PODCAST · tv
Made from Humans: How Reality Becomes TV
by reality blurred's Andy Dehnart
Step behind reality TV's scenes with me, Andy Dehnart, a TV critic, creator of reality blurred, and "the pioneer of reality TV criticism," according to the very discerning YouTuber Barfbag. I pull back the curtain on reality shows—Survivor, The Traitors, Big Brother, Project Runway, and so many more—for candid conversations about how people are turned into entertainment, and what it means. Join me for reporting, recommendations, ridiculousness, Real World references, and alliteration you won't find anywhere else.
Episodes
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Traitors: New Blood’s biggest problem
NBC's The Traitors: New Blood has been a baffling mess, and I think there's one thing to blame more than anything else: episodes that are much shorter than the ones on Peacock. Yep, I'm blaming the editing! Except: The Edit! My Traitors: New Blood recaps Recommendations The Real Housewives of New...
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Bake-Off blamed viewers for producers’ problems
This week, into the Great British Baking Show tent we go to discuss its Audience Choice week. How does it fit in to the pattern of reality TV shows—from American Idol to Survivor 50—blaming viewers for what are ultimately producers' decisions? Analyzing the Analysis Survivor 50: What choices were...
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Below Deck Med’s magnificent mess—and malevolent outcome
Bravo's Below Deck Mediterranean season 11 is over, and I break down what made this season great—and horrifying. Nathan vs. Joe, Aesha's growth, and Chef Joy's joy, and how much the production has to do with all of it. Review Review: Below Deck Med season 11 Below Deck’s semen-stained sheet is...
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How the Amazing Race turned ‘a bloody nightmare’ into TV history
The Amazing Race has an iconic, simple format. But the reality is that, during season one, many of the decisions were made while filming was underway—or after it was over. Behind the Scenes Amazing Race behind the scenes: an oral history of CBS’s first race around the world Recommendations The...
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Survivor 51’s surprise start
It's a new season of Made from Humans: How Reality Becomes TV, and today I'm looking at my expectation versus reality of Survivor 51’s premiere, and Wonka's The Golden Ticket. I Was Wrong: Wonka's The Golden Ticket and Survivor 51 What in the chocolate river is AI slop doing in Netflix’s Wonka...
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A fun recommendation and quick update
In this quick episode: An update on the premiere of Made from Humans: How Reality Becomes TV season 6, which is coming the morning after Survivor 51’s premiere. Also, a recommendation: Nation's Dumbest on Fox
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Bonus: From dinos to photos, our Emily Post wedding story
In this special episode: My husband Nick and I chat about our wedding, some highs and lows, with Emily Post's great-great grandchild, Lizzie Post, in this excerpt from the podcast Emily Post Wedding Stories. Listen to the full episode here, and also check out Emily Post Wedding Stories and…
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Big Brother’s producers on its format, 12 years ago
After this week’s Big Brother 28 elimination, I’m revisiting an interview I did with Big Brother producers Allison Grodner and Rich Meehan about the show’s format. Has anything changed in 12 years? What still needs to change? Plus: recommendations for two shows and one podcast episode, and stick...
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The two words that make or break a reality star
Two words in a reality TV star's contract can change their post-show life—but also may not be that big of a deal? A dive into exclusivity clauses. Plus: news I broke about Love is Blind, recommendations, and life advice from Canada's Drag Race. Unscripted Updates, where I discuss something from…
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Let’s drag Project Runway 22 episode 2
In this very special episode: A Project Runway 22 episode 2 recap and review, with a special guest star! Plus: news about The Challenge and a reality TV couple, plus recommendations for two shows that are polar opposites. Unscripted Updates The Challenge: Cutthroat is on Paramount+, not MTV,...
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The Real World Hawaii episode that started it all
This week: A dramatic reading of my very first reality TV recap—to celebrate reality blurred’s 26th birthday today! Also: recommendations, and, at the very end, life advice from a Survivor 50 player who’s on Big Brother 28! Intro: Join me July 8 at 8 p.m. ET for a special AMA on Bluesky and/or...
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How Love Island and Big Brother find their casts
Love Island and Big Brother have a history of casting hot dummies who sometimes turn out to be people who behave badly and maybe shouldn’t be on TV. How do they find them? How does casting work? We'll dive into two parts of the process. Also: recommendations, including for some podcasts, and…
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Queering Love Island USA—or queerbaiting?
