Locals are everywhere on reality TV

Approximately every nine seconds, a child is born in America. And approximately every 15 seconds, a new reality TV show debuts.

I may need an editor to fact-check that second point, but it certainly feels like we are living through the boom times of reality television. While I’m not typically a big reality TV watcher, there is currently way too much Boston-specific news in the world of unscripted television to ignore.

In this week’s edition of The Queue, we’re checking in with four reality TV shows, starting with an update from the Boston season of  “Love Is Blind.”

The latest from “Love Is Blind: Boston”

Audience engagement editor Zipporah Osei (who also edits The Queue!) is recapping each episode of “Love Is Blind” Season 11, so be sure to read her in-depth report of the first five episodes of Season 11. And if you’re a real fan of the series, sign up for her limited-run newsletter.

For those who aren’t familiar with “Love Is Blind,” each season puts a group of singles on a set where they can flirt with each other but cannot see each other. The only way to interact face-to-face is with a proposal. 

After five episodes, the 30 Boston singles on the show have netted a total of six proposals. Of those pairings, Zipporah highlighted two that seem more likely to make it to the altar. First, there’s senior compliance manager Wilson and mental health counselor Wilnie, who is delighted to be dating her first Black man. Then there’s Rob, the oldest on the show at 38, and Michaella, who both seem smitten with each other when they meet face to face.

As for the engaged couple least likely to tie the knot? It has to be Stew and Jax. After a half-hearted “sure, why not?” when Stew asks her if she wants to marry “one of the most handsome men to have ever existed,” Jax tells the producers she never wants to be contacted by Stew again. But then the show teases a clip of them dining at Umbria in the North End, so who knows what to believe?

Reality TV round-up

Here are three rapid-fire updates on locals currently on reality TV

“The Traitors” (Peacock): Pilot Tomica Adams, who grew up in Mattapan and Framingham, is having a pretty easy time as one of the secret Traitors, mostly because all of the Faithful (whose job it is to identify and eliminate the two Traitors before they all get murdered) are terrible at reading people. Tomica has correctly identified the only player who seemingly has a clue about her identity, Victor, as her next target.

“The Voice” (Peacock) : In the final episode of blind auditions, Georgetown native Wade Turner, 18, impressed the judges with his cover of Niall Horan’s “This Town.” He ultimately joined Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine’s squad, and will fight to advance during battles next week.

“Survivor” (Paramount+): Logan Airport employee Rob Antonson told Boston.com he’s been getting some hate online after quitting during the third episode of “Survivor.” Well, allow me to add to that hate. Antonson claimed in multiple interviews that he had to leave the show due to injury and that he didn’t really quit. But beyond a tiny cut on his foot, the show’s doctors found nothing wrong with him. This all came after Rob got embarrassed strategically by his teammates and told by producers that he couldn’t vote himself out during Tribal Council. An embarrassing display all around.

Play or Skip

Have a show you can’t stop watching? Email me about it at [email protected], and your recommendation may appear in a future edition of The Queue.

Press play on these new movies and shows:

“The Death of Robin Hood” (2026)

“Robin Hood: Men In Tights” this is not. Hugh Jackman plays the Middle Ages vigilante of yore as an old, regretful man, whose legendary exploits mask the real destruction he has wrought. (HBO Max)

“The Diplomat” Season 4 (2026)

Without spoiling too much, everything you’ve loved about the first three seasons of this political series about the U.S. Ambassador to the U.K. (Kerri Russell), and her scheming husband (Rufus Sewell) is back, including “West Wing” alums Allison Janney and Bradley Whitford. (Netflix)

“Love of Your Life” (2026)

Cambridge native Rachel Morrison, the first woman ever nominated for a Best Cinematography Oscar, is in the director’s chair for this movie partially filmed in Boston, about a nurse (Margaret Qualley) whose whirlwind romance with an MIT whiz (Gabriel Basso) is marred by tragedy. (Prime Video)

But go ahead and skip this one:

“Sacrifice” (2026)

Unlike his other recent streaming efforts, this Chris Evans movie isn’t boring. The Sudbury native is quite funny as a self-absorbed movie star kidnapped by ecoterrorists (including Anya Taylor-Joy) who plan to sacrifice him in a volcano. Unfortunately, the movie doesn’t quite live up to its zany premise, and its satire is scattershot. (Netflix)

End Credits

That’s a wrap on this edition of The Queue. If you’re a fan, please consider recommending this newsletter to your friends.

Until next time, good stream hunting, everyone!