The best reality TV shows of 2021, and so much more!
Dear newsletter friends,
We’ve reached the end, almost, of this wild year. And that means it’s time for my list of…
That also includes some scripted shows—many of which have connections to reality TV, coincidentally—and some runners-up.
And as I wrote there, I certainly wasn’t able to watch everything this year, so if you have favorites that didn’t make my lists, I’d love to know what those are.
You can comment in reality blurred’s newly relaunched comment section. Just scroll to the end of any article.
Survivor
First, some news:
Survivor 41:
My thoughts about the Survivor finale, winner, and season
After the finale, I still stand by the arguments I made in this mid-season piece, and reaction to the winner and season has sadly confirmed what I wrote about here, too.
Reviews
Baking It, Peacock
Buddy vs. Duff Holiday, Food Network
Twentysomethings: Austin, Netflix
Sweet Life: Los Angeles, HBO Max
And here’s what’s premiering this week—and over the next few weeks, plus documentaries that’ll be on TV (quite a few between now and the end of the year).
News
What changed when The Amazing Race 33 resumed filming after 1.5 years
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ Erika Girardi, Garcelle Beauvais, and Lisa Rinna got COVID. A report said production stopped filming, but Variety reported filming continues with other cast. Someone told People, “Production is taking every precaution to keep people safe.” Mmm hmm.
Real World stars Rachel Campos-Duffy & Sean Duffy wrote a book for Fox "News": titled All American Christmas: "a dazzling collection of emotional stories, treasured family photographs, and homegrown Christmas recipes from some of Fox News’ most beloved personalities."
Why did America fall in love with a family of extremists? “What does it say about TLC — about us — that the Duggars could become so famous?” Sarah Jones asks.
David Archuleta talked to Variety about how much American Idol fucked him up: “It was like some weird grooming process, from the very first audition, the way that they were speaking to us”
🤩 I recommend
This wonderful show, which is now on Discovery+ but will stream a full season on Discovery Channel three times over the next two weeks. (The schedule is in the updated section at the end of the review.) Don’t miss it!
This podcast, Harsh Reality, that takes a deep dive into a 2003 reality show
Basically every show on this list!
🎆 See you next year!
This is the final newsletter of 2021, as the next two Fridays are holiday eves, and also I am taking a break.
I still have a few more stories to publish, so do check reality blurred during those two weeks.
Thanks for reading my stuff this year, and subscribing to this newsletter. And an extra bit of gratitude to those who support my work. If you need to empty your expense account before the end of the year, you can:
A very Merry Christmas to those who celebrate, and a happy new year to all. I’ll see you in your inbox 2022!
best,
Andy
🌄 This is Reality in Focus issue 271, first sent Dec. 17, 2021, and it wishes you a very happy new year!
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📷 Photo of a cat in a Christmas tree by Jessica Lewis