Blue Ribbon Baking Championship

Ok I love cooking shows like Master Chef, British Bake Off, Chopped and all the lesser ones that can be fun even though they are God-Awful like the recent Ciao House and Next-Level Chef.

As a general rule, I hate State Fair themed things, so keep that in mind as you read this. It's a stretch on so many of the challenges to stay within the confines of this theme. Some of them seem repetitive.

The contestants are the usual suspects: Sweet -looking- but-tough -competitor grandma, insecure young professional in another field, older gentleman in his second-act career, Mom, Gay perfectionist, exhausting optimist /deprecating jokester who is constantly "up"....

Finally, to the meat of the matter: co-host Sandra Lee. I think you're either a fan, or you aren't. For those who don't know, her claim to fame is not as a chef or baker or even homemaker, but as "Semi-Homemade" food network host. On that program, she took store- bought ready-made items to "create" a dish. Often ridiculous, it was really fun to hate-watch. The best part was the end where she made a cocktail. She's still awkward af as she was back in the day, stiff and somewhat plastic- but on this show, her appearance is jarring. She is still a very attractive woman, but whatever work/ fillers she's had are not flattering and appear to affect her ability to express herself. That's not even the worst part- her outfits! Is she dressed up for Halloween? Her wardrobe is atrocious! Why?? It is so distracting. I am not even listening to half the show, so sidetracked am I with the absurd get-ups. Her co-host, Jason Biggs, does the best he can. I remember him vaguely- was he on a sitcom? Not sure it had anything to do with food, but he does a decent job here.

If you want something to pass the time until the BBO returns, this will do. Please - someone tell Sandra to fire the stylist!

I saw this and thought I would pop in. I don't bake any more as I don't eat baking, but I wanted to peek at the new cooking show.

I have never heard of Sandra Lee, but wow , the show producers have done her up to look like the personification of a Stepford Wife. She was painful to look at and whomever put her together needs to be fired.

Her attire is tacky. The first dress is an abomination with 50 cent plastic jewellery which is truly very awful; like play jewellery for little girls from the 1970s. The hot mess of a dress looks like someone blew up a taco, and the most absurd pair of boots I've ever seen. Picture an alien landing in a hillbilly town and trying to pass as a human, but got all the fashion decades mixed up and tried to go bold with all of them? What a nightmare. Who put her in that monstrosity?

She also talks with her hands and she should be coached out of that habit. Talking with your hands and partaking in arm waving is socially low brow. Besides, as she is standing there trying to wave in passing planes, some of that horrible plastic jewellery wrapped around her wrists and fingers could come flying off and take someone's eye out

Sometimes her mean girl shows; and I wonder if she was the mean girl back in high school. She does try, but there are some cracks in her personality.

I started episode 2, and Sandra's outfit almost made me go blind and it's such a shame she's been dressed like the local yocal.

The contestants made some fun things; very innovative. I don't like sweet desserts and probably would have enjoyed the items that were said to be not sweet enough. It was nice to see the contestants excel and Sandra redeemed herself when she started to cry over the perfect dessert.

Even if she is the executive producer, it's incredibly weird that Jason Biggs is the host and there are three judges but only one judge walks around with Jason Biggs like a co-host. Any criticism she gives is nonsense and very contradictory in comparison to the other two judges. Honestly, other than that I have no issues with the show other than them trying to push the American pie thing. My fiance told me I sounded crazy when I was getting frustrated with the way Sandra Lee acts on this show. So reading these comments is satisfying. I think judge Bill is my favorite judge. Very no nonsense and extremely experienced.

Sandra Lee sucks. She has nothing of value to add. Bring in another Judge who has experience. Take her out and this show would be 100% better. Otherwise this was ok. The whole fair set up was unbelievable. But otherwise it could be fun. I watch the whole season but frustrated witj everything Sandr Lee said. Judge Bill Yosses had the only experienced value added critics. And Jason Biggs added a fun and realistic perspective. PLEASE remove Sandra Lee!

What I liked when Sandra Lee wasn't part of it was how normal all of the contestants were. It was fun and I would like to watch another season but won't if Sandra Lee is a part of it. Have I said how much Sandra Lee ruins this show?

I was happy to see that the contents were nice and helpful to each other. That said, this is not the Great British Baking Show.

The hosts don't really bring much. And the judges, oof. Consistently will talk up one bake and then rank it second or third under obviously worse picks. Felt very inconsistent.

And what is the point of the first bakes if they have nothing to do with the competition each round? To fill the run time? I bet it's to fill the run time.

Overall, still watchable, if only for the heart the bakers put into it. I do wish there was no prize and people competing just for the love of the craft.