Common Sense Media Review
By Ashley Moulton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Predictable bakery reality show has promotion, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Cupcake Guys
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
THE CUPCAKE GUYS is a reality show that follows former NFL players Michael Griffin and Brian Orakpo as they pursue their post-football careers. Along with friend and business guru Bryan Hynson, Griffin and Orakpo are embracing their second careers as cupcake bakers and entrepreneurs in Austin, Texas. The series follows "the cupcake guys" as they try different strategies to recover from pandemic sales losses and run a profitable business, as well as family drama that happens along the way.
Is It Any Good?
Even in the genre of reality shows, the faux-drama in this series seems especially contrived. It's hard to believe that the cupcake business is high stakes for the ex-NFL players for whom it seems more like a hobby than a livelihood. The scenes with Orakpo and Griffin's families are more compelling (probably because they're not being fed as many lines by the producers). Since the focus is on the "drama" rather than the cupcakes, viewers into baking won't get their fill of creative confections. There are many great baking shows out there, so kids and their families probably want to skip this mediocre one.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the premise of The Cupcake Guys -- masculine football players who have a second career in baking, which is traditionally a more feminine career. What do you think about that? Is it interesting, or nothing out of the ordinary?
Why do you think there are long camera shots on the logos of all the cars in the series? Do you think that's by accident or on purpose? Do you think that kind of product placement might impact how you think of those brands, even though you're just a kid?
TV Details
- Premiere date : January 18, 2023
- Cast : Michael Griffin , Brian Orakpo
- Network : Roku Channel
- Genre : Reality TV
- Topics : Cooking
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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