 | 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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Cake Boss
- TLC
- Genre: Reality TV
Common Sense Media says
Reality show about family business mixes sweet and sour.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this show portrays the inner workings of a family business -- but the family isn't exactly squeaky clean. Family members who work together tend to communicate in raised voices, which often escalates to flat-out yelling and bleeped language -- and sometimes results in physical outbursts involving slamming, etc. Because it's filmed inside the bakery and centers on the bake shop's outspoken owner, the show also serves as a not-so-subtle commercial for the business.
What's the story?
CAKE BOSS follows the day-to-day efforts of Buddy Valastro -- a successful cake artist and master baker at Carlo's City Hall Bake Shop in Hoboken, N.J. -- to keep his family-owned business running smoothly and honor his late father's entrepreneurial spirit. But because Buddy's team also includes his mother, sisters, and brothers-in-law, family quarrels sometimes get in the way.
Is it any good?
Cake Boss is clearly taking its cues from the Food Network's Ace of Cakes, a popular reality show following the day-to-day shenanigans at a spirited Baltimore bakery. (Sound familiar?) But while Cake Boss does at-home bakers one better by offering a bit more explanation of complex cake design and difficult decorating techniques, it relies so heavily on interpersonal conflict between Buddy and his extended family that it runs the risk of forgetting that cakes can be fun.
While it's true that Buddy isn't quite as intimidating as, say, Gordon Ramsay, he's less likable than Ace of Cake's jovial baker-in-chief, Duff Goldman. And in a head-to-head taste test between two shows built around baked goods, that could prove to be Cake Boss's downfall.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the popularity of "behind-the-scenes" reality shows about businesses. Is it the business that's interesting, or the people who run it? Do you think they're different in real life than they are on the show?
What are the pros and cons of having family members
pull double duty as co-workers? Are blood ties a recipe for success --
or disaster? Would you enjoy working with your family? Why or why not?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Kid, 12 years old
February 22, 2011
AGE
Best show ever!
I Love this show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Kid, 11 years old
March 31, 2011
AGE
BEST. SHOW. EVER.
I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!
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AGE
Love this show to pieces.
This show's amazing. Buddy and his team are amazingly talented! I love Cousin Anthony, and the light-hearted feel of the show. The pranks always make you laugh. Sometimes things get heated, but hey! They're family. Sometimes stuff like that happens- but then it's all fun again. Overall it's a great show!
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AGE
LOVE ITTT
Love it.... Its my favorite show Quite a bit of language but LOVE ITT
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AGE
LOVE IT!!!!
this is the best show ever!!!!!!!!!!! i dont know why they put it as 14. the cakes he makes are AMAZINGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!! best show on tv
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Kid, 12 years old
May 21, 2011
AGE
AWESOME, ENTERTAING SHOW FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!!
I LOVE THIS SHOW!! It's so cool to watch how Buddy makes the cakes and it is very impressive. I disagree with Common Sense, kids that are 10 years old can watch this. Most of the words, the 10 years old won't understand or the bad words will be covered. It is a show that must be seen by EVERYONE IN AMERICA!!
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AGE
Pretty Good
This show is entertaining they do cuss but it inspires me to be creative. I think its a fine show.
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Kid, 12 years old
March 7, 2011
AGE
Inspirational
It is a very entertaining show, and it promotes working hard and doing what you love.
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AGE
Perfect for tweens
Really good show. I love the cakes they make. The only bad thing is language and the swearing is mild nothing more than what kids hear everyday. Best show for kids sick of disney channel.
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Kid, 11 years old
July 9, 2011
AGE
:)
Love the show! People in the family show much care also. May have some language that is iffy (as a warning.)
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| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | TLC |
| Cast: | Buddy Valastro, Danny Dragone, Grace Faugno |
| Genre: | Reality TV |
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