New reviews, new recommendations, and a new website for the new year
Dear newsletter subscribers,
I never thought when watching The Apprentice that it would lead to what happened Wednesday—though it has been clear over the last few months (and years) that’s exactly where we were heading. It still makes me nauseous.
I still strongly believe in the power of TV to bring us together—even while cable news, for example, does the opposite.
This may sound cheesy, but reality TV really showed me people and places and ideas that I hadn’t ever imagined, and also connected me to people—both on screen, on the Internet, and in real life. So I know reality TV can create connection.
This year, I’m committed to continuing my work to highlight the best and call out the worst in this wonderful and infuriating genre. I will keep trying to learn as much as I can about how reality TV is created and what it means, and share that with you.
New year, new site
If you haven’t checked out the new reality blurred yet, well, check it out! There’s a refreshed design, and pages now load lightning-fast.
As I talked about in my podcast episode on Sunday, the cosmetic changes come from behind-the-scenes changes, but all of it is designed to make my life easier (so I can write more!) and make your experience better.
As part of that, you can now add reality blurred as an app. (Not in the app store, though.) The app is imperfect—there isn’t yet a back button, which is odd—but will continue to improve over time as the framework that now powers the site gets upgraded.
Read more about the changes—and some of the things I have planned for this year.
Coming in a few weeks: a rewatch of Survivor: The Australian Outback.
Behind the scenes stories
I took two deep dives this first week of January, into:
the surprising sponsor of Mike Rowe’s new show, and what he says about it, both in the show and in a comment to me.
Hell’s Kitchen and its 19th season, via an interview with its showrunner, who’s worked on the show since season 1, and says this new season is his favorite since season 5.
And in late December, I compiled a bunch of stories that go…
What I’ve been watching and reviewing
Besides reruns of Wings, which I had on in the background while working on the new site design; a first-time watch of Steven Universe; and Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper’s drunk New Year’s Eve, I’ve watched:
RuPaul’s Drag Race (VH1, Fridays at 8), which I was thrilled to have back but I think really screwed up with its episode-one format and twist. I’m hopeful tonight’s episode gets it back on track.
The Hustler (ABC, Thursdays at 10), which I also reviewed. Loved the idea, disliked the actual game’s format. But in my review, I propose an easy fix to improve it
Celebrity Wheel of Fortune (ABC, Thursdays at 8), which is a perkier version of the syndicated show—the celebrities seem to be raising Pat Sajak and Vanna White’s game
The Chase (ABC, Thursdays at 9), which I may review. It’s fun, but I miss Brooke Burns and Mark Labbett from the GSN version, perhaps just because they’re what defines The Chase for me.
The Hell’s Kitchen (Fox, Thursdays at 8) premiere, the first time I’ve watched in 15 seasons.
Best Leftovers Ever! (Netflix), which is from the producers of Nailed It! It’s still playful but also less zany, and just a really enjoyable watch.
There are lots of game shows in this list, and I wrote about how celebrities killed the career game show host for Primetimer.
News
Big Brother’s Zach Rance came out as bisexual and said he had a relationship with Frankie Grande. He also said that fame from Big Brother led him to cocaine and drug addiction.
Real World Hawaii’s Amaya says the cast is being recruited to film a two-week reunion season—though she says her tweet may have killed it
The Bachelor’s creator thinks The Apprentice and Survivor’s creator should be deported, and called him “morally bankrupt”
A day after The Bachelor premiered with its first Black bachelor, Vulture investigated: Is Matt James a Secret Republican?
And Matt James responded to Wednesday’s events:
My recommendations
This new Netflix cooking competition, which I’ll be reviewing in full soon
This new show, if only for its host—and the hope that its game improves
My interview with Amazing Race’s producers, if you missed it
This massive list of 60+ reality show premieres from just this week!
I hope you’ve had a happy and safe new year so far, and look forward to watching and discussing reality TV with you this year.
best,
Andy
🌄 This is Reality in Focus issue 225, first sent 8 January 2021, and it is not the hustler.
💻 This newsletter is hand-crafted in Florida by me, Andy Dehnart, and is supported by reality blurred patrons and paid subscribers to this newsletter. Please consider becoming a patron or upgrading your newsletter subscription!
💌 If you like this newsletter, forward it to a friend! If you're that friend, you can subscribe here!
✅ Bookmark realityblurred.com and visit daily for the latest of my reality TV news analysis, reviews, and commentary.
📷 Photo of a snowy road next to a river by Ali Inay