Best Baker in America

I recognized FIVE contestants from previous Food Network outings - and I don't even have cable TV! I watch occasionally on the road so evidently the food network has a rotating stable of contestants to fill up their empty slots. They seem to be fed quips from production to pump them up for more gigs at a later date. Their introductions never seem to mention, "was a contestant on this-show, that-show, and whatever-show." The fact that Jason was anointed as a star just shows the bottom of the barrel in casting judges, too. His cornpone routine was tiring when he was a "contestant" and it's tiring now. The fact that none of the bakers in the episode I'm watching know that there IS a difference between a "macaron" and a "macaroon" illustrate the same barrel-delving as produced Jason.

The show is an interesting concept and could be enjoyable except for one fatal flaw, Jason Smith. They need to put him out like a donkey at a horse show.

I liked Jason on Food Network Star, but he is sure igetting tiring on Best Baker. He's no match for his co-judge, a real expert, and his folksy sayings are getting ridiculous. Scott is one of the most unappealing judges on Chopped and that continues on Best Baker. The premise and the contestants are GREAT! But a new host and a new judge would bring the popularity of the show way up!

I love Jason Smith so much. He is my favorite! He seems so kind and he is very knowledgeable. He makes me laugh too. I absolutely loved him on Holiday Baking Championship. I was so happy to see him get his own show. I don't quite understand why Carla Hall has basically taken over the show. She is on EVERY Food Network show now! Why? This was Jason's only show, and now she is stealing the spotlight. Too much Carla is NOT a good thing. Carla is a judge on several shows now. I just watched her on Holiday Baking Championship. She wasn't as annoying as she is on Best Bakers. She is just so over the top ridiculous on Best Bakers in America.

I like the concept of the show, with the elevated dessert offerings (rather than, say, bread pudding, which is often made on "chopped" as a dessert). the contestants are interesting and really seem focused on creating beautiful and different desserts. otherwise, it really is just another elimination-type show.

However, Jason, the judge who won Food Network Star, is too over-the-top for me, with his loud wardrobe, braying southern accent and constant farmyard-related sayings (usually regarding pigs or chickens) make me want to strangle him. I wonder if this is why he never got a show, as the other winners have in the past. a little bit of him goes a looooong way.