Sugar Rush
Common Sense says
- Netflix
- Reality TV
- 2018
Parents say
Kids say
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The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Sugar Rush is a reality competition series in which teams of bakers race the clock to create unique confections. This show's hook is that contestants are rewarded for working quickly: They can carry over time from the first two rounds to the final one, provided they make the judges' cut and get to compete in the finals. This creates a sort of dual contest, since the teams have to impress the judges with their baked creations but also work efficiently to maximize their chances at the end. Tensions run high at times, and some teams handle the stress better than others, but on the whole this is a friendly competition. Judges' criticism is mixed with positive encouragement and praise for impressive work. Viewers will pick up some tricks of the trade by watching, and there are ample examples of teamwork, determination, and problem-solving.
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Great show!!
What's the story?
SUGAR RUSH is a competition series in which teams race the clock to complete baking challenges for a chance to win a $10,000 prize. Each contest begins with four teams and three hours on each of their respective clocks, which stop when they present their creations for judging. One team is eliminated at the end of each of the first two rounds, and any time remaining on the finalists' clocks gets baked into their new three-hour allotment for the final, winners-take-all round. Hosted by Hunter March, the show features judges Candace Nelson and Adriano Zumbo as well as a new guest judge in each episode.
Is it any good?
This fast-paced baking competition distinguishes itself from a smorgasbord of other shows in the genre with a unique twist on the time crunch that really challenges the contestants' strategy. To allow for maximum time in the last round of truly impressive concoctions, many teams race through the first and second rounds of baking, but they risk attention to detail that could lose them the whole thing. On the other hand, eating up too much of the clock in pursuit of perfection can leave them short on time in the last challenge when minutes count the most.
Sugar Rush's mostly congenial competition and the truly impressive cake art can be engrossing to watch, and viewers may pick up a trick or two they can implement in their own kitchen. More generally, the show celebrates creativity and the contestants' ability to think outside the box with regard to this sweet art form. Cooking and baking contest series are generally decent -- and educational -- family fare, and this addition to the mix is no exception.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about the teams' strategies for winning the contest. Which challenge is more important to them: the time crunch or the taste test? How would you balance the two elements? Do the contestants' strategies ever backfire?
What's the appeal of reality shows like Sugar Rush? Do they inspire or teach viewers in some way? Does this one advertise anything to its audience? How confident can we be in the "reality" of reality TV?
Identify some instances of teamwork, determination, and other character strengths in the contestants' actions. Can you learn from them? Is there a purpose to shows that present characters with more negative traits?
TV details
- Premiere date: July 13, 2018
- Cast: Candace Nelson, Adriano Zumbo, Hunter March
- Network: Netflix
- Genre: Reality TV
- Character Strengths: Teamwork
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Available on: Streaming
Character Strengths
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