DC ExtraTime: Anthony - Master of the Hookup

From during The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions in Spring 2017,

featuring a key figure from this week's episode of Ex On The Beach, 
which DCBLOG will be featuring the Pulse of ahead this weekend.

BY DC CUEVA                      

■ @DC408DXTR  @ IG/YT/SC/TB

IG @A_Bartolotte

Hooking up: to many its definition flat out means, "to make out or have sex with someone." It's officially defined as casual dating or a casual relationship between those who've had casual sexual activity without necessarily looking into having a more formal relationship and the extra commitments of doing it long-term, and many of these relationships last just a few days or a few weeks. There's even a culture called a "hookup culture" where having hook-ups and one-night stands are commonplace, especially in colleges across the country. As students make their way down south for Spring Break starting this weekend, this will become all the more prevalent in hotels & apartments being filled by them, often with plenty of alcohol available along with kissing.
   And on television, it has evolved into an art form over the 25-year life span of the MTV Trifecta ecosystem spanning four shows and many people too many to count who we have seen kiss and engage in sexual activity for everyone to witness in their living rooms. When the now-famous shower scene took place on The Real World Miami in 1996 - and then when the show headed to Las Vegas for the first time fifteen years ago, it's now become par for the course to see young people hooking up in the comfort of our homes on a television platform outside the pleasure-land of premium channels and pay-per-view.
   And of course, since Are You The One? debuted three years ago, this has been brought to another level in combining what MTV viewers love about The Real World and The Challenge with romantic reality shows like The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. In AYTO's five seasons on the MTV airwaves, we have seen many couples forged because of that show, and though four three of them still exist and only one of them is a true perfect match (one we'll look at later during this cycle), there is one person who has been able to hook up for as often in that house full of singles.

On Season 2, Anthony came in as that frat guy who took a break from the same university at where both Theo of this Challenge and Jimmy Garafalo went to, and made his mark by hooking up with not 1, not 2, but NINE girls once the confetti fell after the group came back from two blackouts to win the money - for which Anthony had a hand in their plans. He hooked up with Jenni, Briana, Ellie, and several other girls before the science settled with him and Alexandria - among the nine girls he locked lips with...it's in the bottom video of the two below.
   Anthony's most notable hook-up in the AYTO house came in Episode 5. When the group was in need of starting anew following the first-ever matchup blackout, Anthony and the group played a game of Truth or Dare - just as their Season 1 predecessors did earlier that year. But this time, when it time to come to his turn, Anthony would kiss not one, but TWO girls without giving up his seat in the living room. And it came in front of everyone including someone we'll be seeing in a few weeks in Ellie. Check it out below.

After that hook-up with Christina and Jessica, he would then get into a heated fight with Layton when the two were playing for Jenni, and after that second blackout he would take the lead in the house's strategy, and eventually with getting three Truth Booth matches they won the money...without getting penalized in losing money for having a blackout as we've seen since.
   Ant's not alone when it comes to kissing multiple girls: of course, we've seen Tyler, Andre and Ozzy kiss multiple girls this season; last year that title fell to Giovanni and Asaf; and Season 3 saw Chuck get close to several girls (including his current girlfriend Britni) and Alec kiss three girls in the premiere itself.

- I AM DC

#DCBLOG

DC ExtraTime Flashback: AYTO Meets UFC's DC

EDITORS' NOTE: Tonight (July 7, 2018) saw UFC history being made as for the second time in the past two years, a fighter won a second championship belt to hold titles in two different weight divisions at the same time. Below is a repost of an ExtraTime story from fall 2017 when now new Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier met Are You The One? alum and aspiring fighter Anthony Bartolette from Season 2.

From During AYTO Season 6
BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

Thirteen days ago tonight, the world watched with horror and grief as the unfortunate events of the deadly shootings in Las Vegas unfolded. A banned weapon located inside a hotel room of the Mandalay Bay on the Strip fired downward at concert goers at an outdoor venue across the street, and fifty-eight people were killed... the worst mass shooting in American history, overtaking the rampage at Pulse Nightclub when 49 people were gunned down sixteen months ago in Orlando.

   Vegas was distraught by the events of 1 October, and Southern Nevada has had plenty of time to heal in the wake of the city's biggest tragedy since the two deadly hotel fires that took place in the early '80s. I was affected in a way by this event as a friend who went to high school with me works as a first responder and he and others got to shine during that dark hour. And Challenge host TJ Lavin offered his thanks to the Metro police department yesterday on his YouTube channel.

As the city is also its hometown, last Saturday night the UFC had the chance to host the first major event held there since the Route 91 Harvest Festival, as the region came to heal but also have a night of MMA to take, at least for some time, people's minds off of the events of the previous seven days. And together with the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights winning their first three games, sports has offered some comfort for a grieving community as Vegas Strong has become the city's rallying cry.

