The Mole's format is back! Plus: Survivor comedy, AGT and Love Island news, and more
Dear newsletter friends,
It’s been one of those weeks where there are 17 things to do for every available second, so I am wiped out. Thankfully, after I send this to you, I’m off to go get a haircut, which always makes me feel fresh and new and ready to tackle the world’s problems.
What’s funny is that, sometimes, my husband doesn’t notice that I’ve gotten a haircut, because my hair is so short all the time, and I get it cut every three to five weeks. But after those three weeks, I can feel all that growth weighing me down.
In the midst of this intensely busy week, there was some exceptional reality television comedy, thanks to Survivor and Noura, who together gave us one of the show’s best audience blindsides ever. And I’m not talking about what happened at Tribal Council.
Read my full Survivor: Island of the Idols recap.
I’m super-excited about this: The Mole’s format is being used for a new ABC game show, The Hustler.
It turns out there have been other game shows with similar formats, too, but the way this new show is described, it’s The Mole in a studio. And since I’m Mole-deprived, I’ll take it!
America’s Got Talent: The Champions season 2 is filming its final episodes this week, which means that if you want to know which acts are performing and what’s changed, that’s all online. (No spoilers in my story—just links to spoilers.)
If you need something to watch or listen to:
The Profit is streaming the audio from its episodes as a podcast, which is very interesting and kind of weird
Also, here’s when The Profit season 7 is premiering, and which companies will be featured.
In other news, 90 Day Fiance season 7 announced its couples and premiere date, and you can also watch the trailer that previews this season’s drama.
Among this week’s reality TV premieres were new competitions hosted by Jo and Jordan, and, separately Trace Adkins. I haven’t had a chance to check out any of them yet, though!
Finally this week, here’s a behind-the-scenes story about one of my favorite scripted TV shows, Schitt’s Creek, which it turns out was inspired by reality TV. And astute viewers may have realized that because of the very first shot in the series. (I was not that astute.)
Also, if you haven’t yet watched Schitt’s Creek, its most recent season is on Netflix, but if you don’t have Netflix, it’s also streaming free in other places.
Have a terrific rest of your Friday and a delightful weekend, and my shorter hair and I will see you in your inbox and on reality blurred next week!
best,
Andy
🌄 This is Reality in Focus issue 166, first sent 18 October 2019, and it may curl into a ball and watch Schitt’s Creek this weekend.
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📷 Photo of pumpkins by Cason Asher