All reality show and documentary TV reviews on reality blurred by TV critic Andy Dehnart. (Learn more about Andy.)
Norm calls The Real World Homecoming: New York a time machine, but for me it’s a wormhole between this pandemic year and my teenage years, allowing instant passage back and forth, so we can live in two places at once. And it’s perfect.
It’s been seven years since HGTV aired Design Star, and the show’s return, as Design Star: Next Gen, is a vast improvement over its predecessor, though it will only be on Discovery+ after the premiere.
Nadiya Bakes is classic instructional cooking TV, like Barefoot Contessa but for baking, anchored by Great British Bake-Off winner Nadiya Hussain’s love of her craft.
Tough As Nails, which is occupying Survivor’s timeslot this spring, has an innovative format, entertaining and dramatic challenges, and a great cast.
In the light new truTV competition Fast Foodies, Top Chef Seattle winner Kristen Kish, Top Chef California winner Jeremy Ford, and Top Chef Kentucky contestant and Iron Chef winner Justin Sutherland compete, drink, and have a lot of fun with their celebrity guests.
Netflix’s Blown Away has not changed significantly in season two, which is both a relief and, honestly, a bit of a disappointment.
Netflix’s new Best Leftovers Ever is a calmer and more competent version of Nailed It, while Britain’s Best Home Cook is a new show for Bake-Off’s Mary Berry but doesn’t live up to its predecessor. Yet both have plenty to enjoy.
