Got to Get Out is great • TAR's Jonathan • Padma's new show • so much more!
Dear newsletter friends,
Good morning! I’m still getting over this fun spring virus, which left my voice sounding like this.
Apologies for making you listen to that, but don’t forget to give a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts! 😂
We had a fascinating glimpse into a reality TV star’s behavior this week: The Amazing Race 37’s Jonathan apologized for and explained his ‘extreme reactions’: he has autism.
That’s been met with some (understandable) skepticism, but what’s interesting for me is the attempt to understand his own behavior, and to use that information to improve his relationship.
We sometimes see the worst moments of people—who are under high stress and being filmed for our entertainment—who then blame the editing or whatever. It’s refreshing to see someone do the opposite.
💰 Reviews
Netflix:
Hulu:
Book:
🧑🍳 Recaps
Survivor 48:
Below Deck Down Under:
Top Chef Destination Canada:
🗓️ Reality TV premieres
New and returning shows coming this week include new seasons of Rock the Block and 100 Day Dream Home; more Expedition Files, Ghost Adventures, Holy Marvels with Dennis Quaid, and Caught in the Act: Unfaithful; and the Canadian show Rocky Mountain Wreckers, which came to The Weather Channel.
Documentaries premiering focus on Nick and Aaron Carter; Art Spiegelman; and dark money in politics.
💬 Comments of the week
In this story about The Floor, JinNJ wrote:
Too bad the contestants can’t choose their own categories. There goes my dream of going on the show as a “Brady Bunch” expert.
In the discussion about Survivor’s latest episode, Cat wrote:
May I just say
I HATE THESE JOURNEYS
🗞️ News
Reality shows:
Padma Lakshmi created and will host a new CBS cooking competition, America's Culinary Cup.
CBS describes the show, which will air next summer, as "an invitation-only cast of the nation’s most decorated chefs as they embark on a one-of-a-kind competition designed to challenge their creativity, endurance, presentation, leadership and more."
Peacock will follow Love Island USA "around Los Angeles as they navigate new careers, evolving friendships, newfound fame and complex relationships outside of the Love Island villa" for a new series, Love Island: Beyond the Villa. Will anyone care to watch Islanders while they're wearing clothes?
Reality stars:
Survivor 47’s Teeny Chirichillo wrote in Cosmpolitan about his Survivor experience, and how, while fan response "felt like an extreme pressure to be this genderfluid representative, what it really did was open the door for everyone in my life to know I’m not cisgender without my having to initiate these conversations."
Johnny "Bananas" Devenanzio—fresh off of blaming a marketing agency for tweeting banana emojis at Taylor Hale, Big Brother’s first Black female winner, which resulted in Johnny's fans tweeting racist things at her—was the first suitor on Netflix's disastrous attempt at a live version of the YouTube series Pop the Balloon.
After all the women rejected him, he critiqued them, starting with toes, and told a Black woman, "You look like you sleep from a tree upside down." Decider has clips.
How shocking: Mickey Rourke has been booted from the Celebrity Big Brother house for what ITV called "inappropriate language" and "instances of unacceptable behaviour," BBC News reported. He'd previously been warned after using "offensive and unacceptable" language about JoJo Siwa and her sexuality.
David Siegel, a guest on Below Deck, participant in Celebrity Wife Swap, and monstrous star of The Queen of Versailles died April 5.
His wife Jackie Siegel's sister died two days later. Jackie wrote on Instagram that it was from "a scourge we as a family sadly know too well – accidental drug overdose."
David and Jackie's daughter Victoria died at 18 from a drug overdose. She was prominently featured in the documentary; if you haven't seen it, it's on Hulu and Hoopla.
🤩 I recommend
Got To Get Out on Hulu, which is ridiculous and thrilling
Teeny Chirichillo’s essay about his Survivor experience
This clip of Nancy Silverton causing Julia Child to have quite a reaction to her food (Thanks to Jolene for sending it!)
These articles, curated by Sarah D. Bunting
I hope you have a great weekend full of excellent reality TV. And Happy Easter to those who celebrate, and a happy weekend to everyone!
best,
Andy
🌄 This is issue 415 of reality blurred’s weekly newsletter, first sent on 18 April 2025, and it thinks we should bring Wihan back just to fire him again.