DCBLOG Look Ahead: Welcome to September...

BY DC CUEVA                      

■ @DC408DXTR  @ IG/YT/SC/TB

We hope you are safe and sound and just soaking in whatever we have of the summer of 2020 that we wish it would be better than it has been, but are just trying to keep yourself healthy and cool in this tense time in the world right now. This has been quite the past few days, and the past month for that matter, as we are headed towards Labor Day coming up, and we can finally get on into that time full of holidays known as fall, or autumn as some of you like to call it.

Over the weekend, yours truly and my family got to spend this late summer's weekend at my sister's in the valley as she, my bro-in-law and their kids got to celebrate my nephew's 11th birthday with us and some of their neighbors. That has allowed me to take some time away from social media and from working on both this DCBLOG site and my burgeoning YouTube channel for much more enjoyable and quality time with family. It's always a refreshing thing for me to get to spend time with them in knowing that it's time with my loved ones ranks ahead of what I get to do online, especially in our changed world, although I did get the chance to premiere three videos over the weekend, in addition to two that debuted just as our President took to the mic last Thursday.

Now, this does change up my plans for what I had for both DCBLOG and for my YouTube channel for this first week of September, and here's what ahead...

● Besides last night's Video Music Awards, last week's big thing in the MTV circle was the season 3 finale and reunion for Siesta Key. Because of my YouTube work taking precedent last week as well as my family outings, I haven't gotten a chance to watch it just yet, but once I get to do so tomorrow (as this post goes up on Monday, August 30) I'll then do the last WRAP for it on here afterwards - so, don't get on me for wondering why it's not up yet.

● There's also some other blog content coming your way here after that: on Friday, the world was saddened by the passing of Black Panther's Chadwick Boseman after a private four-year battle with colon cancer... and we'll share the memories two of the guys of Floribama Shore had meeting him at the 2018 MTV Movie & TV Awards. We'll also join a past Challenger as she got to take her talents to HGTV to help a local couple pick their new house in their hometown, and there's also a look ahead at who has been cast for the next season of The Challenge.

● In fact, we are so pressed for time around here that we will have to bring you the Pulse Xtra for last week's episode of A Double Shot at Love as part of next week's blog wave. I have also not been able to watch it as of yet, and will do so in due course... and there's also all of the social content to also sift through and compile as well, and that will appear for you on here on Friday to kick off Labor Day Weekend as a part of a special doubleheader covering that and this week's episode as well.

● And aside from DCBLOG, there is all of those #DCVegas videos: tonight I am transferring my second camcorder tape to digital which will cover the 2009 trip, the one where I spent my birthday in Sin City... and maybe, I could also convert to digital my 2010 trip as well if I have time. There are also several videos left in my 2007 series of vlogs, and they will be posted as part of the spiritual last weekend of summer, coming up at the end of the week.

So, that's what is ahead both on here on DCBLOG, and over there on DC YouTube. See you then...

- I AM DC  @DC408Dxtr
#TheEscapeYouDeserve

DC SocialPulse Xtra: A Double Shot At Love - It's Getting LIV in Miami

*** Advisory: #DCSocialPulse contains adult language, objectionable content & spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. Due to its length, take frequent eye breaks if you're viewing this top to bottom. ***

BY DC CUEVA                        

■ @DC408DXTR  @ IG/YT/SC/TB

This is the week of the biggest bash MTV puts on each year, though this year's Video Music Awards will be different in any other way. One place that's been among the handful that has hosted the annual handing out of the famous moonmen statuettes is the city of Miami, and that is where we find the cast of A Double Shot at Love as they're with Pauly D. and Vinny to revisit the scene of the crime of two past overall seasons of Jersey Shore.

The bromance is in South Florida once again, and when we last left them and the crew they were getting used to temporary quarters for a couple days as the DJ is preparing to take the stage at the LIV nightclub at Fontainebleau Miami, one of the biggest nightclubs on earth. At the same time, he's also been having renewed feelings for Nikki, all while Vinny has been in his own element with Maria - but there seems to always be a tendency for those who have been on the Shore franchise to pop up yet again. And the Keto King had a run-in once again with the same bartender girl who was all over him two years ago on that Family Vacation... crazy, isn't it?

