A Reckoning for Reality TV

Who could be next on the picket line. July 28, 2023 After spending so much time lately thinking about the actors and writers on strike, today we've got the scoop on [why reality shows could be next for a major upheaval](. We're also sharing advice on [how to talk to an aging parent about their finances]( and breaking down [a new TikTok trend that's more concerning than it appears](. And speaking of trends, you'll be ahead of the curve with [these stellar earbuds that aren't plain white](. Let’s get started!   In the News [Bethenny Frankel on TV Static Background]( Giphy Reality Reckoning The SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes are continuing to make massive waves, including the postponement of the 75th annual Primetime Emmy Awards until an unknown date. They're also having a ripple effect into entertainment's forgotten stepchild: reality television. We’re taking a peek behind the curtain at [why reality stars say they’re treated unfairly](. The reality: Shows like The Bachelor and The Real Housewives are often seen as a shortcut to fame, fortune, and Instagram sponsorships. But former cast members tell us that putting your life on camera comes with big risks. “You say something you shouldn't have said or do something you shouldn’t have done, or get in a fight, and then your life is ruined and you get canceled,” Bethenny Frankel, The Real Housewives of New York City alum, tells us. Don’t check me unless you got a check for me: As SAG actors are fighting for better residuals, many reality stars are saying they’re getting left behind, too. They don’t earn residuals at all, nor do they get a cut of profits on merchandise bearing their catchphrases and even their names. We’ve got a look at [what stars like Frankel are demanding]( to repair the unfair compensation and why this matters even if you’ve never seen a minute of reality TV. [READ MORE]( PASS THIS STORY ALONG: mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20Wake-Up%20Call%21&body=https%3A%2F%2Fkatiecouric.com%2Fentertainment%2Fmovies-tv%2Freality-tv-union-strike-bethenny-frankel%2F   More Stories [Bathroom in Mar-a-Lago full of filing boxes]( Getty Images Fresh charges: Prosecutors added new charges in former President Trump's handling of classified documents that were found at Mar-A-Lago, including his alleged request that surveillance footage be deleted. A new defendant — maintenance official Carlos De Oliveira — was also charged in the alleged scheme. Meanwhile, Trump's lawyers met with special counsel Jack Smith’s office amid a looming indictment over efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Here's more about [the charges Trump might face](. On shaky ground: Some GOP senators are concerned about Mitch McConnell’s health since an apparent medical episode on Wednesday. The 81-year-old minority leader froze while speaking to the press, and appeared disorientated as aides led him away. The incident follows a fall in March which saw McConnell suffer a concussion, plus reports of other falls this year per CNN. No one has publicly called for McConnell to step down, but an unnamed senator told NBC News that he "kind of" thought he should. The heat is on: President Biden on Thursday announced new steps to protect workers from extreme heat in industries like agriculture and construction. He noted that such work can be life-threatening in high temperatures, adding that some employees "don't even have the right to take a water break." This comes alongside the news that this July is almost certainly the hottest month on record, and Earth's hottest in about 120,000 years. Ticked off: As many as 450,000 Americans may be living with "alpha-gal syndrome," a meat allergy linked to tick bites. In one of two new CDC studies published Thursday, researchers identified 110,000 suspected cases since 2010, but those only represent the patients whose doctors ordered antibody tests. The second study found that 78% of healthcare providers were unaware of the condition, and many who had heard of it wouldn't know how to diagnose it.   Must-Reads [older couple stand on a fifty dollar bill]( Planning Ahead It's never easy to admit an aging parent needs help with their finances. A financial advisor has tips on how to have this conversation. [Read More »]( [man and woman with thought bubbles in front of them]( Lost in Translation Sometimes it really does feel like men and women are from different planets. Two experts weigh in on how we communicate differently. [Read More »]( [TikTok trend ''Girl Dinner'']( "Girl Dinner" A new trend is taking over TikTok: Women are showing off their random assortment of snacks. Here’s why critics are calling it problematic. [Read More »](   Extra Credit New chapter: If you’ve torn through your summer reading list, we’re here to help. [Our editors share the books they couldn’t put down](, and we’re reading everything from hard-hitting nonfiction to breezy novels. Holy grail: When it comes to my beauty secrets, I’m a firm believer that sharing is caring! Here are [the products I won’t leave home without](. Stay cool: Suffering from night sweats? Snag a set of sheets that makes you forget that your AC is broken. Cozy Earth is hosting a summer sale, where you can get up to [25% off their cooling bamboo bed sheets](, pajamas, and more.   Look Out! [A flag with a shark warning flies as beachgoers depart Nauset Beach in Orleans, Mass., on July 26 ]( A flag with a shark warning flies as beachgoers depart Nauset Beach in Orleans, Mass., on July 26 (Getty Images) We wrap up our celebration of Shark Week with a helpful word from After the Bite director Ivy Meeropol. She told us about [a helpful app that monitors when sharks are nearby]( in Cape Cod, where more and more of the underwater predators have been showing up lately to feast on the growing seal population. If you’re headed to the area for a swim, you’ll definitely want to check this out first.   Listen Up [Samsung earbuds]( Need a pair of earbuds, but don’t want to shell out hundreds of dollars? [These ones from Samsung]( are equally powerful at half the price. They come in a variety of hues if you’re looking for a fun pop of color. [SHOP HERE](   [Know it all, and help your friends catch up, too. Share Wake-Up Call and you'll earn some superb swag.](   Thank you for reading Wake-Up Call and being part of our community! If you have questions or comments, drop us a line at info@katiecouric.cominfo@katiecouric.com. See you tomorrow! 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