Come Dine with Me
By Kari Croop,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
British reality series spices up a dwindling dining custom.
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What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
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Based on 1 parent review
Its a good show. Its hardly mature.
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What's the Story?
In COME DINE WITH ME, four self-proclaimed foodies tuck into some good English eats over the course of a single week -- but the catch is, they're doing it in each other's homes. A different participant plays the role of host each night, with the others gathering around the table as dinner guests. At the end of the evening, each guest grades the host on a scale of one to 10; the host or hostess with the highest average score at the end of the week wins $1,000.
Is It Any Good?
Wildly entertaining, it's not. But Come Dine with Me works well as a fly-on-the-wall social experiment that invites at-home food enthusiasts along for the ride -- if not in for a bite. Thanks to the diversity of the contestant pool, the show also covers a surprising array of culinary tastes, from a Grecian-inspired menu of moussaka and baklava to a native African feast of zebra and ostrich. The hosts' elaborate dishes don't always turn out well, but it's fascinating to see what -- and how -- they cook when they're trying to impress other people.
Sit-down entertaining might seem like an antiquated custom, but in a world where many of us don't even know our next-door neighbors, it's refreshing to see strangers open their homes, share a meal, and (gasp!) actually make conversation. For that reason alone, it's worth your time.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about cooking at home and how it stacks up against dining out. How many nights a week does your family eat a meal that's been prepared at home? How often do you rely on take-out or sit-down restaurants? Which do you like better?
Why do the hosts use alcohol to break the ice? Will serving guests alcohol guarantee a successful evening, or can it lead to unexpected consequences?
Do you think this show could be a hit in the United States if it were adapted for American audiences? Why or why not? Is there anything special about British culture that makes Come Dine with Me a better fit for that country?
TV Details
- Premiere date: January 10, 2005
- Network: BBC America
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: February 25, 2022
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