The Challenge Recap: One Big Happy Family

The Challenge

By eyediosmio | Tuesday, November 13, 2012 | 2:41 pm | 52 Comments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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eyediosmio

I'm a part time writer, full time wife and Doberman wrangler in steamy South Florida.  I try to keep my sanity by watching loads of reality tv so I can feel better about myself.  It's a lazy way to maintain my moral compass, but I'm too lazy to drive to church every Sunday. 

52 Comments

  1. 1
    billyjeansss
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 3:27 pm

    SO funny that your first impression of Devyn (drag queen) is that she looks like a man…I think the same thing everytime I see her on screen.

  2. 2
    james gotch
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 4:43 pm

    Ugh, can Virginia Apple please return already. I come to this site to for this show and I’m getting tired of these half-assed reviews by people who don’t even watch the show and have no clue about what’s going on. What’s the point. This was terrible. Come back Virginia Apple!

  3. 3
    Sloth
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 6:26 pm

    I agree. And it’s not just this show…what is going on with this site lately?

  4. 4
    Moli Moli
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 6:53 pm

    What is going on with the site is called Hurricane Sandy. We on the East Coast were hit hard not everyone has/had power let alone internet access. Please let people get their lives on track instead of a recap of a television show.

  5. 5
    Enrique's Mole
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 8:13 pm

    Nice job, eyediosmio! I liked reading a post from a non-viewer, it’s fun trying to figure out whom you mean. Oh, and I had an ‘amuse douche today’!

  6. 6
    Gypsy Gypsy
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 8:41 pm

    I applaude the efforts I really do I don’t mean to minimize that I and I hope for VA’s safe return but, I cannot help but echo my fellow commentors sentiments. The Challenge was one of the most commented and interesting as well as active caps to be involved with. Often over a week late (and not just from the Storm, that of course I understand) recaps and lackluster participation have made me lose interest in one of my favotite shows and recaps on this site. Not only for the recaps but for the genuine commentor interactions.

    @Moli, I agree with you, safety first. However, I cannot deny that I feel the same as others who have commented here, this site seems to be lacking the timeliness and integrity in quality of it’s recaps that it once had.

    I love the Gasm and I hope to see it restored to it’s full potential. It would be a shame to see anything but.

    Much love,
    Gypsy

  7. 7
    Robin Robin
    Posted November 13, 2012 at 10:59 pm

    Lackluster participation? How is that the recappers fault?

    ” Often over a week late (and not just from the Storm, that of course I understand) recaps ”

    Gypsy.. You are saying that the recaps take too long to be posted. Yet when VA is unable to post in a timely manner, TVG gets eyediosmio to step up to the plate at the last minute and then you still don’t like it because the content of the recap doesn’t suit you.

    You can still have genuine comments/ interaction anytime you want to. Probably not a good idea to say that Gasmii lacks integrity, though…

    Robin

  8. 8
    Robin Robin
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 12:50 am

    @james gotch,

    “I come to this site to for this show and I’m getting tired of these half-assed reviews by people “..

    I am getting tired of the half- assed commentary. If you don’t like it, stop reading it. Quit being a big whiney baby.

  9. 9
    james gotch
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 1:48 am

    @Robin,

    Oh dear God, please get off your high horse. Most agreed with me. Yes this was a half assed review, that is a fact. It was 3 pages of really nothing. Forgive me if I want a recap from someone who watches the show and can actually give their opinions, not oh she looks like a drag queen or I have no idea who these guys are. You just want the attention and you WILL HAVE PROVEN MY POINT if you respond to this.

    Now go back to yelling at your husband or wife and reading phrases from the Bible

  10. 10
    PinkTop
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 2:47 am

    The recap was a little short, yes, but the opening credits play-by-play had me lol-ing. Baby Boy, Menudo, ginger karate, pink houndstooth, etc. There were some comedic gems in there. Title sequences for these shows are always obnoxious and cheesetastic, but this season’s in particular has me cringing for my life each time I see it. I am happy it finally received its due in a recap! Thank you for filling in eyediosmio.