   The UFC card was affected by the nixing of a planned Heavyweight Championship bout between titlist Stipe Miocic and former champ Cain Velasquez, but taking its place was a Flyweight Title bout where champion Demetrious Johnson made history in successfully defending his title for an 11th time, surpassing the great Anderson Silva. And an interim Lightweight belt bout saw Tony Johnson win and then call out Conor McGregor for a chance at him after what happened back in August.

Instagram @A_Bartolotte

For someone who loves the UFC and who actually stated his intentions to follow in the footsteps of the man who will host next month's Champs vs. Stars - The Miz, Anthony from AYTO Season 2 and The Challenge Invasion spent his birthday weekend in Vegas with some of his friends and went to UFC 207. While gambling the night away up the Strip at The Cosmopolitan (where my mom stays when we go to Vegas), they got to run into Daniel Cormier, who earlier in the night had words for former champion Anthony Johnson, but then apologized.
   Last we saw Cormier in the Octagon, he was getting stopped via TKO in his much anticipated Light Heavyweight Title rematch against Jon Jones back in July. A month after, that bout was declared a no-contest after Bones had tested positive for a banned substance, got suspended yet again and had that title stripped and handed back to Cormier, who gained the title after Jones' dealings with the law saw him being suspended. Below is an Instagram picture Anthony, DC and friends... both Ant and I now have something in common in having spent our birthdays in the great town.

Another Vegas trip in the books. Really made for an amazing and memorable birthday weekend. Super thankful for everyone who helped make it so great. Also S/O to @dc_mma for the picture

A post shared by Anthony Bartolotte (@a_bartolotte) on Oct 11, 2017 at 8:54am PDT

- I AM DC
#DCBLOG

DC ExtraTime: AYTO Meets Dr. Phil

BY DC CUEVA                     

■ @DC408Dxtr  @ TW / IG / YT

Welcome to the weekend, and to this week's look Inside the MTV Trifecta at DCBLOG. Coming up, we'll be covering this week's episodes of Are You The One? Season 6 and The Challenge XXX, along with the incredible backstory of a Dirty 30 competitor. But first as an appetizer to all those, we'd thought you might like to enjoy an updated version of an ExtraTime story from earlier this year.

This story involves not a high profile romance that took place inside the six houses that have hosted television's guiltiest guilty pleasure or the bevy of hookups that we have seen in the first two episodes of our new season in New Orleans, but two members of the same cast and America's most well-known psychologist, Dr. Phil. And it seems that he's become as well-known in AYTO circles as the 120 or so castmates who are now part of the show's alumni circles, host of the show's first five seasons Ryan Devlin, and his successor in new host Terrence J.

   Since we first posted this bit during the Second Chances spinoff earlier this year featuring an alum from the Season 2 cast being spotted in the audience of the popular nationally syndicated daytime talk show, this past week in a rather strange twist, his fellow cast member from that sophomore class was also seen in the audience of the one who got his TV start by way of the queen of daytime. And ironically, those two castmates have a common history of sorts, though not as well-known as the ones he had on that season, which debuted three years ago this coming first week of October.
   What follows after the jump is our original story from back in May, followed by a new follow-up in showcasing a second member of that very same cast being featured on an episode of Dr. Phil which aired earlier this week, and the common link between our two subjects. Enjoy this bonus installment of DC ExtraTime… we know you're gonna get a kick out of this.

DC SocialPulse: Are You The One? S2 - Aftermatch Reunion (Backtracked)

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

DC SocialPulse: Are You The One? S2 - The Finale

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language,

objectionable content to some readers and spoilers for 
international fans. Viewer Discretion is Advised. ***

By DC Cueva
@DC408Dxtr/@DC408DxNow

Hi, hello, what's up and welcome to the season finale edition of DC SocialPulse - Are You The One? Season 2. Back on VMA Night, we kicked off the countdown to the sequel of this great social experiment with the question of, "How will season 2 follow up the great success of season 1?" Now during the holidays, there is now, for sure, three shows that grab my attention more than any other as an MTV fan after an incredibly sophomore season and whose impact will be felt when it makes an unprecedented crossover on one of those shows in the new year.

   All throughout the season in Puerto Rico, there have been numerous romances, as well as two shocking Matchup Ceremonies where the group didn't garner a single beam. And of course, we've had a roller coaster of drama and emotions that matched what we saw in Hawaii. Last week, the group's quest for love and money fell in the hands of Ashley as she had some uncertainty in whether to choose Layton or Dario. Meanwhile, the allure of the 11th girl led to another blowup between two of the guys she's been seeing. And the group notched its best matchup total yet with 8 matches, putting them on the edge of either victory or defeat.

   This week, it's Episode 10 - the finale and, considering what happened to the Originals in them making short work of their goal in 9 tries in Season 1, we have entered uncharted territory for Season 2 as the group enters its 10th and last shot to make it all work. Just as it was in Hawaii, the group is faced with making just one switch to unlock the jackpot and, while the Truth Booth gives them an answer, the question of the 11th girl and who her double match is will be answered. And it will all come down to one last Matchup and one last chance for the group to make what was at times a seemingly impossible task become a reality.

