Eco-Challenge's end, Shark Tank's worst, Top Chef's spin-off, Supermarket Sweep's return, and more
Dear newsletter friends,
It’s Friday, again, somehow. And we’re already coming up on episode two of Shark Tank, which returned last Friday and which I welcomed back, because I love to use it as my own shopping mall or QVC.
Despite the spread-out set, it was pretty much the same show, and perhaps the most normal COVID-era show we’ve seen.
Before it premiered, I took a deep dive into Shark Tank’s worst product ever.
That product didn’t even get an investment on the show, but it’s been held up as an example of success, despite the damage I think it’s causing.
Cooking and shopping reviews and news
Last month I told you that Top Chef was filming in Portland, followed by a new spin-off, and now we know who’s hosting Top Chef Amateurs and what its format will be.
Speaking of cooking competitions, Guy’s Grocery Games just premiered a new format, filmed at its chefs’ homes.
I reviewed it—it’s called Guy’s Grocery Games Delivery—in part because I was surprised how well the show works even the judges can’t taste anyone’s dishes!
And in my review, I reference my brief review of the very first episode of Top Chef, which I’d forgotten about, just as I’d forgotten it used to have a different host.
I also reviewed Supermarket Sweep, which I thought I’d love immediately because of Leslie Jones and my love for reality TV competitions that take place in grocery stores. But the show made a lot of unfortunate choices.
In non-grocery-related reality TV, I recapped the Amazing Race’s second episode, which brought back the Yield after 21 seasons and 13 years.
Eco-Challenge goes the way of Quibi
Some big news: Eco-Challenge was cancelled by Amazon. Season two was going to film in Patagonia next year.
That’s disappointing; I really liked this revival, as I wrote in my review of the first season. Sure, it could have focused on more teams and less on Bear Grylls, but overall, really engaging.
If you haven’t seen it, it’s still on Amazon, of course. And if you haven’t read my interview with one of the team captains, it has lots of behind-the-scenes details.
In other news:
Doc Antle from Tiger King was indicted and charged with felony wildlife trafficking and misdemeanor violations of the Endangered Species Act, among other things.
Quibi is shutting down. For me, the best thing about Quibi was always the deal its producers got: after two years, they can repackage and sell their shows to whoever they want. I hope some of the better Quibi reality shows will make it to cable or streaming within the next few years.
The Bachelorette had the men play strip dodgeball, leading to outrage about the franchise’s double-standard. A very fair point, though if people are this mad about sexism on The Bachelorette, just wait until they watch The Bachelorette. After all, it’s a show so sexist that it won’t even let its star propose to the man she chooses.
⭐️ Recommendations
This interview with The Vow’s directors, which has so much fascinating insight into how and when they started filming.
This story of a Survivor contestants’ relationship and wedding.
This clip of a talk show from the BBC archives, which was making the rounds on Twitter. Trust me on this one.
This remembrance of The Amazing Randi, written by long-time radio host Paul Harris. Randi, who died this week at age 92, started his career as a magician but is probably best known for his skepticism and investigation of bullshit artists—and he appeared on the reality series Penn & Teller: Bullshit!, among many other shows.
My reviews of GGG: Delivery, Amazing Race episode 2, and Supermarket Sweep
That’s everything I have for you this week. Stay well, vote early, wear a mask, and enjoy your reality TV!
best,
Andy
🌄 This is Reality in Focus issue 217, first sent 23 October 2020, and it looks forward to the time when it can run around a grocery store with abandon once again.
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📷 Photo of a pumpkin patch in Bakersfield, Calif., by Mark Duffel