BY DC CUEVA
Along with all that, we always keep our eyes open on here for any shows that we feel will be worthy of interest to MTV fans on here, and of what kind of programming that may draw viewers of those shows we follow here to what might be buzzworthy next... thus, we get to present these posts on occasion that we call, "The Look." And the next program we feel will be watched with a bit of interest over in Challenge land is something that will as intense as its MTV counterpart, and will offer a juicy appetizer to the main event of this autumn.
This coming week, MTV's premium and more upscale sibling Paramount Network (the former Spike TV and TNN) will bring together some of the biggest, toughest and most elite couples from across the country as they join two Bachelor sweethearts to help answer the question of who is the best? Welcome to Battle of The Fittest Couples.
For those who follow MTV's reality palette but also have interest in shows outside the channel that pioneered this genre, there is a reason why they have become increasingly interested in all things love, romance and roses.
Two years ago next month, Bachelor Nation entered MTV territory when Josh Murray from Season 10 of The Bachelorette went onto The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars I... and months later, not one but two members of the same Bachelorette season became part of the first two seasons of the U.S. version of global sensation Ex On The Beach: Chase McNary on Season 1 (who also competed on War of the Worlds), and "Bad Chad" Johnson on Season 2 (who also appeared on Celeb Big Brother UK and Famously Single with Ronnie from Jersey Shore). And word is another person who competed on Bachelorette 12 may bring his talents to MTV in the coming months ahead.
That heartache in Jamaica saw a new door open when JoJo was named the lead of the ensuing 12th season of The Bachelorette two months after Ben broke her heart. The journey she and the twenty-six men looking to win her heart brought them from the Villa to Pittsburgh, hometowns and then to past Challenge host nations Uruguay, Thailand and Argentina... with Dan + Shay, All 4 One, ESPN's Max Kellerman and Fox Sports' Marcellus Wiley making cameos, as did Santa Claus when the limos pulled up. There were cars set on fire, a yoga session turned sensual session, playing catch with the Steelers' Big Ben and, of course, plenty of Hurricane Chad.
The two men who beat Chad, Chase and the rest of the suitors to the final date were Robby Hayes -- who reality fans know has dated Scheana of Vanderpump Rules, Juliette Porter of Siesta Key and was linked to Kathryn Palmer of Are You The One? Season 5 -- and the man JoJo chose in the end: Jordan Rodgers. Going into the season, he already had notable status as the younger brother of the Packers' Aaron Rodgers, and Jordan became a successful QB himself in eventually leading Vanderbilt to a bowl appearance in 2012... but plans on NFL success stalled afterwards.
After a chance to join the CFL faded away, Jordan turned his attention to the screen: analyst on the SEC Network, his Bachelor gig and even a small spot in Pitch Perfect 2. Of late, he & JoJo have become hot commodities in the TV business: a Kin web series combining reality with her passion of home decor in Engaged with JoJo & Jordan, and this summer's CNBC series Cash Pad as they got to do some house flipping. And of course, there was the news of them announcing their re-engagement in August as they await the real wedding coming in the new year.
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| IG @CzechFit |
Those who've watched The Challenge in its present form have seen reality stars from MTV, and now from around the world, compete for the big prize while also living in a house as well. BOTFC is that show in a way, but here the cast is only of twelve couples described as "ripped" and fit, and who will endure the same kind of show we love from the MTV universe: competition and challenges testing their physical and mental toughness. But like what we have seen on Rivals, Exes, Final Reckoning and random pair challenges in the past, it's how these couples perform as a team that will also have a say in how they do here. And the last couple standing wins $100,000.
The format of the show's presser reads, "12 of the toughest and most competitive couples battle their way through grueling, physical and mental main event challenges that will put every ounce of their athleticism to the test. The losing couple is automatically put up for elimination and the winning couple gets to call the shots on choosing another couple to send with them into the “Rage Cage.” The ruthless rivals will then battle it out in a head-to-head brawl where one team will prevail and the other, sent home. Through every episode, physical limits are pushed, alliances are made, and relationships are tested."
As the bios Paramount Network has provided of the twelve teams who comprise the field for Battle of the Fittest Couples, those who have been chosen to endure this physical test are those who span the athletic spectrum: bodybuilders, trainers, athletes, and even a pair from paradise who love to do yoga.