But now, the biggest gig yet for Pauly awaits right down on South Beach, coming after he broke Nikki's heart... or did he? We'll find out the answer to that, along with the group being given a rude awakening on the Double Shot Pulse Xtra just ahead.

DC ExtraTime: Before They Were MTV Stars - The First Time Club

BY DC CUEVA                        

■ @DC408DXTR  @ IG/YT/SC/TB

Brandon (right) with Christina, Joel & Marie
in The First Time Club (Facebook)

Tonight as we near the finish line of this lost summer of 2020, Siesta Key will wrap up its third season as MTV kicks off the countdown to the Video Music Awards. It's one that's given fans and casual reality viewers plenty to talk and buzz over in a ride that began back in January and now ending this last week of August with both the season finale and a virtual at-home reunion to come on afterwards, hosted by a member of my sister's graduating class of 1995 at this blogger's alma mater Milpitas High School, The Real's Jeannie Mai. And it's safe to say that this has been quite a summer times two in this dual suburb of Sarasota and Tampa Bay, Florida.

It all began when one of JoJo Fletcher's Bachelorette suitors, Robby Hayes, stole and then broke the heart of the show's main protagonist who just turned legal age. We've also had more ongoing drama with her and her ex-boyfriend, who moved on to a childhood friend of his who helped to make them the first in this clique to become parents. There's also the bombshell dropped by one of the girls that she is now dating someone who's not only twenty years older than her, but who also happens to be an ex-producer of the show itself. And there are other things that have had those from Robby's Bachelor Nation alumni to big name movie stars join in on the fun of watching a show born out of the spirit of The Hills and Laguna Beach, for which the producers of the ladder created this spiritual relaunch.

What started out as just a typical TV pilot paid for out of the wallet of a rich local entrepreneur who also happens to be the father of that new baby daddy has turned into something much more. Since it debuted three years ago, Siesta Key has stayed true to what its West Coast predecessors preached back in 2004 ago when Laguna introduced the subgenre of reality drama in mixing what you love about daytime soap operas with eye-catching cinematography and a catchy musical soundtrack. Not to mention, there's that group of hotties who bring on the drama and who have brought their own brand of it, following in the footsteps of Lauren Conrad, Kristin Cavailari, Spencer & Heidi and those who starred with them on their two shows out in California.

But you probably not know that, for a couple members of the original seven as well as one other bit-part player in the drama, Siesta Key isn't their first time being on camera... as they appeared in an independent drama film just before they and their friends were discovered by MTV. In a strange twist to this, you won't believe which role an unlikely outlet has in helping give three future castmates their first taste of being in front of the camera. And at the same time, it's also helped to serve an important purpose, as you're about to find out in this installment of Before They Were MTV Stars.

MTV Reality WRAP: Siesta Key - The Season 3 Summer's Penultimate Week

BY DC CUEVA                        

■ @DC408DXTR  @ IG/YT/SC/TB

IG @GBaby00

Hello there friends, we're glad that you've joined us... on this fourth weekend of August we're now in what's called in meteorology circles "golden hour" - that last hour of sunlight before sunset, of this summer 2020 as far as those in Siesta Key know it, just two weeks prior to summer's unofficial end on Labor Day. But if the first two seasons of MTV's modern-day Laguna Beach are an indication, than this third installment will not go down without some drama before the sun officially sets.

Get-togethers and group-bonding exercises that have brought the clique together have been a weekly occurrence all throughout Season 3 dating back to when this began back in January, and last week saw them ring in this lost year down in Miami, with the help of Juliette's new crush Sam who rented a house for the big party. The queen went down to South Florida not just to party, but also to take advantage of her new career opportunity, which strikes jealousy with Kelsey. When they kicked 2019 to the curb, Brandon also brought the drama with him into the new year when him being spotted with Amanda saw Camilla argue with him... while Madisson and Ish clashed while going house hunting.

