Buddy vs. Duff
Buddy vs. Duff
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Buddy vs. Duff is a baking challenge show in which Buddy Valastro and Duff Goldman vie for bragging rights in a series of kitchen contests. In each of the six episodes, the two contestants are given a baking challenge and a cake decorating challenge, both to be judged by expert chefs. The competition is mostly friendly, but the opponents do engage in some mild trash talk between them, poking fun at each other and talking up their own abilities. This series produces some impressive baked arts and lets viewers glimpse some of the pros' tips and tricks in the kitchen.
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What's the Story?
Two giants in the kitchen face off in a battle of skill and creativity in BUDDY VS. DUFF. The six-part competition pits Duff Goldman against Buddy Valastro in a series of bake-offs and cake-offs that test their creativity and skill. Judges Sherry Yard and Keegan Gerhard weigh in on their concoctions and assign them points accordingly, and the baker with the highest point tally at the end of the competition gets to claim the ultimate title and bragging rights.
Is It Any Good?
The most remarkable aspects of this series are the two boisterous contestants' egos, which help sustain the rivalry that keeps things interesting in an otherwise formulaic kitchen competition. Their good-natured verbal jousting doesn't overwhelm the baking content, but the guys genuinely enjoy talking up their abilities both to each other and in front of the camera.
Foodies -- and Buddy and/or Duff fans -- will be most enthralled with this competition, and even the lay viewer can appreciate the skill and vision that goes into the impressive creations. Ultimately, though, Buddy vs. Duff struggles to separate itself from the many other kitchen contests on the air and only entertains in small doses.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the nature of TV competitions. Do Buddy and Duff seem truly invested in the contest? Are competition shows generally believable, or do you get the sense that they're set up and the result is predetermined?
What skills are important in the culinary arts? How do concepts of math and science play a role in Buddy and Duff's kitchen work? Kids: Do you enjoy working in the kitchen?
In what ways does competition bring out positive qualities in its participants? How does it force you to handle adversity? What lessons can you learn from losing? From winning?
TV Details
- Premiere date: April 1, 2019
- Cast: Buddy Valastro, Duff Goldman
- Network: Food Network
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Cooking and Baking
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: July 1, 2022
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