Andy Dehnart's Reality Blurred

On today’s show: It’s time for a new season of Survivor—the 49th, holy shit! And in honor of that, a behind-the-scenes look at what Survivor players wear. Plus: recommendations  for two new competition reality TV shows, and life advice from reality TV, this time from a chef at the Culinary Institute of America. Mentioned: Happier with Gretchen Rubin Why is Survivor 41 such a fiasco? Here are 5 reasons Survivor 41 finale: a streak is broken, and so was Survivor Survivor 49 E1: What a refreshing spit in the face from these wacky players! Project Runway has entered its villain era Why are Project Runway’s judges being such assholes? Recommendations Crime Scene Zero (Netflix) Marshal Knight’s Dancing with the Stars recaps Short Trip Reading Rainbow Remixed | In Your Imagination (PBS Digital Studios) Credits Andy Dehnart’s Reality Blurred is copyright 2025 by Reality Blurred LLC. Find me at realityblurred.com or andydehnart.com Our theme song is “Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under the Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 License.

On today’s show: It’s time for a new season of Survivor—the 49th, holy shit! And in honor of that, a behind-the-scenes look at what Survivor players wear. Plus: recommendations  for two new competition reality TV shows, and life advice from reality TV, this time from a chef at the Culinary Institute of America. Mentioned: Survivor rule book Why you should never judge a Survivor for their clothes Recommendations Next Gen Chef, Netflix 99 to Beat, Fox Credits Andy Dehnart’s Reality Blurred is copyright 2025 by Reality Blurred LLC. Find me at realityblurred.com or andydehnart.com Our theme song is “Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under the Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 License.

On today’s show: What the hell happened to Below Deck?! Breaking down the problems with season 12, and maybe the entire franchise. Also: recommendations for an episode, a clip, and a show, and stick around to the end for life advice from TV, this time from an Emmy winner Mentioned: Why Below Deck was such a wreck How much Below Deck: Mediterranean passengers will pay, and what they get Recommendations Bobby’s Triple Threat: Voltaggio edition Bobby's Triple Threat review Jeff Probst on the Emmys Jeopardy! on Hulu and Peacock Discover your next independent outlet! Credits Andy Dehnart’s Reality Blurred is copyright 2025 by Reality Blurred LLC. Find me at realityblurred.com or andydehnart.com Our theme song is “Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under the Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 License.

On today’s show: Independent media! Advertising! How all of this works and what’s depressing and what’s exciting. Plus, a recommendation for a three-season, Emmy-winning show, and life advice from Bake-Off host Alison Hammond. Mentioned: The Back Indie Media Drive Support reality blurred Traffic Apocalypse, Columbia Journalism Review Washington Post staffers outraged at Jeff Bezos’ stunning plan for opinion pages that prompted top editor to quit After Getting The Ruling It Wanted, New York Times Publishes 6 Anti-Trans Articles Recommendations Australian: Australia Survivor v The World and its finale 100 Foot Wave, HBO and HBO Max Watch HBO Max with a free trial The Back Indie Media Drive Credits Andy Dehnart’s Reality Blurred is copyright 2025 by Reality Blurred LLC. Find me at realityblurred.com or andydehnart.com Our theme song is “Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under the Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 License.

On today’s show: Creating and writing as an individual versus on a team, and what that means for breaks and burnout. Plus, recommendations, including a show that’s on Netflix for just a few more days, and stick around for life advice from Couples Therapy’s therapist. Mentioned: Project C's Top 50 Creator-Model Journalists What Went Wrong Podcast Recommendations Holey Moley, on Netflix until Aug. 1 Couples Therapy Intense Conflicts 🫷 The Amazing Race 37's Brett & Mark on TikTok Credits Andy Dehnart’s Reality Blurred is copyright 2025 by Reality Blurred LLC. Find me at realityblurred.com or andydehnart.com Our theme song is “Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under the Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 License.

