope his rivals will flare out...which they did not. Watergate no doubt was the big story of this season in the wake of the other camp deciding to burn the money. And to add extra intrigue to last week, the group forgot their flare case which cost the group $100,000.
   This week, it's the finale as the game comes to an end with the intriguing mindset of the players approaching the finish line and Day 40. In a season that's seen so many twists and turns, Alex & Gina again find themselves struggling with hunger and being dehydrated, and once again that happens with his arch rival as Cody & Makani do whatever they can to force them off the island before the day they've been waiting for arrives. And of course, who of the final four will make it to the final evacuation point and claim the cash?

Coming up, we'll have the 'Pulse with action, reaction and interaction from this season finale. And after the diary, we'll take a final trip into the Strategy Room and look at the game's outcome. It's all ahead as DCBLOG presents the final chapter of Season 1 of Stranded with a Million Dollars.

DC SocialPulse: AYTO Second Chances - Episode 6

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, objectionable content 

& spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. Due to its long 

length, take frequent eye breaks if you're reading this top to bottom. ***

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

Welcome back yet again to Inside the MTV Trifecta on DCBLOG, as this week's posts roll along this Saturday night with the 'Pulse of Are You The One? Second Chances, and the second half has begun down in Melbourne, Australia.
   Last week, the couples took to an obstacle course for the most demanding test so far of their relationship where they maneuvered through a mud pit and having to both put together a bicycle and then ride it to the finish line. Not surprisingly, Devin & Rashida took back power couple status as she also let it out there that there could be more to their relationship headed their way. There was also some drama with Mike and Alicia, and most especially with Tori and Morgan, especially when they were put into The Choice, but they shared and stayed.
   This week, the second half of this season begins as the final five couples get ever closer to the big payday. But the matches find themselves in a precarious position when their latest challenge forces them to film all and show some public displays of affection. One of those couples we mentioned above may find themselves at a turning point in their relationship as paranoia hits one of them. And just when you think the surprises get even more crazier... it does down under.
   All the action, reaction and interaction of Episode 6 awaits in this journal, and after the Pulse, as the NFL Draft wraps up tonight we'll look at how an AYTO alum spent time overseas playing a game he loves in a country where the definition of the sport is much different.

• As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but they are kept uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)
• Plus, if you haven't watched the episode yet, then do not proceed with reading this post. But need not worry...DCBLOG will compile all of these tweets into these posts after every episode so you won't be in the dark of how your favorites saw this all unfold.

After the jump, the 'Pulse of AYTO Second Chances as the second half begins.

DC SocialPulse: The Challenge Invasion - "A River of Endless Light"

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, objectionable content 

& spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. Due to its long 

length, take frequent eye breaks if you're reading this top to bottom. ***

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

It's the last few days of this month of April, and the weather outside is starting to warm up as we get closer to the summer. And welcome on in to our look Inside The MTV Trifecta on DCBLOG, where coming up - the game changes yet again in Australia, and one last stand for the four left Stranded with a Million Dollars in Fiji. But first this weekend, we're kicking it off with the table being set for the final of The Challenge Invasion in Thailand.
   Last week, the last underdogs finals berth was claimed by Cory, leaving them, Nelson, Nicole and Ashley as the final four for Team Red. They then faced off with the last four champions for the only challenge with both teams having the same number of players on both sides, but ended with Team Red finishing a testy maze course and leaving the champs with tempers before their last Fortress. And a major shocker, Camila handed Laurel her first elimination loss in Knot So Fast.
   This week, the guys take center stage in the season's final elimination as CT and Darrell square off with a spot to join Camila and the underdogs in the final. Those four on Team Red also encounter a meltdown among one of them that could break them apart, before another big twist dropped by TJ Lavin that no one saw coming. And before it goes down, there's plenty of reflection among the finalists of what has brought them here, including of an all-time Challenge icon.

All of the action, reaction and interaction from this week is coming up on this Pulse diary... which if you might be wondering why we're presenting The Challenge up first rather than on Saturday or Sunday as we've done during the season we'll be explaining after the jump. And after the diary, some reflection on a comedic icon who passed away much too soon recently, and an often-forgotten Trifecta alum getting to meet him.

• As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but they are kept uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)
• Plus, if you haven't watched the episode yet, then do not proceed with reading this post. But need not worry...DCBLOG will compile all of these tweets into these posts after every episode so you won't be in the dark of how your favorites saw this all unfold.

Ahead, Week 12 of The Challenge Invasion as we take you Inside the MTV Trifecta on DCBLOG.