Bios Courtesy: Paramount Network, names
linked to competitors' Instagram channels
● MICHAEL KAI SAYASITH & HEAVEN YASMEEN / "The Muscle" (Charlotte, NC): "Michael and Heaven met at a nightclub in North Carolina. Even though he was there with other people, he knew he couldn't live with himself if he didn't introduce himself to her. The rest is history! Now, they work out together all the time, which Heaven didn't do as often before. Michael says they're each other's biggest fans as well as their biggest critics. Both have since competed and placed multiple times in bodybuilding competitions. If they win the $100,000, they want to start the business they've been planning: a fitness clothing line for all body types. Michael also wants to get Heaven an engagement ring."
● ANDY RODRIGUEZ & CHRISTINA STEWART / "The God Squad" (Fort Lauderdale, FL): "Andy and Christina met in a Zumba class at the gym where Andy worked part-time while he was in Bible college. He claims she couldn't stop staring at him, but she remembers thinking he was there with a sugar daddy. Now, they train together all the time, and he cooks for her every day. Andy has competed in national bodybuilding competitions, and Christina is gearing up for her first show. If they win the $100,000, they want to use it to open up a gym they'll run like a church, reaching out to the community and helping ex-convicts reintegrate into society after being released from prison."
● BLAKE CHASTAIN & TALYA SHEA SMITH / "The Georgia Peaches" (Dalton, GA): "Blake and Talya go way back, having met as kids on their respective family vacations. Now, they work out together at least twice a week and meal-prep every Monday. Both are athletes experienced on the diamond -- Talya with softball and Blake with baseball. Blake currently focuses more on bench-press competitions. They think their superior athletic abilities will give them a leg up in the competition. If they win the $100,000, they'll put a portion of it toward a beach house in Florida and use the rest to start their own fitness brand."
● JARET CAMPISI & CHRISTINA KHALIL / "The Track Stars" (Mechanicsburg, PA): "Jaret and Christina met at Santa Barbara City College in California. She was on the track team, and he was a coach. Don't worry, though: They didn't start dating until she was off the team! After years of thinking he was a dork, Jaret's sense of humor finally won Christina over. His being jacked didn't hurt the situation either. Now, their days consist of training together while running their YouTube channel. If they win the $100,000, they want to use it to move back to Santa Barbara. Christina wouldn't mind if a portion of that money also went toward an engagement ring."
● ROBBIE MARINO & JESSIKA STAUFFER / "The Private Trainers" (Maui, HI): "Robbie and Jessika met when they were both working at a restaurant. His persistence won her over. Four years later, Robbie proposed, and now they're planning their wedding in the Czech Republic. For them, the saying "train together and remain together" has been worth its weight in gold in their relationship. Robbie holds the Maui Island leg press record at 1,465 pounds, and Jessika has won first place in every fitness competition she's competed in. They work out together seven days a week, primarily focusing on resistance training but still doing a little bit of everything else. If they win the $100,000, they want to help out their family with their needs, then put the rest toward their wedding."
● KYLE CAMERON & SHAY CAMERON / "The Crossfitters" (Sacramento, CA): "Kyle and Shay weren't looking for their soul mates when they found each other on a dating app; however, after a first date of shooting in the woods, line dancing and working out, they realized it was fate. Now, they work out together every chance they get. They have extensive travel schedules for work, so they're constantly training on the go, whether in the mountains, on the beach or in a hotel fitness room. Shay is in charge of cooking and bodybuilding workouts, while Kyle handles cross-training workouts and finds new activities for them to try. If they win the $100,000, they plan to buy their first house together and grow their family."
● TONY CELLO & NICOLE CAIRNS / "The Young Guns" (Casselberry, FL): "Tony and Nicole met in high school. He says it was sophomore year, but she says it was junior year in history class. They didn't officially start dating until college. Now, they run a personal-training studio together, and fitness is their life. Both have competed in and placed in bodybuilding and bikini competitions. Fresh at 22, they're the youngest couple in the competition, which they think will give them a leg up. If they win the $100,000, they want to invest in their fitness business by expanding and getting new equipment."
● JORDAN DUGGER & ERIN DIAMOND / "The Schemers" (Columbus, OH): "Jordan and Erin met after Jordan repeatedly DMed Erin on Instagram. When he finally asked a genuine question about nutrition, Erin responded. Once she met his pit bull puppy, she knew she was hooked. Now, their favorite date nights are evenings spent working out in gyms. Both have competed in several bodybuilding competitions and have qualified nationally. They've also coached more than 1,000 clients online. If they win the $100,000, they want to donate a large portion of it to pitbull-rescue organizations around the country. They then would use some of the money to travel around the United States teaching fitness seminars."
