What to watch, with so much on the box? This week we’re talking reality TV – and there’s plenty to talk about, including some very strange goings-on with Kim Kardashian’s face! The team from WHO’s TV podcast, Binge List, have watched all of these shows in advance – so you don’t have to!
This week’s episode of the podcast is co-hosted by by the HILARIOUS Hamish and Andy, so check it out!
Keeping Up With The Kardashians – E!
That great survivor of soft-scripted reality TV, Keeping Up with Kardashians is back for Season 15.
It seems like this family has almost surpassed the show that launched them, but new episodes keep coming.
This time we’ve got a concocted drama between Kourtney and Khloe, an endorsement of a finger massager for heavy texters, and fleeting glimpses of an embarrassed Kanye West.
You either love this sort of pretend reality or hate it. But one thing everyone can enjoy is the increasingly heavy-handed use of digital touch ups on the sisters’ faces.
‘This is the only show that uses heavier digital face filters than RuPaul’s Drag Race,’ says Binge List host Matt Denby.
‘Some of the shots of Kim Kardashian’s face were practically animation, they were so touched up!’
True Story with Hamish and Andy – Nine and Nine Now
Every group of friends has a story that becomes legendary among them, and Hamish and Andy have made some of these tales nationally famous in True Story, which is back on air.
Is this show reality or not? The storytellers in this hilarious series insist that it is all the truth – with their tales dramatised by some well-known Aussie actors as they recount their adventures to Hamish and Andy.
‘This is an excellent show, and I’m not just saying that because they’re sitting right here with me,’ Matt told Binge List listeners. ‘It’s available on Nine Now, so make sure you catch up if you haven’t already. You will love the appendix episode especially.’
The Block – Nine and Nine Now
The daddy of all Aussie reality shows, The Block, is back on Nine. This time they’re gentrifying St Kilda, with the notorious Gatwick Hotel undergoing a massive refit.
Let’s hope they’ve burnt plenty of white sage and had this building decontaminated of its often-disturbing past!
The casting, as always, is excellent and drama is already erupting as the Gatwick transforms before our eyes.
‘What I like about it, is it’s so pacey,’ says Binge List TV expert Gavin Scott. ‘But the product placement is out of control!’
Matt agrees, saying that the producers couldn’t stuff any more advertiser mentions into the show’s narratives.
‘Everyone’s just dying to get carpets installed, aren’t they?’, says Matt, ‘From Carpet Court!’
Dance Boss – Seven and Seven Play
This newie, hosted by the wonderful Dannii Minogue, is plenty of fun – especially for family audiences.
We see groups of ordinary work mates teaming up on the dance floor – so far there’s been zoo keepers, and office workers and ambos facing off against each other with some pretty amazing results.
‘This is just normal everyday people who think they might be able to dance,’ explains Binge List’s Clare Ridgen. ‘They’re all on a quest to take out $100,000 prize money.
‘It’s all good clean fun, and Dannii Minogue is a great host.’
Adds Matt: ‘Whoever chooses the music has a lot of fun – the ambos danced to Call Me by Blondie and the zoo keepers did Circle of Life! That put a smile on my face.’
Australian Survivor – Ten and Ten Play
It’s time again to outwit, outplay and outlast on Australian Survivor – which is currently airing its third season.
So far, we’ve had all the scheming and backstabbing you could possibly want, plus plenty of gratuitous male nudity.
We’ve also got champions versus survivors, with a bunch of celebs competing against members of the public.
‘I’m a Survivor superfan – but of the American version,’ says Gavin. ‘There have been problems in the past with the Australian version, but this season is better. They have tightened this season up – there seems to be less padding.’
The casting has already produced some fireworks, but has been slated for a lack of diversity.
Make sure you catch up on this week’s episode of Binge List – featuring detailed discussions of all of the above shows, including hilarious commentary from guest co-hosts Hamish and Andy. Details and player below!