DC WRAP Double Shot: Challenge Invasion Wk11 & AYTO Second Chances Ep5

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

It's the last week of this month of April, and as we get close to the summer, time for us at DCBLOG to refresh your memory of last week in the MTV Trifecta before we proceed into the finals phase of The Challenge Invasion, the second half of Are You The One? Second Chances, and tonight's season finale of Stranded with a Million Dollars.
   Last week saw the Challengers compete in one last mission before the final, as well as spots in the final for the remaining Underdogs being determined. But nothing prepared us for the shocker that took place in the last female elimination in the mighty Laurel being handed her first defeat in Camila beating her out. And down in Australia, the couples had to endure a 10k trek around an obstacle course, which led to Devin & Rashida to regain power couple status, and saw Tori & Morgan being put into The Choice...but unlike the last two weeks, they decided to share and stay.
   All of that will be recapped on this installment of the WRAP with an extended Things to Know recap of the past two weeks on Invasion, among other things. And we'll also have a look at one Underdog finalist going through her rite of passage to becoming part of New York's bravest. All of that is next.

DC SocialPulse: AYTO Second Chances - "End of the Line"

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, objectionable content 

& spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. Due to its long 

length, take frequent eye breaks if you're reading this top to bottom. ***

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

As you wrap up your weekend and a Sunday that saw an exciting El Clasico matchup, welcome on back to DCBLOG and the second of this Sunday doubleheader of the 'Pulse of the MTV Trifecta. Earlier, we brought you the last eliminations and mission from The Challenge Invasion, and now we bring this weekend to an end with Week 5 of Are You The One? Second Chances.
   Last week down in Melbourne, Australia, the house brought us back to that famous Spin the Bottle on AYTO Season 1 when they decided to entertain themselves with a game of strip flip cup. On the game side of things, the couples dealt with strangers in buying them gifts at a local thrift mall, which saw the couple pictured above, Tori & Morgan, retain power couple status in the house. And for the second straight week, there was a steal in The Choice, but this time there was a lot of bad blood in Hayden deciding to steal the $30,000 from the bank of him & Carolina. No wonder why that love triangle has seen a lot in the course of the past four months.
   This week, the couples take to a tricky obstacle course for what's the most-demanding challenge so far down under, which includes a pit full of mud and having to ride a bicycle. Meanwhile, there's concern for one of the three couples who have rotated power couple status in the house, while another tries to prove their affection for their partner. And someone spills a somewhat embarrassing secret about their partner and dreams of something from Fantasyland.
   All the action, reaction and interaction from this week in AYTO land awaits as the spinoff reaches its halfway point. And after the Pulse, if you're thirsty for some tea stick around for ExtraTime as we'll have a follow-up to the latest romantic reality show romance, involving a girl from the most-recent AYTO season and a guy from The Bachelorette...you'll want to check it out.

• As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but they are kept uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)
• Plus, if you haven't watched the episode yet, then do not proceed with reading this post. But need not worry...DCBLOG will compile all of these tweets into these posts after every episode so you won't be in the dark of how your favorites saw this all unfold.

After the jump, it's week 5 of AYTO Second Chances as your weekend comes to a close with us at DCBLOG.

DC SocialPulse: The Challenge Invasion - "Caged"

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, objectionable content 

& spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. Due to its long 

length, take frequent eye breaks if you're reading this top to bottom. ***

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

As you indulge yourself in this Sunday Funday, welcome on back to Inside the MTV Trifecta on DCBLOG as we have two editions of the 'Pulse planned for you to cap off your weekend. First, we bring you the 'Pulse of Week 11 of The Challenge Invasion, and one last chance for everyone to prove themselves before the game gets as serious as you can have at any time all season long.
   Last week saw The Underdog Bloodbath, The Challenge's first-ever multi-player elimination week as not two, but four players would see their dreams of victory vanish, and giving the eight remaining underdogs a chance to prove their worth. There, Amanda, Hunter and, for the first time, Jenna, saw their chances come up short in seeing Ashley and Nicole come up victorious. And in the guys' elimination, the suspicious gameplay of one of the players got exposed.
   And that's where this week begins with the last spots in the final are at stake among the Underdog guys, plus the Champions. There is also a final regular challenge to take care of as well as for the first time, the number of players remaining on both teams are even at four a side, and both the Champs and Underdogs are forced to rely on their teammates to get through a treacherous maze course embedded inside a cage. And could in-fighting among one of those teams lead to tempers flaring before who among the two will have a shot at the money?
   Coming up, all the action, reaction and interaction from this, Week 11 in Thailand, plus as an added bonus we'll also be covering the cast in New York to tape the reunion, among other things. And after the 'Pulse, you'll want to stick around for ExtraTime as we'll tell you what the man has in common with one of the kings of daytime television. And if you know of a certain chant, you'll probably get the idea of this.