On today’s show: Love Island USA, Big Brother, and losing momentum—with TV shows, and in our writing. Plus, recommendations for two cooking shows, and life advice from TV, once again from our friend Mister Rogers. Mentioned: Survivor used Love Island’s villa, and 5 more Love Island USA revelations Braden evicted after tie despite producers’ pathetic sanitizing of his bigotry Hamsterwatch What's next for PBS and NPR after Republicans strip funding? May 1, 1969: Fred Rogers testifies before the Senate Subcommittee on Communications Recommendations Family Recipe Showdown, Food Network The Big Family Cooking Showdown, Netflix Credits Andy Dehnart’s Reality Blurred is copyright 2025 by Reality Blurred LLC. Find me at realityblurred.com or andydehnart.com Our theme song is “Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under the Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 License.

On today’s show: Making mistakes in public as a blogger and journalist, feedback, and the scourge of reality TV network notes. Plus, recommendations from the Emmy nominations, and life advice from a writer. Mentioned How reality shows are ruined, explained by popular movies Jon Collins' blog, Jeez Jon Matt Kiser's What the Fuck Just Happened Today? SRCCON All the 2025 reality TV Emmy nominees Love on the Spectrum producers on casting, filming, and season 3’s ‘spectacular crescendo’ 12 truths I learned from life and writing by Anne Lamott Shitty first drafts: my favorite writing advice Recommendations Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Hulu Life Below Zero, NatGeo/Disney+ Love on the Spectrum, Netflix 100 Foot Wave, HBO Pee-Wee As Himself, HBO Credits Andy Dehnart’s Reality Blurred is copyright 2025 by Reality Blurred LLC. Find me at realityblurred.com or andydehnart.com Our theme song is “Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under the Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 License.

On today’s show: 25 years of reality blurred! How is that even possible? No, really—how can we create things that both last and sustain us? Also: a recommendation for one of my all-time favorite reality TV shows, plus creative life advice from Bob Ross. Mentioned Earth’s Rotation Is Speeding up This Summer—but Just for 3 Days reality blurred's archives July 2000: the first month The new best of reality blurred page Recommendations The Chair (buy via Amazon or buy via Apple TV) My coverage of The Chair All the Sharks (on Netflix) Credits Andy Dehnart’s Reality Blurred is copyright 2025 by Reality Blurred LLC. Find me at realityblurred.com or andydehnart.com Our theme song is “Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under the Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 License.

On today's show, Below Deck season 12 and its editing—and what "editing" actually means on reality TV shows. Plus: recommendations for a brilliant illustration of editing's power, a Bravo show, and a Netflix doc. Mentioned With two weeks left until it turns 25, reality blurred and I need your help Support reality blurred 💜 Save the date for an anniversary gathering and AMA! A reality TV story producer’s job, explained How I went from reality TV fan to reality TV story editor Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe - Reality TV Editing Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy review  Recommendations Next Gen NYC on Bravo Trainwreck: Poop Cruise on Netflix Credits Andy Dehnart’s Reality Blurred is copyright 2025 by Reality Blurred LLC. Find me at realityblurred.com or andydehnart.com Our theme song is “Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under the Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 License.

On today's show, two Survivor players made history as the show's first Black queer couple and shared a hilarious behind-the-scenes story. Plus: a bittersweet recommendation for a TV show. Mentioned "How we met" and "Is it too late for a showmance?" Honoring the Journey: The Deconstruction of Sister Christian by Leslie Nease One last Worst Cooks with Anne Burrell is coming soon—after a pitiful ‘special’ Recommendations Anne Burrell's show, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, Discovery+ Credits Andy Dehnart’s Reality Blurred is copyright 2025 by Reality Blurred LLC. Find me at realityblurred.com or andydehnart.com Our theme song is “Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under the Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 License.