Earlier today in a separate post, we brought you the anticipation in the days leading into the Are You The One? finale, which also included news of the Are You The One? S1 cast's crossover into The Challenge, for which we'll be previewing it and Real World Skeletons this weekend. This post will feature all the interaction from last Monday, the episode tweets and the aftermath, along with the thoughts of me and fellow fans. And after twitter's view of the finale, I'll also offer my view on the tough road the group had to endure to getting to the end. 

- As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but I am keeping it 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 don't proceed. But don't worry, bookmark DCBLOG as I 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.

So, join us after the jump for the final week of Season Two of Are You The One? and find out if Team 21 makes the greatest comeback in reality competition history and if, indeed, lightning can strike twice.

DC SocialPulse: Are You The One? S2 - Road to the Finale

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, 
objectionable content to some readers and spoilers 
for international fans. Viewer Discretion is Advised. ***

By DC Cueva
@DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

Welcome again to DCBLOG and to DC SocialPulse powered by DCNOW...an unusual one here. Usually, DCSP brings you the tweets of cast members before, during and after they watch episodes of MTV shows. But today, in this, the first part of a 2-part DCBLOG doubleheader, we're doing something rather different in that we're not presenting the episode tweets as twitter saw it, but to get a sense of the vibe among cast members heading into a big day.
   In letting you read the conversations between cast members from both shows, you can get a sense of what the vibe is like among the casts as they await a big day, either the season premiere of a show that they're on that they anticipate the same way they do for Christmas, or the finale of a competition show like Are You The One? or The Challenge with money hanging in the balance.
   We've done this post before, both before the season finale of The Challenge: Free Agents with the week-long buildup to the epic finale in South America and with the FIFA World Cup already underway. And just before the season 2 premiere of Are You The One?, we brought you the transition from the great season 1 cast to the season 2 cast that were destined to join that club, which was determined in this week's episode.
   In this special edition of DCSP, we're presenting the week-long buildup to the season 2 AYTO finale and instead of bringing you the tweets as the season 2 cast, their Hawaiian predecessors and fans saw the dramatic, tension-filled finale, which we'll present in part 2 coming up later today (as we talk to you on Thursday, Dec. 11), as well as for the sake of conserving as much space as possible in these posts, we'll bring you the twitter interaction in the days leading up to Monday, December 8, a day that would either change the group's fortunes or live in infamy as a day they would forget.
   Included in the lead-up posts is news of the Are You The One? S1 cast's crossover into The Challenge, where Adam, Brittany, John and Simone, who all took residency in the house in Kauai, will shack up again, this time in Panama with the big names from The Real World and The Challenge, along with fellow rookies for Real World Ex-Plosion. We'll be kicking off our Exes 2 and RW Skeletons coverage here this weekend, if not before Tuesday's premiere from Chicago. And at the end of this post, we'll have more on how you can get involved in our last AYTO post of the season, which we're saving just for the fans.

- As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but I am keeping it uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)

So, following the jump, join us for the five-day countdown to the finale of Are You The One? Season 2.

DC SocialPulse: Are You The One? S2 "Old Flames"

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, 

objectionable content to some readers and spoilers for 
international fans. Viewer Discretion is Advised. ***

By DC Cueva
@DC408Dxtr/@DC408DxNow

Welcome again to DCBLOG and to our coverage of Are You The One? Season 2 with the Episode 9 edition of DC SocialPulse. As we enter the first week of December and the end of the year, we are also heading towards a final decision in the quest for love and money in Puerto Rico.

   Last week, the latest love triangle is revealed as Dario and Layton battle for the affection of Ashley. Nathan finds himself in a love triangle of his own as Ellie makes a play for him, but still has a feeling for Christina. And for the 11th girl, she began to feel the pressure of being part of a potential double match. Her and Nate were sent to the booth but to no avail, while Team 21 lost one matchup light.

   This week as pressure and tension increase, so does the jealousy as the presence of the 11th girl and being a no match causes Nate to explode as Brandon awaits her. The attention turns to Ashley and her having to choose between Layton and Dario that may decide the group's fate. And after taking a step-back last week, where will the house be as they enter the win or go home final week.

   Along with covering this week's episode, we'll also have the vibe of the group marking the long Thanksgiving holiday. And after twitter's view of Episode 8, we'll again travel into the strategy room to forecast the group's chances at the million as they head into the last challenge, booth and matchup.

- As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but I am keeping it 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 don't proceed. But don't worry, bookmark DCBLOG as I 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.

So, when the 'Pulse begins after the jump, all the excitement as the Are You The One? group celebrates Thanksgiving, the group continuing to enjoy SoCal after taping the reunion and of course, the episode tweets, the lead-up to and the aftermath.