  11. 11
    Gypsy Gypsy
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 5:21 am

    @james gotch

    Thanks, I appreciate that. To be fair, Robin doesn’t like me and she attacks whenever she can. Seems she has nothing better to do than to attack myself and a few others.

    I did not mean to be rude in my statement but, as a loyal commenter I felt I needed to address my concern as did you.

    As for you Robin, my point is (and please quote me as you so famously do) that this show is based on weekly challenges that determine the outcome of the next show. A timely recap lends itself to the readers/commentors/recapper to interact about the show while it is still relevant before moving onto the next week’s show. This is my own personal feeling about shows that have a competitive plot to them. I would not be so concerned about a timely recap of say, the Real Housewives franchise.

    I am not attacking anyone I am simply stating my preference as I have a right to do. I know that the recappers here do a very good job, don’t get paid and do this as a labor of love so I thank them all for that.

    However, just like anyone else, I have a right to my opinion as do you. I just don’t need to become unhinged over a diference of opinion it as you seem to so often.

    Take care and brush you hair :-D

  12. 12
    eyediosmio eyediosmio
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 6:05 am

    Wow! VirginiaApple is truly a lucky writer to have such dedicated readers! I hope she comes back soon, safe and sound.

    Thanks for checking in and I’m glad some of you found parts of this recap amusing.

    @Enrique’s Mole: That is exactly what I was going for when I wrote this recap, I’m glad you thought it was funny.

    And to everyone else who was disappointed, sorry to let you down, but thanks for the feedback. I really do appreciate your comments, even the negative ones. The next time I pitch in and help recap another writer’s show, I’ll definitely take your criticism into consideration.

    I hope you all keep reading and hanging around the Gasm, we love writing here and we love our commenters and readers!

  13. 13
    JudgyWudgy
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 6:26 am

    @Robin, I NEVER see you comment on The Challenge. I am pretty sure you came here with the sole intention of chastising someone else’s opinion. Why do you and a few select others (not you, Gypsy) seem to thrive on this “internet confrontation”? I usually stay out of the stupid fights and don’t find you offensive, but that was kind of unnecessary.

    That said, I think this is a temporary measure and eyediosmio would be putting a lot more effort into it if it were long-term – her recaps over at Couples Therapy are great. Also, I have to say I’ve read worse recaps from designated recappers of shows in the past!

  14. 14
    Gypsy Gypsy
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 6:28 am

    Thank you for filling in @eyediosmio, my statement was nothing personal and I do love the recaps of your regular shows. You are always funny and a good read. My comment was more toward timely recaps on time sensitive shows as a preference so we can chatter about the week’s episode with out giving away spoliers for those who have not seen the newest episode or, for those who only read the recaps and don’t watch the show ( to be courteous to the other commenters ).

    Thank you for your reply!

  15. 15
    eyediosmio eyediosmio
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 6:36 am

    @ Judgy: Thanks for the shout out! appreciate it!

    And @Gypsy: No worries. But I can say there are several shows that I never watch, but read the recaps RELIGIOUSLY because they’re funnier than the real thing. For example, the Real Housewives franchise I love, but the recaps are always funnier than the real show. There are shows that I am head over heels for (Once Upon A Time) and I treasure reading the recaps after I’ve seen the show. Same for Boardwalk Empire.

    We can get passionate about our tv’s around here!

  16. 16
    plockeness monster plockeness monster
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 6:46 am

    Thanks for stepping in, eyediosmio! Obviously, we take our Challenges serious around these parts.

    Can we get back to talking about the show? Please?

    I thought of Devin as manly when the show first started, but her looks have grown on me, and now I think she is quite beautiful. And she has nice arms.

