REPOST: The Reality of TV with Max Dawson

In light of recent events, we're reposting a podcast originally published in March 2013 with Survivor 30's Max Dawson. Check it out if you'd like to familiarize yourself with Max, or if you'd simply like to relive the eternally glorious Shamar Thomas era. A written transcript of this podcast is also available here.

It's impossible to fully appreciate shows like Survivor unless we understand the wider context that underlies them, so we asked Max Dawson, media consultant and professor at Northwestern University, to tell us what we need to know. He paints a vivid picture of the state of the American television industry at the turn of the century and explains how the show we all love revolutionized its genre and television as a whole, before looking at how reality TV has grown and changed over the past decade. We then return to the show that started it all, talking about the evolution of Survivor over the years in everything from casting to editing to gameplay, and try to find words to express our - and seemingly everyone's - collective disappointment with the current season [Caramoan]. Finally, Max tells us about his TV course at NU (#rtvf330 for those of you in the Twitterverse), and the rewards and challenges of teaching an interactive class.

You can listen here or on iTunes here.

You can read more about #rtfv330 here and find Max on Twitter here.

Survivor 29: Season in Review

Another season of Survivor has, if nothing else, become part of the historical record. But is San Juan del Sur worthy of a higher general opinion? Just how strong was Natalie's game and where does she fit in on the all-time winner rankings? Who might we see return for a future season (besides Olivia Feldman)? And what can we expect from Survivor: Collar Island? Find out on the player below, here, or on iTunes here.

Survivor 29: Pre-Finale Commentary

Better late than earlier, we are reunited this week to give some questionably hot takes on the penultimate act of San Juan del Sur. In a season so chaotic, why was Jon's downfall predictable and how might he have prevented it? Will last-round draft pick Natalie continue to prove us wrong or will she fall at the final hurdle? Or could Keith actually win, showing that nothing is real and all human claims to knowledge are ultimately futile? All this and more on this week's show, available below, here, or on iTunes here.

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Survivor 29: Wesley Sniped -- Episode 10 Recap/Analysis with Ian Terry

With Dom's internet out of commission, Big Brother 14 champ Ian Terry fills in to break down the latest Survivor happenings and, more importantly, remind oppressors that America will not be made anybody's bitch. Are we being beaten over the head by a classic winner edit or might Jon and Jaclyn find themselves in jeopardy down the line? Was Natalie right to coach her biggest threat into staying alive? And what's scientific approach to an endurance challenge? All that PLUS our comprehensive candy bar rankings when you listen below, here, or on iTunes here.

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Survivor 29: In Which Jeremy is Extinguished (ta-da!) -- Episode 9 Recap/Analysis with Kos

In a world where Josh and Jeremy are the first two merge boots, spending two hours predicting what's yet to come is a fool's errand. Fittingly, here we are to do just that, joined once again by confirmed Amanda fanboy Kos Kosdrosky. Was flipping best for Jon and Jaclyn or have they simply managed to focus the target squarely onto themselves? How does Reed proceed from here, and is he a serious contender or just the latest red herring? Plus, find out how much money Colin has decided to donate to Kos this season when you listen below, here, or on iTunes here.

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Survivor 29: Miss Misch-igan -- Episode 8 Recap/Analysis

After arguably the least exciting merge vote literally ever, we're back today to talk about everything but that.  While it seems clear that Missy and Baylor are this season's meal ticket, whose plate (and bank account) are they going to fill?  How do things change now that Jon has found the "Hidden" Immunity Idol, and is Jaclyn a serious winner candidate? Plus, we dive into the mailbag to give our barrelfire takes on your questions about seasons past and present. Listen below, here, or on iTunes here.

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Survivor 29: Punting the Sweet Fantastic -- Episode 7 Recap/Analysis

With our typical representation from God's greatest nation back and restoring order, we return today to break down the latest happenings of Survivor: Pairs vs. Singles: Josh vs. Jeremy: Mockingjay: Part 1. After offering parting thoughts on the most pathetic casting decision in recent memory Julie, we debate which figurehead will be left standing after the critical merge Tribal Council and how likely is it that they can convert a win from there. Plus, how can aspiring porn stars Jon and Jaclyn position themselves to be long-term decision makers? Will Missy be blinded by playing with her own daughter or will she be able to ... divorce ... herself from her emotions? And what can America's Player, Keith, do to turn this backwoods circus into a million dollar payday? Find out when you listen below, here, or on iTunes here.

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