Tiny Bubbles on The Mole, Kevin O'Leary in fake court, Making the Cut's winner, and much more
Dear newsletter friends,
Happy Friday the 13th, unless you are superstitious, in which case: Happy Friday!
I’ve had a long week, in part because it’s week two of the (virtual) Television Critics Association press tour—a super-valuable series of press conferences that helps me plan future coverage, but which is simultaneously stimulating and exhausting.
Lots of great stuff coming up, but let’s get to this week’s reality TV reviews and news.
I reviewed:
I interviewed:
I reacted:
Some of the best reality TV challenges ever
My The Mole season 2 re-watch is almost complete! Here are the most-recent recaps, which also happen to be about some of the best challenges in reality TV history:
An epic game of hide and seek took place in a town later destroyed by an earthquake
The Mole brings back its ‘hideous game,’ and a wild animal freaks out the crew
Reality TV show news
It’s official: Jeopardy’s new host is Beauty and the Geek’s former host, and he pulled a reverse Jeff Probst!
The Circle, Indian Matchmaking, and The American Barbecue Showdown have all been renewed by Netflix
MTV’s Cribs and The Challenge both returned this week, as did these other reality shows
Life Below Zero: Next Generation changed its cast, and will premiere after Life Below Zero’s new season.
Leslie Golden sort of explained why she was kicked off Love Island. She also said in a Tik Tok video, “I did at one point get in trouble for talking about Kirsten Stewart for 20 minutes straight. They’re like, We’re so proud of you and your sexuality, however, let’s stick with the theme of the show in our conversation.”
⭐️ I recommend
This Netflix show, which was just renewed, and really grew on me during its first season
This podcast, which I wrote about a few years ago but has recently offered a behind-the-scenes look how TV is made—in this case, a new scripted show, Fantasy Island, but it’s a nonfiction podcast so I’m including it!
Catching up on this show’s first two seasons before its third season premieres next month
This interview with Jennifer Coolidge, in which she explains why Mike White wouldn’t pick her as his Amazing Race partner, and analyzes why she thinks he did well on Survivor
That’s everything for this week! Have a terrific weekend.
best,
Andy
🌄 This is Reality in Focus issue 255, first sent Aug. 13, 2021, and it has “Tiny Bubbles” stuck in its head, too.
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