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Good Eats

(Rated TV-G, Educational, Starring Alton Brown, Where to watch: Food Network, DVD)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Quirky culinary comic mixes food, science, fun.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The series offers informative, easy-to-understand explanations of the science behind cooking. It combines science and humor to create a fun, positive educational experience.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Occasional mild references to violence, but within the context of "fighting" a problem associated with preparing a specific food.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Some extremely mild sexual innuendo (such as vague references to The Naked Chef) that will go over young viewers' head.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    On very rare occasions, Brown will mention a product brand name, but only in the context of what works best in a recipe.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Alcohol (wine, beer, rum) is occasionally used in a recipe.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Good Eats

Parents need to know that this cooking show -- which offers easy-to-follow recipes and tips accompanied by food science, history, and humor -- is fun and educational for both kids and adults. Host/star Alton Brown's witty, smart approach sometimes includes some very mild references to violence and sexual innuendo, but they'll go over young viewers' head.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how television can promote science and learning. Can TV shows geared toward educating people be informative while also being interesting and fun? What shows can you think of that fit that description? Families can also talk about cooking. What are your family's favorite meals? Kids: Have you ever tried cooking? Would you like to? What would you like to make?

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Our Members Say

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See all 8 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    My family watches this show together

    I watch this with my daughter. I only know how to cook because of Alton Brown, so it is nice that my 5-year-old can join me in watching it. In fact, I let her start watching when she was 3. Certainly there is reference to alcohol, in recipes, and occasionally in actual mixology. However, this doesn't bother my family, since we just explain that alcohol is for adults only. For recipes that include it, it leads to a great discussion of volatile chemicals. AB is an imaginative, funny, and inventive teacher, passionate about what he does, and he doesn't fear math, chemistry, engineering, nutrition, or history. Or beets. Kids can understand some of it, and my daughter knows what an emulsifier is, what happens when you whip cream, and how a lever works, from watching that show. So unless your family is stricter than mine about alcohol, or doesn't care for occasional dark humor (like the Sweeney Todd Halloween episode, which was so funny I couldn't breathe), I don't see too many potential problems.

  2. I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages

    funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    this show is funny every time i watch it i lol at least once i love food network but mostly the compitions except for this i love alton brown its funny educatinal and very good

  3. I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages

    Perfect and education for all ages!

    I love Good Eats. It taught me how to make lots of different food. Your children will want to cook new foods every day. Goods eats is like a normal cooking show mixed in with Bill Nye the Science Guy. I love it!

  4. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Colorado
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Never Bad!

    The best show ever! A fun, cute cooking show! It's not bad AT ALL!

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

    Spectacular Cooking Show

    Good Eats is full of witty, fun food science, and some seriously delicious looking "good eats." Brown makes all of the science easy (and fun!) to understand. The comedy is completely appropriate for all ages (mild comic violence and some innuendo that kids won't understand). A great family show!

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