Will that new swimsuit line Jules is putting together see her friendship with Kels go out the window? Plus, there's yet another party as it's the resident fitness hunk's turn to gather everybody in the clique - but will his new product launch go off without drama? See you after the jump as we bring you the DCBLOG WRAP of the penultimate week in Siesta Key...

DC SocialPulse Xtra: A Double Shot At Love - Welcome to Miami!

*** Advisory: #DCSocialPulse contains adult language, objectionable content & spoilers for some readers. Viewer Discretion is Advised. Due to its length, take frequent eye breaks if you're viewing this top to bottom. ***

BY DC CUEVA                        

■ @DC408DXTR  @ IG/YT/SC/TB

After a small break, we welcome you on back to Miami Week in MTV Reality as, over the weekend we brought you the cool kids of Siesta Key invading South Florida to ring in the year that has turn out to be a lost one, but at least they've been keeping us entertained here in 2020. Now, it's time for the other half of this doubleheader as another group is ready to take over: the crew of A Double Shot at Love led by two men who know this part of the country well in DJ Pauly D. and Vinny.

Last week came the news of the group being told to pack their bags and to get set to go to Miami through a few subtle clues and them living the good life riding in that private jet. But before that, there was some relationship drama to take care of to make sure that stays in Vegas before they arrive back on the East Coast. That included Suzi's drama with the ECBC crew after the events of what went down after their night at Chippendale's, as well as Nikki and Pauly reexploring things again.

Miami has been, of course, a second home for the Jersey Shore franchise, from that memorable Season 2 in 2010 to their Family Vacation comeback two years ago. Over this time, the group has worked at a local ice cream shop, J-Woww & Sammi throwing things down, the bromance riding in a jet ski together, and of course Pauly's most proudest prank of all of bringing Angelina to Florida. Not to mention, this was where Mike the Situation invited Lauren down here to officially propose to her.

Now, What will happen next? You'll find out after the break as we bring you this Pulse Xtra of A Double Shot at Love Takes Miami as Pauly takes on his biggest gig yet and Vinny encounters some rough waters... and we'll also head across the pond to join MTV Reality's newest baby daddy. We're glad you've joined us...

DC ExtraTime: A Real World'er "Says Yes to the Dress"

 FOLLOW-UP  Triplets, Dresses & A Situation
BY DC CUEVA                             

■ @DC408DXTR  @ IG/YT/SC/TB

As most of us who planned on having an elaborate wedding this year now are revising those plans to have it take place once COVID finally leaves the room, a lot of you have been looking to a popular program on cable for a way to think about what to war on the big day. And it's 99% likely that you have more than enough time to make those choices as everything has been getting out of control in our world, with the hope that things get back to normal once COVID finally leaves the building.

Back in March during Ex On The Beach: Peak of Love, we focused on two MTV family members - one of the singles from that winter-themed season and a member of the Jersey Shore cast as they got to walk into the New York home base of TLC's hit series Say Yes to the Dress. For Real World & Challenge alum Nicole Zanatta, she joined with her triplet sisters Ashley and Samantha as they and their mom helped the ladder choose her outfit for the big day. And for Mike The Situation, he and the Sorrentino crew joined sister Melissa as they, too, also went wedding dress shopping a year before he tied the knot with his fiance Lauren prior to his prison sentence.

And as it stands now, there will be not one, but two instances this summer & fall where more MTV alumni will be making a trip into Kleinfeld Bridal's wedding dress saloon along West 20th Street in Manhattan. The second one features a married Total Madness rookie couple where one-half of them is back where it all began for her, and we'll be featuring the couple known as Swayleigh - Chris "Swaggy C" Williams & Bayleigh Dayton when they walk into Kleinfeld's then. This takes place while she's again taking up residency in the BB All Stars house with fellow 2-time houseguest & Challenger Da'Vonne Rogers.