● CHRISTIE JAUCH & JOSH REYES / "Tall and Small" (Tampa, FL): "Christie and Josh met when she trained him at the insurance firm where he worked. He also worked as a personal trainer on the side. The rest is history. He says fitness plays an important role in their relationship because it helps him relieve stress. Their fitness accolades? Participation trophies and their banging bodies. These two have high energy, are competitive and are determined to do whatever it takes to be the last couple standing. If they win the $100,000, Josh will use some of the money to buy Christie an engagement ring."
● TYLER JAMES & RYANN MURPHY / "The Fitness Models" (Los Angeles, CA): "Tyler and Ryann met on a dating app. She was living in Los Angeles at the time and had set the app to only show her potential matches within a 10-mile radius, but the two happened to end up within each other's radii in Orange County on the same day. Five months after their first date, they moved in together and have been inseparable for the past two years. Both have been featured in fitness and health magazines, and both have been brand ambassadors for supplement companies; they have also both appeared in many athletic-wear and fitness-related campaigns. They work out together five days a week. Tyler puts together the circuits and the schedule, and Ryann handles the nutritional planning and cooking. If they win the $100,000, they want to use it to travel with organizations to help children in need, invest in organizations that save animals from high-kill shelters and help get some of their friends and family to L.A. so they can spend more time together."
● MAT MICHELETTI & ASH COTTRELL / "The Yogis" (Pahoa, HI): "Mat and Ash met online. She had been following his blog and sent him a message to let him know how much she appreciated his information about transforming your own life. After messaging back and forth and one in-person meetup, Mat dropped his life in California and moved to Hawaii to be with Ash. Now, they've built their lives around yoga. They've opened two studios and traveled around the country leading training sessions, all while eating a strictly organic plant-based diet. They say their biggest asset for the competition is the self-mastery yoga has taught them. If they win the $100,000, they will use it to open a yoga retreat center where they can share the healing powers of yoga and meditation with the world."
● KATHY DRAYTON & LUTHER FREEMAN / "The Celebrity Trainers" (Windermere, FL): "For Kathy and Luther, it was love at first sight. After only two and a half months of dating, Luther proposed on Christmas Eve, and they've been inseparable ever since. Fitness helps them navigate their lives with focus and intention. Luther handles the workout plans, while Kathy handles the food preparation. Their mantra is "two minds are better than one," and they are undoubtedly at their best when they work together. The way fitness encourages others to love themselves and inspires them to be honest in their pursuit of their goals has provided them a great sense of purpose as coaches. If they win the $100,000, they want to finally take a trip around the world."
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| IG @mtv.realities |
Jessika wrote, "It was so exhilarating, but tough at the same time! It taught me so much about myself and taught me that I have more strength than I originally knew I had! This opportunity changed my life and I’m so excited that you get to finally see it!!!!!!!!" Andy added, "Let’s just say its not all about muscle to win this competition, you gotta be smart, and mischievous." And for The Yoga Couple, this is new territory: "This is the first ever reality TV show to represent yoga as a form of heightened physical and mental discipline and we are so honored to be holding it down for the yogis."
With a new generation of competitors now in place on The Challenge, it would be no surprise if those who make a solid impression here may as well find themselves compete alongside Bananas, Cara and friends soon enough. The show we'll be seeing here may be different, but Battle of the Fittest Couples shares many competitive attributes with its MTV cousin in it getting to challenge the competitors in endurance, strength and agility. And what it lacks in star power in those we've seen on the big show for many years, it makes up for in those who are true athletes who devote themselves daily to fitness and being healthy, and who have their eyes on the six figures that await them at the end of the tunnel.
Battle of the Fittest Couples premieres this coming Tuesday on Paramount Network, and as was the case for Floribama and other MTV shows, it will have the former Spike TV's biggest unscripted franchise, Ink Master, as its lead-in on the channel's Tuesday schedule starting at 10PM ET/PT.
- I AM DCBattle of the Fittest Couples premieres this coming Tuesday on Paramount Network, and as was the case for Floribama and other MTV shows, it will have the former Spike TV's biggest unscripted franchise, Ink Master, as its lead-in on the channel's Tuesday schedule starting at 10PM ET/PT.
#DCBLOG
