Made from Humans: How Reality Becomes TV

reality blurred's Andy Dehnart
  • 5.0 (15)
  • TV Reviews
  • Updated Weekly

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, Couples Therapy, 24 in 24, American Ninja Warrior, 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.

  1. How Couples Therapy stays real

    5d ago

    How Couples Therapy stays real

    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: Couples Therapy Built the World’s Most Convincing Reality-TV Set Inside the Big Brother house Behind the Scenes: How Couples Therapy is produced How Couples Therapy’s directors work to create empathy, not villainy My reviews: season one and season two The Truman Show Recommendations The Chris Gethard Show season 2, episode 9 then read Liz Shannon Miller's behind-the-scenes interview TOC: All-Star Christmas Tickets from On Camera Audiences Life Advice from Reality TV Dr. Orna’s guide to active listening Credits Made from Humans: How Reality Becomes TV is copyright 2026 by Reality Blurred LLC. Find me at realityblurred.com or andydehnart.com Our theme song is “Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under the Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 License.

    25 min
  2. Survivor is my sports team

    May 19

    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 bring is chosen for them Variety's Untold Tales of ‘Survivor’ Jeff Probst's quote Watching Survivor with friends: a reflection on a social game Recommendations Survivor Borneo (Paramount+) Million Dollar Secret (Netflix) Credits Made from Humans: How Reality Becomes TV is copyright 2026 by Reality Blurred LLC. Find me at realityblurred.com or andydehnart.com Our theme song is “Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under the Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 License.

    22 min
  3. Creating a cooking competition from scratch

    May 13

    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 advice from reality TV, this time from Padma herself. Plus: Why this show has a new name! Mentioned 2026 New Voices AMPLIFY Creators 24 in 24's Ikea set location My America's Culinary Cup review Why Padma Lakshmi didn’t want blind judging on America’s Culinary Cup Iron Chef America is fake, in case you didn't know Recommendations Couples Therapy (Showtime and Paramount+) The Comeback (HBO Max) Extra Hot Great episode 613: Iron Chef S03.E23: Squid Battle (from Dan Cassino) Credits Made from Humans: How Reality Becomes TV is copyright 2026 by Reality Blurred LLC. Find me at realityblurred.com or andydehnart.com Our theme song is “Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under the Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 License.

    23 min

  4. Apr 1

    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 Flavortown's town square inside Guy's Grocery Games? An investigation RuPaul's Drag Race and Guy's Grocery Games: how their sets were designed Justin Warner's TOC video Eric Adjepong on Wildcard Kitchen, hosting, and how  Recommendations House of Villains season 3 (Peacock) Wildcard Kitchen (Food Network/HBO Max) Another Day Closer Vivaldi FreeTaxUSA Credits Andy Dehnart’s Reality Blurred is copyright 2026 by Reality Blurred LLC. Find me at realityblurred.com or andydehnart.com Our theme song is “Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under the Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 License.

    31 min

  5. Mar 25

    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 from reality TV from Iman. Mentioned ABC is trashing The Bachelorette season 22 The Bachelorette’s PR nightmare is exactly what ABC ordered After using racial tension to promote The Bachelorette, ABC cancels Roseanne over a racist tweet What The Bachelor franchise should do to change its own systemic racism Recommendations Dating Around (Netflix) ...and these four dating shows Credits Andy Dehnart’s Reality Blurred is copyright 2026 by Reality Blurred LLC. Find me at realityblurred.com or andydehnart.com Our theme song is “Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under the Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 License.

    20 min

  6. Mar 18

    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? What choices were in the hands of the fans? How Survivor became a game of cheerful mercenaries, and why Rob Cesternino is responsible 11 revealing Survivor and Jeff Probst tidbits from his profile David Borenstein's Oscar acceptance speech Recommendations The Oscar-winning movie Sinners (HBO Max) Weapons, starring Oscar winner Amy Madigan (HBO Max) Fight or Flight, not Oscar-winning (Paramount+) Credits Andy Dehnart’s Reality Blurred is copyright 2026 by Reality Blurred LLC. Find me at realityblurred.com or andydehnart.com Our theme song is “Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under the Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 License.

    21 min

  7. Mar 11

    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 Anniversary Retrospective w/ Team Guido - "The Game Show" Recommendations Age of Attraction (Netflix) Rosebush Stories Credits Andy Dehnart’s Reality Blurred is copyright 2026 by Reality Blurred LLC. Find me at realityblurred.com or andydehnart.com Our theme song is “Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under the Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 License.

    18 min

  8. Mar 4

    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 America’s Culinary Cup Blind judging, Tournament of Champions’ best idea, should become reality TV’s norm Traitors season 4 finale recap: ‘In Rob we trust’ Recommendations Tournament of Champions 7 (Food Network) Vanderpump Rules season 12 (Bravo/Peacock) How to Get to Heaven from Belfast (Netflix) Curb Your Enthusiasm - "Survivor" fight Credits Andy Dehnart’s Reality Blurred is copyright 2026 by Reality Blurred LLC. Find me at realityblurred.com or andydehnart.com Our theme song is “Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under the Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0 License.

    24 min
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5
out of 5
15 Ratings

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, Couples Therapy, 24 in 24, American Ninja Warrior, 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.

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