Why you love The Challenge, why Survivor's merge was pointless, and much more
Dear newsletter friends,
Happy (almost) Halloween! While Halloween is probably my least-favorite holiday, I’ve been enjoying my neighbors’ decorations, many of which have become increasingly elaborate displays.
As a kid, I probably wouldn’t have stepped anywhere near houses with skeletons crawling all over them, or yards full of corpses, even if it was for free candy. Thankfully, I can now just buy bags of candy and eat it myself.
Speaking of scary:
I did some service journalism this week, and found the haunting song from Jojo Siwa’s creepy DWTS performance. You’re welcome.
I was genuinely terrified that hundreds of pop culture experts chose the best TV shows of the century and:
only chose this one reality TV show, plus two documentary series. Do you think that’s really the best show to have premiered since 2000?
If you’re a fan of horror movies and reality TV—or not—here’s what slasher movies can teach us about reality TV.
The Challenge’s milestone and other TV this week
The Challenge turned 500! It’s aired in four different decades now, so I asked those of you who love it what keeps you tuning in. The result:
Also:
I reviewed this new PBS series that I definitely recommend.
Here are this week's reality TV premieres and documentary premieres 🎃 🎃 🎃
Survivor is getting scarier
To continue the Halloween theme: Survivor’s merge episode was terrifying—this time, the nonsensical twists meant no Tribal Council.
At this point, I’m hoping for a cast mutiny like in season one.
Don’t forget: You have just two more weeks to watch two of Survivor’s best seasons on Netflix, including the great Survivor Cagayan.
News about reality TV stars
Survivor Fiji cast member Michelle Yi was one of three people stabbed and hit with a pipe by a woman who was later arrested. While social media posts initially identified this as an anti-Asian-American hate crime, Santa Monica police said “There is no indication whatsoever that this was a hate crime. Unfortunately, the suspect suffers from mental illness and it appears she was off her medication.”
The Bachelorette’s Katie Thurston and Blake Moynes broke up. It’s almost like getting engaged after knowing someone for a few days just isn’t a great way to meet a life partner.
The Kardashian-Jenner family ended their E! show earlier this year, and are now filming their new Hulu show.
From the Archives: Behaving badly
Remember last year when a bunch of Survivor and Big Brother alumni went to Florida in the middle of a raging pandemic to raise money for critically ill kids—and then openly flaunted how they were breaking the rules?
⭐️ I recommend
This show, airing Tuesdays at 9 and streaming free
Your fellow readers’ reasons why they watch The Challenge
These books about reality TV or these books by reality TV stars, if you’re looking for something to read or something to gift
That’s everything for this week. I hope you have a terrific weekend. Here in Florida, I’m looking forward to spending some time outside thanks to our first cool weather of the year!
best,
Andy
🌄 This is Reality in Focus issue 265, first sent Oct. 29, 2021, and it would most definitely smash the hourglass.
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📷 Photo of a pumpkin by Masha