On this week’s episode: Before Casa Amor, Love Island USA’s hottest couple were two guys! Is this finally queering up a hetero show, or just queerbaiting? And how can we tell? Plus: reality TV news you have missed and recommendations for some great social media videos you shouldn't. And stick...
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Below Deck Med’s male-centered mayhem
On this week's show: We’ve rolled into a new season of Below Deck Med, one I was dreading, but it’s actually refreshing—for the franchise and reality TV. Plus: What Love Island USA and Survivor have in common, recommendations, and life advice from reality TV, this time from Captain Sandy. I Was...
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Is Top Chef still top after Top Chef Carolinas?
On this week’s episode: Top Chef Carolinas is over, and no spoilers here as I look at the season and the franchise to ask: is Top Chef deserving of the title of top culinary reality show? Plus: two Kristen Kish related recommendations, and stick around to the end for life advice from reality TV,...
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When I was voted out—on live TV
26 years ago, just one week after Survivor premiered, I was live on TV, competing for an audience’s vote, and it was broadcast thanks to C-SPAN. Here’s the story—and video! Plus: hilarious recommendations and stick around to the end for life advice from Tiffany Pollard. Curtain Pull Reality TV...
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How a reality TV show keeps the reality TV show hidden from its cast
In this episode of Made from Humans: How Reality Becomes TV, I dive into the production of Showtime’s Couples Therapy, from the set design to b-roll to editing choices, all of which create an authentic experience, not fake drama. Curtain Pull: How Couples Therapy hides its cameras From Vulture:...
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Survivor is my sports team
Coach Probst may be tanking Survivor, but in this episode of Made from Humans: How Reality Becomes TV, I share how my love of Survivor persists, because I am like a fan of a beleaguered sports games team thing. Plus: Survivor costumes! Mentioned Survivor clothing rules: How clothing players can...
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Creating a cooking competition from scratch
On this week's show: America’s Culinary Cup and Padma Lakshmi’s dream of shaking up the cooking competition genre. Did it work? And how did it come together? I have insight from Padma and its showrunner. I also have reality TV recommendations for you, and stick around to the very end for life...
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More looks behind the reality TV curtain, please!
On this week's show: More reality TV shows are showing us their scaffolding, literally and figuratively. Some examples, and a plea for more. Plus: a bunch of recommendations; an update on the next month of this podcast; and life advice from TV, once again from Mister Rogers. Mentioned Is...
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Blame Taylor, but not for The Bachelorette
On this week's show: Once again, fans and media are piling on a person instead of the corporations and systems. Can we hold Taylor Frankie Paul accountable for her behavior but not lay the blame for the franchise's implosion at her feet? Plus: a non-Bachelorette recommendation, and life advice…
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Why Survivor 50 is so great (so far!)
On today's show: Why Survivor 50 is working for me, especially compared to the past nine seasons! Plus: three recommendations for fictional films, and life advice from the Oscar-winning director of a nonfiction film. Mentioned My Survivor 50 recaps Did Boston Rob just out himself as MAGA Rob?…
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7 behind-the-scenes stories from Amazing Race’s first season
On today’s show: The Amazing Race took off 25 years ago this week, and I have some amazing behind-the-scenes stories for you! Also, two recommendations, and reality TV life advice from an icon. Mentioned Amazing Race behind the scenes: an oral history of CBS’s first race around the world 20th...
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Love is blind judging
On today's episode: A journey through blind judging. I love blind judging but not Love is Blind, and I'm glad some viewers are no longer blind to unconscious biases on The Traitors and I wish I had a different word here than "blind." Mentioned Why Padma Lakshmi didn’t want blind judging on...
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A wonderfully ludicrous week of reality TV
This week, a quick look at this wild week of competition reality TV—and what to watch during it. Mentioned First time watching Survivor? 50th? Some behind-the-scenes things to know! How four Survivor 50 players thought about their games 30 seasons ago Two Survivor experts* pick Survivor 50…
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What one thing would you change about Survivor?
Survivor has survived for 50 seasons in no small part because it's been willing to evolve and change over the years. So what would you change about it now, if you could change just one thing? In this episode of my podcast, I share my answer. Also: recommendations and life advice from Kristen…
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Secret reality TV documents: a bonkers reading
On this week's show, I read from reality TV-related legal documents—including one NBCUniversal tried to keep secret—in character voices that my husband called "totally fucking bonkers" when he heard it. Plus: recommendations and life advice from TV. Mentioned The Profit’s secret settlement…
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Produced, not scripted: How Below Deck works
This week: Below Deck Med and Below Deck Down Under, and why producing isn’t scripting. Also: my usual recommendations, plus reality TV stars band together to show us how community and working together is the way through all of this. And stick around to the end for life advice from an iconic...
