Jeff Probst, Hear My Plea!! (Issue #50)
This week’s theme is reality TV – the dramatic, the scripted, and the competitive!
Hi friends!
One day, I will be on Survivor. I’m serious!! It’s genuinely an item on my bucket list, and I will not embark on the journey of eternal rest until Jeff Probst says my name at Tribal Council (hopefully not to snuff my torch). I’ve thought through my entire preparation strategy, including how I’d deal with my period while on the show (a huge disadvantage!!).
But in all seriousness, engaging deeply with the world of reality TV is one of my favorite pastimes. I wasn’t raised on Survivor, but it became my ~obsession~ during the height of the 2020 lockdowns. I was hooked! I love the OG seasons, and it’s been wild to watch some of the more unhinged seasons (like the time they separated tribes by race?!?! The Aughts were a crazy time indeed). But the more recent seasons really have my heart. In 2020, CBS instituted a new policy for all their unscripted shows requiring that casts be 50% Black, Indigenous, or other folks of color. That paired with an internal shift in how Survivor specifically wanted to approach their own casting strategy (moving away from type casting) has made a huge difference in the quality of the show and its characters.
Long before these changes, Survivor was the kind of reality show that tackled hard topics. Jeff Probst never seemed to shy away from asking contestants deep questions about their lives and lived experiences, and because it’s a program that strips people of every creature comfort, the rawness of the players has always been palpable. But since the casting changes, it’s almost like the show’s tendency to go deep has been magnified. The casts are more diverse, which means you have a group of people from extremely different backgrounds forming intense community and kinship. Due to the change in Survivors' internal approach, the show doesn't have controversial “villains” anymore; instead, it’s made up of groups of wonderfully authentic, nuanced people from varying walks of life. It’s all created something that’s quite beautiful to watch unfold on my screen each week. I can confidently say no other reality show has made me cry, and certainly none as much as this one. It’s incredibly refreshing to watch a piece of media where every person is deeply likable. I love this new generation of contestants for their strengths and their flaws because, more than anything, they feel real. Every person can find themselves in this new era of casting, and it’s refreshing. The show’s mere existence disproves the long-held belief that media must be divisive or inflammatory to be entertaining. Ahhhhh and all of that is just my thoughts on casting!! Don’t even get me started on the game design, strategy, and camera work. It’s all an 11 out of 10. <3
If you want to dive a little deeper, this interview with Survivor host Jeff Probst, is a great insight into the show and its legacy. (Also, I really wish I could have been in the room when the writer described to Jeff what it meant to be a “zaddy” 💀)
And if you, like me, are already a die-hard Survivor fan (or plan to become one) make sure you check out On Fire: The Official Survivor Podcast! The podcast started during Survivor season 44, and each episode is a perfect companion for watching the show week after week. It’s a great behind-the-scenes look that illuminates player and producer perspectives. A must-listen!
So this week, I’m indulging in my not-so-guilty pleasure and giving you an issue dedicated to reality television. Enjoy!
A round-up of things to watch, read, and listen to as you head into the weekend.
The Cut: Feces, Feuds, and Unforgettable Foolery: Inside The Simple Life, 20 years later. by Matthew Jacobs.
Growing up, I loved The Simple Life, so I’m obsessed with this fun piece about the show's history. The article features interviews with a handful of producers, each sharing stories from their time working on this iconic cultural touchstone. It was cool learning how the show changed the landscape of reality TV, and of course, I enjoyed getting a peek into the drama that was unfolding behind the scenes!
YouTube: Love Island: A Flirtation with Surveilance by Broey Deschanel by Broey Deschanel
In a recommendation roundup about reality TV, this video essay is a MUST WATCH. In it, Broey examines Love Island and its filming practices from the first season to today. Whether you’ve seen Love Island or not, it’s a great look at the sometimes harmful and exploitative nature of highly watchable television. (Side Note: If you like cultural and historical deep dives of film and television, you’ll love Broey Deschanel’s entire channel!
Bravo: Summer House: Martha’s Vinyard
As part of Bravo's "Summer House'' franchise, I just couldn't stop watching their Martha's Vineyard season!! The premise of the show follows a group of folks who spend weeks together in a summer house, creating the perfect backdrop for drama. The Martha's Vineyard season features an all-Black cast, and the storylines are juicy and absolutely ridiculous. I loved it!
Substack: Love is Blind: Bodies Bodies Bodies from
“When the first season of Love is Blind premiered four years ago (almost exactly a month before the “official” start of the pandemic) we weren’t aware of the show's formula and casting archetypes. Every season we have: a star-crossed couple who thrive during the experiment, someone clearly there for the wrong reasons, the reticent man-child, the hyper mature woman you can’t believe is still single, and the Villain.”
This Love is Blind villain breakdown by
is one of my favorites. Not only is it highly accurate, but it shows the opposite of what I was saying earlier about Survivor and what can happen when a show moves away from typecasting. Reality TV is very often manufactured, and this Substack piece is a great dive into the way that villains on Love is Blind are created, received, and discussed each season.
A reflection + action for your week. Compete on your own or with friends – I dare ya!
Truth: If you had to go on any dating show, which would you choose? Why?
Dare: Host a cooking competition with friends. Have people compete solo or on a team, making a meal within the parameters given. Have a panel of judges vote for the winner, and raise the stakes by having a prize (things like a bottle of wine or a collection of trinkets from Five Below work well for this). There are lots of fun ways to customize your challenge, and I recommend checking out this Reddit thread for ideas to get you started.
Things to try + share in the group chat.
I’m obsessed with this prank idea posted by @katieoselvidge. In the video, she hides 220 tiny plastic ducks all over her parents’ house. I love harmless pranks like this, and the idea of finding ducks for years after they are hidden is genuinely so funny to me.
This recipe, which only uses ingredients from Trader Joe’s, feels like it could be the result of a fun Food Network cooking challenge! These quick and easy Bruschetta Bowls look so good and make for a great weekday lunch option.
LISTEN UP!! Netflix’s The Trust: A Game of Greed is one of my new all-time favorite reality competition shows!! After decades of reality TV, finding a new game show that feels fresh and intriguing is hard, but this show is all that and more! It follows a group of contestants who have the chance to split a $250,000 trust. But every week, they’ll have the opportunity to vote someone out, meaning the prize winnings will be split amongst fewer people. The catch is: It only takes one vote to be voted out. It makes the gameplay and strategy truly one of a kind. Promise you’ll love it, or you’ll get your money back. 😉
This past Monday, I posted a little roundup of reflections, highlights, and top recommendations for the last three months. I included recipes I’ve been loving, furniture I now can’t live without, and two exclusive pictures of my cats. Check it out here!
Have a great weekend 😊
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I also became OBSESSED with Survivor during 2020! It’s such a wild ride and every season has its own narrative. Loved this deep dive!