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PODCAST

Andy Dehnart"s Reality Blurred

reality blurred

Step behind the scenes with Andy Dehnart, a writer, TV critic, and creator of reality blurred, one of the internet"s most enduring blogs. Andy—"the pioneer of reality TV criticism," according to the YouTuber Barfbag—pulls back the curtain for candid conversations. He offers insight on reality show producing, blogging and writing, and offers recommendations for great TV and pop culture. Join Andy for an insider"s perspective you won"t find anywhere else.

tv & film tv reviews

All Episodes

0:00

Survivor premiered 25 years ago. Where were you?

Andy Dehnart"s Reality Blurred ·

2025/05/28

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

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17:22

Amazing Race 37 and the joy of rooting for joy

Andy Dehnart"s Reality Blurred ·

2025/05/21

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,

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15:58

Mister Rogers’ crayon episode has great advice for...

Andy Dehnart"s Reality Blurred ·

2025/05/14

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

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21:12

When shows and articles are deleted

Andy Dehnart"s Reality Blurred ·

2025/05/07

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

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15:59

A good surprise and a bad surprise

Andy Dehnart"s Reality Blurred ·

2025/04/30

In this episode: When reality TV surprises me in good and bad ways, and how a good show can go wrong. Plus, recommendations for two shows, and life advice from one of the best humans—and also Martha Stewart.Mentioned Yes, Chef! Top Chef Canada Recommendations Got to Get Out, Hulu My review Mary Beth Ellis's review of Netflix's Race for the Crown World Central Kitchen Credits Andy Dehnart’s Reality Blurredis copyright 2025 by Reality Blurred LLC. Find me

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:50

Three recommendations, a two-week break

Andy Dehnart"s Reality Blurred ·

2025/04/16

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 Blurredis copyright 2025 by Reality Blurred LLC. Find me

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16:35

Why I’ll miss being in a hotel for weeks this summer

Andy Dehnart"s Reality Blurred ·

2025/04/09

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

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21:06

The history of April Fool’s Day on reality blurred

Andy Dehnart"s Reality Blurred ·

2025/04/02

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

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17:14

What’s the Deal or No Deal Island with spoilers?

Andy Dehnart"s Reality Blurred ·

2025/03/26

In this episode, Project Runway dumps Tim Gunn, and what I forgot he told me years ago; the never-ending struggle with spoilers and how it relates to NBC repeatedly spoiling Deal or No Deal Island’s finale. Also, recommendations for Below Deck Down Under and actions you might want to take to protect your privacy, and life advice from Tim Gunn.Mentioned Project Runway 21 made three great hires, and screwed Tim Gunn again My interview with Tim Gunn about his solo Bravo show Deal or No

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15:32

Following The Amazing Race 38 in real time

Andy Dehnart"s Reality Blurred ·

2025/03/19

We can track production of The Amazing Race season 38 in real time, which just kicked off filming in the Netherlands, thanks to dedicated fans who work together to scour the internet. Besides appreciating TAR's incredible logistics, I also talk about two interviews with Survivor winner Parvati Shallow, exploring her now-timeless strategy, before sharing recommendations for a new TV show, a web browser, and a useful website. Mentioned The Amazing Race Hub on Discord My Amazing Race

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24:51

Filthy Temptation interview burnout

Andy Dehnart"s Reality Blurred ·

2025/03/12

In this episode, I dive into the challenges of preventing burnout as a solopreneur, talk about interviews with Temptation Island’s Mark L. Walberg and Filthy Fortunes and Hoarders’ Matt Paxton, and share recommendations for getting your information off the Internet and keeping the sun off your skin. Mentioned Below Deck recaps Secret Lives of Mormon Wives recaps Why I'm boycotting Target Matt Paxton interview: On Filthy Fortunes, Matt Paxton is clearing clutter—and helping families

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24:33

Secrets of Food Network’s Tournament of Champions

Andy Dehnart"s Reality Blurred ·

2025/03/05

Let's go behind the scenes of Food Network's Tournament of Champions, the March Madness-style cooking competition, as I share insight into the how the show's blind judging, the randomizer, and parts of the production work. I also reflect on the evolution of a nearly 25-year-old reality blurred feature: my premiere calendars. Plus: recommendations for three shows and one newsletter/website. Mentioned The Wayback Machine on archive.org realityblurred.com in fall 2000 Spring 2025

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16:29

How court shows pay, and how I found journalism in...

