What's coming back and what's on the move
Dear newsletter friends,
I’m continuing my recovery from the flu, and feel slightly less like I’ve been run over by a train. Now it’s more like I’ve been trampled by a stampede of cats.
I’m still catching up on TV, but there has been some big reality TV news this week, so let’s get to it.
Drag Race All Stars is moving to premium cable, meaning you’ll have to pay to see it.
Love Island season 2 has a premiere date, which is several months earlier than season 1’s premiere. It’ll also have a weekly recap show.
The Apprentice is basically coming back, just with Bethenny Frankel and on HBO Max, the new streaming service. It’s not called The Apprentice, but it seems just like it to me!
In an interview with Variety, Bethenny said the difference between her show and The Apprentice “is literally apples and skyscrapers” because “This is a lot of comedy. … This is a lot more showing the personal side, and the warts.” But she also said, “I think it’s a more authentic version of The Apprentice, because it’s really my business.”
So, yes, it’s The Apprentice. It’s also produced by Mark Burnett.
Also returning: So You Think You Can Dance for season 17, which is great news. 💃🕺
However, perhaps not great news for the one SYTYCD judge who may be dropped, since they’re not mentioned at all in the press release.
Survivor
In honor of Survivor’s 40th season, an entire Jeopardy! category was devoted to the show.
Here are all the Survivor Jeopardy category answers and questions—which will be disappointing if you’re expecting a deep dive into Survivor trivia.
I recapped this week’s episode, on which winners played like terrified amateurs. Perhaps their game play was smart, but the safe, easy choice sure isn’t dramatic.
What was dramatic, though, was Tony and his ladder, which is proof that the show doesn’t need gimmicks and even more advantages, it just needs great characters.
A new Life Below Zero started this week, but it’s actually a rebranded show, not a brand-new series.
I interviewed the show’s EP about How Life Below Zero: Port Protection is different from the shows that form its name.
Other premieres this week include the return of Forensic Files, plus a new 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days.
ICYMI, I wrote about this season of Project Runway—which I’ve been enjoying for the most part, but I focused on Project Runway’s Sergio problem.
That’s everything! Have a great Friday and weekend.
best,
Andy
🌄 This is Reality in Focus issue 182, first sent 21 February 2020, and it’s wary of ladders from Home Depot.
💌 If you like this newsletter, forward it to a friend! If you're that friend, you can subscribe here!
💻 This newsletter is hand-crafted in Florida by me, Andy Dehnart, and is supported by reality blurred patrons and paid subscribers to this newsletter. Become a patron or upgrade your newsletter subscription!
✅ Bookmark realityblurred.com and visit daily for the latest of my reality TV news analysis, reviews, and commentary.
📷 Photo of a rainy, foggy road by Filip Zrnzević