Amazing Race lost four teams and its troosers. Plus: Betty White marathons, Guy Fieri's worst show, and more
Dear newsletter friends,
Happy Friday! Here in Florida, we’re getting cold front after cold front, so it finally feels like winter—though I use the term “winter” loosely and with apologies to my friends in actual icy climates.
And of course, it doesn’t resemble what’s in the photo above; that’s just my fantasy of winter. Having lived in Chicago for years—reality blurred was born there!—I remember how beautiful and miserable winter weather can be.
I hope the TV you’ve watched this week is more beautiful than miserable—though I do have one miserable show to share with you. 😂 On to the TV!
Betty White competing and other things to watch
Betty White’s game show appearances will marathon this weekend, including a day of episodes that span 61 years of her competing on game shows
Now (or soon) streaming on Discovery+: 3 global Real Housewives, and 9 more reality shows
This week’s reality TV premieres and documentaries on TV
If you need a hate-watch, I reviewed:
Questions, answered
Amazing Race
This week’s The Amazing Race 33 episode had:
a 19-month break, after which we learned that four teams were not able to return to the race. Four, not the previously-reported two!
I’ve updated my story because we now know which teams are returning, thanks to CBS press photos.
teams self-driving through Glasgow, and pounding barrels, all of which was fodder for my usual snarky and sarcastic recap
Don’t miss this:
I answered a question about what happens to teams’ backpacks on the final leg, with insight from Amazing Race executive producer Elise Doganieri.
But keep scrolling! In the comments, an Amazing Race winner stopped by to share an amazing story about what happened to their luggage.
News
Original America’s Funniest Home Videos host Bob Saget died at 65. Miles Klee wrote about how he “undermined the viral video as we know it today.”
Clay Aiken is running for Congress again
Meg Conley wrote about a friend’s experience with a renovation by Home Work stars Candis and Andy Meredith: My friend's life was ruined* by a Magnolia Network Home Makeover. *made worse for quite awhile.
The Merediths responded.
So did Magnolia Network: Home Work was removed from Magnolia Network, with network president Allison Page saying in a statement, “Within the last few days, we have learned additional information about the scope of these issues, and we have decided to remove Home Work from the Magnolia Network line up pending a review of the claims that have been made.”
🤩 I recommend
These marathons airing Sunday and Monday
These two shows, if you miss original Real World
This show, if you want to see some bad editing in action
That’s everything from me. Have a great rest of your week!
best,
Andy
🌄 This is Reality in Focus issue 273, first sent Jan. 14, 2022, and it does not know where its troosers are.
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📷 Photo of a snowy trees in Hafjell, Norway, by Theo Eilertsen Photography