    Frank is fucking awfulllllllllllllll!!!!!!!!! He is extremely insecure and his first defense is to attack others. Then, when others raise their voice, he lowers his to look like the “reasonable” one.

    Eyediosmio – Everyone one likes Sam! I would say she is a viewer fav as well as a challenger fav. This was the second time (that we have seen) that Frank has verbal attacked Sam. In the first or second episode, he got shit faced and yelled at Sam about her fat girlfriend…his words, not mine.

    Oh jeez, CJ and the love letter. He did a good job of playing it off b/c I would have been mortified. At least he learned his lesson, when you put something in writing, it’s there for all to see.

  17. 17
    considerthis
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 6:53 am

    Agree with Gypsy – Good effort but it would be like me recapping a Real Housewives show. Is Virgina Apple without a home becasue of the hurricane? If YES – prayers to you VA and hope you recover from the devastation soon.

    Too much advertising on the ‘gasm overall – hate hate hate those ads for gossip sites that appear at the top of every page of ervery recap.

  18. 18
    jerseyj
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 6:53 am

    Wow, lot’s of conflict going on here. I have to say, I agree with the people complaining about late recaps. This show loses a lot when the recap doesn’t go up until the next episode airs. We all want to snark while the iron is hot :p As for filling in, I’m sure you did the best job you can, it’s just that us loyal readers want someone who follows the show and likes it to do the recapping. Heck, next time VA can’t do it, I personally volunteer to fill in her shoes :p Also, related to problems with the site, anyone know what happened to button allowing us to see recaps for all the shows (not just “hot shows”)?

    As for the episode, it’s been so long I hardly remember what happened…so not much to add there. I had no idea CJ was such a jesus freak (as to could be ascertained from the toilet love note). Interesting that never came out on his season…guess he was too busy fawning after Jonne for that to make the final edit. Also, is it just me or is it creepy how Zach/CJ/Jonne/Ashley just switched partners (romantically)…is the Challenge really just one big 70′s key party? :p

  19. 19
    Enrique's Mole
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 7:00 am

    Plock reminded me…for me, Frank has taken the crown from Johnny Backpack as my most hated Challenge player ever. Whereas Johnny is an ignorant douche, Frank is a sociopath and seriously disturbed.

  20. 20
    Gypsy Gypsy
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 7:14 am

    @ Judgy…thank you, I noticed the same thing. And I love The Couples Therapy recaps…I can’t watch the show (Dourtney disturnbs me too much) so I read the caps for the scoop and they are amazeballs!

    @Plock thank you for bringing it back to the point! Yes Frank is the absolute worst, worse than Wes IMO

    @considerthis & @jerseyj-cosign your entire posts!

  21. 21
    VirginiaApple
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 7:21 am

    Eyediosmio, thank you so much for filling in! I love that you referenced the log song from Ren and Stimpy, I think I have mentioned it during past challenges involving logs and I totally would have again.

    I am so sorry for all of the late recaps. I will have this one ready by Friday even if I have to pull an all-nighter! It has been an insane few weeks up here and I have missed you all terribly! I lost power for a week after Sandy (which, sadly, still makes me one of the lucky ones). And then we got hit with a freaking blizzard last Wednesday, which knocked my power out AGAIN. Luckily the weather is looking pretty nice right now, so keep your fingers crossed.

    Sorry I don’t have time to say more right now (I’m at work and still catching up on stuff), so I’ll just leave you with this: Frank SUCKS.

  22. 22
    jerseyj
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 7:30 am

    I agree with all the Frank haters. He is terrible. Of course Zach is terrible too. I think I currently hate Frank more, but I’ve definitely wavered on my listing of those two over time. All that matters is we can all agree when it comes to San Diego, Sam is definitely the best. I love how she stood up for herself and said it wasn’t okay for them to berate and belittle her because they are on a challenge. Yes, she should have gotten in shape before going on the show. But, that does not make it okay to scream at her like they did.

