’Tis the season for reality television!
Taylor Smith | Arts & Entertainment Editor
Illustration by Victor Chambers
With the coming of fall followed a massive release of reality shows across multiple streaming platforms and cable networks.
The Golden Bachelor
The Bachelor universe goes geriatric with new Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner. The show trades out its sexy young adults with dapper seniors looking for a second chance at happily ever after.
The first episode of the new series is set up similarly to traditional seasons, with cheesy entrances and awkward introductions, and feels like ABC’s newest attempt to win back a larger audience. Turner is a sweet 72-year-old widower who audiences can easily fall in love with, as long as they can get past watching grandparental figures entangled in steamy make-out sessions. New episodes of The Golden Bachelor air on Thursdays at 7 p.m. central on ABC.
Bachelor in Paradise
Just when you thought this summer couldn’t get any hotter, past Bachelor and Bachelorette contestants landed on the coast of Mexico for the 9th season of Bachelor in Paradise and the vibes are vibing. What was the hot topic in this first week of paradise? Sucking toes.
On day one, a love triangle between three previously unremarkable contestants has already begun to unfold. Fans can expect to see plenty of “lick-able abs'' and more of Brayden’s fabulous dangly earrings. Not only does host Jesse Palmer promise a wild and dramatic season, but also shocks viewers with the news that this summer will not only end in engagements, but also in a wedding. With six couples already starting off the season strong, more drama surely awaits on this season of Bachelor in Paradise on ABC. New episodes of Bachelor in Paradise air on ABC Thursdays 8 p.m. central after The Golden Bachelor.
Love is Blind
The hit Netflix dating show has released the first eight episodes of its fifth season, and Vanessa and Nick Lachey are once again forcing lonely singles into the pods, this time in Houston, Texas. In this season, the eligible singles who are sick of being judged on their fit physiques and gorgeous faces are taking to the pods to find what has been difficult for them to attain on the streets: love.
After 10 days of blindly quizzing the opposite sex and diving deep into personal trauma, unlike previous seasons, only three couples manage to get to an engagement in time for a quick getaway in Mexico. This season is full of jaw dropping bombshells, sycophantic characters, a walking American flag, and plenty of scandals making it a binge-worthy watch. New episodes of this chaotic season will be released on Oct. 6.
The Kardashians
Cheers! America’s royal family is back for season four in Hulu’s The Kardashians, and they are off to Cabo.
The new season picks up with the fight heard around the world between Kim and Kourtney, who have suddenly realized talking behind one’s back in front of a camera is not a smart move. Kourtney is looking for good vibes and declaring her independence from the United States of Kim. Meanwhile, the rest of the family ships off to enjoy a nice vacation where Khloe tries her first beer and attempts to overcome her fear of whales. Overall, this may just wind up being the most un-relatable season yet, and America is ready to eat it up.
Great British Baking Show
Rhubarb and genoise and jiffy cakes, oh my!
Paul Hollywood, The Breadfather and judge, brings those dazzling blue eyes back for season 14 of The Great British Baking Show alongside Prue Leith. Host Noel Fielding is joined by a new counterpart, actress Alison Hammond.
12 new amateur bakers rise to the season's first challenge with cake week, and for the first time in the show’s history, Tasha Stones becomes the tent’s first deaf baker. Episode one brings back the iconic cringe-worthy skits layered with the lighthearted competition that the fans know and love. This episode is jam packed with tedious vertical roll cakes, a famously rich technical challenge, and an animal themed showstopper that proves to be ruff. While Hollywood does not dish out one of his rare handshakes, he does give an even rarer hug. New episodes of the sweet confection are released every Friday on Netflix.