DC SocialPulse: Are You The One? S2 "Dumped" & Reunited in LA

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, 

objectionable content to some readers and spoilers 
for international fans. Viewer Discretion is Advised. ***

By DC Cueva
@DC408Dxtr/@DC408DxNow

Welcome back to DCBLOG and to our coverage of Are You The One? Season 2 with the Episode 8 edition of DC SocialPulse. We are in the midst of the shortest work week for most Americans this year, and we're on the edge of the holiday season. For those people who are fortunate to have just Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to worry about, a four-day weekend is approaching with the Thanksgiving holiday, Black Friday and the first weekend of the holiday season. It also means

Last week in the wake of their 2nd matchup blackout, the group found plenty of reasons to celebrate a new start: they partied on a party bus and then on the beach. They notched their 3rd perfect match when John and Jenni made it out of the truth booth as a match, which turned into major progress in garnering a season-high 6 perfect matches. Plus, we saw Ashley get involved in a love triangle, while Garland found himself in deep trouble in sleeping with another girl.
   This week, a touch of Nickelodeon arrives in Puerto Rico as the latest getaway challenge forces the players to get a bit gooey. The latest love triangle battle gets heated as Dario and Layton go after Ashley. Ellie makes a play for Nathan, but Prime Time feels he is the one for Christina, as she feels the pressure of being the 11th girl. And will Team 21 build on last week's momentum?

Along with covering this week's episode, this expanded edition of DCSP will also be bringing you the buzz surrounding Team 21 gathering in Los Angeles for the taping of their Reunion show, which promises to have some fireworks, just as it was for the Season 1 cast's first reunion. And after twitter's view of Episode 8, we'll look ahead to a big event coming here tomorrow night that I will be fortunate enough to attend and live tweet from.


- As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but I am keeping it 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 don't proceed. But don't worry, bookmark DCBLOG as I 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.

So, when the 'Pulse begins after the jump, find out which rappers got to hang out, both socially and in person, with two of the castmates; which won something that might make the others jealous, and of course all the anticipation and happenings of the group's SoCal weekend.

DC SocialPulse: Are You The One? S2 - "Hot Salsa"

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, 

objectionable content to some readers and spoilers 
for international fans. Viewer Discretion is Advised. ***

By DC Cueva
@DC408Dxtr/@DC408DxNow

Welcome to DC SocialPulse on DCBLOG, and to twitter's blow-by-blow diary of episode 6 of Are You The One? Season 2. Things have been heating up in Puerto Rico in the past few episodes, and no wonder why for many, this is probably the best reality show you've not seen yet. And of course, it's a recommendation by me to binge-watch, or at least sample, both this season and the first one. 

   Last week, the group hyped episode 6 as the best one yet, and it definitely delivered. Their parents came to visit their kids and question the guys with the girls finding out new things about them. We saw tensions build, especially the guys where Anthony & Layton had the season's biggest fight, as well as both Jenni & Jessica in the house and Briana & Paris on twitter. And for the 2nd time in 3 weeks, the group dealt with getting no lights at the matchup ceremony, putting their chances at the $1 million in serious doubt.

   This week sees the group get yet another fresh start in the aftermath of blackout #2. A new couple emerges when the resident law student clicks with the house's resident nurse. One of the girls is the latest in the house to get involved in a love triangle, while another finds himself in deep trouble by sleeping with yet another woman. With echoes of the famous white party the Originals had in Kauai, Team 21 lets loose on a party bus and on the beach. And after all that they have been through, this week sees the group finally make a major step towards making a big turnaround.

   And after the twitter view of episode 7 and aftermath, I'll offer some my view on the strategy the group has been using this season. And we'll begin our countdown to Real World Season 30 as a Skeleton of one of the new roommates meets two members of one of MTV's most popular shows and something that binds those two.

- As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but I am keeping it 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 don't proceed. But don't worry, bookmark DCBLOG as I 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.
- And there's also a twitter beef that emerged with some members of the community while this episode was airing. We've included all of their tweets in this post, and also carefully edited it to ensure that we showcase both sides of the matter.

So with that, join us after the jump for all the madness from episode 7 in Puerto Rico and other things.

DC SocialPulse: Are You The One? S2 - "Parental Guidance"

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, 
objectionable content to some readers and spoilers 
for international fans. Viewer Discretion is Advised. ***

By DC Cueva
@DC408Dxtr/@DC408DxNow

Hi, hello, what's up and welcome to DC SocialPulse on DCBLOG, and taking a break from celebrating the DCBDAY 2014 birthday festivities with the twitter diary for episode 6 of Are You The One? Season 2 from Puerto Rico. And if you thought that watching what has happened throughout the season of this guilty pleasure, train wreck and wildness of a reality show, then you know the saying, "You ain't seen nothing yet."