  23. 23
    Gypsy Gypsy
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 7:31 am

    @VA Glad you are ok and thank you for responding, we miss you’re ‘caps!

  24. 24
    PinkTop
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 7:33 am

    Are CJ and Ashley ever a match made in Malibu Ken & Barbie heaven or what? I can see them modeling underwear in the Sears catalogue together, with matching highlights and spray tans.

    I like Sam, but totally agree with eyediosmio that her lack of fitness is pathetic. If I signed on for something like this, I would hire a personal trainer months in advance & train religiously. Still doesn’t excuse the douches’ treatment of her. Please confiscate Zach’s steroids immediately.

    As vile and putrid as Johnny “Supreme Douche” Bananas is, at least he is fun to make fun of. Frank is no fun on any level. He just makes me feel gross and uncomfortable, and fills me with an urge to shower.

  25. 25
    plockeness monster plockeness monster
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 8:09 am

    I was under the impression that Zach and Frank were bff’s.

    Zach doesn’t really bother me, but Zach AND Jonna are gag-tastic. Did anyone else notice she made one of Zach’s t-shirts into a dress for the ARENA?????

  26. 26
    mick
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 8:44 am

    Some of the comments here are absolutely terrifying. Case in point: there is someone on earth WORSE than Wes? God help us all.

  27. 27
    Classy Drunk classy drunk
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 8:57 am

    I’ll come clean guys. I was behind on the shows and ask VA to hold up on the recaps so I could catch up. There…I said it. So please direct all anger to me and not her. :)

    Just kidding. I actually just caught up with the episodes last night so I’m happy to see the traffic on here.

  28. 28
    Gypsy Gypsy
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 9:01 am

    Yes @ mick what kind of world are we living in if Bananas and Wes as no longer the worst humans on earth!

    LOL @ Classy you must have paid her in smokey topaz.

  29. 29
    jerseyj
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 9:44 am

    @plock, I totally saw the Zach dress too! Gag me with a spoon!

  30. 30
    Moli Moli
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 11:02 am

    Yay, mutual Frank hate! While I think Sam coming on the show with out training beforehand is beyond stupid, her team mates should not have berated her in that manner.
    @considerthis, where are you seeing any advertising? I’ve never seen any on the ‘gasm…gossip sites? Unless you are talking about that GIANT captcha box thingie when you aren’t signed in.

  31. 31
    Spring
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 12:20 pm

    The fight Frank and Zach had felt really fake. I think they were playing it up for the cameras, because being best buddies all the time(I do believe that they actually made up and are close now) probably doesn’t get a lot of camera time. Frank probably plays up the douchiness for this reason as well.

  32. 32
    Robin Robin
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 4:05 pm

    I keep reading about how folks are entitled to their opinion here and out of concern for the site they feel the need to bring up the fact that, in their opinion the recap wasn’t as good as they wanted it to be. It is their God given right as a Gasmii to be honest about these things after all! (sic)

    So then why is it not ok for me to voice my opinion that I think it is real shitty to disparage a recapper that is just trying to help out?

    I don’t dislike you Gypsy. Not at all. I just dislike it when folks are doing something to help out and entertain us as and the end up getting the short end of the stick by having the work that they did for us put down. I have never liked it when our recappers are treated poorly here and I never will.

    I am not attacking anyone. But it sure as hell looked to me like folks were on the attack concerning the writer of this recap through no fault of their own.IMO

    I am outta here.

    Robin

  33. 33
    captain save-uh-hoe
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 5:11 pm

    Just a quick note on the comments regarding the physical fitness (i.e. Sam) Not all of the cast members even know they’re being considered for the challenge until very soon before filming. I happened to be around Sam when she originally got small, unofficial word, and she stopped drinking and hit the gym asap… but that still didn’t leave a ton of time to prepare. In other words they really don’t have months to prepare!
    VA- glad to hear you’re safe, so sorry to hear about all of the chaos you’re currently in. Keeping you in our thoughts.
    Eyediosomo- thanks for stepping in. I know it’s hard to take over a show for a bit when you’re not familiar at all. I know most of us appreciate the effort, even if it’s not to our specific taste.

