Parents' Guide to

The Great American Baking Show

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Stateside competition is mild, fun for food fans.

TV ABC Game Shows 2016
The Great American Baking Show Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 5+

Based on 1 parent review

chris D.
chris D. Adult
January 5, 2017
age 5+

A hit around our house

I have to say that this is one of the traditional things that I wait for around the holidays it's just so much fun and a good treat.as judge Mary would say. The only slight objective thing is there is mild and I mean very mild swearing from time to time and also sexual jokes about food being.sausy or wanting to make love to the dish it is so good but that is it aside from those things there is nothing wrong with the show and I love how much it seems that the contents care for one another it's a good example of kindness

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Based on the popular series The Great British Bake Off (known in the United States as The Great British Baking Show), THE GREAT AMERICAN BAKING SHOW features 10 stateside amateur bakers competing for the title of America's Best Amateur Baker. Actors and real-life couple Nia Vardalos and Ian Gomez host the competition, in which competitors bake creations ranging from cakes and cookies to French pastries and lots of other sophisticated goods. Pastry chef Johnny Luzzini, baker Jeremiah Bills, and Britain's own Mary Berry judge their work. Those who impress with their presentation and flavors get to bake another day, while those who do not are eliminated. The winner gets a trophy and the right to boast about their victory.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Originally titled The Great Holiday Baking Show, this mild series features a diverse group of people attempting to bake refined, unique, and tasty oven-baked goods. But it's not the most animated of cooking competitions, thanks to a merely semi-successful attempt at matching the charming flavors of its British counterpart. Nia Vardalos manages to add some zest, but occasionally her jokes fall as flat as a bad soufflé.

If baking doesn't appeal to you, The Great American Baking Show will seem as dry as an over-baked Bundt cake. However, those who enjoy the craft may feel differently. Judges and contestants offer helpful tips, and the recipes featured are interesting and mouth-watering. Despite the lack of some original ingredients, the show is sweet enough to inspire bakers to try their hand at some of the treats shown here.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the appeal of cooking and baking shows such as The Great American Baking Show. Are these shows created only for people who like cooking and baking, or are they intended to appeal to a broader audience?

  • What are the challenges that come with adapting a TV show from another country? Should the adaptation be exactly the same as the original? Why? How would you compare The Great American Baking Show with The Great British Baking Show?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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