Last week after having their most satisfying moment so far, Team 21 dealt with the most brutal moment the show has had in its two seasons when, after garnering their first perfect match, got no matches in the ensuing matchup ceremony. We saw another key moment for one of the love triangles, and saw another budding couple witness heartbreak when Briana saw her love Curtis become a match with Shelby; reliving the Shanley/Chris T./Paige drama from Kauai.
   This week has been hyped up by the cast as the best one yet, and I agree with them. The parents of the cast come over to interrogate the guys and the girls find out some new gossip about them. We'll also see tensions build among the girls and especially the guys including the biggest fight in the house so far. And if what happened rather recently was something, imagine what could happen if history repeats itself all over again.

   And after the twitter view of episode 6 and its buildup and aftermath, we'll update you on the status of Diem from The Challenge, who has been bravely battling cancer for the last few months.

- As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but I am keeping it 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 don't proceed. But don't worry, bookmark DCBLOG as I 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.
- And there's also a twitter beef that emerged with some members of the community while this episode was airing. We've included all of their tweets in this post, and also carefully edited it to ensure that we showcase both sides of the matter.

So with that, join us after the jump for all the madness from episode 6 in Puerto Rico and other things.

theWRAP: Are You The One? S2 - "Strap Those Boots Tight"

By DC Cueva

@DC408dxtr

Welcome to DC BDAY Week - this week I will turn 31...yep I'm old. This is the 10th year that I'm celebrating it in the social world - I joined MySpace on my 22nd bday in 2005, and this Thursday will be the 3rd birthday that I will be sharing with the twitter world too.
   To kick off DC BDAY Week, we have episode 6 of Are You The One? II in Puerto Rico. It's been an eventful season to say the least, and it's only the halfway point...there's still a lot left. To prep you for tonight's activities, we will recap last week's episode 5, where after Team 21 had received the most brutal hand the show has given yet, we saw another perfect match in as many weeks. It also meant the end to a budding relationship that was also confirmed as a non-match previously, as well as revisiting a scenario that we saw last season in Hawaii. Besides that, there's also a key moment in one of the love triangles that has formed in the house, and we'll find out if the group's chances can improve after receiving no new matches the previous week.

   And after theWRAP, we'll tell you which castmate from this season was on MTV well before we saw them in Puerto Rico, as well as look ahead to the week and month ahead here. That's all ahead after the jump.

DC SocialPulse: Are You The One? S2 - "Strap Those Boots Tight"

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, 

objectionable content to some readers and spoilers 

for international fans. Viewer Discretion is Advised. ***

By DC Cueva

@DC408Dxtr/@DC408DxNow

Welcome back again to DC SocialPulse and our episode journal for episode 5 of Are You The One? Season 2. Last week in Puerto Rico was an absolute roller coaster: a drunken kiss almost brings down the house's strongest couple. We also saw two of the guys finally make a move on the girls they've been wanting to make the one. And in many hours condensed into a half-hour, the group goes from the high of having their first perfect match to the absolute low of getting no other matches in the ensuing matchup, breaking up budding couples in the process in the most-stunning moment yet.
   This week will see the group deal with, in poker terms, that shock bad beat. We'll also see another key moment for the Jenni/Layton/Jessica triangle. And for one budding couple, will the Truth Booth see more heartbreak? Could we be reliving the Shanley/Chris T./Paige drama from the Islands?
   After twitter's view of this week's episode, this extended edition of The 'Pulse will cover last week's premiere of the show that some on this cast have become BFF's with some of the cast of, Slednecks. And we'll then welcome a new group of seven strangers: the cast of Real World Skeletons.

- As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but I am keeping it uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)
- And if you haven't watched the episode yet, then don't proceed. But don't 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.

So with that, along with the episode 5 tweets, find out after the jump who dressed as who for Halloween, conversations between the cast, Team MTV & our friend Brian Cohen and much more.

theWRAP: Are You The One? S2 Episodes 3 & 4

By DC Cueva

@DC408dxtr

It's the first Monday of November - which also happens to be my birthday month too and it's happening in less than two weeks from now. But, it also means tonight is episode 5 of Are You The One? II in Puerto Rico. Now if you're a regular DCBLOG visitor and check out my SocialPulse diaries, then you've noticed that I didn't include episode wrap-ups for either episodes 3 or 4 from the past two weeks. That's because of me being into the World Series, the start of the NBA season and Thursday's premiere of Slednecks, and because I didn't want to get back-tracked in posting the articles in having to compile the complete twitter journal and then struggle to write an episode wrap after while I'm caught up in Giants mania, that's where this comes in.

   When we last did theWRAP for AYTO, it was episode 2 and that was where we found two of the singles catch themselves in a love triangle. We found out some valuable and juicy scoop on some of the housemates, and that girl who entered the house as the last one in was finally put into the truth booth, but after all that, #Team21 was still in tact. What we didn't know at that time was something crazy was about to start happening.
   For episode 3, tears were abound when Shelby decided to being to an end that aforementioned love triangle of her, Nathan and Dario. The Brandon & Christina Show would begin to ultimately become Brandon & Christina featuring John as the law student looked at potentially becoming another triangle. And the house found out there's someone with a vCard living in Puerto Rico.