In today's episode: Life Below Zero’s cancellation and the effect on its behind-the-scenes community, and my recent experience in writing community at the Kenyon Review Writers Workshop. Plus: three podcast recommendations, including the great Rebel Spirit, and life advice from the Golden Girls. Mentioned Life Below Zero cancelled, ending after 23 seasons Life Below Zero is back, after NatGeo cancelled all the other LBZ shows Dear Top Chef: an open letter to a show adrift Recommendations Akilah Hughes' Rebel Spirit Lisa Cooper Ellison's Writing Your Resilience It's My Screen Time Too: A Conversation About Children's Media Credits Andy Dehnart’s Reality Blurred is copyright 2025 by Reality Blurred LLC. Find me at realityblurred.com or andydehnart.com Our theme song is “Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under the Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 License.

In this episode: Behind-the-scenes details about American Ninja Warrior, including why season 17 has changed so dramatically. Plus: two recommendations and reality TV life advice from Double Dare host Marc Summers. Mentioned Summer 2025 reality TV schedule and guide American Ninja Warrior is trashing its format, dumping Mt. Midoriyama, $1 million prize Behind the Scenes of American Ninja Warrior Recommendations Jeopardy! Masters (ABC/Hulu) Next Gen NYC (Bravo) Credits Andy Dehnart’s Reality Blurred is copyright 2025 by Reality Blurred LLC. Find me at realityblurred.com or andydehnart.com Our theme song is “Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under the Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 License.

In today's episode: The great Showtime series Couples Therapy, and how its set makes its intimate conversations possible. Plus: recommendations for three gossipy podcasts, and life advice from Dr. Orna Guralnik. Mentioned Survivor on reality blurred Survivor turns 25! Introducing a new series of cast interviews Erik Reichenbach and his ‘weird relationship’ with Survivor Kathryn VanArendonk's Couples Therapy Built the World’s Most Convincing Reality-TV Set Couples Therapy (Showtime) Recommendations Normal Gossip Our Ancestors Were Messy What Went Wrong Credits Andy Dehnart’s Reality Blurred is copyright 2025 by Reality Blurred LLC. Find me at realityblurred.com or andydehnart.com Our theme song is “Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under the Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 License.

In today's episode: Survivor's premiere was 25 years ago this Saturday. Do you remember where you watched? I share my memories—and my plans for special coverage of the show this summer. Plus: recommendations for two shows and two reads, and life advice from Survivor Borneo's Rudy, RIP. Recommendations Survivor Borneo (Paramount+) The Dish with Kish (Peacock, NBC.com, BravoTV.com) Southwest Airlines was fine just the way it was. Then private equity came along. by Gwen Howerton Where Did Our LUV Go? by Joseph Guinto Credits Andy Dehnart’s Reality Blurred is copyright 2025 by Reality Blurred LLC. Find me at realityblurred.com or andydehnart.com Our theme song is “Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under the Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 License. Correction: Survivor's anniversary is May 31, not May 30. It's like a birthday: I wanted it to be here so soon!

In today's episode: Why The Amazing Race 37 was such a great season, in part because it had a team that led with joy and fun—and why I sometimes missed that in my recaps. Plus: great news about Sesame Street, and a recommendation for a video in which fiction comes to life. Mentioned My Amazing Race 37 recaps Amazing Race’s Jonathan explains his ‘extreme reactions’: he has autism 3 incredible facts about Amazing Race 37’s timeline Recommendations The Amazing Race 37 (CBS, Paramount+) Sesame Street: coming to Netflix and revamping its format I made a Wallace & Gromit contraption in real life! - Joseph's Machines Credits Andy Dehnart’s Reality Blurred is copyright 2025 by Reality Blurred LLC. Find me at realityblurred.com or andydehnart.com Our theme song is “Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under the Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 License.

