What happened to ANW's Drew Drechsel? • Probst, snubbed?! • Are Forged in Fire & Holey Moley returning? • RuPaul's lecture • and much more!
Dear newsletter friends,
This week, I did some investigative journalism, by which I mean I searched through federal court records.
Did you know each search costs 10 cents? And then each page is 10 more cents? For public records! Though they don't collect until you spend $30.
Anyway, my goal was to learn what happened to American Ninja Warrior star Drew Drechsel, who was arrested in 2000 after an FBI investigation.
And I found out:
Drew Drechsel pled guilty. I included the documents I paid to download, so you can read his plea deal, and see his confession in his own handwriting.
🙋🏻♂️ Two answers, two responses
I answered two questions:
I also responded to an argument about Survivor’s host:
...and to last week's episode of Drag Race:
RuPaul bravely saves Drag Race, telling queens to bury emotions and just make TV
This kinda blew up on Facebook, where a lot of people disagree with me (great! let's discuss!) and others didn't seem to read any more than the headline and thus missed its sarcasm (oh no).
🗓️ This week's reality TV
The reality TV shows premiering this week include new seasons of The Great Food Truck Race, Beachside Brawl, and The Great American Recipe. Also, Valentina and Lolita Banana hosting the new Drag Race México, and a bunch of new car show seasons: Downey’s Dream Cars, two Street Outlaws, and Carpool Karaoke.
Among the docs and specials premiering this week include E!'s two-night Black Pop: Celebrating the Power of Black Culture; PBS's Mama Bears, which focuses on fundamentalist, evangelical Christians moms choosing their queer kids over their faith communities; and PBS's Below the Belt: The Last Health Taboo, which focuses on how women get inferior health care compared to men.
🗞️ Reality TV news
The Voice announced its new coaches: Reba McEntire, John Legend, Chance the Rapper, and duo Dan + Shay sharing a "red double chair," though I think sharing one chair would be more fun.
Big Brother 25’s late start means it will continue "into November," according to CBS exec George Cheeks.
NeNe Leakes was edited out of The Real Housewives of Atlanta credits on the Peacock version, which later restored the original as it aired on Bravo.
If you've always dreamed of being on Vanderpump Rules, the new Hulu show Vanderpump Villa is now casting for staff/stars for its French villa.
The Real World Seattle premiered 25 years ago.
Death and crime:
Flying Wild Alaska star Jim Tweto died in a plane crash. Hundreds of people attended his memorial service Tuesday.
My 600-Lb. Life star Larry Myers Jr., aka "Mr. Buttermilk Biscuits," died at age 49.
Drag Race winner The Vivienne was punched in a McDonald's by a man making homophobic comments. The man was arrested.
💬 Comments of the week
[Cat] Deeley is the most egregious oversight on this list IMO. What she did during the golden era of SYTYCD!
—Jane, on this story
The introduction of the designer episode was perfection. The ironic flash forwards, the nostalgic flashbacks. The not over-sentimental present days (save Mila). And Nina Garcia’s agelessness. I shed a tear when she choked up. Excited for the season.
—Matt, on this recap
🤩 I recommend
This show, streaming on Hulu, which is the perfect summer show, even if we're not getting new episodes
My story about The Mole season one and how Anderson Cooper was cast, while we're talking about great reality TV hosts
This fun, quick series on Netflix
That's it for this week! Hope you have a great weekend.
best,
Andy
🌄 This is issue 342 of reality blurred’s weekly newsletter, first sent 23 June 2023, and it's rooting for Padma to get a nomination and win this year.
📸 Photo of pelicans in Mexico by Gareth Davies