Parents' Guide to The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell

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Common Sense Media Review

Marty Brown By Marty Brown , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 12+

Creativity abounds on macabre, sometimes edgy cooking show.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 12+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 16+

Based on 4 parent reviews

age 12+

Based on 5 kid reviews

What's the Story?

In THE CURIOUS CREATIONS OF CHRISTINE MCCONNELL, Christine lives in a house with several creatures, including a feisty raccoon, an undead cat, and a giant were-dog-bear-thing. She makes extravagant snacks and desserts for her housemates and guests, like pretzels in the shape of bones or edible Ouija boards, and walks viewers step-by-step through her elaborate processes while her critter friends get into mischief.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 4 ):
Kids say ( 5 ):

Combining elements of Pee-Wee's Playhouse with a traditional cooking show is a stroke of genius, and the work by Jim Henson Company-affiliated puppeteers is entertaining and punchy, retaining the vaudeville style of, say, The Muppet Show. And the titular creations that McConnell makes each episode also provide plenty of spectacle: she loves food that's functional, like an edible ouija board, or tricksy, like a cake that looks like a coffee pot sitting next to a coffee pot that looks like a cake. The only drawbacks are that McConnell herself is a little stiff in front of the camera (though she seems to get more comfortable as the series goes on), and the show spends a little too much time trying to have a plot, when McConnell's tutelage and some funny puppet banter are probably all it needs. But as a whole, The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell is creative,surprising and wildly entertaining in ways you wouldn't expect from a cooking show.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Christine McConnell's creations. What are your favorite things that McConnell makes? Why? Did any of the desserts surprise you?

  • How much effort does it take to make such beautiful creations? How do you think McConnell got so good at what she does?

  • Why does McConnell share a house with so many unusual critters? Why do you think she likes monster-themed treats so much? Do you like Halloween and other spooky stuff?

TV Details

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