One of the most bizarre reality shows to surface in recent years has been the Discovery Channel’s “Naked and Afraid,” which first aired in 2013.  

This popular series revolves around two contestants – usually a woman and a man – dropped into rigged, remote environments with no clothes, food or water. Their goal is to endure the wilderness for 21 days, relying on survival skills and wits.

As days pass, contestants grow weaker. Starvation and illness are real because finding food is challenging, even for the most experienced. Several have experienced food poisoning and dropped out. Hypothermia is a constant threat because being naked removes protection from heavy rains and humidity.

On the final day, there’s an arduous hike to an extraction point as viewers are updated with PSR (Primitive Survival Rating) statistics.

The first spin-off – “Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing” – is currently in its second season – set in Oribi Gorge in the northern region of Limpopo, South Africa. Contestants vie to outlast each other for 45 days to win $100,000.

Inevitably, viewers have questions about whether or not what we’re watching is ‘real’ or staged. Answers about authenticity vary:

Are they really alone? That depends. During the day, there’s a production crew but at night participants are alone with only a diary/camera recording every move.

Are they really nude? Yes – although editors blur all their private parts. Working at computers, visual effects editors use a stylus/tablet to create an amoeba-like blur.

How far from civilization are they? Not as far as you think. They’re usually close to emergency services and often only a few miles from local inhabitants.

Where do they go to the bathroom? Anywhere they want.

Can they bring more than one personal item? Yes. Showrunners decide what they can and cannot bring.  Usual items are a machete, fire starter or metal pot. Water purifiers are not allowed but drinking water is often provided, although this is not shown to audiences. All contestants must sign a non-disclosure agreement.

Can they call for help? Contestants receive an emergency radio transmitter/walkie-talkie and whistle. They each wear a necklace with a center bead/microphone that’s connected to a wireless audio transmitter hidden in their cross-body satchels.

Are the interpersonal fights scripted? Somewhat…being in high-stress situations can naturally lead to strained relationships, which are encouraged and edited for dramatic effect.

Wild animals are shown: have they attacked? So far, no – except when a producer was bit by a pit viper and required airlifting to a local hospital.

Do contestants ever have sex? According to reports: no. They talk intimately but apparently – being dirty and tired – they lose their libido quickly.

Do the women get hygiene products? Yes – tampons are distributed for sanitary and safety reasons because blood would attract predators.

Why do some contestants “tap out”? Medical crises, hunger and loneliness.

On the Granger Gauge of 1 to 10, “Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing” is a survivalist 6 – with new episodes airing Sunday nights on the Discovery Channel through Sept. 15.

Whatever happened to the light, frothy romantic comedy? Major studios aren’t making them anymore but some of the streamers, like Netflix, are trying.

Brooke Shields stars in “Mother of the Bride,” playing Dr. Lana Winslow, a world-renowned geneticist/single mother whose grown daughter Emma (Miranda Cosgrove) returns a day early from a trip abroad to declare she’s decided to get married in Phuket, Thailand.

Used to being in charge, judgmental-yet-supportive Lana realizes that she must take a backseat during this lavish ‘destination’ wedding which is being bankrolled by the ‘lifestyle’ social media company that ‘influencer/wannabe brand ambassador’ Emma works for. 

But then Lana discovers that Emma’s fiancé RJ (Sean Teale) is the son of Will (Benjamin Bratt), the man who broke her heart back when they were in college.

Lana’s still hurt by Will’s ghosting her years ago, so she manages to physically maim him as often as possible. There are predictable pratfalls, parental rivalries, confidences exchanged by Lana’s horny, hard-partying sister Janice (Rachael Harris) and sassy gay chums (Wilson Cruz, Michael McDonald), plus a brief interlude with Lucas (Chad Michael Murray), a hunky young doctor smitten with Lana.

Meanwhile, Emma juggles her mom’s angst with the stress of dealing with Camela (Tasneem Roc), the authoritative corporate ‘brand manager’ who’s snagged a five-figure wedding dress from “the next Vera Wang” and centerpieces from the vendor “who did Meghan and Harry’s wedding.”

Written by Robin Bernheim Burger (“The Princess Switch” trilogy) and directed by Mark Walters (“Mean Girls”), there should have been many opportunities for satiric screwball comedy – reminiscent of Julia Roberts/George Clooney’s “Ticket to Paradise” – but, instead, it’s an unmitigated disaster. 

Instead of wry, observational humor about falling in love ‘the second time around” and the toxic effect of Instagram/commodification of meaningful rituals like weddings, these superficially ‘pretty people’ are all bland, underdeveloped stereotypes, and each shallow, awkward scene turns out to be more predictable than the one preceding it.

On the Granger Gauge, “Mother of the Bride” is a flimsy, forgettable 3, streaming on Netflix.