Made from Humans: How Reality Becomes TV

reality blurred's Andy Dehnart
  • 5.0 (17)
  • 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. The Real World Hawaii episode that started it all

    3d ago

    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 Surf! BB28’s cast: Salina EsTitties, Rick Devens, Dee Valladares Big Brother Watchtower on Surf Social   Why and How I Wrote That: The Real World Hawaii My Real World Hawaii premiere recap  All my Student.com recaps and writing   Recommendations RuPaul's Drag Race season 11 episode 9 Guess the World   Tip Tips: real recommendations + affiliate links! Open an Ally bank account Hilton Honors Marriott Bonvoy   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. Oʻahu and Diamond Head photo by Cosmin Serban/Unsplash

    27 min
  2. How Love Island and Big Brother find their casts

    Jul 1

    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 stick around to the end for life advice from reality TV, this time from The Real Housewives of Rhode Island. Unscripted Updates In the Shadow of Eight: Surviving the Reality of My Childhood by Collin Gosselin Kate Gosselin speaks out on estranged son Collin after scathing post Another Love Islander disappears for using racial slurs Alannah's bad apology Comcast spinning off NBCUniversal and Comcast Versant cable networks Behind the Scenes Love Island USA application Big Brother finals casting process: how it works, rules finalists must follow Ian and Dan discuss Sucks, Jokers strategy, how Big Brother finals casting hasn’t changed in years Big Brother contract: the legal agreement houseguests sign Recommendations Nick and I on Emily Post Wedding Stories with Lizzie Post. Listen here! 15 great podcasts from the other AIR New Voices AMPLIFY podcasters and creators The Real Housewives of Rhode Island (Peacock) 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.

    38 min
  3. Queering Love Island USA—or queerbaiting?

    Jun 24

    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 around to the end for life advice from reality TV, this time from drag queen Delta Work. Unscripted updates Top Chef 24 is delayed; 3 Top Chef Carolinas scheduling mysteries, solved Project Runway’s new judge: Tyra Banks 💀 The Traitors fired Fergus James Wallington on The Floor's finale Get my newsletter! Analyzing the analysis Why Bryce and Zach, and their girth check, are giving Love Island USA fans a semi Peacock's "The bromance is real" Gerald's comments Recommendations Boman Martinez-Reid’s Love Island parodies: one, two, three The hidden mics of The Price Is Right Widow's Bay (Parks & Recreation Opening Titles) 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. Life advice from reality TV $150 to appear on Network Television?! | GO OFF DELTA! #193 "Very Delta" Episode #193 (w/ Charles Galin King)

    28 min
  4. Below Deck Med's male-centered mayhem

    Jun 17

    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 Wrong: Below Deck Med season 11 edition Guess what's back after Below Deck Down Under? Below Deck Med season 10 ended with a threat Below Deck Med recap: Joe and Kizzi’s cruelty, Nathan’s diatribe Curtain Pull Love Island USA’s kissing is even sloppier and slurpier than usual. Yuck! Survivor used Love Island’s villa Recommendations Outlast (Netflix) Why Netflix’s Outlast ends with a race, and other questions, answered Stephen Fishbach's book: Escape! My interview with Stephen The 10 reality shows nominated for 2026 TCA Awards 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.

    26 min
  5. Is Top Chef still Top after Top Chef Carolinas?

    Jun 9

    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, also from Top Chef host Kristen Kish!  Curtain Pull Top Chef doesn't want you to see this 'sensitive information' Charlotte paid $1.2 million for Top Chef. Did they get their money's worth? Review Review Top Chef Carolinas finale recap: toast the winner Dear Top Chef: an open letter to a show adrift Top Chef spoiled/solved the Restaurant Wars/Last Chance Kitchen mystery Kristen Kish is the best part of Top Chef Wisconsin How America's Culinary Cup was cooked to be paired with Survivor Recommendations The Dish with Kish Fast Foodies (stream free on truTV) Memoir and other true queer stories for Pride Month Accidentally on Purpose by Kristen Kish 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.

    26 min
  6. When I was voted out—on live TV

    Jun 3

    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 contracts Story Time: Great American Think-Off C-SPAN C-SPAN broadcast: "Is Democracy Fair?" (watch below) Andy Dehnart on C-SPAN recent Think-Off debates on YouTube Recommendations Bad Lip Reading - The House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and George Santos House of Villains (Peacock) 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.

    28 min
  7. How Couples Therapy stays real

    May 26

    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
  8. 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
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5
out of 5
17 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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