  34. 34
    PinkTop
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 5:52 pm

    captain – thanks for the scoop. I wasn’t aware of the sometime last minute nature of getting cast on this show. The out of shape participants make more sense now.

  35. 35
    yummy
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 6:58 pm

    I liked the recap. It’s interesting to read the perspective of someone who doesn’t regularly watch. A testament to Frank’s craziness: it’s so glaringly obvious that you picked it up instantly. Ha! I don’t like Zach either, but he’s more tolerable than Frank, and he’s good eye candy.

  36. 36
    caligal
    Posted November 14, 2012 at 7:21 pm

    @Captain….I read where the lawsuit with Tonya had been settled. Can you give any scoop?

  37. 37
    Lisa
    Posted November 15, 2012 at 8:40 am

    where oh where is my eye candy – Mr. Beautiful ?!

  38. 38
    captain save-uh-hoe
    Posted November 15, 2012 at 9:04 am

    @caligal – unfortunately i don’t have any scoop on that. To be honest, if I did I couldn’t really say much, but it does all seem very suspicious. But whatever did or didn’t happen- they kept that sitch on LOCKDOWN!

  39. 39
    badgerfreak
    Posted November 15, 2012 at 9:21 am

    FRANK IS INSANE! At least with Psycho Wes, he KNEW what he was doing. He tried to cause chaos. Frank doesn’t seem to realize how crazy he is. He’s just an arrogant dick. We’ve had plenty of other non-physical ladies be on the show before. Many people on this show have been unfit and incapable of carrying their own. So I can’t rag too much on Sam for not being ultra buff. There was no excuse for Frank’s belitting comments. I feel like Zach started to go the bad Frank place and realized what he was doing so he removed himself from the situation.
    PROPS to Brooklyn for figuring out do solve the puzzle in the middle rather than just carry up random logs and hope for the best. Way to go. Very smart tactic, and I’m surprised no one else saw what they were doing and copied them. A completely deserved win. I think the “insane games” they provided at the beginning were humorous and I don’t think it’s so much that people don’t like them, they just don’t like that they’re vets and not rookies.
    Frank is a complete coward and asshat for not going into the Arena when they had already decided before hand that mental would be his challenge, should it ever come up. Props to Sam for throwing her self in. Zach had every right to protest. I’m glad they were able to work it out in the end though.
    New Orleans was getting old and it seems like the 2 man teams is just not meant to last. No teams have yet. We’ll see how long St. Thomas lasts.
    Random question, when is this big fight between Dustin and Frank supposed to happen? About Dustin’s past I mean? I’m just curious.

  40. 40
    Enrique's Mole
    Posted November 15, 2012 at 11:24 am

    Good question, badger! I’ve been waiting for that fight, too. From the commercials before the show started, I thought it was going to be in the first episode. Still waiting…

    My captcha is “evil genius” – best ever!

  41. 41
    Gypsy Gypsy
    Posted November 16, 2012 at 12:48 pm

    @Robin, did you read VA’s and Eyediomio’s comments back? And if you don’t like me then why single me out and quote me when others had far more harsh comments? Stop back peddling, you do this every damn time. Get off your internet high horse and go back to beating a bible like the other commenter said. I am out of patience for your bullshit.

    I did not attack either of them. Your interpretation of my comments is just that…yours and always with a spin in your favor. As @Judgy said, you and a few others seem to mean comment for no reason. I think VA and eyediosmio are great cappers and said as much. I aired my preference for this particular cap and for the recent changes going on, on this site in an honest but poilite and grateful way IMO. No one wants drama here so, like @Judgy said why did you have to bring it?