• As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but they are kept uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)
• Plus, if you haven't watched the episode yet, then do not proceed with reading this post. But need not worry...DCBLOG will compile all of these tweets into these posts after every episode so you won't be in the dark of how your favorites saw this all unfold.

The competitors get caged, the underdog finalists are set, and an elimination shocker... It's all ahead on the 'Pulse of The Challenge Invasion at DCBLOG.

MTV Trifecta: Stranded with a Million Dollars - Week 9

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

The weekend has arrived, and if you're on the West Coast, then summer weather has arrived a month before the unofficial start of summer in 80- and 90-degree weather in Las Vegas. And we're here to go Inside the MTV Trifecta, where coming up, we have a Challenge elimination shocker ahead of the final, Barbie & Ken and friends go mudding in Australia, and a look at the many sides of everyone's favorite Israeli. But first, we start with the penultimate episode of Stranded with a Million Dollars.
   Last week, the rivalry that has been brewing all season long between the two sides began to take shape after power of the game was seized by Cody & Makani as they decided to not buy food at the group buy the rest of the way, which left Alex and Gina on the edge in trying to stay. And feeling the need to get food, the journalist turns to something both shocking and radical: ripping apart the money they've achieved along the way and putting them in a campfire leaving them in the flames.
   This week, the final days of their journey are upon them, and once again it's the two rivals who take center stage as one of them decides to declare an way on the other camp, as they decide it's time to try and get their enemies to flare up...only for them to forget something very crucial which may cost them money. And to add more to all this, there's a plan so jaw-dropping, it might be one of the most intriguing things you've ever seen on reality TV.

Ahead, our look at week 9 of the adventurers' stay in Fiji, plus Endgame looks at what might be the most intriguing moment of this inaugural season of Stranded.  See you after the jump.

DC ExtraTime In-Depth: Yellowcard's Big Breakthrough

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

We are heading towards the final of The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions, the last week of Stranded with a Million Dollars, and after tonight will be the halfway point of Are You The One? Second Chances. DCBLOG will have this week all covered for you coming up this weekend with our look Inside the MTV Trifecta, as we usually do at the end of your work week. But now in a special midweek post, we're proud to bring you another long-form story told through the prism of this ecosystem, and which took place on The Challenge thirteen years ago.

The two words "big break" mean so much to big name musicians, actors, actresses and so many others in show biz. The word's definition reads, "a breakthrough, especially the first big hit of a previously unknown performer or performers in the entertainment industry...an opportunity or chance that leads to professional success." Over the years, there have been many instances where a movie or an awards show provided the first appearance of those who have made a mark on a cultural level.
   Last November, we took a look back at when the first inklings of the term "party rock" came to fruition when LMFAO took center stage in Cancun, Mexico and hung out with the cast of Season 22 of Real World in 2009, two years before RedFoo and SkyBlu became worldwide stars. And it was a year earlier that a relatively unknown New York singer named Lady Gaga headlined an Interscope Records event in a West Hollywood event, and cameras from MTV's The Hills were there to capture Lauren Conrad and Whitney Port helping to zip up a broken zipper on her catsuit.

Those two instances offer the backdrop for this edition of ExtraTime In-Depth, where we'll take a look at one rock band who, a few days ago, brought the curtain down on their 20-year run. And they have something in common with these two artists above in that their breakthrough came on MTV and on a reality TV show airing on the channel. This is the story of Yellowcard's Big Breakthrough.

DC ExtraTime: Preston's Story

Contains excerpts originally posted in DC ExtraTime sections of DCBLOG's MTV Trifecta coverage

on November 2015 and this past week, re-posted here for the interest of readers.

BY DC CUEVA                     

> @DC408Dxtr / @DC408DxNow

As you prep for tonight's new episode of The Challenge Invasion, DCBLOG would like to present to you this bonus edition of ExtraTime to focus on a member of the Real World/Challenge alumni who we originally featured in one of our posts back in November 2015, but who resurfaced in an article that appeared in The New York Times over a week ago that brought into light the growing problem of homelessness among college students in the U.S.
   Because of the timeliness of that article being posted earlier this month, we are reposting not only our original article from November 2015 on Preston Roberson-Charles from Real World Back to New Orleans and three Challenge seasons when he traveled to Asia that summer, but also our Follow-Up on him which we presented at the end of our 'Pulse diary of last week's Challenge episode. We're doing this for the sake of those of you who don't want to scroll all the way down from our weekly episode coverage to those posts.
   Enjoy these two pieces of ExtraTime as we catch up with Preston.

