There’s no shortage of “Housewives”, “Fiancés”, “Voices”, and “Love” reality TV shows to choose from these days, but not too long ago the reality tv industry was just starting to take off. The early 2000s saw a boom in unscripted and “real” competitive and observational tv shows sprouting from a few key programs that set the stage for their success. In this episode, Emily and Katie reminisce about and explore the early days of Reality TV and the core shows that defined a genre that subsequently exploded into spin-offs and unique concepts for years to come.
What were the earliest examples of Reality TV?
What shows saw unprecedented success in the Reality TV Boom of the early 2000s?
What are some defining shows of the Reality genre?
Did Brett Michaels ever find his Rock of Love!? (Spoiler alert: No.)
https://time.com/collections/reality-tv-most-influential-seasons/6199108/reality-tv-influence-on-world/ (https://time.com/collections/reality-tv-most-influential-seasons/6199108/reality-tv-influence-on-world/)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality_television (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality_television)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivor_(American_TV_series) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivor_(American_TV_series))
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Brother_(American_TV_series) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Brother_(American_TV_series))
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Idol (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Idol)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Biggest_Loser_(American_TV_series) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Biggest_Loser_(American_TV_series))
30 Jun 2026
Look at this Thing, Isn’t it Neat?: A Brief History of Eating Utensils
What will you be using to eat your dinner tonight? You’re probably reaching for a fork, but in the history of utensils and cutlery using a fork to eat is practically brand new! When exactly did we start using forks, knives, and spoons to eat our meals? And what about chopsticks, how long have they been around? In this episode, Emily and Katie explore a brief history of what we use to eat and drink and some of the more unusual instruments that have been set at tables throughout the years.
When did humans first start using utensils to eat?
What else do cultures use to eat food?
How did the use of forks become popular?
How old are chopsticks and have they changed at all over the years?
https://www.thedailymeal.com/1264581/kfc-spork-success-origin-story/ (https://www.thedailymeal.com/1264581/kfc-spork-success-origin-story/)
https://www.google.com/url?q=https://leitesculinaria.com/1157/writings-origins-fork (https://www.google.com/url?q=https://leitesculinaria.com/1157/writings-origins-fork)
https://www.salon.com/2012/10/06/consider_the_spork/ (https://www.salon.com/2012/10/06/consider_the_spork/)
https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/everyday-innovations/invented-spork.htm (https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/everyday-innovations/invented-spork.htm)
https://stixasia.com/chopsticks-101-types-materials-and-cultural-significance/ (https://stixasia.com/chopsticks-101-types-materials-and-cultural-significance/)
https://www.history.com/articles/a-brief-history-of-chopsticks (https://www.history.com/articles/a-brief-history-of-chopsticks)
https://www.saveur.com/weird-victorian-forks/ (https://www.saveur.com/weird-victorian-forks/)
https://www.bonappetit.com/entertaining-style/trends-news/article/history-of-the-straw (https://www.bonappetit.com/entertaining-style/trends-news/article/history-of-the-straw)
https://www.rosenberg-library-museum.org/treasures/victorian-silverware (https://www.rosenberg-library-museum.org/treasures/victorian-silverware)
16 Jun 2026
It’s in the Cards: How Card Games Create Community
Most people have a deck of cards in their home and a go-to game for gatherings. Where you live or your cultural background might influence that game more than you think! Maybe you enter Euchre tournaments, or Spades makes an appearance at your family get together. What about the playing cards themselves? Have you ever wondered where all of those symbols came from? Or why certain cards are used in different ways depending on the game? In this episode, Katie and Emily deep dive into that 52 card collection that has led to endless variations of games.
Why is Euchre the cardgame of the Midwest?
How did the standard suits come about?
What are the cultural connections to different card games?
What is the history of the standard 52 card deck?
https://www.wopc.co.uk/the-history-of-playing-cards/early-history-of-playing-cards#Saracen (https://www.wopc.co.uk/the-history-of-playing-cards/early-history-of-playing-cards#Saracen)
https://www.wopc.co.uk/egypt/mamluk-playing-cards (https://www.wopc.co.uk/egypt/mamluk-playing-cards)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playing_card (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playing_card)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whist (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whist)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triomphe (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triomphe)
https://scalar.usc.edu/works/pest-problems-as-result-of-food-waste-in-london-boroughs/the-untold-history-of-spades-and-how-it-spread (https://scalar.usc.edu/works/pest-problems-as-result-of-food-waste-in-london-boroughs/the-untold-history-of-spades-and-how-it-spread)
https://pudding.cool/2021/08/spades/ (https://pudding.cool/2021/08/spades/)
https://www.midstory.org/in-the-euchre-belt-a-declining-national-pastime-is-still-dealing/ (https://www.midstory.org/in-the-euchre-belt-a-declining-national-pastime-is-still-dealing/)
https://medium.com/@jasonboog/the-legend-of-euchre-402d419679b5 (https://medium.com/@jasonboog/the-legend-of-euchre-402d419679b5)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
64
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.7 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 29 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
19
Social presence
0
YouTube
63
Engagement
32
Contact Researching the Obvious
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