Andy Dehnart"s Reality Blurred ·

2025/02/26

In this episode, I discuss how court reality TV show verdicts are not paid by litigants, and then tell the story of my first experience in journalism, which was thanks to two high school teachers. Plus: recommendations for an old Bravo show and some journalism-related resources.Mentioned: My interview with Hot Bench judge Rachel Juarez Recommended: The Student Press Law Center The Newseum Tabloid Wars my review bookmark on Amazon Prime Video, in case it

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18:24

Improv lessons from Snatch Game, and life lessons...

Andy Dehnart"s Reality Blurred ·

2025/02/19

Why has RuPaul's Drag Race's Snatch Game been so disappointing in recent seasons? I have a theory, and discuss that, how I got started in improv, and the significance of saying "yes, and" in comedy and life. Plus: recommendations for a podcast and free ebooks, and life advice from TV, starring Quinta Brunson. Mentioned: Another stinky Snatch Game proves Drag Race needs a lesson in the art of improv SAK Comedy Lab classes Recommended: Vibe Check How We Fight for Our Lives

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16:09

Why do you want me to delete that?

Andy Dehnart"s Reality Blurred ·

2025/02/12

A request to delete part of a story I'd published; how a major broadcast network show uses consumer-grade tech; and recommendations for Black History Month stories, plus re-dubbed versions of Cinderella, Dance Moms, and Harry Potter.Mentioned My interview with Extracted showrunner Rob Buchta reality blurred’s editorial policies Recommendations The Cinderella parody Other voice-over parodies by JordyBuzz, including Dance Moms and Harry Potter Everyday Black

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20:13

A chat with Coach D and Captain J’s advice

Andy Dehnart"s Reality Blurred ·

2025/02/05

A 5K shout-out fills me with nostalgia; a conversation with Coach D from Bring It! offers some interesting revelations about what Lifetime wanted from the Dancing Dolls; recommendations for useful phone calls; and life advice from TV, this week featuring Captain Jason from Below Deck Down Under.Mentioned: My interview with Dianna Williams: Why Bring It ‘fell apart’ and how her new Dancing Dolls show is different Recommended: Below Deck Down Under season three My episode-one

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0:00

Survivor’s camera camps: behind the scenes of a crew...

Andy Dehnart"s Reality Blurred ·

2025/01/29

Today, we go behind the scenes of Survivor’s camera camps, the off-limits to players area where crew who film at tribe beaches go to rest and recharge, literally. Also, I talk about why I didn't write about The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives earlier, and share recommendations, including for a trip on a space elevator. Mentioned My review and first recap of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Survivor Australia's first medevac and on-screen sighting of the camera

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20:46

Failed interviews, and finding joy despite the flurry...

Andy Dehnart"s Reality Blurred ·

2025/01/22

How I'm trying to stay focused on what matters despite the river of b.s. that's raging. Plus: behind-the-scenes of two failed interviews, and recommendations that include Ryan Seacrest falling over, tee hee! Mentioned: David Gate's "Joy is an Act of Rebellion" poem and poster (no more bumper stickers, alas!) Martin Luther King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail" four quotes from it Recaps of Deal or No Deal Island season 2 My "Effective Interviewing" online workshop on Saturday, Feb

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15:16

Fires, freelancers, and the fight against writer’s block

Andy Dehnart"s Reality Blurred ·

2025/01/15

In this episode: How the people who make our reality TV are being affected by wildfires; procrastination and perfectionism; recommendations; and, once again, some TV wisdom from The Golden Girls.Mentioned TheFundraisers for Hollywood Crew Members Affected by LA Firesspreadsheet my story about it Nina Metz's column: "SoCal are fires yet another devastating hit to Hollywood" The Mole behind the scenes: an oral history of its early seasons Recommendations The Traitors on

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14:33

New year, new podcast

Andy Dehnart"s Reality Blurred ·

2025/01/08

Welcome to the first episode of my relaunched podcast. In today's episode: recaps, reviews, recommendations, and other things that don't start with R.Find me at https://www.andydehnart.com and https://www.realityblurred.com. Full episode 201 show notes are at: https://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/podcast/andy-dehnarts-reality-blurred-episode-201/

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41 results

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