The Look: The Life We Live - A Return to the Poconos

*** CAUTION: Videos Embedded Below Contain Adult Language and Content Intended for a Mature Audience. Viewer Discretion is Advised. ***

BY DC CUEVA                        

■ @DC408DXTR  @ IG/YT/SC/TB/TK

As DCBLOG marks its tenth anniversary over the course of the next eighteen months, there's been one thing that we have covered just about as often as any other topic we have featured on here... perhaps, even more than most others. No, it's not anybody we've documented in the dozens of series and seasons we have covered Inside MTV Reality on this page... but something that was inspired by television's most unique reality programming, and which this site has followed every step of its journey since we first came across it back five years ago.

Instagram @Dre.Media

It was during this very same week in July 2017 that Andres Rodriguez from Secaucus, New Jersey got to go and meet the cast of The Challenge XXX: Dirty 30 when most of them were getting together in New York to launch the pioneering reality series' first $1 million season. Obviously, there was a lot of buzz going into the big season -- and for those of us who got to sit through all of that, we had to swallow a bitter pill at how it all ended. But other than getting to discover both Siesta Key and Floribama Shore along with Cory Wharton becoming a dad, maybe the best thing to come out of the second half of 2017 was the thing now affectionally referred to as Dre.Media.

The reason we were brought to Andres in the first place was that he was the creator, producer, editor, host, occasional competitor and main protagonist of a wide array of original YouTube content, including "live reality games" -- homemade versions of existing reality television shows. Dre has created twelve seasons of The Caucus Challenge, which began when he was a high school junior in this New York suburb best known for its many and countless connections to the sports world, and which has continued to entertain those in the YouTube community. And this site has covered every step of the Caucus journey here since, with a new season just now streaming.

However, there was a time during this tough time in our world that Dre couldn't get to put on a season of his beloved show... and he had to resort to doing something else -- such as, getting some of his friends and their friends together for a weekend excursion. So gave birth to The Life We Live... and for its eighth season, TLWL got to do something it had never done before: venture back to the scene of a crime.

Back in the late summer of 2019 when things just felt normal, Dre and co. ascended on that part on the Eastern seaboard that feels like the ideal escape for those who call the Megalopolis from Boston to Baltimore home. Season 2 of TLWL saw them head away on a two-hour's drive from the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple and the Tri-State Area to the Pocono Mountains in Northeastern Pennsylvania. With plenty of hills, valleys, resort hotels and plenty of outdoor activities, the Poconos have long been the ideal place for fun and serenity that draw millions to this region every year.

   When the group came to the mountains, it was the summer after many of them had graduated high school and had looked forward to getting to go to college and everything else that awaited them until the bottom fell out in our world. Lauren and Eezy had joined Dre for the first TLWL season & his birthday in Miami earlier that summer, and they were joined by newbies Cyndee, Sydney, JT, Asha, Tom and Nikki for this last summer get-together. What they didn't know that they would have some more people coming to the Poconos: people from their past also came by over the long weekend in the mountains.

   In the two years since, The Life We Live has ventured up to Upstate New York and Boston, outside of the East Coast to Colorado Springs and Dallas, and then down to Orlando for last year's Pride month festivities as America began to get moving again during these crazy times. And for Season 8 of TLWL, the show decided to do something it had never gotten to do before: return to one of these past locations for a second time... in this case, it's the Poconos.

  MEET THE CAST  

All Bios Courtesy IG @Dre.Media

While there's only one person from this cast who was also on the first Poconos trip a couple years back, it doesn't mean that there's a shortage of drama coming to the door. And no exception with this bunch.

🍁 AVA - After a small break from TLWL and competing on TCC over the summer, the one and only “The Ava Experience” is entering the TLWL house ready to be messy and of course have her fair share of fun!

🍁 CHRISTINA - She’s back! Everyone’s favorite crazy Latina is making her return to @dre.media ! Christina has missed being part of all the madness and adventures, and is ready to bring the heat! If Christina’s there, you know it’s gonna be wild!

🍁 CLAY - After filming TCC Clay made a few friends and is coming back to the East coast to stronger those connections and party! Clay is known for his personality, will this cause him to be the lone Wolf?

🍁 DRE - The man behind it all is taking the group to Poconos once again, and we all know The Poconos is full of surprises.. Ready to party and have a good time, Dre is here to stay clear of the drama and enjoy time with his new friends.

🍁 E'DARIUS - Who’s ready for “Taco” Tuesday’s!? From TLWL to TCC E’Darius hasn’t had the best of luck. Coming to the Poconos he hopes to finally show who he really is an individual and let go of all the drama in the past.

🍁 HAJAR - After watching a couple seasons of TLWL, Hajar decided to step out of her comfort zone and take this experience to meet new people and celebrate her bestfriends (Tobias) brithday! Coming in she’s a bit more reserved but things change when an OG sets sight on Hajar…

🍁 KEVIN - Dre.media’s eye candy is back! Being so far from all his TLWL friends, it’s been months since Kevin has spent time with them. Reuniting with season 7 and of course some new faces, he’s bound to spark someone’s interest.

🍁 JAYLEN - Making a short appearance on TLWL: Dallas, Jaylen is back FULL TIME this time around! Hoping to make new friends and memories Jaylen is coming in open minded but, he is no stranger to drama!

🍁 MIKE - Coming off a win on TCC Mike enters the house unsure where he stands with some of his cast mates.. Mike loves to party and is always here for drama. What tricks does he have up his sleeve this time?

🍁 RUTH - Season seven’s queen, Ruthie is making an appearances the Poconos! After forming close friendships in Orlando, she couldn’t miss the opportunity to hangout with her best friends and celebrate!

🍁 TOBIAS - It’s Libra season and Tobias is here to celebrate his 23rd birthday with his dre.media family! We all know he’s here for the party but who doesn’t like a little drama?

Ava, Christina, Clay, Dre, E'Darius, Hajar, Kevin, Jaylan, Mike, Ruth, Tobias, and a friend of another one of the group, New York'er Elias, all came together on the long October holiday weekend last year for a TLWL that once again is sure to offer plenty of drama. And just as it was last time out, surprise visits and new arrivals are on the docket... not to mention, a birthday, Halloween, a race around a corn maze and... a controversy involving a condom. You pretty much can't get even crazier than that... and below, the whole season for you to indulge in. We caution beforehand that the episodes below contain adult language & situations, and advise discretionary viewing.

 EPISODE 1 

 EPISODE 2 

 EPISODE 3 

 EPISODE 4 

 EPISODE 5 

 EPISODE 6 

And just launched, a brand new season of The Caucus Challenge: Worlds Collide... and a few familiar faces are a part of that -- and we'll be covering it later this summer here.

- I AM DC

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