This week: All food, all the time! I share behind-the-scenes details about The Great British Baking Show, and explore what other reality TV shows can learn from it. Then, recommendations for three shows related to food, and then stick around to the end for life advice from reality TV, this time from former Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi. Mentioned The Great British Baking Show The Great British Bake Off’s time calls are fake Why Prue Leith doesn’t have her own Hollywood Handshake Questions about The Great British Baking Show, answered Recommendations Tournament of Champions: All-Star Christmas (Food Network) Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi (Hulu) Padma's new cookbook Tongue Thai'd with Pangina Heals (WOW Presents Plus) 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.

How one producer single-handedly revived a reality TV show that was cancelled by Disney-owned NatGeo—and how that has me thinking about connecting to our audiences as creators. Plus a recommendation for the first holiday season reality TV show of the year, and life advice from TV courtesy of the Barefoot Contessa. Mentioned Port Protection Alaska lives on thanks to one producer’s brilliant idea and work Alaska-Vibes on YouTube Dan Blank's Clarity Cards and newsletter Recommendations Finding Mr. Christmas (Hallmark) Kyshawn Lane @weeklyhomecheck Weekly Home Check newsletter 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 week's episode, I share what show I'd bring back for just one season. What would you choose? Also: dishwashers, country music, and Trading Spaces. Mentioned Reddit: If you could bring back a TV show for JUST ONE season... My The Mole season 1 recaps The Mole behind the scenes: an oral history of its early seasons Anderson Cooper on The Mole and its future Trading Spaces behind the scenes Recommendations The Road (CBS) Renae (RenDuH) on TikTok How to CORRECTLY Use a Dishwasher 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's episode: How I think about criticism of my own work, as it relates to a recent episode of Survivor. Plus, recommendations for two very different food competitions, and life advice from Mister Rogers. Mentioned: My Survivor 49 episode 3 recap comments on my recap Recommendations Knife Edge (Apple TV) Culinary Class Wars (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: the happy accident I made when I started writing about reality TV on the internet, and how that connects to why I think Substack is full of shit and not the best place for your writing. Plus, recommendations and life advice from TV!  Mentioned: My Start Your Blog series Why Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg went to war over WordPress Substack is full of shit Substack’s extremist ecosystem is flourishing My newsletter tool: Buttondown My website host: Deep Roots Hosting Recommendations Amazing Race 38's and its train travel Famous Last Words: Dr. Jane Goodall (Netflix) Culinary Class Wars (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: 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, the best season of Survivor I’ve watched in years! Plus: a welcome to season three, and recommendations for some heartwarming British shows you can stream for free. And stick around for life advice from the late Chef Anne Burrell. Mentioned: My Australian Survivor: Australia v the World coverage Insight Timer Anne Burrell's knife-holding advice Recommendations The Great British Baking Show (Netflix, Friday) The Great Pottery Throwdown and The Great British Sewing Bee (The Roku Channel, now!) 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!