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Two Survivors, two stories
On this week's show: Two Survivor legends, two conversations for you to eavesdrop on. Plus: recommendations for free and entertaining streaming TV! Mentioned Survivor’s Sandra Diaz-Twine on Extracted, her reputation, and waiting to pounce Survivor’s Stephen Fishbach on turning ‘an insane human...
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Trolling Traitors table manners
On today’s show: Watching, noticing, and turning those things into video instead of writing. Am I helping or hurting—them and me! Also, I have three recommendations for you and self-care advice from the very first episode of Sesame Street. Mentioned Register for the free Stephen Fishbach Q&A…
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The Traitors’ Secret Traitor problem
The Traitors is back—and introduced a new twist that fell flat. In today's episode, I talk about what I think the show needs, and also share recommendations and some hilarious life advice from Rob Cesternino. Mentioned My Traitors season 4 recaps 3 Donna Kelce mysteries from The Traitors...
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Why faked scenes make The Traitors and Survivor better
What makes shows like Survivor and The Traitors better, more artistic shows? I think it's the way they fake some scenes—without affecting the game. Plus, three recommendations, and life advice from world treasure Stephen Fry. Mentioned REALITY CHECK: ‘SURVIVOR’ FAKED SOME SCENES Does Survivor use...
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Is Amazing Race an amazing way to travel?
This week: Is it amazing to travel around the world by racing on The Amazing Race? Kinda and not really! We’ll dig into what you don’t see. Also, my travels into a new medium, recommendations, and, at the very end, some helpful words from Phil Keoghan. Mentioned My TikTok account My first TikTok...
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Reality TV recaps: a recap!
This week: a recap of recaps! What do I recap, why do I recap, and WTF even is a recap today? Plus: life advice from The Real World Hawaii—really! Mentioned My Real World Hawaii recaps My reality blurred recaps Table Talk Television Without Pity Best Evidence RHAP Recommendations Beat Bobby Flay:...
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What makes The Great British Bake Off work so well
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...
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How one person kept fans connected after Disney cancelled a reality TV show
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...
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What TV show would you revive for one season?
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...
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Survivor criticism, criticized
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...
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My happy blogging accident
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...
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A fresh start can work for writers and reality TV shows
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…
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Why Survivor players wear costumes
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…
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Why Below Deck season 12 was a disaster
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...
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Riding the waves of indie media
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...
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Survivor’s best season in years
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…
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A vacation that still haunts me
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...
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Love Island USA, Big Brother, and losing momentum with TV—and in writing
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…
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I trust you with my mistakes
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…
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How I’ve spent 25 years creating the same thing
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...
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Why is Below Deck’s editing so weird—and what is reality TV editing?
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…
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Survivor’s first Black queer couple and the power of visibility
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…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Step behind reality TV's scenes with me, Andy Dehnart, a TV critic, creator of reality blurred, and "the pioneer of reality TV criticism," according to the very discerning YouTuber Barfbag. I pull back the curtain on reality shows—Survivor, The Traitors, Big Brother, Project Runway, and so many more—for candid conversations about how people are turned into entertainment, and what it means. Join me for reporting, recommendations, ridiculousness, Real World references, and alliteration you won't find anywhere else.
HOSTED BY
reality blurred's Andy Dehnart
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Made from Humans: How Reality Becomes TV have?
Made from Humans: How Reality Becomes TV currently has 73 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Made from Humans: How Reality Becomes TV about?
Step behind reality TV's scenes with me, Andy Dehnart, a TV critic, creator of reality blurred, and "the pioneer of reality TV criticism," according to the very discerning YouTuber Barfbag. I pull back the curtain on reality shows—Survivor, The Traitors, Big Brother, Project Runway, and so many...
How often does Made from Humans: How Reality Becomes TV release new episodes?
Made from Humans: How Reality Becomes TV has 73 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Made from Humans: How Reality Becomes TV?
You can listen to Made from Humans: How Reality Becomes TV on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Made from Humans: How Reality Becomes TV?
Made from Humans: How Reality Becomes TV is created and hosted by reality blurred's Andy Dehnart.
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