News & updates

• ❑ Wednesday, Jul. 10, 10:01 am | Sarah D. Bunting

  Gothamist reports that the "Courtesy, Professionalism, Respect" slogan we've all seen (read: "rolled our eyes at the false promise of") on NYPD vehicles since the late '90s is out. The new decals -- which apparently cost close to $1,400 per vehicle; our tax dollars at...something -- will read "Fighting crime, protecting the public." I don't know where to begin snarking on this (but Hell Gate is on it).

• ❑ Wednesday, Jul. 10, 8:58 am | Andy Dehnart

  Coming tonight: My first recap of Claim to Fame season 3! Look for it after the premiere ends. I do love this show—if you haven't gotten on board, check it out.

• ❑ Monday, Jul. 8, 2:55 pm | Andy Dehnart

  Six drag queens—Alaska, BenDeLaCreme, Jinkx Monsoon, Monét X Change, Peppermint, and Willam—all former Drag Race participants, have created Drag PAC, with a goal of "protecting LGBTQ+ rights though democratic action in 2024."

  In a video, the queens talk about why they created it.

  Right now, Drag PAC's website has information on registering to vote, checking your registration, planning to vote.

  That's similar to vote.gov, where you can register or check to make sure your registration is still active and hasn't been purged, which has been happening with alarming frequency.

• ❑ Sunday, Jul. 7, 12:07 pm | Andy Dehnart

  Shark Week starts tonight. If you watch, keep in mind what scientists found when they watched 32 years of its programs: it's largely a bunch of bullshit.

• ❑ Wednesday, Jul. 3, 8:54 pm | Andy Dehnart

  Here's three great reality TV reads for the long July 4 weekend—or any time, really:

  • The Swan 20 years later: Contestants reflect on makeover competition to Meredith Blake in the Los Angeles Times
  • The Bachelor producers acknowledge ‘vicious cycle’ of racism in the franchise, as Greg Braxton reports in the Los Angeles Times
  • Allow Her to Reintroduce Herself: Chef Dawn Burrell Is Back. The Top Chef alum is profiled by Brittany Britto Garley in Eater
• ❑ Wednesday, Jul. 3, 9:41 am | Sarah D. Bunting

  They had me, and then they lost me. Deadline reports that Amazon Prime "has ordered a documentary series about the 2022 University of Idaho murders and the investigation, arrest and upcoming trial of Bryan Kohberger in connection with the case" -- with "Liz Garbus (Lost Girls, I’ll Be Gone in the Dark) and Matthew Galkin (Murder in the Bayou)...set to co-direct the docuseries." Fantastic! Perhaps a measured, insightful take on the tragedy! ...Not so fast; the series will be "based on an upcoming nonfiction book by best-selling author James Patterson and journalist Vicky Ward." No offense to either of the latter -- I think Ward is legit, though I haven't read her stuff; Patterson just has his name on too many titles in the genre at this point, and I haven't had great luck with the couple I've tried -- but I do hope the doc does its own thing.

• ❑ Saturday, Jun. 29, 9:09 am | Sarah D. Bunting

  Nancy O'Dell (Entertainment Tonight, not to mention a legendary Project Runway task) is set to host a syndicated daytime true-crime show this fall. Peter White at Deadline reports, "Crime Exposé with Nancy O’Dell, a new daily, syndicated half-hour true-crime series...will launch on September 23," telling "the story of one murder per episode."

  Also of note, IMO: "Each episode will end with the Safety Spotlight, a brief informative safety-tip that follows up on each day’s story delivered by the series’ own law enforcement safety contributor." This sounds McGruff levels of corny to me, but I guess we'll see!  

• ❑ Friday, Jun. 28, 9:56 pm | Andy Dehnart

  Big Brother Canada has been cancelled. The show announced on social media that, after 12 seasons, the show is done.

  "It's the end of an era as we say goodbye after 12 incredible seasons," the show wrote. "Season after season, each group of Houseguests delivered their own unique dynamic and iconic moments that we will never forget. But most of all, we are so thankful to have been able to go on this journey with you, the incredible Big Brother Canada fans."

• ❑ Friday, Jun. 28, 7:30 pm | Andy Dehnart

  GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics announced its 2024 Dorian TV Awards nominations, including in two unscripted categories.

  Best reality show: Rupaul's Drag Race (MTV), Queer Eye (Netflix), Top Chef (Bravo), The Traitors (Peacock), and We’re Here (HBO)

  Best TV documentary or documentary series: Black Twitter: A People’s History (Hulu), Girls State (Apple TV+), The Greatest Night in Pop (Netflix), Jim Henson Idea Man (Disney+), and Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV (Investigation Discovery)

• ❑ Wednesday, Jun. 26, 11:52 am | Andy Dehnart

  Survivor 45 jury member Drew Basile is currently doing much better on Jeopardy!, winning $91,283 over five games.

  He'll be back on tonight, Wednesday; Jeopardy's website has stats for all his games so far.

  During Tuesday's episode, Ken Jennings passed along a message from Jeff Probst—former Rock 'N' Roll Jeopardy! host—to Drew, saying "he has heard about your success on the show and was so excited" and "he was amazing on our show."