How Survivor changed casting, when Big Brother will return, and how Kim Kardashian's island party was mocked
Dear newsletter friends,
It was Kim Kardashian West’s 40th birthday recently—you’re forgiven if you didn’t send a gift, or didn’t know, or just didn’t care. After she celebrated, Kim decided to "humbly" share photos of her 40th birthday.
That redefined the word “humble,” because her birthday took place on a private island, and guests were somehow both surprised and also quarantined first for COVID-19 purposes.
Thankfully, the Internet quickly responded, taking the text of one of her ridiculous tweets and posting it with new photos. Some of my favorites: Castaway, Lost, GBBO, RHONY, MOMA (yes, that last one is the Museum of Modern Art, which also participated!).
I couldn’t resist joining in, so I created versions from Survivor, Big Brother, and Temptation Island.
Here’s to all of us coming together this week to do what’s right and just: dragging clueless reality stars who flaunt their absurd wealth and privilege in the middle of widespread suffering from a pandemic and a recession.
Survivor’s changes and Big Brother’s return
Big Brother ended its numbingly boring 22nd season this week, and announced plans for its next season, which will undoubtedly change nothing and be terrible once again.
That announcement made it clear: Big Brother 23 won’t air until summer.
So what does that mean about a potential spring season, or a possible Celebrity Big Brother? I discuss that here—and shared my favorite idea, a Survivor crossover.
Speaking of Survivor, my big story of the week was an in-depth interview with someone who worked in casting on the show for 11 years.
And that interview has some pretty big news, at least in the world of the show: Why Survivor stopped recruiting players.
Jodi Wincheski also shared with me how Survivor casting has changed recently, and why she left her job and what she’s doing now.
A recap and two reviews
This week’s Amazing Race continued its focus on alliances, which took out a team last week.
Read my full recap here, which includes insight from one team about how their own implicit biases may have affected their decisions. It’s really impressive to see people on TV be so introspective and honest.
For my reviews this week, a full review and a review just for you:
I reviewed Guy’s Grocery Games: Delivery, which takes the games home, and works surprisingly well. But Guy keeps trying to make Hunter happen and 😬
I’ve been watching First Ladies, the documentary series that airs Sundays on CNN. Actually, my husband has been watching, and I started to pay attention, and have really been enjoying it. It’s next-to-impossible to put everything about one person’s life in an hour of commercial TV, but the show does a good job of sketching the lives of women from Eleanor Roosevelt to Nancy Reagan and exploring their roles.
Judge Judy will continue, and other news
In the news:
Mythbuster Grant Imahara’s work inspired a new foundation that will help kids. Definitely check out the video announcement—particularly its conclusion.
Judge Judy is ending after its 25th season, which is airing now. But she’ll return with “a new court program” on IMDb TV, which is Amazon’s version of Tubi and Pluto. I’d guess that “new” show will be very similar to her current show.
MasterChef is back in production. The pandemic isn’t going to stop any reality show! Well, except Survivor.
Recommended
Finally, this week, here are some recommendations to help you stay sane this election week:
This video of 6-year-old Sam’s version of the ABCs.
This daily newsletter, which is where I found the video above—and is especially great for those of us who check our e-mail first thing.
The video at the end of this story, and especially its ending. 😢
American Ninja Warrior’s modified season 12, which has modified its semi-finals and finals obstacle courses with some of the most wild things I’ve ever seen. It’s impressive what people can do.
I hope you’ve had a great week of mocking celebrities, preparing for safe Halloween festivities (i.e. sitting at home, eating bags of candy), or watching some of the many Halloween-related reality TV specials this week.
Next week is a big week: Tayshia arrives to save The Bachelorette from—a Bachelorette who succeeded.
Have a great weekend, stay safe, and please vote if you haven’t already!
best,
Andy
🌄 This is Reality in Focus issue 218, first sent 30 October 2020, and it will gladly take your candy corn if you don’t want it.
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📷 Photo of a jack-o’-lantern in Wisconsin by Beth Teutschmann