Martha Stewart's mess, Claim to Fame's end, more surprises and disappointments
Dear newsletter friends,
Happy Friday, and happy May!
Some disappointing news this week: I reported that my favorite summertime show of the past few years, Claim to Fame, is not coming back this summer. 🙁
Coincidentally, my friend and colleague Joe Adalian published an interview with Disney’s Rob Mills yesterday that gave insight as to why Claim to Fame and Holey Moley were both cancelled.
Both of those shows surprised and delighted me in unexpected ways.
Also this week, I talked about two more recent shows, which were a good surprise and a bad surprise, on my podcast.
With reality TV having been a mainstay of pop culture for a quarter century now, there’s more remixing that invention going on, and that’s fine!
But it’s challenging to surprise the audience—especially for those of us who watch a lot. I think I’m often looking to be surprised, whether that’s by something large or small.
My standards can be high (ahem), but have someone try to jump on the back of a fake shark in the middle of a mini-golf game, or play a massive game of telephone for clues about celebrities, and I am all in.
🧑🍳 Reviews & answers
I reviewed NBC’s…
- Yes, Chef, a culinary TV disaster starring Martha Stewart and José Andrés
Sarah D. Bunting reviewed AMC’s…
- True Crime Story: Look Into My Eyes, which looks for justice in grief
- Bonus review for Best Evidence subscribers: Killer Performance
Also in my Ask Andy story:
💄 Recaps
Amazing Race:
Survivor 48:
- Episode 10: A revolution crumbles in the face of fear
Below Deck Down Under:
- Episode 13: Lara churns up a passive-aggressive storm
Top Chef Destination Canada:
🗓️ Reality TV premieres
New and returning shows coming this week: Eva Longoria: Searching for Spain, the return of 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing, Bravo’s new Love Hotel and the reboot of What Not to Wear as Wear Whatever The F You Want.
Also: new seasons of 100 Foot Wave, Chef’s Table, Jeopardy! Masters, and Celebrity Wheel of Fortune! Details, times, and all shows.
This week’s documentary premieres focus on the story of public libraries; and two different murders, including Southern Fried Lies, about a murder of a rich guy in a rural community.
💬 Comments of the week
On last week’s Amazing Race recap, AK wrote:
I actually thought this was maybe the best race leg I’ve seen in years! I loved the construction of it, with the teams navigating through the city by foot and public transportation.
On this essay by a reality TV producer, Nicole wrote:
I have been watching this show only for a couple years and I’m actually currently watching the second season of Alaskans. I am so sad by the fact that they have decided not to continue on with this show. I’m not sure on what planet, anyone would ever think that the world does not need the show right now more than ever.
the teachings of the indigenous cultures and the way of life are literally what this world needs right now.
🗞️ Reality TV news
- As NBCUniversal tries to make more money for rich people by splitting into two companies, it laid off a bunch of talented reality TV executives and staff who worked at NBC, Bravo, and Peacock. They included Stephanie Steele, Jenny Ramirez, and Christy Dees, according to Deadline.
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ABC is rebooting Match Game with new host Martin Short, Joe Adalian reported. "New episodes of Match Game will stream on Hulu hours after the debut on ABC," he said.
BuzzerBlog first reported earlier this month that a version of the show will film in Montreal this June. - Hulu announced Call Her Alex, which is about Call Her Daddy host Alex Cooper. Hulu's press release called it an "original documentary series" and then a "revealing two-part series."
Wait, what? No. Nope! Two episodes are not a series, just as 10 episodes are not a movie. Come on, Hollywood, get your shit together! - From Sarah: Per Variety, Bill Hader is "currently [co-]developing an HBO series centered on Jim Jones and the infamous events at the Peoples Temple Agricultural Project, a.k.a. Jonestown." A source close to the project notes that Hader "is being eyed to potentially star in the show as well. Hader is co-writing with [Daniel] Zelman ... and would also direct should the project move forward." One hopes Hader doesn't make the Kool-Aid/Flavor-Aid mistake that found its way into Variety's lede, and no, we aren't ever letting that drop; thanks for asking!
🤩 I recommend
- Checking out Claim To Fame, if you haven’t seen it or want to rewatch; seasons 2 and 3 are on Hulu and Disney+
- Watching the last two episodes of The Amazing Race, which really returned the show to classic form
- Reading this horrifying story
Thanks for reading and watching with me this week. Have a fantastic weekend!
best,
Andy
🌄 This is issue 417 of reality blurred’s weekly newsletter, first sent on 2 May 2025, and it’s hoping some Survivor player will do something interesting soon.