Survivor AU host fired • Survivor China transformation • Mushroom murder
Dear newsletter friends,
Happy Thursday! I’m coming to you a day early because of the holiday in the U.S. tomorrow, though based on light traffic to my annual doctor’s appointment this morning, the work week may have already ended for some.
Earlier this week, I published the latest interview in my Survivor series, checking in with players about how the show affected their lives.
Even though I’d literally forgotten who this player was, her story was basically my thesis: reality TV changes lives.
Oh sure, it’s entertaining, silly, and outright maddening sometimes. But for both the players and those of us watching, it can be transformative.
I hope you had—or have—a chance to read Leslie’s story to see what made her transformation possible.
🎞️ All about the editing
Below Deck
Episode 5: The editing is as bad at its job as Caio
Reality TV editing:
🍄 Around the world
In Ask Andy:
Will there be more Great Pottery Throw Down in the U.S.? (Yes!!)
Will we get Netflix’s Mole season 3? (Maybe!)
In Best Evidence:
🏝️ Survivor series
The latest:
Leslie Nease, Survivor China’s ‘Sister Christian’: ‘if I can change, anybody can’
News: Leslie and Survivor China winner Todd Herzog are launching a podcast!
Previously:
🎈 There’s still time to help!
With five days to go, we’re more than halfway to the goal for this critical anniversary campaign.
Just 16 left—could you be one of those to help sustain reality blurred?
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🗓️ Reality TV premieres
Among the week’s new reality TV: the shark-finding competition All the Sharks, which gets Netflix into summer shark stunt programming, and which I’ll review tomorrow; a new season of Tour de France: Unchained; and season two of The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys, which moved from USA to Bravo.
This week’s docs and specials include The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives season 2 reunion; Netflix’s next Trainwreck, about American Apparel; and the start of NatGeo’s Sharkfest programming.
💬 Comments of the week
On the Australian Survivor news, Brekkie wrote,
One of the dumbest decisions in TV history and the backlash is pretty much unanimous- can’t say I’ve seen a single comment agreeing with it.
Can guarantee it’ll hurt ratings more than it will help which debunks their reasoning immediately. Similarly if it’s cost related they’ll likely lose more in lost revenue than keeping him would cost. Also means there is no fan goodwill to his replacement unlike if he’d left voluntarily where fans would generally at least give the replacement a chance.
On my review of The Snake, Rick wrote:
We are struggling to find shows this summer and I hate to disagree with everyone but this one has grown on us. Yes, I don’t love the host and yes they are recycling other shows ideas (who isn’t?) but we are actually enjoying it in all it’s summer stupidity. Summer reality fluff – it’s not great but I can watch and be on my phone and not miss anything. The Snake for the win.
🗞️ Reality TV news
Show news:
Australian Survivor fired its host, blindsiding him.
Survivor and Alone cast members will play hide and seek with Jack Reacher on a new show
🤩 I recommend
These six classic Bravo shows on Peacock
This quick illustration of reality TV editing, from the creator of Black Mirror
Deranged Samantha Brown, in a clip from an Anthony Bourdain Christmas special
These two pieces:
An essay about Love Island as sports
A piece about Shark Whisperer, the Netflix “documentary” about, in David Shiffman’s words, “a serial wildlife harasser who also coordinates massive online harassment campaigns against scientists and conservationists who criticize her” 👀
Next week, reality blurred turns 25! 🤯
Save the date for an anniversary gathering and AMA, and have a great weekend!
best,
Andy
🌄 This is issue 426 of reality blurred’s weekly newsletter, first sent on 3 July 2025, and it’ll be sending Zoom links out soon!