Cheers to a great new Netflix competition, and to a great losing team!
Reality in Focus issue 313
Dear newsletter friends,
Somehow, it's already November, and leaves are literally falling on me as I type this! Welcome, holiday season.
In the past week, I chatted with the executive producer of Netflix's The Mole, and with two of the players. I hope you'll read those interviews, but I'm also just so appreciative that I am able to talk with the people who make TV.
Producer Chris Culvenor knew that I had issues with the new season, and was still open to talking—and talking about those. And one thing he said really stood out to me:
...that’s what’s great about television: it’s made by people, it’s played by people...
I agree completely, and also need to remember that sometimes!
I'd also add that it's also watched by people, and one of the reasons I love this genre so much is that we can watch and have different reactions, and it's so fun to talk about those and explore them. So let's get to that...
Recaps, reviews, and interviews!
I reviewed:
- Netflix's Drink Masters, a cocktail competition from the producers of Blown Away
I recapped:
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Survivor: Quite a mess Survivor 43 made—and not just because of its muddy tunnel of love
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The Amazing Race: Relationship goals on Amazing Race: even in a ditch, one team had just the best time!
I interviewed:
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The Mole’s executive producer, who answered all my questions about this season
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Two of my favorite players from The Mole, who shared a lot about their game play and the production, from quizzes to filming for two months!
Also on TV this week:
-
these reality show premieres, including a new Below Deck spin-off
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these docs and specials, focusing on Selena Gomez, woodpeckers, and orgasms, among other subjects
Reality TV news
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CBS scuttled The Real Love Boat and replaced it with a much better show
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There will be one final Flip or Flop special, Christina announced on Instagram
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Baga Chipz didn't even win either of the seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race she appeared on, and told told The Sunday Times that she made "at least a quarter of a million. It might be more" in the past year, and says "I can make 30 to 40 grand a week in total sometimes.
-
RuPaul was missing from Drag Race UK’s judging panel for "due to circumstances beyond anyone's control," Michelle Visage said. Where was Ru? 🤷 And why did they expect us to believe that Michelle consulted with Ru before announcing who was going home?
🤩 Recommended
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This Netflix competition, which is just great, from the talent to the lighting
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This interview, if you watched The Mole already
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This incredible mash-up of 36 seasons of Survivor’s theme song (there's also one that goes through season 42)
That's everything I have. Let me know your thoughts in the comments, or you can always send me an e-mail message if you're not the commenting type.
Thanks for reading and watching along with me, and I hope you have a terrific weekend!
best,
Andy
🌄 This is reality blurred's Reality in Focus issue 313, first sent 4 Nov. 2022, and it probably wouldn't be as calm and cheerful if it backed into a ditch.
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📷 Photo of stairs and fall leaves by Tolga Ulkan