DC Strategy Room: The Challenge Invasion - Heading Into Crunch Time

BY DC CUEVA                     
■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

Welcome on back to DCBLOG as we roll along with our look Inside the MTV Trifecta and the beginning of the business end of The Challenge - Invasion of the Champions... if you can believe it.
   This season began some two months ago and a lot has taken place in Thailand that has seen just about everything. We started this journey with eighteen underdogs with varied backgrounds ranging from two off the plane from Seattle to another returning to MTV after a decade-long absence. We then had eight champions invade the game to spoil the party of a potential first Challenge win, and things have not been the same since, with plenty of drama both before and after the merge. And now, we stand just before the show's first-ever three-day final...but before that comes who will join the guy champions in the semi-final four to join the four remaining women in Thailand.
   It's with this in mind that with just a day before Week 11 commences, it's the ideal time for us to take our first trip into a room we only visit a few times during The Challenge but entered a good many times during Are You The One? Season 5. It's The Strategy Room, where we analyze where the game situation stands at various points in the season, and one of the few times where this site actually puts on our analyst's hat and break things down when the game gets serious, just like you would see on other sites and webcasts when they do this every week. Because of how unique we are covering this world in focusing more on storytelling and social reaction, it's only late this late in the season do we get to do analysis.
   Ahead, we'll take a look at each of the remaining players, one-by-one, at what they've done in Thailand, the possibilities that await them and help make sense of it all, along with unveiling our site's first power rankings of the season and last week's fantasy scoring. Join us after the jump as we head look at where Invasion of the Champions stands from the Strategy Room.

DC WRAP Double Shot: AYTO Second Chances EP. 4 & Challenge Invasion Wk10

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

On this Easter Sunday, welcome back to DCBLOG's look inside the MTV Trifecta as we bring now bring you, a little earlier than usual, the WRAP as we now recap Are You The One? Second Chances Ep. 4 and Week 10 of The Challenge Invasion. Of course, this past week saw a lot go down: the second steal in the AYTO house, a bloodbath in the Challenge house and, as brought you back on Friday, Alex burning the money on Stranded with a Million Dollars.

   Now, with this past week's Challenge elimination not fully complete, again by rule we'll be tabling over the recap of that episode to next week and an extended edition of Things to Know. And in lieu of that, we'll be heading into the Strategy Room to look at where this season all stands. But on this abbreviated post, we'll be focusing more on what happened in Melbourne, with additional thoughts from those involved in the steal, and of course all the related particulars. And on ExtraTime, we'll have two reunions to share with you...join us there next.

DC SocialPulse: AYTO Second Chances - "The Gift of Love"

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, objectionable content 

& spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. Due to its long 

length, take frequent eye breaks if you're reading this top to bottom. ***

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

Happy Easter to all of you from DCBLOG, and we hope you're enjoying this Sunday and family, friends and everyone else. We roll along with our weekend look Inside the MTV Trifecta by looking at Week 4 of Are You The One? - Second Chances. And continuing with the theme of surprise occuring on the first two shows we've covered, this week in Australia - no different.
   Last week, the eight remaining couples were tasked with having the easy job of taking selfies with famous Australian animals, but only if they had to move around dead animals and complete tough tasks before they had to do so. These matches were again put on the spot to overcome past histories, which included that week's winners, Tori & Morgan. And for another Season 4 couple, Francesca and Gio, his relationship with Alicia hampered them a bit, and were then sent into The Choice where, for the first time, The Steal was invoked...and it was her who took the money, with no bad blood between he realized he was not a perfect man.
   This week, with memories harkening back to Spin the Bottle back on AYTO Season 1, things once again reach that level of wild when the house takes part in a game of flip cup, with stripping included. They also have to deal with strangers no less in their latest mission of going all around a Melbourne thrift mall to look for gifts just for them. For Asaf, he tries to take his relationship with Kaylen from just a perfect match level to something new. And for the rocky relationship that is Carolina and Hayden, the house finds something to do with that, which may lead to that happening yet again.

