writer, TV critic, teacher
I’m a writer who obsessively and critically covers reality TV, focusing on how it’s made and what it means, and a teacher who works to help other writers and creators improve their work.
Every Friday, I send a hand-crafted update about what I’ve been writing and watching, and give you recommendations about what to read and watch.
"incomparable"
"He is one of the best journalists that cover reality TV."
"if you’re interested in how any unscripted sausage gets made, he’s a regular must-read"
"What I like most about Andy's presentations and sessions is that he goes beyond just telling students what to do. Instead, he shares examples of his experiences as a working freelancer and reality television expert. Andy encourages students to pursue writing, but without sounding Pollyanna-ish about what the prospects are of landing a well-paying freelance gig. His wealth of experience with magazines and publishing—along with a wry, sometimes self-deprecating sense of humor—provides him a credible voice that really connects with students."
"Andy Skyped into my senior-level reality TV seminar and fielded my students' questions with informed and thoughtful answers. I appreciated that he didn't simply give them a canned speech but instead dialogued with my students about the field. We hope he'll visit us (virtually) again sometime!"
"...the reality-TV critic Andy Dehnart offered an aficionado’s brisk, convincing diagnosis..."
"one of the few television critics who seems to actually like reality, or at least is willing to explore how such shows might succeed"
"Nobody covers unscripted TV as thoroughly, or as well"
"sometimes spends too much time visiting with his neighbors"
“I was thoroughly impressed with Andy’s ability to put my students and I at ease and allow us to engage with the improv activities comfortably and confidently. Not only were the activities fun, but he did a great job of helping us see how we could apply the principles and skills involved to our daily lives and work.”
“I have been consistently astounded by friend and Stetson University professor Andy Dehnart's boundless capacity for watching and analyzing reality TV shows."
"I don't really watch a lot of reality television, mind you, but I must admit my day is never complete without a peek at Andy's flawless Weblog devoted to the subject, realityblurred.com."
"Andy Dehnart saw a new movement in entertainment, and was one of the first journalists to cover the genre seriously."
The Morning Callreality blurred "takes a shrewd and skeptical look at the genre without sliding into condescension. The site succeeds because its clever creator genuinely likes reality TV -- he cares when shows are done badly and he wants to vent about it. Deftly discriminating what's interesting (co-stars dating each other) from what's not (casting notices), Reality Blurred is like Cliffs Notes for the pop-culturally ignorant."
"the Pauline Kael of reality TV."
"Andy, for over a decade now, has been one of our leading chroniclers of unscripted television. What I love about his tweets and his site is [that] he's the perfect mix of a reality fan and critic. ... He's a little bit of a treasure on the unscripted front."
“Andy provided improv training for my leadership team. Not only did everyone have a blast, but they also learned so much about mindfulness, stress management, communication, and connection. The time with Andy was certainly the highlight of the retreat!”
"a Virgil to guide you through television’s latest ring of hell"
"the pioneer of reality TV criticism"
"For matters of reality TV, always read Andy Dehnart."
"Andy provided great insight into today's media culture as a moderator of our program on sex, race and religion. His work as a blogger, author, and educator helped guide the panel discussion so our audience better understood the relevance of the topic. His expertise on reality television also added a unique perspective to the conversation."
—Mister Rogers
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