Why Survivor blindsided me and Top Chef disappointed me
Dear newsletter friends,
Happy spring, although it already seems like summer here in Florida. 🥵
It’s been quite the month since I last wrote to you on Monday! I hope you’re well in your self-quarantines, which suck but is also so much better than the alternative.
If you haven’t browsed it yet, I put together a list of 9 comforting, even quiet reality shows to watch or stream right now—several of which you may have not heard of or thought about.
In the last week, The Bachelorette joined the list of shows that stopped production, although it had planned to stay in the U.S., maybe just filming in the mansion. But of course, that’s literally the opposite of not social distancing, and standing at least six feet apart doesn’t make for a great season of TV.
Also this week, My Life on the D-List co-star Maggie Griffin, Kathy Griffin’s mother, died at age 99.
While that’s very sad, she lived a full life and gave us so much entertainment on and after the show—and she even wrote a book, which of course is titled Tip It!
Alas, I haven’t been able to find My Life on the D-List anywhere to re-watch it (suggestions?), with the exception of the season 1 DVD, which is $8 on Amazon.
Survivor, Top Chef, Buddy vs Duff
Reviews and recaps aplenty!
Survivor: Brutal, brilliant backstabs at Survivor’s two Tribal Councils (I was shocked!)
Top Chef All Stars: Welcome back, Top Chef! Now please rise to the level of your all-stars. (I was underwhelmed!)
Buddy vs. Duff 2 review: it’s a vastly improved show (I was surprised!)
There was other reality TV that premiered this week, too: here’s the list of March 16 to 22 premieres.
That’s all I have for you right now, but coming later today, a story with some happiness-inducing recommendations, including this 10-second video (just trust me).
Stay well, please! And hit reply and send me a note if you have any reality TV questions, or recommendations, or need a recommendation, or just want to say hi.
best,
Andy
🌄 This is Reality in Focus issue 186, first sent 20 March 2020, and it will tip one for Maggie.
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📷 Photo of sunlight in grass by Aniket Bhattacharya