   And then last week in episode 4, we saw a drunken mishap threaten to bring down the house's strongest couple, while Anthony take a shot at one part of a house triangle and John made his move on Christina. And after receiving the best news they've gotten so far, they are then dealt the most brutal hand the show has ever given in its short life.

   And after theWRAP of what might be, other than the season 1 finale the best episode of the two seasons of AYTO, we'll elaborate on a key talking point in Puerto Rico, and talk about who from this show could make an impact on what many call the "5th major pro sport." Join me after the jump as we recap episodes 3 and 4 of Are You The One?.

DC SocialPulse: Are You The One? S2 - "Loose Lips Sink Relationships"

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, 

objectionable content to some readers and spoilers 

for international fans. Viewer Discretion is Advised. ***

By DC Cueva

@DC408Dxtr/@DC408DxNow

Welcome back again to DC SocialPulse and our episode journal for episode 4 of Are You The One? Season 2. Last week, there was plenty of tears flowing in the house, especially with the guys, as Shelby ended her triangle with Dario and Nate. Meanwhile, the ongoing saga of Brandon & Christina continued, but this time with John making his play to grab the 11th girl. And Ashley announced to the house her virginity, along with progress in their quest for the cash.

   This week is definitely the best episode by far this season. We see a drunken mishap threaten to bring down the house's strongest couple, while Anthony makes a play for one part of a house triangle. And after going on a date last week, John makes his move on the 11th girl. And after receiving the best news they've gotten so far, they are then dealt the most brutal hand the show has given yet. And after twitter's view of this wild episode, its lead-up and its aftermath, find out which one-of-a-kind Olympian got to hang out with one of the originals, along with more wedding bells for Team MTV.

- As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but I am keeping it uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)
- And if you haven't watched the episode yet, then don't proceed. But don't 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.

So with that, join us after the jump for an eventful episode 4 from Puerto Rico and the road to it.

DC SocialPulse: Are You The One? S2 - "Virgin Tears"

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, 

objectionable content to some readers and spoilers 

for international fans. Viewer Discretion is Advised. ***

By DC Cueva

@DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

Back with you once again for DC SocialPulse and our episode diary for episode 3 of Are You The One? Season 2. Last week, a new love triangle emerged in the house, while one couple became ever closer because of one girl's personal bout with misfortune. Another couple who became attracted to one another in week 1 were sent into the truth booth but weren't a match, and left the group in neutral with the same matchup number: two.
   This week, have plenty of those tissue boxes ready as tears are abound when Shelby decides to being to an end that aforementioned love triangle of her, Nathan and Dario. After what happened last week with their no match, The Brandon & Christina Show looks at potentially becoming another triangle with John trying to join in. And the house finds out there's someone with a vCard living in Puerto Rico.

   Along with the episode tweets, check out the conversations between Briana & John, Briana & Amber from Slednecks, Bri & our friend Brian Cohen and of course Bri & Curtis. After twitter's view, we'll look at more news from the family front in Team MTV as another Real World'er ties the knot and the interesting backstory that came along with it.

- As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but I am keeping it uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)

- And if you haven't watched the episode yet, then don't proceed. But don't 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.

So with that, join us after the jump for episode 3 from the islands.

DC SocialPulse: Are You The One? S2 - "The Truth Will Cost You"

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, 

objectionable content to some readers and spoilers 

for international fans. Viewer Discretion is Advised. ***

By DC Cueva

@DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

Welcome once again to DC SocialPulse and to our episode diary for episode 2 of Are You The One? Season 2. Last week, the season began with a twist being given to the latest group of 20 pledges in search for love: the additional of an additional 11th girl who is part of a double match for one of the guys. There was a scheme by one of the couples to stay out of the truth booth, a broken nose and an icy challenge. Their quest for the cash started where season 1 was: a no match in the truth booth and only two matches in the matchup, but it's just the first try with a long way to go and lots of time.

   After the events of the premiere, this week sees two of the singles suddenly find themselves in the middle of everyone's favorite romantic situation on MTV reality shows: a love triangle. We'll find out some valuable and juicy scoop on some of the housemates, and that girl who entered the house as the last one in is finally eligible to go into the room that changes everything, which could send a girl home. And will good fortune come to Team 21?

   Along with the tweets before, during and after the premiere, check out which three guys got to celebrate birthdays this week, which frenamies were joined by an OG and tragic news for one of the guys in Puerto Rico. And in our EP2 edition of theWRAP, we'll look at two life-changing events: one that was revealed in this episode - for which it'll be explained more in depth, and which member of Team MTV is the latest to get engaged.

- As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but I am keeping it uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)

- And if you haven't watched the episode yet, then don't proceed. But don't 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.

So with that, join us after the jump for episode 2 from the islands.