In this episode, I discuss the challenges of completing the next draft of my memoir, specifically what to include about my on-location reporting about Survivor, and why it's important for writers to share our solitary struggles. Plus: recommendations and life/writing/creativity advice from Mister Rogers' famous crayon-making episode! Mentioned Awesome Etiquette episodes 555 and 556 What would you like to know about Survivor seasons 17, 18, and 19? Mister Rogers' Neighborhood season 14 episode 18: "How People Make Crayons" Recommendations Classic Survivor seasons, including Survivor Borneo Carrot Weather Awesome Etiquette Credits Andy Dehnart’s Reality Blurred is copyright 2025 by Reality Blurred LLC. Find me at realityblurred.com or andydehnart.com Our theme song is “Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under the Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 License.

On today's episode, I share news about a streaming service deleting hundreds of shows, and why that happens. Then, I discuss why media outlets don’t delete articles, and why that might be changing. Plus: recommendations for a returning competition and a cancelled competition, and life advice from Top Chef host Kristen Kish. Mentioned Max purged 150+ Food Network, Discovery, TLC shows and seasons Real World Homecoming has been deleted by Paramount+ HBO Max is deleting these 6 reality shows, and fired... When Online Content Disappears Student Media Alert [PDF] Turkish student at Tufts University detained, video shows masked people handcuffing her Op-ed: No one should be arrested or deported for writing an op-ed Recommendations Claim to Fame, Hulu My recaps Why Claim to Fame & Holey Moley are dead (for now) The Devil's Plan, Netflix My season-one review Student Press Law Center Credits Andy Dehnart’s Reality Blurred is copyright 2025 by Reality Blurred LLC. Find me at realityblurred.com or andydehnart.com Our theme song is “Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under the Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 License.

This week: A super-brief episode with three fast recommendations because I cannot actually talk, so apologies for having to listen to 50 seconds of this. (Congrats to the virus I caught; you win this one!) I'll be back with a new episode in a week or two. Recommendations Got to Get Out, Hulu My review The podcast The Dream The Vicks Sinus Inhaler Credits Andy Dehnart’s Reality Blurred is copyright 2025 by Reality Blurred LLC. Find me at realityblurred.com or andydehnart.com

In this episode: I talk about the transformative experiences I had at TCA press tours—and what they are, and why one is not happening this summer. Plus: three reality TV recommendations, including two returning shows and one two-season show. Mentioned The Television Critics Association Why the Big Brother twist BB Takeover disappeared Bachelor producers blindsided by obvious questions Survivor producer Mark Burnett to me: "You ask such stupid questions" Tyra Banks allowed me to ask her two whole questions, and I asked the wrong ones Recommendations America Outdoors with Baratunde Thurston, PBS Passport, Hoopla (season 2), Amazon My review America's Test Kitchen: Next Generation, Amazon Prime Video My review Love on the Spectrum, Netflix My interview with its producers/creators Credits Andy Dehnart’s Reality Blurred is copyright 2025 by Reality Blurred LLC. Find me at realityblurred.com or andydehnart.com Our theme song is “Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under the Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 License.

Why I started publishing satirical stories on April Fool's Day, why I stopped for a few years, and why I continue to miss the early 2000s internet. Plus: two Netflix recommendations and a story about "how to survive anything." Mentioned reality blurred April 1, 2001 and 2008 Satire: ABC fires Ty Pennington, producer from Extreme Makeover: Home Edition In Touch corrects the record about reality blurred’s April Fool’s Day Ty Pennington story My 2025 April Fool's Day stories: Don’t take this personal, but you will never be casted on reality TV and The Survivor 50 cast’s new big twist The Verge: April Fools’ Day 2025: the best and cringiest pranks Recommendations Million Dollar Secret, Netflix (my review) The Residence, Netflix (based on The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House) J Wortham’s My 10-Day Crash Course on Surviving the Apocalypse and how to survive anything Credits Andy Dehnart’s Reality Blurred is copyright 2025 by Reality Blurred LLC. Find me at realityblurred.com or andydehnart.com Our theme song is “Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under the Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 License.