Ahead, all the action, reaction and interaction to this fourth week of AYTO Second Chances as Team AYTO sees this latest chapter unfold, plus some of The Challenge's big names gather in New York City. And after the 'Pulse on ExtraTime, we'll take a look ahead to the return of a reality TV icon to MTV this summer. Clue: brace yourself for plenty of fear.

• As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but they are kept uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)
• Plus, if you haven't watched the episode yet, then do not proceed with reading this post. But need not worry...DCBLOG will compile all of these tweets into these posts after every episode so you won't be in the dark of how your favorites saw this all unfold.

After the jump, Episode 4 of Are You The One? Second Chances, Pulse style.

DC SocialPulse: The Challenge Invasion - "The Bloodbath"

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, objectionable content 

& spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. Due to its long 

length, take frequent eye breaks if you're reading this top to bottom. ***

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

This is Easter weekend and as you all enjoy these next two days with family, it's time for us here at DCBLOG to take you deep on our ride through the MTV Trifecta, which last night brought you Alex deciding to burn the money on Stranded with a Million Dollars. Now, we turn our attention to The Challenge - Invasion of the Champions, and Week 10 from Thailand.
   Last week, four champions fought one another in the elimination Fortress that saw Laurel remain undefeated as she beat Cara Maria in "Balls In." But that came on the tail end of a much anticipated showdown between six-time champion Johnny Bananas and four-time champion Darrell which saw the NorCal native take down the defending champion. There was also drama at the club with Laurel and Nicole, and Shane and Hunter, as well as a challenge in the lake that saw the underdogs prevail. And then came the news from TJ shortly thereafter of a big twist coming to those newbies.
   And this week, that latest game-changer goes down with an unprecedented multi-player elimination as not two, but four players will ultimately see their dreams of a first Challenge win disappear in the Asian air. This Underdog Bloodbath will give the eight remaining players on Team Red one last shot to prove that they're worthy of going to the final in this slaughter that sends shockwaves around the game. And one friendship takes a 180 into the land of rivalries when the suspicious gameplay of one of the players is exposed for everyone to see.
   All the action, reaction and interaction surrounding Episode 11 awaits on this edition of the 'Pulse. And afterwards, ExtraTime will have a Follow-Up on an underdog story of a different sort: a three-time Challenger and Real World New Orleans roommate encountering one of those great real-life struggles: living homeless.

• As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but they are kept uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)
• Plus, if you haven't watched the episode yet, then do not proceed with reading this post. But need not worry...DCBLOG will compile all of these tweets into these posts after every episode so you won't be in the dark of how your favorites saw this all unfold.

A bloodbath, bad blood, an underdog exposed, and a real-life story. It's all ahead after the jump on the 'Pulse of The Challenge Invasion on DCBLOG.

MTV Trifecta: Stranded with a Million Dollars - Week 8

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

Happy Easter weekend to all of you from all of us at DCBLOG. And as this holiday weekend begins, we have another packed weekend of posts to bring you from an eventful week in the MTV Trifecta.. Ahead, the Underdogs are on the edge in Thailand, more drama takes shape down under, and a look at where it all stands in Thailand. But first, Week 8 of Stranded with a Million Dollars, which has seen so much take place before it reaches its climax.

   Last week in Fiji was also the first week of this game being two-on-two thanks to Eilish and Alonzo heading home, and as the number of players lessened so did the tensions. With the game's control having shifted, Cody & Makani came up with a plan to take out Gina and make it 2 on 1, though Alex's only other alliance member decided to stay for at least one more week.
   This week, the lines that were drawn last week begin to take shape as the rivalry between the two camps heats up, along with the journey they all have to take to the next camp site. For here, both sides decide to take power moves in one taking away a characteristic of the other camp, and in response they counter with something as shocking as any we've seen on the Trifecta.

   After the break, it's perhaps the most intense episode yet of Stranded with a Million Dollars, as well as the results of our first Twitter poll on that show, as we go Inside the MTV Trifecta on DCBLOG.

DC WRAP Double Shot: Challenge Invasion Wk 9 & AYTO Second Chances EP 3

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

As you settle into this week, time for us here at DCBLOG to help refresh your memory a bit in recapping an eventful last week in the MTV Trifecta with our look at Episode 10 of The Challenge Invasion and Week 3 of Are You The One? Second Chances, all before we kick off this week tonight.
   Last week saw two champions eliminations go down and saw the defending guys' champion get dethroned and the elimination queen keep her unblemished record in tact. We also saw those challengers take to the lake for a thrill ride on tubes, then saw the underdogs not only take control of the game but also get jobbed by TJ Lavin with the latest super twist to take Thailand. And over in Australia, the perfect matches had to deal with dead animals and demanding tasks before taking selfies with Australia's favorite animals. And for that season's big twist involving one of the most controversial castmate from last summer, yes, that happened: the first steal.

