BB25's big bungled twists • Survivor from space • Claim to Fame's b.s. • Barbie! • and more
Dear newsletter friends,
The first time I saw reality TV being filmed behind the scenes was in 2002, when I was on set with Trading Spaces.
Those three days were incredible, and I've appreciated every opportunity I've had since then to see the magic happening.
So when Inside Survivor’s Martin Holmes tweeted a satellite photo of Survivor being filmed, I dropped everything and went to Google Earth to find it and explore more.
You can, too: Here's how to see Survivor 46 being filmed from space. I keep re-watching that zoom-in, which is even more incredible.
As a bonus behind-the-scenes for this week, I shared a photo from Survivor Tocantins’ Ponderosa.
😍 Recaps and a review
Big Brother:
BB25’s big twist was preceded by 90 minutes of unbearable boredom
Big Brother’s live feeds are back to being free
If you decide to get the Paramount+ ad-free live feeds, please consider doing so via friend-of-reality blurred Hamsterwatch’s affiliate link
As always, follow Hamsterwatch for the best feed updates
Claim to Fame recap:
Let us count all the ways Claim to Fame 2 was really full of poo in this episode! Still a great episode, despite some literal and metaphor b.s.
Tough As Nails finale:
Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge:
HGTV’s Barbie show reveals something besides its rooms, as a decorative arts curator wrote about for reality blurred
🗞️ Reality TV news
Two of Lizzo's dancers from the Emmy-winning Watch Out for the Big Grrrls have sued Lizzo and her dance captain, Shirlene Quigley, claiming "a hostile work environment and sexual harassment," plus "religious and racial harassment, false imprisonment, interference with prospective economic advantage and other allegations," NBC News reported.
Two days later, Lizzo released a statement calling them "false allegations" and "sensationalized stories." Lizzo is now represented by Marty Singer, the lawyer who's also represented Bill Cosby, Charlie Sheen, Kim Kardashian, and many other celebrities.
Jobs for those who work in reality TV are not plentiful right now, even despite the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes that have shut down scripted productions. A story producer told THR "this winter was extremely dead for reality TV," while an editor said "I have never seen it this dry for unscripted. I know many people who have not worked in three to four months."
A former reality TV host was indicted and arrested again, this time for conspiracy to defraud the United States and deprive people of their voting rights. He pled not guilty, and compared himself to Jews being persecuted by Nazis.
🗓️ This week's reality TV
Besides BB25, reality shows premiering this week include a new Jersey Shore Family Vacation; the new Discovery survival series Naked and Afraid Castaways and Survive the Raft; and the new competition The Big Nailed It Baking Challenge. Fboy Island season two, which is not new, will be on The CW, i.e. free to watch
This week's feature documentary subjects include: Cody Rhodes, Jake Paul, and Mark Cavendish (in three separate docs!), plus mixtapes and hip-hop.
💬 Comments of the week
Your proposal reminds me too much of EDGE OF EXTINCTION. Eliminated participants, whether they’re on Survivor or Tough as Nails, shouldn’t be allowed to compete for the final prize. I just don’t think it’s fair. Bringing back someone who is voted out is fine for Big Brother because nobody takes that show seriously. I say no to your Probstian idea. Why fix a show when it’s perfect the way it is?
—Antonio, on this proposal
Not even Cirie, who I love, could get me to watch BB again.
—Melissa, on this recap
🤩 I recommend
This show, for the reveals and the design
This finale, and season, which was wonderful
This video about Big Brother's product placement, which is comprehensive and hilarious
Coming later today: a review of the new Nailed It! Baking Challenge.
Have a great rest of your week!
best,
Andy
🌄 This is issue 348 of reality blurred’s weekly newsletter, first sent on 4 August 2023, and it has yet to see Barbie or Oppenheimer
📸 Photo of the Seven Mile Beach in the Cayman Islands by Marc Babin