Celebrity Big Brother's 'celebrities,' Top Chef's cast & all-stars, two reviews, two new firings, and more
Dear newsletter friends,
Happy Friday! Lots of news and reviews for you this week, so let’s dive in with some casting news:
Top Chef Houston’s cast and all-star judges were announced.
I was even more excited by another revelation: a second season of Top Chef will air every night after Houston, and it’s a great season most people haven’t seen.
Celebrity Big Brother 3’s cast was announced, and will be very familiar if you’ve watched other “celebrity” reality TV shows. Are we just out of celebrities willing to go on reality shows?
I answered three questions (same story, three answers):
New reality show reviews
This week, I reviewed:
The CW’s marching band reality show March, which I liked but was also a little frustrated by
And coming this weekend: a review of a chocolate-focused show! Or two. I haven’t decided yet.
Amazing Race
I’ve really been having fun recapping TAR this season! Here’s:
My recap of this week’s Amazing Race, which includes how the show mislead us about what happened last episode
Related: In the third answer here, I explained how and which shows I choose to recap.
Firings
Jennie Nguyen was fired from The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City; Bravo said it "failed to take appropriate action once her offensive social media posts were brought to our attention." On an Instagram Live, Jennie blamed “a team of people” who were running her social media. She also said “I know I hurt a lot of people” but added, “I’m very proud to be a Republican. I am proud to be able to say I have the freedom of speech, too, and to have an opinion.”
A 90 Day Fiance cast member was fired because of racist social media posts. TLC said in a statement: “TLC discontinued filming with Alina Kozhevnikova following the recent discovery of her past social media statements. She will not appear on the upcoming Tell All, any future seasons of the franchise and starting next month, she will no longer appear on Before the 90 Days.”
Fired Vanderpump Rules cast member Stassi Schroeder announced that she wrote a book.
Jeopardy! news
Jeopardy! champion Amy Schneider reflects on her 40-game streak. I think she should be offered a seat on The Chase.
In related news: Jeopardy! started releasing box scores earlier this month, and they’re fascinating.
🤩 I recommend
This show on HBO Max
This show on The CW, which has a lot to like and I hope will improve
Sweardle, if you need another Wordle-like puzzle every day and you have a third-grade sense of humor like me
That’s everything for this week’s edition. Have a terrific weekend and rest of January.
best,
Andy
🌄 This is Reality in Focus issue 275, first sent Jan. 28, 2022, and it screamed just watching other people jumping off a dam.
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📷 Photo of the Northern lights in Lapland, Finland, by Maria Vojtovicova