   Coming up, an expanded edition of our Things to Know episode recap - the reason for which will be explained after the jump, plus some words from the man at the heart of the drama down under. And on ExtraTime after poll results and fantasy scoring, find out who in Team MTV is now a new mom, and when worlds collide in this small world that is reality TV. That follows next.

DC SocialPulse: AYTO Second Chances - "Wolf of Match Street"

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, objectionable content 

& spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. Due to its long 

length, take frequent eye breaks if you're reading this top to bottom. ***

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

Welcome back to DCBLOG and our trip Inside the MTV Trifecta as your weekend is now winding down. And after we just saw Sergio Garcia defeat Justin Rose in one of the compelling Masters ever, and Russell Westbrook stamp his place as the NBA's triple double king, it's time for us to bring this Sunday to a close with the Pulse of Week 3 of Are You The One? - Second Chances.
   Last week down under, the nine remaining couples had to rely on each other in one being a caregiver and the other having a cast on, which made for some precarious moments for many, except for the two still fresh from their Caribbean heartbreak: Alicia & Mike and Carolina & Hayden going 1-2 for Season 5. But that wasn't the only think happening for Alicia, as her relationship with Giovanni got to another level, while Nate was once again at the center of girl drama. And in the Choice, Adam & Shanley shared and stayed, as Tori & Devin get into odds over strategy.
   This week, the attention turns to the outdoors as the eight left in Victoria are given the task to take selfies...provided they do plenty of work to take those photos. That includes having to deal with a bunch of dead animals. The dark side of the man me and Andrew Kirk referred to in our 2016 Debrief as "The Wolf" puts a strain on the relationship with his perfect match and the house. Perfect Matches are once again forced to overcome some baggage they've brought with them as they hope for success, which includes what happened fairly recently with another Season 4 couple.
   Ahead, the action, reaction and interaction from Team AYTO to this latest week in Are You The One? land, as well as one's words to their perfect match and thoughts from a key figure this week. And afterwards on ExtraTime, a touching tribute to a BMX legend gone too soon as Challenge host TJ Lavin pays tribute to the late Dave Mirra.

• As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but they are kept uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)
• Plus, if you haven't watched the episode yet, then do not proceed with reading this post. But need not worry...DCBLOG will compile all of these tweets into these posts after every episode so you won't be in the dark of how your favorites saw this all unfold.

After the jump, the Pulse of Episode 3 of AYTO: Second Chances.

DC SocialPulse: The Challenge Invasion - "Go Your Own Way"

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, objectionable content 

& spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. Due to its long 

length, take frequent eye breaks if you're reading this top to bottom. ***

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

As you all enjoy this Sunday, it's time for us to bring you something special: a doubleheader of the DCBLOG Trifecta Pulse with not one, but two of these posts coming your way here on this Masters Sunday...both of these posts will come your way here before and after the action takes place at Augusta National Golf Club. First, we bring you Episode 10 of The Challenge - Invasion.

   Last week in Thailand, the Camilanator made her return to The Challenge house as once again, Camila went off on Amanda in a sequel to their staredown from Rivals III, while we also had a costume party take over the house. A love triangle emerged with Nicole and the two ladies of Team Black, while the Underdogs were under the gun to try and even the game up and regain power. And in what was an elimination week for the champions, it was the work of a guy named Shane that determined the outcome of that game and set the table for which champs would face one another.
   And that's where this week's episode begins, with two champions battles as Bananas and Darrell face off, as do Cara Maria and Laurel with a chance to get close to Nicole at stake along with staying in the game. The focus then shifts with the Underdogs as their in-team alliances begin to unravel when the motives of one of them begins to get into focus. And in typical Challenge fashion, TJ Lavin then surprises the competitors yet again with another game-changing twist out of left field.

   Ahead, all the action, reaction and interaction from this week in the Challenge, including Team MTV seeing the last act of March Madness. Speaking of college hoops, it's also the subject of ExtraTime as after the diary, we'll head down to Tobacco Road and join a Real World'er as he celebrates with his fellow Tar Heel alumni in Chapel Hill as they relish in North Carolina's national championship win this past week... you'll also find out some nice tea as well.

• As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but they are kept uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)
• Plus, if you haven't watched the episode yet, then do not proceed with reading this post. But need not worry...DCBLOG will compile all of these tweets into these posts after every episode so you won't be in the dark of how your favorites saw this all unfold.

