BB's reindeer, ugh • SYTYCD changes • your 2023 reality picks • charming shows • a contest!
Dear newsletter friends,
First, a very Happy Hanukkah to those who celebrate! 🕎
With the holiday season well underway, I have some recommendations for soothing, warm reality TV coming later in this newsletter.
First, I'd like to help you with consumerism—and give some things away, too!
So, here's my updated reality TV gift guide, which includes an entry form for a contest:
I'll choose three entries; those people will win their choice of a hilarious reality TV-themed book, such as a Golden Bachelor coloring book or an Amazing Race puzzle book, thanks to Jenine Zimmers.
✅ Your 2023 recommendations
I asked, you delivered! Here are:
🙄 Recap and a review
I reviewed a UK show that's now streaming free in the U.S.:
I recapped Survivor 45 and had fun with alliteration:
ICYMI:
Why Survivor is permanently in Fiji now, and other tidbits from Jeff Probst
🗓️ This week's reality TV premieres
This week's reality TV show premieres include The Great British Baking Show: Holidays; a new show that follows Deion Sanders' coaching; and new seasons of Southern Hospitality and Life Below Zero: First Alaskans.
Reality specials and docs include four nights of holiday themed Price is Right; Demi Lovato's holiday special; and Hulu's We Live Here: The Midwest
ICYMI:
💬 Comments of the week
Alan, on this Golden Bachelor recap:
The 20 and 30 something aged women they have previously had on their regular Bachelor shows certainly do not take it so hard, if at all, when they are sent home. They just go out and find another guy next week. These are woman in their 60s and 70s, some of whom have lost their life mates! To build up their hopes only to smash them down is a form of the worst emotional abuse and misogyny that I have ever witnessed on life TV!!
Lauren, on this Survivor recap:
The “boys” vs “girls” night drove my crazy. Survivor takes so much flak for perpetuating stereotypes you’d think they would realize how backwards it is to think only “boys” fart, etc and only “girls” sit around drinking sangria. Oof.
🗞️ Reality TV news
Big news:
Here are the the 9 alleged 'iconic' 'legends' who will be on Big Brother Reindeer Games, ugh. Also: ugh!
So You Think You Can Dance is back—with a (new) new format. I'm intrigued by this!
News added to my December news round up:
Hilary Farr is leaving Love It or List It
Squid Game: The Challenge will return for a second season, and is now casting
The Golden Bachelor Gerry admitted he dated after his wife died. How dare he!
Eliminated The Traitors UK players will learn who the traitors are on a new companion show
Former Double Dare host and Restaurant Impossible producer Marc Summers is heading off-Broadway with his autobiographical show, which I saw in Indiana back in spring 2016 when I profiled Marc for the L.A. Times
plus more news and links!
😍 OMG:
🤩 I recommend
This warm, charming show, which is streaming free in the U.S. for the first time
This cooking show, which focuses more on the chefs and food than other shows
Shitm.as, a playlist of wonderfully terrible holiday music from the creator of Effin' Birds
I'll see you back in your inbox on Dec. 15, for my final newsletter of 2023.
best,
Andy
🌄 This is issue 364 of reality blurred’s weekly newsletter, first sent on 8 December 2023, and it would definitely play stupidly if it was on Survivor