    Re: folks who asked about the lawsuit. I believe VA said she could give us limited content in the comments about it on her last recap or two. So, hopefully when she is all situated she can weigh in…I’d love to hear what she has to say even if she’s limited to what she can say!

    As always thanks for the scoop captain!

  42. 42
    plockeness monster plockeness monster
    Posted November 16, 2012 at 2:31 pm

    I am pretty sure the Dustin/Frank thing already happened. It was 2 eps. ago – same ep w/ Frank and ALton’s fight too.

  43. 43
    Robin Robin
    Posted November 16, 2012 at 5:43 pm

    No body wants drama here

    #2
    #3
    #6
    #11
    #13
    #14
    #41

    Lovely critisism.

  44. 44
    plockeness monster plockeness monster
    Posted November 16, 2012 at 8:33 pm

    #43

    Nobody is one word.

    Stop the drama.

  45. 45
    Enrique's Mole
    Posted November 16, 2012 at 8:47 pm

    Just saw a preview for the upcoming episode, and it looks like Dustin decks Freank (typo and it stays). Maybe that’s the big fight…The episode with Alton didn’t show the scenes that were previewed before the season started, the ones where Dustin was being taunted with his porn past, at least that I saw.

  46. 46
    Robin Robin
    Posted November 16, 2012 at 10:42 pm

    Nobody is one word! It sounds like the begining of a poem! :-)

    BiG stuff is fixing to start!

  47. 47
    sarcasatire sarcasatire
    Posted November 17, 2012 at 12:30 am

    LOL @ Plockness. But it’s two words, too. See, I wanted to go to the prom. But as a skeleton, I had no body to go with. :)

    Gypsy, you would’ve loved my garnets and smoky topaz.

    (Classy, is that how you’re paying people, in topaz? Is that your birthstone or something?)

  48. 48
    PinkTop
    Posted November 17, 2012 at 1:44 am

    Dustin and Frank had a confrontation in the gym a couple eps back, that when previewed appeared like THE confrontation, but it ended up not being much of anything. Frank made a comment (“bet you can’t wait to get your hands on a man again”) in reference to them fighting, & Dustin was smart enough to walk away. If I remember correctly that was the only gay porn taunt so far. THE confrontation is yet to be seen. I guess Dusty most likely gets kicked off *sadface* for punching Dirtbag.

  49. 49
    Enrique's Mole
    Posted November 17, 2012 at 5:46 am

    Pink – If Dustin gets kicked off for punching Douchebag Frank, there’s no justice in this world. Sadface, indeed :(

  50. 50
    JudgyWudgy
    Posted November 17, 2012 at 10:00 am

    Oh jeebus. I was hardly starting drama by calling your actions unnecessary. Which was true. Do you enjoy conflict in real life as much as you apparently do on the internet? It must be exhausting. But that’s all I’m gonna say. I’m not falling for your ploys.

    @badger, I agree about Frank, disagree about Wes. If Wes knew what he was doing, he’d be more successful than he continually is. He THINKS he knows what he’s doing and is WAY too vocal about it, which is a very different thing than actually knowing what he’s doing.

  51. 51
    Gwen
    Posted November 17, 2012 at 7:18 pm

    “Oh and by the way Chet, you’re not ironic. You look like the love child of Alton Brown and that dude from Mythbusters (either one).”

    This made me LOL because it’s so true. Don’t get me wrong, though—I love Chet.

  52. 52
    Gypsy Gypsy
    Posted November 19, 2012 at 9:03 am

    I cannot believe I just read that Dustin gets kicked off!

    Is that true? If so then there are not enough garnets or smokey topaz in the world to express how sari I am for him.

    So, if I understand the formula for the Challenges now it = Stunts over water+alcohol+booze&booty+bullying.

    Great job MTV. Way to be the hypocritcal fame whore network that touts antibullying/cyberbullying messaging in one show and encouraging savage bulling fueled be intolernce and hatred on another show.

    Ugh, I think I called myself out for being too old for this.

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