Two epic eliminations, more Underdog drama, a super twist and baby blue parties... it's all ahead on the 'Pulse of The Challenge Invasion on DCBLOG.

MTV Trifecta: Stranded with a Million Dollars - Week 7

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

We have reached the end of this first week of April, and that means one thing here: it's time to go Inside the MTV Trifecta with DCBLOG. Ahead: two epic champions eliminations and a Challenge super twist, animal selfies and a theft in Australia, and the story of a pop punk band's breakthrough. But first on the docket, we kick off with Week 7 of Stranded with a Million Dollars.
   Last week, the pendulum of this game changed quite considerably when not one, but two players fired their flare gun when their health was in jeopardy and had to take their leave: Eilish and Alonzo split the Core Four in half to just Alex and Gina. This comes as Cody and Makani, not surprisingly, take control of the game in what has clearly been dominated from a money standpoint by the Core Four, and as they say, what a difference a week makes.
   This week, it's week 7 in Fiji as the game now turns into a two-on-two affair, and as the number of players lessens, the tensions only mount among the among the four remaining players. True to what we've seen a plenty over the years, a challenge forces the group to suck it up and work together as one unit. And the game takes a big, sudden turn as two decide to make a bold gamble in an attempt to get the others out for good.

After the jump, we look at Episode 7 of Stranded with a Million Dollars, plus we'll meet the show's biggest celebrity fan - as we begin our weekend look at the MTV Trifecta on DCBLOG.

DC ExtraTime In-Depth: Big Easy - A Challenge Against the Odds

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

We at DCBLOG hope you are enjoying our look inside the MTV Trifecta. And as we enter the month of April, we'd thought you might like to take a moment out from our usual coverage of the weekly episodes to bring you our long-form look at the stories surrounding our passion of The Challenge, Are You The One?, Real World and Stranded with a Million Dollars.
   Here, we always like to think of ourselves as a supplement to other sites that cover these shows so many of us watch every week and discuss online and around the water cooler. While you might go to other sites to read, watch and hear discussion and recaps on the episodes every week as well as interviews with castmates, we offer you a supplement in focusing our coverage on all the social reaction to every episode, and bringing you those kinds of stories relating to the people and these shows that might otherwise not be told. ExtraTime enables us to bring you those stories, long & short and on & off-camera, at the end of all of our multiple weekly posts, and often in these dedicated, long-form's we call ExtraTime In-Depth.
   We have brought you a number of these In-Depth posts since we began covering MTV shows back in 2013. This includes the pinned tweet I had up for a few days this week of the inspiring story I did on the bond between Johnny Bananas & Kasey Harvey which was originally posted on Thanksgiving last year and for whom he gave a shoutout to this week. And as a consequence of this week's episode of The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions ending with a cliffhanger in the middle of one epic elimination between Bananas and Darrell - which by rule we will be discussing that here on next week's posts, this week we are presenting two of those stories here.

First, one of the most fascinating stories to come out of the Trifecta in the past decade has been of the struggle of one of one Challenger who personified what a lot of people in Generation X and Y have had of spending more time doing anything but be active and having a healthy lifestyle. Then, after being a central figure to one of the most memorable moments in Challenge history, it served as a reality check for him to finally get down to business, lose the fat and become more active, no less be able to compete more on the show considered by many the "fifth major pro sport."
   This is one person's story of someone who was able to make a not so easy transition from the guy who weighed 300 pounds at the time we first saw him as part of a renowned Challenge class of Fresh Meat, to one who's made a strong transformation by losing nearly 100 pounds. He's one of the most unique and well-liked people in the Challenge community and has gained a ton of respect for being able to overcome one of modern life's greatest obstacles and biggest challenges. On this edition of In-Depth, the story of Eric "Big Easy" Banks: A Challenge Against the Odds.

DC WRAP Double Shot: Challenge Invasion Wk 8 & AYTO Second Chances EP 2

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

As you now bring this weekend to a close, welcome back to DCBLOG for our Wrap of the week in the MTV Trifecta. This week saw the Camilanator make her return to the Challenge house as she got into it with pop-off queen Amanda and the AYTO alum got into it with Laurel - who also got into a love triangle with Cara Maria and Nicole. We also saw the Underdogs take back control into the week's mission, where Shane singlehandedly forced a battle between two champions in a Champions elimination between four-time champion Darrell and six-time champ Johnny Bananas.
   Now, if you weren't with us for our Challenge Pulse yesterday, due to the episode ending without full resolution in it ending in the middle of the first elimination battle between the guys and Cara & Laurel, by rule this week's episode recap will not be covered here this week and will be moved to next week in an extended Things to Know, and we'll be providing just the fantasy scoring in this Wrap. So by default, a recap of AYTO Second Chances will be provided here on a scaled-back Wrap, plus a look at a Road Rules veteran turned supernatural detective.  That's all ahead.

