Lots of headlines in the reality TV world this week, from a 'Survivor' winner starring in a homoerotic movie (it has a hilarious preview that you must watch) to a 'Survivor' winner violating probation to a a 'Big Brother' star pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute drugs.

Some of the news wasn't surprising, such as official word that Rob and Russell are returning to 'Survivor' (to play against a group of 16 new cast members) and 'American Idol's' changes, which have been well-covered.

A lot, however, ranged from shocking, such as Mary Murphy's revelation that she can't scream because of cancer (and she'll need her scream since she's back on 'So You Think You Can Dance') to horrifying, like Ryan Seacrest's admission he uses placenta on his face.

We also learned that a 'Dancing with the Stars' pro will be on 'The Bachelor' in another country, a singer was asked to judge 'American Idol' but eventually didn't sign a deal, 'Top Chef' spin-off replaced its host and 'Paranormal State's' star said he's quitting the show.

After the jump, more reality TV news from Reality Blurred and a preview of what's coming on TV next week, including 'American Idol'.

It's 2011 and a bunch of new reality shows kicked off this week, and even more new and returning series come our way during the next few weeks and months, ranging from 'American Idol' and its big changes and new judges to Mike Tyson's surprising pigeon racing series.

So far this year, we've learned the identities of 'Biggest Loser's' mystery trainers, even though the show won't reveal them yet, and were introduced to Paula Abdul's new show, which was a disaster -- as was my interview with 'Survivor' executive producer Mark Burnett, who told me I ask stupid questions.

After the jump, a look at what was popular in the reality world last week, and what reality TV to look out for next week.

It's not quite the end of the year, but this past week had news about things coming up in 2011: Brad Womack's second appearance on The Bachelor was spoiled, so you can find out who he picked, if he picked anyone, while one of the 'Biggest Loser' trainers is leaving the show after next season.

Meanwhile, we learned how much money reality stars get; that 'The Apprentice' filmed two endings, one for each possible hire; the 'Big Brother' groupie who received naked pictures from at least two cast members might actually be a male college student. Americans are totally over David Hasselhoff, whose show was cancelled after just two episodes; and Sarah Palin hunting got reaction but not many people watched.

Finally, we started to celebrate the 12 Days of Reality TV, starting with Richard Hatch sitting in a tree on 'Survivor,' two dog bites in privat eparts from an aggressive dog on Bravo's 'Showdog Moms and Dads,' and three people fighting on 'The Real World' ("it wasn't not funny!").


After the jump, a look at what's coming up in reality TV this week, like 'The Amazing Race's' attempt to make history.

Last week ended with big news in the reality TV world: 'Big Brother's' Brendon admitted to cheating on Rachel after his Skype affair with a woman was exposed on Twitter; that exposure included a naked picture of him.

Meanwhile, Twitter is a little quieter now that several reality stars, including Ryan Seacrest, are still offline because their fans haven't donated enough money to bring them back.

But mostly, this week was marked with lots of quitting, starting with 'The Amazing Race,' where there was no consequence for quitting a task. On 'Survivor,' after NaOnka Mixon and Kelly Shinn got an episode celebrating their quitting, they were rewarded and showed different sides of themselves.

Finally, we learned that 'American Idol' will let its viewers vote online for finalists next year, but getting fan support doesn't translate into record sales. Last season's winner, Lee DeWyze, had the worst sales of any 'American Idol' winner.

Keep reading for more reality TV news and a preview of what's on reality TV this week.

A long holiday weekend is ahead, and between Thanksgiving and shoving other people at stores, you'll no doubt feel a need for escape. Thankfully, TV networks have us covered, airing marathons of reality shows all day Thursday and on Friday. So kick back and relax with everything from 'Mythbusters' to 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians,' and include everything in-between.

And in the meantime, catch up on stories from Reality Blurred you might have missed this past week, and see what is worth watching during the week ahead.

Casting for the 20th season of The Real World is underway, and get this, they're looking for people with ambitions and career goals. Apparently, the drinking, whoring version of The Real World is on the way out. They're looking for "aspiring actors, models, dancers, filmmakers, musicians, athletes, artists, journalists, stylists and fashion designers" or any youngin' with "interesting career goals." The Real World's producers don't have a contract with MTV beyond the 20th season. That's not to say that they won't eventually strike a deal, but it looks like Bunim-Murray is trying a return to form by assembling a cast of literate people whose desires include more than a pitcher of Mega-ritas and a hot tub threesome.

So, if you're between the ages of 18 and 24, this may be your last chance to live in a house with a bunch of strangers, have your life taped and humiliate your parents. (Just kidding, you're young. You'll have plenty of more chances to disappoint your parents.) Casting news is available online at Bunim-Murray's casting website.

[Via Reality Blurred]

Reality Blurred is reporting that ads for production assistants have popped in Australia for a possible Real World production down under. While the ads aren't always the best indication that The Real World will be taking up residence in your town, they do come courtesy of the show's production company Bunim-Murray.

The Real World hasn't been abroad since their lackluster London and Paris seasons, but seeing how dramatically the show has changed since the seminal Las Vegas season of debauchery, a trip to Sydney is bound to play like an over-privileged college kid's junior year abroad. They'll be lucky if the brain trust they send down there does anything but marvel at the lower drinking age and the availability of beer other than Foster's.