DC Fan's View: Are You The One? S2 Premiere & After Match 1

The views expressed in Fan's View are only those of its subject and do not necessarily 
reflect the viewpoints of DCBLOG or its blogger. This post also contains spoilers for 
international readers and some adult language, please read with discretion.

By DC Cueva, with Janette Diaz

> @DC408dxtr, @JannieL0ve

Welcome to a new week - Happy Columbus Day or Indigenous People's Day to many of you, and to AYTO Monday and our coverage of Are You The One? Season 2. After we saw the season 1 cast one more time to celebrate Amber & Ethan's new baby girl, last Monday we began the sequel in a big way with the revealing of an 11th girl twist to a great cast of 10 perfectly matched girls & guys. And what got everyone talking was one couple who did everything they can to avoid being put into the truth booth. Already, we're looking forward to tonight's 2nd episode and to get you set for it, we proudly bring you the 7th edition of DC Fan's View, my chats with fans on the MTV shows you love.

Once again, just as we did earlier this year, DCBLOG will again involve on here the people who drive the conversation of our favorite shows more than anyone else: the fans. On our DC SocialPulse diaries, in addition to showcasing the instant thoughts of MTV cast members, we'll also include tweets from fans and myself as we see the episodes and the show's big moments. And most importantly, we'll again cover the time when they and cast members get together to relive those moments again and discuss them in detail live in studio.

   If you're an MTV fan, then you know that there's reunions and after shows that take place during the season on select series where the cast gets together to discuss everything that went on during the season. And if the past is any indication, when the cast gets together for the first time since filming ended, there's almost sure to be lots of fireworks, similar to what we see on the episodes. Regardless of whether it's live or taped, there's some things that you didn't see or hear unless you're one of those lucky people who get to sit in that studio & have a front row seat to all the drama.

   Ever since we first did these posts with Real World Portland last year and then with The Challenge Rivals II, RW Ex-Plosion and Are You The One? S1, DC Fan's View has provided a unique fan's perspective on these reunions/after shows: being in the studio, seeing the drama firsthand, off-camera gossip and, of course, thoughts on the cast & moments. With providing this platform in giving them the mic, this adds a totally unique dimension in covering these shows from the point of view of the audience members, complementing the media & webcasts talking to the casts.

   For this sophomore season of AYTO, in addition to the reunion at season's end, MTV is banking on greater success for this show by adding weekly after shows to the mix. Two key differences between seasons 1 & 2 is that the AYTO after shows will air every week after every episode, and will be LIVE instead of being pre-taped & then edited to air weeks later, a total opposite from what's usually the case for The Real World & The Challenge; and of course, there's nothing that's left on the cutting room floor. And aside from the Catfish After Shows, the last time an MTV reunion show took place live was last fall's Rivals II Reunion, best known for Knight slapping Frank on-stage.

Today, as we kick off our latest cycle of Fan's View posts - which will now be more frequent than usual, I'm pleased to welcome back a previous guest of mine on here - in fact my last guest, Janette Diaz (@JannieL0ve). She was one of my two subjects from my last fan chat covering the AYTO Season 1 Reunion back in April where Ethan & Amber get engaged and notched a Top 10 listing in total page views. This time around, she won't have to worry about sitting in that chair for 9 hours like that season 1 reunion, as AYTO After Match Live will take place for just 30 minutes on-air and is a relatively straight-forward event with only a few cast members present.

   Along with covering the season's first after show, the eventful premiere episode and everything that went on last week, we'll also discuss the season 2 cast, provide some preseason predictions of what's gonna happen in Puerto Rico, and look back at the baby shower with the season 1 OG's from two weeks ago. Join me and Janette after the jump as we talk all things Are You The One?...again.

DC SocialPulse: Are You The One? S2 - "One Too Many"

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, 

objectionable content to some readers and spoilers 

for international fans. Viewer Discretion is Advised. ***

By DC Cueva

@DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

Welcome once again to DC SocialPulse and to our first episode diary for season 2 of Are You The One?. Last week, we saluted the AYTO season 1 cast as they got together one more time in L.A. to celebrate the forthcoming addition to their dysfunctional but great family as perfect match and soon-to-be-married couple Ethan & Amber found out that they will have a new baby girl. But there was also plenty of drama too: Chris T. and Shanley's awkward conversation after their bad breakup, Simone's beef with the first couple, Adam & Ryan's bromance going by the wayside and Brittany being involved too, Jacy's move to be closer to Scali, and JJ roasting the cast.

   This week sees the official beginning of the sequel as season 2 of Are You The One? gets underway with 20 new girls and guys coming to Puerto Rico looking for true love, their perfect match and a shot at $1 million. Well, check that...make that 21 new girls and guys, as a new twist of an 11th girl to the mix will make things very much more interesting to say the least. It's déjà vu all over again as a new couple clicks right off the bat, but will they be the ones be picked to go to the truth booth like Chris T. & Shanley last season? Plus, there's an icy first challenge, a broken nose and all the usual excitement surrounding the first days in an MTV house.