DC SocialPulse: AYTO Second Chances - "Wound Up In The V"

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, objectionable content 

& spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. Due to its long 

length, take frequent eye breaks if you're reading this top to bottom. ***

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

As you all enjoy this first weekend of April and this Sunday Funday, why not take a break from all of that to join in with us here at DCBLOG as we roll along with our look Inside the MTV Trifecta with Week 2 of Are You The One? - Second Chances.
   Last week, Melbourne, Australia welcomed seven fan favorite couples from AYTO's first four seasons plus three jet-lagged couples straight off the plane from the Caribbean (with a stop in LA for the reunion) as they all began the quest for who is the ultimate perfect match. There was a familiar sight in Devin winning something on these shows, as he and Rashida outlasted all the other couples in their quest to get to the house first. And along with the usual "get to know you", we saw the revealing of the twists to this season including The Choice.
   This week, the nine remaining couples (Derrick & Casandra were eliminated last week) are put to the test when they must figure out how to be a caregiver and to take a cast off of their partners. For one perfect match, one of them snaps when her partner's interest in pretty women distracts him from the game. After the two clicked in the premiere last week, the pot-stirrers of their respective fourth and fifth seasons get upset when one gets to spend time with one of their matches. And what happens when voting strategy gets in the way of those best laid plans?

All the action, reaction and interaction from Team AYTO awaits you on this 'Pulse diary, including some words exchanged between a few of the castmates too. And in the spirit of the biggest event in college sports taking place in the Final Four this weekend, stick around afterwards for ExtraTime as we'll open up the vaults to look at the basketball prowess of one of the Second Chances castmates.

• As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but they are kept uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)
• Plus, if you haven't watched the episode yet, then do not proceed with reading this post. But need not worry...DCBLOG will compile all of these tweets into these posts after every episode so you won't be in the dark of how your favorites saw this all unfold.

A visit to the doctor, the Wolf meets a Snake, Originals face the Choice, and March Madness with Team Chocolate... it's all ahead on the 'Pulse of Week 2 of AYTO Second Chances.

DC SocialPulse: The Challenge Invasion - "An Officer and a Gentlewoman"

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, objectionable content 

& spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. Due to its long 

length, take frequent eye breaks if you're reading this top to bottom. ***

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

It's now the first day of April and for many of you, you can go outside and smell the flowers as spring is now in the air. And we at DCBLOG roll along with our look at the MTV Trifecta with Week 8 of The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions.

   Last week in Thailand, Shane was put under the microscope within the Underdogs' ranks when news started to swirl that he was making deals and forming alliances with multiple people that when time comes will put himself in position to lose friends. As far as the challenges goes, the players had to run up and down to put together puzzles, but also had to swallow a lot of the curry as we saw a lot of players throw up and tempers flared among most everyone. And when Sylvia tried to do pull a Jordan and volunteer herself into elimination, it backfired on her as she lost to Jenna.
   This week marks the return to The Challenge of not just a good old costume party, but also an old friend as the alter ego of a veteran who has entertained us ever since we first saw her back seven years ago decides to take care of unfinished business from last year on one of her enemies. A love triangle takes place among one of the rookies and two people who you can best known them by their alternative name of Team Black. The Underdogs feel the pressure to try and even up the game and take back control as they try to regain power. And in this, a Champions elimination week, the outcome of that mission determines which champs will go up against one another.

Coming up, all the action, reaction and interaction from Week 9 and Episode 9 which, will actually have a role in how we will get to do things a little bit differently here for this week's posts. And if you're in the need for something to do with winter here in April, we have a treat for you on ExtraTime after the diary as we'll join a Challenge veteran as he gets to shred it in the snow.

• As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but they are kept uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)
• Plus, if you haven't watched the episode yet, then do not proceed with reading this post. But need not worry...DCBLOG will compile all of these tweets into these posts after every episode so you won't be in the dark of how your favorites saw this all unfold.

Costumes, a love triangle, a challenge above water and an epic elimination... It's all ahead on the 'Pulse of Week 8 of The Challenge Invasion on DCBLOG.