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!

A fun, light, baking competition hosted by wonderful culinary and comedic talent. I found it thoroughly entertaining. I don't understand how some reviewers can only criticize Sandra's wardrobe? I thought she was apropos and looked like her beautiful self. Jason Biggs is adorable and the White House chef is a great touch. The hosts seem to gel well and bring a nice vibe.

This show is about being good at all aspects of baking and holds true to its campy theme. It amazes me that so many people can win hundreds of competitions with their recipes. I have much to learn on the baking front and this show is a well put together and entertaining exhibition of talented bakers across the country.

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.

So let me just preface this review by saying that being from the UK I'm a big fan of GBBO. I've watched it since it began back in 2010 so i was going to be hard pushed to find anything that beat the show's format. That said I was interested to watch a lighter hearted version. I enjoyed the baking aspect and could even forgive the judges lacking any chemistry. Then Sandra Lee with her flailing arms and hands and then finally Jason Biggs as the lack lustre and not at all funny host. I remember him from his American Pie days and perhaps had expectations that this humour would carry though. However I was willing to overlook all of this.

But oh my goodness that constant background music from beginning to end, even when the contestants bakes were being judged was so irritating to me, to the point where I had to turn on subtitles on and mute the sound.

It honestly completely ruined the full "viewing" pleasure for me. To have background music almost CONSTANTLY isn't necessary and the tunes were over the place.

So yes this I my main big reason for marking it down. Take that away and I may have enjoyed it a little more.

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.