   Along with the tweets before, during and after the premiere, check out which member of Team MTV has already been fangirling with some of the girls on Team 21. And after theWRAP, find out what new show already has the support of two of this season's singles, one of the O.G.'s and a guy who knows well the craziness of being on MTV on Thursday nights.

- As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but I am keeping it uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)

- And if you haven't watched the episode yet, then don't proceed. But don't 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.

So with that, join us after the jump as we say hello to Alex, Alexandria, Anthony, Ashley, Brandon, Briana, Christina, Curtis, Dario, Ellie, Garland, Jasmine, Jenni, Jessica, John, Layton, Nathan, Paris, Pratt, Shelby, and Tyler.

DC SocialPulse: Are You The One? S2 - Road to the Premiere

*** Advisory: DC SocialPulse contains adult language, 

objectionable content to some readers and spoilers 

for international fans. Viewer Discretion is Advised. ***

By DC Cueva
@DC408dxtr / @DC408dxnow

Welcome again to DCBLOG and to DC SocialPulse powered by DCNOW. Usually, we present the tweets of cast members before, during and after they watch episodes of MTV shows. But today, in this, the first part of a 2-part DCBLOG doubleheader, we're doing something rather different in that we're not presenting the episode tweets as twitter saw it, but to get a sense of the vibe among cast members heading into a big day.
   For the season finale of DCSP last June before the season finale of The Challenge: Free Agents, we brought you the week-long buildup to the epic finale in South America, which also included a key moment in the summer's biggest blockbuster: the FIFA World Cup and the USA's heart-stopping draw with Portugal.
   In this special edition of DCSP, we're presenting the week-long buildup to the premiere of season 2 of Are You The One?. Instead of bringing you the tweets as the season 2 cast and their Hawaiian predecessors saw the fun-filled premiere, which we'll present in part 2 coming up in the coming days before episode 2 on Monday, as well as for the sake of conserving as much space as possible in these posts, we'll bring you the twitter interaction in the days leading up to Monday, October 6th, and just after we saw a final curtain call for the celebrated season 1 cast at Ethan & Amber's baby shower.
   In reading the conversations between cast members from both shows, you can get a sense of what the vibe is like among the casts as they await their time in the sun. I always would think of the days leading up to the premiere of an MTV season as akin to the lead-up to Christmas, with kids everywhere feeling the anticipation of what it's gonna be like when the big day arrives and seeing what the man with the red suit might leave them under the tree. That's the feeling every MTV cast member goes through as they count down the days to premiere night.

- As we begin, please note there is explicit language in many of the tweets below, but I am keeping it uncensored in order to retain the heat of the moment. So if you are mature enough, please read with discretion. :-)

So, following the jump, join us for the five-day countdown to the premiere of the sequel of Are You The One?.

Are You The One? Season 2 - A Primer, A Review and A Preview

By DC Cueva

@DC408Dxtr/@DC408DxNow

Hi, hello, what's up and welcome to DCBLOG's coverage of Season 2 of Are You The One?. This winter & spring, we saw "the most ambitious dating experiment ever attempted" that captivated viewers and changed the game in the reality sub-genre of dating shows. We watched a group of 20 young adults previously unlucky in love go through a roller coaster of emotions in Hawaii that ended in a blaze of happiness in two ways. They shared the largest prize in MTV history when they won $1 million, and produced a soon-to-be married couple who'll soon become parents to a brand new baby. Now, we've waited through five long months, and for some just a short summer after a great season of The Challenge, for our first glimpse of what the second season of this awesomely awesome show has in store for us. The countdown to October 6th is now in full gear, and soon Teen Wolf "Moon-days" will soon become AYTO Mondays.

   There's always a curiosity in the entertainment industry of whether or not the sequel can be just as good as the original, and the end result has a varying degree of success. Now we will find out if season two of this matchmaking & social experiment can match, perhaps exceed, the tremendous success of that marvelous first season. Having seen what Adam, Amber, Ashleigh, Brittany, Chris T., Coleysia, Dillan, Dre, Ethan, Jacy, Jessica, Joey, John, Kayla, Paige, Ryan, Scali, Shanley, Simone & Wes did before them, now it's time for Alex, Alexandria, Anthony, Ashley, Brandon, Briana, Christina, Curtis, Dario, Ellie, Garland, Jasmine, Jenni, Jessica, John, Layton, Nathan, Paris, Pratt, Shelby & Tyler to take the baton. And of course, we'll see if - and pray that - lightning can strike twice.

   This season, the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, Jacy's homeland, will welcome the show's new class of romantic pledges in the quest for cash and love. And to kick off our season 2 coverage of the show New York Observer calls, "The Greatest Reality Show of The Decade," we will take you through a primer of what this show is all about, bring you a review & recap of that incredible first season, provide a preview of what to expect this time around, and look at the lucky handful who have been given the huge task to try & follow up what's probably the best first season of any MTV reality show since Catfish. That's all ahead after the jump.