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Cake Boss

(Rated TV-PG, Reality TV, Starring Buddy Valastro, Where to watch: TLC)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Reality show about family business mixes sweet and sour.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 14 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The show promotes hard work and teamwork, but the family members/co-workers don't always treat each other with respect.
  • Role models:

    Buddy and his talented team work hard to keep their bottom line strong, typically putting in 15-18 hour days between five and seven days a week. But when things get tense, tempers can flare, and arguments are common.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Nothing physical, but there's plenty of yelling between Buddy and his extended family. On at least one occasion, a bakery employee express his feelings by slamming huge bags of sugar down on the counter, causing them to burst open.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Buddy uses "freakin'" and "friggin'" a lot, as well as descriptive phrases like "go scratch" and "break my balls." You'll also hear words like "hell" and "damn," as well as some bleeped language when arguments get heated.
  • Consumerism:

    The show is filmed inside Carlo's City Hall Bake Shop in Hoboken, N.J., and directly promotes the business.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Cake Boss

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.

Did this review help you decide?

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?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    i love it! the show has emphasis on family that i really like..and they're all fun

  2. I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    awesome show!!

    i think that this show is a great for anyone! they make amazing cakes, and lots of pastries. the show is also funny at times, like when they ordered doves and got ducks, when they were catching pigeons at the park, also when the guy brought real lobsters. the show isnt bad, it's actually a really great show.

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Colorado
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 3.0

    fine for the whole family

    The whole family likes this show. The adults don't always use good judgement, so those moments are good teaching moments.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Indiana
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0

    Yummy cakes!

    This show is really awesome. It's pretty funny too. They whole family business thing causes some family fights and it can get funny. The cakes they make blow me away. I wish I could do that. Totally watch this show!!!

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    funny and cool

    funny! especially when the bakers screw up a cake. I plan on ordering a cake from carlo's bakery someday. Nothing really bad except bleeped out language and occasional violence.

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