Blais Off

Review

Common Sense Media says

Science and creativity combine in fun reality recipe.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this reality-based cooking series encourages curiosity about science. Science concepts related to the recipes are illustrated with clear graphics and there are plenty of cool visuals featuring host Richard Blais utilizing various contraptions to chemically transform the flavors and structures of foods. However, this is fundamentally still a cooking show, so the attention spans of young kids may be pushed to the limit.

  • Positive messages3
    The show's central theme revolves around using science, creativity, and natural curiosity to invent new versions of standard American comfort foods.
  • Positive role models2
    The host provides a good example for kids who may be interested in exploring science or cooking as a career or hobby. His creativity in bridging those two worlds demonstrates inventiveness.
  • Violence0
    Not applicable.
  • Sex0
    Not applicable.
  • Language0
    Not applicable.
  • Consumerism1
    Occasional promotion of sponsors who contribute cooking materials and facilities to the show; each episode also features a restaurant that receives a large amount of exposure.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking1
    While most episodes may only feature drinking and smoking as background activities, the format of the show suggests that alcoholic beverages could be featured for reinvention at some point.
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What's the story?

Former Top Chef contestant Richard Blais has earned a reputation as a maverick in the kitchen, pushing the boundaries of food preparation by incorporating science and unconventional methods to create bold new flavors. Each episode of BLAIS OFF features the host taking a classic American comfort food and reinventing it in his kitchen. The new food must then face off against a classic version in a taste test.

Is it any good?

 

Most cooking shows focus on providing viewers with easily duplicated recipies that can be produced in the average home kitchen. Not Blais Off. In fact, unless you are preparing your meals in an industrial science lab, you will be hard pressed to recreate any of the meals prepared by Blais on the show. That doesn't mean it isn't fun to watch him create his outlandish dishes, however. Focusing on a classic American comfort food in each episode, Blais deconstructs our favorite meals and the science behind why they're so delicious, even as he tackles his own distinct versions. Usually there are chemicals and goggles involved.

The content on Blais Off is fun and interesting, but the presentation could be better. A stronger dose of personality and humor on the part of the host would make the show more watchable. But for anyone interested in watching a skilled chef push the boundaries of food in the kitchen, Blais Off is more than fully baked.

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about how media presents food. Does Blais Off provide a positive view of healthy eating? Did watching it make you want to eat the foods on the show? Why or why not?

  • Did you think the new versions of foods created by Richard Blais looked more delicious than the traditional versions of those foods? How so?

This review was written by Matt Springer

There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title below.
This review was written by Matt Springer
TV rating:TV-G
Network:SCIENCE
Cast:Richard Blais
Genre:Reality TV
This review was written by Matt Springer
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

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