The first aired last Saturday night on the lucky date of 8/8, and where someone who is now a radio host and who helps those get their day started in one of America's great cities make the trek down from New England to help out with her wedding dress planning. But a decade ago this summer, she was living down in The Real World right by the Bayou.

MTV Reality WRAP: Siesta Key - We're Going to Miami!

BY DC CUEVA                             

■ @DC408DXTR  @ IG/YT/SC/TB

IG @ChloeTrautman

Hey there friends, we've made it to the third weekend of August, and as we speak to you this blogger based out here in California is getting basked by a good-old summer heatwave. It's with this in mind that we welcome you to Miami Week in MTV Reality as the two shows of our most interest outside of Big Brother and in this Challenge postseason are headed to the beaches, the clubs and the sultry heat of South Florida. And we begin with the ones who call the Sunshine State their home: Siesta Key.

Last week, the Key clique's summer of celebrations continued with them celebrating, in August of all things, the spirit and joy of Christmas. We got to catch up with the various relationships in this clique - from the deteriorating one of Chloe & Madisson, to Brandon & his girlfriend Camilla with their newest addition in a pet cat. Even Ish returned to Maddy's life as he had time to return to Florida to spend some quality time and ask if she's willing to leave Siesta for LA. And the new man in Juliette's life, Sam, threw a holiday party that turned sour when the group discovered Garrett has lately been more than just the personal trainer of Carli.

For a historical pointer, last year Alex invited everyone to Miami with most everyone taking either that short 1-hour flight or the 3.5-hour drive down I-75. But the drama also came along for the ride too: before that famous revelation that caused Chloe to take those famous sips of that wine Madisson was dating her friend Ben as he came along with them to Miami. But the fun vibes the group had when they arrived on South Beach faded like the sunset when Garrett came along with his girl (and Alex's ex) Cara in tow, and not surprisingly it had Jules up in arms with them, just as she did going after G-Baby in defending Kelsey last week.

Now, the gang is headed back to Miami as they say farewell to the old year and hello to the new -- at least the year they thought it was gonna big. We'll WRAP this week in Siesta Key just ahead, along with news of another MTV baby. Thanks for joining us...

DC ExtraTime: A Couple AYTO 6 Musical Notes...

BY DC CUEVA                        

■ @DC408DXTR  @ IG/YT/SC/TB

The global pandemic that's been wrecking the best laid plans we had for 2020 has certainly been hitting the production side of television. Some productions such as the All-Star 22nd season of Big Brother with a couple Challengers having just begun, the summer turned fall cycle of The Bachelorette continues filming, and others like Season 2 of Love Island U.S. will soon follow. For those of us who follow MTV Reality, then the hybrid love fest/Jersey Shore spinoff A Double Shot at Love will have to do when it comes to our usual fix of reality romance for the time being, as things are up in the air for when the next seasons of Are You The One and Ex On The Beach will go down.

If there is something of a debate going around the fandom of which of the eight seasons of AYTO is the most memorable, then it's anyone's game. Season 1 has the trendsetters and the perfect match of Amber & Ethan, Season 3 has the crossover appeal of doing many MTV series since, Season 5 having notable figures who've managed to get over losing $800,000, and last year's Season 8 who proved that you can love anyone and not be limited to just the opposite gender. But if there's one cast who have made a huge case in this question, then it's the AYTO Season 6 cast from three years ago.

Obviously, this year began on a tragic note when a beloved member of that cast Alexis Eddy passed away too soon, but a serendipity to what's otherwise been a lost year of 2020 is that there have been some good things happening for her "Sexy Season 6" alumni, and she would certainly feel so proud of them. There's been parenthood for Anthony Martin & AYTO 5's Shannon Duffy, a girl dancing on Let's Make A Deal, and engagements for lovebirds Clinton Moxam & Uche Nwosu and fitness heartthrob Michael Dean. But the two members of this cast who have had enjoyed this year are no doubt the two subjects featured here.