Reality TV's Moral Quandary: Inside America's Next Top Model
The gold-rush era of post-millennial reality television has spawned a secondary industry dedicated to exposing its most controversial shows. Following last year's Netflix documentary on the fat-shaming behemoth The Biggest Loser, a new series, Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model, delves into the chequered history of this pop-culture phenomenon. It offers a depressing insight into the values of the 2000s, tracing how a show that began as a source of empowerment for Black and LGBTQ+ communities gradually lost its ethical bearings.
Featuring contributions from many former contestants, including the particularly grotesque story of Shandi Sullivan, and creator Tyra Banks—who appears alternately sheepish and accusatory—the series reveals the pressures behind the scenes. Banks claims, "You guys were demanding it, so we kept pushing," highlighting the complex dynamics between audience expectations and production ethics. This expose is a must-watch for those interested in the darker side of entertainment.
Gordon Ramsay's Culinary Adventure
In Being Gordon Ramsay, the famously abrasive chef takes on a new challenge: opening multiple floors of foodie heaven at the top of 22 Bishopsgate in London. Ramsay remarks, "This thing is going to take balls of steel," showcasing his trademark bravado. However, the six-part series also reveals a softer side, with glimpses into his family life and biographical excerpts recalling his council estate upbringing.
He describes an intense, sink-or-swim apprenticeship under Marco Pierre White, adding depth to his persona. While the show is a feast of swearing and theatrical jeopardy, it's unlikely to change anyone's opinions about the chef, but it provides an entertaining look at his professional and personal worlds.
True Crime and Espionage Thrills
For true crime enthusiasts, Girl on the Run: The Hunt for America's Most Wanted Woman tells the startling story of Sarah Jo Pender, convicted of murder in 2002. The case involves a violent boyfriend, drug deals, and an illegally purchased firearm, but takes a dramatic turn when Pender escapes from a maximum security prison in 2008. The documentary focuses on the four-month manhunt to apprehend her, resulting in a grimly gripping affair.
Meanwhile, The Night Agent continues its stealthy success as an intelligent espionage drama. Starring Gabriel Basso as deep-cover agent Peter Sutherland, the third season sees him reluctantly teaming up with journalist Isabel, played by Genesis Rodriguez, to investigate a dark money network. As they uncover dangerous secrets, the series maintains its blend of discretion and deadly force.
Animated Comedy and Techno-Thrillers
Strip Law offers a unique twist with an animated adult comedy about lawyers in Las Vegas. Uptight attorney Lincoln Gumb, voiced by Adam Scott, finds himself out of place in Sin City and must adapt by taking on cases involving stunt performers and freaks. With help from local magician Sheila Flambé, voiced by Janelle James, the series strikes a balance between snarky and stupid humor.
In Watching You, an Australian thriller based on JP Pomare's novel The Last Guests, Lina, played by Aisha Dee, discovers hidden cameras in a rented apartment after a one-night stand. This leads to a series of betrayals as she tracks down her voyeurs, offering a glossy but formulaic take on surveillance paranoia, with Dee delivering a persuasive performance.
Glacial Thriller Returns
The Last Thing He Told Me returns for a second season, starring Jennifer Garner as Hannah Hall, who must protect her difficult teenage step-daughter Bailey while her partner Owen is on the run from the Campano crime family. Despite Hannah's seemingly illogical plan to face the mob alone, the series maintains its glossy but glacial pace, failing to fully grip audiences but providing a polished thriller experience.
All these shows are available for streaming this week, offering a diverse range of entertainment from reality TV exposes to high-stakes dramas.
