I update this updates page semi-frequently, which is to say: not often! I feel bad about that!
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First, I just realized it’s been 10 months since I updated the updates part of the web site, which perhaps I should rename to “occasional news.”
While I don’t update this part of my site that much, I do send a weekly newsletter with links to my writing and also newsletter-only content, so if you like updates, you should subscribe here; it’s free!
On to the actual updates!
Last week, reality blurred turned 19. That number seems so large I can’t quite fathom what happened to those years, though I’m thankful I don’t have to pay for its college education.
I’m really enjoying—and recommend!—these three summer reality shows: Holey Moley, Love Island, and Press Your Luck.
A few other recent highlights:
I’ve published three stories recently:
A few shows I’ve reviewed so far this year:
Before former Apprentice star Donald Trump reached 100 days in his presidency, The Washington Post asked me to write about Trump’s presidency as compared to his time on television.
Here’s the resulting essay:
The genre known as reality TV is suffering from a lack of breakout hits. Why? It comes down to one word: fear.
I explored that in a long feature story, which appeared on the cover of The Los Angeles Times’ Sunday Calendar section:
And there are some outtakes that didn’t make it into the piece in a follow-up piece I wrote for reality blurred:
One of my favorite scripted shows last year was Lifetime’s UnReal, which used the setting of a Bachelor-like show to satirize reality television and tell soapy stories starring two strong female protagonists.
When it returned for a second season, the show had lots its way, and the first season seemed like a distant memory. I wrote about that, and my review was cited in a Variety Q&A with UnReal’s creators.
Read the story, and let me know what you think, of my take and season two:
For my first story in Pacific Standard, I explored the fascinating way reality television seems to have helped to marriages thrive, and explored research that suggests elements of reality shows can benefit all relationships.
CNBC’s The Profit just wrapped another season, and I reviewed the show and also talked about it on the radio. Check out the story, the podcast, and the show:
Last fall, I launched a new newsletter to help people keep up with the latest news in reality television—and, more importantly, the best shows. There are so, so many shows now that it’s impossible to watch them all, so I highlight the best (or sometimes, the weirdest, or funniest, or most dramatic).
Join me, will you? Subscribe here, free.
(No spam, I promise, and you can unsubscribe any time, of course—but I hope you will be with me for a long time!)